Literature.

The Publishers' Circular announces that tho indefatigable Mr . John Timbs has in the press a volume of " Narratives of Inventors and Discoverers in Science and the Useful Arts , " to be illustrated with engravings . The Duke of Devonshire ( says the Athenceum ) has permitted four eminent Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries to make a careful investigation ofthe Collier Folio . This folio is at present in the hands of His

Grace ' s solicitor . The four gentlemen will make known the results of investigation in their own way ; but we may state generally that the facts they have elicited tend to prove how hasty and superficial was the inquiry conducted under the eye of Sir Frederick Madden , aud to increase the public regret that gentlemen connected officially with a great public library should have allowed themselves to engage as principals or partisans in such a strife . But since the officers of the Manuscript

Department of the British Museum , lowering their own credit and the dignity of letters , have put themselves forward as a committee of impeachment and public prosecution , where is their indictment ? AVhy does the promised charge hang fire ? Mr . AV . Dyce , R . A ., has received the first prize of £ 50 , at the Liverpool Academy Exhibition , for his picture of " The Good Shepherd . " The Exhibition of the Birmingham Society of Artists opened on

Thursday with a collection of works of painting and sculpture , between five hundred and six hundred in number . Contributions have been received from local picture galleries , and from patrons of Art at a distance . Mr . Phillip ' s "Spanish Contrabandistas , " the property of the Prince Consort ; Leslie ' s "Columbus and the Egg ; " Collins ' s "Sunday Morning ; " Stanfield ' s " Portna Spania — Giant ' s Causeway ; " Roberts ' s " Basilica of San Lorenzo , Rome ; " Dauby ' s "Games of Anchises ; " Mr . F . Goodall ' s " Scene in Brittany ; " Mr . H . AA " . Piekersgill ' s " Portrait of AVordsworth , " hang on the walls . The members of the society and local artists exhibit a majority of the works .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

METROPOLITAN . DOMATIC Loncm ( No . 20 G ) . —The first meeting for the season of this excellent Lodge was held at Bro . Ireland ' s , Masonic Hall , Falcon Tavern , Fleet Street , on Monday last , Sept .. 12 th , Bro . Baker , AV . M ., presiding , supported by nearly forty of the brethren . Three brothers having been passed to the second degree , and no further business of importance offering , the Lodge was closed in duo form . The brethren afterwards

adjourned to an elegant banquet , at the close of which the usual toasts were proceeded with . In replying to the toast of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Bro . Smith , Grand Purst ., said he was sure it would be highly gratifying to the members of the Lodge to be informed that their esteemed Past Master , Bro . Thos . Alex . Adams , who was unfortunately prevented being present that evening , had received a letter from the Grand Secretary informing him that it was the intention of the Most AVorshiful Grand Master to confer

p upon him the newly created office of Assistant Grand Pursuivant . He knew how well Bro . Adams would perform the duties , and he ( Bro . Smith ) felt highly gratified to find that he should have the assistance of so distinguished u brother in the discharge of his duties . The . health of the visitors ( including Bros . Moriug , Brown , AValkley , M . Cooke , & e ., ) was briefly acknowledged by Bro . H . G . AYarren , P . M ., 101 ) and 2052 . Bro . Smith neatly proposed the health of the AVorshipful Master , whom he eulogised for a strict discharge of his dutiesand a desire at all times

, to add to the comfort of the brethren . The AVorshipful Master replied , and gave the health of the Past , Masters , which was acknowledged by Bro . Carpenter very humourously and quaintly . A variety of other toasts , including prosperity to the Freemasons' Magazine , were drunk , and the brethren separated at an early hour , but not before acknowledging the exertions of Bro . Ireland in catering for the Lodge . The proceedings of the . evening were enlivened by the excellent singing of Bros . Cooke , Everitt , and others .

AV __ i . r , n . GTON LODOK ( No . 805 ) . —The first meeting of this season was held at the Lord Duncan Tavern , Deptford , on Tuesday . September 13 th , Bro . AVadeson , AV . M ., presiding , who initiated Mr . Prior of the George and A ' ulture Tavern , Castle Court , Cornhill , and Mr . John Pierce of the Bell Tavern , Gracechureh Street , into the Order . At the close of the business the brethren adjourned to an elegant banquet , provided by Bro . Hayes , P . M .: there being several visitors present , ineluding Bros . Stuart . Birch . Marcellus . and others . The whole of the proceedings passed oft' most agreeably , as they always do at this well conducted Lodge .

INSTRUCTION . LonoE Of Coxi ' imcxcK ( No . 225 ) . —A meeting of this excellent Lodge of Instruction was held at Bro , AVadeson ' :., Bengal Arms Tavern , Birchiu-

The Masonic Mirror.

lane , on Wednesday , September 14 th , when Bro . Anslow , P . M ., most ably worked the first ceremony and lecture . There were a number of joinm " members , and this Lodge of Instruction bids fair to become the most numerous and well attended east of Temple-bar . UNITED PII . OIUMS' LODGE ( No . 745 . )—On Friday evening a meeting of this Lodge of Instruction was held at the Manor House , AValwortli . Bro . H . Thompson ( of the Domatic Lodge ) presided as AV . M ., Bro .

Lascelles ( of the Jubilee Lodge ) S . AV ., aud Bro . Geider ( of the Parent Lodge ) J . W . The Lodge having been opened in the first degree , the AA ' orshipful Master worked the first section of the lecture , ( the answers by the brethren ) , and afterwards performed the ceremony of instruction , Bro . Clout being the candidate . The AVorshipful Master afterwards worked the fourth , fifth , sixth , and seventh sections of the lecture . Two now members having been admitted , Bro . Lascelles was elected AA orshipful Master for the ensuing week , and the Lodge was closed in due form with solemn prayer .

PEG V INC IA L . HAMPSHIRE . SOUTHAMPTON . —Eoyal Gloster Lodge ( No . 152 ) . —Tho brethren held their usual monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , Bugle street , on Thursday evening , Sept . Sth , at seven o ' clock , Bro . F . Perkins , AA . M .,

presiding , supported by his officers and the R . AV . D . Prov . Grand Master , Bro . C . Ii . Deacon ; Bro . A . Fletcher , AV . M . of Lodge Peace awl Harmony ; Bro . J . 11 . Stebbing , AV . M . of Lodge Twelve Brothers , aud a large attendance of members and visiting brethren . The principal business of the evening was the passing of Bro . AVilliam Digby Seymour ( M . l . for Southampton ) to the second degree . This was performed by the AV . M . in his usual able and spirited manner , and after the transaction of some local businessabout forty brethren sat down to banquet . The

, usual Masonic toasts were given and responded to in a very admirable manner . The health of Bro . Deacon , D . Prov . G . M ., drew forth from that R . AA . brother in reply , an exceedingly warm response , eulogizing in the most glowing terms the influences and advantages of Masonry . The health ofthe visiting brethren was responded to by Bro . Seymour , who said nothing could give him greater pleasure than the advancement in Masonry he had made that evening , it revealed fresh truths and again reminded him that Masonry was the means of inducing men of eveiy

clime and creed to meet in unity , not upon the narrow ground of party , but as members of the great human family , upon the broad basis of brotherly love , to keep alive and propagate those principles which teach man to halt at every step of his career , to reflect upon some great truth , to practise some great virtue , to scatter good around , to show that lie lives for something move than himself . It was a- pleasing thing to have a spot where men might meet free from those feelings which are engendered by party warfare , held sacred from the hostilities of the political

woi Id , where all came with one common object , and to practise brotherly love , relief , and truth . Several other speeches were made during the evening , and the brethren separated at an early hour , highly p l ease ! with the proceedings .

LANCASHIRE AVEST . ROBV . —Alliance Lodge ( No . 005 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on the 0 th inst ., in consequence of the AVorshipful Master having received requisitions from members of the Lodge to call a Lodge of Emergency to ballot for , and if approved , initiate , Messrs . AVm . Tyson , H . Unsworth , Thomas H . AVilliams , and AVm . H . B . Trego , who were leaving town . Accordingly au Emergency was called one hour

previous to the regular meeting , and the above gentlemen were initiated iuto the mysteries of our Order by the AVorshipful Master , Bro . G . AAV . Phillipps , assisted by all his officers . The Lodge was then closed in chic form , after which the regular Lodge was opened and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . Two applicants , widows of deceased brethren , were relieved , a member proposed for initiation at the next monthly meeting , and , after some discussion relative to the finances «! the Loelge , it was closed in due form and harmony . The brethren then adjourned to refreshment , and a pleasant evening was spent ; there was some good singing by the AVorshipful Master ( who had composed a sous ! for the occasion ) , and other brethren .

LEICESTERSHIRE . The following Provincial Grand Officers were appointed , on AVednesday last , September 14 th : — Bros . AVm . Kelly , reappointed D . Prov . C . JL ; Frederick Goodyer , No . 700 , P . M ., S . G . AV . ; Edward Mammalt . No . 1081 , AV . M ., ( and P . M ., No . 031 ) , J . G . AV . ; Rev . J . O . Picton , MJ , < No . 766 , Rev . John Denton , M . A ., No . 1081 , reappointed G . Chap lains ; Joseph Underwood , No . 34 S , P . M ., reelected G . Treas . ; Jos . P .. Haxby , 3 lf

solicitor , No . 348 , G . Registrar ; Charles Morris , solicitor , P . M . No . - * . G . Secretary ; John Holland , jun ., AV . M . No . 34 S , S . G . D . ; John Dennis Paul , No . 766 , J . G . D . ; AVilliam Millican , architect , P 3 JNo . 766 , reappointed G . . Supt . of AVorks ' ; Robert Brewin , juu ., S . AV . No . 766 , reappointed G . Dir . of Cers . ; Alfred Cummings , S . AVNo . 348 , reappointed Assist . G . Dir . of Cers . ; T . H . Robart , S . W No . 1081 , G . Sword Bearer ; Geo . Aug . Liihr , No . 760 . G . Organist ; C . J . Willy , AV . M . No . 706 , G . Purs . . ; Marten Nedham , J . AV . No . 34 S ; Thomas Sheppard , J . AA ' . No . 766 ; James Bouskell , No . 348 ; Harvv J . Davis , J . AV , NOB . 58 aud 766 ; Thomas . ILurold , No . 55 ,