Turkey.

TURKEY .

CONSTANTINOPLE . THE brethren of the Oriental Lodge have had the satisfaction of a visit from Bro . Hyde Clarke , from Smyrna , but unfortunately the steamer came in too late for the ordinary Lodge meeting . The state of Masonry at Constantinople and Smyrna , and the moans of its advancement in Turkey , were the subjects of several conferences ,

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

MASONIC BALL AT SHEFFIELD . Tun annual ball of the brethren of the Britannia Lodge of Freemasons , No . 162 , took place on Thursday evening , January 5 th , at the Cutlers' Hall , when a more numerous , more fashionable , and more brilliant company assembled than on any previous occasion . The brethren of the mystic fraternity mustered strongly , and were clothed in the various aprons , sashes , collars , and jewels which mark their rank and

the offices they hold . Amongst them were representatives from Lodges in Scotland , Ireland , America , and other parts of the world . Dancing commenced about nine o'clock , and , under the lively influence of Air . Scale ' s celebrated quadrille baud , was kept up with great spirit until past four in the morning . The crimson and blue of the brethren , the scarlet of the officers of the S 4 th Regiment , and the grey of the Hallamshire Rifles , contrasted admirably with tbe beautiful dresses of the ladiessome of whom honoured the fraternity by wearing the Masonic

, colours aud emblems of the Craft . An elegant collation and excellent wines , supplied by Mr . Hield , of the York Hotel , were provided in the saloon , aud presided over by Bro . Bailes , Prov . S . G . AA . of AA ' est Yorkshire , who gave the usual toasts . Bro . Major O'Brien returned thanks for the " Army aud Navy . " The company , which numbered about one hundred and forty , appeared highly gratified by the excellent arrangements which had been made for their comfort ancl enjoyment .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . LORD LONDESBOROUGH , P . G . AV . WF . announce the demise of Lord Londeshorough , a nobleman whose public and private worth have endeared him to all who have ever been brought within the sphere of his influence . This unexpected event took place at the town residence of the family , on Carlton House Terrace , at an early hour on Sunday . Lord Londesborough was second surviving son of the first Marquis Couyngham , by Elizabeth , daughter of Mr . Joseph Denison , of Denbies , in the county of Surrey . His career

commenced in the Royal Horse Guards , from which he retired in 1821 , to enter the diplomatic service of his country as attachd to the British Legation at Berlin . In 1 S 25 , he was advanced to a similar position at Vienna ; and iu 1 S 2 S he became Secretary of Legation at Florence , whence he removed , in 1829 , to Berlin in the same capacity . Here his lordship remained until 1830 , when lie returned to England , and after three years took his seat in the House of Commons , in the liberal interest , as M . P . for the city of Canterbury , which place he continued to

represent in the several parliaments from 1835 to 1841 , and again from 18-17 until his elevation to the peerage in 1 S . 50 , the interval of interruption being occasioned by ill health . fn the yejir 1843 , he distinguished himself by taking an active part in tho foundation of the British Archceological Association , of which he became president , an office he subsequently resigned in 1 SI 9 . About this period , by the death of his maternal uncle , Mr . AVilliam Joseph Denison , of Denbies , county of Surrey , and Seamer , county of York , Lord Albert Conyngham found himself at once elevated from the position of a younger son to that of

one of the most wealthy noble commoners in England , coming into the immediate possession of a princely income . According to the arrangements of his uncle ' s will , the residue of his personal property was to be expended in the purchase of landed estates , to be entailed on three generations . The investment of this enormous property has secured a rent roll of more than £ 70 , 000 a year in the county of York aloue . His lordship having assumed the name of Denison , in accordance with a provision of his uncle's will , the royal prerogative was exercised by his

elevation to the peerage . His lordship was called to the Upper House in the spring of 1 S 50 as Baron Londesborough , taking h \ s title from the estate of Londesborough , in Yorkshire , the recent purchase of which at that period rendered him one of tho largest landed proprietors in the East Riding of Yorkshire . The popularity of his lordship not only in the East Riding , but also in the North Riding , and in the AVest Riding , where the additional purchase of tho Grimston Park estate from Lord Howden gave to the family a noble residence , has been unbounded . His

warm and generous disposition has made itself felt not only amongst his neighbours and friends , but also as a kind and generous landlord . Lord Londesborough , who was born iu 1 S 05 , and on the day of the glorious victory of Trafalgar , married , at twenty-eight , Henrietta , one of the five sisters ^ of the present Lord Forester , his eldest son by whom , the Hon . AAllliam Henry Forester Denison , now the upholder and representative of tho Denison family , was M . P . for Scarborough . Two daughters , and one younger son of this marriage , the Hon . Albert Denison , a lieutenant , in the Royal Navy , survive : aud ' b ' y iiis lordship ' s

Obituary.

second marriage , in 1847 , with Ursula Lucy Grace , eldest daughter of Captain the Hon . Charles Orlando Bridgeman , R . N ., brother of the Earl of Bradford , he has left three sons and three daughters . AA e believe his lordship was initiated into the Order whilst abroad , but in 1833 he joined the Lodge of Friendship ( No . 6 ) , at the Thatched House Tavern , but does not .-vppear for some years to have taken an active part in the affairs of the Order . In 1 S 53 he joined the Constitutional Lodge ( 371 ) , Beverley ; and , on being appointed Senior Grand Warden , the Alpha

Lodge ( No . 16 ) . In 1 S 54 his lordship became a member of the United Industrious Lodge ( 34 ) , Canterbury , and in 1858 of tho Londesborough Lodge ( 1036 ) , on its foundation at Bridlington Quay . His lordship was also P . Asst , G . Soj . and a Vice-President of the Boys' School ,

The Week

THE WEEK .

THE COURT . —The Royal family remain at Windsor in good health ; the Queen and Princeses take their daily rides and drives , and the Prince of AVales and his father hunt or shoot ; there has been a good deal of company at the Castle this week . On Monday the Queen , the Prince Consort and the Prince of AVales visited the AVindsor infirmary . The visitors this week have included the Duke of Cambridge , the Duchess of Kent , Prince and Princess de Joiuville , Viscount Sydney , the French Ambassador and Countess de Persigny , the Marquis of Exeter and Lady Mary Cecil , the Earl and Lady Constance Grosvenor , Lord and Lady John Russell , the Right Hon . Spencer and Mrs . AA ' alpole , Major General Sir Harry Jones , and Major General Wylde .

GENERAL HOME NEWS . —On . AVediiesday a numerously attended deputation waited ^ on Sir George Cornewall Lewis , the home secretary , when a variety of interesting statements were made , urging on government the importance of adopting an improved municipal arrangement of the extensive borough of the Tower Hamlets , and of its parliamentary representation , in view of any coming reform bill . The home secretary said the subject should receive the full consideration of himself and colleagues , adding , however , that an opinion appeared , more particularly in the to be

provinces , gaining ground , that London was already sufficiently represented , aud that probably any large addition to its representation would not be well received in other parts of the country . Air . Blenoowe has been elected as member for Lewes , in place of the late Right Honourable H . Fitzroy , without opposition . On Tuesday evening last the members of Parliament for South Hants , the Hon . C . Dutton aud Sir C . Jervoise attended the anniversary meeting of the Southampton Athentoum , and delivered speeches of general

interest . The meeting however wa 3 move remarkable for its omissions than anything else . A vast crowd of people had assembled in the anticipation of hearing Lord Paimerston , who had promised to attend , but at the last moment the conductors received a letter of apology from the noble lord , the reading of which seemed considerably to disturb tbe equanimity of the meeting and which was by no means restored when Lord Palmerston ' s letter was followed by similar communications from Judge Halihurton ancl other celebrities . A number of reporters were present so take notes of Lord Palmerston ' s speech , but his lordship gave them all the slip , and has reserved his " points of interest" for a more

important meeting which is to be held at AVestminster next week . A Court of Aldermen was held on Tuesday , at which Alderman Salomons called attention to the numerous street accidents in the city . He said he thought the number of people run over exceeded the number injured by railways , and he moved that the City Police Commissioners should make a return of these accidents , reported to him during the last year , which was agreed to . Last week the deaths in the metropolis rose to the high number of 1 , 344 . Of this number 188 deaths are attributable

to bronchitis , and 41 to small pox . The mortality from diseases of the organs of respiration was also high . The births during the week numbered 1938 . Iu the Court of Exchequer , on Saturday , the ease , "Beatson ?; . Skene , " an action for slander by Lt . Gen . Beatson against Mr . Skene , was concluded . The jury returned a verdict for the defendant . Details have been received of a shocking calamity in the loss of the clipper ship Flora , Macdonald , from Macao to Havannah , with eight hundred and fifty Chinese coolies on board . The captain and crew left ,

the Chinese to their fate , escaping themselves . On the 2 i ) th ult ., the British ship Flying Foam , from Cardiff to Shanghae , was also totally wrecked on the coast of Madeira , the captain and eight of the crew going down with the ill-fated vessel . At the Court of Bankruptcy the question of dividend in the case of Constantino Franghiadi , a Greek merchant , of Gresham House , Old Broad-street , whose failure occurred in 1857 , was considered . It was adjourned until the 23 rcl of February next . On Wednesday the funds gave way a fraction , owing to the continued withdrawals from the Bank , the impression being that the directors would , at their weekly board , raise the rate of discount to three per cent .

FOREIGN NEWS . —On Saturday , a council of ministers was held at the Tuileries ; the result was soou seen in Sunday ' s Moniteur , which contained au importaut letter from tho Emperor Napoleon to M . Fould , minister of state , in which he states that his government had resolved on adopting means for giving greater development to the national wealth through foreign commerce ancl the freedom of exchange of products , suppression of duties on wool and cotton , reduction of duties on sugar and' Coffee , and ameliorations ill' respect" to means of internal transport .