Channel Islands.

" Alay the Great Architect of the Universe watch over anel protect you and your family during the long voyage , conduct you safely to your destination , and crown with success your sacred , clerical , and Masonic efforts . " Signed on behalf of the members of St . Aubin ' s Loelge ( No . 958 ) , "Hem-v Hopkins , A . M ., Ph . Dr ., F . R . C . P ., AV . AI . "E . C . AInllet De Carteret , S . W . " George Orange , J . W . " P . AV . Le Quesne , Sec . " Jersey , November , 1863 . "

Bro . ORANGE , J . W ., read the proposed lease of the premises occupied by the loelge , which , with some trilling alterations , was agreed to . Bros . Orange and De La Taste were appointed trustees on behalf of the lodge , anel they were requested also to effect an insurance on the property against fire . The certificates of several recently initiated brethren were signed in open lodge and delivered to them . Bro . John F . G . Le Bas , a candidate for the second degree , proved his proficiency in the first by a very

satisfactory examination , and was entrusted . The lodge was opened in the second degree , and Bro . Le Bas was duly passed to the degree of F . C . by the AV . AI ., who afterwards delivered the charge relating to it , and also the lecture on the tracing-board . The lodge was closed in the second degree . The W . AI . having represented the desirability of having a lodge seal , after some discussion he was requested to prepare a design for it , to be submitted for consideration at the next meeting . The following letter was read by the Secretary : —

"The under-mentioned Officers and Past Alasters helonging to St . Aubin ' s Lodge , having combined to purchase the pedestals , chairs , & c , hitherto useel by the Cesaree Lodge , hereby offer' them as a present to the St . Aubin's Lodge ( No . 958 ) , in full confidence that it is now firmly established , and a hope that these articles of furniture will bo occupied by each of the brethren in succession . Bros . John Durell , W . AI . 590 ,-E . D . Le ContourP . AI . 491 ; Dr . HopkinsW . AI . 958 and P . AI .

, , 43 ; E . C . AI . De Carteret , S . W . ; George Orange , J . W . ; P . W . Le Quesne , Sec . ; C . Le Sueur , Treas . ; J . F . Mannan , S . D . ; Ph . De La Taste , J . D . ; J . Catley , I . G . " Jersey , November 16 th , 18 G 3 . " The W . AI . reported a present from himself of a large desk with internal fittings for tho Tyler's room , for which the S . W . requested that a stand might be made at his expense . On the

proposition of Bro . Joseph Stevens , seconded by Bro . Surgery , votes of thanks were passed to the donors . Bro . J . K . Haire was proposed and second eel as a joining member . All business having been concluded , the lodge was closed with the usual solemnities at half-past eight . The brethren adjourned to the refreshment room . Tire usual Alasonic honours were paid to the authorities , several addresses were delivered by the W . AI . and others , a pleasant social hour was passeel , and before ten o ' clock the brethren dispersed for their respective homes .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COURT . —Tho Queen and Eoyal Family are still at Windsor . The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived on a short visit to her Alajesty ' on Tuesday-. Air . Frith , who has been commissioned to paint the Prince of Wales's marriage , has hael the honour of submitting bis well-known picture of the railway station to the inspection of her Alajesty . llosir . NEWS . —Tiro mortality of the metropolis continues

high , though that of last week was somewhat less than the corrected average of the last ten years . The number last week ivas 1475 , which is a considerable increase over the deaths in the course of last month . The increase is among both the young and the old ; the deaths of persons over sixty years of age have increased by 26 per cent . Pulmonary complaints have

become increasingly fatal . The births for the week were 1970 , being more than 100 above the average of tho last ten years . The interesting ceremony of laying the foundation stone of a new church at Windsor was performed on Saturday by her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Prussia , accompanied by

her husband and several of tbe younger members of the Royal family , - and in the presence of a great number of spectators . The Dean of Windsor presented her Royal Highness with a silver trowel , and shortly explained the object of the proposed church in that neig hbourhood . The Princess then in a low , but clear aud expressive , voice dedicated the building to the service of Almighty Goel , and then proceeded to the masonic core ,

monials . The assembly was afterwards addressed by the Bishop of Oxford , anel the proceedings , which excited a lively interest , were brought to a close . Several Cabinet Councils have been helel during the last few days . The French proposal of a European Congress , anel the alarming stage which the filed between Denmark and Germany has reached , sufficiently explain these

repeated meetings of the Cabinet . With reference to the former of these questions , the Morning Post states that our Government has decided to decline the Emperor's proposal , and with respect to tho threatened war of succession , the Times "trusts" that Lord Russell , guided by the obligations of 1852 , " will shortly be in a position to make

fitting representations to the German Governments . " Air . Farnall is no longer able to report a progressive decrease in the pauperism of the cotton manufacturing districts . The small decrease announced last week is followed this week by a slight increase . On the 14 th inst . 125 , 581 persons were receiving parochial relief—that is to say , 413 more than in the preceding

weak , but only about half the number relieved in the corresponding week of last year . On the 14 th inst . the cost of outdoor relief was at the rate of £ 7790 per week ; in the corresponding week of 1862 it was £ 16 , 616 . According to the present returns , Bolton , Burnley , Bury , Choi-ley , Chorltoti , Clitheros , the Fylde , Garstang , Lancaster , Macclesfield , Preston , Prestwich , Rochdale , Salford , Stockport , Todmorden , and

Warrington , show an increase of pauperism ; while an improvement has taken place in Manchester , Ashton , Barton-upou-Irwell , Blackburn , Glossop . Haslingden , Leigh , Sacldleworth , anel Wigan . At the last meeting of the Central Committee , Air . Farnall said a gradual increase of the distress " for some time to come , " was only to be obviated by the Public Works Act being brought

into active operation . So far only about half a million has been actually granted by the Loan Commissioners , but as the applications sent in represent nearly three times that amount , we may fairly anticipate that employment w-ill be found during tho winter for a large number of distressed operatives . It appears from returns obtained from nine places whore operatives

areemployed that the average weekly earnings have been lis . In a speech at Deal , last week , Lord Clarence Paget indicated what may probably prove to be one of the lines of defence which the Government will take up in tho event of an attack being made upon them with regarel to tlie destruction of Ivagosima . The noble Lord said Admiral Kuper had no intention of

bombarding the town . The Japanese forts precipitated hostilities by firing upon the English squadron , which replied under all the disadvantages of a storm . A " dreadful sea" was running at the time , and , although the Admiral intended to confine his operations to the Prince of Satsuma ' s works , steadiness of aim was found to be impossible , and thus , in consequence of the

heavy rolling of the ships , shot and shell , directed simply against the forts , fell into the town . Air . Cobden and Mr . Bright addressed a large meeting at Rochdale on Tuesday . Mr . Cobden spoke of the present Parliament as a Parliament " destitute of principle and of purpose ; " but nevertheless it had " completed tlie work of free trade , " He could not agree with those who charged the country with a want of interest in public affairs . So far from that being the case , the public mind was very demonstrative , but that activity , instead of being directed