Our Weekly Budget.

President has been showing how great is the interest he , takes in the International Exhibition , -which will be helcl in Paris this summer . The affairs of Spain are not usually of great interest , but a slight disturbance has arisen by reason of the strange

conduct of ex-Queen Isabella , who has been in communication with her cousin , the pretender Don Carlos . Considering the latter is the defeated aspirant to her son ' s throne , such communication is , to say the least , impolitic . The first result was a gentle hint from the French

Government , to the effect that Don Carlos would do well to favour some other country with his presence . Following this , there has been an explosion of indignation in the Paris Flijaro on the part of ex-Queen Isabella , in which she resents the bare idea that sho could do anything that

would be likely to disturb her son ' s possession of the Spanish throne . This protest , however , does not appear to have satisfied King Alphonso and his ministers , for orders have been given to the effect that the Queen-Mother

must not return to her native country . No doubt the cause of all this family strife is the fact of the young King being about to marry his cousin , daughter of the Duke de Montpensicr .

The news from the seat of war , except as regards the ¦ weather , -which appears to be very terrible , is somewhat scanty . The Servians have gained more successes , and are in the neighbourhood of Sofia , while a force of Russians is in the same neighbourhood . The latter , too , have turned

the western Balkans , though , according to the accounts received , in no great strength . But the principal news relates to the Russian communications over the Danube , which are now completely severed , and will remain so till the river is frozen over , or the masses of ice cease moving eastwards .

This is a very serious state of things for the invading army , which now has nothing to rely upon but the stores it has laid up during the autumn , and if the present state of the weather continues , there is little doubt that with such immense forces these will very quickly be exhausted . And

what then ? With a respectable force of Turks in their front , and scant opportunities for obtaining supplies from Rouamnia •and , moreover , with the country in which they are located utterly incapable of supplying anything further in the way of food , fuel , and forage , and several feet deep in

snow , the poor Russians will suffer terribly . The Turkish peasantry are in little better plight , thousands of them having to fly further southwards , in the direction of the capital , in order to escape the dangers of bombardment . From Asia -we hear that Mukhtar Pasha

has left Erzeroum , some say in disguise , in company -with one of the European Consuls , and others with a force of 4 , 000 men , with whom he has retired on Baiburt , with a hope that he may organise a fresh army and once more try his fortune with Melikoff . Erzeroum is

evidently not completely invested under these circumstances , and as the weather renders it equally impossible here as in Europe to continue operations , there is little or no fighting to record . There has been some interchange of shots at Batoum , and the Russians have made another attempt with

torpedoes to blow up a Turkish ironclad , but they failed , and the vessels were compelled to retire into Sevastopol . There has also been received news of Hobart Pasha , who has been bombarding places on the Russian sea-board , and is said to have inflicted heavv damage . But the news of

the day refers to the request made by Turkey that England should signify to the Czar the wish of the Sultan to reestablish peaceful relations between the belligerent powers . This task has been accepted by our government , the request

has been addressed to the Russian Chancellor , and has been civilly declined , the question of negotiations being referred by Prince Gortschakoft' to the generals in command . Since the above was written , intelligence has arrived that General Ghourko has forced the Balkans at

the head of a force estimated at 30 , 000 , that the Turkish force at Kamarli has been withdrawn , a rear guard , nuclei Brikor Pasha , gallantly covering it during this important operation , that the capture of Sofia is imminent , arid that Mukhtar Pasha has arrived at Constantinople .

IIOLEOWAT ' S OINTMENT AND FILLS . —Throat Affections . —All tho varieties ol these distressing complaints may bo readily and effectively treated by rubbing this Ointment twice a day upon tlie neck and chest , and supporting the strength by suitable nourishment , iiy this simple means diphtheria , ulcerated and relaxed throat , irritation of the windpipe , quinsey , and all glandular

enlargements will have their progress arrested and the destruction they have caused repaired . Holloway ' s Ointment is the most trustworthy remedy for all internal and external throat ailments , and may be safely and effectively employed in every case , without regard to season , sex , age , or constitution . It is highly extolled for its ready cures of spasmodic cougtts , chronic hoarseness , and diaagce-aMe < iisc ! iai-g 93 from the throat oaS s < jse ,

District Grand Lodge Of British Burmah.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF BRITISH BURMAH .

A Quarterly Communication waa held at tlie Masonic Temple , Eangoon , ou Tuesday , the 11 th September last . Present—¦ E . W . Bros . IL Krauss D . G . M ., J . Dawson D . D . G . M ., E . J . L . Twynam D . G . J . W . as D . G . S . W ., B . Samnol D . G . Treas . as D . G . J . W ., Eev . J . E . Marks D . G . Chap ., W . H . Porter D . G . Sec , E . G . Man D . G . S . D ., W . Ford D . G . D . of C , J . F . Briddon D . G . Purs ., J . Clarkson D . G . Tyler •together with representatives of Lodges : Star of Bnnnah ,

No . 614 , Victoria in Barman , No . 832 , Eangoon , No . 1268 , & o . The District Grand Lodge having been opened , at 6 . 15 p . m ., tho summons convening the Communication was read . The Proceedings of the last Eegnlar Communication and of the Special Communication held on Friday , the 17 th August , wero taken as read , and duly confirmed . The District Grand Secretary reported receipt of

apologies from several brethren ; read the report of the proceedings of a meeting of tho District Grand Lodge Committee , embracing the Treasurer ' s accounts and sundry matters of relief , amendments in the Bye-Laws , & c , this report was unanimously adopted . The E . W . the District Grand Master shortly reviewed tho report , and expressed great satisfaction with the progress of the Order iu

this District . The E . W . District Grand Master stated that ho would again avail himself of the opportunity now afforded him to appeal to the District Grand Lodgo , and through the District Grand Lodgo to the private Lodges in the District , on behalf of tho Greenlaw Masonic Orphan Fund , and proceeded to poiub out how necessary it was that immediate aid was required to prevent trenching on tho capital .

Wor . Bro . W . Ford proposed , and Wor . Bro . E . G . Man seconded , " That the District Grand Lodge subscribe for two Life Governorships in the Greenlaw Masonic Orphan Fund , and that the District Grand Treasurer be authorised to disburse the sum of Es . 128 for this purpose . " Carried unanimously . Tho business for the evening being ended , the District Grand Lodge was closed in ample form at 7 . 30 p . m .

Bombay.

BOMBAY .

Lodge Islam , No . 587 , B . C . —This young and flourishing Lodge , established principally by brethren of the Mahomedan persuasion , held its regular monthly meeting on 26 th September , when the election and appointment of officers for the ensuing year took place . A large number of brethren were in attendance as representatives from the sister Lodges , and an official visitation was paid by tho

M . W . Grand Master of all India , Bro . Captain H . Morland , supported by his Grand officers , who were received with great eclat , and with grand honours . The Eig ht Worshipful Master elect , Bro . Shaik Hyder Cassim , the resident physician at Her Majesty's Dockyard , was duly installed by M . W . Bro . Morland , ably assisted by his Deputy E . W . Macintosh Balfour , according to due and ancient

form , in a mauner so thoroughly effective as to compare most creditably with the best working Lodges at homo . E . W . Bro . Morland stands out in proud distinction as a most erudite and accomplished Master of the Craft , and on this occasion ho excelled himself , and was nobly supported by M . W . Bro . Balfour . The following is a list of officers of Lodge Islam for the following year : —Bros . Shaik Hyder

Cassim E . W . Master , Francis Turner LP . Master , Cumroodeen Tyabjee Depute Master , Mirza Hoosain Khan Substitute Master , Hon . Nacoda Mahomed Allay Eogay Senior Warden , J . A . Degama Junior Warden , Dada Mea Dost Mahomed Treasurer , Mheralley Mahomed Patel Secretary , Ally Mahomed Bhimjee Senior Deacon , Khoda Bus Share Mahomed Junior Deacon , E .. Allanec Inner Guai'd ,

Mirza Hussein Khan Outer Guard , Hussein Hajee Ludah Steward , Abbas Sumsoodeen Tyobjee Koran Bearer , Kurreembhaie Ibrahim Master of Ceremonies . The Lodge having been opened in due and ancient form , the Grand Lodge was received with all tho honours , and after being inducted into the Orient chair , and making the necessary inquiries-as to tho present state and working condition of

the Lodge , M . W . Bro . Morland expressed himself highly satisfied , and proceeded to the installation of E . W . Bro . Shaik Hyder Cassim , which he accomplished with great ability . After disposing of soma business , the Lodgo was closed in peace and harmony , and the brethren and guests retired to banquet , which was served in the most sumptuous manner , and after the usual toasts of obligation and

courtesy , the brethren separated , before high twelve , pleased with all that had transpired during the evening . Thero is no doubt that Lodgo Islam has made a worthy selection in the new Master , whose honesty of purpose , suavity of manner , and experience as a Grand Officer , will ensure for him a successful career during the ensuing twelvemonths .

Mount Elbaraz Chapter . — The last monthly meeting of this prosperous scion of tho exalted Order waa held at tho Masonic Temple , Gowalia Tunk , on tho 21 th Sept . last , when tho installation of the principals and other office bearers for tbo ensuing year took place , under the most favouring and Mattering auspices . It was a matter of great interest to the Companions of the

Zoronstriar community , who havo amongst them sonic ot oho most enthusiastic , energetic , aud talented members of tho Masonic fraternity , to find that a young gentleman possessed of tho talents and practical ability enjoyed by M . E . Companion Jamsetjeo llustomjee , Commissariate Wallah , a scion of one of the oldest and most wealthy Parsee families in Western India , should havo been the nnanimonsly

chosen candidate for the tlirone of First Principal , and his installation was attended with au eclat which reflected honour on all present at the interesting ceremony . The P . Principal Z ., M . E . Companion Cowresjeo D . Fnrdonjee , most ably undertook the installation of his successor , and acquitted himself of the onerous task involved ap-ju him iu « mantic * . ' which called fuitU fiam tho Couipauious