Our Weekly Budget.

Davenport , who survives him . In March 1855 he gaye up management altogether , and for tho rest ^ of his life was simply actor . IVice he visited the United States . In 1870 he went to Australia , returning thence in 1872 , and in 1875-G was in India , and had the honour of

performing , by command , at the Calcutta Theatre before the Viceregal Court and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales . He Avas a successful dramatist , his first piece , My Wife ' s Mother , being performed at the Haymarket in 1833 , before he had adopted the stage as a

profession , and his last being My Awful Dad , which Avas played at the Gaiety in 1875 . Of his other pieces , Cool as a Cucmnler , Avhich he prepared a French version of , named V'Anglais Timide , and played in to the delig ht of a Parisian audience in 1863 ; A Game of Speculation , in which he played Mr .

Affable Hawk , and Patter v . Clatter , in Avhich he played the hero , are perhaps as Avell knoAvn as any . As an actor he was unapproachable in the characters Ave have named , and also in tho double rule of Puff and Sir Fretful Plagiary in the Critic . But other claims he had on the admiration of

society . He was a great linguist , speaking both French and Italian with wonderful purity . He Avas a good musician , and had attained such proficiency as a painter in oils that one of his pictures was exhibited in the R . A . in 1835 . In society he was a very great favourite , his sterling qualities ,

his gentlemanly bearing , his consideration and kindness lor others , and especially for young people , commanding the affectionate regard of all he was brought into contact Avith . We offer our sympathy to his family on the irreparable loss they have sustained .

And Avhile Ave in England are mourning the loss of a veteran actor , who , even in his old age , retained all the bearing and vigour of youth , all Spain is struck with dismay at the sad and sudden death of its young and beautiful Queen Mercedes , who , in January , Avas a bride full of hope ,

and with a rosy path of expectation before her , but who now lies a corpse , cold and senseless to the SOITOAV and grief of her stricken husband and parents . There aro not a few who imagine—for what reason Ave knoAV not—that high and puissant personages know not SOITOAV . Yet AVIIO can

hope to form a just conception of the grief of King Alphonso at the sudden close of a life so young and dear to him ? Can AVC picture to ourselves tho SOITOAV that reigns everywhere in Madrid , and indeed throughout Spain at the

terribly sudden death of this young lady in all the vigour of her youth , and hardly yet perhaps able to realise the cares and responsibilities of her position ? No doubt timo will assuage King Alphonso ' s grief , bnt he Avill hardly CA'er be able to obliterate the remembrance of this dreadful bloAv

to his happiness , though he should attain even to an almost patriarchal age . May the kindness of tho G . A . T . O . U . support him in his bereavement , and give him [ strength to endure his loss ! At the eud of last Aveek the state of thina's at Berlin Avas

the reverse of hopeful , and the continuance of the Congress seemed in the last degree improbable . Thanks , hoAvever , to the firmness of the representatives of Great Britain , Avho manfully declined to SAverve a hair ' s breadth from their terms , Russia , after referring to the Czar at St .

Peterburgh for instructions , yielded , and the Balkans will henceforth be the northern boundary of Turkey in Europe . In fact , there Avill be a strong and independent Turkey , capable of offering the most strenuous resistance to Russian aggression , Avhile Bulgaria will be re-organised , and

remaining nominall y under the sovereignty of the Sultan , Avill naturally enjoy independence , guaranteed by all the PoAvers of Europe . Thus Avhat Avas certain to form the most difficult point to arrange betAvcen Russia on the one hand , and Austria and Great Britain on the other , has

fortunately been determined in a manner honourable to the latter PoAvers , and especially to Turkey . Little else has been done at the Congress , indeed , it is impossible , considering the gravity of the Bulgarian question , to have expected further material progress to have been made .

\ Y e note , hoAvever , that thero is every probability that Austria will occupy , Avith the consent of Europe , the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina , and thus put a stop to the ambition of the petty princelings of Servia and Montenegro . Greece , too , will be consulted , but only on matters

connected Avith her OAVH interests , and those of the Greek populations of Turkey . Meantime , Turkey seems fully satisfied , and the situation at Constantinople appears to be no longer critical , —at least so critical as it Avas some time since . Let us hope that all Avill go well , and that ultimately a tirm and durable peace will be brought about .

Our Weekly Budget.

The Annual Festival of the Provincial Grand Lodgo ot Kent Avill take place at Canterbury , on Wednesday next . Tho three Lodges of that City , viz ., the United Industrious , No . 31 , the Saint Augustine , No . 072 , and the Royal Military , No . 1-149 , ha \ 'o co-operated to make the gathering

one of tho most successful that has ever been held , and we hope to be able to report that these efforts have proved successful . The Provincial Grand Officers ( Past and Present ) , and tho Masters and Wardens of the various Lodges throughout the Province , -will be entertained

at breakfast at 10 . 30 , and Avill afterwards adjourn to tho Chapter Honse , Avhere Provincial Grand Lodge Avill bo opened at 12 . 30 . The brethren Avill attend service at tho Cathedral at tAvo o ' clock , and the business of

Provincial Grand Lodge being concluded , Avill dine together in the Upper Music Hall at four o ' clock . Bro . John R . Hall , P . M . of No . 31 , is the Hon . Sec . to the Reception Committee , and AVO doubt not will be pleased to give any fnrthei information regarding the meeting .

Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . Grand Master tor Berks and Bucks , has fixed Wednesday next for the annual meeting of his Provincial Grand Lodge , which will be held at tho Carlton Club Room , Windsor . The usual items of bnsiness are set down on tho agenda paper as

requiring the attention of the members of this important Province . The Finance Committee will meet at 1 o ' clock , and audit the accounts of the past year ; Provincial Grand Lodge Avill be opened at half past one ; after the transaction of the business of the day , the

brethren Avill dine together at tho TOAVU Hall , at three o ' clock . We notice that the Great Western Raihvay offer the usual advantages to' members attending tho meeting ; return tickets being issued from the principal

stations at single fares , and a special train being provided in the evening to convey those brethren Avho would other-Avisc be compelled to leaA c before tho conclusion of tho day ' s programme .

Ihe Provincial Grand Lodcre of Mark Master Masons of Middlesex and Surrey will bo held this day ( Saturday ) at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon , under the Presidency of tho Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Colonel Francis Burdett . Grand Lodge is to be opened at three o ' clock ; at half-past

the members AVIII repair to tho parish church , Avhere , by ( permission of the vicar ) , a special service Avill be held , and a sermon preached by the Provincial Grand Chaplain . After the business of tho day the brethren Avill adjourn to banquet , tickets

for Avhich ( 6 s 6 d each ) may be had of the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Brighten . Previous to tho meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge , the Croydon Mark Lodge -will be opened ( at tAvo o ' clock ) for the advancement of such brethren as may be eligible .

Wc have received Avith great regret an announcement to the effect that Sir Knight John Robin Mc Daniel , Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Virginia , departed this life at Washington , on the Pith . May , in the 72 nd year of his age . He is spoken of in the circular

containing the sad intelligence , as having been true in all hia relations of life , " True to his professions , true to every duty , true as a friend , true as a Templar . " We offer our tribute of respectful sympathy to the relatives and friends of the deceased Sir Knio-hr ,.

Those of onr readers who may visit tho 1 ' aris Exhibition Avill have iin excellent opportunity of judging of tho merits of Messrs . Diek Ratlclillb and Co . ' s ability as floral decorators . Thoy havo very prettily littod up a window ease near tho Avenue " des Graudos nations , " and this is decorated with ferns , rockwork , fountains , and waterfalls—iu a manner which abundantly testifies to tho excel .

lent skill and tasto of this well known firm . They have likewise fitted the Prince of Wales ' s I ' aviliou with a fernery , having caverns , cascades . & c ., in an equally becoming style , and they have also sent four cases of very handsome wreaths , composed of dried natural ( lowers and grasses . Indeed , the whole of their exhibits are a credit o the firm , and to tho country they represent at this International Exhibition .

Bito . Count ( U . S . A . )—Wo have a pocket book which belongs to you . It was found , after tlie meeting oi ! the lloyal Savoy Lodge , ou f uesday last .