Our Weekly Budget.

three points , Scotland , which had headed her most formidable rival by a single point in the first stage , being defeated in the second by four points . These competitions having been determined , the athletic meeting was held , nearly every kind of race and contest being included in the

programme . Afterwards took p lace the distribution of prizes , the Princess Mary of Cambridge , Duchess of Teck , being the central figure at this important ceremony , and offering a few kindly words of congratulation to those of the recipients who appeared to receive tho sports of victory .

The distribution took place this year in front of " the Cottage , " instead of facing the Grand Stand , as in accordance with the previous practice . Consequently the attendance of spectators was less numerous . Many , too , were elsewhere congregated to witness the sports . Still

thoso that came , saw , aud afterwards went away , cheered the most important winners most heartily , the English eight , or a parb of it rather , who won the Elcho Shield , and the Winchester Boys , winners of the Ashburton Challenge Shield , coming in foi » a very large share of

applause . Sergeant Pullman , however , the winner of the Queen ' s Prize , and the hero , therefore , of the meeting , was the most enthusiastically greeted , both when he advanced to receive the money and gold medal , and ,

subsequently , the rifle , presented to him by the Secretary for War , with which he had won his honors . And the ceremony over , little remained but to pack up baggage and depart , and Wimbledon , we imagine , has now resumed its wonted aspect .

There was a terrible , though fortunately a partial , storm on Sunday , which visited some of the northern suburbs of London , and caused a very considerable amount of damage to windows and hot and greenhouses . We believe the

common story of hailstones as large as pigeon eggs falling was realised . The storm , which travelled very rapidly , lasted for a short time only . It passed from the North-West over Wood Green and West Green towards

Tottenham . The Alexandra Palace escaped injury , but we believe the banquetting house in close proximity had a good deal of its glass smashed . There is said also to have been loss of life as well as loss of property , but this we cannot vouch for .

On Saturday , the Second Army Corps was reviewed by the Prince of Wales and the Commander-in-Chief , at Aldershot , Sir Salar Jung , Lord Lucan , Lord Elcho , Sir Henry Havelock , and a number of foreign officers being on the ground , while the general public mustered in great force .

General Sir Wm . Godnngton received the royal visitors , and after lunch , the inspection of the troops began . Then followed the march past , in which all the troops acquitted themselves well . The third Infantry Division was composed entirely of Militia Regiments , and the marching of

these was very firm , drawin g more than one complimentary expression from the Commander-in-Chief . The Artillery then trotted and the Cavalry cantered past , and an advance of the whole line in review order brought the day ' s proceedings to a close . The Prince and Duke shortly afterwards returned to town .

More deaths have resulted from the terrible accident on board Her Majesty ' s ship Thunderer , the number who were killed or have died of their injuries being now fortytwo . Several of the wounded are still in a very precarious state . Preparations for the inquest are being made , and

the coroner will be allowed the expenses he may incur to have an assessor , but the appointment of one will be made on his sole responsibility , the Government being very anxious that the inquiry should be conducted with the most perfect impartiality .

The Bravo mystery is still in course of solution , if indeed it ever it will be solved . A mass of evidence has been taken , and some of it is regarded as of the very last importance . The inquiry is a most painful one , but it is

desirable the manner of Mr . Bravo s death should be cleared up , if possible . There is a formidable array of counsel engaged in the case , among them tho Attorney-General and Sir Henry James .

A singular accident has occurred at the Clifton Hall Colliery a few miles from Manchester , but unattended with any loss of life . A collision happened between an ascending and descending cage , the result being that all

communication between the pit's mouth and the workings was for a time suspended . In consequence the 330 men and boys who were at work in the mine were imprisoned for some forty hours , when means were devised for bringing them to hank , Great excitement necessarily prevailed , but

shortness of provision was the worst of the consequences to the imprisoned miners , many of whom had with them only a very modest supply . When the first relief was sent , in tho shape of bread aud cheese , great excitement prevailed , and tho men broke into tho store and helped themselves . On

Sunday morning the whole of them were relieved from their uncomfortable position . The King aud Queen of tho Hellenes took their departure from London for the Continent on Saturday . Ou the same day the Emperor and Empress of Brazil arrived at

Liverpool from the United States , and at once left for London , whither they were accompanied by tho Brazilian minister , who had met them on landing . Their Imperial Majesties drove to Claridge ' s hotel , aud in the evening paid a visit to Her Majesty ' s , Drury Lane , staying till the end of the entertainment .

On Wednesday , the London Masonic Club , Queen Victoria Street , was formally opened . Lord Skeluiersdale , Deputy Grand Master of the Craft , presided at the inaugural banquet , and was well supported by a number of influential members of the Craft . Everything passed off

most satisfactorily , and the directors have our hearty congratulations on the success that has thus far attended the progress of then- most excellent scheme . We hope for the interests of Craftsmen , this attempt to organize a Club will prove an enduring success , and that , as time goes on ,

the West as well as the East end of London will be provided with suitable Club premises , where brethren may meet and enjoy quiet , social converse . Other classes and societies do so very successfully ; why should not we

Freemasons , who ought to be , if we are not , " clubbable ' men ? We give a full report of the proceedings elsewhere , and also offer , a few comments on the scheme of the directors , which we may state , at once , is worthy of the most generous support .

The Lord Mayor is very far from having completed his round of hospitalities . During the whole of his mayoralty , Alderman Cotton has been entertaining guests at the Mansion House , and on Wednesday it was the London School Board , in whoso honour he gave the banquet . As

usual , a most agreeable entertainment passed off most agreeabl y . Sir Charles Reed , M . P ., Chairman of the Board , returning thanks for the principal toast . The day previous , a special meeting of the Common Council was held at Guildhall , for the purpose of presenting to Sir Salar Jnng

the honorary freedom of the City . Bro . Monckton read the resolution conferring the freedom , and then followed the usual courteous speeches , the recipient of the honour conferred departing well pleased with the proceedings .

In the afternoon the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress entertained Sir Salar Jung and some three hundred guests at the Mansion House , among the latter being many representatives of the fashionable world and a strong muster of city magnates .

To-day , at the Alexandra Palace , will be held under Royal patronage , the Balfe Memorial Festival , Madame Christine Nilsson , Mesdames Enriquez and Rose Hersee ,

and Messrs . Vernon Rigby and Edward Lloyd will take part in the programme , which will include selections from II Talismano , the Bohemian Girl , and other works of the eminent composer . We trust the occasion will prove a

great success . It seems pretty clear , from the various accounts received , that failure has thus far attended the operations of the Servian armies . They have advanced into Turkish territory , havo made no impression whatever on the forces of

the enemy , and now we hear of their withdrawal into their own country . Nor is it by any means certain that the Montenegrins have fared much better . On the other

hand , the Turks , though they have stood their ground well on nearly every occasion , show an indisposition to follow the Servians and take advantage of their greatly superior numbers in order to achieve a decisive success . The

telegrams to this effect may or may not convey the truth , but various conjectures are afloat to account for this singular apathy of the Turks . The general belief appears to be that Turkey is unwilling to press Servia too closely , in order to avoid arousing Russian sympathies with

the latter , for then even tho government of the autocratic Czar mig ht find it impossible to restrain his subjects , and a chance of the war exceeding its present limits mig ht intervene and destroy tho hopes we have all been recently indulging , that the struggle would be purely a local one . Any day , indeed , any hour , may bring fresh news of an exactly opposite character , and it would surprise