Launch Of The Memorial Lifeboat At Clacton-On-Sea.

yeomanry , the brethren and representatives of the corporations of Maldon , Harwich , Ipswich , and Colchester . Arrived at the beach , Lord Skelmersdale , taking the vessels containing corn , wine , and oil in his hands , said : I scatter this corn as the symbol of plenty ; I pour this wine as the symbol of joy and gladness ; and I pour this oil as the symbol of

comfort and peace . It is now my duty in the name of thc Grand Lodge of England to present this magnificent Lifeboat to the National Lifeboat Institution of England . ( Cheers . ) That Institution has now received two commemoration Lifeboats from Grand Loelge ; one was placed on the Devonshire coast , and this one the Institution has decided to station here , and I think that the Clacton people

ought to bc very proud to possesses such a boat . ( Hear , hear . ) You all know—at all events the great majority of you here to-day know—that this boat was presented to Clacton as a remembrance of the safe return to England of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales from India . I can only hope that this boat may prove of great service to this coast , and we may take it to be a good augury of her future

service , that she has already been instrumental in saving life here ( renewed cheers ) . In the interests of humanity , I hope that she will not have frequent occasion to shew her excellent qualities , but when necessity arises I have not the slightest doubt that the gallant crew , whom you now see manning her , will be ready to do their duty at whatever personal peril or sacrifice . ( Applause . ) I think you will

agree with me that a Lifeboat is a very fitting thankofftring . His lordship , turning to the Secretary of the National Lifeboat Institution , said : Bro . Lewis , I have very great pleasure in presenting to you in the name of Grand Lodge this Lifeboat , and I can only trust that she will be of great service on this coast . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Lewis , in response , said : My Lord , the gift is a

magnificent one , and it is a fit acknowledgment of the goodness of the Great Architect of the Universe in permitting the safe return of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to Englan I . I may mention that for twelve years H . R . H . has taken thc greatest interest in the aff lirs of the National Lifeboat Institution , and when the Freemasons decieled to present this magnificent lifeboat as a memorial

of his safe return to England , the fact was most gratifying to His Royal Highness . ( Applause . ) This boat is the representative of mercy—she has already saved nine lives from an inevitable death—and these men now manning her are noble soldiers in mercy ' s army , whom no storm , no tempest , no darkness will intimidate from attempting to save a fellow creature from shipwreck . This is not the only instance on the part of thc Freemasons ; and I may

mention that not only have they presented this boat and its acctsssorics and the handsome boat house which wc have just left , but they have handsomely endowed the building and the boat , so as to repair damage , and replace this boat when damaged or worn out , ( Loud cheers . ) The Rev . H . Law , incumbent of Clacton-on-Sea , returned thanks on behalf of the local committee .

Miss Woolf , of Colchester , here " , stepped to the bow of Ihe boat , and , after naming her the " Albert Edward , " dashed a bottle of wine against tlie prow , and the boat , amidst enthusiastic cheers from the beach , the cliffs , and the pier , glided from her carriage into the sea . The boat was exercised for some time , and her qualities were favourably commented on , The " Albert Edward" is thirty-four

feet long , cight-ind-a-quartcr feet wide , rows ten cars , double-banked , and possesses the usual characteristics ol the boats of the Institution in regard to self-righting , selfejecting water , & c . Later in the afternoon Lord Skelmersdale presided over a luncheon provided in a marquee at the rear of the Royal Hotel . In proposing thc toast to " H . R . H . the Prince of

Wales , " his Lordship said : Your appearance here to-day show that you join witli us in your thankfulness for the safe return of Ills Royal Highness fiom India , where he went , not for mere personal gratification , but as the representative of Her Majesty in her great Indian Empire . Whatever I lis Royal Highness undertakes , no one can do better than he docs ; whether he presides over a dog show ,

or over the highest philanthropic institution in the land , he perforins his duties equally well am ! to the satisfaction of every one . ( Cheers . ) In fact , thc same remark may be made wilh cejual truth in respect to all the members of the Royal Family . Only a few days age His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught presided over one eif the great Masonic Charities . You know that he is shortly to be married to a Princess whom

1 have not s-. en , but of whom I hear nothing but the most flattering accounts , and I hope that he will soon be as happy as any man ought to be . under such circumstances . ( Cheers and laughter . ) The toast was drank with all honours . His Lordship and the principal of the visitors from London left tlie marquee at 4 o'clock , and returneel to town by a special train leaving Weeley at 5 o'clock .

lo the leading physicians and other members of the medical profession in the metropolis . The library of the college was abundantly furnished with objects of scientific interest lent foi the occasion . An exhibition of Oriental gems and precious stones by Professor Tennant attractcel considerable attention . The walls of the library Were decorated for the occasion by paintings by wellknown artists .

The President and Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians hele ! their annual conversazione on Wednesday evening , 3 rd inst ., in the rooms of thc college , Pall Mall East , on which occasion no fewer than 400 visitors assembled . Among these were several memliers of Parliament and many gentlemen of eminence in the scientific world , as Professor Huxley , Professor Allen Thomson , Professor Lankester , and others , in addition

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of thc Committee of this Institution was held on Wednesday last , at Freemasons' Hall . Col . Creaton , V . P . and Trustee , presided . The other brethren present were Bros . Erasmus Wilson , S . Rawson , | . M . Case , Hyde Pullen , J . A . Farnfield , W . Hale , J . G .

Stevens , Thomas Cubitt , W . Mepbens , 1-. Adlartl , Joseph Smith , L . Stean , C . J . Perceval , James Willing , jun . ; James Brett , E . J . Barron , Kev . D . Ace , Joshua Nunn , C . F . Hogard , J . Teiry , Sec . ; anel H . Massey ( Freemason ) . Bro . Terry , after the reading and confirmation of the minutes , reported the death of two male annuitants . The Committee ' s report was then read and ordered to

be entered on the minutes . A recommendation having been received from Bro . Jas . Ebenezer Saunders , that the Institution accept the offer of the Brighton Railway Company to pay £ 21 as compensation for the deprivation of any benefit the as . lum might derive from a small piece of the ground at Croydon , of which thev have had the use , but which the company , by

its parliamentary powers , takes , was adopted . With reference to the Institution proving against the private estate of Bro . Samuel Tomkins , after a lucid statement of the position of aff iirs from Bro . E . J . Barron , it was resolved to take counsel's opinion on the point . A gardener ' s lodge , at an expense of £ 300 , was resolveel to be erected immediately , Bro . Griggs having

submitted drawings after the House Committee had found they could not effect a purchase of one of the cottages in immediate proximity to the asylum . Bros . Col . Creaton , Joseph Smith , and Thomas Cubitt were appointed a Committee for carrying out the proposition . On the motion of Bro . W . Stephens , seconded by Bro .

W . Hale , thanks were voted to Bro . Cutbush for his numerous presents of flowers and shrubs to the Institution , and Bro . Cutbush was elected an honorary Life Governor of the Institution , with all the privileges appertaining to the rank . Thc Committee then adjourned .

A special meeting was held in the course of the afternoon , the same brethren , with the exception nf Bro . Erasmus Wilson , being present , when , on thc motion of Bro . S . Rawson , seconded by Bro . Joseph Smith , it was resolved that the subscriptions to the Institution be a'tered ( iu so far only as affects Life Governors ) from pounds to guineas , A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

OLD LODGES OF THE "ANCIENTS , " & c . I have been interested by the p .-rusal of Bio , Lamonby's note on " Old Lodges , " and especially as to the Cumberland Militia L-olgc . I should like much t > see a transcript of it made for this department of tlie Frcemusui ( which , to my mind , is the one for Masonic students generally ) , and also the bye-laws of the Sun and Sector

Loelge-. In a military lodge the town mentioned in the warrant is only wheie the regiment is stationed at the tim -. My own lodge , once 1 f that kind , though chartered at Chatham in the 67 th Regiment , his nearly been " all the world round " before it settled at Truro . The Cumberland Militia Lodge was 215 before the "Union . " After then it became 270 , and iu 1832 No . inj , soon after which

il collapsed . I see in "Ahiman Rezon" of 1807 , two "Ancient " lodges mentioned for Whitehaven , viz ., 154 and 157 . The first of these was called the Concord , became 18 7 at the " Union , " and 136 A . D . 1832 , soon after which it collapsed . The No . 157 is the present No . nn , and was warranted in

170 S . In my lists if " Lodges at tlie Union " ( now out nf print ) will be found a register of all the lodges under "Moderns" and "Ancients" at the Union , with their numbers before and slice . Should Bro . Lamonby not be provided wilh such , I can lend him my copy , so as to complete his investigations . WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN . Truro , Oth July , 18 7 8 .

It is said that the United States Government , after consideration , has resolved to elisregard the provisions of the Postal Union Treaty with regard to thc delivery of book packets . Orders have been given to stamp all such packets " Undelive-rablc , " an 1 to return them . The authorities base their determination on a clause in the fourth article of the treaty which , however , relates to the

case of a country desiring to exercise J . irisdiciioti over the Post Office , and to hinder the circulation of what may be called seditious matter . A meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey will be held on Tuesday next at thc Public Hall Dorking , at one o'clock . A report of the proceedings wi 1 appe-ar in our next .

The Prince and Princess of Wales will have a garden party at Marlborough House on Saturday afternoon . The invitations state " to meet Her Majesty the Queen . "

Bro . F . B . Chatterton was at a general meeting of thc committee of the proprietors of the Theatre R iyal Drury Lane , unanimously elected as the new lessee . The Bishops who will occupy the pol pit in St . Paul ' s Cathedral to-morrow ( Sunday ) arc , the Bishop of Colombo in the morning ; the Bishop of North Carolina in the afternoon ; and the Bishop of Western New York in the evening .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

The Quarterly General Court of the Girls - School will be held at 12 o'clock this day ( Saturday ) at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , when the following business will be transacted . The general business of the Institution . to place candidates on the list for election in October next , and to declare the number of giils then to be elected ; also to consider the following : —by Bro . H . G . Warren . In

Rule LXXIV ., Page 17 . To omit the words " in the sum of three hundred pounds , " and insert in lieu thereof , " in such sum as the Committee shall from time to time deem fit . " Also to omit the word" two" in the first line , and add in line one , after thc word him , " by guarantee society or otherwise . " WEATHER WARNING . —The following cable

message has been received at the London office of the New York Herald from New York : "Three depressions , attended by moderate gales , rains , and probably lightning , will pass over the north British and Norwegian coasts between the 12 th and 17 th . The rains will extend over the British Isles and the north of France . " The inspectors , sergeants , and constables of

the A division of the Metropolitan Police , on the inviutio n of Chief-Inspector Harris , recently subscribed a substantial sum of money to erect a memorial stone to the memory of the late Superintendent Mott . The stone has now been erected over the grave at Brompton , and is a handsome and gratifying tribute of the men's respect . — -Glo be .

The Directors ofthe Brighton Aquarium Company , at their meeting held on Saturday last declared an interim dividend , for the half-year ending June 30 , at the rate of 5 per cent , per annum free of income tax . The Field Marshal Commanding in Chief will hold a levee at one o ' clock on Wednesday next , the 1 7 th ins ' ., at the Horse Guards , Whitehall , the number being

limited to one hundred and fifty . Applications to attend should bc addressed to the Military Secretary . We are asked to state that the meetings of tha Eccleston Lodge of Instruction , No . 1624 , will in future be held at the St . George ' s Club , Victoria Station , every Saturday evening . A Quarterly General Court of the Royal

Masonic Institution for Boys will be held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , London , on Monday next , the 15 th inst . The proceedings w . ll commence at 12 o ' clock . SUNSHINE IN J . —The Astronomer Royal reports that the duration of registered sunshine in London last week was 21 . 6 hours , the sun being above the horizon during 115 . 1 hours ; the recorded d . i'atioa of sunshine was , therefore , only equal to 10 per cent , of its possible

duration . The Consecration and Installation Meeting of the West Smithfield Lodge of Mark Master Masons No . 223 , will be held at the New Market Hotel , King-street , Snow Hill , oa Friday the 26 th inst ., at half-past 3 o ' clock . The officers designate are Bro . Edwin Gilbert , W . M ., Bro . Thomas Wm . Adams , S . W ., and Bro .

G . S . Elliott , J . W . The installation meeting of the Stuart Encampment of Knights Templar will take place at the Freemasons ' Hall , Watford on Monday next , the 15 th instant , Sir Knight Magnus Ohren is thc E . CElect . The sixty-eighth annual meeting of the Swedenborg Society , British and Foreign , was held at the

Society ' s House , 36 , Bloomsbury-street , London , W . C , on Tuesday , the 18 th ult . The Rev . J . Presland occupied thc chair . The Committee's leport states "that 3523 volumes of Swedenborg's works have been sold and presented during the Society's year . " A large number of theological students have made themselves acquainted with the contents of " The True Christian Religion " and " The

Apocalypse Revealed . " In a letter from one of them , the effect is described as " calling light and order out of the theological darkness and chaos which has hitherto brooded upon my soul ami mind . " Many favourable notices of the Swedenborgian ( so-called ) doctrines have appeared in the provincial press , and the " London School Board Chronicle " stitcd its opinion "that within the last half-century a

larger number of intellectual sceptics have been brought back within the pale of Christianity by the doctrines of the founder of the New Jerusalem than by all other forms of Christian faith put together . " Between 400 and 500 volumes have been presented gratuitously to public libraries , colleges , and various other institutions , as well as to private individuals . The operations of the Society on the

Continent have extended to Italy , Russia , Sweden , and Germany , also to Trinidad . The President has received on behalf of the Society a most interesting letter from Rao Dadoba Panduring , of Bombay , accompanied by a MS . of some ninety folio pages , entering minutely into a comparison of the new doctrines with those termed eirthoelox , arid the principal beliefs ofthe people of India . The SIS .

will be printed and sold at a cheap rate . The Globe says that civil list pensions have been granted to Dr . Prescott Joule , the inventor ot the principle of the mechanical equivalent of heat , of £ 200 per annum ; to Mr . Nash , water-colour artist , and the Rev . Mr . Graves , Irish antiquary and archaeologist , of £ 100 per annum each ; and to Miss Chisholm , daughter of Mrs . Chisholm , " the emigrant ' s friend , " of £ 50 per annum .

Berlin has added to the treasures of its National Gallery two memorable portaits , one by Brogino , the other by Boticelli , and the Museum of Sculpture in the same city has acquireel a bronze statute , half-life size , of John the Baptist , by Doiiatcllo , the Berlin casts of whose bronzes iu the Smto at Paelua , we are glad to sec , about to be photographed and published .