Instruction.

COVENT GARDEN LODGE ( No . 1614 ) . —The usual weekly meeting of this lodge of instruction was held at the Bedford Mead Hotel , Maiden-lane , Covent-Garden , W , C , on the 30 th inst ., when there were present Bros . E . C . Mulvey , W . M . ; C . Ralph , SAV . ; J . W . Ford , J . W . ; J . R . Harnell , S . D . ; Wilkie Jones , J . D . ; J . Potter , l . G . j W . C . Smith , Preceptor ; G . Reynolds , Secretary and Treasurer ; F . C . Hatfield , T . Woods , ( . Skinner , P . M . ; C . Grassi , G . P . Bertini , D . Stroud , H . G . Marsden , Frank Gulliford , I . Popper , 29 S , Gihratar ( visitor ); and T . E . Wetks ; in due

The lod ^ c was opened form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . W . C . Smith worked the ist Section of this lecture . Lodge opened in the Second Degree . Bro . T . Woods offering himself as a candidate to be raised to the Third Degree , he was dnlv questioned , entrusted , and retired . The Lodge was opened in the Third Degree . The VV . M . rehearsed the Degree of M . M . Bro . W . C . Smith worked the 3 rd and 2 nd Sections of this lecture . Ledge closed in the Second and then the Third Degree . On rising for the first time , Bro . W . C . Smith

proposed that Bros . G . P . tiertini , S . W ., and C . Grassi , J . W ., both ° f l SS 9 t bt : joining members of this lodge of instruction , seconded by Bro , G . Reynolds , carried unanimously . On rising for the second time , Bro . C . Ralph , SAV ., was nnanimousiyclected W . M . for the ensuing week ; being proposed by \ V . C . Smith , and sccmied hy Bro . JAV . The W . M . elect was pleased to appoint his officers in rotation . On rising for the third time , Br ? . VV . C . Smith proposed that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes of this lodge of instruction to Bro . E . C . Mulvey for the very excellent manner in

which he had occupied the chair , for the first time , in the Covent Garden Lodge of Ins'ruction , the ceremony of raising being so ^ ood ; seconded by Bro . J . Skinner , P . M ., carried unanimously . Nothing further offering for the good of Freemasonry , the lodge was then closed . UBIQUE LODGE ( No . 1789 ) . —A meeting was held nn Friday , the 21 st inst ., at the Crown and AuchoT ,-JQ , Einvrv-strett , SAV . Present : Bros . Mason , W . M . ; Gilbert , SAV . ; Green , sen ., J . W . ; Boulton , P . M ., Preceptor ; P . Coughlan , Sec . ; Glover , S . D . ;

Green , jun ,, J . D . ; J .. . Purnell , l . G . ; Wade , P . M . ; Brindley , P . M . ; Hajes , and F . Purnell . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Brindley , a candidate to be passed to the Second Degree , answered the usual questions and was entt usted . The lodge was opened in 1 he Second Degree . The ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Brindley candidate . The W . M . vacated the chair , which was taken hv Bro . Biindlev . P . M .

Bro . Mason , a candidate to he raised to the I hird Degree , answered the usual questions and was entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree . The ceremony of raisin j ; was rehearsed , Bro . Mason candidate . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree . Bro . Brindley vacated the chair , which was taken by the W . M . Ihe W . M . having risen for the second time , Bro . Gilbert was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing week . Nothing further offer- J ing , the lodge was then closed . 1

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

JERSEY . —Cesarean Lodge ( Xo . 74 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Temple , Stopfond-road , St . Hclier's , on Wednesday , the 19 th inst . Among those present were Bros . L . Hesptradoux , VV . M . ; J . Gray , l . P . M . ; VV . Pugsley , P . M . ; 1 hos . Leaf , P . M . ; W . Chapman , P . M . ; Thomas Le Scelleur , S . W . ; J . E . Hamon , J . VV . ; J . W . Tapper , Chap . ; C . Naylor , M . O . ;

Thos . Stone , S . O . ; P . Bois , J . O . ; J . Poole , Treas . j O . Dodge , Sec . ; F . D . Wallis , S . D . ; G . Coombes , J . D . ; J . E . Saunders , Org . ; li . Richer , D . C . ; J . H . Elliott , ' Rep . ; H . Ahier , l . G . ; G . H . Rogers , P . Blampied , C . Marrett , Thos . Moss , J . Maguire , J . Gibbs , and George Rogers , Tyler . The usual formalities having been gone through in opening the lodge , according to ancient custom , the minutes

were read and conlitmed . There being no candidate present in the ante-room , awaiting his advancement to the high and honourable Degree of a M . M . M ., the VV . M . utilised the time by rehearsing , in his usual efficient manner , the lecture in the Marie Master Mason ' s Degree , explained the tracing board , and giving the charge and working tools . Several Grand Lod ^ e communications , and

several letters from Bro . C . F . Matier , Grand Sec , giving many hints and instructions on the working of the authorized ritual of the Grand Lod ^ e , introduced by the present W . M ., were read , and accounts passed and ordered to be paid , after which the W . M . rose and proposed that a letter of condolence be sent to Miss Hopkins , the daughter of our late and much lamented Bro . Dr . Hopkins , the father of

Mark- Masonry , to express the heartfelt sorrow of the brethren of this lod ^ e on his death , which was duly Seconded by Bro . Thos . Leat , P . M ., unanimously carried , and ordered to be entered in the minutes , and the W . M . promised to write by the next night ' s mail to Miss Hopkins . A vote of thanks was also proposed by the VV . M ., and duly seconded by the S . W ., to be passed to Bro . C .

F . Matier , on account of the great patience and kindness he had shown in keeping up so voluminous a correspondence with the VV . M . about the working of the authorized ritual , which was unanimously carried , it being added that the vote of thanks be recorded in the minutes , and the Secretary be instructed to write to Bro . C . F . Matier to that effect . There

being no other business offering , the lodge was then closed , and adjourned till the following Wednesday . The brethren then retired to the banqueting hall , where the usual spread awaited them . The VV . M . proposed the usual toasts , which were duly responded to . Several songs and recitations were given , and thus a pleasant hour was whiled away .

SUNDERLAND . —Union Lodge ( No . 124 ) . — A lodge of emergency was held on the nth inst . at the Maeonic Hall , Paik-terrace . Present : Bros . R . Hudson , P . G . S . O ., W . M . ; M . H . Dodd , S . W . ; R . Kinmond , J . W . ; J . C . Moor , M . O . ; J . R . Pattison , S . O . ; H . Wrightson , J . O . ; W . Liddell , P . M ., as Treas . ; George Porteous , Sec . ; H . F . Carmon , as S . D . ; J . A . Hall , J . D .:

A . Carr , D . C ; W . Gray , as l . G . ; J . W . Brown , lyler ; T . M . Watson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; W . Coxon , I . P . M ., P . J . U . ; VV . Liddell , P . M ., P . P . M . O . ; and VV . Crawford , P . M . Visitors : Bros . T . Y . Strachan , Deputy P . G . M . Northumberland and Durham ; J . Strachan , W . M . Tristram Lodge ; J . Wood , P . M ., P . P . S . O . ; F . Maddison , P . P . J . W . ; J . G . Smith , W . M . 293 ; H . F . Carmon , M . O . 293 ; John Page , J . W . 293 ; C . S . Lane , P . G . S . W . ; and E . Hudson , P . P . D .

The lodge was duly opened by the W . M ., after which thebrethien received the Provincial Grand Lodge visitors . Bros . Daniel Whitehead , T . G . Mabane , T . Coulson , and G . Robson were advanced as M . M . Ms , by the VV . M ., Bro . Coxon , P . M ., Bio . J . Strachan , and Bro . J . Wood respectively . After the business , the brethren retired to the banqueting room , where they enjoyed very heartily the proceedings which followed .

The Baroness and Bro . Burdett-Coutts were present at a service , held at St . Margaret ' s , Westminster , on the 18 th inst ., in memoiy of the late Lord Houghton .

Allied Masonic Degrees.

Allied Masonic Degrees .

YORK . —Ebor Council ( T . I . )—A meeting of this council was summoned on Tuesday , the iSth inst ., at 4 p . m ., at the Grand Stand Hotel , the Knavesmire , for the purpose of celebrating the anniversary of St . Lawrence . The Lodge of St . Lawrence was opened in the large room of the Grand Stand , the W . M ., Bro . W . B . Dyson , presiding . There were also present Bros . A . T . B . turner , l . P . M . ; T . B .

Whytehead , P . M ., Sec ; Dr . B . L . Mills , S . W . ; H . C . Pickersgill , J . W . ; W . Brown , J . D . ; Major McGachen , K . G . ; and other brethren . Bro . W . Stephenson was admitted into the Order ot St . Lawrence , some business was done , and the lodge closed , and then the party adjourned to the dining room , where a capital banquet had been provided by the host , Bro . W . M . Briggs .

Rosicrucian Society.

Rosicrucian Society .

PONTEFRACT . —York College . —On Wednesday , the igth inst ., the members of this college met at Pontefract for the purpose of viewing the ruins of the great castle , once so formidable and whose history is of such intense interest . Some years ago the college met at the same place and heard a paper on the subject by Fra . T . B . Whytehead , but since that period extensive excavations have been made on the old site , large portions of the ruins

then buried have been exposed to view , and the great internal square of the castle , then used as a garden for the cultivation of liquorice root , has been turned into a recreation ground for tennis , & c , and is surrounded by picturesque kiosks and arbours , the whole forming a beautiful and instructive recreation ground for the townspeople , maintained by subscription and fees for admission . The college was opened at 2 p . m . at the rooms of the St .

Oswald Lodge , No . 910 , kindly lent for the purpose , there being present Fratres T . B . Whytehead , Hon . IX ., Chief Adept ; J . M . Meek . V ., Suffragan ; T . Trevor , III ., Celebrant ; Dr . B . Langley Mills , I ., Sec . ; Col . J . Monks , II ., P . A . ; Major R . W . Moore , IV ., asS . A . ; VV . Brown , I ., asT . A . ; A . T . B . Turner , III ., as Q . A . ; C . L . Mason , V ., as C . of N . ; Major McGachen , 1 ., Torch Bearer ; G . Locking , I ., as G . T . ; and C . S . Lane , I ., as Medallist . A

number of letters of apology were read , and ballots were taken for Bros . W . H . B . Atkinson , 910 ; W . Flockton , 1042 ; and J . J . Fretwell , 2069 . Bros . E . C . Patchitt , VV . H . B . Atkinson , and W . Flockton , accepted aspirants , were then duly received into the M . C . It was arranged to hold the next meeting in October , since the prospect of elections in November would make that month inconvenient . Bro . J . Blenkin , P . M . 16 n , was proposed as a

candidate , and a vote of I hanks was passed to the brethren of St . Oswald Lodge for the use of their room . The M . C . was then dissolved , and the members , accompanied by several brethren of the local lodge , proceeded to the ruins of the castle , where they were met by Bro . R . Holmes , P . M . 910 , who conducted them over the entire ground , explaining the characteristic points , and finally read to them

a most interesting and learned paper upon the structure of the old fortress and its history . A vote of thanks was given to Bro . Holmes , and the paper was ordered to be printed for the use ol the members . The collegians afterwards assembled at tea with their visitors at the Red Lion Hotel , and in the evening a party of them attended a meeting of St . Oswald Lodge , No . 910 , where they received a hearty welcome .

Farewell To Earth.

FAREWELL TO EARTH .

We have been invited by an esteemed correspondent to publish the following lines , which purport to have been uttered by the deceased , E . A . Poe , and appear to be modelled fairly well in the style of that poet . Any slight

irregularities in the rhythm may be attributed to nervousness on the part of the medium , who has clearly not as yet completed her novitiate , but who , as she matures towards a fully-developed spirit , will no doubt furnish more convincing evidence still of her poetic ability .

Farewell , farewell , Like the music of a bell Floating downward to the dell , Downward from some Alpine height , While the sunset—embers bright , Fade upon the hearth of night ; So my spirit , voiceless , —breathless , — Indestructible and deathless ,

From the heights of Life Elysian gives to Earth my parting song ; Downward through the starlit spaces , Unto Earth ' s most lowly places , Like the sun-born strains of Memnon , let the music float along , With a wild and wayward rhythm , with a movement deep and strong "Come up higher ! " cry the angels , —this must be my parting song :

Earth , O Earth , thou art my Mother , Mortal man , thou art my Brother , We have shared a mutual sorrow , we have known a common birth ; Yet with all my soul's endeavour ,

I will sunder , and lor ever , Every tie of human passion that can bind myself to Earth—Every slavish tie that binds me to the things of little worth . " Come up higher ! " cry the angels : " Come , and bid iare-well to Earth . "

I would bear a love platonic to the souls in earthly life , I would give a sign Masonic to the heroes in the strife ; I have been their fellow Craftsman , bound apprentice to that art , Whereby life , that cunning draughtsman , builds his temple in the heart , But with Earth no longer mated , I have passed the First

Degree ; I have been initiated to the second mystery , O , its high and holy meaning , not one soul shall fail to see . Now , with loftiest aspirations , onward through the worlds t march , Through the countless constellations , upwards to the Royal Arch . "Come up higher ! " cry the angels : "Come up to the Royal Arch . "

Boys Preparatory School Fund.

BOYS PREPARATORY SCHOOL FUND .

The following lists of contributions has been received since last week , namely : Bro . G . Prestige , Steward £ 15 15 o „ H . Venn , „ ... 10 10 o „ Richard Clowes , P . P . G . S . W . Essex , Stwd . 36 15 o including the sum of 30 guineas voted towards the Fund at the annual meeting , on the 15 th inst ., of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Essex .

Presentation To Bro. The Rev. Percy F. J. Pearce.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . THE REV . PERCY F . J . PEARCE .

On Thursday evening , the 20 th inst ., at the regular lodge meeting , Bro . the Rev . Percy F . J . Pearce , P . M . of the Lodge of Harmony , No . 275 , P . P . G . Chap . West Yorks , and Vicar of St . Paul ' s , Huddersfield , was presented with a handsome set of Provincial Grand Lodge clothing , with jewel and leather case .

1 he presentation was made by Bro . Edward Armitage , J . P ., P . M ., and P . P . G . W ., in the name of a few brethren , as a token of their esteem . In a very effective address , Bro . ARMITAGE , having offered a welcome to Bro . Pearce on his return to the lodge , after a long absence abroad on account of indisposition , referred to his connection with Freemasonry , his position as W . M . at the time of the reception given to H . R . H . the late

Duke of Albany , and the regard in whinh he was held , not only in regard to his catling and his character as a gentleman , but also in his position as a member of the Craft . He assured him of their sympathy , and hoped he mi ght be spared many years to wear the jewel and clothing , and further the cause ol brotherl y love , relief , and truth . Bro . J ONAS CRAVEN , P . M ., P . P . G . S . VV ., the generous originator ot the gift , assisted by Bro . THOMAS RUDDOCK ,

P . M ., Prov . G . Treas ., and P . P . G . S . D ., then invested Bro . Pearce , and offered their congratulations . Subsequently Bro PEARCE , labouring under considerable emotion , returned thanks , saying that under any circumstances he would have found itdiflicult to reply suitably for an unexpected gift , but that in the present case the difficulty was much increased , for the gift was not only unexpected , but quite undeserved , and besides being very

costly in itself , represented what he in common with all true men and Masons counted of yet higher value , the love and respect of their brethren ; and the pleasure was much enhanced by the fact that the gift met a want he had been personally unable to supply , its possession allowing him now to take his proper place at Provincial Grand Lodge meetings , and it came at a time when the assurance of regard was doubly precious—on his return home alter a

season of much anxiety and considerable physical disability . He was glad to say that his general health was now excellent , and he hoped that in time and with care he would be able to surmount the bronchial affection which had entirely robbed him of his power to sing , and made it trying for him to talk in public . To Bro . Armitage , to the kind originator of the testimonial , to the subscribersand to the

, brethren geneially , whose hearty reception proved their sympathy with the event of the evening , he tendered his grateful and sincere thanks , assuring them and the brother initiated that evening that be had only one regret in relation to his connection with Masonry , and that was that he had not joined the Order upon reaching manhood , instead of only six years ago .

The London And South Western Railway.

THE LONDON AND SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY .

VVe have stated on many previous occasions that the directors of our principal railway systems make a point of issuing special programmes at different seasons , and that , in doing so , they spare no pains to make those programmes as attractive as possible to the general public in respect of their rates of charge , frequency and punctuality of train

service , ticket arrangements , Sic . The London and South Western Company is known to be no exception trom this statement ; in fact , in all matters whether of essential or trivial importance , its excursion and tourist programmes are always most carefully drawn up , and what is still more to our purpose , they are carried out most faithfully . The country traversed b y this line or with which it more or less directly communicates is deservedl y favoured by the

tourist and the excursionist , as well as by that quieter class of traveller which is most happy , when it can settle down in some quiet secluded spot , to which the cares and turmcil of business are complete strangers . That there are very many such spots in the South West of England is undoubted , the mere mention of Ilfracombe , Westward Ho , Barnstaple , Lynton , and a host of other places as attractive being enough to establish this truth . With these the

South Western Line is in direct communication , and to encourage visitors 10 travel by its system , the directors offer—( or the present as in all previous seasonsevery facility in the shape of cheap excursion tickets , two months' tourist tickets which may be extended tor a moderate additional charge , so as to be available to the 31 st December , and shorter periodical tickets at greatly reduced fares a very frequent and

-, punc tual service of trains , and all reasonable opportunities for breaking the journey , so as to meet the wishes of the tourist who is desiring of moving from one place to another , equally with those of the mere visitor who is only anxious to settle down at his chosen holiday resort . t f J- ' ke facilltles are offered to those who prefer the Isle of Wight and places on the Hampshire coast , cr who may desire to visit the Channel Islands , or the chief seaside

resorts in Normand y and Brittany ; while intending visitors to Wales , the Lake District , Scotland , Ireland , and the Continent will find themselves as well cared for in all respects . There is also another feature in connection with this season ' s arrangements of the Company which deserves to be mentioned—we allude to the Devon and Cornwall coaches which run in connection with the trains , and which afford travellers exceptional facilities for seeing much beautiful country , which otherwise they would be unable to traverse .

However , the special programmes , which are to be had at the Waterloo Terminus , the Company ' s stations and booking and receiving offices , contain full information as regards these and all other matters ; or the reader , if he needs more than is obtainable from these sources , will procure it from the Manager ' s offices , Waterloo Station ; from the Company ' s West-end offices , 30 , Regent-street ( Piccadillycircus ) ; from the central office , 9 , Grand Hotel-buildings , Charing Cross , & c . ; or at the booking offices at the principal stations on the Metropolitan and District railways .