The Board Of General Purposes.

I am glad to say that other lodges not heretofore meeting at the Tavern have recently come to the new rooms in the Hall ; in these cases we have consented to their occupying the rooms upon their agreeing to pay such rent for the use of them as shall hereafter be fixed to be paid by all other lodges , and in each instance this has been cheerfulland courteously

y agreed to . The private lodge-rooms , as well as the other parts of the new " Freemasons' Hall , " having been built with the money of the Craft generally , it is alike reasonable and just that the lodges Avhich derive especial benefit from the use of themshould in

, pay , the form of rent , such a sum as will , to a certain extent , remunerate the general Craft for the outlay of its money . The justice of this will be apparent to all ; the real extra expense to each lodge will be very small indeed , and it is an expense which I am satisfied the great

majority will willingly submit to . The committee have not , as yet , fixed the rents to be paid , but I feel convinced that I am not forestalling their decision Avhen I say that tho maximum sum they expect to derive from the lodges UOAV meeting at the Hall is below the minimum suggested by your somewhat illnatured critic .

I take this opportunity to make an earnest and brotherly request to all lodges occupying our UBAV rooms , _ that they Avill , both by influence and example , do their best to prevent our neAv Hall from being used for any but strictly Masonic purposes . I mean that they should help us to carry out the rules laid down ,

and discountenance all eating , drinking , and smoking in the lodge-rooms ; it should be borne in mind that members attending lodge have to pass by their banqucting-rooms on their way to lodge , and there can be _ no hardship , to those who must drink before lodge , in requiring them to take their refreshment in

the proper roonl . f On this subject I cannot help referring to the example of the Grand Master : it has always been the custom of the Grand Officers' Club to supply tea and coffee to the Grand Master in his lordship's private room ; that room being dismantled and the Grand

Master's new room not being yet finished , his lordship is obliged to make use of one of the committeerooms for his private use AA'hen attending Grand Lodge , and in it he has forborne to have any refreshment served .

We are about to possess a grand and noble building , one , I hope , which will be in every way worthy of us ; for the honour and dignity of Masonry I ask that Ave unite in keeping it strictly to its purposes . I am , Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , London , Feb . 13 , 1866 . JOHN HAVERS .

[ we must add that we entirely concur in Bro . Havers ' s views , and although many complain of the refusal of the committee to allow even "the usual glass of sherry" to be brought up into the ante-room may entail for a time the disagreeables incident to the introduction of the new rule , yet it is , on the whole ,

an important move in the right direction , with which , we believe , every zealous and right-thinking Mason will agree , considering on the one hand the Masonic principle involved in the committee ' s objections , and on the other , the proximity of the new lodge-rooms to the Tavern portion of the premises . —ED . F . M . ]

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

* * All communications to bo addressed to 19 , Salisburystreet , Strand , Loudon , AY . C .

Masonic Mems .

MASONIC MEMS .

ST . GEOKGE ' S LODGE , TBEDEGAK . —The plans in connection with this scion of tlis Isea Lodge have so nearly approached maturity that it is hoped the fir . al arrangements will be completed in time to enable its being opened on the second Thursday in March . The undermentioned brethren have , we understand , been determined upon as the first principal officers : —Bro . James Midcllcton , I . P . M . of the Isea Lodge ( So . 6 S 3 ) , to be

the W . M . ; Bro . Kobert Bond , XV . JX . of the Isea Lodge , to be the S . W . ; and Bvo . B . S . Fisher , also of the Isea Lodge , to be the J . W . The regular lodge night of the St . George brethren will be the second Thursday in each month .. The opening of this lodge will be a great convenience to the Tredegar brethren , as they have now to travel a distance of 46 miles ( i . e ., 23 miles

in each direction ) to attend the Isea Lodge , Tho brethren at Blaina , Khymncy , Ebbw Vale , and other places within a radius of three or -four miles of Tredegar , will also hail with delight the opportunity which will thus be afforded to them of visiting a lodge within such an easy distance of their respective residences .

On Friday , 2 nd February , the Boys' School presented to the Secretary , Bvo . F . Binckes , an oak inkstand and gothic oak book holder , accompanied with the warmest expression of appreciation of exertion used on their behalf , particularly for the amusement , instruction , and comfort during tho Christmas holidays , the aedress to Bro , Binckes being exceedingly well delivered by Mr . Edward Wintlo , Pupil Teacher on behalf of the Boys . This is the second presentation , the Boys having last

year presented a very neat set of letter weights and scales , and is an evidence of the appreciation of the Boys for the persevering efforts of Bro . Binckes to fully carry out his arduous and trying duties . Bro . John Thomas whose sudden decease is deeply regretted , was buried on Thursday last , 15 th inst . at four p . m . The brethren of the Boscawen Lodge ( No . 699 ) , and in the

neighbourhood assembled at half-past three aud attended the funeral . We are glad to learn that the M . W . the Grand Master , who is also the Prov . G . M . for North and East Yorkshire , lias been pleased , by patent dated the 27 th ult ., to appoint Bro . John Pearson Beli , M . D ., of Wavorly House , Hull , to the office of

D . Prov . Grand Master for tho Province of iNorth and East Yorkshire , vacant by the resignation of Bro . Geo , Manvoocl , who has for many years , with advantage to the Craft and high credit to himself , filled that distinguished and honourable position , Bro . Marwood having gone to reside out of the province . Bro . Dr . Bell , the newly appointed D . Prov . G . M ., is a P . M . of

the Hnmber Lodge , lias acted for several years as Prov . Gr « Sec ., and , by his unwearied zeal for the Craft , his great knowledge of the principles , history , and working of Freemasonry , and his urbane and gentlemanly demeanour , is eminently fitted for the high position to which he has been raised , and we heartily congratulate him on his winning this weli-doserved honour .

The Prov . Grand Secretaryship , vacant by the elevation of Dr . Boll , has been conferred upon Bro . M . C . Peck , P . M . of the Sykes Lodge , at Driffield , and a member of Ilia Minerva Lodge , Hull , who is well adapted for this importaut office ,