Masonry In Tasmania.

The circumstances attending Bro . Smith ' s death were very distressing , and the conduct of the Brethren in Hobart Town on the truly melancholy occasion was such as to call for the warmest gratitude from all who knew Bro . Smith . I therefore ask a place in your columns for the extract and the copy of the letter , that one proof more may be given to the world at large of the excellent and beneficial effects of our ancient and honourable institution , and to record this instance of brotherl y love to the honour of the Brethren of the Tasmanian Operative Lodge .

I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfull y and fraternall y , J . S . KEDDELL , P . Prov . S . G . W ., Kent ; P . Z . & P . M ., No . 184 , Sheerness , Jan . 20 , 1859 . [ From the HobaU 2 ' oion Courier . ] The efforts made by the Freemasons of Hobart Town , to discover the unfortunate Dr . Smith , who was lost on Mount Wellington , have been suitably acknowledged by the Lodge . it Sheerness , Kent , to which Dr . Smith belonged , as we find by the following letters : —

' ' To the Editor of the Hobart Town Daily Courier . " Freemasons' Hall , Launeeston , 1677 * , Oct . 1 S 58 . " Dear Sir and Brother , —I herewith enclose a letter to hand to-day from the W . M . and Brethren of Adam's Lodge , No . 184 , Sheerness , acknowledging the Masonic duty nobly rendered by the Brethren of No . 315 , to our late Brother , J . Smith . I have also received a letter from the same Lodge , acknowledging receipt of the certificate transmitted to me , in which the exertions and the report of So , 315 are eulogised in very high terms , though not more than you merit . I am , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours—It . K . Ewreci , Prov . G . M .

Sheerness , June lltlt , 1 S 5 S . " Worshipful Master and Brethren , —I am requested by the W . M . and Brethren of Adam's Lodge , So . 184 , to oifer you our cordial and grateful thanks for the very great kindness you have shown on the melancholy circumstances attending our late Brothei-, John Smith . Language fails to enable us to express our admiration of your truly noble and fraternal conduct ; the remembrance of it will never be effaced from our memories ; it will be recorded in the minute book of our Lodge as an instance to the rising generation in Masonry of what has been done by the Brethren

in Tasmania , and to incite them to " go and do likewise . " I need scarcely say that Bro . Smith ' s surviving parent , as well as his relatives here , fully and deeply appreciate your Masonic kindness . I remain , Worshipful Master and Brethren , faithfullly and fraternally yours , —J . S . KEDDELL , Surgeon , P . Prov . G . S . W ., Kent ; P . M . and P . Z ., No . 184 . " The W . M . and Brethren , Tasmanian Lodge , No , 345 ( I . C . )

[ Copy . ] Tasmanian Operative Lodge , No . 345 , 1 . O . / Mart Town , Tasmania , litk Nov ., 1858 . Dear Sir and Brother , —In the name of our Worshipful Master , Officers and Brethren , I am directed to acknowledge the receipt , through the Prov . Grand Master of Tasmania , of your letter of 17 th June last , per mail steam ship Queen . If any thing were wanting to add to the testimonies we have already received

, that our Masonic conduct has met with the approval of our Brethren , and deeply gratifying as has been the knowledge to us of such approval—that gratification has been consummated to the highest degree by the terms in which you have been pleased to give expression to the sentiments entertained by your Lodge . We thank you again and again for your appreciation of our having done what we still simply deem our duty . Our reward—the highest , the proudest , wo could