Colonial.

feeling consideration which you have manifested towards me this evening , I would now offer a most respectful and affectionate farewell . " At the conclusion of the reply the brethren sat down to supper . Numerous toasts were given and responded to " right merrily ; " ancl at about halfpast eleven o ' clock the brethren , headed by a Scotch piperwho was present during the evening , and favoured the company with many a favourite tune—escorted our worthy and esteemed Bro . Robert

Stubs , to his residence , after which they retired to their homes , glad at having had an opportunity of testifying their appreciation of one who was so well " tried ancl skilled in the art , " and sorry at having to part with one whom they had so long ancl so favourably known and considered us one of the pillars of the institution in this city . There were amongst the brethren present the Masters and Wardens of several of the city Lodges , ancl many other influential brethren .

America.

AMERICA .

GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA . AT the late annual communication of this Grand Lodge Bro Henry AI . Phillips , M . AV . G . M ., delivered the following address : — "It has been my desire to visit as many Lodges in the State as opportunity would permit , but public engagements prevented my accomplishing this desire as fully as was intended . I shall , however , make such necessary arrangements as will enable me in the coming year to effect this object . It is tho dutof the Grand Masterwithout more

y , formality than all wish to see observed , as sanctioned by the ancient rules and regulations , to hold direct communication with the constituents of the Grand Lodge , in the several localities , whenever it can conveniently be done . My predecessors have from time to time adopted this course with much advantage , ancl I fully agree to the wisdom of the proper performance of this duty . To bring the subordinate Lodges into kindly relations with the Grand Officers , to superintend the work , to give advicecaution and instructionis worthy of our earnest effort .

, , Much misunderstanding is thus avoided ; regularity in labour ; uniformity in essentials ; the prevention of any , however slight , innovations ; the correction of errors ; the explanation of difficulties ; the avoidance of conflicting views , and the fostering influence of kindness and brotherly love , are thus obtained . Such results are sufficient to ensure for visitations the warmest welcome , while to make them for such objects should be the only motive . " In appointing brethren to represent the Grand Master in the different

districts of tho State , to fill the important positions of Deputy Grand Master , my desire has been to select upright , prudent , conciliatory , capable and experienced brethren , and I invoke the Craft to regard these officers as their Masonic overseers , charged with that care ancl watchfulness over the fold committed to them which our regulations enjoin . Submit to them in sincere devotion to the good of the Fraternity . Let no discontent nor jealousies from any cause interfere with their usefulness in the stern and just discharge of their duties . There are means to be adopted , recognized as regular , by whicli their errors , of committed , may be speedily and effectually corrected . These officers are animated by a devotion in common with all true Masons , and can

have ho interest apart or at variance with the Order . "I desire , brethren , to awaken in your minds a due sense of the impropriety of admitting into your Lodges those who are not sensible of the character of the obligations which rest on them as members of a society devoted to the loftiest principles of truth , honour , and cordial brotherhood . Masonry is not a name to be used for selfish , personal , or interested purposes ; aud he who enters into membership with any such conceptions of its uses , is unworthy of the rights and privileges he seeks .

Too much care cannot be taken in all the preparatory steps to such admission , aud I charge you carefully to criticise all applications for membership , as an important part of the duty enjoined on you . See that it is discharged with diligence and truth . " It is of great importance to the peace and harmony of the Order , that detraction , evil speaking one of another , should be discontinued . The harmony which should ever prevail among the members of Lodges is best preserved when no encouragement is given to the tongue of

slander , however silvery its tone . To wound unjustifiably the feelings of a brother is au injury to the Masonic body ; but to do injustice to a brother is a Masonic crime . I speak to you on this subject by way of caution , only to warn you of evils that thus arise , and to suggest that the amplest restitution for an unwarranted injustice or injury is rarely able to restore the truly good feeling that had previously existed . In this connection let mo remark , that in dealing with an offending brother for just cause , we should seek to avoid every consideration but the best

interests of tlie Lodge ancl tho member . There are often explanations which , frankly and honourably made , would tend very much to remove misunderstandings and terminate a controversy . AA ' e should seek all such means to avert the hasty result which follow hasty and c : c parte action . Go to tlie brother who has offended you and agree with him , if you cm thereby save him from reproaches , or a reconciliation is possible and proper . " It gives me pleasure to know that the relations between the Grand

Lodge of Pennsylvania and all the Grand Lodges of the United States are of the most friendly character . All bound in a common heritage of fraternal sympathy and harmony , it is the duty of each and all to cultivate these relations without impairing their independence . Masonry

America.

is universal—it belongs to mankind ; its objects and aims are identical iu every country and clime ; there can be , therefore , no reason why the separate organizations oi the Craft should nofc be united in the bonds of fellowship and harmony . The proceedings of the Grand Lodges referred to manifest the entire appreciation of this feeling . May it ever continue ! AA'e wish them happiness ancl prosperity . " I cannot close these remarks without expressing my satisfaction at the removal of the obstacles which separated this Grand Lodge from

intercourse with the Grand Lodgo of New York . Our committee of correspondence deserves the thanks of the Grand Lodge for the able and judicious manner in ivhich it performed the delicate duty devolving ou it iu this adj ustmeut . "And now , my brethren , let mo commend you to the guardianship of the Grand Master of the universe , with my best ancl sincere wishes that your works , during your sojourn in this world , in the Loclge and without it , may be such as will entitle you to a place at His right hand iu the Grand Lodge of Eternity , in ' the house , not built with hands , eternal in the heavens . '"

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . ALBERT SMITH . IT is with great regret that we have to announce the death of this esteemed and accomplished brother , on the morning of AVednesday last . Bro . Smith was initiated in St . Mary ' s Lodge , No . 76 , iu the month of January , 1843 , and continued a subscribing member for some years ; but lately , the arduous nature of his vocation as a public entertainer ( and we may add instructor ) prevented his giving much time to the duties of the Craft . He appeared as usual in his entertainment at the

Egyptian Hall on Monday evening . He afterwards had a sudden aud severe attack of bronchitis , which prevented his re-appearance ou Tuesday , as announced , and terminated fatally at his residence , North End Lodge , Fulham , at eight o ' clock on AVednesday morning . It will be in the recollection of our readers that a few months since the deceased had a seizure which excited grave apprehensions for him at the time ; but his speedy re-appearance encouraged a hope that his health had not been permanently affected , and the cause of his ultimate death would

appear to have had no connection with that attack . The deceased was bom on May 24 th , 1 S 16 , at Chertsey , and was educated at Merchant Taylors' School . He became a member of the CoDege of Surgeons in 183 S , after ivhich he repaired to Paris and attended , the hospital of the Hotel Dieu . In September of that year he visited Chamounix . He then returned to England , and commenced practice with his father afc Chertsey . His literary tastes were early developed . These he first gratified bsome contributions to the Medical Timesiu which appeared "Jasper

y , Buddie , oi- Confessions of a Dissecting-room Porter . " Not being entirely satisfied with his position as a surgeon , he prepared views of the scenery of the Alps , together with a descriptive lecture , with which he visited most of the small towns in the vicinity of the metropolis during 1 S 39 and 1840 . _ In 1 S 41 he settled in London and commenced writing for the magazines , in ivhich appeared , among a variety of miscellaneous articles , several of his novels—The Adventures of Mr . Ledbury , Tlie

Se-nttergoodPamily , The Marchioness of Brinvitliers , Christopher Tadpole , and The Pottleton Legacy , all of which were published subsequently as separate ' works , —decidedly successful . During 1847-49 he ' wrote a series of sketches , comprising "The Natural Histories of Stuck-up People , " " The Ballet Girl , " " The Gent , " " The Flirt , " " The Idler upon Town , " and " Evening Parties . " In 1819 he visited the East , and on his return published A Month at Constantinople , in ivhich the exaggerated notions respecting its romance and its beautwere cleverlridiculed and in

y y ; 1850 he produced an entertainment called " The Overland Mail , " wherein he was the only performer , and , with the aid of scenery , he graphically described that route . He also in this year wrote two or three operatic burlesques . Iu the autumn of 1851 he revisited the scene of his early predilection , ancl succeeded with much difficulty in gaining the summit of Mont Blanc , a feat ivhich afterwards became one of every-d . ry occurrence . On the loth of March , 1852 , he produced , at the Egyptian Hall , his entertainment of The Ascent of Mont

" Blanc , " wherein his rapid but distinct utterance , his humour , the well-selected and wellpainted scenery , and his careful attention to the comfort of his auditors , enabled him to achieve such an unprecedented success . This entertainment continued ft standard favourite for several years when Mr . Smith determined on introducing the British public to an entirely new field of observation . In the autumn of 1858 , therefore , he went to China , aud after remaining there a sufficient time to make

himself acquainted with the manners , customs , and national peculiarities of the inhabitants of the Flowery Land , he returned to London , and commenced a series of pictorial and descriptive Chinese entertainments always delighting his overflowing audiences . About a year ago the deceased married the eldest daughter of Mr . Robert Keeley , the celebrated comedian . His loss will be deeply felt , not only by his immediate friends , but also by the public generally . His pictorial entertainments are believed to have enabled him to realize a considerable fortune .

BRO . AVILLIAM LAFFAN . LAST week , the remains of Bro . AVilliam Laffaii , S . W . of Hibernian Lodge , No . 95 , were conveyed through the city , to Blackvock Church -