Turkey.

ball ; but , notwithstanding this , tho affair came off very brilliantly , and the attendance was good—sufficient to leave a disposable sum for the' local charities . A very important movement has been inaugurated by the Italia Lodge of Constantinople wliich is likely , in course of time , to bring about the formation of a Grand Lodge for Turkey—an event much to be desired . In order to make provision for the better support of a gratuitous schoolfounded by the Italia

, Lodae , a meeting of the AT . JI . 's of all the lodges in the Ottoman capital was convened , and they ivere then formed into a committee for the purpose of carrying this object out , and considering what further objects could be ivorked in common with all the lodges . SMYRNA .

The annual JIasonie ball of the Smyrna lodges ivas held on on the 25 th ult ., and was well attended by the Craft , and all the Turkish functionaries , including the Governor and suite . After defraying all expenses , a sum of one hundred pounds remained for distribution among the local charities . Bro . O'Connor , AA' . JI . of the Homer Lodge , is rendering good service to Jlasonry in the Asiatic city , " and causing , not only the lodge over Avhich he so ablpresides to prosperbutbforce of

y , , y example , has infused vigour into the other lodges of the place . Yery unsatisfactory accounts have been received from Egypt of the gross irregularities that are being practised there by the lodges under English jurisdiction , a great mistake having beon made in creating more lodges than either there was a necessity for or actually sufficient efficient members to work . It is to be hoped that something may be done by Grand Lodge to put an end to a state of things which , if reports received are to be

relied on—and they come from trustworthy sources—are not only unconstitutional , but in other respects injurious to the interests of the Order . A rumour is current that the R . AA . Bro . Sir H . L . Bulwer , G . C . B ., has resigned the District Grand JIastership of Turkey , in consequence of his having left the countiy , and that it is the Ji . W . G . JI ., the Earl of Zetland ' s intention to appoint that eminent Oriental scholar and able JIason , Bro . John Porter Brown , of Constantinople , to the post . A better selection could not have been made .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

DURHAJI . DURHAM . —Chapter of Concord ( No . 124 ) . —On Tuesday , tho 20 th inst ., a convocation of this chapter ivas held in tho Freemasons' Hall , Old Elvot . Present : Comps . AA ' . AVrignell , Prov . G . R ., JI . E . Z . ; J . Nicholson Fitzgerald J- ; Stoker and Jones , P . Z . ' s ; AA ' . Robson . S . E ., & c , & c . Visitors : Comps . R . J . Banning , JI . D ., P . Z ., No . 48 ; and B . Levy , P . Z ., No . 97 , and Proi ' . G . J . Tho chapter ivas opeued in duo formand tho minutes of

, the last convocation read and confirmed . A conclave of installed 1 st Principals ivas hold , and Comp . R . J . Banning having assumed tho chair . Comp . Nicholson ivas installed in tho 1 st Principal's chair , after ivhieh Comp . Fitzgerald AA-as installed in the 2 nd Principal ' s chair , and Comp . Jones , P . Z ., in tho 3 rd chair . Tho folloiving officers were then invested : Comps . Hearon , S . E . ; W . C . Blackett , S . N . ; Malcolm , P . S ., & c . Comp . Brignall having taken tho 1 st chairand Com . Banning tho 3 rdBrosHenry

, , . Robson and H . A . Peele , jun . were regularly introduced , and exalted into Royal Arch Masonry , tho ceremony being Avell rendered by tho various officers . A voto of thanks having been accorded to Comp . Banning , P . Z ., for his valuable services , and the impressive manner in which ho rendered tho several portions of the various ceremonies , tho chapter was duly closed until tho fourth Tuesday in September next , unless summoned in tho meantime .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

CORNWALL . . TETJEO . —Fortitude Lodge ( No . 78 ) . —The members of this lodge of JIark JIasters ( the largest in the county , and the parent of two other lodges ) met on Thursday evening , the 21 st inst ., for business , Bro . Thomas Chirgwin , W . JI ., in the chair . The lodge having been opened in form , and the minutes of the last lodge confirmed , the AV . JI . called upon the P . JI ., Bro

Mark Masonry.

W . J . Hughan , G . O-, to take the chair , and advance tho two candidates who were awaiting promotion . The ceremony was impressively rendered , and the newly-mnde Mark Masters testified their approval of the degree by signifying their desire tobecome subscribing members . After two or three propositions ,. aud the observance of the ancient custom , the lodge was closed in peace and harmony until the next meeting , to be held in . JIay . [ We congratulate the Craft in Cornwall in having so .

strongly and energetically responded to the appeal of the promoters of JIark Jlasonry in the county , and we trust that the present rapid strides made by the various new lodges under the Grand Lodge of JIark JIasters for England and AVales , may be permanent , and a knowledge of the Rite extensively diffused thereby .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JAMES ARNOLD . On Thursday , the 14 th inst ., the sympathy of a very large body of the inhabitants of Sherborne was manifested by closing their shops on the occasion of tho funeral of Bro . James Arnold , an old Mason of that town , but the lodge to ivhieh he belonged has fallen

into abeyance . The ivorthy brother was highly respected , and the Freemasons of the district attended the funeral . After the ceremony for the burial of the dead ivas gonethrough , the Masonic rites were performed , and sprigs of acacia were throivn into the grave .

THE LATE BRO . ELIHU MATHER , OP COLDWATER , MICHIGAN . It is with much pleasure ive present to our readers an eulogy on the life and character of our late Bro . Elibu-Mather , of Coldivater , Michigan , by Bro . the Hon . S . 0 . ' Coffinberry , Grand Master of Michigan , at Chicago , for which we are' indebted to the Chicago Mystic Star . It

is one of those surpassing bursts of eloquence ivhieh come home truly to the heart , and especially so ivhen the subject of it is a member of our noble Order . We shall not attempt the work of supererogation of pointing out any of its beauties , but give it entire , and leave our brethren to enjoy and appreciate for themselves the rich and rare literary banquet set before them : —

Sir Knights , Companions , and Brethren , —It is not until death has extended his meagre hand , and with hispale , cold fingers closed the eyes and sealed the lips of his victim , that mankind can truly appreciate the merits of the departed , and award to them the deep and heartfelt meed which is due to distinguished worth . It is not until ive come to gaze upon fallen manhoodstripped

, of its vital dignity , robbed of its human majesty , draped * in the snoivy habiliments of the tomb , ivith upturned features and pallid lips , silently , yet pifceously pleadingfor charity , that the deep fountains of our better naturesare opened and gush ivith the sweet waters of benevolence , bearing upon their surface a palliation for every foible—a cloak for every fault—washing away from our

minds the memory of every error , and presenting in clear relief tbe recollection of every merit and every virtue of the fallen one , surrounded by a brillianthalo .

Thus it is , that by a law of our nature , the o-ood deeds of the departed are kept constantl y before " our eyes as bright examples for our imitation . These good deeds , like guiding stars , induce ns to constantl y turn our eyes upwards to that sacred summit , that pre-eminent and celestial heaven where virtue , truth , and wisdom reign . It is then , while our souls are

penetrated with , the higher and move divine attributesof our nature , that ive are ready to find an apolotry for every fault , and are enabled to perceive a ' more brilliant lustre encircling every virtue . TVe learn from the history of past generations , that it has been a custom , from the remotest ages , to commemorate the virtues and illustrious qualities of those ivho , by a life of usefulness and greatness , had en-