NOTTINGHAM, April 12.-The Commercial Lodge of Freemasons met for the last time this season at the Lodge-room, Flying Horse Hotel, under the presidency of the W. M. Bro. R. Allen, when Bro. Colonel Chatterton, of the Fourth Dragoon Guards, honoured the Lodge with his presence; there was also a large muster of the Brethren. The business of the Lodge having been dispatched, the W. M. took occasion to introduce the subject of the charitable appeal, recently made by the Grand Lodge of Essex, on behalf of a deceased Brother, the Rev. J. Hewlett, Prov. Grand Chaplain of that province, who, after ineffectually striving to provide for his numerous family, had been overtaken by sickness, and was eventually called from his earthly labours, leaving nine orphan children totally unprovided for. On the particulars of this distressing case being made known, the Brethren, emulous of that beautiful trait in Freemasonry, "charity," immediately entered into a private subscription, which amounted to upwards of seven pounds. We feel much pleasure in making mention of this honourable act on the part of the Commercial Lodge, and sincerely hope that the example will be followed by every member of that body in this province, to the best of his ability; and not only by them, but by the charitably disposed in general. Subscriptions will, we understand, be received by Bro. T. Danks, Timber-hill, Senior Grand Warden, and Bro. R. Allen, Longrow. The amount subscribed to the present time by the Masonic body is, we understand, upwards of 7001.-Nottingham Mercury.

WAKEFIELD, May 3.-Provincial Grand Lodge, West Yorkshire, Present, the Right Hon. Bros. the Earl of Mexborough, P. G. M.; C. Lee, D. P. G. M. ; and many present and Past Prov. Grand Officers, and the Masters and other Brethren from nineteen Lodges in the provinces, and several Visiting Brethren. The Rev. Bro. A. Cassels, vicar of Batley, was appointed Prov. Grand Chaplain, vice the Rev. P. Y. Savile, who had resigned, conceiving that as there were so many other clerical Brethren, it was but just to leave open to them the attainment of Masonic honours. A Past Master's Lodge was appointed, to promote uniformity of work in the provinces. Fifty pounds was voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Annuity Fund, to constitute the Earl of Mexborough, P. G. M., a Vice President; and also ten pounds to constitute the Deputy P. G. M. Bro. C. Lee a life governor of that institution. The balance in hand was 4817. 13s. 2d. The next Provincial Grand Lodge will be held on the 5th of July at Dewsbury, when the by-laws will be discussed. At the banquet Bro. C. Lee, D. P. G. M. presided (in the absence of Lord Mexborough), to the moral and physical gratification of the company.

NORWICH.-We are gradually emerging from comparative darkness to light, and could we but have an active and intelligent Deputy Prov. Grand Master to aid Lord Suffield, the result would soon be evident, and Norwich might resume its former Masonic splendour. It is worthy of remark that Bro. Jeremiah Howes, the W. M. of the Lodge of Perseverance, No. 258, in this city, continues his unwearied exertions in furthering the interests of Masonry; and we are happy in stating that his name was announced as a subscriber to the Aged and Decayed Freemasons' Asylum, at their festival on the 16th instant. A Masonic library is forming in this city under his auspices, and Bro. Wm. Marks, and other influential members; such zeal is worthy of emulation by the other members of the province.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, April 23.-St. George's Day the Brethren of the Northern Counties Lodge of Freemasons, No. 586, held their anniversary meeting at their Lodge-room, Bell's-court, Newgate-street, when the selected Brethren were duly installed officers for the ensuing year, viz.:-R. Thos. Branding, W. M.; Wm. Berkely, S. W.; Geo. John Fenwick, J. W.; John Wilkinson, P. M.; Rev. T. C. Smith, Chaplain, &c. After the ceremonies of the day, the Brethren dined at the Assembly Rooms. Bro. R. T. Brandling, Esq., presided, supported on his right and left by Sir Cuthbert Sharp, Sir John Fife, Rev. A. F. Woodford, and other Brethren of the neighbourhood.

Bridge over the Tyne.-The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the high-level bridge over the Tyne is to be performed shortly by the Earl of Zetland, Grand Master of the Fraternity of Freemasons.

WALSALL-The Lodge of St. Matthew, No. 786, has lately received a magnificent present from a lady, Mrs. John James, of Rushall Hall. It is a copy of Barker's fine old black-letter folio edition of the Bible, printed in 1617, most elegantly bound in blue Turkey morocco, with gilt Masonic emblems on the sides and back. The cost of binding was five guineas, the artistical arrangement of which does infinite credit to the skill and taste of Bro. Richard Spencer. This kind consideration of a lady in favour of Freemasonry is a proof that our system is based on the high principles of piety and virtue.

Cowes, April 8.-That very neat specimen of architecture, the Masonic Hall, the first stone of which was laid by the present Earl of Yarborough, was opened in due form. After the business of the day was completed, the members of the Lodge and visitors adjourned to the Grapes' Tavern, where the excellence of the banquet gave universal satisfaction.

The Most Noble George Augustus Frederick John, Duke of Athol, Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason of Scotland.

J. Whyte Melville, of Bennochy and Strathkinness, Deputy Grand

Master.

Hon. Augustus G. F. Jocelyn, Substitute Grand Master.

Hon. the Master of Strathallan, Senior Grand Warden; Col. Kinloch, of Kilrie, Junior Grand Warden; Samuel Hay (Union Bank), Grand Treasurer: William Alex. Laurie, W.S., Grand Secretary; James Linning Woodman, C.S., Grand Clerk; Sir P. M. Thriepland, Bart., Senior Grand Deacon; Sir William Miller, Bart., of Glenlee, Junior Grand Deacon; Rev. Alex. Stewart, of Douglas, and Rev. John Boyle, B.C.L., Grand Chaplains; Wm. Burn and D. Bryce, Architects; Charles Mackay, Grand Jeweller; Morris Leon, Grand Bible Bearer; Robert Gilfillan, Grand Bard; James Robertson, Grand Director of Ceremonies; William Reid, Grand Sword Bearer; William R. Montignani, Grand Director of Music; A. Menzies and J. Tinsley, Grand Marshals;

Donald Ross and Jas. Mackie, Grand Tylers; Bro. W. Donaldson (Albion Cloth Company), Clothier and Paraphernalia Maker to Grand Lodge.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS.-Aberdeen city, Alex. Hadden, of Persley; Argyllshire and Isles, Walter Frederick Campbell, of Islay; Ayrshire, R. W. M. of the Mother Lodge, Kilwinning; Berwickshire, John Campbell Renton, of Mordington; Dumbartonshire, A. Smollett, of Bonhill, M.P.; Dumfriesshire, John Babington, of Summerville; East Lothian, Earl of Dalhousie; Elgin and Moray, Right Hon. Fox Maule, M.P.; Fifeshire, J. Whyte Melville, of Bennochy, &c.; Forfarshire, Lord Panmure; Glasgow, Henry Monteith of Carstairs; Inverness-shire, William Brodie of Brodie; Lanarkshire, Middle Ward, Marquis of Douglas; Upper Ward, Sir Norman Macdonald Lockhart, of Lee and Carnwath, Bart.; Linlithgowshire, Honourable the Master of Torpichen; Peebles and Selkirk shires, W. F. Mackenzie, M. P.; Perthshire, East, Lord Kinnaird and Rossie; Perthshire, West, Marquis of Breadalbane; Renfrewshire, East, Sir John Maxwell, of Pollock, Bart.; Ross and Cromarty, Sir Evan Mackenzie, of Kilcoy, Bart.; Stirlingshire, Lord Abercromby.

Madras, Marquiss of Tweeddale, K. T.; Western Provinces of India, James Burnes, K. H., LL. D., F. R. S., Bombay; West India Islands, Hon. W. Stephenson, Grenada; Jamaica, Rev. W.G. P. Burton; Canada, Sir Allan Napier Macnab; Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, The Hon. J. L. Starr, Halifax; Bahama Islands, J. Cooke, Nassau, N. P.; Bermudas, Dr. Jos. S. Hunter, Mayor of St. George's; Rep. of Colombia, Senor Jose G. Nunez, Angostura; Australia Felix, J. Hunter Ross, Melbourne; South Australia, Allan Macfarlan of Glensloy, Adelaide.

CHARTERS GRANTED to St John's Operative Lodge, Rutherglen; the Elgin Lodge of Montreal; and the Lodge St. Clair, Edinburgh.

The Faifley and Duntochor Union Lodge has been transferred from the Province of Dumbarton to the Province of Glasgow.

PRINCIPAL MASONIC OCCURRENC) S.-Aug. 3, 1846.-The Fund of Scottish Masonic Benevolence was this day established, and regulations for the management and distribution of the Fund were enacted by the Grand Lodge. These rules have been extensively circulated among the members of the fraternity.

Nov. 30, 1846.-The election of Grand Officers took place to-day. The names of those elected will be found above.-The Festival of St. Andrew the Apostle, Patron Saint of Scotland, was celebrated by the Grand Lodge in the evening. His Grace the Duke of Athole, M. W. Grand Master Mason of Scotland, presided on the occasion.

Feb. 1, 1847.-The Grand Lodge agreed to an interchange of representatives with the Grand Lodge of England, and authorised a commission in favour of Bro. J. Maitland, (late Grand Clerk,) with the rank of a Junior Grand Warden, to be expede, so soon as the Grand Lodge of England should be prepared on its part to appoint a Representative to the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

April 9.-The foundation-stone of the Caledonian Railway Station, at the Edinburgh terminus, was laid this day by his Grace the Duke of Athole, Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason of Scotland, with

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Masonic honours. The various Lodges walked in procession on the occasion; and the Brethren assembled at one o'clock in the Music Hall, George-street, to the number of five hundred and upwards.

May 3.-A Communication from Bro. Em. D. Faure, of the Lodge United Brothers, Trinidad, in relation to the installation of R. Ŵ. Masters, having been read and considered, the Grand Lodge pronounced the following deliverance, which was ordered to be communicated:

"The Grand Lodge of Scotland, since its establishment, has never acknowledged, as connected with Masonry, any degree, or secrets of any degree, but those imparted to every Master Mason, Fellow-Craft, and Entered Apprentice, and reiterates her injunctions to all Provincial Grand Masters not to permit any other to be practised in the Lodges under them in their respective provinces. The Grand Lodge farther considers every Master Mason qualified to be elected to, and fill the chair as R. W. M. without receiving any additional degree or secrets whatever, and that it is inconsistent with the Grand Lodge laws to require such. The Grand Lodge farther declares, that the installation of the whole office-bearers, including the Master, ought to take place in a just and perfect Lodge, opened in the Apprentice degree, where at least three Masters, two Fellowcrafts, and two Apprentices must be present, or, failing Craftsmen and Apprentices, the same number of Masters, who for the time being are held to be only of these degrees."

The Grand Clerk, seconded by the Grand Secretary, having moved at the Quarterly Communication in January last, that the fees on charters should be reduced from 217. to 10%. 10s., the motion was, on 3rd May, 1847, unanimously carried, and the dues were reduced accordingly.

The thanks of the Grand Lodge were at the same time yoted to the Grand Clerk and Grand Secretary for the very handsome and disinterested manner in which they had brought forward the above motion.

The Grand Lodge cordially responded to a suggestion emanating from His Grace the Duke of Athole, M. W. G. M. M. of Scotland, that the Grand Lodge should take an early opportunity of visiting the city of Glasgow, and remitted to the Grand Committee to make all necessary arrangements consequent on such visit, which it was anticipated would take place towards the end of the present month.

The Grand Secretary read a communication he had received from the W. Master of the Lodge " Kilwinning in the East," at Calcutta, transmitting the sum of 341. 5s. towards the mitigation of distress and destitution in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The unanimous thanks of Grand Lodge were voted to the W. Master, Office-bearers, and Members of the said Lodge, for their kind and fraternal feelings evinced towards the distressed in the hour of need.*

ANCIENT MEDALLION.-At the Masonic procession on the 9th of April, Mr. Robertson of the New Club, Grand Director of Ceremonies, wore a jewel of great value and beauty. Its history is curious. The grandfather of its present possessor, a Newhaven fisherman, was dredging for oysters in the Firth of Forth, something more than a hundred years ago, and upon hauling the dredge found a pocket-book containing, among other articles, a Masonic medal composed of gold inlaid with

* Query, how much have the Grand Lodges of England, Scotland, and Ireland subscribed?

-Printer's Devil

enamel, and representing the various hieroglyphic symbols of the Craft. It remains an heirloom in the family of the descendants of the finder to the present day.

ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER AT EDINBURGH.-At the election of the officebearers of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland, the following noblemen and gentlemen were elected for the ensuing year :His Grace the Duke of Athole, Principal Z.; the Earl of Dalhousie, Past Principal Z.; J. Whyte Melville, Esq., of Mount Melville, Principal H.; Colonel John Kinloch, of Kilrie, Principal J.; Colonel Swinburne, Depute-Principal; Dr. Walker Arnot, Past-Depute-Principal; Morris Leon, Grand Scribe E.; John Gardner, Grand Scribe N.; Hector Gavin, Esq. of Croft-an-righ, Grand Treasurer; Thomas Boog, Grand Recorder; C. F. Shand, Esq., advocate, Grand Chamberlain ; Sir William Miller, of Glenlee. First Sojourner; A. D. Campbell, Esq., Second Sojourner; William Hillhouse, Esq., Third Sojourner: Andrew Murray, Esq., Grand Sword Bearer; Daniel Robertson, Esq., and J. Gellatly, Esq., Standard Bearers; David Bryce, Esq., Architect; John Law, Esq., Grand Jeweller; William Donaldson, Esq., Grand Clothier; J. M'Lean and William Bryce, Janitors. After the election the Companions sat down to banquet. The chair was ably filled by John Whyte Melville, Esq., of Mount Melville, supported on his right and left by the Hon. Augustus Jocelyn, and Dr. Arnot. After dinner the usual appropriate toasts were given, and the company separated after spending a very happy evening.

· GLASGOW, June 1 —A Grand Masonic dinner was given in the Trades' Hall, Glasgow, on the occasion of the almost unprecedented circumstance of the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason of Scotland (His Grace the Duke of Athole), and the office-bearers and members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, paying a Masonic visit to Glasgow. The dinner, by Mr. M'Lerie, was of the very best and most recherché description, and all his arrangements for the immense concourse of Brethren, which met in Lodge afterwards, were most complete and business-like. At the dinner, the Duke of Athole occupied the chair, supported right and left by Colonel Kinloch, Mr. Sheriff Alison, Colonel Fordyce, of the 74th, Colonel Warren, of the Hon. the East India Company's service, W. A. Lawrie, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, J. L. Woodman, Grand Clerk, J. Robertson, Grand Director of C'eremonies, W. Donaldson, Grand Clothier and Croupier,—R. W. M. Main of No. 4 Kilwinning, Croupier, and various other Masonic dignitaries from all parts of Scotland.

After the repast, the noble Chairman gave the following toasts:"The Queen;" "The Prince Steward of Scotland;"The Prince Albert;""The Queen Dowager, and the rest of the Royal Family ;" "The Army," to which Colonel Fordyce of the 74th, at present in this garrison, returned thanks, in a most happy and judicious manner, amidst very great applause. Then followed "The Navy;" "The Lord Provost of Glasgow," in very complimentary terms, by his Grace. Sheriff Alison returned thanks for the Provost, and took occasion to mention that no person felt more anxious for the honour and prosperity of the Craft than his lordship. He begged, at the same time, to express his gratification at seeing the Grand Lodge of Scotland in Glasgow on such a visit, the first time during the last one hundred and ten years, and also to his Grace for honouring them with his presence. He hoped it would not