North Africa.

work during his tenure of office . A very hearty vote of thanks being offered to the P . M . and founder , the lodge was closed with the usual charitable collection . TUNIS . —William Kingston Lodge ( No . 18 35 ) . —The annual festival of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Goletta , on the igth ult . Present : Bros . VV . A . M . Broadley . P . D . D . G . M . Malta , W . M . j T . F . Reade , liviouireo | ji

f . U . U . - j . lVl . ligypt , non . .. ; -u , o . vv ., w . Johnstone , as J VV . ; Durazzaus , Treas . ; Ayra , Sec . ; Attard , S . D . ; Vittareale , J . D . ; Catalano , D . of C ; and D'Amico , I . G . ; Rombi , Plancta , Castelli , A . Castelli , Vaux , Bertoline , Angelica and others . Visitors : Bros . VV . Perini , P . M . 1717 ; Ayra , ( VV . M . Italian Lodge Risorgimento ); Vais , 33 ° ; Tunaro , Sulema , 30 ° ( Italian P . M . ' s ); Le Gallais , J . W . 1717 ; Barsotti , Treas . 1717 ;

Audry , Sec . 1717 ; Sessing , Provenzal and others . The lodge being duly opened the VV . M . gave a short account of tbe work done during tbe year , and especially of tbe steps taken to clothe several destitute boys who were now receiving gratuitous education at the Italian College . Congratulatory speeches being made by Bros . Reade , Ayra , and Perini , it

was resolved to send a telegram containing fraternal greetings to the D . G . M ., Bro . Kingston , in England . The charitable collection amounted to £ 1 Ss . The lodge was closed and the usual banquet followed . The hall was elaborately decorated with flags , & c ., and the Goletta band played at intervals during dinner .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

We are autliorised to state that the Most Worshipful the Grand Master has appointed the Right Hon . Sir Michael E . Hicks Beach , Bart , M . P ., late Secretary for the Colonies , Prov . Grand Master of Gloucestershire in place of Lord Sherborne .

H . R . H . thePrinceof Wales , M . W . G . M . of England ; Bros , the Earl Percy , R . W . G . M . Northumberland ; Lord Leigh , R . W . G . M . Warwickshire ; and Sir Michael Robert Shaw Stewart , Bart ., M . W . G . M . Scotland , were among those that attended the funeral of the Duchess of Westminster on Wednesday week .

Bro . H . R . H . tlie Duke of Connaught , P . G . W ., accompanied by the Duchess , left Osborne , where their Royal Highnesses had been spending Christmas with the Queen , on Tuesday last , for Sandringham , on a visit to the Prince and Princess of Wales .

H . R . H . Prince Leopold , P . G . W ., has consented to preside at the annual festival dinner in aid of the funds of the University College Hospital , at Willis ' s Rooms , on tlie 20 th of May next . Bro . the Earl of Lathom , M . W . Past Grand Mark Master Mason , consecrated the lodge bearing his lordship ' s name , No . 2 < 5 S , at Southport . A report of the proceedings will appear in our next .

Bro . the Very Rev . A . P . Purey-Cust , D . D ., Dean of York , Grand Chaplain of England , was at the last meeting of the York Lodge , No . 236 , invested as Chaplain . - Bro . Edward Clarke , Q . C , M . P ., will preside at the annual dinner of the Associates and Students of King ' s College in the college dining hall , on January the 12 th .

Bro . Henry Windybank , solicitor ( Burgoyne Lodge , No . 902 ) , has removed to more commodious offices , on the first floor of Moorgate Station Buildings , 63 , Finsbury-pavement , E . C . Bro . J . B . Shackleton leaves England for Melbourne on the iSth inst .

Mrs . Cross , better known as " George Eliot , " died on Thursday week , and literature thereby loses one of its brightest ornaments . Bro . Thomas Brassey , M . P ., Civil Lord of the Admiraltry , on the 21 st ult . inspected the Liverpool Brigade of the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers , of which he is honorary commander .

Bro . Capt . John Kni ght , of Manchester , Mass ., is stated to be the oldest Mason in the United States , having been initiated in 1 S 01 . Bro . Marcus Richardson , of Bangor , Me ., is the next oldest , having seen the light in 1 S 03 .

Bro . S . V . Abrahams , P . M ., has been elected VV . M . of the Montefiore Lodge , No . 1017 , for the ensuing year . Bro . Henry A . Isaacs has been re-elected a representative of the Aldgate Ward in the Court of Common Council .

Bro . E . Clarke , Q . C , M . P ., distributed the prizes to the 6 th Surrey Rifle Corps on Tuesday night week . The West Smithfield Lodgeof Instruction will meet at the New Market Hotel on Monday , the 3 rd inst ., at eight o'clock p . m ., when brethren are earnestly invited to be present , that a goodly company may begin the New Year .

We are indebted to Bro . George Kenning , London , for a copy of the eleventh volume of the " Cosmopolitan Calendar , " which , we note , increases in interest and exactitude each year of its publication . It is a perfect vadc mecum , and at its small price , 2 s . sterling , we should think would have an extended sale . We acknowledge our indebtedness to it on various occasions for information we

could hardly have reached in any other way . —New York Dispatch . Mr . Campbell writes asking the attention of our readers to the claims upon their sympathy and support of the Royal Normal College and Academy of Music for the Blind , which is earnestly in want of funds . Subscriptions and donations will be thankfully received and promptly acknowledged by the principal of the college , Upper Norwood , S . E .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Three hundred and twenty thousand i 111 migrants are estimated to have arrived at New York during last

year . The Empress of Austria has definitely abandoned her intention of visiting Kilkenny during the hunting season . Over a quarter of an inch ( -27 ) . of rain was measured at the Royal Observatory , Greenwich , within

the twenty-four hours ending three o clock p . m . on luesday last . Baron Rothschild succeeds the Empress Eugenic as tenant of Camden House , Chislehurst , taking the same from Lady Day next . Tlie City Press almanack is presented witli every copy of the City Press of this day ' s date .

I he Gaiety Theatre completed its twelfth ycai on Monday last .

ALLIANCE LODGE , NO . 1827 . —The first balance sheet of this flourishing young lodge shews a balance in hand of over two hundred pounds . Bros . Dickinson and Madhouse have been elected Common Councilmen for the ward of Farringdon Without .

Mr . Quintal Hogg ' s residence at Holly Hill , near Southampton , has been totally destroyed by fire . BfS . W . S . Daniel having taken the premises lately occupied by the proprietors of the Land Agents ' Record , states that on and after January ist , his Advertising and Reporting business will be conducted in those offices , at No . S 4 , Fleet-street , London , also at Station Approach Road , Loughborough Junction , London , S . W .

A Masonic Ball in connection with the City of London Lodge , No . 901 , will take place on Wednesday next , Jan . 5 th , in the large hall , Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street , W . C . Bro . Dan Godfrey ' s quadrille band will be in attendance .

Bro . Thomas Brassey-, M . P . ' s , screw steam yacht , " Sunbeam , " which left Birkenhead on Tuesday for Portsmouth , had to put into Holyhead owing to the bad weather . After leaving Holyhead the "Sunbeam " had carried away her foretopmast and jibboom . Her defects will be made good at Portsmouth , previous to taking Mrs . Brassey to the Mediterranean for the benefit of that

lady s health . Captain Gildea , 20 , Stafford-terrace , Kensington , W ., will be glad to receive the names of all women and children ( officers as well as men ) who have lost their husbands in Afghanistan since the commencement of the war in 187 S , and who have not already communicated with him . The names and ages of the children should be stated .

Thc late Sir Fitzroy Kelly ' s personalty has been sworn under , ( , 60 , 000 ; that of Sir A . G . Cockburn , G . C . B ., under £ 40 , 000 . Bro . Mansfield has been elected W . M . of the Emulation Lodge , No . 21 , for the ensuing year . One of the oldest Freemasons on record is Bro . John Stephen Witherden , of Albion-hill , Ramsgate , who

has now reached his ninety-first year . He was initiated into the Order when in Holland , in thc year 1 S 1 G or 1 S 17 , and a few days since H . R . H . the Princeof Wales , the Grand Master of England , sent him a hamper of game , as a present . It was accompanied by a letter , containing wishes of every happiness and enjoyment for Bio . Witherden at this glad season of the year .

In our summary , published last week , of the amount voted by the Lodge of Benevolence there is an error in the two sums forming the total of £ 0223 . This amount is made up by deducting from £ 0363 £ 140 , the balance of a sum of £ 150 recommended by the meeting of the iSth August , but afterwards withdrawn .

Lord Warkworth Lodge , No . 18 79 , will be consecrated at Amble , Northumberland , on Monday week , tbe 10 th inst . The two principal officers designate are Bros . A . Robertson , P . M . 11 G 7 , Past S . G . W . Northumberland , W . M ., and John Grey , S . W .

The Freemason has just issued an excellent Christmas number , containing a selection of well-told stories , a concentrated novel in about four chapters , and several poetic effusions , some of which are of more than average merit . The general appearance of the number is worthy of its contents . —Land and Water .

Bro . Bedford Lemere will be installed W . M . of the Confidence Lodge , No . 193 , at Anderton ' s Hotel , on Monday week . MASONIC SERVICE AT ST . CLEMENT ' , LONGSIGHT , MANCHESTER . —The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire has granted a dispensation , under the warrant of the Lodsre of Truth . No . 14-. 8 .

for the Fraternity to appear at the above in Craft clothing . The service will be held on Sunday , the 23 rd inst ., at three o ' clock p . m . The offertory is for the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . The prayers will be read by the Rev . Bro . S . Bradshaw , P . P . G . Chap . E . Lane , and Northumberland , and the sermon preached by the Rev . Bro . H . CottamM . A .,

, I rov . G . Chap . E . Lane . The musical arrangements are under the direction of Bro . James Varley , P . M . 350 , who will also preside at the organ as Provincial Grand Organist ofthe province . Bro . W . Dumville , P . M . ion , an eminent tenor , connected with the noteworthy vocal organisations of Manchester , has secured the voluntary services of vocal ability in the Craft—Bros . Hudson Lister , P . M . ; M .

Thomas , P . M . ; M . Stafford , P . M . ; and others . The Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire ( Bro . Geo . Mellor ) and many of the Provincial Grand Officers will ( D . V . ) be present . The occasion of the gathering is to celebrate the anniversary of the consecration of the Church of St . Clement ' s . A goodly

gathering , we trust , will bc present , for a good cause—Charity The Rev . VV . Fraser , M . A ., the incumbent of the parish , has p laced the church at thc disposal of the Craft for this special service , at the express desire of his Warden , Bro , John Edward Iliff , I . P . M . 145 S . We trust the object in view will meet with fraternal support ,

Masonic And General Tidings.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION * FOR GIRLS .--The annual Twelfth-night entertainment to the children remaining in the School during the holidays will not be given this year . Bro . Sir Michael Costa asks "Atlas , "' of the World , to state that there is no authority for announcing his name " as one of the Provisional Committee of a new club , to be called the Falstaff . "

The installation meeting of thc Lodge of Jopp a No . iSS , will be hrJd at the Albion Hotel . Aldersgate-street , on Monday , the 4 th inst . A report of the proceedings wil appear in the next number of the Freemason . The Royal Arthur Lodge of Instruction has been

removed from the Prince's Head , York-road , Battersea , to the Duke of Cambridge , 216 , Bridge-road , Battersea Park . The first meeting in the new quarters will be held on the 4 th inst ., and it is intended to present the late Preceptor , Bro . Kingjwith a testimonial , as a small token of tbe esteem in which he is held .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meetingof the members connected with the Grand Chapter of the Province of West Lancashire was held at the Masonic Hall , Liverpool , on Wednesday ,-the 22 nd ult ., under the presidency of Comp . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , Grand H ., Provincial Grand Supt .

of the division . His lordship was supported by a numerous and influential attendance of R . A . chiefs , and this would probably have been much larger but for the fact that business of importance connected with the election of Hon . Treasurer of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution kept many companions away , an election which will be referred to hereafter .

Amongst those present were Comps . the Earl of Lathom , Grand H ., Prov . G . Supt . ; H . S . Alpass , P . G . S . E . ; J . Wells , P . G . D . C ; P . Bell , P . G . J . ; T . Buxton , P . P . G . Sec , Assist . S . ; John Chadwick , P . G . S . E . East Lancashire , J . H . Sillitoe , P . Z . 13 = 57 , P . P . G . First A . S . ; H . VV . Johnston , P . P . J . ; J . Bowes , P . Z . 14 S ; J . VV . Finney , P . P . G . A . S . ; S . G . Sinclair , 32 ; R . Stanton , A . S . ;

C . Raymond , 203 ; H . Vollmer , P . Z . 1375 ; VV . J . Kewman , H . 6 S 0 ; E . J . Edelston , P . Z . 14 S ; W . A . Lake , G 73 ; T . A . R . Littledale , 32 ; J . W . Burgess , ' Z . 1094 ; Joseph VVood , 249 and 1094 ( Freemason ); M . George Turner , P . Z . S 23 ; H . Firth , J . 249 ; VV . Thomson , Z . 86 ; J . Leece , J . 10 SG ; Coxon , 292 ; T . Roberts , P . Z . 673 , Z . 220 ; J . Hayes , Z . 594 ; T . Chesworth , P . P . G . R . ; J . W .

Ballard , L . S 23 ; J . Hllis , /* . 10 SC ; J . Pemberton , P . P . G . S . B . ; S . Wylde , P . P . G . S . B . ; VV . B . Ackerley , Z . 6 S 0 ; J . E . Jackson , P . Z . ; J . Lunt , P . Z . 10 S 6 and 241 ; J . Bell , P . Z . 1356 ; H . Williams , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Skeaf , P . G . O !; J . S . Russell , P . Z . 292 ; G . F . Smith , P . Z . 1375 ; J . B . Mackenzie , 135 G ; and others . After the transaction of some preliminary business , the

following were appointed officers for the ensuing year : Comp . Colonel Stanley , P . G . H . „ H . Vollmer , P . G . T . „ H . S . Alpass , P . G . S . E . „ W . B . Ackerley , P . G . S . N . „ J . F . Newell , P . G . P . S . „ * R . Brown , P . G . Asst . Soi .

„ Joseph Bell , P . G . 2 nd Asst . Soj . „ Major Turner , P . G . Treas . „ R . Washington , P . G . R . „ J . Hayes , P . G . S . B . „ \ . E . Jackson , P . G . St . B . „ " J . Wells , P . G . D . C . „ j . Skeaf , P . G . O . „ J . VV . Ballard , P . G . S .

„ P . Ball , P . G . Janitor . A vote of thanks was given to Comp . T . Armstrong for his services as Treasurer , and the sum of £ 20 was voted in aid of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution . A grand banquet was subsequently served in the large dining hall , and during the evening a choice selection of music was given under the direction of Comp . Skeaf , a prominent feature of the programme being the "Fairy Bells " of Comp . Hargreaves , 10 SG .

The New Year Of 1881 .

THE NEW YEAR OF 1881 .

All hail ! the New Year , which has dawned to-day , Farewell the Old Year , which has passed away ; Such seems to be great Nature's calm behest , " Welcome the coming , speed the parting guest . " As years on years fleet by , and tune departs , One truth affects all minds and bows all hearts .

How all things weaken , crumble , fade away , The Old Year tells , bears witness New Year's Day . VVe , who are old , were young some short years told ; We , who are young , will soon in time be old . Childhood and jouth and manhood ' s manly way , Yield soon or late to earth ' s unchecked decay , Telling a tale which like a dream has fled

Of hopes long faded , joys buried with thc dead . Alas I how sad is Time f how ill it fares , Alike with all it takes , and all it spares ! A few short years and vanish'd then and gone Are earthly joys and pleasures one by one . We find to-day how little now remains Of all our strivings and of all ' our pains ;

How all is perishing—how everything does fade Of what our wit can plan , or hands have made . Such is the end of human trust and fears , Of earthly smiles , gay laughter , bitter tears , All but a darkening chaos seem to be , As we look back , a sad epitome I And thus we meet , as hurrvincr on our wav .

An Old Year ' s warning on a New Year ' s Day . Yet like fair youth exulting in its play , Let ' s seek to put such gloomy thoughts away . For as the New Year comes with pleasant greeting , With childhood ' s ioys , with cental friendship ' s meetinir .

With all that makes us happy for a space , As once again wc see each much lov'd face , And kind affection's voice and tender smile Bid us forget each care and cross awhile ; So as the Old Year once more slips away , Let's welcome iri another New Year ' s Day . London , New Year's Day , 1881 ,