Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

IT IS understood that the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Essex is to be held at Brentwood on Tuesday , the 13 th inst . THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF CHESHIRE will be held on the 23 rd inst ., in the Town Hall , Altrincham . Bro . the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., Dep . G . Master , Prov . G . Master , will preside . THE CONSECRATION of the Wythenshawe Lodge of Mark Master Masons , No . 532 , will take place at the Tatton Arms Hotel , Northenden , Cheshire , on the 16 th inst . Bro . the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., Prov . G . Master , will consecrate .

THE ART LOAN EXHIBITION . —The exhibition of the works of the best British artists continues to attract a large share of public patronage . The attendance last Sunday afternoon was a small one , only 774 persons passing through the turnstiles . The total attendance since the opening ' stands at 118 , 500 . SIR WALTER BESANT is inclined to the opinion that his great historical survey of London will run to nine volumes . There are five or six volumes now running through the press , but it is uncertain when a begi nning will be made with tbe puplication of the Work . In any case its publication will not be commenced until the work is so far advanced as to permit the various secti ons appealing at short and regular intervals .

MASONIC PRESENTATION . —At their meeting previous to the vacation , held on the 23 rd ult , the members of Saint Clement Lodge , No . roSS , Aberdeen , presented to Bro . Alexander H . Hogg , S . W ., on the occasion of his marriage , a massive marble timepiece , with bronze ornaments to match ; also a gold brooch and finger ring for Mrs . Hogg . Bro . William Walker , P . M ., made the presentation in open lodge , and in a kindly speech wished Bro . and Mrs . Hogg much happiness during their wedded days .

BRO . C . TOD POLLEN , formerly ot the Bear Hotel , Esher , and known to many as connected with various catering enterprises , figured in the port rait gallery of The Caterer and Hotel Keepers' Gazette . It was at the " Fisheries" and the " Healtheries" that Bro . Pullen chiefly distinguished himself , and at the Royal Aquarium , Westminster , he also displayed administrative power of the highest order . Soon after disposing of the business at Esher , Bro . Pullen was engaged as manager of the Royal Hotel , Henley , which concern he ran most successfully last summer , and is Still in command of .

WHITSUNTIDE A RRANGEMENTS . —The New Palace Steamers , Limited , commence their sailings to Southend , Margate , and Ramsgate to-morrow ( Saturday ) . The Royal Sovereign will run daily ( Fridays excepted ) to Margate and Ra m sgate and back , leaving Old Swan Pier at 9 . 20 a . m ., and the Koh-i-noor will run to Southend and Margate and back from Old Swan Pier at 8 . 50 a . m ., on June 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th , and will regularly sail on and after June 30 th . In connection with these steamers trains depart from Fenchurch-street and St . Pancras Stations and meet the boats at Tilbury . Further particulars can be had at the offices , 50 , King William-street , E . C .

THE LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY COMPA NV has just issued for the second time an Illustrated Guide and Official List of Hotels , Boarding Houses , and Apartments on their extensive system in the south and west of England , as also in the Isle of Wight , the Channel Islands , and on the coasts of Normandy and Brittany . Many new features have been introduced in the Guide , including an article devoted to

the golf links on the South-Western system , and this will , it is certain , be appreciated by many people who wish to add the pleasure of golf to their holiday tours . Illustrations and descriptive notices are given of some of the most attractive resorts reached from Waterloo , and particulars are printed relating to a still larger number of places on the lire . The book is issued by Messrs . Spottiswoode and Co ., of 54 , Gracechurchstreet , and the first edition each year consists of 50 , 000 copies .

A MEETING of the Old Masoman Association , composed of ex- £ choIars of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , will be held at Exchange Restaurant , Stephenson-, place , near New-street Station , Birmingham , on Monday next . Bro . Sir A . F . Godson , M . P ., P . G . D ., P . G . M . Worcester , Patron of Inst ., Past Pres . of Assoc , has kindly consented to take the chair . The gathering has been arranged in order that Old Boys living in differunt parts of the country may have an opportunity of meeting

one another , and promote the aims of the Association . Birmingham was selected owing to its central position , and Whit Monday , because the majority are free from business duties on this day . The early hour of 5 p . m . has to be fixed in order that members from London , Cardiff , Manchester , Liverpool , Sic , & c , mav catch return trains to their homes . Full particulars can be obtained from Mr . S . C . Dawson , 61 , Bristol-street , Birmingham , or the Secretary , at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street .

MUTUAL OF AUSTRALASIA . —The Mutual Life Association of Australasia's actuarial investigation report for the period ending 31 st December last shows that 18 , 307 policies were in force for £ 5 , 172 , 048 , and that out of the funds— £ 1 , 359 , 362—at that date there existed a gross surplus of £ 124 , 372 on a 4 per cent , pure premium valuation , but in view of the possibility of a still further decline in the value of money it was recommended to pass to the most stringent 3 i per cent , valuation and make other special reserves absorbing £ 65 , 485 of the gross surplus , reversionary bonus certificates being issued to members at as nearly as possible the same rate as at the 1 S 94

investigation . Interest realised on the mean amount of funds for last year was at the rate of 4 ! per cent . The Quinquennial Investigation Reports clearly set forth the position and enable you to say , in the words of the general manager , that the course adopted " ensures what oughtto be the first consideration with everyone interested in the welfare of the Association , viz ., absolute security for the due fulfilment of the contracts under all policies , even should the value of money still further retrogade ; " while the actuary affirms " this will not only secure the absolutely unimpeachable financial position of the Association , but will increase its bonus-yielding power in future years . "

BETHNAL GREEN FREE L IBRARY . —This institution was founded in 187 ( 0 , and is supported entirely by voluntary contributions . It consists of the Reference Library , News Rooms , Patent Department ( where a copy of all specifications for inventions issued from her Majesty ' s Patent Office may be consulted ) , and the use of the Lecture Hall , in which lectures are delivered of a scientific , educational , and popular character , and first-class musical entertainments are given . In addition to these , the Committee organise from time to time concerts on a large scale . A Free Lending Department for

the use of the inhabitants of this vast district has been opened with the most gratifying results . The maintenance of this branch has caused an increase in the expenditure , to meet which an earnest appeal is now made . A valuable course of illustrated science lectures for the people , by men of the highest ability , secured from the " Gilchrist Educational Trust , " has been delivered with unprecedented success . Evening classes for the youth of both sexes are also held , and hitherto have proved very advantageous . A work of this character is the more needed in this neighbourhood on account of the

extreme poverty of the inhabitants . Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family have at various times shown active sympathy with the institution . Among eminent personages who have testified to its value may be noted Sir George Faudel Phillips , Bart ., also Bro . the Ven . Archdeacon of London , who speaks of the delight he feels in knowing that there exists "in the poorest part of his district so enlightened and beneficent an institution as the Bethnal Green Free Library . " The Bishop of Stepney says that from statistics he had obtained it was

clear that in Bethnal Green the demand for immoral literature was steadily decreasing , while that for good books was increasing . And yet another ( Professor Prout ) says : "This institution is an oasis in the desert , and doubtless is the means of lifting many a boy and girl from the gutter , and starting them for a good position in life . " Upwards of 27 , 000 persons attended the course of the Gilchrist Lectures , while the number who have attended the place since its foundation approaches one million . In the midst of streets remarkable for their squalor , the Bethnal Green Library stands a veritable lighthouse . The need for the present year is not less than £ 2500 , comprising the

maintenance and general funds , and new annual subscriptions . It would also greatly help the committee if some generous friend would give a sufficient sum to provide a Boys' Reading Room away from the present building . This would relieve the congested state of the Reference Department , and would furnish a place of refuge from the temptations of the streets for the thousands who seek admission but are turned away lor want of room . Aid may be sent to the Treasurer , Mr . F . A . Bevan , 54 , Ixmbard-street , E . C . ; or to the Secretary and Librarian , Mr . G . F . Hilcken , Bethnal Green Free Library , London-street , E .

Masonic And General Tidings.

HER MAJESTY ' S J UDGES will hold their annual whitebait dinner at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , on Monday , the iSth inst . Bro . Lord and Lady BIythswood have returned to town from Newton Park , Bristol , where they have been on a visit to Earl and Countess Temple . THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK , with their three elder children , leave York House , St . James ' s Palace , to-day , on a visit to the Queen at Balmoral .

THE HONORARY SECRETARIES of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ' s Hospital Fund have been informed that a legacy of £ 1000 ( free of legacy duty ) was bequeathed to the fund by the late Madame Rosa Ann Deleglise .

THE DEATH IS announced , at the age of 95 , of Bro . George Swanson , builder , of Thurso , believed to be the oldest Freemason in the world . He became a member of St . Peter's Lodge , No . 2 S 4 , on February 7 th , 1 S 23 . GENERAL SIR GEORGE WHITE , V . C ., who takes up the Governorship of Gibraltar from Monday , the 4 th _ inst ., has selected Major W . E . Fairholme , C . M . G ., Royal Artillery , now on special service in South Africa , for service on his Staff as M ilitary Secretary .

T . R . H . THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS- OF WALES are expected to leave London to-morrow ( Saturday ) foe Sandringham , and her Royal Highness is likely to remain there for the present . The Prince will be back in town on the Sth inst ., in order to be present at Ascot . , THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT , Commander-in-Chief in Ireland , has , it is said , rented for the summ er season , Castle Blayney , co . Monoghan , the residence of Lord Francis Clinton-H ope , who is at present in Australia . His Royal Highness's Military Secretary has visited the demesne , and will probably arrange for a five years' lease , should that period suit the Duke of Connaught's requirements .

DURING the Military Tournament on Wednesday afternoon , while the arena was occupied by troops showing the costume worn by soldiers at different periods of our history , the performance was stopped for a moment in order to allow the announcement to be made that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales had won the Derby with Diamond Jubilee . The news was received with great cheering by the large audience , and the band played "God Bless the Prince of Wales . "

INFANT ORPHAN ASYLUM . —The annual meeting and half-yearly election of this asylum was held on Thursday at the Cannon-street Hotel , Bro . Capt . Portlock-Dadson presiding . The report , which was adopted , stated that the health of the children had been good during the past year , and that the education of the children had been tested by some of the usual Government examinations , and had been reported upon favourably . Reference was made to special expenditure for machinery and the completion of the gymnasium . An urgent appeal was made for new annual subscriptions . The election of 25 children was afterwards proceeded with .

THE NEWS of the serious illness of Bro . Richard Eve will be received with sincere regret throughout Masonic circles . For some weeks past Bro . Eve had not been well . In fact , he was taken seriously ill about a fortnight ago at a friend ' s house in London . However , within a few days he was about again attending to his many public duties , and keeping different social engagements . On Saturday last he attended the council

meeting at Aldershot to pass a vote of condolence with the family of the late Mr . J . Lazareck . There he seemed alert and vigorous , but during the last few days it was evident that he was far from well . On the 25 th ult ., on his housekeeper going to his room , she found him unconscious . Dr . Gibson was summoned , and his friend , Dr . Cassidy arrived from London , and remained during the day . We now learn that Bro . Eve ' s condition is somewhat improved .

A CAPITAL PORTRAIT of Bro . Sir John B . Monckton , and an appreciative article on his services as the Town Clerk of the City of London , appears in the current issue of the Clerks' Gazette . The writer states that Bro . Sir John ' s " habit has been , throughout life , to devote his leisure to such hard work of the body as has been to him mental relaxation . Cricket and shooting , among other forms of sport , together with swimming

competitions , of which he was in his earlier days intensely fond , were to him acceptable amusements , and when , in 1 S 50 , the present phase of volunteering began , Bro . Sir John then a solicitor in large practice , threw himself into the movement with great ardour , and commanded , before his retirement under the pressure of official duties , a smart battery of the ist Middlesex Artillery . "

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES gave a dinner-party to members of the Jockey Club on Wednesday evi ning , at which there were present T . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , the Duke of York , the Duke of Cambridge , Prince Christian , H . S . H . Prince Soltykoff , Bro . the Duke of Devonshire , Bro . the Duke of Portland , Bro . the Marquis of Zetland , the Comte de Berteux , Bro . the Earl of March , the Earl of Coventry , the

Earl of Ilchester , Earl Cadogan , Bro . the Earl of Cork and Orrery , the Earl of Harewood , the Earl of Bradford , the Earl of EUesmere , the Earl of Feversham , the Earl of Crewe , Viscount Falmouth , Lord Colville of Culross , Bro . Lord Suffield , Lord Rendlesham , Lord Penrhyn , Lord Russell of Killowen , Lord Brampton , the Hon . H . W . Fitzwilliam , the Hon . F . Lambton , the Right Hon . J . Lowther , the Right Hon . H . Chaplin , Sir W . Throckmorton , Sir Reginald Graham , and others .

IMPOSING ON MASONIC CHARITY . —At Ashton-under-Lyne Police-court , on the 2 Sth ult ., Walter Banks Atherton , a man of superior education , was charged with getting money by false pretences from the Treasurer of the Benevolent Fund of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons . It was stated that the prisoner , who had been in a good position , was tramping the country living on Freemasons . He said he was a member of

several lodges , but , on Bro . Pownall , the Treasurer of the Ashton fund , writing , he found the statements were untrue . The prisoner had been calling at Ashton sine : last year . He tramped 1737 miles from one Masonic Treasurer to another . There were , Bro . Pownall said , about 200 such impostors tramping about . A letter was read from prisoner's brother promising to allow him 10 s . weekly if he would give up such a life , and on this understanding he was sentenced to one day ' s imprisonment .

BY THE COURTESY of the Great Western Railway to inaugurate " the new combined rail and water trip , " the members of the Press had a most pleasant day on the Upper Thames . Leaving Paddington at 10 a . m . in a special saloon attached to the rear of the train Henley was reached by 10 . 45 , and in less than an hour we were on board the launch . An appetising luncheon and other refreshments were partaken of on board . After a stay of some duration at Pangbourne we returned to Henley where an excellent dinner served hot was partaken of at the Red Lion Hotel , a fine old-fashioned hostelry covered with wisteria , and now under the management of Bro . C . Tod Pullen ,

who has a very good record in the catering business and who personally superintended all the arrangements of the trip and the refreshments . Mr . Wilkinson , the General Manager of the Great Western Railway , accompanied the party , and Mr . W . C . Simpson was indefatigable in looking after ihe comfort of everyone . Freemasonry was well represented , and more particularly in the person of Bro . Edward Letchworth , the Grand Secretary . We can heartily recommend this outing to the Secretaries of summer lodges who want to have a good day ' s enjoyment at a reasonable figure , the inclusive charge for train , launch , lunch , and dinner being only 2 is .

BRIGHTON AND SOUTH COAST RAILWAY . —Whitsuntide Holiday Arrangements . —S or 15 days' cheap tickets will be issued from London , Thursday , May 31 st , to Seaford , Eastbourne , Bexhill , and Hastings ; Friday , June ist , to Littlehampton , Bognor , Chichester , Havant , Southsea , Portsmouth , and the Isle of Wight . The week-end cheap return tickets issued on June ist , 2 nd , and 3 rd , to and from London , will be available for return June 3 rd , 4 th , sth , and Cth . Special Friday , Saturday , Sundav , and Monday to Wednesday tickets will be issued from London to Dieppe . To

Caen for Normandy and Brittany , special cheap tickets will be issued on Wednesday and Saturday , available for return on the following Monday , Wednesday , or Friday . On Saturday , June 2 nd , a 14-day excursion to Paris by the picturesque Newhaven , Dieppe route , through the charming scenery of Normandy , will be run from London by the special day express service , and also by the night express service on Friday , Saturday , and Sunday . June ist , 2 nd , and 3 rd . Special Saturday to Tuesday tickets will be issued from London to Portsmouth , Southsea , and the Isle of Wight . On

Whit-Sunday and Monday day trips at excursion fares will be run from London to Brighton , Hove , Worthing , Midhurst , Portsmouth , the Isle of Wight , Lewes , Tunbridge Wells , Seaford , Eastbourne , Bexhill , St . Leonards , and Hastings . Extra trains will be run from London , as required by the traffic , to the Crystal Palace on Whit-Monday , Tuesday , and following days , returning in the evening at freqwent intervals . On Whit-Tuesday , cheap day trips will be run from London to Brighton , Hove , and Worthing .