Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

BKO . EARL AND COUNTESS CARRINGTON went to High Wycombe on Monday till the end of the week . THE DATE fixed for holding the Prov . G , Lodge of Kent , at Margate , is Wednesday , the 15 th inst . PRINCESS HENRY OE BATTENBERG arrived at Kissengen on Saturday evening last to take the waters . BRO . JOHN EASTER , P . M . Tyrian Lodge , has bcen elected W . M . of the Anderida Lodge for the ensuing year .

BKO . THE DUKK AND DUCHESS OE DEVONSHIRE left town on Saturday night for Lismore Castle , County Waterford .

THE MARIJUIS and Marchioness of Londonderry ' and Lady Helen Stewart left town on Monday for Wynyard Park , and return to-day ( Friday ) . T . R . H . THE DUKK AND DUCHESS OE CONNAUGHT AND STRATHEARN honoured Bro . Lord and Lady Pirbright by their company at dinner on Saturday evening last . ON TUESDAY Lady Pirbright distributed the prizes , including a magnificent silver cup ( the gift of Bro . Lord Pirbright ) , at the sports of the Guildford Amiteur Athletic Club .

BRO . LORD ROBERTS has promised to preside at the annual dinner of the Punjaub Frontier Force , which is to take place cn Wednesday , the Sth inst . General Sir Wm . Lcckhart will be present . THE GERMAN EMPEROR has conferred the Royal Prussian Order " Pour Le Ale-rite" upon Sir William H . Flower , K C . B ., Director of the National History Department of the British Museum .

THE LORD CHANCELLOR ( Bro . the Earl of Halsbury ) visited Farnborough on Tuesday for the purpose of opening a town hall that has been erected at North F ' arnborough by Major Holt , J . P ., in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee . LADY IIORKEN LONG and Miss Long have gone to Rood Ashton , Trowbridge , for thc Whitsuntide recess . Bro . Long , who is now in command of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry , will pass the recess at Devizes , where his regiment assembled on Thursday , the 20 th ult ., for their annual training .

BRO . AUGUSTUS FREDHRICK GODSON , M . P ., was one of those on whom the honour of knighthood was conferred on the occasion of her Majesty's birthday . Bro . Sir A . F . Godson is a barrister of the Inner Temple , and married , in lSfiij , Jane Charlotte , youngest daughter of the late Air . Edmund Boughton , of Stoke , near Coventry .

THE ANNUAL DINNER of the Architectural Association was held at the Holborn Restaurant on the 26 th ult ., Mr . Hampden J . Pratt , President , in the chair . 'The company numbered about 50 , and included Bros . Henry Lovegrove , P . G . S . B . ; F . T . W . Goldsmith , G . Fellowes Prynne , E . O . Sachs , A . O . Collard , F . H . A . Hardcastle , W . Eckstein , and others .

AT THE FORTHCOMING commemoration onthe 22 iid inst ., the Degree of Doctor of Civil Law , by diploma , will be conferred upon his Royal Highnes ; the Dake of York , K . G . The same degree will be received by Bro . Sir li . J . Monson , her Majesty ' s Ambassador at Paris ; Sir J . Kirk , Sir J . Scott , late Judicial Atviser to his Highness the Khedive ot Egypt ; Sir li . J . Poynter , P . R . A . ; and Mr . F . C . Penrice , late Surveyor to the fabric of St . Paul's Cathedral .

I HE DUCHESS OE ALBANY , who was accompanied by Bro . Sir Robert Collins and Miss Helen Maxwell , arrived at Farnham on Monday morning , on a visit to the Bishop of Winchester and Mrs . Randall Davidson . Her Royal Highness had consented to open Farnham Commemorative S . vimming Bith , and on arrival on the ground was received by Air . W . T . Coleman , the Chairman , and other members of the Urban I listrict Council , an address of welcome being presented to the Duchess by Sir Richard Mason , Clerk .

THE OUHEN , accompanied by Princess Leiningen and Princess Victoria of Schleswig-llolslein , paid her lirst visit to Braemar on Saturday afternoon last . Her Majesty , who occupied an open carriage , drawn by roan horses , driven four-in-hand , and preceded by outriders , drove as far as the Fife Arms Hotel , and then turned homewards . The weather was bright and line . The Very Rev . Dr . Donald Macleod , D . D ., arrived at the Castle , and , with Bro . the Right Hon . A . Akers-Douglas , had the honour of dining with the ( lueen and the Royal Family .

TIIKIK ROYAI . HIGHNESSES the Prince and Princess of Wales , with their Royal Highnesses the Duke and I luchess of York , have been spending Whitsun week at Sandringham . 'The Princess of Wales , with the Duke and Duchess of York , attended by Miss Knollys , General Sir Dighton Probyn , and Sir Charles Cust , arrived at Sandringham on Saturday evening last . Their Royal Highnesses attended Divine service at the Church of St . Mary Magdalene in thc Park on Sunday last , when pathetic references were made to the loss of one who had been a fret-ucnt guest of their Royal Highnesses at Sandringham . 'The Prince of Wales travelled from London to Wolferton on Sunday morrting , and arrived at Sandringham shortly after one o ' clock .

AMI . 'N . - ; lata sums received by the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House fjr the memorial to tiie Princess Mary Adelaide , Duchess of 'Teck , which is to tike the form of a Home of Rest for Poor Women from London , are— . Madame de Falbe , £ . 1 ; Alt * . and Mrs . George Anderson , £ 5 ; Mr . Herbert Garratt ( of Sidney ) , £ 5 " 5 s . ; thc Dowager Marchioness of Ailsa , £ 10 ; Bro . Lord and Lady Addington , £ 10 10 s . ; thc Dowager Lady Beaumont , £ 5 ; and Miss Boucherett ( second contribution ) , £ 5 . As

by the munificence of a donor , who wishes to be anonymous , the building and furniture of a heme at Bogr . or have been assured , ali that is now retpiired is a sum of £ 11 , 000 , the annual intercit of which will provide for the maintenance of thc occupants . Of this , £ 0000 has been promised , and it is hoped that thc remainder will be forthcoming before the end of the present month , if those who have not yet subscribed will send in their contributions .

OAK-APPI . K l ) . \ v was , as usual , observed at Chelsea llosuital , on Sunday , by covering the bronze statue of Charles II . —the work of Grinling Gibbons—which stands in the centre of the chief court , completely with laurel leaves , in remembrance of the tunc when the fugitive monarch escaped from the troopers of the Commonwealth by hiding in the bushy oak of Boscobcl , on the borders of Shropshire , after the battle of Worcester . Alay 20 th is also commemorative of thc day when the restored monarch , at thc age of 30 , made his triumphal entry into London in 1 OG 0 , and it is also the armiversary of his birthday . Accordingly , on this latter account , as is customary on such

occasions , the Royal Standard was run up mast-high . There is usually a parade of the in-pen . sioners , but the ceremony took place on the : 21 st ult ., before Field-Marshal Sir I lonald Stewart , governor of the hospital , who , at the close , after calling for three cheers for the Oueen , called , according to ipjaint custom , for three for King Charles II ., which were given with a will . On . Monday , the hospital veterans , in addition to a good dinner of roast beef and plum pudding , wilh an extra pint and a half of beer over and above their usual allowance , received a present of JS . p » r man . Thij is supposed to come to them out ol a special fund , and tu have been left by order of the Afcrry Monarch .

THK GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY have made several arrangements whereby the needs of the cyclist have been specially catered for . The Company are issuing i heap "CT . " tickets at inclusive fares fur passenger and cycle lrom King ' s Cross and ceitain suburban Nations to places on the main line and branches within a radius of about . p . miles of London , enabling i ) clisls practically to select their own routes , the tickets being available ot alternative stations on the outward journey with libcity to return from any station within a cetlain zone . 'I he cycli .-t is thus afforded the choice ol a number ol varied and interesting routes through thc counties of Middlesex , Herts , and Cambs .,

with the double advantage of avoiding the roods through thc suburbs , anil enabling hint to vary his direction Io suit wind ar . d we-alhe-r . 'Ihe company have rilso lilted a number of their brake vans with a novi 1 appa-atus for conveying bicjlcs , the invention of tin ir locomotive engineer , Mr . Wall , which has bien tested and approved by the Cyclists 'louring Uiil < . In addition , :-, < ciai aecoii . inorlation for bicycles is provided in the Cloak Rooms at King ' s Cross , and other stations . " CT . " pamphlets containing full particulars i f the various routes can be obtained at any Great Northern London Suburban stations , and of the Superintendent of the Line , King ' s Cross .

Masonic And General Tidings.

THE BANK RATE has been reduced to 3 per cent . BRO . SIR J OHN AND LADY GWENDOLEN RAMSDEN have left town for Bulstrod Park , Gerrard's Cross , Bucks , for the rest of the summer . THE DUCHESS OE ALBANY will , it is understood . be present at the " Fourth of June " celebration at Eton College to-tnorrow ( Saturday ) . THE COMMITTEE of ATanagement of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will bold their regular meeting for the month at Freemasons' HaU on Wednesday , the Sth inst ., at 4 p . m .

THE QUEEN has been pleased , by Letters Patent under the Great Seal , to declare that the children of the eldest son of any Prince of Wales shall hive , and at all times hold and enjoy , the style , title , or attribute of " Royal Highness . " THE DOWAGER Countess De La Warr has been staying at Bexhill-on-Sea for Whitsun . On Monday her ladyship ' went for a short cruise off Eastbourne and Beachy Head in Earl De La Warr's steam yacht Firefly , which has been lying off Bexhill .

BRO . SIR HENRY IRVING has given the use of the Lyceum Theatre for a matinee on June 15 th , in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to ChilJren . Miss Ellen Terry and the Hoi . Mrs . Stephen Colerid'e are arrinrrin **; the pro » ra n n :.

IT IS EXPECTED that the Queen will review the troops on Lallan ' s Plain at Aidershot this summer . There will , in all probability , be a large gathering of the Royal family on the occasion , as it will be the last review which her Alajesty will hold during the Duke of Connaught ' s command . THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF FII-E arrived at Broadstairs on Tuesday evening by the Granville express , accompanied by their children . They have taken up their residence at Holland House , Kingsgate ; and it is stated that the Duchess will sojourn in the quiet little town during the early part of the seisin .

As SHOWING the great and increasing popularity of the steamers of the new Palace Steamers , Limited , may be mentioned that during the Whitsuntide holidays , from Saturday to Whit Monday , their two steamers , Royal Sovereign and Koh-i-Noor carried 2500 more passengers than they carried during the same period last year . BRO . VISCOUNT WOLSELEY will visit Scotland this month , and his lordship has consented to accept the freedom of the burgh of Dumfries on thc occasion . 1 lis lordship will be the guest of Air . Carthew , of Yorstoun , Convener , of the county of Djmfrie ; , on the 15 th instant , aud witl receive the freedom of the burgh on the following day .

ON TUESDAY afternoon the Lord Chancellor ( Bro . the Earl of Halsbury ) opened a public hall at Farnborough , Hants , given to the people , at a cost of seV-ral thousand pounds , by Major and Airs . Holt , in commemoration 0 ! her Alajesty ' s Diamond J ubilee . His lordship said Oueen Victoria had throughout her long life set her subjects a high example , and that hall would help to perpetuate her royal virtues .

PREPARATIONS ARE now almost completed for the visit of H . R . H . the Princeof Wales to Reading on Saturday , the 1 ith inst ., to open th- new college there . The line of route is to be richly decorated , and the Corporation will present an address to hii Royal Highness . Among those expected to attend th : ceremony are the Duke o ! Wellington , the Earl and Countess Spencer , the Earl a . irl Countess of Abingdon , Sir John Mowbray , M . P ., and distinguished representatives of Oxtord University .

ON THURSDAY the annual meeting of the Board uf Delegates of the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society was commenced at the Society ' s Board roam , Charlotte-street , l ' "itzroy-square . Air . S . R . Whiting , Newport , Alon ., was elected Chairman for the ensuing 12 months . Mr . T . Hoe , Stockport , moved the adoption of the annual report , which showed a great increase in the membership of the Society , numbering at the en I of last year 220 , 000 , and a total reserve fund of £ 1 , 87 ( 1 , 701 , the sum of £ 134 , 947 being added last year . The number of members admitted last year to various convalescent homes was yeo .

Tin ; ARRANGEMENTS in connection with the Masonic Commemoration service in Rochester Cathedral on the 25 th inst . are , we learn , proceeding apace . The fund in connection with the service has already touched £ 250 . Admission will be restricted to Alasons , the Cathedral Clergy and Staff , the Alayor of Rochester with his mace bearers , and a limited number of ladies . A donation of at least 7 s . 6 d . to the Cathedral Restoration Fund—sent direct to the Dean of Rochester—will entitle to one lady ' s admission ticket .

TUESDAY , THR 14 th inst ., is the date IIX-MI ( or the matinee at the Awcnue Theatre of the play left by the late Sergius Stepniak . Air . EJvard G . Knoblauch has kindly lent the theatre , and the artists engaged have volunteered their services . They include Mr . Lawrence Irving , Mrs . Theodore Wright , Miss Edith Craig , Miss Margaret Halton , Mr . Tabor , Aliss L . Roche , Air . Herbert Swears , and Air . J anus Welch . Air . Chirlei Charrington has undertaken to direct the performance , and the proceeds of thc matinc ; will be placed at the disposal of Mrs . Stepniak . Tickets for the performance can be obtained from the Libraries , thc theatre box-oflice , and from any member ot the Committee .

HER MAJESTY has graciously consented to become patron of the "Indian Heroes ' Fund , " and has subscribe ! 250 guineas thereto . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales is also a subscriber . On Friday , the 10 th instant , Bro . Lord Roberts , V . £ ., will address a public meeting in St . James's Hall on behalf of the lund . Among other subscribes are Bros , the Duke of Abercorn , the Duke of Bedford , and the Duke of Fife , the Duchess of Grafton , the Alarrpiis of Ripon , the liirl of Denbigh , Bro . the liirl of Kintore , Lord Wenlock , and a number of distinguished military , naval , and civil oflicers , including themembersof the Council of India . Between £ 20 * 10 and £ 3100 has been already received .

RAYI . EIGII ' S NI-AV CHURCH BKLLS . —Two new bells , completing the octave at Rayleigh Church , Essex , were on Thursday evening , thc 26 th ultimo , dedicated by the Archdeacon ol lissex . The bells were provided by public subscription in commemoration of the Oueen ' s Jubilee , and thc dedication was attended by thc brethren of the Tiinity Lodge , No . 1734 , the W . AI ., Bro . W . II . Judd , superintending the ringing of the bells . The brethren attended in their clothing , anil the Chaplain of the lodge , liro . the Rev . R . C . Al . Rouse , and other clergy , were present . Touches were rung during the afternoon ,

including treble bob , grandsirc , and plain bob , the ringers present coming from Rayleigh , Prittlewell , Hanninglield . and Ipswich . A service was held in thc church at seven o ' clock , and Bro . Archdeacon Stevens , P . G . C . ling ., read the dedication prayers , after which the hymn , " Now at length our bells arc mounted , " was sung , and the local ringers rang the bells for a few minutes before the Archdeacon ' s address , which was of a most interesting character , his text being taken from Psalms Ixxii ., iS-nj . The

brethren representing Trinity Lodge included Bros . W . II . Judd , W . M . ; J . llirvey , J . W . ; W . Fox , S . D . ; J . Findlay , | . D . ; | . While , Sec . ; and A . Webb , l . G ., as well as Bro . C Ii . Judd , I . P . AL , who acted as Organist , and Bro . S . Smith , P . AL , the choirmaster , and Bro . G . R . Dawson , D . C . The Present and Past Provincial Grand Oflicers present included Bros . C . \ V . Barnard , F . Golding , Ii . Sparrow , and VV . Carter Wood ; there also being present Bros . J . Field , W . Harvey , G . Goodman , F . II . Gill , T . II . V . Ahlerton , Edmunds , Hockley , Horton , Playle , and others .

C-AI . LANT RLSO-I ' . BY A CH ' . PLAIN . —As Bro . the Rev . R . Peek , who has juit resigned the chaplaincy a * l '; nat . l , on being appointed to a living in England , was crossing with his family , on tlie . 'li . u : t ., on ' . lie little : steamer that plies between D . ' nard and St . Alalo , in order to e . iti h 'Ir .. L ... 1 I that leaves St . Alalo for Southampton , he performed an act of courage that has gained him the admiration and respect of all the natives of the two towns , as well as of the Knglish and American colony residing at D . nard . As the little steamer neaud St . Male , a young woman , sitting amongst the lirst-class passengers ,

was seen to thiow heirelf overboard . Bro . Peek threw off his coat , and , jumping after the unfoitunate girl , seized her and held her head above water till help could be obtained . The position was a seriour * one , as the steamer was going full speed , and was already 2011 yards fiom the unfortunate couple before she could be stopped . 'There , was then a ililliirulty in letting down the steamer ' s boat , owing , it is slid , to the surf . Luckily , a bolt was pit , lied oil from a sloop lying in the bay , and the young wuminanl her brave preserver were hauled in and mweil to St . Malo . liro . Peek proceeded to the Southampton

boat to change hi-, dripping garments , and the girl , who , it seems , is an inhabitant of St . Malo , was earned into the Salle d'Attcntc , near the rptay , where Dr . Garrett , of Dinard , who happened to be on the quay at the time , attended to her . No reason is at present assigned foi hei ia :, h attempt at suicide , liro . Peek ' s brave act deserves the greatest praise , I ' or he in ,: t ceitainly tisked his life to save that of a total stranger . The- current was miming sluing at the time , and but forthe promptness ol the boatmen lrom tne sloop both he and the gitl he was trying to save would in all probability have been drowned .