Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

The regular monthly meeting of the General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will be held at Freemasons' Hall to-morrow ( Saturday ) afternoon , at 4 p . m . The Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will hold their next regular monthly meeting : at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the

gth inst ., at 4 p . m . The Marchioness of Waterford opened a bazaar at the Athena 3 um , Camden-road , on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., in aid of the funds of the North-West London Hospital . The Prince of Wales , accompanied by Bro . Sir Frederick Johnstone , Bart ., and Lord Alington , visited the

racing stables of Mr . John Porter , at Park House , Kingsclere , on the 26 th ult . Vi'count Lymington , M . P ., will preside at the Festival dinner of the Newsvendors' Benevolent and Provident Institution , to be held on VVednesday , the 20 th of June next . Comp . Minstrell , the Immediate P . Z . of the

Gallery Chapter , and one of the Past Masters of the Gallery Lodge , was called to the bar of the MiddleTemple , on Wednesday last , as a barrister-at-Iaw . At the monthly meeting of the Arnold Lodge , No . 1799 , on the 24 th ult ., Bro . George Canler , J . VV ., was unanimously elected as W . M . forthe ensuing year . At the same meeting Bro . E . Osmond was re-elected

Treasurer , and Bro . James , Tyler . An address of congratulation to the Prince and Princess of Wales on the occasion of their Silver Wedding was unanimously passed at the annual meeting , in the Westminster Town Hall , on Tuesday , ofthe Ladies' Grand

Council of the Primrose League . A convocation of the University of Oxford was held on Tuesday , when it was unanimously resolved to affix the University seal to a letter to be addressed to the Queen , and thanking her Majesty for her gracious present to the University of a bust of the late Duke of Albany .

Tuesday being the 38 th anniversary of the birth of the Duke of Connaught , the customary honours were paid to his Royal Highness , both in London and at Windsor , a Royal salute being fired at noon in the Long Walk and the bells at St . John ' s Church and St . George ' s Chapel , Windsor , being rung early in the morning and at intervals during the day .

The Metropolitan Chapter of Improvement will not be able to meet on Tuesday next , the Sth inst ., in consequence of the room being engaged , therefore the ceremony of Installation cf Principals is postponed until the 15 th inst ., when the chapter will meet at half-past five o'clock , and the installations will be worked by Comps . Webb , Gillard , and Fraser .

LOGIC CLUB . —At the weekly meeting on the 6 th inst . ( being officers' day ) the Deputy Preceptor , Bro . G . E . Fairchild , will rehearse the installation ceremony , and the Preceptor , Bro . John Maclean , will rehearse the Third Degree . Bros . J . P . Fitzgerald , H . Tinney , R . P . Stevens , A . Prince , F . Potter , and Mostyn will occupy various offices connected with the Degrees .

Amongst the candidates at the next election of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution we notice the name of Mrs . Cooke , the Widow of Bro . Cooke , who was for so many years connected with the London newspaper press . Bro . Cooke had a large number of Masonic friends , and those who remember his zeal for Masonry cannot render a better tiibute to his memory than by supporting his aged widow in her candidature at the forthcoming election .

Bro . T . W . Whitmarsh , the new Assistant Grand Pursuivant , is very highly esteemed as an active and accomplished worker by those who best know him . During the 16 years of his Secretaryship of No . 1150 , he has been the able Preceptor of those coming on in the lodge . He filled the W . M . 's chair with great success , and has twice been " testimonialed " by the lodge for his services . He

has filled the several chairs of Chapter No . 217 , and is now H . of British Chapter , No . S . He has served on the Colonial Board , and is Life Governor of both the Schools . The garden that surrounds the Moat round the Tower of London , containing about an acre of ground , was formally opened to the public , under certain restrictions , on Monday . Lieut .-General Lord Chelmsford , Lieutenant of the Tower , in the unavoidable absence of

Lord Napier of Magdala , the Constable , handed over the keys of the garden to Sir W . Vincent , as representing the public , and the rules and regulations , as settled by the authorities and approved by her Majesty , having been read , Mrs . Montagu was invited to declare the gardens open , and votes of thanks to the Constable and other officials of the Tower having been passed , the proceedings terminated .

ANCIENT WINES . —We know from Pindar , and from the epigrams of Martial , that old wine was esteemed better than new in classic times . But an Athenian would have thought sixteen years a great age . What then would he have said to wine 348 years old , dating , that is to say , from 1540 , the period of Henry VIII . ? Lhis is one of the vintages , duly authenticatedwhich Messrs . Suiers and

, Pond have secured from the cellars of the late King of Bavaria , who , some years ago , sold off his old wines , and they may be obtained at the East Room in the Criteiion . The wine of 1540 is Steinwein , and there is also a Leistenwein of 1631 , the Reign of Charles I . Steinwein of 1731 , Johannisberg of 1811 , and Rudtsheim and Hcckheimer of

1822 . These are ot a beautiful golden colour , and perfectly clear , and even the oldest relains considerable bouquet . It is said there is no wine in existence of this age , except in the municipal cellars of Bremen . The firm also offers some of the Duke eif York ' s port , vintage unknown , but bottled in 1798 . It is a great curiosity , and in very fine preservation .

Masonic And General Tidings

A National Great Priory of the United Orders of the Temple and of St . John of Jerusalem will be held at the Cannon-street Hotel on Friday , the nth inst . - The annual conversazione of the Royal Colonial Institute will be held at the Royal Albert HaU and in the adjacent conservatory on the 28 th June next . Bro . the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon have

returned home from their Australian tour , and on Monday evening his lordship was present , for the first time since his return , in the House of Lords . Lord Justice Bowen presided at the annual festival at the H 6 tel Metropole , on Monday , in aid of the funds of King ' s College Hospital . The amount announced in the way of subscriptions was a little over £ 2200 .

The Duchess of Albany has graciously consented to distribute the prizes to the Volunteer Medical Staff Corps , at the Guildhall , on Saturday next , the 12 th instant , when Bio . Lord Mayor De Keyser will preside . Bro . Chandler , P . M . South Norwood- Lodge , 1139 , is preparing for the press a work to be entitled "Jubilee and Temple-landmarks in Chronology , " dealing

with the building and re-construction of King Solomon ' s Temple . The Dukeof Cambridge opened the new Recreation Ground at Paddington on Saturday last , Bros . Lord Randolph Churchill , M . P ., and John Aird , M . P ., who represent the two divisions of the Borough in the House of CommoiiSjbeing present , and taking part in the proceedings .

Bro . George Shaw , a member of the Common Council of London , and one of the representatives of the City at the Metropolitan Board of Works , was a candidate for the Aldermanic gown rendered vacant by the resignation of Sir B . S . Phillips , but has since withdrawn .

The Gazette of Thursday contains the announcement that the Queen will hold a Drawing Room at Buckinham Palace , on Wednesday next , the gth instant , and that by her Majesty ' s command the Prince of Wales will hold a Levee at St . James ' s Palace on the Friday following .

On Saturday afternoon last the Princeof Wales visited Messrs . Dowdeswell ' s Galleries , the GoupilGalleries , and the Continental Gallery , being accompanied to the last named by the Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin . In the evening his Royal Highness was present at Toole's Theatre and witnessed the performance of " The Don . "

Bro . Broadley issued invitations last week to a large number of celebrities in the art and dramatic world to meet Bro . and Mrs . Bancroft at dinner at the Cafe Monrco , on the 29 th inst . Bro . Broadley occupied the chair , and Bro . J . C . Parkinson the vice-chair . Amongst those present were the Earl of Durham , Lord George Nevill , Mr . Clement Scott , Col . North , Bros . Augustus Harris , Henry Neville , Admiral Sir E . Inglefield , J . L . Toole ,

Arthur Cecil , F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Dixon Hartland , M . P ., Edward Terry , W . Terriss , Lionel Brough , and Harry Nicholls . Mrs . Bernard Beere , Mrs . John Ward , Mrs . Augustus Harris , Miss Norreys , Mrs . J . L . Toole , Miss Millward , Mrs . H . Nicholls , Miss Mary Moore , Miss Fortescue , Miss Emily Faithfull , Miss Robinson , and otheis . The dinner was of the choicest description , and the great reputation of the Cafe Monico was more than maintained .

Bro . the Earl and Countess of Onslow entertained at dinner , at their residence in Richmond Terrace , Whitehall , on Saturday evening last , the Princess Mary , Duchess of Teck , the Duke ot Teck , and the Princess Victoria , among those present to meet the Royal party being the French Ambassador and Madame Waddington , and Bro . the harl and Countess of Lathom , and the Lady

Alice Wilbraham . It is gratify ing to learn from the accounts transmitted from Charlottenburg during the week as to the improvement in the health of the Emperor Frederick that his Majesty is able to take solid nourishment , and that the fever has almost wholly abated . The news is indeed good news , and we trust the recovery , which so marvellously set in about the time of the Queen's visit to her illustrious

sonin-law , will be well maintained . The civic festivities , in connection with the forthcoming vis ! t of the Belgian burgomasters to Bro . Lord Mayor De Keyser , will extend over several days . His lordship ' s invitation has 'been very numerously accepted , and the arrangements , so far as they have been made , will include a ball by the Lady Mayoress on Monday , the 14 th instant , a visit to the Guildhall on the following day , ancl on VVednesday a banquet at the Mansion House .

ORPHEUS LODGE , NO . 1706 . —The last meeting of the season was held on Saturday , the 28 th ult ., the chair being occupied by Bro . VV . Stevenson Hoyte , W . M . There was a good assemblage of brethren , and two additions were made to the Craft , alter which Bro . H . Walmsley Little , Mus . Doc , was elected W . M ,, and Bro . Richard Clowes . P . M ., 'treasurer , for the ensuing year . The business being

ended , the brethren dined together , and enjoyed the usual musical treat afforded by this lodge . Bro . Augustus Harris has issued his prospectus for the coming Italian Opera Season , which will commence on the 14 th instant , ancl include 32 performances . The operas which will be played will be 18 in number , and will include two by Gounod , three by Meyerbeer , one by

Wagner , one by Bizet , two by Mozart , four by Verdi , two by Kossini , and one each by Auber and Donizetti . The conductors will be Messrs . Mancinelli and Randegger , Madame Katti-Lanner will have charge of the ballet department , and Bro . Harris the scenic arrangements . The principal vocalists include Mesdames Albani , Vallena , Minnie Hauk , Nordica , Scalchi , and Trebelli , and Messrs . De Reszke ( two ) , Ravelli , Lassalle , De Reims , and Ciampi .

HOLLOWAT ' S PILLS . — Teachings or Experience . — The united testimony of thousands , extending over more than Jo years , most strongly recommends these Pills as the best purifers , the mildest aperients , and the surest restoratives . They never prove delusive , or give merely temporary relief , but attack all ailments of the stomach , lungs , heart , head , and bowels in the only safe and

legitimate way , by depurating the blood , and so eradicating those impurities which are the source and constituent of ahr . ost every disease . Their medicinal efficacy is wonderful in renovating enfeebled constitutions . Their action embraces all that is desirable in a household medicine . They expel every noxious and effete matter ; and thus the strength is nurtured and the energies stimulated . —ADVT ,

Masonic And General Tidings

The Prince of Wales visited the Queen Windsor Castle on Sunday last , and , havinrfstaved ' luncheon , returned to Marlborough House in the cours '" the afternoon . e ° ' During a heavy south-westerly gale on Tuesd

the grand stand in course ot erection tor the Gain and Hunt Steeplechases at Colchester was blown aivav t"n men being killed and others injured . ' * ° Bros . Lord Moreton , V . A . Williamson , Q . r Cotes , Lord Herschell , and Lord Hothfield were pre- ' , at the third meeting this season of the Fox Club i Brook ' s , on Saturday evening last . - ' '

The Duke of Cambridge presided at the Festi Vn i dinner at the Hotel Metropole , on Tuesday , in aid of 11 funds of the West London Hospital , when subscri ptions ! the amount of nearly £ 1800 were announced . . The annual banquet of the Royal Academy . wjii be held at Burlington House to-morrow ( Saturday ) a „ j the Exhibition will be opened to the public on Monrlj . next . * '

Bro . Lord Ashbourne ( Lord Chancellor 0 [ Ireland ) , who arrived in London on Saturday morning | as i in order to attend the Cabinet Council at the Furcjon Office , left town again for Dublin the following evening . The Duchess of Albany and her children arrived at Windsor Castle on Tuesday on a visit to the Queen and

will remain with her . Majesty during the absence on the Continent of the Prince and Princess Henry of Battenbtrn The Queen has been graciously pleased to accept the office of President of the Royal Agricultural Society during its forthcoming Jubilee year , and the Prince of Wales has intimated his willingness to undertake , on her

Majesty's behalf , the more immediate duties cf the ollice , A Common Hall of the whole of the Livery of the City of London will be held in the Guildhall at noon on Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., to consider the proposal contained in the Local Government Bill to the effect that the Livery should not elect a Sheriff of the county of Middlesex .

1 he Duchess of Albany has consented lo distribute , at a meeting which will be held at the Parkes ' Museum to-morrow ( Saturday ) , the certificates obtained bj ladies who have passed the examination following the lectures on domestic hygiene .

A supper in connection with the Emblematic Lodge of instruction , No . 1321 , will take place at the Red Lion , York-street , St . James ' -square , on Tuesday , the Sth inst ., Bro . W . R . Boyell , VV . M . of the Emblematic Lodge , in the chair , supported by Bro . W . C . Smith , I . P . M , 156 ; , Preceptor .

At the monthly meeting of the United Lodge , No . 6 97 , held at the George Hotel , Colchester , on Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., Bro . Henry J . Skingley , S . W ,, was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; Bro . Altred Gosling , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., was re-elected Treasurer ; Bro . Munson , Tyler j and Bro . A . Wright , Assistant Tyler .

Bro . G . VV . Murnane , clerk to the Vestry of St , Martin-in-the-Fields , was , on the 27 th ult ., installed VV . M , of the Ravensbourne Lodge , No . 1601 , at the Lewisham District Board of Works Offices , Catlord . The I . P . M ., Bro . Alfied Thompson , was the Installing Master . The banquet subsequently look place at the Guildhall Tavem .

Bros . Alderman Sir R . N . Fowler , Bart ., M . P , Sir George Elliot , Bart ., M . P ., Sir Charles Warren , Dr , Richardson , and S . B . Bancroft were among the leading guests at the 99 th Anniversary Festival , at Willis ' s Roums , on Wednesday , of the Royal Literary Fund . Ihe subscriptions in the course of the evening amounted to about £ 1100 .

The Freemasons of Ireland purpose holding two of their most popular entertainments this month—on 1 ' iiday , nth May , a magnificent ball , and on Saturday , 12 th Alay , the public distribution of prizes to the pupils ot the Masonic Female Orphan School , which for years was looked forward to as the prettiest and one of the most favourite entertainments held in that city .

The Prince of Wales , Bro . Sir Francis Knollys , and many others were present at the funeral in Brompton Cemetery , on Monday , of M . Kanne , her Majesty s courier , who had spent 40 years' of his life in the Queens service . The coffin was covered with wreaths sent by the Queen , the Prince and Princess of Wales , and Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg . BROWNRIGG LODGE , No . 1638 . —In our last

report of the meeting of this lodge at Kingston-on- 'IhaiM-i given in our last impression , it was mentioned that Br *)' Montague , S . D ., had had a vote of condolence on the death of his wife . It seems that the information conveys to the Iodge was based on an erroneous statement , but tn correct state of affairs did not reach our correspondent in

time to make the correction . We are pleased to l ' 1 " * that Mrs . Montague is progressing favourably . Bro . Lord Mayor De Keyser has kindly consented to oK" the Italian Exhibition at Earl ' s Court on Saturday , the 12 th inst ., and will attend in lull state tin tn occasion , accomoanied bv Bros . Sheriffs Hieus and Davi - ' ,

and a number ot the civic functionaries . The Prince Naples will be unable to take part in the ceremony , as > his wounds just received at some artillery practice ne > Rome will enable him , his Royal Highness will ope " Centennial Exhibition at Bologna the same week ; l " ' will visit the London Exhibition at an early date .

Mrs . Hodgson-Burnett , the authoress of iJl ^ Loid Fauntleroy , " has adapted her book lor the stage > a it will be produced by Mrs . Oscar Beringer , at ter J Theatre , on the alternoons of May 14 th , 15 th , _"> . \ J . and iSth , under the title of "The Real Little Lord t ^ leroy . " The title role will be played by Miss . * Beringer , the little lady who created such an impress '" ^ Mrs . Usrrar Ke . rintyer ' s nlav . " larps . " The Piece «"'

produced under the direction of Mrs . Kendal , and a ^ strong company has been specially engaged , it h = i n * = ¦ j - desire of the authoress to place before the Eng lish V a living embodiment of a creation which , in book ^ has been received by them with so much ^ avoU L a sympathy , and no endeavour will be spared to pr ° . __ faithful representation of "The Real Little * - * Fauntleroy . "