Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

The Council of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will hold their regular monthly meeting'at Freemasons' Hall to-morrow ( Saturday ) afternoon , at 3 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 first meeting of the Board of Stewards of the forthcoming Festival of the R . M . B . I , will be held at Freemasons ' Hall on Friday , the nth inst ., at 5 o ' clock .

Bro . the Earl and Countess of Zetland visited the Queen at Windsor Castle on Friday , the 27 th ult ., and had the honour of dining with her Majesty . They left the Castle the following morning , and returned to Dublin for the

season . The Gazette of Friday , the 27 th ult ., contained the Queen ' s proclamation for the further prorogation of Parliament from the 10 th December to the gth February , when it will assemble " for the despatch of divers urgent and

important affairs . " The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers held their regular court and livery dinner at the City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , on the 2 f 3 th ult ., when there were . present , among other principal guests , Bros . Admiral Sir E . A . Inglefield , Sir Augustus Harris , and Major Clifford Probyn .

The members of the Surrey Farmers Hunt are about to present to their late Master , Bro . Lord Mayor Evans , a lifesize portrait of his lordship , which has been painted by Mr . Sydney Hodges . The ceremony will take place after a dinner which will be held at the Old Swan , Leatherhead , on Wednesday next , the qth inst .

Bro . Edmund Yates , who was attacked with chill and congestion of the liver in the early part of last week , and has since been under medical treatment at his residence at Brighton , is , we are glad to say , in a fair way towards convalescence , the reports of his serious condition having been greatly exaggerated .

Another meeting of the Committee entrusted with the arrangements for the important Masonic ball at Liverpool , which is fixed for January 12 th , was held on the 27 th ult . at the Masonic Temple , Hope-street , Liverpool . The various Sub-Committees reported progress , and further steps were taken to ensure a great success for this invariably successful Town Hall ball .

Bro . Capt . E . M . Shaw , late Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade , went to Windsor Castle on Saturday last , when he was presented to the Queen , and received from her Majesty the honour of knighthood and the insignia of the second , or Knight Commander , class of the Civil division of the Order of the Bath .

The result of the Royal Naval Exhibition at Chelsea is pecuniarily most satisfactory , the executive finding themselves in a position to report a balance of from ^ . 50 , 000 to £ 70 , 000 , which will be formed into a Royal Naval Exhibition Fund , and devoted to the support of the widows and orphans of sailors and marines who may lose their lives in her Majesty ' s service .

On Saturday last the Lady Mayoress distributed the prizes to the marksmen and crack shots of the 3 rd Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers . The ceremony took place in the Guildhall , and among those present were Bro . Lord Mayor Evans , Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Tyler , Major-Gen . Philip Smith , and others . The regiment mustered to the number of about 500 .

The bulletins issued in the early part of this week as to the state of Prince George of Wales ' s health were most encouraging . No unfavourable change had taken place , and his Royal Highness is declared to have slept well and maintained his state well . So favourable , indeed , were the

reports looked upon , that the Prince and Princess of Wales were able to be present at the dinner given by the Duke of Cambridge on Tuesday evening in honour of the Princess of Wales ' s birthday . The improvement has been well maintained .

I he brethren of the Province of Durham will be interested to hear that in succession to the consecration of the new lodge which took place at Shildon on Friday , the 27 th ult ., and which was called after the most esteemed D . P . G . M ., Bro . Canon Tristram , the new lodge at South Shields , to be

called after the P . G . M ., Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , and named the Hedworth Lodge , is likely to be consecrated on the 17 th inst ., when Bro . T . G . Mabane , P . P . G . D ., will be the / irst VV . M . of the lodge , and Bra . T . B . Appleby the first S . W .

Mascagni's opera "Cavalleria Rusticana " was performed by the Royal Italian Opera Company from the Shaftesbury Theatre , under the direction of Signer Lago , at Windsor Castle on Friday , the 27 th ult ., in the presence of the Queen , the Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Rolstein and their daughter , the Princess Victoria , Princess

Louise ( Marchioness of Lome ) , and the Marquis of Lome , Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg , the Princesses Victoria and Maud of Wales , and a number of guests to whom invitations had been sent . The Queen afterwards expressed to Signor Lago her great gratification with the performance .

Bro . the Rev . J . J . Knox Fletcher , who has been in charge of Scarborough parish during the Bishop of Hull ' s residence at York , died recently under painful circumstances . He attended eight o'clock celebration of Holy Communion , when he was apparently in excellent health . He had to preach at the parish church , and at 10 . 30 was surpliced ready to undertake the service , when he was suddenly

seized with illness , and died before a doctor could be called . The deceased , who was rector of Whittlebury , Northamptonshire , leaves a wife and large family . He was well known in this neighbourhood , having from 1 , 874 ' ° 'So' 6 been rector of Brockley , Somerset . We knew Bro , Fletcher to be a kind and genial man and to be a Freemason , and a Provincial Grand Officer , but do not know what lodge or province he was attached to ,

Masonic And General Tidings

Bro . Lord Halsbury ( Lord High Chancellor ) , has appointed Bro . J . D . S . Sim , who is a member of the Watford Lodge , Assistant Registrar of Friendly Societies . A movement has been started for the purpose of securing the site of MUbank Prison for a recreation ground , and the Vestry of Westminster have agreed to contribute one-fourth of the expense .

The Prince and Princess of Wales , the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , and the Princess Victoria of Wales dined with the Duke and Duchess of Fife at their residence in Portman-square on Monday evening . A bazaar in aid of the funds of St . Andrew ' s , Ashleyplace , of which the Hon . and Rev . J . Northcote is incumbent , was opened on Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., in St . Andrew ' s Institute by the Baroness Burdett-Coutts .

There were no less than 1316 entries at the 32 nd National Dog Show which was opened at Curzon Hall , Birmingham , on Saturday last . These were arranged in 22 S classes , and the amount awarded in prizes was £ 1400 . The show was a good one . Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg will shortly pay a visit to the Duke and Duchess of Rutland , at Belvoir Castle . The date is not yet precisely fixed , but it is expected that it will take place on Monday next , the 7 th instant .

We regret to hear that Bro . Lord Suffield , Prov . G . M . Norfolk , is lying somewhat seriously ill at 4 , Manchestersquare . His lordship underwent an operation in the throat for a swelling , on Friday , the 27 th ult ., but his streng-fh is fortunately well maintained .

Her Majesty ' s stag hounds met at Winkfield , a few miles from Windsor , on Friday , the 27 th ult ., when an out-lying deer was found at Foliejon Park , and a capital run was the result . The Earl of Coventry , Master of the Buckhounds was present , and there was a good field .

Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein has promised to present badges of membership to a large number of women belonging to the Royal British Nurses' Association , of which her Royal Highness is president . The ceremony will take place to-day ( Friday ) , at Princes' Hall , at the annual conversazione of the association .

The programme at the Crystal Palace Concert on Saturday last included Mendelssohn ' s "Scotch " symphony and Handel's " Giustino " overture , which was revived at the Handel Festival in the summer . Bro . Auguste Manns presided , as usual , and the audience were delighted with the performances .

The opening meeting of the sixth session of the Laryngological and Rhinological Society , was held at the rooms of the Medical Society , in Chandos-street , on the 27 th ult ., when the President , Bro . Lennox Browne , delivered a learned and interesting address on " A Quarter of a Century's Retrospect of Laryngology . "

A special meeting of the Council of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution was held in John-street , Adelphi , on the 26 th ult ., when there were present , among others , Bros . Admiral Lord Alcester , Lord Robartes , and Admiral Sir L . McClintfck . It was resolved to strengthen the lifeboat service on the South-east Coast by placing a large sailing lifeboat at Dungeness .

It has been decided by the Peninsular and Oriental Company to close their connection with Venice and establish on the 15 th January next a special weekly service between Italy and Egypt , the steamers to Alexandria running on alternate weeks from Brindisi and Naples , which are the ports most conveniently situated for the Egyptian traliic .

' 1 he Marylebone Cricket Club is again up in arms against the proposed scheme for the Manchester , Sheffield , ana London Railway , and a meeting will be held at the Pavilion , Lord ' s Cricket Ground , on Monday next , the 7 th inst ., when a resolution will be submitted requesting the Council to offer all the opposition they can to the passing of the Bill in the next Session of Parliament .

The Fellows of the Royal Society held their anniversary meeting at Burlington House on Monday evening , St . Andrew ' s Day , under the presidency of Sir William Thomson . It was announced from the chair in the course of the proceedings that H . E . Robert HaUiday Gunning - had presented the Society with / . ' 1000 for the promotion of physical science and biology . i'he medals for the year were presented .

A numerous collection of autograph letters was disposed of last ^ week by Messrs . Sotheby , vVilkinson , and Hodge , the prices realised by those of distinguished men of letters being the highest , l'hus a letter from Charlotte Bronte to Mrs . Gaskell fetched £ 6 15 s ., and one from Carlyle to Leigh Hunt £ S 10 s ., while one by the Great Napoleon realised only 20 s . A short manuscript by Goethe sold for

£ . and a letter by Edmund Burke , from tSeaconsrield , £ > 7-Bro . J . Elton Bott , of Brunnington Hall , Stockport , a member of the Doric Lodge , No . 2359 , was the inventor of the pneumatic gun . We learn lie has invented an

apparatus which will tend to revolutionise the fuel consumption of the country and practically place the coal deposits where they were 20 years ago . A test will be made in a few days . This invention we are assured is as great an advance on present methods as the compound locomotive is over the " Rocket . "

The Melbourne Freemasons had a great gathering at the Masonic Hall , Collins-street , on Monday evening , September 21 st , the real business of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria being to consider the confianation for expulsion of Mr . P . Blasiiki . Sir William Clarke presided , and fully 1 S 0 members weie present . I'he question whether Mr . Blashki was rightly expelled from the Masonic

Fraternity was raised on the formal motion that the minutes recording the proceedings of his expulsion be not adopted . The debate had lasted some hours , and members having failed to convince , were beginning to show some temper , when Sir VV . Clarke bethougtit him of an agreeable diversion , and invited the exciteu debaters to adjourn for

refreshments . The invitation was accepted , and while the " ruck " were eating and drinking- the leaders held a conference . The result was that the minutes were agreed to , antl then a motion was passed by a majority of 20 reinstating Mr . Blashki to his position of P . M ., P . J . G . W ., in the ranks of Freemasonry . So ends one of the most celebrated cases in the history of Victorian Freemasonry . —Melbourne Table Talk .

Masonic And General Tidings

Thursday last was the 97 th anniversary of the birth of Sir Rowland Hill , the originator of the Penny Post . Bro . Lord Carrington has been unanimously elected President of the Bucks Dairy Farmers' Association for the ensuing year . The Gentleman's Journal announces a new story by Bro . Emra Holmes , and promises a portrait of the author in the December issue of that publication .

Last week Bro . Henry Lovegrove delivered a lecture at Clapham to a large and appreciative audience on " Suburban Poultry Keeping for Pleasure , Prizes , and Profit . " A Masonic ball has heen fixed for the 2 Sth of January at the Park Hall , Cardiff , and Lieutenant Dan Godfrey ' s orchestral band , under the direction of Bro . Dan himself , has been engaged .

At the quarterly meeting on Friday , the 27 th ult ., of the F . R . Sewell Lodge , No . 213 , of Royal Ark Mariners , held at Whitehaven , Bro . T . Brakenridge was elected W . C . N ., and Bro . T . Atkinson , P . W . C . N ., was elected Treasurer . The 24 th annual dinner of the Goldsmiths' and Jewellers ' Annuity and Asylum Institution , of which Bro . Lieut .-Col . George Lambert , F . S . A ., is President , will take place at the F'irst Avenue Hotel , Holborn , on Thursday , the 17 th inst . Captain F . T . Penton , M . P ., will take the chair .

Bro . John Larkin presided at a meeting of the Fishmongers' and Poulterers' Institution on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., at the Albion Tavern . Bro . Alderman SirR . Hanson , Bart ., M . P ., was unanimously elected President , vacant through the lamented death of Bro . Sir Robert Fowler .

The Earl of Erroll died on Thursday at Slains Castle , Aberdeenshire . He was born in 1 S 23 , and served in the Crimea , where he was wounded . He had lived in retirement for the last 20 years . The Earl ' s successor will be his son , who is lieutenant-colonel of the Royal Horse Guards . The Countess is one of the Keepers of the Queen ' s Bedchamber .

That the game of whist is a scientific one goes without saying , but it is not always , or even often , that it is played scientifically . Messrs . Partridge and Cooper , the well-known stationers of Fleet-street , have , however , come to the rescue of the indifferent player by issuing a set of rules printed on the face of the card and applicable to each card played . It is a capital idea and well carried out .

Bro . Geo . Pritchard , the wall-known humorous and musical entertainer , was unanimously elected Worshipful Master of the Albion Lodge , No . 9 , at the meeting held on Tuesday , the 1 st inst . The installation meeting of this old lodge will be held on January 5 th , 1 S 92 , and we wish Bro . Pritchard a highly successful year of office .

The Victoria Steamboat Association , which has done much to improve the steamboat service on the Thames , has lately contracted with a Glasgow shipbuilding firm to build for them for their passenger service a fast shallow-draught paddle steamer , which in the matter of appointments will surpass anything now plying on the river .

The Worshipful Company of the Makers of Playing Cards , which was incorporated in the year 1 G 2 S , held its hvery dinner at Stationers' Hall on Monday evening , among the principal guests presentbeing Bro . Lord Mayor Evans and Bros . Alderman and Sheriff Tyler and Sheriff | Foster . His lordship was very heartily greeted , it being the first time he had attended a City dinner since his installation in office on the 9 th ult .

On the 27 th ult . a Masonic ball was held in the Borough Hall , Stockton . The hall was appropriately decorated for the occasion with Masonic banners and emblems , as well as with bunting and plants . By special dispensation of Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , P . G . M ., the brethren present

wore their Masonic regalia , though non-Masons were also present . There were about S 5 couples , and Bros . J . Burn ( the Mayor of Stockton ) and VV . M . Watson were M . C . ' s . The proceeds are to be devoted to the Durham Masonic Educational Fund .

Mr . John Donald and Mr . C . Burleigh-Tesseman have taken the Royalty Theatre fur daily matinees , commencing on Saturday , the 12 th inst . They will open with two new and original juvenile comic operas , each in one act , music by F . Pascal . Their respective titles are "Cock Robin , " libretto by M . C . Gillington , and "Old King Cole , " libretto

by VV . \ ounge . These will be followed by a shadow pantomime and then by a good old-fashioned harlequinade . The London "Juvenile" Opera Company , including Miss Gracie Murielle , will interpret the operas , and it will be a juvenile show by juveniles for juveniles . The children are from Messrs . Nolan and Fitzgerald .

"Venice under cover" as nearly as possible expresses the nature of the new display at present being prepared in time for the Christmas holidays within the vast building at Kensington , known as Olympia . Olympia has already appeared before the public in various disguises , but it has certainly never yet assumed the aspect of a well-constructed city , with substantially-built marble palaces that you can

walk into and ascend , massive bridges that you can fearlessly cross , narrow pathways for the promenader , pretty shops with their still prettier vendors in native costume , and canal- ; of "real" water which runs for more than a mile between the buildings and under the bridges . All this , and much more besides , will be seen under cover at Olympia , and all that will be wanting to complete the illusion , or the

impression , that the visitor is really in Venice is the clear and genial atmosphere of the Adriatic , together with just a soupron of Italian sky . But even in these matters the visitor will not be wholly disappointed , as the place is to be sufficiently warmed by concealed hot-water pipes , while the ugly roof of Olympia will be completely hidden by an ' •arrangement in blue" which is calculated to closely resemble a Venetian firmament at its best .

HOLI . OU-AV ' OINTMENT A . NII PILLS need only a single trial to make known their capabilities . No outside so . c or inward inflammation can long withstand the cooling , purifying , and henling influences ex rted by these twin Medicaments . Be the mischief recent , chronic great or slight , painful or simply . innoying , it will succumb hetore the curative virtues of these noble

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