Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

The Council of the Royal Alasonic Institution for Bovs will hold its regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall to-morrow ( Saturday ) , at 3 p . m " . The Committee of Alanagement of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will hold its regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on VVednesday next , the ioth inst ., at 4 p . m .

VVe are pleased to learn that Bro . G . Ward Verry is gaining strength after his recent serious illness , but the progress is somewhat slow , and he will not be able to take part in any Alasonic duties before the end of the month . The Rev . C . Ii . Spurgeon died at Alentone on Sunday last , his wife , his Secretary , and two or three friends being present at the bedside when the sad event occurred . The deceased was in his 58 th year , having been born in 1 S 34 .

Her Alajesty will hold a Council at Osborne to-day ( Friday ) , when the draft of the speech from the Throne at the opening of Parliament , on Tuesday next , the 9 th inst ., will be considered and settled . The Secretary of the Admiralty reports that the measures being taken for floating H . M . S . Victoria , flagship of the Alediterranean Squadron , which went ashore off the island of Platea , in the Greek Archipelago , are progressing satisfactorily .

The Common Council of London , at a recent Special Court , resolved that the salary of the new City Chamberlain should be £ 2000 per annum , and that he should be called upon to give security for £ 63 , 000 , one half personally and the other half by sureties .

Bro . Henr } - Irving has very kindly consented to open the third annual Holborn Industrial Exhibition on Thursday , the 25 th inst ., in place of Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Fife , who will be unable to be present in consequence of the death of the Dnke nf Clarence and Avnnrlale .

The first meeting since the Christmas recess of the Royal Commission on Vaccination was held on Wednesday , when all the members were present , the chair being occupied by Bro . Lord Herschel ! . The witness under examination was unfavourable to the compulsory vaccination of children .

A Common Hall was held at the Guildhall on Tuesday , when Air , Alderman Cotton , Citizen and Haberdasher , Bro . W . H . Pannell , Citizen and Loriner , and Air . William Payne were severally proposed as candidates for the office of City Chamberlain , vacant by the death of Air . Benjamin Scott . The show of hands was declared to be in favour of Mr . Alderman Cotton , but a poll was demanded , and will take place to-day ( Friday ) between the hours of S a . m . and fi p . m .

We are pleased to learn that at the recent Intermediate Musical Examination at Trinity College , London , Higgison and Coupland , pupils of the Roval Alasonic Institution for Boys , have obtained certificites , ' the former gaining gi per cent , and the latter 75 per cent of the marks given . Both boys passed the Junior Examination only six months ago , thus achieving the unusual success of passing , at a very early age , both the Junior and Intermediate stages at successive examinations ,

VVe regret to announce the death on Wednesday evening of Bro . Sir Alorell Alackenzie , at the comparatively early age of 55 years . The deceased had been ill for some short time , but the reports , as recent as those of Tuesday , were in all respects favourable , and the news of his death came

at the very moment when everybody was looking forward to his speedy restoration to health . Our readers will remember that our late distinguished brother was the special adviser of the late Emperor Frederick of Germany , who to the very last reposed the greatest confidence in his ability .

EMULATION LOW ** -: OF LM : * ROVK . MKNT . —It will be seen by an advertisement in another page that the Annual Festival of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement will be held at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , the 2 Gth inst ., on which occasion the Right Hon . Viscount Dungarvan , Prov . G . AL Somersetshire , will occupy the chair . The past year has seen no diminution of interest or zeal amongst the supporters of this excellent training college for Masons ; on the

contrary , the good work done is an ever increasing quantity . We have little doubt that the Festival of 1 S 02 will be as great a success as its predecessors . Coming as it does so closely after the annual Festival of the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution , when doubtless many provincial brethren will still be in London , wc feel confident that a visit to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement on this - > ccasion would afford them much gratification .

In view of the probable great advancement of the practice of cremation in England the General Cemetery Company have decided to erect a Columbarium for the reception of cinerary urns at their cemetery at Kensal Green . The structure which will be placed in the monumental chambers will form a prominent object in the centre of a hall of some magnitude and contain accommodation for 42 urns .

There will be three tiers of compartments on each of the four sides , and each one will be enclosed by a metal frame lever-locked door filled with plate glass . The fronts will be in finest caen stone with panelled pilasters at each angle and moulded base and cornice . The shafts between the

compartments to be of polished sienna marble and the- panels in the pilasters filled with polished rouge Koyale marble . The Columbarium , which will probably be unique in London , is being built by Air . E . Al . Lander , of Kensal Green , from the designs of the architect , Air . Robert Willey , F . R . I . B . A ., of CC , Ludgate Hill , E . C .

The demand for cocoa as a beverage must be enormous , judging from Ihe number of important firms now engaged in its manufacture , and it is satisfac : ory to notice that " absolute purity" is lelied on by in *) st of them as the best recommendation to consumers . Amongst the great manufacturers who give this guarsn ' . ee are I . obeck and Co , whose manufactory in Dresdi n is on a colossal ' scale , and who have recently introduced . tieir special article in England .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . Sir H . Drummond Wolff , who has recently been appointed British Ambassador at Aladrid , arrived at Vienna from Bucharest on Tuesday . We are glad to hear that Bro . Sir Somers Vine continues to make slow but steady progress , and that unless further complications should arise his progress towards complete recovery is assured .

Bro . the Earl of Dunraven , who has been confined to his house by an attack of influenza , is reported to bc going on most satisfactorily , while Bro . Lord Alcester is said to be improving daily , and is pionounced out of danger . The members of the Henniker Alark Lodge , on Tuesday last , at the suggestion of the W . A'L , Bro . John Barnett , jun ., voted 10 guineas to the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution . We should like to hear of the example being followed by other successful Alark lodges .

VVe announce with great regret the death of Bro . Thomas Alassa , P . P . G . S . of VV . Aliddlesex , and a member of the Royal Naval Lodge , No . 59 . Bro . Alassa , some years ago , held the honorary office of Architect to the Royal Alasonic Institution for Girls , and had shown himself a staunch friend of our several Charitable Institutions .

The London Scottish Volunteer Corps mustered in full strength at their head-quarters , James-street , Buckingham Gate , on Saturday last for the purpose of being inspected by Bro . Lieut .-General Sir Reginald Gipps , Dep . Adjutant-General for the auxiliary forces at Head-quarters . After the inspection , which went off satisfactorily , the prizes for shooting during the past year were distributed , and in the evening there was a concert , which was very numerously attended .

The mortality in London last week was , according lo the Registrar-General ' s returns , abnormally high , but it is satisfactory to note that the deaths from inlluenza have fallen from 50 G to 43 G , and from influenza as a secondary cause from Si to 71 . Deaths due to affections of the respiratory

organs also fell from 14 C 5 to 1192 . The death-rate generally fell from 46 to 41 . In Brighton the change for the better is still more marked , the fall in the death-rate having been from 60 . 9 to 24 . 6 . As regards other large cities and towns , it stands at 47 . 2 in Croydon , at 39 . 1 in Norwich , and at 37 . 5 in Blackburn .

H . AI . S . Grafton , one of the high speed first-class cruisers which are being built under the Naval Defence Act , was launched from the yard of the Thames Iron and Shipbuilding Company on Saturday last . The ship is of 7350 tons , and will be propelled by engines of 12 , 000 horse-power , while

her armament will consist of two 9 . 2 in . and 10 . G in . quickfiring guns and 16 smaller weapons of the same style , with four 14 in . Whitehead torpedo tubes . Lady George Hamilton performed the ceremony of christening the ship , and Bro . Lord George Hamilton , Al . P ., First Lord of the Admiralty , was among those present .

The Prince and Princess of Wales , accompanied by Prince George and the Princesses Victoria and Maud , and attended by Bro . Sir Francis Knollys , Aliss Knollys , and Colonel Stanley Clarke left London on Tuesday by the London , Brighton , and South Coast Railway for the Isle of Wight on a visit to the Ou : en at Osborne . The Royal

party were received on their arrival at Portsmouth by the Duke of Connaught and Admiral-Superintendent Fane and crossed to the Wight on board the Royal yacht Alberta . This is the , first visit their Royal Highnesses have paid to her Alajesty since the death of the Duke of Clarence and it is expected they will remain about a week .

The meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society was held at its offices in Hanover-square on Wednesday , when a large number of members was present . The chair was occupied by Bro . the Earl of Feversham , who proposed a vote of condolence with the Queen on the death of the Dukeof Clarence and Avondale . A similar vote was

proposed and carried at the instance of the Duke of Richmond and Girdon , while sympathetic reference was made to the death of the Duke of Devonshire , a Vice-President of the Society . Alanchester and Chester were the competitors for the honour of being visited by the Society in 1 S 93 , and on a division it was agreed by 21 votes to 20 votes tnat the meeting should be held at the latter city .

Bro . Dr . S . Rideal , of St . George ' s Hospital , sometime member of the Ravensbourne Lodge , No . 1 G 01 , who is a candidate for the vacant post of Gas Examiner to the Corporation , is well known to many of the brethren in South London , and although a young man has already distinguished himself at the University of London and in his profession . He is at present engaged on an elaborate

investigation on the conditions of formation of London fog , and has recently drawn attention to the advantages of using gaseous fuel in London . He believes that London can only be cured of fog by the use of the electric light , and utilising the existing gas plant and mains for supplying a cheap non-illuminating gas for heating purposes . He is Professor of Chemistry at St . George ' s Hospital and an official Gas Examiner to the Beckenham and Bromley Local Boards .

Ihe Plymouth Freemasons' Hall and Club Company held its annual meeting on Saturday last . Bro . F . B . Westlake presided , supported by Bros . J . R . Lord , deputy-chairman , VV . Allsford , D . Cross , J . W . Cornish , C . IL Cooper , E . 11 . Littleton , J . Wallis , J . Leonard , and A . Roberts , directors . The directors reported that there had been a steady increase in the business A the club , although the

number of the members had slightly decreased . They deplored the apathy shown in taking up the remaining shares . To pay off the overdraft a mortgage had been secured on the buildings on favourable terms . The 3 per cent , preference shares they trusted would be taken up by lodges and members . Bro . C . II . Cooper has been elected to succeed liro . Goodyear as director , and Hro . P . S . C .

Pearce to succeed Ilro . ' Goodall as directors' auditor . Bros Allsford , D . Cross , J . R . Gover , and J . Leonard were re-elected directors , and Bro . T . Gibbons was re-elccced auditor . Votes of thanks to thc directors , secretary , ste . vard , and auditors , weie unanimously adopted , and a special vote given to the chairman for his very important services in financial matters .

TONIC . U * * INFLUENZA . — Grant ' s Alorella Cherry Brandy has again asserted its marvellous restorative powers . Taken in small quantities persstently , nothing else is . so effective . Its great success after cholera in iSfiij wis proved in the London Hospitals . See testimonials . Sold everywhere .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . Lord Dungarvan is recovering from a severe attack of the prevailing malady . The Duke of Cambridge , Commander-in-Chief , has approved of the Thirteenth Annual Royal Military Tournament being held at the Royal Agricultural Hall , Islington . The Marquis of Salisbury has sent a third donation of

£ 100 towards the building of the proposed new church at Barking , Essex . The amount received and promised has now reached upwards of £ 3300 . Lord Suffield , Provincial Grand AIaster of Norfolk , has summoned a Special Provincial Grand Lodge for Wednesday next , the ioth inst ., at Norwich , to resolve upon addresses of condolence on the death of the Duke of Clarence .

The Kensington Vestry have decided that the Potterylane Recreation Ground , at Notting Hill , which was opened to the public on December 26 th last , shall be hereafter known as "Avondale Park , " in remembrance of Prince Albert Victor .

The Prince and Princess of Wales , according to present arrangements , are expected to remain the guests of the Queen till about the beginning of next week , when their Koyal Highnesses will probably leave Osborne and return to the Metropolis .

A Cabinet Council was held at the Foreign Office on Thursday to prepare the draft lof her Majesty's Speech from the Throne . Lord Salisbury presided , and all the members of the Cabinet were present , with the exception of Lord Ashbourne , who is laid up with gout in Dublin .

The annual Election Court of the Homers' Company was held on Wednesday , when Air . Samuel Parnwell , of Queenstreet , was elected Master for the year ensuing j Air . W . S . Chapman , of Aldersgate-street , and Mr . Ellis Hall , Enfield , being respectively appointed Upper and Renter Warden .

Prince Henry of Battenberg left the Isle of Wight on Thursday for the Alediterranean , going to Portsmouth in the Royal yacht Alberta , and thence to London , whence he will make passage in one of the liners to join his yacht Sheila at Algiers . The Princess Beatrice went as far as Portsmouth with his Royal Highness .

The Empress Frederick and her daughters , the Hereditary Princess of Saxe-Aleiningen , and Princess Alargaret , attended a concert given by Aladame Valleriaon Wednesday , at the Philharmonic Hall , Berlin . Aladame Valleria and Air . Hutchinson had the honour of being introduced to her Alajesty , who complimented them on the performance .

The funeral of Mr . Sanford Hodgson , of Hawkshillplace , Esher , took place on Wednesday afternoon in the village churchyard in the presence of about 1000 spectators . General Baird , Sir J . Whittaker Ellis , M . P ., Sir Robert Collins , and Air . J . F . Eastwood , High Sheriff of Surrey , were amongst the mourners , and upwards of 50 members of the Kingston Working Alen ' s Conservative Association , of which Mr . Hodgson was formerly Chairman , also attended .

The first battle of flowers of the season at Cannes was held on Wednesday afternoon , in beautiful weather . The fete had been postponed from January 2 Sth on account of the general mourning amongst members of the English colony for the late Duke of Clarence Very few of the

British visitors took part in the fete , which consequently did not assume the proportions of previous years , the decorated carriages , too , were not so numerous . The Russians were also absent on account of the mourning for the late Grand Duke Constantine . Less than half the banners of honour provided wcre distributed .

A meeting was held at Lichfield on VVednesday , presided over by the Earl of Dartmouth , Lord Lieutenant ot Staffordshire , to take steps to raise' a fund of £ 20 , 000 for the restoration and repair of Lichfield Cathedral . A statement by the Dean and Chapter showed that although £ 80 , 000 had been spent on the edifice within living memory , serious repairs required to be taken in hand at once if the

fabric were to be maintained in safety and integrity . In the absence of the Dean , Dr . E . Bickersteth , who was prevented by illness from attending , the details of the work required to be done were explained by the Rev . Canon Lonsdale , the senior member of the Chapter . Colonel T . J . Levett , late M . P . for the city , proposed a resolution

approving the scheme , and expressing a hope that the appeal of the Dean and Chapter would be liberally met throughout the diocese and elsewhere . Sir Reginald Hardy , Bart ., seconded the resolution , and it was supported by thc Bishop of Lichfield and Bishop Abraham , and was carried unanimously . Upwards of £ 1000 was subscribed in the room .

Mr . Philip Gray , sole makerof the celebrated "Anglesey " artificial limbs ( as supplied to the late Field Marshal , the Alarquis of Anglesey ) , has recently lemoved from No . 7 , Cork-street , W ., to No . 29 , Maddox-strcet , Regent-street , W . —a most convenient and central position . His business has been established now fully 50 years . during which time , it is needless to say , great improvements have been made in this

particular branch of automatic mechanism , and it can safely be said that his limbs are at the present time unequalled for utility , comfort , durability , and lightness . The majority of his patients are recommended by surgeons ( amongst whom are some of the most eminent of the present day ) , which is sufficient guarantee of the satisfactory results

produced , and the testimonials he possesses from all grades of society speak much for the care and success with which he treats a case . In addition to ihe manufacture of the foregoing " specialite , " he has a well-assorted stock of trusses , belts , elastic stockings , etc ., of an excellent quality and finish .

HOLLOWAY ' S PILLS AMI OINTMENT . —Ir . lluen / . a , Coughs , am ! Colds . -In diseases of the throat and chest , so prevalent iu our changeable c . imate , nothing so speedily relieves , or so certainly cures , as these inestimable remedies . These disorders are ton often neglected at their commencement , or arc injudiciously treated , resulting in either ease in disa Irons consequences . Whatever the condition of the patient , llohow-ay ' s remedies will

restore , if recovery be possihie : they will retard the alarming symp 01 ns till the blood is pnrilicd and n-, ture consummates th ^ cure , gradually restoring strength and vital nervous power , I *)' persevering in the use uf HoIIoway ' s preparations , tone is conferred on the stomach and frame generally . Thousands of persons have testified that hy the use of these remedies alonethey have been restored to health after every other means lis " failed .