Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

The regular monthly meeting of the Council of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will be held at Freemasons' Hall to-morrow ( Saturday ) at the hour of 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 10 th inst ., at 4 p . m .

The Duke of York , who , up to the present time , has in no way been associated with the London Volunteers , is about to be appointed Honorary Col nel of the 3 rd Middleset Artillery . Bro . the Duke of Portland presided at a meeting held on Saturday last of the Royal Commission on Horse Breeding , among those present being the Earl of Coventry and Lord Uiliblesdale .

It is gratifying to know that her Royal Highness the Princess Mary , Duchess of Teck , has so far recovered from the somewhat serious indisposition which overtook her at the VVhite Lodge , Richmond Park , as to be able to take a drive into town in a close carriage . At the last meeting of the Obedience Lodge , No . 1753 ,

held at the White Hart Hotel , Okehampton , Bro . J . C . Pierce , S . W .. was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . In consequence of both the S . VV . and J . W . having to attend a course of lectures on agricultural chemistry at Cambridge during the month of August , the installation has , by special dispensation , been postponed to Monday , September 5 th .

Masonry is said to be a progressive institution , but the proper meaning , or in what sense it is progressive , is not clearly understood . The mere making of Masons is not progress . When large numbers are admitted to our sanctuaries we cannot boast that this is progress , and when our Masters boast of the many they have added to their list of members it is indeed an open question whether we are progressing . — Keystone .

The St . Alphega ' s Lodge , Solihull , on Tuesday , the 26 th ult ., arranged an excursion to 1 ewkesbury , and brethren belonging to other lodges in the province and friends were guests on the occasion . The party took train to Worcester , and from thence went down the Severn on a steamer to Tewkesbury . The abbey and other places of interest were visited , and dinner was partaken of at the Swan Hotel . Birmingham was reached on the return journey at halfpast ten .

Two married couples offered themselves as candidates for the flitch of bacon which is awarded to those who are in a position to affirm without equivocation or mental reservation of any kind thai for 12 months not one wrangle or snappish word has marred their conjugal happiness . There was a large gathering at Dunmow on Monday to witness the interesting proceedings , and after due eximination a flitch was awarded to each couple , of whom one had been married considerably over 50 years .

The proceedings in honour of the fourth centenary of the departure of Christopher Columbus on his famous voyage of discovery , were opened at Huelva , on Monday morning , with an imposing religious ceremony . The Caravel Sante Maria , which has been built as an exact model of the Caravel in which the great navigator set sail

from Palos , arrived the day previous from Cadiz , and took up its moorings off Palos in the very place where the original is supposed to have cast anchor . Its arrival was greeted with salvoes of artillery , and it has since been saluted by the various foreign warships anchored in the neighbourhood . As the weather has been most magnificent the visitors from afar have been very numerous .

Our obituary of to-day informs us of the death of an honoured memberof the Masonic body , who will be much missed as a befriender of the Masonic orphans , namely , Mr . William Thompson , of Rathmines , and Lodge 50 . His illness was of short duration , he being in his usual health 12 days ago , but he passed away on the 27 th inst . at the advanced age of S 9 . Mr . Thompson was a member for

over 50 years of the Harold ' s Cross congregation , and during his long connection with the Church he subscribed liberally to its various funds . Mr . Thompson was for many years a retired member of the staff of the Bank of Ireland , and his former colleagues and friends belonging to tint establishment will greatly regret his disappearance . —Irish Times , | uly 2 . Sth .

The Shakspeare Lodge celebrated their centenary on Thursday night , the 2 . Sth ult ., at Warwick . After meeting at the lodge , a dinner was held at the Court House , and the chair was occupied by liro . Bernard Rice , W . M ., the vice-chairmen being Bros . li . C . McCalm > nt , S . W ., and C . Smith-U p land , J . W . Amongst the visiting brethren were Bros . Collins , D . P . G . M . of Warwickshire ; Godson ,

D . P . G . M . of Worcestershire ; the Marquis ot Hertlord , P . S . G . W . ; and several others from various pirts of the kingdom . 'Ihe brethren presented to Bro . Cooke , P . M . — the senior member of the lodge—a centenary jewel , in commemoration of long services rendered to the lodge , and to Bro . J . VV . Margetts a Charity jewel , as a memento of his services as Charity Steward , and of his noble work in connection with Masonic Charities generally .

A new journal for boys is to make its appearance the first week in October , and it has been decided to call it ' Boys . " So much pernicious literature is issued and placed before the young , that a high-class journal for boys is sadly neededthis want "Boys" will supply . The Union Publishing Company , Limited , who will issue the journal , have secured the services of a most able rnin as editor in the person of

Mr . Edward Step , who has purposely resigned his position as editor of the liritish Workman , Hand of Hope Review , Family Friend , Children's Friend , Sic , in order to devote his energies to this enterprise . His efforts in the interests of the young will be most ably seconded by such writers as

G . A . Henty , George Manville renn , Ascott K . Hope , J . A . Steuart , Robert Overton , S . Baring Gould , Edward Garrett , G . Barnett Smith , Charles Edwardes , F . Scarlett Potter , F . M . Holmes , Arthur Monteliore , F . R . G . S ., A . H . Miles , J . L . Owen , & c , & c , & c . The journal will be issued in weekly numbers and monthly parts .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The Sir Hugh Myddelton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1 C 02 , held at the Star and Garter , Islington , has adjourned until the first Thursday in September . It is satisfactory to hear that the condition of Bro . the Duke of Manchester , who has been very dangerously ill , has taken a turn for the better , and that his Grace has been able to take a little nourishment .

The Queen has been pleased to issue her commands that the costly furniture in the Vandyck Room at Windsor Castle is to be newly upholstered , and the green-and-gold satin damask which has been selected for tbe purpose is being specially woven on the Spitalfields looms . Arrangements have been made by the London County Council and the St . Pancras Vestry to construct a bridge across the railway between Gospel Oak and Hampstead

Heath Stations . This will enable visitors to reach the south end of Parliament Hill much more expeditiously than at present . We tender our respectful sympathy to Bro . Sir Augustus Harris on the bereavement he has sustained by the death on Friday , the 29 th ult ., of his mother , Mrs . Augustus Harris . In consequence of the event Drury Lane Theatre was closed on Saturday evening last . The funeral of the deceased lady took place on Wednesday .

Mr . Charles Booth in his evidence before the Transport and Shipping Section of the Royal Commission on Labour stated with regard to the distribution of labour in the London docks , that the number of men competing for employment was about 22 , 000 , and that the maximum number engaged on any one day was 17 , 994 . Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar has consented to

become a patroness of the Robin Society , an organisation which arranged breakfasts last Christmas Day tor 10 , 500 poor London children , and is now asking tor funds to enable sickly little ones to be sent into the country for a week ' s holiday . The Queen gave a dinner party at Osborne on Monday ,

at which there were present , among others , the Emperor of Germany , Prince Henry of Prussia , the Prince of Wales , the Duke of Connaught , Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein and their daughter , the Princess Victoria , and Bro . Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edmund Commerell , V . C , G . C . B .

No CHANGE IN POLICY . —The Masonic Fraternity has never changed its policy . It says to the profane you must seek in order to know our mysteries . You will not be sought after . The first step is of the highest importance , and must be strictly adhered to . Any member of the institution who urges a profane to become a Mason is guilty of conduct unbecoming a true member of our Fraternity , and deserves to be disciplined for so doing . —South Aus t ralian Freemason .

The Queen has been pleased to confer the distinction of a Grand Cross ol the Order of St . Michael and St . George upon Bro . the Hon . Sir E . J . Morier , K . C . M . G ., C . B ., her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Brussels , and the honour of knighthood on Bro . Walter Parrott ,

Organist to the Queen and of St . George's Chapel , Windsor , and Bro . VV . G . Cusins , Master of her Majesty ' s band , both of them Past Grand Organists of England . It has also been notified to Bro . Alderman David Evans , the Lord Mayor of London , that her Majesty has created him a Knight Commander of St . Michael and St . George .

The race for the Queen ' s Cup took place over the usual course on Tuesday , and was won , on her time allowance , by Admiral the Hun . Victor Montagu ' s Corsair , the German Emperor ' s yacht , the Meteor , being the first to pass the winning-post , but was defeated in consequence of having to allow the Corsair 27 minutes 30 seconds . The event excited the greatest interest , and though Admiral

Montagu ' s victory was very popular , a strong hope was exhibited that the German tmperor might succeed in securing the trophy . At the dinner which followed at the Club in the evening the guests included Commodore the Prince of Wales , the German Emperor , Prince Henrv of Prussia , the Duke of Connaught , and Bros . Sir l ( . Commeiell , the Earl of Dunraven , and Lord Brassey .

The annual banquet of the Western District United Service Lodge , No . 225 S , was held at Ruutley ' s Farley Hotel , Union-street , Plymouth . The W . M ., Bro . Surg . W . Allan May , presided , supported by his officers : Bros . Major C . \ i . G . Dick , R . M . L . I ., LP . M . ; Lieuc .-Col . G . Vernon , J . W . ; S . Jew , Chap . ; D . Cross , Treas . ; W . Powell , Sec ; W . J . Fry , .-.. D . j A . J . Verdi , J . D . j E . Binding ,

Org . ; Dooley , LG . ; Hall and Bebner , Stewards ; j . Gidley , Tyler ; Capt . G . S . Strode-Lo . ve , H . Best , and R . Dickson . Among ihe victors were Bros . Lieut .-Col . Crai g and J . li . Cover , 70 ; T . Gibbons , P . Dunn , A . Trout , G . Perring , G . Perkins , J . J . Facey , and VV . H . Amorose , 1205 ; G . Harrison and J . Ward , 1 S 9 ; VV . Yeo , 1753 ; W . Allsford and T . L . Soper , 202 ; J . Smale , 1212 ; and A . Hobbs , 1 S 47 .

I he annual " swan-upping has just been in progress . The Koyal swans and cygnets number about 500 , and ( 15 and 45 are owned respectively by the Dyers' and Vinters ' Companies . These Companies ha / e possessed the privilege from time immemorial , and the operation of '' upping" is performed by the Cruiv . i and the Companies' swan-misters together . On Thursday , several boats , with men on board

in uniform and with swan feathers in their caps , passed through Cookham Lock before the regatta . Swan-upping consists of nicking the birds' jaws ahd stopping the bleeding with pitch . Fourteen years ago the R . S . P . C . A . prosecuted the swan-masters , and although its action was unsuccessful ,

the marks were modified in consequence . Crown swans have two diamond-shaped marks on the jaw , the Dyers ' birds have one nick on the right side , and the Vinters' a small nick on both sides . It may not be generally known that the Crown claims all swans of a certain age that are " clear-billed " or unmarked . —Cilv Press .

MULLOWAY ' ! OlNTMlNT AXI ) I ' lLI . S . —Diae . 'lSCS of lllC Skill . — No case of disease' ol' Ihe skin , he ils nature what it may , hah failed tu he henelited when these potent remedies have heell p o . perly applied . In scrofulous and scorbutic allcctious they are especially serviceable . . Scurvy and eruptions , which had resisted all oliier modes of treatment and gradually become worse from

year to year , have been completely cured by Holloway ' s cooling Ointment and purifying I'ills , which root out the disease from the blood itself and leave the constitution free from every morbid taint . In the nursery Holloway s Ointment .-hould be ever at hand ; it will Kivceasc in sprains , contusions , bums , scalds , and infantile eruptions , and may always safely be-applied by any ordinary attendant . —Anvr .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Messrs . Edward Anderton and Co ., mantle manufacturers and warehousemen , have removed from 6 and 7 , Old Change , to 20 , Cheapside . We regret to announce the decease , at Cirencester House , Cirencester , on Monday , the 1 st instant , of Bro . Earl Bathurst . His lordship was born in the year 18 32 and was P . P . S . G . W . of Gloucestershire . He is succeeded

in the title and estate by his son , Lord Apsley , who is 2 S years of age . The Financial Secretary to the War Office entertained the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital at dinner on Tuesday evening , among the guests present on the occasion being Bros . Sir James Fergusson , Bart ., M . P ., Sir William Walsend , Bart ., M . P ., General Sir Redvers Buller , and the Right Hon . C . Stuart-Wortley , M . P .

Colonel Viscount Downe , CLE ., who has been in command of the 10 th Hussars since 1 SS 7 , during which period the late Duke of Clarence and Avondale served as an officer under him , has been selected , on the expiry of his period of regimental command , to be Aide-de-Camp to the Duke of Cambridge . Lord Downe saw active service in the Zulu campaign of 1 S 79 .

On Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., the brethren of Peebles Kilwinning Lodge , No . 24 , met in the Masonic Hall to make a presentation to , and take farewell of , Bro . Burnett Mitchell , late R . W . M . of the lodge , who is leaving the district . Bro . G . Bridges , R . W . M ., presided . Thepresentation took the form of a finely illuminated address ,

accompanied hy a very handsome Master Mason s jewel . Bro . VV . Connel Black of Kailzie , P . M ., in making the presentation , referred in very felicitous terms to Bro . Mitchell ' s services to the lodge , and the latter replied in a neat and appropriate speech . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were gone through , and a very pleasant evening spent .

The weather on Bank Holiday was not as favourable as there had been good reason to expect , but in spite of this drawback the excursionists were as numerous as ever , and all the seaside resorts within easy reach of the Metropolis , such as Margate , Ramsgate , Brighton , and Hastings , were thronged with visitors . Upwards of 40 , 000 people passed the turnstiles at the Crystal Palace . The number of those who visited Olympia for the purpose of seeing Imre

Kiralfy's " Venice " was close on 27 , 500 , and there were nearly 30 , 000 who favoured the International Horticultural Exhibition and Buffalo Bill's "Wild West , " at Earl ' s Court , while 21 , 000 preferred to see "Arcadia" at the Royal Agricultural Hall , Islington . The Moore and Burgess Christy Minstrels , the Royal Aquarium , Hampton Court , Windsor , and other places of interest or amusement had each of them a lull complement of patrons .

There was a large attendance at Canterbury on Thursday , when the second match of the Festival was commenced , the Home Eleven being pitted against the famous Notts team . The latter , batting first , made 226 , Shrewsbury's 111 , not out , being the feature of the innings . Kent , at the close of play , had lost two wickets for 27 runs . Surrey , at Leicester , made 349 , M . Read , with a dashing innings of

131 , being the chief contributor . Sussex against Gloucestershire have made 247 for four wickets . The Duchess of Albany had a most cordial reception on her visit to Godalming on Thursday to open the Meath Home of Comfort for Epileptics . A number of triumphal arches spanned the streets , and the Town Clerk , Mr . T . P . Whately , presented to her Royal Highness an address of

welcome on the part of the Mayor and Corporation of the ancient borough . After a service of consecration , conducted by the Bishop of Guildford , the Countess of Meath explained the origin of the movement and the object of the institution , the need for which was enforced by Dr . Russell Reynolds . The Duchess of Albany then declared the Home open . On the motion of Viscount Midleton ,

seconded by Mr . Sparkes , the Mayor of Godalming , a vote of thanks was passed to her Royal Highness . A large company was present , including the Marquis and Marchioness of Sligo , the Dowager Marchioness of Hertford and Lady Florence Blunt , Lady Victoria Rowe , Sir William Vincent , Mr . and the Misses Bovill , and others . A garden party was held in the afternoon , and was largely attended .

The daughter of the respected Grand Registrar , Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , and another young lady , a daughter of the Rev . F . Woods , Vicar of Bickley , have been the victims of a most dastardly and what appears at present an unaccountable attempt at murder . Miss Woods , who is iG years old , and Aliss Philbrick , who is 14 , went out together tor a walk , choosing the' path which leads from Bickley

through the fields to Chislehurst . When about half a mile distant from Bro . Philbrick ' s house , Miss Woods noticed a man carrying a gun lounging listlessly along in their rear . Becoming suspicious , she called the attention of her companion to the man , saying she did not like the look of him , and suggesting that they should stop and allow him to pass . Accordingly , they stood on one side . The man came along

at the same pace , but when he had caught them up he suddenly turned round , and pointing his gun at Miss Woods tace , tired , she tell to the ground ttunnsd , and remembers notning further , until on recjvenng consciousness , she found nerself lying in a field , her friend being in a like condition , and the man cut of sight . With an effort she was able to drag herself to a cottage about 600 yards away ,

where she informed the occupants of all that had occurred , and gave an accurate description of their assailant . Several persons at once proceeded to the place she had indicated , and there discovered Miss Philbrick lying on the ground in an insensible condition . It appeared evident that she had been repeatedly struck with the butt-end of the gun , her head being c jnsiderably beaten about . She was immediately

conveyed to the cottage and information given to the police , who were soon on the spot prosecuting strict search . A man has been arrested on the charge , and has been remanded until Monday . Miss Wojds was found to have had several shots lodged in her cheek and neck , which nut

have been extracted , and she is progressing favourably , Miss Pnilbrick had not re > ered consciousness at the time ot our going to press , anu ,., ve are sorry to learn her condition is cjnsidered critical . We tender to Bro . Philbr" * our heartfelt sympathy in the misfortune that has befalle " him and his household , but trust the case is more hope'l u

than it appears at present . A Goou PLAN . —The Eleventh Annual Edition <» Explanatory Book , sent free , gives valuable and tei , a h information how to operate successfully in Stocks a " Shares and obtain handsome profits . —Address , Geo . Eva and Co ., Stockbrokers , 11 , Poultry , London , E . C .