Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

The regular monthly meeting of the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will be held at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday next , the nth inst . Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to accept the dedication of the publications of the Domesday Commemoralion Committee .

Bro . his Highness the Maharajah of Kuch Behar , P . G . W ., had the honour of dining with the Queen at Osborne , on Saturday last . Bro . Sir Edward Clarke , M . P ., H . M . ' s Solicitor-General , addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents in the Guildhall , Plymouth , on Tuesday evening . The marriage of Lieut . E . Paston Cooper , R . N , with Constance , eldest daughter of Bro . Sir John E . Gorst

M . P ., was solemnised at Eerne on the 2 g ' . h ult . Bro . Baron Henry de Worms , M . P ., and the Baroness de Worms visited Paris during Christmas week , and dined with the British Ambassador and his family on New Year's Day . Bro . Lord Randolph Churchill , M . P ., and Lady Randolph Churchill had the honour of being invited by the Czar to a grand dramatic performance at the Imperial Palace at Gatchina on the ist inst .

Bro . the Earl of Egrnont and Sir VV . Ogg were among the magistrates fcr the County of Surrey who attended the meeting held at the Sessions House , Newington-causeway , on Tuesday . Bros . Alderman Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., the Eail of Londesborough , and Under Sheriff Beard , are among the contributors to the Daily Telegraph fund

for the relief of the sufferers by the fire at the Grand Theatre , Islington . The Russian Ambassador , with Madame and Mdlle . de Staal and her Majesty's Ambassador at St . Petersburg — now on a visit to England — arrived at Sandringham House on Saturday last , on a visit to ihe Prince and Princess of Wales .

Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , F . S . A ., P . A . G . D . C , is amongst the guests at Llanover , at Monmouthshire , assembled by the Lady Llanover to spend the Christmas holidays at her ladyship ' s beautiful country seat . By the death of Bro . Geo . Venables , the Sterndale Bennett Lodge , No . 2182 , in which he was S . D ., is put into mourning . In consequence of his lamented

decease the Ladies' Night , which we referred to a week or two back , has been postponed . The Prince of Wales , through the medium o f Bro . Sir P . Cunliffe Owen , has presented to the Salt Schools for the new Museum of Art and Science at Saltaire , the collection of Chinese figures , costumes , & c , which were exhibited at the Royal Vorkshire Jubilee Exhibition .

It is gratifying to hear that the Crown Prince of Germany still continues to make satisfactory progress . His Imperial Highness spent New Year ' s-eve with the members of his family , and on New Year ' s-Jay received the congratulations of the civil and military authorities of San Remo . Bro . T . M . Waller , Consul General of the United States in London , presided at the second annual dinner of

tne Association of Foreign Consuls in London . The meeting was held at the Hotel M & ropole on the 29 th ult ., and between 70 and So guests were present on the occasion . Everything passed off satisfactorily . Bro . Sir Charles Warren paid an unexpected

visit to Wcohvirh Arsenal on the 30 th ult . for the purpose of testing the efficiency of the newly-organised fire brigade . A false alarm of fire was given , and the men speedily turned out under Inspector Cavell with their engines , hose , and fire escape . There was considerable commotion until the true state of affairs was known .

On 1 hursday morning , Dec . 29 th , Mrs . Elizabeth Trew , mother of Bro . Archibald Trew , VV . M . of the Prince of Wales Lodge , 959 ( Ipswich ) , and of the Princess of Wales , West Ham-lane , peacefully passed away during sleep at the house of her son . The deceased hid reached the t ) Sth year of her age , and we understand has been a resident in the district for 22 years .

The syllabus of visitations of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow for iSSS has just been issued , and to prove that the post of office bearer in Prov . Grand Lodge is no sinecure , it is only necessary to mention that the visiting of the 33 lodges in the province covers a period of eight weeks , commencing Jan . gth . Bro . Sir William Pearce , Bart ., M . P ., continues to hold the Provincial Grand Master ' s chair .

RAILWAY REFRESHMENTS . —Many people will remember the hearty welcome accorded to Messrs . Spiers and Pond some four-and-tvventy years ago , when they first opened railway refreshment rooms in London . Up to their time the "Refreshment Room at Mugby Junction " was no exaggeration . The viands were nafty , dear , and ill-served and attendants inattentive and insolent ; butwhile

every-, one grumbled , nothing was done to improve matters until the Australian firm came on the scene . They began modestly with one or two sections on the Metropolitan and Chatham and Dover Railways and the buffet at Mr Alfred Mellon ' s Promenade Concerts , and their method of doing the business was a revelation . The Press and the public were alike enthusiastic over the neat and civil attendants

the cleanly rooms , and the wholesome refreshments at moderate prices . Little wonder , then , that the firm own upwards of 300 establishments at the present day . As might be expected , too , it is always extending its operations , the latest contract entered into by Messrs . Spiers and Pond being that for

supplying the refreshments on the whole of the system of the London and South-Western Railway . This will be good news for travellers by that extensive line vho will be thus ensured wholesome food well served , the best of Bass' beer , and wine and spirits of Corresponding excellence ,

Masonic And General Tidings

Bro . Lieut . T . C . Walls has beeh admitted a member of the Royal United Service Institution . ' Bro . General Lord Wolseley resumed his duties at the Horse Guards as Adjutant-General of the Forces on Monday . The Grocers' Company have contributed ^ 100 towards the London Society for the promotion of University Teaching .

The Princess Christian visited the Victoria Barracks on the 29 th ult ., for the purpose of distributing the Christmas tree gifts to the children of the ist Scots Guards . The Jubilee presents presented to the Queen are in course of being removed from Windsor Castle to Bethnal Green Museum , where they will be on exhibition

to the people of the East End . Bro . Sir Morell Mackenzie , after paying a visit to the Imperial Crown Prince of Germany at San Remo , has returned to England , having arrived at the Charing Cross Railway Station late in the evening of the 30 th ult . Bro . the Earl of Jersey , P . G . M . Oxfordshire , and Bro . A . VV . Hall , M . P ., were present at the

anniversary dinner of Lodge No . 50 ) of the Order of Druids , which was held at the Corn Exchange , Oxford , on Monday evening , and replied for " The Houses of Lords and Commons " respectively . "The Winter ' s Tale " reached its 100 th consecutive peiformance on Tuesday , and will be continued in the programme until March next , when Miss Mary

Anderson's tenancy of the Lyceum Theatre will terminate . Bro . Joseph Eichbaum , G . M . of Pennsylvania , has issued his edict forbidding all intercourse between the brethren in his jurisdiction and the members of Hiram Lodge , lately No . 1 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut , in consequence of its charter having been revoked by the said Grand Loige of Connecticut , and its principal officers and Secretary expelled fiom Masonry .

Our readers will be sorry to learn that no tidings have been received if the Secretary of the Savage Club Lodge , Bro . McNeill . A statement appeared in the Times a few days since at which his friends are much disgusted . The : e is , we learn , no prcof whatever that Bro . McNeill was seen in Paris after he was missed at Boulogne . Mr . Welcome , who has been engaged in the search all the while—in a bona-fide manner—says there is absolutely no trace whatever of Bro . McNeill ..

According to the Keystone of 17 th December last , Comp . Henderson , G . H . P . of Pennsylvania , proposed holding a meeting at Freemasans' Hall , Philadelphia , on Thursday , the 29 th December , when it was his intention to address all present on the subject of Mark Mas > nry , and Comp . Alex . H . Morgan , G . Sdibe , was going to deliver an address on "The Origin and History of the Mark

Master Mason ' s Degree . " It was expected there would be a large muster of M . M . M . s . Bro . the Earl of Londdbborough presided at a meeting held in the saloon of ihe Lyceum Thea ' re on Tuesday , when further measures uere tak . n for the relief of the sufferers by the fire at the Grand Theatre . The whole of the balance of ihe Alhnmbra Fire Fund was

handed over to the Committee , and Bro . Ledger , Hon . Treasurer , announced that since the first appeal had been issued he had paid in £ 2 , 50 , including £ 51 from the AlhamLra Company , 10 guineas from Bro . the Eail of Lathom ( Lord Chamberlain ) , io guineas from Bro . the Lord Mayor , and 10 guineas from Brj . Ledger . A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close .

MASONIC CALENDAR FOR 1888 . —The Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar , Diary , and Pocket Book for iSSS has just been published , and , as usual , it is full of information of interest to the Craft . The book is really what it is stated to be on the title-page , a comprehensive Masonic book of reference , and conta i ns list of lodges , chapters , precept > ries , conclaves , co'leges , and grand councils , with the names of officers of each Degree , both

in the United Kingdom and the woild , and particulars of every Grand Masonic Body throughout the world . 'Iheie are now 2235 Masonic lodges in the list under the English Grand Lodge Constitution . 'Ihe took has reached its eighteenth year of publicalijn , and is got up in such a neat style as to form a handy pocket companion . The publisher is Mr . George Kenning , of the Masonic Dapcc , London . — Newcastle Daily Journal .

The Second Masonic Charitable Association started by the Covent Garden Lo . lge of Instruction , No . 1614 , ei . ters upon its career this week , so that there is an excellent opportunity for brethren who are desirous of enrolling themselves among the life subscribers of our Institutions to join as members from the very outset . The First Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction Association was

suggested by our worthy Bro . G . Reynolds , J . VV . of the mother lodge , who , by his zeal as its honorary Secretary , was able to carry it to a very successful conclusion . Bro . Reynolds will be the honorary Treasurer of the new Assoc-a'ion , while Bio . F . M . Noakes will take the pa > t of honorary Secretary , and between these two officers we may look to seeing the second Association equal , if it

does not more than equal its predecessor in the services it will render to our Charities . It may not be out of place , perhaps , if we point out that the new Association has been set going at a very convenient season for brethren who may be thinking of offering their services as Stewards at the approaching Centenary Festival of the Girls' School ,

and yet do not feel themselves quite strong enough to bear all the responsibilities at once . By becoming members they will makesuie ef obtaining , by easy payments , the personal dotation which is expected ot every Festival Steward , and it will depend upon their personal success as canvassers as to the sums they may be able to obtain from other quarters .

Pertinent questions . What is more comforting in cold and damp weather than " Grant ' s Morella Cherry Brandy " ? What is more beneficial to the weak and aged than thiswhohisome tonic as recommended by Medical Men ? What do Sportsmen and Travellers find more sustaining

than a flask of this unrivalled liqueur , and for whom a stronger quality ( " Spoilsman ' s " ) is prepared ? Beware of imitations . Observe our branded corks and capsules . Sold by Wine Merchants , and by Thomas Grant and Sons , Maidstone , and 4 6 , Gresham-street , F . C . Makers of the delicious Morella Marmalade . Sold by Grocers .

Masonic And General Tidings

Bro . Milford Cock , P . P . S . G . D . Cornwall , will be installed as W . M . of the Druids Lodge , at the Masonic Hall , Rsdruth , on Monday next . H . R . H . the M . W . Grand Master has been been pleased to accept a copy of Bro . Sadler's new work " Masonic Facts and Fictions . "

Bro . VV . Boyce , S . W . of the United Manners Lodge , No . 30 , was , on Tuesday , the 20 th ult ., installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . Bro . J . E . Harling was appointed Treasurer . We are requested to announce that the Metropolitan Chapter of Improvement resumed its meetings last Tuesday , and will continue to meet every Tuesday till the end of May .

Bro . PVederick Lawrence will be installed W . M . of the Chiswick Lodge , No . 2012 , at the S ^ ar ana Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , on Monday nex > . We regret to hear that Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , P . G . M . Middlesex , has not sufficiently recovered fiom his recent indisposition to be able to reply to the many letters he has received from Ihe brethren . He will , however , do so as soon as he is well enough ta leave his bed .

The ceremony of installation will be performed at tlu Chiswick Lodge of Ins ' ructbn , Windsor Castle , King-street , Hammersmith , to-morrow evening , ( Saturday ) . Bio . Harvey will be the Installing Master . Mary Commandery , K . T ., No . 3 Philadelphia ,

held its stated conclave on the Sth December last , when , owing to the influx of members into Philadelphia to attend the election meetings of Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , there was a large gathering on the o ; casion , and the meeting was very successful .

Bro . the Lord Mayor presided at the opening meeting , on Wednesdiy , in the hall of the Drapers' Company , of the third annual conference of the National Society of Professional Musicians , Bro . W . H . Cummings taking his place , when his lordship ' s engagements obliged him to leave . The conference will be brought to a conclusion to-dav ( Friday ) .

At the 101 st Annual Communication of the G . Lodge of Maryland , which was held at Balti nore in thi month of November last , Bro . l'hos . J . Shryock was elected for the third time G . Master , an J in thi course of his address Bro . Shryock referred to the cordial reception he had met with during his visit to England , and especially from the Anglo-American and Eboracum Lodges .

The regular Quarterly Communication of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania was held on the Sdi December last , under the pres'dency of Comp . Ma ' . thias , H . Hendersin , G . H . P ., there beinga large attendance cf Grand Officers and Members . The reports of tlu Grand Secretary and of the several Committees were presented and passed of a highly satisfactory nature . In

the course of the proceedings the following companions were elected as Princ ipal Grand Officers , for the ensuing year , namely : Comps . M . H . HenJenon , G . H . P . ; James S . Barber , G . King ; Alex . H . Morgan , G . Scriba ; Ihomas R . Patton , G . Trtas . ; and C E . Meyer , G . Secretary .

I he ceremonies of instillation and conferring the Order of High Priesthoid were exemplified by the G . H P ., and were followed with deep interest by a'l present . The annual convocation having . be ; n fixed fjr tlu evening of the 27 th December , Grand Chipter was closed in the usual manner .

EAST LONDON MASONIC CONCERT . —We have much pleasure in bringing under the notice of our leaders a very excellent scheme in aid of the funds of the Royal Masinx Institui . n for Girls in connecticn with the foi Incoming Centenary Festival . A joint Committee has been formed by the following lodges : Temperance iu-the-East , No . SoS ; Cobirn , No . 1 S 04 ; . Bromley

St . L-. onarJ , No . 1 S 05 ; and All Saints Lodge of Instruction , No . 1716 ; to make a-rangements for a grand concert in aid of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ( Centenary Festival , iSSS ) , which is intended to be held in the large hall of the bow and Bromley Institute , on Tuesday , February 7 th , and for which the following artistes have been engaged : Miss Mary Davies , Miss Hope Glenn , Mr .

Harper Kearton , Mr . Franklin Clive , Mr . Carrodus , sen ., Mr . Howard Reynolds , Mr . Fountain Meen , and Mr . Lloyd Edwards . Ihe plan proposed is briefly—East London brethren will be asked to guarantee the sale of tickets in amounts of £ 1 . Each guarantor of £ 1 shall have the piivilege of nominating a lady , whose name shall be placed in a ballot for Life G ivernorships of the

Institution to the acquirement of which it is intended to devote the surplus . Each guarantor of £ 1 will receive four tickets for numbered reserved seats and four tickets for unnumbered reserved seats , but an endeavour will be made to meet the wishes of inJividual brethren in this respect , so far as may be consistent with the gen : ral plan . The Mayor cf West Ham has kin Ily signified his intention

to be present . Any brother desiring to become a guarantor is kindly requested to fill up the accompanying form and return it to the Secretary as soon as possible . Over 90 guarantees of £ 1 each have been already received . Should muri than 150 be offeied , the first 100 will be accepted in order of receipt and the remaining 50 selected by ballot . An influential Committee has been formed consisting ot

members of various lodges of instruction held in thi neighbourhood , and Bro . Alex . Paterson , of Bow Vestry Hall , is the Honorary Secretary . The tickets will be—Reserved , numbered seats , three shillings ; reserved , unnumbered seats , two shillings . The Commi . tee w . ll proceed to allot the tickets by ballot at the Bow Vestry Hall , Bow-road ( to-moir ^ w ) Saturday , at S p . m . One hundred guarantees of £ 1 each have aheady been received .

HOLLOWAY ' S PILLS . —Weak Stomach . —The wisest cannot enumerate one quarter of distressing symptoms arising from imperfect or disordered digestion , all of which can he relieved by these admirable P . lis . They remove cankery taste from the mouth , llatulency and constipation . Holloway ' s Fills rouse the stomach , liver , and every other organ , thereny bringing digestion to that healthy tone

which fully enables it to convert all we eat and drink to the nourishment of our bodies . Hence these Pil . s are the surest strengthened and the safest restoratives in nervousness , wasting , and chronic debility . Holloway ' s Pills are infallible remedies for impaired appetite , eructations , and a multitude of other disagreeable symptoms , which render the lives of thousands miserable indeed . These Pills are approved by all classes . —ADVT ,