Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

: The final meeting- of the Board of Stewards at the recent Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will be held this ( Friday ) afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall , at 5 p . m ., when the accounts will be dealt with , votes of thanks passed to the officers , and the Board dissolved .

The Council or General Committee 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 regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday next , the i ith inst ., at 4 p . m .

Bro . Lord Fitzhardinge presided at the recent annual meeting of the Cotswold Hunt , when Mr . W . F . Hicks-Beach , who has hunted the pack for the last six seasons , was prevailed upon to retain the Mastership for another year .

In our report of the Coborn Lodge installation meeting a week or two since we stated that the Charity Association numbered 7 S 0 . It should have been 7 S . The Duchess of Westminster presented the annual prizes to the Queen ' s Westminster in their drill hall , Jamesstreet , on Saturday afternoon last . The report of the regiment for the past year showed that it numbered 1070 of all ranks .

At the Empire Theatre , the latest novelty is the "Colibris Midgets , " said to be the six smallest people in the world , who have created a considerable sensation at Paris . Bro . Hitchins certainly keeps the place alive with novelties , and the present programme is a remarkably attractive one .

Among those present on Friday , the 27 th ult ., at the great military steeplechase meeting at Sandown Park were the Prince ot Wales , the Duke of Teck and Princess Mary of Teck , Bro . Lord A . Gordon-Lennox , the Earl of Durham , the Marchioness of Londonderry , Count Kinsley , and others .

The Empress Frederick of Germany , with her daughter the Princess Margaret of Prussia , arrived in England from Paris on the 27 th ult ., and travelled by the London , Chatham and Dover Railway to Windsor direct , where she was met by the Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg , by whom she was conducted to the Castle .

The Countess of Londesborough is slowly recovering from her recent indisposition , but was not well enough to attend her Majesty ' s Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday . Consequently her daughters , the Ladies Lilian and Mildred Denison , were accompanied by the Countess of Raincliffe .

At a sale of pictures at Messrs . Christie , Manson , and Wood ' s , on Saturday afternoon last , some very good prices were realised . A portrait of Mrs . Buller by Sir Joshua Reynolds fetched £ 4705 j " The Departure of King Charles the Second from the Scheldt , " by W . Vanden Welde , £ 196 3 ios . j and a garden scene by Jax Weenin , £ 1102 ios .

The Fifteen Sections will be worked at the Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction , at the Navarino Tavern , Navarino-road , Dalston , on Saturday , the 14 th instant , at 7 o ' clock , precisely . Bro . T . G . Hodges , I . P . M . 16 95 , will preside , supported by Bros . | . A . Powell , iSfi , as S . W . j R . Heslop , S . D . 1 G 95 , as J . W . j and C . Lorkin , P . M . 1524 , as I . P . M .

Orders have been received at Sheerness to the effect that navigating parties are to be despatched forthwith to Elswick to receive the new Australian cruisers Wallaroo , Katoomba , and Mildusa , which are ready for delivery from the works of Armstrong and Co ., by whom they have been built and equipped at a cost of £ 120 , 000 each . The cruisers , which steam 19 knots an hour , are to be immediately commissioned and despatched to Australia .

A small committee of the personal friends of H . R . H . the Princess Christian , consisting of the Duchesses of Buecleugh and Westminster , the Marchioness of Salisbury , and the Countesses of Lathom and Arran , has been formed with a view to making her Royal Hi ghness a present on the occasion of her silver wedding in July next . Gentlemen who are honoured by the Princess ' s friendship will also be at liberty to contribute .

Bro . Lord Wantage presided at the winter general meeting of the National Rifle Association , held at the Royal United Service Institution , on Thursday , the 26 th ult . The report showed that the first meeting at Bisley had proved a success , and the accounts for the year 1 S 90 gave a balance to the good of over £ 760 . The Duke of Cambridge was unanimously re-elected President of the Association , while Bro . Lord Wantage after four years' service as Chairman , is succeeded by the Earl of Waldegrave .

The complimentary Smoking Concert to Bro . J . S . Fleming , late Treasurer Drury Lane and Her Majesty ' sTheatres , which took place on Monday last in the Large Hall of Freemasons' Tavern , was an unqualified success . Nearly all "the talent" in London was on the bill , and , what is better , nearly all put in an appearance . We congratulate Bro . Fleming not only on the success of the concert , but on the evidence it has afforded of the respect and esteem in which he is held by so many before and behind the curtain .

"The Freemasons' Calendar , " "The Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar ( London : G . Kenning ) . —The Freemasons' Calendar is issued by authority of the Prince of Wales , and contains full particulars of the lodges held under the English constitution , and of the Present and Past Grand Officers . This year , for the first time , it is published by Mr . George Kenning . "The Cosmopolitan Calendar , "

therefore , appears without this matter , but is otherwise a complete guide to all branches of Masonry in all parts of the world . The only criticism we can offer is that in one or two instances the foreign information has not been translated , which might be accomplished . "The Cosmopolitan" is a particularly neat little book , and the two together form indispensable handbooks for the active Mason . —Bristol Mercury .

Masonic And General Tidings

Sir Knight L . P . Hespiradoux will deliver at the next convocation of the Concord Conclave , No . 8 , Jersey , a lecture entitled "The Orders of Chivalry . " Bro . the Archbishop of York has been spending some days at Worthing with his son , who has just returned from

Ceylon , and whose health has been somewhat impaired . The Prince of Wales has kindly consented to preside at a festival dinner which will be held on the 24 th prox . in aid of the funds of the Eastern Counties Asylum for Idiots , Colchester .

Bro . the Earl and Countess of Zetland attended the 62 nd Exhibition of the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin on Monday , and were most cordially received by a numerous and representative gathering . Among those present at the second performance of the Tableaux Vivants at Chesterfield Gardens on Friday , the 27 th ult ., were the Prince of Wales , the Prince and Princess Christian and their daughters , the Princesses Louise and Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein , and a goodly company .

Bro . Lord Mayor Savory , Bro . Sheriff Augustus Harris , and a numerous company of ladies and gentlemen were present at the public supper at Christ's Hospital on the 20 th ult . The various ceremonies were carried out strictly in accordance with ancient custom , the whole concluding with the usual march past the chair .

The National Australasian Federation Convention was opened on Monday morning in the Chamber of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly , Sydney , and after Sir Henry Parkes , Premier of that colony , had been elected President , the Convention adjourned . In the evening there was a grand banquet in its honour .

All the arrangements for her Majesty's visit to the Riviera are completed , and she will leave England on the 23 rd instant , travelling in cog . as the Countess of Balmoral via Cherbourg and Pat is . Her Majesty will be accompanied by the Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg , and is expected to return home towards the end of April .

The Oxford and Cambridge boat race will take place over the usual course from Putney to Mortlake on Saturday , the 21 st inst ., and on Monday the rival crews appeared for the first time on the London waters . The Oxford did a good piece of hard rowing from Hammersmith to Barnes Railway Bridge , and were greatly admired , while the light blues took a spin from Putney to Chiswick Eyot . The Oxford is

by far the heavier of the two crews , and the betting is all in their favour . The annual "At Home" given by the W . M ., Bro . J . Oldfield , and brethren of the Friendship Lodge , No . 202 , took place at the Masonic Hall , Granby-street , Devonport , on the 25 th ult ., and proved quite as successful as those of former years . The refectory was utilised as a ball room ,

and looked exceedingly pretty . I here were about So present , and a capital programme was arranged by the M . C . ' s —Bros . J . F . Burns and S . Horswell— who carried out their duties admirably . For the vacancy caused by the decease of Sir Thomas Gabriel , the Deputyjof Vintry Ward , Bro . Frank Green , P . G . D ., will be a candidate , and an influential requisition

we learn , has been presented to him . The Court of Aldermen will issue the precept for the election on Tuesday next , and the wardmote will take place on the following Tuesday . It is not anticipated that a contest will be provoked , the general impression being that the Deputy ' s lengthy services as a Corporator eminently qualify him for the office he is now seeking .

At the meeting of the Lodge of Good Fellowship , No . 276 , on the 19 th ult ., a handsome gold Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . T . Rymer Jarvis . The jewel bears the inscription : " Lodge of Good Fellowship , No . 276 . i 7 Sg , 1 SS 9 , " and on the reverse " Presented to VV . Bro . T .

Rymer Jarvis P . M ., P . S . G . D ., by the Lodge of Good Fellowship , No . 27 ( 3 , in appreciation of his services as W . M ., 18 S 9-90 , in obtaining the Centenary Jewel for the lodge . February , 1 S 91 . " A miniature centenary jewel and the motto of the lodge , " Knowing yet unknown , " are attached to the ribbon .

The Queen , accompanied by the Empress Frederick and the Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg , left Windsor Castle for Buckingham Palace on Tuesday . On arriving at the Paddington terminus the Royal party , escorted by a detachment of Life Guards , drove to the Palace , which was reached shortly after noon . Later in the day her Majesty received the Christ ' s Hospital boys on Charles 11 . ' s

foundation , and inspected their charts and drawings . On Wednesday the Queen held a Drawing Room , at which most of the members of the Royal Family were present , while a number of presentations were made . On Thursday , prior to her return to Windsor , her Majesty was pleased to visit the Horse Show at the Koyal Agricultural Hall , Islington , where she was received by the Prince of Wales , the Duke of Portland , and others .

A concert under the auspices of the Warwickshire Masonic Musical Union , in aid of the Masonic Charities , was given at the Masonic Hall , Birmingham , on Wednesday , the 25 th ult . The vocalists were Miss Laura Taylor and Master Leonard Hulme ( chorister of Christ Church and Town Hall concerts ) . Mr . Percy Strandeis , silver medallist , R . A . M ., acted as accompanist , and Mr . Cockerill ,

solo harp , while the services of the Dudley Glee Union had been obtained . The programme commenced with a part song , " The Chapel , " by the Glee Union , which was well received . Then followed a pianoforte solo by Mr . Stranders , "La Cascade , " performed in a meritorious manner . A song entitled " Queen of the Earth , " which was very much

enjoyed , was next given by Bro . Alex , bmith , followed by a recitation by Bro . Thomas E . Shaw , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Miss Laura Taylor sang " Say what is Lovlier , " and was encored . Mr . Cockerill gave two harp solos , and Bro . James Rooker , I . P . M ., also recited . The efforts of the Glee Union and the remaining items on the programme were deservedly well received .

HOLLOWAV ' PILLS . —The Female ' s Friend . —So soon as the hit an functions are disordered they should be rcctilicd . It is a htipeless delusion to leave the maladv to its own course . A few appropriate doses of llnlloway ' s Pills at the proper period will pr . vent many a serious illness . They arrest all morbid . nlluences , and prevent disease from extending ami atl ' ectiug more distant

organs . Tlieir acti 'ii is upon the blood , stomach , liver , kidneys , and bowels . Their secondary action strengthens the nervous centres . No drug can be at once so harmless , yet so antagonistic , to disorders allecting the other sex . The most perfect reliance may be placed on their purifying , regulating , and renovating virtues . This may be safely taken by females at any time ,

Masonic And General Tidings

The Castle Lodge of Harmony , No . 26 , met and dined at the Savoy Hotel , Victoria Embankment , on the 23 rd ult , and on the following day the Prince of Wales Lodge , NQ _ 259 , also held its meeting and dined at the same place . Bro . the Earl and Countess of Zetland gave a bal blanc at Dublin Castle on the 26 th ult ., which was attended by a large number of guests , and proved a great success , no such brilliant scene having been witnessed for a long time at the Castle .

At the regular meeting of the Pattison Lodge , No . np ( Bro . Col . Edwin Hughes , M . P ., W . M . ) , held at the Freel masons' Hall , Plumstead , on Thursday , the 5 th instant , Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., P . Z ., delivered his lecture 011 "The Ritual and Ceremonial of the Symbolic Degrees in Freemasonry . " A report of the meeting will appear in nmnext .

The Bath Saloon was crowded on the 27 th ult ., when the members of the Masonic Amateur Dramatic Societ y terminated their 14 th season with perhaps the most successful amateur performance ever given in Sheffield . In selecting the late T . W . Robertson's beautiful play , " Caste , " the members set themselves a task calculated to put their

resources to the severest test , and that the _ performance should bear such evidences of undeniable merit in the rendering of the piece , and care and experience in its stage management , is high testimony to the excellence of its preparation , and a matter for cordial congratulation to all connected with it . The cast was an excellent one , and the performers acquitted themselves admirably .

Under the banner of Lodge Fortitude , No . 105 , and in conjunction with other local lodges represented by a Committee formed for that purpose , Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., P . Z ., is to lecture on " The Ritual and Ceremonial of Symbolic Freemasonry" at an emergency meeting of that lodge at Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on Friday next , the 13 th inst . Lodges in North Devon have also arranged for the delivery of the lecture at the Masonic Hall , Barnstaple , on Monday , the 16 th inst .

The distribution of prizes for the present year to the pupils of the Masonic Female Orphan School of Ireland , will take place on Thursday , the 30 th of April , and the Duchess of Abercorn has kindly promised to attend . On the present occasion much greater attraction will be given to the event from the fact that all friends of the Order , and of this noble institution in connection with it , are already looking forward to the grand centenary celebration of its existence , which is to be held in May of next year in Dublin .

At a meeting of the members of the North Wales Masonic Charities , held at Chester , Bro . T . E . Harris ( Bangor ) retired from the Honorary Secretaryship , and Bro . H . A . Steer ( Rhyl ) was appointed his successor , with Bro . D . Wynn Williams ( Bangor ) as acting Secretary . The Treasurer , Bro . C . W . Richards , announced that there was £ z ~ A hand on the

two funds . Four boys were now in the Schools , and one girl , the daughter of Bro . R . Griffith , National Schools , Llanfairfechan . Grants were voted for the education of brethren's children , the son of the late Bro . Nevin , Colwyn Bay , well known in commercial circles in North Wales , being adopted by the province as a candidate for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Bro . C . K . Benson ( Wrexham ) was unanimously elected Chairman of the Association .

"OUR BOYS" IN CHANCERY . —Bro . Edward Terry , P . G . Treas ., has given "Our Boys " of the School , at Wood Green , a rare treat by inviting them to a performance of " In Chancery , " at Terry's Theatre , which , it is needless to say , gave the greatest delight , and we hear that the present Grand Treasurer , Bro . Augustus Harris , has , on a slight hint from our ingenuous Bro . James Willing , generously offered to find room for the whole of the pupils at Drury Lane to witness the pantomime on Monday afternoon next .

A somewhat ser ' ous fire broke out at a Boarding School at Heaton Moor on Saturday last , which resulted in damage to the building of about ^ . 600 . It would certainly have been much more serious but for the fact that the building was fitted up with the Harness "Ready" Fire Extinguishers .

These were requisitioned and the lire brigade , headed by Bro . A . Pemberton , at great personal risk succeeded in mastering the flames , and it seems reasonable to conclude that but for the fortunate application of these Extinguishers the whole of the building would have been destroyed .

Messrs . W . H . Benyan and Co ., fine art publishers , of Cheltenham , have lately issued a very line three-quarter length portrait , in Masonic insignia , of the popular Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire , Bro . W . Goddard Rogers . It is a speaking likeness , and an admirable art

production . We note also that Messrs . Benyan state that 10 per cent , of the gross subscription for this portrait will be placed at the disposal of the Devon Masonic Ideational Fund , and that Bro . Jno . B . Gover , Park Place House ) Plymouth , the Secretary of the fund , has kindly arranged to receive subscribers' orders .

It will interest many of our readers to learn that the report of the Tenant Farmers' delegates from the United Kingdom—among whom were Colonel Fane , of Fulbeck Hall , Grantham j Mr . Arthur Daniel , late of Bucklesham Hall , Ipswich , and now of Norwich j Mr . Henry Simmons , of Bearwood Farm , Wokingham j and Mr . Robert Pitt , 0 ' Ilminster—is now available . Their work appears to have

been done in a thoroughly impartial spirit , and the advantages and disadvantages of the various districts visited are very plainly put forward . Viewed in the light of the experience of the last farmers' delegation that visited Canada 10 years ago , the report is a striking confirmation of the views then expressed , and an eloquent testimony < "J { j progress that has been achieved during that interval . the

industrial and commercial interests of Canada have app ?" rently increased and multiplied hardly less than the ag " cultural . The great development of railway construction including the Canadian Pacific Railway , rendered the inspection of a great area of new country practicable ' Manitoba and the north-west territories , and by a wise disth

tribution of the work the delegates were enabled to visit remotet parts open for settlement in the course of tnei stay . For all practical purposes the reports are far an away the best and most reliable literature available 1 those who wish to learn the true condition of life and wo ' and the prospects for settlers in our great dependencyreport , we understand , can be obtained , free of charge j application to the office of the High Commissioner Canada , 17 , Victoria-street , S . W ,