Easter Railway Facilities.

„ r i iruesham Worcester , Malvern , Birmingham , Shrewsbury , Aberystwyth , Bar-° X I landudno , Carnarvon , Chester , Manchester , Liverpool , Swindon , Cirencester , ? , t « ter Cheltenham , Newport , Cardiff , Swansea , Carmarthen , Tenby , New M . lj rwk & c On Thursday , April 12 th , excursion tickets , at a return fare of 24 s . Cd ., •11 hp ;« ued to Guernsey and Jersey , by trains leaving Paddington at 9 . 15 p . m ., and will De- i » u . rhe service tQ and from the isiand 3 being now worked jointly

u flfJ . Creat Western and London and South Western Railway Companies , passengers V llimr on the forward journey via Paddington and Weymouth mav , if they so desire , travelling Southampton a „ d Waterloo , and those proceeding via Waterloo and c ttamoton may return vid Weymouth and Paddington . On Giod Friday and Easter r- ° j-J cheap trains will run to Reading , Oxford , and other riverside stations . On c . ™ fkv April 14 th , excursions will run to Swindon , Gloucester , Cheltenham , Cardiff , t ami liaster

cVncf , Carmarthen , Bath , Bristol , Weson-super-Mare , . Sic , on ivionoay . Reading , Pangbourne , Goring , Swindon , Bath , Bristol , Weston-super-Mare , riraicestershire , Cheltenham , & c In addition to these excursions , cheap trains will be m I ordon from most of the provincial towns , and between the principal centres of I-ition ' On the Wednesday and Thursday before Easter most of the long distance F ° n « will be duplicated . On Good Friday , a special train will leave Paddington at 5 . 35 for Reading , Didcot , Oxford , Banbury , Leamington , Birmingham , Wolverhampweekend ticKetswin issued

7 „ Warce'ter , Malvern , Kidderminster , & c . Lheap - oe Thursday , Good Friday ( where train service permits ) , and Saturday , April 12 th , th and 14 th , to Winchester , Southampton , Bridport , Abbotsbury , Dorchester , Weyth Clevedon , Weston-super-mare , Dawlish , Teignmouth , Torquay , Dartmouth , nnitw ' ich Malvern , Church Stretton , Abingdon , Oxford , Leamington , Warwick , tJirttford-on-Avon , Aberystwyth , Dolgelley . Barm juth , Rhyl , Llandudno , B angor , Cararton , Holyhead , & c . These tickets are issued on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year .

GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY ' . The Great Northern Railway Company announce that on Thursday , April 12 th , rheao fast excursions for five or six days will leave London ( Woolwich Arsenal , Woolwich Dockyard , Greenwich ( S . E . and C ) , Victoria ( S . E . and CT ) , Ludgate-hill , Moorirate Aldergate , Farringdon , King ' s Cross ( G . N . ) and suburban stations ) for Accringtnn Barnsley , Bacup , Blackburn , " Bolton , Burnley , Burton , Bradford , Boston , Cromer ,

Chesterfield , Cleckheaton , Darlington , Darwen , Derby , Doncaster , lidwinstone , llgginton Elland , Filey , Grantham , Grimsby , Halifax , Hartlepool , Huddersfield , Hull , Horncastle , Ilkeston , Kimberley , ] Keighley , Leicester , Linco ' n , Livcrpoo ' , Lynn , Leeds , Manchester , Malton , Mirfield , Melton Mowbray , Middlesboro' , Mundesley-on-Sea , Newark , Norwich , Nottingham , Newcastle-on-Tyne , Oldham , Pontefract , Preston , Pudsey , Peterboro' , Rotherham , Scarboro ' , Sheffield , Stamford , Stoke , Stockton , Sunderland , Spalding , Sleaford , Sutton-in-Ashfield , Todmorden , Thornhill , Thornton ,

Wakefield , Whitby , Warrington , Wigan , York and other principal stations in the Lincolnshire , Nottinghamshire , Staffordshire , Lancashire , Yorkshire , and North Eastern districts . On Thursday night , April 12 th , cheap express excursions for live , nine , or 1 ( 1 days will leave London ( Woolwich Arsenal , Woolwich Dockyard , Greenwich ( S . E . and C ) , Victoria ( S . E . and C ) , Ludgate-hill , Moorgate , Aldersgate , Farringdon , King ' s Cross ( G . N . ) , and suburban stations ) for Northallerton , Darlington , Richmond , Durham , Newcastle , Alnwick , Berwick , Edinburgh , Glasgow , Perth , Dundee , Oban , Fort William , Aberdeen , Inverness and other stations in Scotland . Easter Monday ,

April iGth , for one day to Skegness , Sutton-on-Sea , Mablethorpe , tst . Albans , Hertford , Wheathampstead , Harpenden , Luton , Dunstable , Hitchin , llaldock , Royston , Cambridge , Biggleswade , Sandy , Tempsford , St . Neots , Huntingdon , and Peterboro ' from Moorgate , Aldersgate , Farringdon , King ' s Cross ( G . N . ) , Holloway , Finsbury Park , & c . To prevent inconvenience from crowding at the Company's principal terminal station , King ' s Cross , tickets , dated in advance , will be issued at King ' s Cross ( G . N . R . ) , Victoria ( S . E . and C ) , Ludgate-hill , Moorgate , Aldersgate , Farringdon , and suburban stations , and at the Company ' s ticket offices .

Instruction.

Instruction .

PROSPERITY LODGE , No . 65 . A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., at the Whittington , 5 and 7 , Moor-lane , E . C . Present : Bros . T . Stokes , VV . M . 102 , VV . M . ; tl . A . Baxter , S . W . j VV . II . Hillman , VV . M . 569 , J . W . ; Jas . S ; iiith , P . M ., Treas . ; TL T . Meadows , P . M ., Sec ; O . VV . Rix , S . D . ; VV . J . Lockett , J . D . ; D . Harlow , P . M ., Preceptor ; William Baker , P . M ., Asst . Preceptor ; Chas . Siencsi , l . G . ; 11 . | . Harris , P . M . ; G . T . Kinipple , P . M . ; Chas . Butcher , P . M . ; W . L . Barker , P . M ., Org ; B . T .

Mills , E . E . Salt , F . 11 . Farr , Jas . Collins , VV . J . F . shlcigh , J . H . hhipman , IT . Palmer , F . J . Thurston , F . G . Howard , and Albert Hess . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Fishleigh personating the candidate . The lodee was then opened in the Second Degree , and Bro . Shipman , acting as

candidate for the Third Degree , answered the usual questions , and was entrusted . The VV . M . opened the lodge in thc Third Degree , and Bro . Shipman was raised . The brethren then went through Masonic drill , after which the VV . M . resumed the lodge in the First Degree , and rising the usual times , Bros . Howard , 05 ; Thurston , 13 ( 15 ; and Albeit Hess , 1507 ; were elected joining members . Bro . Baxter was unanimously elected W . M . for thc next VVednesday , and . the lodge was closed .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

BRO . WELLSMAN , C . C , is about to be raised to the dignity of Past Grand Assistant Director of Ceremonies . THE SHIPWRIGHTS' COMPANY , whose master is Sir J . II . Johnson , will entertain Bro . the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at dinner on Friday , the 27 th inst ., at the Albion Tavern . II . R . IL THE P RINCESS 01- WALKS AND THK W ELSH HOSPITAL . —The Princess of Wales has contributed So mattresses towards the equipment of the Welsh Military I lospital for South Africa .

'Tin- DIIKK OK CAMIJRIDGR , Mr . Choate ( the American Ambassador ) , the Chinese and German Ministers , and the Australian delegate- ; will be among the principal guests of Bro . the Lord Mayor at the Easier banquet on Wednesday , the 25 th inst . RECEPTION AT THK MANSION MOUSE . —The Lady Mayoress held a musical reception at the Mansion House on the 3 rd instant . An excellent programme of music was performed by P . tman ' s Blue Viennese Orchestra ( under the conductorship of Mr . A . II . Pitman ) .

BHO . VV . M . CANDY , the president at the forthcoming annual festival of thc Warehousemen , Clerks , and Drapers' Schools , entertained his stewards and a few personal friends , thc company numbering upwards of So , at dinner at the Hotel Metropole on Monday .

Masonic And General Tidings.

THE ABERCORN LODGE , No . 1540 , have sent a subscription of £ 5 to the Harroie Gazette Fund in aid of the wives and families of soldiers and sailors on active service . AMONGST the latest contributions to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ' s Hospital Fund for London is one of £ 250 from the Prudential Assurance Company , Limited . BRO . SIR J BLUNDELL MAPLE , BART ., M . P ., has accepted office as the president of a committee formed for the purpose of organising a carnival for the Daily Telegraph Fund in St . Pancras .

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the State Apartments of Windsor Castle will be open to the public on and after VVednesday , the 4 th inst ., on every , week-day , under the usual regulations , until further orders .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES has signified his intention of being present at the banquet to be given by the British Empire League on Monday , the 30 th inst ., at the Hotel Cecil . The banquet is given in recognition of the services rendered by the Colonial troops in the South African war , and to welcome the presence in this country of the delegates from Australia .

THE QUEEN has approved of the grant of a Civil List pension of . £ 100 a year to Mr . Sims Reeves , in recognition for his eminence as a singer . Mr . Reeves' financial resources have been in a crippled state for some time past , and he has been seriously ill for months past , lie is now Si years of age . BRO . SIR ALLAN AND LADY MACKENZIE have been greatly gratified by the gift to their daughter , Miss Lucy Mackenzie , of a very beautiful vermeil tea service presented by the North-East of Scotland Freemasons , of which body Sir Allan is a prominent member , on the occasion of Miss Mackenzie's marriage to Lord Kilmarnock . -

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of the American Hospital Ship Maine intimate that letters addressed to invalid officers and men returning by the Maine should be sent , care of Madame von Andre , Hon . Secretary , pro tern ., Si , Piccadilly , London , not later than noon on Thursday , the sth instant , when they will be forwarded to m set the ship at Madeira .

FOLLOWING ON the Queen ' s gracious recognition of his services , Mr . Robert Green , the ex-Dean ' s verger at St . Paul ' s , has received an easy chair from the members of the Lower House of Convocation , whose ostiarius he has been for more than 30 years . The inscription it bears is as follows : " Presented to Mr . R . Green by the members ofthe Lower House of Convocation of Canterbury in recognition of his long and faithful services as their ostiarius . "

THE GUILDHALL ART GALLERY has been clossd for the last few -weeks preparing for the loan exhibition of paintings and drawings by living British artists . A private view will be held on Monday , the gth inst ., when the ceremony of formally opening the exhibition will be performed at half-past 12 p . m . by the Lord Mayor . The public will be admitted free on and after Tuesday , the ioth inst ., between the hours of 10 a . m . and seven p . m ., also on Sundays from three p . m ., to six p . m .

THE G 7 rn ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL of the Goldsmiths' Benevolent Institution will be held at the Whitehall Rooms of the Hotel Metropole , on Monday , the 30 th inst ., under the presidency of Sir Richard Everard Webster , Bart ., G . C . M . G ., A . G ., Q . C , M . P ., Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths . Bro . Lieut .-Col . George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., is the Treasurer , and Bro . Herbert C . Lambert one of the Trustees of the Institution .

THE LORD MAYOR ( Bro . Sir A . J . Newton ) , the Lady Mayoress , and Sheriffs , paid a state visit to the People ' s Palace on Saturday , the 31 st ult ., the Lady Mayoress performing the opening ceremony of the spring flower show of the People ' s Palace and East London Horticultural Society . Their arrival was watched with interest by a crowd outside the palace . The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress first inspected thc exhibition , which had attracted 2 C 0 entries , including a large number of well-cultivated flowers . Lady Newton afterwards formally declared the show open , expressing her pleasure with all she had seen .

THE SHEPHERD ' S BUSH CYCLING CLUII had a smoking concert at the Bush Hotel , Shepherd ' s Bush , on Saturday , the 31 st ult ., when , owing- to a good muster of the members and their friends , and the capital singing of Messrs . Manning ( the captain ) , Parr , Bell , Charles Sanders , Herbert Sanders , and others , a very enjoyable evening was spent . 'The chair was occupied by Bro . G . Blizard Abbott , who is President of the club , and who in the course of the proceedings presented the prizes won by members during last season , the principal being the Club Championship ( 25 miles ) won

by Mr . Manning ; the 100 miles' Championship , won by Mr . V . C . Abbott , who covered the distance in 5 hours 40 min . ; the 15 miles' Handicap , won by Mr . Tyler j and the Chief Attendance Prize , won by Mr . P . Storey , the ladies' gold watches received by the two last winners being the gift to the club of Bro . Hyams , mine host of the Bush Hotel . A handsome tantalus was also presented to Mr . V . C . Abbott in recognition of his services as captain during the live years from 18 95 to 1 S 99 , both inclusive .

II . R . IL THE PRINCE OF WALES has accepted the presidency of an influential committee which has been formed for the purpose of providing an appropriate memorial of thc late Duke of Westminster . The Duke of Fife has consented to act as treasurer , and among other members of th « general committee are the'Archbishop of Canterbury , the Lord Chancellor ( Bro . the Earl of Halsbury ) , the Archbishop of Yoik , Bro . the Duke of Devonshire , Bro . the Duke of Portland , the Duke of Sutherland , Bro . the

Duke of Abercorn , the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava , the Earl of Pembroke , Bro . Earl Carrington , the Earl of Coventry , Lord Avebury , the Hon . F . Leveson-Gower , the Right Hon . A . J . Balfour , M . P ., Sir VVilliam Karslake , Q . C , and many others . Canon Rawnsley , Mr . Percival Birkett , and Mr . Lawrence VV . Chubb have heen appointed honorary secretaries . It is proposed that the memorial shall be connected with Westminster Abbey , nnd the hope is expressed that the proposal will in no way interfere with the more local Chester and St . George ' s , Hanover-square schemes .

THE ANNUAL REPORT and accounts of the London , Edinburgh , and Glasgow Assurance Company , Limited , for 1 S 99 show that the company made excellent progress last year . The total premium income , exclusive of annuity receipts , amounted to £ 3 ( 14 , 347 , being an increase of £ 30 , 900 on that of the previous year . The sum of £ 14 6 , 732 was paid in claims , and , after payment of expenses and all other charges , the sum of £ 52 , 249 was added to the Assurance funds , which now stand at £ 272 , 118 , and have exhibited a net increase of JL 157945 during the four years which have elapsed

, , since the last actuarial valuation . During that period the ratio of expenditure has steadily declined , whilst there has been a continuous increase in each item of receipt and in the additions to the assurance funds . To meet the growing desire on the part of the public to make provision for old age , the Consulting Actuary , Hro . Wilfred A . Bowser , has prepared a most attractive scheme of combined endowment , assurance , and pension , by which a pension or annuity commencing at the age of . S 5 , 60 , or fis , and a capital sum at death , whenever it occurs .

may be obtained for a very moderate premium , together with the right on the part of the assured to withdraw the capital at any time after the agreed age—55 , do , or O 5 , as the case may be—the annuity thereupon being reduced by one half . Thus a man aged 30 for an annual premium of £ 33 3 s . iod . can secure £ 1000 at death , whenever it may occur , an annuity of £ 100 a year commencing at

age 65 , and the right to withdraw the £ 1000 capital at or after age 65 , the annuity thereupon being reduced to £ 50 a year . If not previously withdrawn , the £ 1000 is paid to his representative at his death . This is the most complete family and old age provision' we have seen . The London , Edinburgh , and Glasgow is steadily improving iti position , pays a steady dividend of six per cent , to its preference shareholders , and it should not be long before the ordinary shareholders receive a dividend .

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