Masonic And General Tidings.

; E ^^^^ Hcro ^ w

The Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will hold their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday next , the nth inst ., at 4 p . m . Bro . Alderman H . J . Van 'Trump has , we are pleased to learn , accepted the distinguished honour of the Mayorship of the ancient Borough of Taunton .

Bro . VV . S . Whitaker has undertaken the Hon . Secretaryship of "The Bohemians , " late "The Bohemian Musical Society , " whose head-quarters are at the Crystal Palace . Bro . Lord Brassey arrived on board his yacht , the Sunbeam , at Gibraltar from Southampton on Saturday last , and sailed the same evening for Spezzia , cn route to Calcutta .

Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Bedford have left Woburn Abbey for Cairnsmore , Palnare , Kirkcudbrightshire , where they are entertaining a small party for the shooting . The Duchess of Teck has consented to receive purses of £ 5 and upwards towards the building fund at the laying of the foundation-stone of Christ Church , Richmond , on Saturday , the 14 th instant . The church is to be erected as a memorial to the late Canon Hales .

M . Zola brought to a close his visit to London on Sunday last , returning to Paris by the 11 a . m . train from Victoria Station . A few friends were present on the platform to see him off , and to them M . Zola expressed the very great gratification he had derived from his visit .

It was announced , amid cheering , at the meeting of the Manchester City Council on Wednesday that the Ship Canal would be ready for opening on the ist January , 1 S 94 , when vessels will be free to traverse the whole length of the Canal from the Mersey to the Manchester Docks .

A handsome drinking fountain , which has been erected in Brockwell Park as a memorial to the late Mr . Thomas Lynn Bristowe , the first representative in Parliament of the borough of Croydon , was unveiled on Saturday last , the ceremony being performed by the Rev . R . B . Ransford , the vicar of the parish .

The Mayorof Gravesend—Mr . G . M . Arnold—has recently presented thc town with a recreation ground which bears the name of the " Gordon Memorial Pleasure Ground , " and on Wednesday his worship formally opened the ground and unveiled a statue which he has had erected to the memory of the gallant ofiicer .

On Saturday last , at Paisley , Bro . Lord Blythswood presented to Lady Octavia Shaw-Stewart a very fine portrait , by Professor Herkomer , R . A ., of her husband , Bro . Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart , Bart ., as a mark of the respect and esteem felt for him during the many years he had held the office of Lord Lieutenant and Convener of Renfrewshire .

The Countess of Derby laid the foundation-stone of the new Home and Industrial Institute forthe Blind of North and East Lancashire at Preston , on Saturday last . Bro . the Earl of Derby , who accompanied her ladyship and expressed the pleasure it gave him to visit , after 25 years ' absence , a town with which his family had been so long and so intimately associated , contributed £ 100 to the building fund of the Institute .

The directors of the Empire Pa ' ace Company have declared the third interim dividend for the present year at the following rates , viz . : is . Rd . on each share of £ 1 on which ios . has been paid ; 2 s . 6 d . on each share of £ i on which 15 s . has heen paid . The said interim dividend to be payable on the -. 2 th inst . The transfer books of the company will be closed from the tjth to the 14 th inst ., both days inclusive .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of South Wales was held on VVednesday , the 27 th ult ., under the banner of the Mansel Lodge , Carmarthen , the brethren present including Bros . Sir Pryse Pryse , Bart ., Prov . G . M ., and the Rev . J . Marsden , D . P . G . M . The annual festival was celebrated at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel , where an excellent spread had bcen provided by Bro . D . E . Williams .

Three fatalities have just been reported in ' connection with the British Mediterranean Squadron . In one case two of the men who were at work on the fuinels of the Nile fell from the staging , and were instantly killed , while in the other case a marine of the Sanspareil who was one of a party of non-swimmers who hatl been taken to receive lessons in | the shallow water on the coast of Zante , was drowned .

The University of Oxford has sustained a severe loss by the death of Dr . Jowett , the Master of Balliol College . The sad event occurred at I leadley Hall , thc scat of Mr . Justice Wright , whence the body was removed to the Master ' s House at Balliol on Monday . The funeral is arranged to take place to-day ( Friday ) afternoon in St . Sepulchre ' s Cemetery , the lirst part of the service being held in Balliol College Chapel .

THRIFT DEVELOPMENT . —At a meeting held on Saturday last , under the presidency of Mr . J . Knowles Rowbotham , thc National Thrift Society decided to incorporate with its work a " Ladies' Thrift League . " Ladies joining the league will be supplied with literature bearing

upon domestic economy , sanitation , food , reform , cooking , clothing , & . C ., for distribution in the districts where they reside , or whi . li they undertake to visit . The Hon . Secretaries of the League are Mrs . Greville Walpole , Mrs . Bowden Green , and Mrs . G . H . Firmin-Annitage .

EVERY HOI SK may shortly be supplied with electric light liy a simple piece of mechanism p accJ river the kitchen chimney , if a new plan of Kdisnn ' s for generating electricity directly from heat is successful . Thus the poorest perMiu could have the henelit of . 1 useful invention which is now regarded ns 0 luxury only for the comfort of the rich . Mr . Thomas Holloway , however , has

linen a greater blessing to humanity than lias yet heen ali ' unk-il by Ihe most wonderful discoveries nf science . His Pills and Ointment have succeeded in cases where the greatest authorities on medical treatment have f- iled . Whatever the condition of . patient may be , these medicines will ellect a cure if such a thing is humanly possible .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Mr . Alderman and Sheriff Moore has presented his banner to the Loriners' Company , of which he is a member . Bro . T . W . Boord , M . P ., of Bartholomew-close , has returned to England from Germany , where he has spent a well-earned holiday .

Bro , J . B . Horniman , who has returned to Forest HiU from his tour in Ireland , has brought with him some interesting articles to enrich the Horniman Museum at Surrey Mount , Forest Hill . As a memento of his year of office , and in grateful recognition of loyal services , Bro . Alderman Sir J oseph Renals has presented Bro . Deputy Beard , bis late Under-Sheriff , with a very beautiful silver bowl , suitably inscribed .

Bro . Col . T . Davies Sewell , P . M ., P . G . S ., has been unanimously elected a Vice-President of the St . John's Ambulance Association , District No . 6 ( Hammersmith ) , which is presided over by H . R . H . the Duchess of Albany . The testimonial that is to be presented to Bro . Sir Augustus Harris in recognition of his services to music will take the form of a scholarship at the Royal College of Music . The Lord Mayor has kindly joined the Committee who are organising the movement .

Bro . T . Eccleston Gibb , Vestry Clerk of St . Pancras , who entertained 20 members of the Institute of Journalists at Hampden House during the conference week , has been presented by his guests ( representing Irish , Scottish , Welsh , and English newspapers ) with a ram ' s horn inkstand mounted in silver .

The pheasant-shooting season commences ordinarily on the ist of the current month , and , as this happened to be a Sunday , the Iongtails had a day's grace allowed them . Shooting , however , commenced on Monday , resulting in fairly good bags in most of the districts . Several brace , shot in Windsor Park , were forwarded , as usual , to Balmoral for the Oueen ' s table .

I he Duke and Duchess of York have arranged for the reception at York House , St . James's , to-morrow ( Saturday ) afternoon of the small deputation from the Mansion House Committee which has been appointed to wait upon their Royal Highnesses for the purpose of presenting the wedding gift from the citizens of London . At the express wish of the Duke and Duchess , the gift will take the form of some very beautitul tapestry for the adornment of their town residence .

The second of the course of Gilchrist lectures will be given on Thursday next , the 12 th inst ., in the Great Assembly Hall , Mile End-road , by Professor Sir R . S . Ball , F . R . S ., late Royal Astronomer nf In > lintl . author "Starland , " & c , & c , subject , "Other Worlds , " illustrated by the oxyhydrogen lantern worked by Mr . J . XV . Garbutt , of

Leeds . Sir Owen Roberts , I ' . S . A ., will preside . It is hoped that not less than 5000 persons will attend . Prof . Lewes urged his enoroious audience at the opening lecture to be present on this occasion , remarking that Sir Robert Ball was , perhaps , the greatest lecturer this century had produced .

MOTHER KiLWi . NXi . N'G LODGE , No . o . —The consecration of the new lodge-room for Mother Kilwinning took place on Saturday the 30 th ult . A fairly large number of brethren from Glasgow , Greenock , and surrounding towns assembled on the green between three and four o'clock , and , along with the members of No . o , paraded

through the principal streets . On arrival at the new lodge , Bro . the Hon . Thomas Cochrane , M . P ., R . VV . Master of the lodge , and Prov . Grand Master of Ayrshire , received the key , and declared the lodge building open . As many brethren as possible then marched into the lodge room , when the usual consecration ceremony was performed .

Bro . Sir John Gorst has sent to General Booth a letter warmly commending the Darkest England Scheme . "Your arrangements , " says Sir John , " seem to me to he based upon sound principles , and to furnish a pattern which public authorities might with advantage copy in their attempts to deal with the difficulty uf the unemployed . If labour

bureaus like yours were spread over the whole country the employers and those seeking work would be more quickly and more easily brought together , the evil would be to some extent at least mitigated , and we should have the means of gauging its intensity at any particular time and place . "

Bro . J . Mardwicke-Marsh writes us as follows : In your report of the meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of West Lancashire , September 20 th , you say , " West Lancashire which now comprises upwards of 100 lodges , " is not correct . West Lancashire has 107 lodges . You also state , " The successful meeting was held under the banner of the

Talbot Lodge , No . 2231 . " I beg to inform you it was not so . The Prov . Grand Lodge of West Lancashire always holds its Prov . Lodge under its own banner , and not under the banner of any other lodge . Our correspondent may be right as to the P . G . L . meeting under its own banner , but we fail to see that our statement that "West Lancashire now comprises over 100 lodges" is incorrect .

Ihe Duke and Duchess of York arrived in Edinburgh on Monday evening , and were met at the station by the Earl of jRosebery , Bro . the Marquis and Marchioness of Tweeddale , the Ijird Provost , and the City Magistrates . On the road to the Royal Hotel , where they passed the night , their Royal Highnesses were accorded a most enthusiastic reception . On Tuesday morning the Lord Provost , who

was accompanied by a number of distinguished citizens , waited on the Duke and Duchess at their hotel , and presented the citizens' wedding gift , consisting of products of the City ' s industrial arts , books , and a crystal table service , a solid silver tea service being presented by the Royal tradesmen . The Royal party then drove to the Council Chambers , where the Duke was presentetl with the

freedom ot the City in a gold casket , together with a gold rosewater dish . ' 1 hey then paid a visit to the Royal Infirmary , and thence to the Long-more Hospital for Incurables , the new wing of which was opened by the Duke . Their Royai Highnesses then left Edinburgh for Stockton , where they became the guests of the Marquis and Marchioness ol

Londonderry , and on the following day opened the Ropner Park , which has just been presented to the townsfolk of Stockton by their Mayor , Major Ropner . A number of distinguished guests were invited to meet their Royal Highnesses during their stay at Lord Londonderry ' s seat , Wynyard Park .

Masonic And General Tidings.

It is proposed that the Library Committee of the City 0 f London should arrange for a loan exhibition of pictures to be held in the Art Gallery in the spring or early summer of next year . ¦» A rather serious outbreak of pleuro-pneumonia has occurred among the cattle on a faun at Cricklewood , and

amongst the sufferers is Bro . James Willing , of Rock Hall , Cricklewood , who has had several beasts slaughtered . The interment of the remains of the late Sir Stevenson Arthur Blackwood will take place on Monday next , at two p . m ., at Kensal Green Cemetery , and a service will be held previously at St . Jude ' s Church , Mildmay Park , at 11 a . m . whence the funeral will proceed direct to the cemetery .

The Duke of Connaught arrived at Portsmouth on Monday , when he resumed the command of the Southern Military District , and held an inspection of the troops composing the garrison to the number of 4000 , preparatory to the parade the day following before the Commander-in . Chief . H . R . H . the Duke of Cambridge .

Princess Christian and Princess Victoria , who are at present on a visit to the Empress Frederick , are expected home to-day ( Friday ) , and will , after a few days' rest it Cumberland Lodge , start for Balmoral , on a visit to the Queen , where Princess Aribert of Anhalt ( Prince and Princess Christian ' s youngest daughter ) , is also shortly going .

Mr . Percy Notcutt announces that his morning concert will take place to-morrow ( Saturday ) , at St . James ' s Hall , when Miss Ella Russell , Miss Esther Palliser , Madame Belle Cole , Mr . Ben Davies , Mr . Santley , Bro . Eugene Oudin , Master Jean Gerardy , the Meister Glee Singers , and other favourite singers will take part in a very attractive programme .

On Thursday Mr . Gladstone forwarded for presentation to the new Hawarden Institute , in which he takes a deep interest , a number of pamphlets and magazines . " Mr . and Mrs . Gladstone , in company with the Misses Wickham , their neices , paid a visit to Mr . and Mrs . Roberts , of Well House Farm , the oldest tenants on the Hawarden estate , and Mr . Roberts conducted the Prime Minister over some experimental grass plots of the farm .

General his Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught finally terminated his command of the Southern Military District , prior to assuming command at Aldershot , and left in the afternoon by train for Bagshot . The departure was quite private , but Royal salutes were fired from the flagship and garrison battery as the train left . The Duchess of Connaught , Prince Arthur , and Princess Margaret and Victoria Patricia are residing at Bagshot Mansion .

Mr . J . L . Toole is having a very successful provincial tour , playing everywhere to crowded houses . In Dublin especially he has been warmly welcomed this week at the Gaiety Theatre . ' ¦ Walker , London , " has given great enjoyment to the pi mlar comedian ' s Irish friends . Mr . Toole is also appearing in his favourite and most popular parts and pieces , including Paul Pry , Uncle Dick , Hany Coke in " Off the Line , " and the evergreen " SpitallielJs Weaver . "

At the last meeting of the Wanderers Lodge of Instruction , No . 1604 , which meets at the Victoria Mansions Restaurant , it was resolved that a supper should be provided on the fourth Wednesday in each month ( officers' night ) , immediatel y after the business of the tadge is concluded . The first will take place on the 25 th inst ., and will be followed by a musical entertainment . As the charge will be moderate , it is hoped that many brethren will avail themselves of the opportunity of spending a pleasant evening .

A monument has just been erected over the tomb of the late Duke of Devonshire in Edensor churchyard . It is ol red granite on a grey granite base , and bears the following inscription -. " Here rest in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life , the mortal bodies of William

Cavendish , seventh Duke of Devonshire , born April 27 , iSo . s , died Dec . 21 , iSoij of Blanche Georgiana , his wife , daughter of the sixth Earl of Carlisle , born in January , 1 S 12 , died April 27 , 1 S 40 J and of William , their eldest son , born Dec . S , 1 S 31 , died May 15 , 1834 . ' Blessed are the pure in heart , for they shall see God . ' "

General regret will be felt among playgoers all over the country at the announcement of the death of Mr . David James , the popular comedian . Mr . James , whose real name was Belasco , obtained his early schooling for the stage at thc Princess's Theatre , under the management of Mr . and Mrs . Charles Kean , making his first appearance as a member of the corps dc ballet , and since that time has played many parts , to the delight of the playgoing public .

out achieved his greatest triumph by creating the famoii ' character of Perkyn Middlewick in "Our Boys , " which was produced in January , 1875 , and ran without a break for over four years—a record run which remains unbroken to this day . Mr . James enjoyed but poor health during the last few years . He had a severe illness in iSrjo , which lasted for over a year , and , prior to his death , he suffered for a long time from cancer of the liver .

The Prince of Wales will receive an enthusiastic welcome from the inhabitants of Camberwell and Peckham when , accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of V'ork , he visits the South side of the Metropolis on Monday . His Royal Higbness ' s last appearance in that locality was to open the Hall of Trinity Court , in Camberwcll-road , and he w |" perform a somewhat analogous duty next week . Ihe

buildings to be opened are two—the Peckham rine «' Gallery and the Camberwell Central Public Library . A the former their Royal Highnesses are to be received u > the Bishop of Rochester , Mr . Passmore Edwards , ana other members of the council , and the ceremony is ' ° , performed in the fine hall . The Royal party will the " proceed a little further along the Peckham-road to tn 01 ¦

Library . At this building , one of the handsomest kind in the Metropolis , they will be received by the Libra J Commissioners and the librarian , Mr . Edward Foskett . novel feature of the institution is that it possesses a p " " ^ garden , where , in summer weather , readers will be able ;

is hoped , to enjoy literature with more comfort than ev in lolty rooms . Twelfth Annual Edition of Explanatory Book , ^ gratis and post free , gives reliable information how t [ . ' * V est money quickly by Stocks and Shares . Highest and 10 . prices for past years . —Address , G . Evans and Co ., •**' brokers , 11 , Poultry , London , E . C .