Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

The Committee of Management of the Royal Masonrc Benevolent Institution , will hold their next monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday next , the 13 th inst ., at 4 p . m . It is officially announced that her Alajesty will hold Drawing Rooms at Buckingham Palace on Monday and Wednesday , the 16 th and iSth Alay , respectively .

Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Fife were received by their Majesties the King and Queen of Ital y on Tuesday , and afterwards were present during a sitting of the Italian Chamber of Deputies . H . R . H , the Duke of Cambridge , attended by General Bateson , and accompanied by Lord Abergavenney , Lord Randolph Churchill , Sir George Wombwell , and Sir Henry James , honoured the Empire Theatre with their presence on the 31 st ult .

The Princess Louise ( Marchionessof Lome ) , has promised to be present at the annual meeting of the Alission to Deep Sea Fishermen , which will be held at Exeter Hall on Monday evening , the 16 th May , and will distribute the certificates of the St . lohn ' s Ambulance Association .

The Duke of Cambridge has very kindly consented to present the cup and medals to the winners of the final tie in the Army Association Football Challenge Cup Competition , which will take place on the Lyric Club ground at St . Anns , Barnes , to-morrow ( Saturday ) , after the Oxford and Cambridge boat-race has been rowed .

We are very pleased to hear that Prince Alfred of Edinburgh , the only son of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh , who had been very seriously ill at Darmstadt , has very greatly improved in health . He is now able to take nourishment , and , although still in a very feeble state , the internal complications have disappeared .

The extremely rare event of the funeral of a student of Eton College took place on Tuesday . The deceased , Mr . Cecil Wilkins , who was only 17 years of age , caught a chill on Friday last , and died of pneumonia on Sunday . Dr . Warre , the head master , attended the interment , the remains being followed by the deceased fellow student ; .

The annual ball in aid of the Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage will take place at the City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , on Thursday , the sSth inst ., under the patronage of Bro . Lord Alayor Evans and the Ladv Mayoress , the Sheriffs and Under-Sheriffs of the City , and the Metropolitan and City Commissioners .

The annual dinner of the Institute of Naval Architects , was held at the Holborn Restuarant , on VVednesday evening . Bro . the Earl of Ravensworth occupied the chair , and Bro . Lord George Hamilton , ALP ., First Lord of the Admiralty , was the principal guest , among the other guests present being Bro . Sir E . J . Reed , M . P ., Sir N . Barnable , Admirals Long , Colomb , and Mayne , Captain Le Clerc , French Naval Attachd , and others . The toast of "The Navy , Army , and Reserve Forces" was replied to by Bro . Lord George Hamilton .

Her Alajesty the Queen received a deputation of French Crimean veterans at Hyeres on Wednesday , together with AI . Bodinier , a descendant of the old Trafalgar hero , who recently died , and to whose funeral her Majesty regretted she was unable to send a representative . The veterans , who all belonged , to the naval service , and wore their Crimean medals , were severally introduced , and went away delighted with their reception .

Bro . VV . J . Hughan has accepted the dedication of Bro . iames Stevens' new work , " The Evolution of Symbolic lasonry , " which will be issued to subscribers on the 21 st inst . A first edition of over 1000 copies has been subscribed for , but the list will remain open until Tuesday morning

next for the addition of thc names of other brethren who may be desirous of having subscription copies . Address , Masonic lodge and rank , and thirteen pence per copy should be forwarded by the date named to Bro . Stevens , Evelyn , Catford , S . E . The second edition will be ready for issue on the ist Alay , as advertised .

The remains of the late Bro . Alerrick B . Bircham , foremost in all good work in Norfolk , were laid to rest in Dunton churchyard on Friday , the ist inst ., in presence of a large assembly of friends and neighbours . He was for many years a solicitor at Fakenham , and for more than 20 years Clerk to the Guardians of Docking Union . The

Philanthropic Lodge , No . 107 , and Joppa Lodge , No . 1114 , of which the deceased had been an active member , were represented by Bros . VV . Seppings , G . A . Watson , C . VV . Horslry , A . Goddard , R . S . Butcher , VV . Harvey , R . Harrison , E . Case . H . S . Smith , R . Riches , J . W . Smith , and others . The floral tokens of respect were both numerous and beautiful .

The Oxford and Cambridge crews have been diligently practising during the week for the race , which will take place to-morrow ( Saturday ) afternoon over the usual course from Putney to the Ship at Alortlake , and as the weather has been very favourable , crowds of people have thronsred

the towing-path in order to watch the performances . The Oxford crew is the heavier , but the Cambridge includes more of last year ' s crew than its rivals . Both seem to be in excellent trim , and given such weather as we have been favoured with during the last few days , the river and its banks and the river-side houses will be thronged with sight seers .

The standards of the British yard measure and pound weight which have been immured in the wall in one of lhi staircases of the House of Commons since 1 S 53 , and only once removed from their resting-place for the ' purp ise of being tested , were again taken out and examined by Mr . H . J . Chaney , Superintendent of the Standards

Department , on Saturday last , in the presence of the Right Hon . the Speaker and Miss Peel , Bro . Sir Michael and Lady Lucy Hicks-Beach , Bart ., Bro . the Hon . 1 ) . Plunket , M . P ., First Commissioner of Works , and other officials . The examination proved satisfactory , and the standards we e a ^ ain immured in their resting-place , where doubtless they will lie undisturbed for another 20 years .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . Gabriel Lindo , CC , has been presented with a handsome cigar cabinet in recognition of his services during the past year as Alaster of the Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers' Company . Bro . the Marquis of Tweeddale has been re-appointed Lord High Commissioner of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for the present year , and will go to Holyrood in May .

The 12 th annual Fine Art Exhibition , conducted by the Rev . S . A . Barnett , was opened at St . Jude ' s Schools , Whitechapel , on Tuesday , by the Archbishop of Canterbury , and will remain open , Sundays included , till the 24 th inst . Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Connaught has undertaken to preside at the annual meeting of the Soldiers ' and Sailors' Families Association , which will be held at the

Royal United Service Institution , Whitehall Yard , on Saturday , the 7 th May next . Bro . the Duke of Fife has consented to preside at the anniversary festival of the Infant Orphan Asylum , Wanstead , on Wednesday , the 29 th June , and her Royal Highness the Duchess of Fife will distribute the prizes to the pupils on the occasion .

Bro . Lord Halsbury ( Lord High Chancellor ) , Bro . Lord Ashbourne ( Lord Chancellor of Ireland ) , and Bros . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , Bart ., Lord George Hamilton , and the Right Hon . VV . L . Jackson attended the Cabinet Council which was held-at the " Foreign Office on 'Tuesday .

Among the more recent contributors to the memorial window which is about to be placed in St . Alargaret ' s Church , Westminster , in honour of the late Right Hon . W . H . Smith , ALP ., are the Speaker and Bros . Akers-Douglas , Sir M . VVhite Ridley , Bart ., Sir John Mowbray , Bart ., John Aird , and Sir E . Watkin , Bart .

Three journalistic brethren were invested at the Savage Club Lodge on Tuesday : Bro . Sir j . R . Somers Vine , P . AL , P . G . D ., as Secretary , with Bro . P . Soman , P . P . G . S . Norfolk , Assistant , and Bro . T . Catling , P . AL , Treasurer . The working of the W . AL , Bro Ebbetts , P . AL , P . G . S ., and his officers is generally admired . The Local Government Journal is the new title by which

The Metropolitan will in future be known . After an existence of 20 years , it has outgrown London and spread far into the country . 'The contents now comprise items of and comments on news connected with every branch of local government .

Bro . R . Henri Goddard gave his seventh annual dramatic recital at St . James ' s Hall , Piccadilly , on Wednesday evening , which was well attended . The programme was an attractive one , and Bro . Goddard was , as usual , eminently successful in the pieces chosen for the display of his elocutionary powers . He was ably assisted by musical artistes .

The annual dinner of the Institution of Civil Engineers was held in the Town Hall , St . Alartin ' s-in-the-Fields , on Saturday evening last , under the presidency of Air . George Berkley , among the principal guests being H . R . H . the Duke of Cambridge , the American Minister ( Air . Robert Lincoln ) , the Earl of Aberdeen , and the Earl of Kimberley .

Bro . Sheriff and Airs . Foster entertained Bro . Lord Mayor Evans and the Lady Mayoress at dinner at their residence , 40 , Cornwall-gardens , on the ist instant , among the guests invited on the occasion being the Persian Minister , Bro . Littler , Q . C , Bro . A'derman and Sheriff Tyler and Mrs . Tyler , Bro . Alderman and Mrs . Newton , and Air . and Mrs . Rider Haggard .

The Duke of Cambrilge presided at the annual meeting on the ist instant of the subscribers and friends of the Royal School for Daughters of Officers of the Army . The rcpiits of the school were in all resoects satisfactory , while though there had been many losses through the death of friend-i and a fallingoff in the subscriptions , the financial position , thanks to the excellent management of the executive , had greatly improved .

The 21 st International match , under Association Rules , between England and Scotland , was played at Ibrox Park , Glasgow , on Saturday last , and resulted in an overwhelming victory for the former by four goals to one . England played with so much dash and spirit , and their team worked

so admirably together , that they obtained three goals in the course of the first 20 minutes . Scotland , though greatly demoralised by their opponent ' s success , played in far better form in the second half of the game , but were unable to retrieve the fortune of the day , and were beaten as stated .

The Joint Committee of bath Houses , to whom will be referred all the schemes now before Parliament , for the construction or extension of new or existing electric and cable railways within the limits of the Metropolis , will consist of the following members , viz .: The Earl of

Lauderdale , Karl Strafford , Viscount Harrington , Lord Thring , and Lord Kelvin representing the House of Lords . The following members will represent the House of Commons , viz .: Air . T . H . Bolton , Mr . J . S . Gathorne-Hardy , Mr . Story-Maskelyne , Air . Stansfeld , and Mr . Whitmore .

'The Master and Wardens of the Company of Pewterers held a conversazione on VVednesday night at Haberdashers' Hall , Gresham-street , which had been placed at their disposal oy the Haberdishers' Company . Some two hundred guests , who were received by Mr . VV . Mullins , the Alaster of the Pewterers' Company , assembled . and , after the reception , Mr . C . Welsh read a paper , which was well

received , upon the history of the institution from its foundation in the reign of Edward IV . down to the time of George IV . After the reading of the paper an opportunity was afforded for the inspection of the charters , records , specimens of pewter , & c , belonging to the Company , the exhibition being supplemented by specimens lent by the Goldsmiths' Company , the Haberdashers' Company , and the Library Committee of the Corporation of the City of London .

HOLLOWAY ' S Pll . l . s . —In cases of chronic incli . 'eslinii , disordered liver , and general debility , these ^ ills nre wonderfully ctleclivc . Tliey iiule-cd have so ireneral and powerful ; in ellect on the whole system tl _ . it they clear away or ward oil most of the ills that fk-sli is heir to . Tlie-y cleanse the bi . WfTs , purify the blood , correct tlie bile , >; ive tunc to the-s lomach , excite a healthy appetite , produce sound sleep , and impart increased encr ^ v to both mind

and body . The admirable properties of these far-lamed I'ilis are too highly appreciated \ i , rei | uire any encomium Iter . ' , as they arc resorted to liy rich and poor of every nation . The cures they ellect are not temporary or imperfect , hut ihey bringahnut a marvellous and must beneficial change throughout the entire hody , and enable it with renovated powers to resist the approach of all future attacks .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The Duke of Connaught has consented to preside at the annual meeting of the Army Scripture Readers' Societ y , which is to be held at Princes' Hall , Piccadilly , on June 3 rd ' , The Duke of Connaught and the Duke of Saxe-Coburg on VVednesday visited the Toulon Arsenal . In accordance with orders from the Naval authorities , their Highnesses were afforded every facility .

The Scottish National Gallery have purchased from Mr . C . Wertheimer a portrait of a young woman , by Rembrandt , at the price of 5500 guineas . The money was presented by Mr . AI'Ewan , M . P . The date of the ceremony of installation of Lord Dufferin as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports has , with his lordship's consent , been fixed for June 22 nd . Lord Dufferin is expected at VValmer Castle at Easter .

Bro . R . A . Frazer-Frizell , S . W ., was , on the 28 th ult ., unanimously elected W . M . ; Bro . W . A . Bennett was reelected Treasurer ; and Bro . Johnnie Paull , Tyler of the Boscawen Mark Lodge at Chacewater . The installation take place place in June .

Lady Jeune opened on Wednesday a bazaar , arranged as a Spanish city , in aid of the Upper Clapton Congregational Schools . Princess Christian would have presided at the ceremony , but was prevented by the recent death of the Grand Duke of Hesse .

VVe notice in the Laiinceston Examiner of February 20 th that no less than 13 first-class awards were gained b y Alessrs . Sutton and Sons , the Queen ' s Seedsmen , Reading ,, at the Tasmanian Exhibition ; a far larger number than has been awarded to any seed house in England or any other part of the world .

The Bishop of Carlisle on Wednesday re-opened and rededicated St . Mary ' s Church , Alaryport , which has just been restored at great expense . At a luncheon in the afternoon , the Bishop was presented with an address of welcome . Among those present were Sir Wilfrid Lawson and Lord Scarsdale .

Sir Arthur Blackwood , K . C . B .. Secretary to the Post Office , has made over to the Wesleyan Methodists the Village Hall and British Workman Coffee Palace , with all its furniture and appointments—estimated to be worth £ 4000—at Crayford , in Kent , where for many years Sir Arthur has carried on evangelistic and temperance work .

Air . and Airs . Gladstone dined with Air . P . Stanhope , ALP ., and Countess Tolstoi on Wednesday night , and there were invited to meet them the Russian Ambassador and Aladame de Staal , the Earl and Countess of Cork . Sir Stafford and Lady Northcote , the Countess of Chesterfield , Air . and Lady Fanny Marjoribanks , and Sir Francis and Lady Jeune .

The will ofthe late Al . Alartel , formerly President of the French Senate , has been an agreeable surprise for the town of St . Omer , which has inherited his important gallery of p ictures , and numerous other works of art . M . Afartel has also left Cooo francs a year to be shared equally between 30 needy families , or deserving persons , who may be incapable of working in consequence of illness or accident .

The House of Commons Point-to-Point Steeplechase will take place to-morrow ( Saturday ) at Kineton , over about three-and-a-half miles stretch of country on the Warwickshire estate of Lord Willoughby de Broke . The heavyweight entries—not under 14 stone—include Lord Henry Bentinck . Bros . Victor Cavendish and W . Hume Long , Alessrs . Beckett , Muntz , Logan , and others , while the lightweight entries—not under 12 stone—are four in number .

Prince George of Wales was on VVednesday , on the motion of the Earl of Feversham , elected a Governor of the Royal Agricultural Society of England . The nomination had been made by the Prince of Wales . Lord Feversham , as President of the society , expressed his confidence that Prince George of Wales would follow in the footsteps ol the other members of his illustrious house , who had ever shown interest in and done all in their power to promote the great cause of English agriculture .

Bro . Lord Mayor Evans presided at the 26 th annual festival of the Ro > al Aledical Benevolent College , Epsim . The institution supports 50 pens ! iners , who receive annuities of £ 21 each , and a school of 240 boys , of whom 50 > are foundation scholars . The presidents of the Royal College the

of Physicians , the Royal College of Surgeons , and General Aledical Council , together with a large number ot professional men , supported his lordship , and among the donations and subscriptions announced in the course of the evening was a special gift of £ 1000 towards an enlargement scheme , which will entail the large outlay of £ 26 , 000 .

" Mallet , " in the Glasgow Evening News , says : Bro . W . J . Hughan , whose merits as a Masonic student m ( u f st ?' sufficiently well known to my readers , has prepared a' List of Histories of Lodges in Scotland" for the " Alison" - Record , " and which will appear in the Alarch number . It is , he informs me , the tirstsketchof the kind ever attempted for ScotlandHe has stated in former mem written 11 OUULlaUUi Jtaitu tu iwiniw — /

. , as a ., U I » C IIO . 3 » aa « . *¦•» . a similar list of English lodge histories from his own collection , and which number over 100 . The lodges he na noted in Scotland with published histories , and he wlsl J , j . ' be notified of omissions , are : Kilwinning , No . o ; I-dj" ' burgh ( Mary's Chapel ) , No . 1 ; St . John , Melrose , wo . ,- . AI-. __ . _ - _ -l __ . un Mo ,: l fannnrHlfk l ^ iliuinninrr . EdinbUr ^ H , 1 UttU £

, .-.-,...,,, . . . . . , » .. U .. _ .. w D . - .... No . 2 ; St . | ohn , Glasgow , No . 3 ' - '; *> ' J °£ , 7 r . Kilwinning , Inverness , No . G ; St . John , Falkirk , No . i "> St . Andrew ' s Kilwinning , Inverness , No . 31 ; St . Micnaei -. Dumfries , No . G 3 ; Operative , Dumfries , No . 14 ° ; " St . John , Thornhill , No . 252 . Lord Hadding ton s ex perience as Grand Alaster Mason of Scotland has , he say ^ been most encouraging , and his efforts in the future «™ j « e redoubled . He hopes to continue in the Grand 1 . 0 k ^ visitations to provinces , and to give such counsel as better enable the officers to perform their duties .

FISH I KI _ -. II < FISH ! The CO-OPERATIVE F ' 1 « S f U p !' s ' n Co ., LTIJ ., are now sending out cheap B ASKETS of r or OV . STERS , carriage paid , to any part of the Kingo ' from 2 s . GJ . each and up . vards , direct from the lan " iv stage . Address orders and remittances to the Co-Opera Fish Supply Co ., Ltd ., Pontoon , Grimsby , or to Billingsf , Buildings , London , E . C ., as may be mist convenient . ' our London House for their celebrated Bloaters , r ' Haddocks , Kippers , & c .