Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

The Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will hold their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday next , the 14 th inst ., at 4 p . m . The Duke of Connaught visited Portsmouth on Friday , the 2 nd inst ., and entered on his duties as General Commanding the Southern District .

Bro . Lord Mayor Savory will preside at the distribution of prizes to the students of the City of London College on Friday next , the 16 th inst ., when the distribution will be made by Lord Justice Fry . A serious accident occurred at Budapest on Sunday , when the ice on the Danube gave way at a time when large numbers of people vvere congregated on its surface , and it is believed that several vvere drowned .

The Chapel Royal , or Banqueting Hall , at Whitehall , vvas formally handed over to the Royal United Service Institution on the ist instant , the key being given to Captain Burgess , vvho is Secretary to the Institution . The Prince of VVales has forwarded a donation of £ 10 ios ., and the Duke of Connaught one of £ \ o , to the Army Guild ' s Home for the Orphan Daughters of Noncommissioned Officers and Men of the British Army .

Lady Malet , widow of Bro . Sir Alexander Malet , Bart ., a distinguished diplomatist , and mother of Sir Henry Malet , Bart ., and Bro . Sir E . Baldwin Malet , British Ambassador at Berlin , died on Friday , the 2 nd inst ., at Bournemouth . The sum expended during the past year on hospitals , home and foreign missions , Bible and tract societies , provident dispensaries , convalescent homes , and similar benevolent organisations vvas very little short of £ 5 , , 000 sterling .

From Newcastle it is reported that about 45 steamers , representing nearly 70 , 000 tons of shipping , are now laid up in the Tyne ; and that a large number of lyne steamers are frozen in at Antwerp , Hamburg , and other Continental ports .

We regret to hear that Bro . the liarl of Euston , vvho is staying at Wakefield Lodge , Stony Stratford , the seat of his father , the Duke of Grafton , is suffering from an internal abscess , and that in all probability he will be confined to his room for a further week or ten days .

Mrs . Langtry has very kindly consented to appear as Lady Teasle in the Screen Scene from " The School for Scandal " at the Marius matinee , vvhich takes place at the Lyric Theatre on Tuesday , the 20 th inst . Mrs . Langtry will be suppoited by Mr . Coghlan as Charles Surface , James Fernandez as Sir Peter Teazle , Mr . Frank Kemble Cooper as Joseph Surface , and Mr . 'Oscar Adye as the servant .

Bro . J . S . Fleming , for many years Treasurer at Drury Lane Theatre , and afterwards of Her Majesty ' s Theatre , will have a grand complimentary smoking concert at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Monday , 2 nd March . An influential list of patrons , committee , and artistes is being secured , and full particulars will be announced as soon as possible . Bro . H . J . Hitchins ( EmpireTheatre ) has kindly consented to act as Hon . Secretary and Treasurer , and to him all communications should be addressed .

Bro . Charlie Pfeiffer , S . W . of the St . Keyna Lodge , No . 1 S 33 , of the Province of Somerset , has been elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and has further bcen chosen as President of the lodge of instruction in the Province of Bristol for the next three months . Bro . Pfeiffer is the son of our late Bro . Herr Pfeiffer , who was formerly so wellknown in the musical world , especially in the West of England . The newly-elected W . M . of 18 33 was at one time in the ioth Hussars .

At the Lodge of Economy , No . 7 6 , Winchester , on New Year ' s Eve , after the ceremonies , Bro . Searle , S . W ., vvas unanimously elected W . M . for the coming year , and Bro . W . H . Jacob re-elected Treasurer , and each brother expressed his thanks for the confidence placed in him . The year just ended under Bro . Brockley , W . M ., is one of the most prosperous known for some years past , and has acquitted himself ably and hospitably .

The following extract from a letter just received from a brother at Kimberley will show how our brethren in that distant land carry out their Masonic duties : "I went into Bechuanaland a couple of months ago , and on arriving at Vryburg fell into a tank and broke * a bone in my leg and severely sprair . ed my ankle , and am only now just

beginning to walk . I vvas treated very kindly by the Masons of Vryburg after my accident there . I ' knew no one in the place , so sent for the Master of the lodge . He came and , vvith the brethren , paid me a great deal of attention while I laid there , and when 1 vvas able to move got me a special carriage to send me home in . "

Brethren will be sorry to learn that the author of "Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty , " met vvith a severe accident on the 2 nd inst ., at New Cross Station . Bro . Mclntyre _ North during the evening had acted as their Principal in the Star Chapter of Instruction , and when he reached the station on his way home the official in charge called out several times for him to make haste . He ran

carefully downstairs , and on reaching the platform saw an engine and train , vvhich , owing to the dense fog then prevailing appeared to be standing in the usual position occupied by trains when travelling on the local down line . He , therefore , ran smartly towards the train to take his place , but as thc train vvas in reality on the main down line he literally raced off the platform and fell at full length on the metals below . The officials hearing the crash ran to his assistance , but he

had sufficient presence of mind to at once spring on the platform before they had time to reach the spot , luckily before a through train passed over the metals , thus narrowly escaping being cut to pieces . Falling on the left side , the injuries he received were : contusion on the right knee , the left arm and wrist sprained , and a severe contusion close to the base of the spine , which will necessitate his being confined to his bed for some days .

Masonic And General Tidings

Bro . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach has arrived at Wiesbaden , to have his eyes treated by Professor Pagenstecher . Mrs . Beerbohm Tree is ill from rheumatic fever and unable to appear at the Haymarket . Bro . Sir John Gorst , Q . C , M . P ., has been spending the Christmas holidays vvith his family at Lawford House , near Manningtree , Essex .

The Albion Lodge ( No . 9 ) ball will be held at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on Friday , the 30 th inst . The Hon . Secretary is Bro . Ernest Hamlyn , VV . M ., 153 , Cheapside . An addition to the roll of Mark lodges takes place today ( Friday ) , when the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge will be consecrated at Camborne by the Prov . G . M . M ., Bro . Sir Charles Graves Sawle , Bart .

The Grocers' Company have made a grant of £ 100 in aid of the funds of the London Society for the Extension of University Teaching , vvhich now has some 50 centres established in the Metropolis . Bro . Lord George Hamilton arrived at the Admiralty on Wednesday from Sevenoaks , where he has been visiting Lord Hillingdon . In the evening he left for Coates , Sussex , on a visit to the Dowager Duchess of Abereorn .

The Bridge Hunt Ball at the Pump Room , Tunbridge Wells , on Monday , vvas a great success . The room vvas prettily decorated , the walls being covered with foliage interspersed vvith hunting trophies , and there vvas a goodly and fashionable company present .

the installation meeting of the Berkhampstead Lodge , No . 504 , will be held at the King ' s Arms Hotel , Berkhampstead , on Wednesday next , the 14 th instant , when Bro . A . Prudames , S . W ., and VV . M . elect , P . A . G . S . Herts , will be installed in the chair .

The installation meeting of the Architect Lodge , No ¦ 375 ' was held on Friday , the 2 nd inst ., at the Town Hall , Withington , when a handsome Past Master ' s jewel vvas presented to Bro . John I . Tiller , I . P . M ., vvhich had been manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

VVe are informed that arrangements are being made for the delivery by Bro . James Stevens of his latest interesting lecture on " Ritual and Ceremonial " at the ensuing meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge for Shropshire , to be held at Shrewsbury .

VVe regret to hear that Lady Brodie , wife of Bro . Sir Benjamin Brrdie , Bart ., has met with a somewhat serious accident . When alighting- from her carriage at her Surrey residence , Brockham Warren , Betchworth , her ladyship ' s foot slipped , and she sustained a compound fracture of the leg .

The Exhibition of Works by the Old Masters and by deceased Masters of the British School vvas opened to the public at the Royal Academy , Burlington House , on Monday , the private view having taken place on Saturday last . This is the 22 nd exhibition of its kind that has been held , and will well repay the trouble of a visit at so inclement a season .

I he Clarence Lodge , No . 23 S 6 , will be consecrated at the Masonic Hall , Chester , on Monday , the igth inst ., by the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , assisted by Bro . Sir Horatio Lloyd , Deputy Prov . Grand Master . Bro . VV . H . Finchett isthe VV . M . designate ; Bro . T . Li tilerland , S . W . designate ; and Capt . Cooper , J . W . designate .

I he Duke of Cambridge intends making a trip , if his health permits , from Monte Carlo to Alalta , which he has not visited since he went thither for the purpose of inspecting the Indian troops when there was a possibility of a war with Russia in 1 S 7 S . His Royal Highness will make a special inspection of the fortifications , as well as of the garrison , which now numbers some 8000 men .

Messrs . J . R . Parkington and Co . state that the shipments of port for December amount to S 201 pipes ( Great Britain 33 S 0 pipes ) , making 84 , 654 pipes for 12 months , against ^ 85 , 211 pipes in 1 SS 9 , and 85 , 309 pipes in iSSS . The shipments of sherry were 5332 butts in December , making 60 , 06 3 butts for 1 S 90 , against 55 , 130 butts in 1 SS 9 , and 49 , 280 butts in iSSS .

At the Holmesdale Lodge of Instruction , at the Pump Room , Tunbridge Wells , on Friday , the 2 nd inst ., Bro . James Stevens delivered his latest lecture on "The Ritual and Ceremonial of the Symbolic Degrees in Freemasonry " to a very appreciative audience . The most important points in

the lecture were subsequently discussed by the brethren and the lecturer , and considerable information of a most useful character was imparted . The proceedings of the evening were generally acknowledged to have been of an instructive and entertaining character throughout , and gave the fullest satisfaction to the members of the lodge and their visitors .

In opening an industrial and fine art exhibition at Grantham on Wednesday , the Duchess of Rutland said it vvas very remarkable how much talent vvas called forth by such exhibitions ; and she vvas of opinion that not only one class , but all classes of the community benefited by them . She was very glad to note that the study of flower painting

met with so much attention . She felt greatly interested in the specimens of carving , and she was aware that , owing to the kindness of the Earl and Countess Brownlow , a school of art for carving vvas carried on in Grantham . The Duchess recommended that more time should be devoted to needlework .

On Wednesday the mid-winter show of the National Chrysanthemum Society vvas held at the Royal Aquarium , cyclamen and primulas being also included in the exhibition . 1 omparatively speaking , the display was an exceedingly poor one , although considering the prolonged frost many of the blooms are shown in surprising perfection . A number of prizes are given , but the awards are naturally

not bestowed after judging from those standards of excellence set up at shows earlier in the winter . Perhaps the best collections of chrysanthemums comes from Norfolk , and the exhibitor , Mr . W . Gilbert , gardener to Mr . B . Le Neve Foster , of Scnnowe Hall , Guist , gained a first prize . Miss B . Debenham , of St . Peter ' s , St . Albans , vvas first in

the section for 24 blooms , in which class Mr . Sullivan , gardener to Mr . D . B . Chapman , of Devonshire House , Roehampton , secured the second and third awards . Mr . R . Owen , of Castle Hill , Maidenhead , represents nurserymen vvith a large display , for vvhich he receives the silvergilt medal .

Masonic And General Tidings

The " In Darkest England" subscription list has been made up at the Stock Exchange amounting to £ 1237 5 s . The term of mourning for the late Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , expired on the 31 st December . A ball vvas held in the Guildhall , Plymouth , on Thursday , the ist instant , in aid of the Mark Benevolent Fund , which proved most successful , both socially and financially .

Friday , the 2 nd instant , vvas the 73 rd anniversary of the foundation of the Institution of Civil Engineers , vvhich started in 1 S 1 S vvith six members , and now numbers 5923 . Pisciculture is advancing in France . During 1 S 90 the aquarium at the Trocadero produced 268 , 000 eggs of Californian salmon , and a greater number still of trout . It raised during one part [ of the year nearly 100 , 000 small fish .

The W . M . and officers of the VVilliam Shurmur Lodge , vvhich meets at the Forest Hotel , Chingford , will not lack opportunities of making themselves acquainted vvith the ritual , seeing that 24 candidates for initiation were proposed at the first meeting .

Bro . Edward Terry , P . G . Treas . of England , invited the 25 pupils of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls vvho have not gone home for the Christmas holidays to witness a performance of " In Chancery " at a matinee yesterday ( Thursday ) .

Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., P . / ., will deliver his lecture on the " Ritual and Ceremonial of the Symbolic Degrees in Freemasonry" on Tuesday evening next , the 13 th inst ., in the New Cross Lodge , No . 1559 , at the Portland Hotel , Greenwich . Lodge will be opened at six p . m .

The always popular Masonic Ball at Hastings has been fixed for Tuesday , the 27 th inst ., at the Royal Concert Hall , Bros . Councillor Russell and E . C . Botley being the Hon . Secretaries , with Bro . R . J . Reed as Hon . Treasurer . Special arrangements are being made to render the ball worthy of its usual fashionable patronage .

The South African Freemason says it has been lately enumerating the Masonic newspapers in the world , and has succeeded in compiling a list of 42 , although it admits it may have omitted some , but of this tolerably big total only five are published weekly , viz ., two . in London , one in Philadelphia , one in Detroit , and one in South Africa .

Mr . F . J . Horniman , of Wormwood-street , is being solicited by his friends to stand for election this year as one of the Sheriffs of London , and an influential requisition is about to be presented to him asking him to allow his name to be put in nomination . It is also understood that he will seek Parliamentary honours at the General Election .

The birthday of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale vvas observed at Windsor on Thursday by firing of Royal salutes and the ringing of the bells of St . George ' s Chapel and the various churches . The Duke was born at Frogmore House , Windsor Park , January Sth , 1864 , and on Thursday completed his 27 th year .

According to the " Year ' s Art , " the art sales for the year just past seem to have been of a highly satisfactory character . Taking the standard of comparison at 1400 guineas , it appears that , whereas in 1 S 8 S 35 works attained this figure , and in 1 SS 9 only 17 , in 1 S 90 the unusual number of 39 passed this limit . The average vvas . { , ' 2561 , and 30 out of the 39 vvere by British masters .

One hundred of the aged poor of Cleckheaton vvere entertained to a tea at the close of the old year by the brethren of the local lodges . These periodical displays of interest by the Craft in the welfare of the general public are very gratifying , and go far to raise the Order in the minds of the outside world .

On Tuesday evening Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg gave a ball at Northwood , West Cowes . The Duke and Duchess of Connaught , the Marquis and Marchioness of Lome , the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , and Count Albert Mensdorff were present , as well as the ladies and gentlemen of the Queen's Household .

Bro . H . I . Barnato , after whom the Barnato Diamond Mine in Kimberley , and also the Barnato Lodge , No . 2265 , were named , very kindly presented each of the drivers and conductors , to the number of 25 S , on the omnibuses plying in the Edgware-road , vvith a pipe and packet of tobacco on Boxing-day , the gift being much appreciated .

A concert is to be held at Dover on the 21 st inst ., promoted by the members of the local lodges vvith a view of benefiting the funds of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Earl Amherst , the Provincial Grand Master of Kent , has evinced great interest in the undertaking , and has given his permit for the wearing of Masonic regalia on the occasion .

On the 5 th inst ., the annual meeting of Industry Mark Lodge , No . 293 , was held in the Masonic Hall , Gateshead , when Bro . Robert Wilson was duly installed W . M . in an impressive manner by Bro . William Brown , P . M . There vvas a goodly number of brethren present , including several members of Provincial Grand Lodge . After the ceremony the brethren dined together , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts vvere duly honoured .

With regard to the approaching International Congress of Hygiene and Demography , a letter has been sent to the press signed by the Duke of Westminster , Sir Andrew Clark , Mr . Thomas Bryant , President of the Royal College of Surgeons ; the Earl of Ravensworth , President of the Royal Agricultural Society ; Mr . Alfred Waterhouse , R . A .,

President of the Royal Institute of British Architects j Dr . F . J . Mouat , Sir John Coode , President of the Institution of Civil Engineers , - Sir James Paget , Sir Spencer Wells , and Sir Douglas Gallon . It states that the Prince of VVales , as President , has signified his intention of opening it on Monday , the ioth August , and the Congress will conclude its session on the 15 th of that month .

HOLLOWAY S OINTMENT AND PILLS . —Rheumatism and Neuralgia . —Though tlie former disease remorselessly attacks persons of all ages , and the latter ruthlessly selects its victims from the weak and delicate , the persevering use of these remedies will infallibly cure both c implaints . After the all ' ected parts have been diligently fomented with hot brine and thc skin thoroughly

dried , Hollovvay ' s Ointment must be rubbed in firmly and evenly for ten miuutes twice a day , and his Pills taken according to the printed directions wrapped round each box of his medicine , doth Ointment and Pills are accompanied by instructions drsigned for the public at large , and no invalid who attentively reads them can now be at any loss how to doctor himself successfully . — ADVT .