Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

BKO . EAKL I KRcy has sent a gift of pheasants to the Hospital for Epilepsy and Paralysis , Regent ' s Park . BKO . SIR WILLIAM W ALROND , M . P ., has gone to join Lady Walrond at San Remo , where they will spend Christmas . THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OK GROCERS has given a donation of £ 250 in aid of the Sustentation Fund of Guy ' s Hospital . THE LATH BKO . SIR AUGUSTUS HARRIS . —A handsome ligure memorial to the late Bro . Sir Augustus Harris is now being placed in position in Brompton Cemetery .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT , with the Princesses Margaret and Victoria Patricia , arrived at Windsor Castle on a visit to the Oueen on Saturday last .

BRO . THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF AREKCORN and Lady Phyllis and Lady Gladys Hamilton have arrived at Hampden House , where they will remain for some days before they go to the South of France . BRO . EARL EGERTON OF TATTON and the Duchess of Buckingham have a large party at Tatton Park this week for the Knutsford ball and the fancy dnss ball which the Duchess gives there this ( Friday ) right .

THE FOLLOWING Masters of Foxhounds have been elected members of the Hunters ' Improvement Society—Lord Filzhardinge , Bro . G . C . Fitzivilliam , Mr . A . \ V . Foster , Mr . John Hargreaves , Mr . F . C . Swindell , and Mr . John D . Williams . Bro . W . H . SHARP , for some years proprietor of the King ' s Arms HoW , Hampton Court , is taking possession of the Bridge Hotel , Sutton Bridge , Lines . When he left Hampton Court he was presented with an illuminated address from his friends and neighbours .

THE COUNCIL of the Royal Military Tournament have issued the programme of the iyth Military Exhibition , to be held at the Agricultural Hall , Islington , from May 19 th to June 2 nd next . Prizes to be competed for are of the aggregate value of jt 11 9 ' 7 S . CATHEDRAL FOR GOLD-DIGGERS . —Sir Gerard Smith , Governor of Western Australia , last week laid the foundation-stone of the Goldlields Cathedral , to be erected at Coolgardie . The ceremony was performed with Masonic rites , and afforded an imposing spectacle .

BRO . H . J . HITCHINS , P . M . 2347 , who was honoured by being presented to the Queen on the occasion of a performance given by Royal command at Windsor Castle , by the Empire Theatre , on Tuesday , the 23 rd ult ., has been the recipient of a gracious message expressing her Majesty ' s approval , accompanied by a magnificent diamond pin , the design of same being the Royal Cypher with Imperial Crown .

THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF G OLDSMITHS has sent a donation of J-^ ioo to the United Kingdom Benevolent Association . Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar has notified her intention of being present at the reading of Dickens's " Christmas Carol , " which Bro . Sir Squire Bancroft has promised to give on Monday , the 13 th instant , on behalf of this institution , at Grosvenor House , kindly lent for the purpose by the Duke of Westminster .

ON TUESDAY , Bro . Gen . Sir Redvers Buller , V . C ., one of the most brilliant officers in the British Army , completed his 5 Sth year . Bro . Sir Redvers , who has just been succeeded as Adjutant-General at head-quarters by Bro . Sir Evelyn Wood , won his Victoria Cross during the Zulu War of 1 S 73-9 . He was promoted for distinguished service in the field in the Suakin expedition of 1 SS 4 , and , in addition to seeing much active service elsewhere , has filled many important military positions at home .

T . R . H . THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES , the Duke and Duchess of York , Princess Victoria , Prince and Princess Charles of Denmark , the Duke of Cambridge , and Prince Edward cf Saxe-Weimar , with other guests at Sandringham , attended Divine service on Tuesday last , at the church of St . Mary Magdalene , in the Park . The Rev . Canon Hervey , Chaplain to the Queen and Domestic Chaplain to the Prince of VVales , officiated . The sermon was preached by the Right Rev . Dr . Creighton , Bishop of London , who is on a visit to their Royal Highnesses .

METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL SUNDAY FUND . —Bro . the Right Hon . Horatio D . Davies , M . P ., Lord Mayor , will preside at the annual general meeting of the constituents of this fund , at the Mansion House , E . G ., on Monday , the 13 th instant , at three o ' clock in the afternoon . The business of the meeting is—I ' o receive the report of the Council for the year 1 S 97 ; to approve , if thought lit , and to pass the laws ot the Constitution as now revised and recommended by the Council ; to elect the Council for the year 1 S 9 S ; to determine the date of next Hospital Sunday ; and to transact annual general business .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES presided on Tuesday at a meeting of the Council of his Royal Highness , held at the office of the Duchy of Cornwall , Buckingham-gate . There were present the Earl of Ducie , Bro . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Mr . Charles Alfred Cripps , Sir Nigel Kingscotc , Sir Dighton Probyn , Mr . L . C . Probyn , and Mr . Holzmann . Later in the day the Prince , attended by Commander the Hon . Seymour Fortescue , left town for Didlington Hall , Norfolk , for a few days' shooting with Bro . Lord Amherst of Hackney .

EVERY MASON should read " Volo , or the Will , " what it is , how to strengthen and how to use it . By Arthur Lovell , author of " Ars Vivendi . " Crown Svo ., cloth , 3 s . Gd . net ; by post , 3 s . nd . Many curious and interesting facts are given about ancient and modern initiations . Catalogue post free . Nichols and Co ., Publishers , 23 , Oxford-street , W . Light , Sept ., 18 97— "Ihe Author ' s theories seem to us reasonable and valuable . " The Glasgow Herald , Sept ., 1 S 97— " Mf - LOVELL has much that is valuable to say on the subject of the Will . Ihe advices which he gives as to the training

and disciplining of the Will and its practical cultivation are excellent , while the central principle of his philosophy is beyond question . "—[ ADVT . J MRS . KEYSER , wife of Bro . C . E . Keyser , of Aldermaston Court , near Reading , laid the foundation stone of a parish church room in that picturesque village on Saturday . A short dedication service was conducted by the Vicai , Rev . F . R . IT jrwooi , and

Mrs . Keyser was presented with a mallet and silver trowel by the builders , Mess-s . J . Wooldridge and Son , of Hungerford . The building will be erected from a design by Mr . IS . Doran Webb , F . S . A ., of Salisbury , at the cost of Bro . Keyser . It will provide a room , Co feet by iS feet , whi : h can be increased by throwing , in a corridor , as occasion may require . There will also be a kitchen , & c , rendering the building perfectly suitable for parochial gatherings .

BY PERMISSION of the Queen , the annual exhibition of the Berks and Bucks Needlework Guild , of which Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein is the President , was held on Monday afternoon at Frogmore House , near Windsor Castle . The necessary articles of warm and useful clothing were displayed in the drawing and dining-rooms of the Royal residence . Her Majesty sent a sage-green woollen scarf and pale-blue hood ,

trimmed with ribands to match , both havmg been tastefully worked by herself . These were exhibited upon a round table in the bay of the drawing-room , the windows of which overlook the grounds and lake . Princess Henry of Uattcnberg ' s contributions—a pretty pair of woollen shoes for a baby , a comforter , and other articles , as well as some clothing that had been collected by her Royal Highness—were exhibited upon tables arranged near the Queen ' s gifts .

TIIK DUKE OF CONNAUGHT presided on Tuesday afternoon over a large gathering of officers at the Aldershot Military Society , when Colonel E . T , II . Ilutam , C . li ., A . D . C . to the Oueen , lectured on the German and French military manujuvre ^ of r ! yj 7 . Comparing the French and German armies with our own , and dealing with our regular force particularly , he said we had no reason to fear comparison . The physique ot our

soldiers was not deficient if we excepted a small proportion of immature lad . ; , and would compare more than favourably with the troops of Germany or France ; while for officers Great Britain had good reason to be satisfied . What wc had to consider was our defensive strength , and there a comparison between our own and foreign armies raised legitimate anxiety . In the course oi the discussion which followed Colonel Talbot Coke , Bro . Sir Charles IJilke , and others took part . THE THIRD LADIES' NIGHT of the Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 , will be helj at the Cannon-street Hotel on Wednesday , the 20 th January next , under the auspices of

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . Charles Carton , W . M ., who will be well supported by his officers and the members and very materially assisted by a strong body of Stewards , among whom will be Bros . H . Legge , P . M . ; T . Cohu , P . M ., V . Prov . G . W . Guernsey and Alderney ; F . Hughes , P . M . ; T . W . Fisher , P . M . ; and R . Sasson , I . P . M . ; Bros . William Biker , S . W . ; T . Stokes , J . D . ; and others . The M . Cs . will be Bros . John G . Robeson ,

b-U ., and A . J . Kippin , and the jomt Secretaries Bros . James Smith , P . M ., D . C , and T . J . Crawshiw , A . D . C . Tickets— 10 s . Od ., exclusive of wine—can be had of the VV . M ., Bro . C . Garton , Ivy Lodge , Grange-road , Gunnesbury , W . ; or the Stewards , M . Cs ., or Hon . Sees . Programme—Reception at 5 . 30 p . m ., dancing at 6 p . m ., supper at S p . m ., carriages at 11 p . m .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT , accornoanied by the Princesses Margaret and Victoria Patricia , visited the display of the Queen's Jubilee presents at the Imperial Institute on Monday morning . The additions which have just been made to the collection include several items of great interest , and the magnificent scallop-shellshaped pendant of diamonds , set off by a huge pearl , from the Thakore Sahib of Morvi , is conspicu-ius even among the other splendid jewels . The Hindu subjects of Bombay send a perfect model of a temple in solid silver , and standing 36 inches high .

Within it is to be seen a tiny representation of Ganesh , and all details , even to devout worshippers coming up to perform their observances , are represented . The addresses are notable for their beautiful caskets and cylinders , and include a specially handsome one from the Chinese community in Burma , who say— " We know that the strength of England is ever used , not to oppress , but to protect those who live under the shelter of her flag . " The Municipality of Poona send a huge silver casket , cleverly embodying English and Indian devices ; the city of Bangalore forwards one in carved sandalwood ; and the Rajah of Khairagarb encloses his loyal sentiments in a box of ivory and

gold . A remarkable ore is sent by the Eurasians of Western India , who have chosen a column formed ot black wood and silver , upheld by the lion and unicorn , richly carved . The solid gold cylinder forwarded by one native gentleman is enriched at the ends with enormous uncut brilliants . In touching contrast to these splendid offerings are the simply , printed expressions of devotion and goodwill of the inhabitants of Sylhet upon a rough sheet of country paper . _ It was explained , however , to her Majesty that the more sumptuous case and illuminations that had been so affectionately prepared , were lost in the destruction wrought recently by the great and disastrous earthquake in Assam . We have received the following letter at the moment of going to press :

MASONIC SERVICE AT ST . PAUL'S . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As we were not informed that we could ta ! : e our hats , coats , and cases into the Cathedral , and as no attendants were appointed to look after them

in the Crypt , my friend and I , together with many others , left before the completion of the service so that we might return for our belongings before the rush . In doing so , and much to my regret , I forgot the collection . I have much pleasure therefore , in sending a cheque for a guinea , which I trust you will kindly forward to the proper authorities .

Had the tickets issued been limited to the number of seats available ; had the doors been opened some two or three hours earlier ; had there been an " Order of service " on every chair the thousands of brethren present might have attended this unique celebration without the sli ghtest discomfort . In my opinion a great opportunity has been lost , as , by following the Albert Hall arrangements , a sum of 6000 guineas might have been obtained just as easily as the rather small sum of / 800 .

In conclusion , I may add that I have ever regarded it as a standing disgrace , that in a rich country like this our National Cathedral should have been left in an unfinished state so long . —I am , yours fraternally , P . P . G . W . Oxon .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

St . George's Lodge , No . 2402 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the 13 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Larnaca , Cyprus . The lodge was opened about 6 . 30 by the W . M ., Bro . F . \\ . Parker , assisted by Bros . Morton , P . M ., as S . W . ; Cartwright , as J . W . ; and the rest of the officers and brethren of the lodge . Visitors : Bros . Longcroft , W . M ., Aldred , W . M . elect , and Houry , all of 2277 .

After reading of the minutes , Bro . F . O . Harvey , P . M ., was installed W . M . for the ensuing 12 months by the retiring Master , Bro . F . H . Parker , and the newly-installerl Master appointed the following brethren as ollicers : Bros . T . IT . Dray , S . W . ; Frank Cartwright , J . W . j Z . D . Pierides , Treas . ; M . J . Louisides , Sec .: L . Pierides , S . D . ; D . Augusiin , J . D . ; A . Morton , P . M ., I . G . ; and Natar , Tyler . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the binqueting room where an excellent repast was done justice to . The usual toasts followed , a particular feature being made of the second term of the office of Bro . Harvey who was the first W . M . of the lodge .

The evening ' s proceedings were enlivened by some excellent songs from Bros . Harvey , Dray . Cartwright , Parker , Aldred , and Houry , the last named brother ' s songs being of a very humorous description . The Tyler ' s toast brought to an end a very successful evening .

St . Paul's Chapter , No . 2277 . This chapter held its regular meeting on Saturday , the 13 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Larnaca , Comps . F . O . Harvey , P . Z ., as M . E . Z . ; Morton , P . H ., as H . ; and F . IT . Paiker , J . ; the other regular officers of the chapter being present . The chapter having been opened by the Principals , the rest of the companions were admitted

, and alter the regular business had been gone through the ballot was taken for Bros . F . Cartwright and T . II . Dray , which proved favourable . These brethren were then examined and admitted , and in a mast impressive manner exalted to the Royal Arch Degree , the working of the acting Z ., and of the P . S ., Comp . Longcroft , being particularly commended . The companions afterwards dined with the members of St . George ' s Lodge .

Marriage.

Marriage .

BALDING—WILLING . —On the Sth inst ., at St . Peter ' s , Crickle . vood , by the vicar , the Rev . J . S . Woodhouse , M . A ., Arthur , youngest son of the late James Balding , to Beatrice May , second daughter of James Willing run of Rock Hall , Cricklewood , N . W . No cards . '

Lodges And Chapter Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapter of Instruction .

PROSPERITY LODGE , No . 0 . M , £ T ting , was hdd on WednesJay . "' e 24 th ult ., at the Weavers' Arms , 17 , London Wall , when there were present Bros . Kinipple , W . M . ; Spencer , S . W . ; Hillman J . W . ; D . Harlow , Preceptor ; Meadows , Sec ; John G . Robeson , S . D . Read ' J . I ) . ; knight , I . G . ; Thomas , P . M . ; Emden , P . M . ; Collins , C . Carton , William liaUer , Williamson , Nichulls , Bush , liammerton , anil Jas . Smith , P . M ., Asst . Sec . I he lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . Ihe ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Nicholls acting ascandiu , ' ni ° r' L d r n was pass , , to thc Seco " d Uegtcc - Lodge being resumed , the VV . M . rose for the first time and dues were collected . Thc W . M . rose for the second