Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

Bro . E . Y . Jolliffe has been unanimousl y elected VV . M . of the Thames Valley Lodge , No . 14 G 0 . Bro . Rev . Dr . P . H . Ernest Brette has been re-elected Examiner to St . Paul ' s School for the ensuing year . Bro . William Brindley was installed VV . M . of the Wanderers Lodge , No . 1 G 04 , at Freemasons' Hall , on Tuesday last .

Bro . Henry Windybank , C . C ., of the Burgoyne Lodge , 902 , and West Kent Chapter , 1297 , is spending the Easter recess in Devonshire . On the 15 th inst ., Bro . Windybank will dine with the Mayor of Devonport . The Royal Savoy Lodge of Instruction , No . 1744 , meets on Thursday evenings at eight o ' clock , at the Vorkshire Grey , 17 , London-street , Tottenham Court-road . A cordial invitation is extended to all brethren anxious to receive or to dispense instruction .

A dreadful accident happened at a lodge meeting held at Guildford , New York State , on the 3 rd February last . The brethren had gathered together on a funeral occasion , and the floor upon which they were met gave way , this calamity being intensified by a fire breaking out amongst the ruins . This however was promptly extinguished , but of the seventy brethren who were precipitated below , many were seriously if not fatally injured .

The annual installation meeting of the members of the Temple Lodge , 1094 , was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Masonic Hall , Hope street , Liverpool , when Bro . Evan J . Callow was duly placed in the Worshipful Master ' s Chair by Bro . R . Washington , P . P . G . S . D ., P . M . 1094 . There was a numerous attendance of visitors , to whom the important and interesting proceedings of the day afforded evident gratification .

The following arc the dinners , & c , held at the Freemasons' Tavern during the present week : Monday , April 7 th—Lodge of Joppa , Old King ' s Arms Chapter , Caxton Lodge , and Urban Chapter . Tuesday , Sth—Wanderers Lodge , Jerusalem Chapter , and Prudent Brethren Chapter . Wednesday , 9 th—Enoch Lodge , and Lodge of Fidelity . Thursday , loth—Rose of Sharon Chapter , Polish National Lodge , and Lodge of Regularity .

Saturday , tath—Dukeof Cornwall Lodge . A literary and musical entertainment in aid of the Masonic Boys' Orphan School is advertised to take place in the Corporation Hall , Derry , on Wednesday evening , April 23 rd . The entertainment will be under the patronage of the Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master , and the Marquis of Hamilton , Prov . Grand Master of Derry

and Donegal . 1 he Freemasons of Derry have signified their intention to come in full Masonic costume . The programme will be sustained by a number of distinguished amateurs , and the performance promises to be such as will well repay a visit to the hall on the occasion . Bro . Maurice C . Hinc , M . A ., ' I . L . D ., the head master , is the organiser of the entertainment , which in his able hands , we trust will be a success .

Seventy years will on 1 hursday next ( 10 th inst . ) have elapsed since the memorable battle of Toulouse terminated the Peninsular War on the 10 th April , 1 S 14 . Wc can trace but three survivors of that glorious day , and only eight others remain among us of the Army which the Iron Duke said could go anywhere and do anything . There are doubtless a few more veterans of the Peninsula ending their days in private life , but these cannot easily be

traced . Eight names , and eight only , still linger in the pages of the official " Army List " for January , 1 SS 4 ; but there arc three others well known to be still alive—viz ., the Earl of Stradbrokc , Major John Eden , and Lieut-Col . S . L . Stretton . Of the names still recorded in the official "Army List" wc find Gen . Gcoi-gc Whichcotc , Gen . P . V . England , Chap .-Gcn . G . R . Gleig , Major J . Brien

Pardy , Lieut . !• . Bayly , Lieut . R . Blake Humfrcy . Mr . J . VV . Wybatt ( Asst . Com .-C . cn . ) , and Lieut . A . Gardner . Thus only three Toulouse men are known to have survived . There arc a few more names in " Hart ' s List " for 1 SS 4 , but it is doubtful if the officers arc still living . —Broad Arrow . —Our contemporary adds to the names the services of each of these veterans .

A grand pageant of three hundred French and Indians commanded by De Celeron sent out by the Governor of Canada in 1749 crossed Lake Eric and Chautauqua and down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers in the interest of the French Government depositing at the mouth of theprincipai tributaries of the Ohio leaden plates with the object of their mission inscribed thereon . Among those found at the mouth of the Muskingum were Masonic

emblems , consisting of square and compasses ( attached ) , level , plumb , and cross , with a star enclosed in a circle at the intersection , with an inscription in French engraved upon them . These emblems were in the possession of the late Louis Soycs , a Frenchman , who was Mayor of Marietta for several years . A person now living remembers distinctl y Mr . Soycs exhibiting them at his store on Ohiostreet about forty years ago to party of gentlemen

consisting of Stephen Hildreth , Lewis Anderson , Timothy Buell , Silas Cook , Ben . Soule , John Cunningham and others , who , after relating the circumstances named above , said that they were dug up by workmen in making a landing at Marietta . If found they would be interesting relics in a Masonic point of view as well as in connection with the history of our city and State . They would attract much attention at the Centennial Celebration in 1888 .

Who will say—Eureka?—Bro . George T . Hoisey in the Weekly Leader { Marietta , Ohio ) . HOLLOW-AY ' PILLS . —THE GREAT NEED . —The blood is the life , and on its purity our health as well as our existence depends . These Pills thoroughly cleanse the vital fluid from all contaminations , and hy that means strengthen and invigorate the whole system , healthily stimulate sluggish organs , repress over-excited

action , and establish order of circulation and secretion throughout every part of the body . The balsamic nature r . f Hnllowav ' s Pills exercises marvellous power in giving tone to debilitated and nervous constitutions . These Pills dislodge all obstructions , both in the bowels and elsewhrre , and arc on that account much sought after lor promoting regularity of action in young females and delicate persons who are naturally weak , or have from some cause become so . —[ AUVT . I

Masonic And General Tidings

Bro . Rev . Dr . P . H . Ernest Brette has been unanimously re-elected for the sixth time Treasurer of the Thames Valley Lodge , No . 14 G 0 . Bro . W . Latham Cox , Adjutant 10 th Regiment , has been unanimously elected VV . M . of the Prince Edward of Gaxe-Weimar Lodge , No . 1913 , Portsmouth , and Bro . Threadingham , Treasurer , for the ensuing year .

Messrs . Klenck and Co ., Auctioneers , announce that in consequence of their old premises being required by the Metropolitan Board of Works they have removed to more central and convenient offices , at No . 42 , Bishopsgate-street , Within , Cornhill , E . C . His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught bagged his first tiger on March 5 , about thirty miles out of

Ulwar . The beast , which is supposed to have been a man-eater , measured nine feet five inches . News has been brought into the camp of several other tigers in the neighbourhood . We are asked to announce that the meetings of the Industry Lodge of Instruction , No . 1 S 6 , at the Railway Hotel , West Hampstead , will be resumed on Wednesday , the ifith inst ., when the ceremony of installation will be

rehearsed by Bro . John Horsey , VV . M . iSG , P . M . 1 S 92 and 1619 , P . G . D . C . Surrey . The daily observations recorded at the meteorological stations established last yearat Greenwich and Gravesend have resulted in the remarkable discovery that although the temperature of the Thames water at Gravesend varies Car less than that at Greenwich , still it is almost invariabl y higher . The observations are taken in both cases at a depth of two feet below the surface .

We have had occasion to note the destruction of Masonic apartments b y fire , at different times and places , but always with feelings of regret . 'The latest case is reported from Amesbury , Mass ., where Warren Lodge and Trinity Royal Arch Chapter had rooms in Union Block destroyed by fire on the last day of February . It is a glaring fact that in too many of these cases little or no

insurance is had on Masonic property , and if correctly reported , our brethren at Amesbury had less than onethird of insurance on their total financial loss . Wc hold this to be a good-natured negligence , and the poorest kind of Masonic economy . —Liberal Freemason . The following statistics of Royal Arch Masonry for 1 SS 3 in North America , have been published : The

total membership is 132 , 737 against 128 , 557 in i 8 ? 2 , and 127 , 105 in 1 SS 1 ; the exaltations are 10 , 557 against 7424 in 1 SS 2 , and G 733 in 1 SS 1 ; the admissions and restorations are 5202 against iSCS in 1 S 82 , and 1900 in 1 SS 1 ; the dimissions are 3142 against 3 S 1 S in 1 S 82 , and 3073 in 18 S 1 ; the expulsions are 55 against 65 in 1 SS 2 , and 82 in 1 S 81 ; the suspensions ( including suspensions from

membership ) arc 2 G 25 against 2 S 59 in 1 SS 2 , and 37 G 2 in 1 SS 1 ; and the deaths arc 1594 against 1 G 33 in 1 S 82 , and 249 G in iSSi . Evidently the Grand Chapter of Quebec has acted hastily and rashly in severing fraternal intercourse with the Grand Mark Lodge of England . Edicts of nonintercourse are very foolisn . Practically they amount to this : " If we cannot convince you wc are right , wc can

and will spit in your face , and treat you as outlaws . " 'That's the kind of Masonry some craftsmen possess , and they are never happy unless engaged in a quarrel . They have not the slightest idea of the meaning of Masonic friendship and brotherly love , but , like the anti-Masons , are constant provokers of _ jealousies , hatreds , and uncharitablcness . It is high time that they were given a back scat , and that true Masonic principles were made paramount . — I ' oice of Mason ry .

THE RESTORATION or THE TEMPLE . —Satisfactory progress is being made in restoring or rather rebuilding the Temple , and it will no doubt be ready for occupation , although not finished or decorated , in time for the Grand Festival on the 30 th . The lines of the old room have been preserved in every particular , except that a gallery has been constructed at the end capable of seating about Co , while the rearrangement of the scats will

probably increase the accomodation by about 100 . I he approach to the gallery is by stairs to the left immediately inside the door , and another stairs to the right provides for egress into the corridor in case of fire pr panic . Another space gained is that formerly occupied by the Organ , which is now placed outside the room , with the exception of the key-board . This will give additional room for the occupants of the dais , which is now much needed .

The greatness of the English Masonic Chanties is notable . The sum contributed to their Metropolitan Institutions in 1 SS 3 was £ 56 , 010 17 s . 3 d ., divided as follows : Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , £ 18 , 449 6 s . ; Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , _ £ 12 , 050 10 s . 2 d . ; Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , £ 25 , 010 17 s . id . . . , The example thus set before us is one which might well be

emulated in this country , especially by the great jurisdictions , to wit : California . Maine , Massachusetts , New Vork , Pennsylvania , Ohio , Indiana , Illinois , Michigan , Iowa , Missouri , Tennessee , and Texas . Kentucky is in the field , and doing splendidly . Her Masonic Home is grand , and well may she be proud of it . Illinois , equally able , has no Grand Lodge Hall , no Grand Libracy , and no

Grand Charity . Her private charity , by lodges and individuals , is munificent , but in the great work she is delinquent . Iowa has a magnificent Grand Library , but no Grand Lodge Hall and no Grand Charity . Massachusetts , New Vork , and Pennsylvania have Grand Lodge Halls and Grand Libraries , but no Grand Charities . New Vork and Pennsylvania are deeply in debt , but abundantly

able to pay , and to establish Grand Chanties . We think the time has come when all of these jurisdictionsshould advance to the great work before them , and so give our Institution a grand impetus . It is eminently worth y of the front rank in the Benevolent work , and forward , in solid phalanx , should be the resolution and order now . —Voice of Masonry . " RurruRES . "—WHITE ' S MOC-MAIN LEVER TRUSS is the most

eilectivc invention for the treatment of Hernia . The use of a steel spring , so hurtful in its clfects , is avoided , a soft bandage being worn round the body , while the requisite resisting power is supplied by the Moc-Main Pad and Patent Lever , fitting with so much ease and closeness that it cannot be detected . Send for descriptive circular , with testimonials and prices , to J . White and Co . ( Limited ) i > 8 , fittattilly , i-onuon . Oo not buy of Chemists , who often 9 ell an IMITATION of our Moc-Main . J . White and Co have not any agents . —[ ADVT . ]

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

LI . *^—aaw ^ -ITT . . AA- > - — ... . ¦!( During the present week many houses have been closed , amongst them being the Opera Comique ; but on Monday Lotta reappears here in "The Marchioness , " specially adapted for her .

* * * The I Iaymarket shortly changes its programme , Bro . Bancroft having made arrangements for the reproduction of Sheridan ' s ever-popular play "The Rivals , " in which Bro . Lionel Brough will appear as Bob Acres .

* * * Miss Minnie Palmer still continues to have it all her own way at the Strand . Bro . Lestocq has recently written a ne % v song for her , which Mr . VVilSord Morgan has set to music .

* * # Miss Kate Vaughan and Mr . W . Farren will appear to-night ( Saturday ) ( for 12 nifihts only ) , at the Novelty , in the "Country Girl . " " Nita's First" will also be played .

* # * We do not remember an Easter with so many new attractions in the theatres as this year . The critics , first nigbters , and general public will have a hard time if they make the round of the houses which re-open on Saturday or on Monday .

• * " Falka " is to be withdrawn altogether on the 2 Gth inst ., and the Comedy will be occupied with " Nell Gwynne , " transferred from the Avenue . The latter will most likely be opened with another comic opera under Bro . A . Henderson's and Bro . D'Albertson's management .

• » * The Court also reopens on Monday with its programme unchanged . When " Dan'l Druce " has had its run , an adaptation by Mr . Boucicault of " The Duel Sous Richelieu " will be produced , with Miss Ada Cavendish in the title role .

« » Bro . Holland ' s great house , the Alhambra , reopens to-morrow night ( Saturday ) with the leng promised and much talked of opera "The Beggar Student . " The ballets will be on a grand scale . Many alterations have been made lately in the comlorts and furnishing of the theatre .

• * The Vaudeville has no need for a change of programme , "Confusion" proving such an attraction to those who want an evening ' s mirth . Our readers will regret to learn that Mrs . Thorne , the wife of the lessee , is very seriously ill at Nice ; all will wish her a speedy recovery , m «

Last Saturday evening every West-end theatre was closed in token of respect to H . R . H . Prince Leopold , Duke of Albany . 'The late Duke was very fond of the p lay , and went to most of the theates as his health and time would allow . He was no dull hand himself in amateur theatricals .

• • • Miss Mary Anderson had intended personally thanking the public " viva voce" for the reception they have given her since she has been in London ; but was precluded owing to the Lyceum being closed on Saturday . She , however , through the Press has offered her thanks in the form of a letter full of happy expression . #

The Yokes family have taken the Imperial Theatre and purpose trying their luck there , " running" it on in a new plan . There will be only morning performances , except on Mondays and Saturdays , when there will also be an evening one , commencing on Monday next with two performances . "In Camp" is the title of the piece , fees are abolished , having become a scandal here .

• « « To-morrow ( Saturday ) night Mr . Laurence Barrett , the eminent American actor , who has just been entertained in London by his brother professionals at a dinner , appears at the Lyceum in " Yorick ' s Love , " supported by Mr . James Fernandez , Mr . Philip Ben Greet , Air . Irish , Mr . Hamilton Bell , Miss Annie Rose , and Miss Waimvright # #

» Her Majesty ' s reopens on Monday with Charles Reade ' s " 1 icket of Leave Man , " under the direction of Mr . Henrj Neville . Miss Amy Roselle , Miss Clara Jecks , I 3 ro . E . Righton , and Mr . Arthur Stirling are amongst the cast . _ Mr . Wilford Morgan's " Waterman , " will _ be the first piece . With the new popular and cheap prices Mr Taylor , the lessee , ought to make it pay .

* * * On Easter Monday the Globe reopens with a new comic opera , " Dick , " founded on " Dick Whittington , " It will be in two acts only . Mr . Warde is responsible for the dances ; this itself will be an attractive feature . The cast will be composed of Misses Camille Dubois , Gladys Homfrey , Hetty Chapman , and F . Harcourt , Mons . DeLange , and Mr . J . L . Shine . The dancers will be Mr . Warde and Miss Alice Holt . Mr . Gilbert Tate is the acting manager .

* # « " Our Helen " was brought out at the Gaiety on Monday , but was not so well received as burlesques usually are there . The author is Mr . _ Reece , who has sooften written popular pieces for the artistes and patrons of this home of burlesque . It requires a little brighter music and solo dances to make it a Gaiety success . There

is no lack of puns upon words . The cast is a very strong one on the male side , but Miss Farren is the only lady who has any part to speak of , and hers is the leading one . Bros . Is . Terry , Dallas , Elton , and A . Williams all shine in their various spheres and when more used to their parts

the piece will go much better . Miss C . Gilchrist does not appear , there not being any character for her . There is no foundation for the statement which a few of our contemporaries have given forth that Miss Gilchrist is leaving the Gaiety . We are in a position to state that she will resume her place in thenext burlesque .