Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

It is gratifying to know that Bro . Edmund Yates has at length recovered sufficiently from his recent long and trying illness to be able to visit Marienbad for the purpose of perfecting his cure . Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire , on their arrival at Buxton from Eastbourne , had a most enthusiastic reception , it being the first visit his Grace has paid since his accession to the Dukedom .

It is expected that the Queen will continue to reside in the Isle of Wight until about the 24 th instant , when her Majesty and the Court will take their departure for Scotland , where they will remain until aboutthe usual time in November .

Sunday last was the 49 th anniversary of the birth of H . R . H . the Dukeof Edinburgh , who was born on * the Gth August , 1 S 44 , and the church bells at Windsor rang out a merry peal in honour of the event , the usual Royal salutes being deferred till Monday . . ..

The High Court of Judicature will be closed to-morrow ( Saturday ) for the Long . Vacation , and there will be no further general sittings till the 24 th October , when Michaelmas Term begins . Mr .-Justice Wright andMr . Justice Kennedy will be the Vacation Judges .

The Austro-Hungarian Ambassador and the Countess Deym and their family have left the Embassy in Belgravesquarc for Austria , where they will remain till the beginning of November . During his Excellency's absence Count Wydenbriick will act as Charge d'Affaires .

Several hundred children ofthe National Refuges , including some iijo boys from the training ships Arethusa and Chichester , were entertained in Osterley Park , Isleworth , on Wednesday , by Bro . the Earl and Countess of Jersey . His . lordship is President of these homes , and takes a deep interest in the welfare of the institution , which attains its jubilee this year .

By invitation of the directors of the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company , the Lord Alayor inspected on Saturday last the new first-class cruiser . Theseus , which has been constructed b y the company . under the Naval Defence Act , and _ is now lying in the Victoria Docks . The vessel was again open for inspection on Monday , and the money received for admission will be handed over to the Poplar Hospital .

¦ Mr . Gladstone , who was accompanied by his wife , distributed the principal prizes at the recent Working Men ' s Exhibition at the Royal Agricultural Hall , Islington , on Saturday last . Great preparations had been made for the reception * of the right honourable gentleman , who was greeted with enthusiasm , both on his arrival and departure , by the enormous gathering which had assembled on the occasion .

The trustees of * the Dysart Estates in Ham and Petersham have offered the Richmond 'own Council five acres of land at Ham at £ 1000 per acre for the erection of a joint isolation hospital for the borouehs of Richmond and Kingston , and have also expressed their willingness to hand over to them a portion of the Petersham Meadows , the object being to prevent the erection of houses in this beautiful neighbourhood .

Among the latest donations received by the Lord Mayor towards the Mansion House Fund for the relief of the sufferers by the Victoria disaster are £ _ jo per Lady Gertrude Molyneux , being the balance of the Wedding Gift of the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland to the Duchess of York , sent by special desire of her Royal

Highness ; £ 415 from the inhabitants of Kensington ; J C- O from Cheltenham , where it had been collected by Vice-Admiral A . Philips ; . over £ 47 from the officers and crew of H . M . S . Colossus ; over £ 20 from those of H . M . S . Arethusa ; and £ 100 per the Mayor of Leicester . The Fund at the beginning of the present week amounted to about £ ( 12 , 000 .

The death is announced of the Baroness Bolsover , stepmother of Bro . the Duke of Portland , who had been some time in a delicate state of health , and who , for that reason , had been unable to be present at the recent christening of the infant Marquis of Titchfield . Her ladyship was 59 years ii age , and in 1 S 62 became the second wife of Lieut .-

General Arthur Cavendish-Bentinck , who died in 1877 , two years before his relative , the late Duke of Portland , to whose title and estates he would otherwise have succeeded . Her Majesty was pleased to create Mrs . Cavendishbentinck , the Baroness Bolsover , with remainder to her stepson , the present Duke of Portland , thus reviving an old title which had been held by an ancestor of the family .

Monday was the last Bank Holiday of the year , and , as ! he weather was unusually fine , the traffic all over the country , both by boat and rail , was exceptionally heavy . All thc popular seaside resorts within easy reach of Lyndon were crowded with excursionists , while the usual throngs of visitors , but in largely augmented numbers , were to be seen at all outdoor places of amusement in the suburbs , as well

as in the various gardens , museums , galleries , & c , in and around the Metropolis . The Crystal Palace , with its permanent and specially arranged attractions , was visited by some 30 , 000 people , the Imperial Institute , Captain Paul [ joyton ' s Show at Earl ' s Court , the Royal Aquarium , the jjfTyptian Hall , Kew , and the Zoological Gardens , South Kensington Museum , the Imperial Institute , Madame

V'ssaud s , all drew more than their usual complement of sightseers . Unfortunately , the day was not allowed to Pass without several accidents , in certain of which several ives Were lost , the most serious disaster being that which ' * party of excursionists , who had gone out in a pleathaf ''" *^ wansea k f » l were upset , with the result dro . many as 2 3 out ° t t ' 9 pleasure-seekers were

Krai * ' " ** nnua ' Edition of Explanatory Book , sent * ""s and post tree , gives reliable information how to make n ^ 'y quickly by Stocks and Shares . Highest and lowest brni ! or Past years . —Address , G . Evans and Co ., Stock"rollers , , 1 , Poultry , London , E . C .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The Rothesay Lodge , No . 16 S 7 , now meets at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford-street . The value of the personal estate of the late Mr . Henry Parry Gilbey , of the firm of VV . and A . Gilbey , who died on December 12 th last , aged 6 S years , has been sworn at i , 4 ( 33 , 600 .

The Opera Testimonial Fund will endow a scholarship . Bro . Sir Augustus Harris intends to suggest that the entire proceeds be devoted to this purpose , and that the scholarship be founded either at the Royal College of Music or at the Imperial Institute .

Several important county matches have been played or are still in progress during the present week . Nottinghamshire was badly beaten by 10 wickets at the Oval , the Australians were defeated by Kent by 36 runs at Canterbury , while Lancashire beat Yorkshire by live runs .

Prince Bismark visited Bro . Lord Randolph Churchill at the Victoria Hotel , Kissingen , on Monday , and in response to the loud calls of the dense crowd which had assembled outside the hotel , the Prince and his lordship appeared on the balcony together , and were greeted with the utmost enthusiasm .

The full-size model of the statue about to be raised in the Houses of Parliament to the late Bro . Earl Granville has been completed by the artist , Mr . Hamo Thorneycroft , R . A ., and Mr . Gladstone and others who have seen it are said to have pronounced it to be an excellent likeness of the deceased statesman .

The Duchess of York has graciously promised to open the annual sale of work of the Highland Industries Association some time during the autumn . The Countess of Aberdeen was President of the Association till quite recently , but has been obliged to resign that office in view of her approaching departure for Canada .

Mr . Edward Lloyd arrived in London from New York on Monday . Mrs . Lloyd arranged a large garden party for the following day , in celebration not only of his homecoming but of their silver wedding . Nearly 250 guests , all intimate friends , were invited . 1 he festivities at Hassendean , Tulse Hill , lasted from mid-afternoon until nearly midnight .

Sir George Grove , Director of the Royal College of Music , has addressed a letter to Bro . Sir Augustus Harris , conveying the resolution of the Council , in which the thanks of that body are expressed to Sir Augustus for his valuable assistance in connection with the operatic performances of the . pupils during the past year and for other acts of kindness .

A lodge does not become great by the large number of names on its roll of membership , nor by the accuracy of the rendition of the ceremonies ( both of which are commendable and to be desired ) , but by the obedience and fidelity of its individual members to the usuages , customs , and landmarks of the Fraternity , and their putting into practice out of the lodge the principles of religion and morality they are taught within it . —Keystone .

The late Bro . J . D . Allcroft acquired during his lifetime the . patjpnagej-if ir _ % n )[ . important livingSj-WJth . ihe object oT ' assunrig for them a continuity of sound Evangelical divines . . It was thought that on his death Bro . Allcroft would , like Charles Simeon , leavevaluable properties in trust for this purpose , but it is now stated that they form part of the estate left to his eldest son , Mr . Herbert Allcroft , who will , therefore , now present to the vacant living of St . Matthew ' s , Bayswater .

In regard to the . fund raised by the Mansion House Committee for the purpose of presenting a wedding gift to the Duke and Duchess of York from the citizens and inhabitants of London , a communication has reached the Lord Mayor that their Royal Highnesses would desire the money to be

expended in the purpose of tapestry for the ornamentation of their London residence—York House , St . James ' s Palace . At a meeting at the Mansion House on 1 nursday this suggestion was adopted , and steps were taken to purchase such tapestry as their Koyal Highnesses might consider suitable for the purpose indicated .

Do we always remember when we see a strange face in our lodge room that we are at home , and on us rests the duty , as it should be a pleasure , of making our lodge room a pleasant Masonic home for the time being to the visiting brother ? We are too apt to leave it to the Worshipful Master or other officers . lt is a duty and a pleasure we should all delight in . A visiting brother , having been duly examined and tormally introduced , is too often left to his

own devices in making acquaintances . Are we not his Masonic hosts . ' Is he not of the same "household of faith . * * " What better claim could he have to a brotherly grasp , a cheerful word , a kind attention to his comfort ? ls he a sojourning brother ? He miy be making up his mind where he shall cast his lot . Your kindly greetings , bretliren , decide him , and you have " lengthened your cords and strengthened your stakes . "—Herald of Masons .

At half-past one o ' clock on Thursday morning a rather heavy thunderstorm burst over London , and was especially violent in the south-eastern district . The storm was preceded by sheet-lightning and low rumbling of thunder late on Wednesday night . Between' half-past one and three in the morning the lightning flashes were extremely vivid and frequent , scarcely a second elapsing without a bright broad flash illuminating one or other point of the horizon .

The disturbance seemed to pass rapidly over to the northwest . Rain showers , which although very heavy , were of very brief duration , accompanied the storm , which subsided shortly after three o ' clock , although the lightning continued tor over two hours longer . Rather more than a tenth of an inch uf rain was measured at Westminster . It appears from the report of the Meteorological Office that thunderstorms had occurred in almost every part of England during the preceding 24 hours .

THE POWER OI PERSONA * . I . VIUENCE , for good or evil , is frequently shown by the manner in which large Micml , political , and even philanthropic organisations are conducted . Tne good influence of an earnesr leader can work wonders , whilst the plausible utteMnces of a professional agitator 1 , 1 ' ten results in ihe ruin of numbers of vacillating men . These facts have been

proved so often that there is no necessity to enlarge upon them , except to say that there are few things which so amply prove how a good influence may be obtained over humanity like HoIIoway ' s Pills and Ointment . Through the wonderful power they p issess , these remedies are regarded as a cure for all ailmerits by persons who have once felt their healing influence .

Masonic And General Tidings.

A cheque for £ 104 17 s . 3 d . has been sent : to the ' 'Lord Mayor for the Mansion House Victoria Relief Fund , as a proportion of the profits derived from a benefit given at the Royal Aquarium , Westminster . The amount would probably have been larger but for the announcement of the closing of the fund . The Duke of Cambridge has written from Germany , where he is staying , to Major-General Forster , Chatham ,

Vice-President of the Army Veterans' Association , expressing his approval of the proposal to admit naval pensioners and veterans as members , and suggesting that the society should in future be called the Army and Navy Veterans ' Association . His Royal Highness adds that he views With great pleasure any efforts to bring the sister services into closer union with each other , and thinks that the way proposed is a move in that direction .

' Before leaving for the Engadine the Archbishop of Canterbury performed a graceful act in appointing the Rev . Henry Venn , son and namesake of the great missionary , to the valuable living of Minster , Isle of Thanet . This incumbency has been held since 1 S 60 by the Rev . A .

H . Sitwell , a relative by marriage of the late Archbishop Tait , who was roundly accused by the High Church papers of that date of an " act of nepotism . " Mr . SitWell retires in accordance with the terms of the Incumbents ' Resignation Act .

On Thursday night the General Steam Navigation Company ' s steamer Philomel ran aground on the Mole Rocks off Dover Harbour , when approaching the Admiralty Pier . There were a good number of passengers on board , and some excitement prevailed at lirst . The vessel got off about half an hour afterwards , and landed her passengers . She was able to return subsequently to Ramsgate , where she will be overhauled . Fortunately the weather was fine .

A fine and elegant furnished lodge room , a large roll of riiembership , a full treasury , are all very nice for a lodge to be able to show , but that does not indicate that the members are engaged in carrying out the true principles of the Order . As we judge man by his good deeds , so we judge a lodge by its good deeds . It is related that the Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Massachusetts once visited a country lodge and found it small ,

poorly lighted , and miserably furnished , so that he was much surprised at its appearance ; but when he examined the books and saw the donations that had been made to a sick brother , and the Hour and wood that had been sent to widows and orphans , and the tuition that had been paid for the schooling of the latter , he declared that there was true Masonry enough in that little room to adorn the finest Temple in the entire jurisdiction . —Lodirr Secret .

There was a strange ceremony in Oakland ,-California , recentl y , and * there is now buried somewhere within the Masonic Temple in that city the heart of a man who died for . Masonry . The ceremony was the teceipt of the heart by Gethsemane Chapter , No . 5 , Rose Croix , of the Scottish Rite of Masonry , and the formal assuming of the care of it by the chapter . It was a brilliant gathering , and one

that was unique in its way . In the history of Masonry it has no equal . The heart was that of Ygnacio Herreray Cairo , who was Governor of the State'of Jalisco , ^ Iexico , 35 years ago , and who was killed , the Masons say , because he was one of the first Masons in Mexico . The murder was committed 35 years ago , and until the present time the heart was carefully preserved in Mexico—where , the

Masons say , will always be a mystery except among the Craft . It finally came into the possession of Mrs . Rosalia L . Coney , wife of Alexander . K . Coney , now the Consul . General of Mexico in San Francisco . After introductory ceremonies , Mr . Coney presented the casket and a painted portrait of Ygnacio Herreray Cairo , while his wife handed to the care of the chapter the large bottle with the human heart floating therein . —Masonic Record .

Mr . Joseph Newton , late of the Royal Mint , has recently pointed out that there is one use for money not generally known . This is the availability of coins for letter weighing when the ordinary postal weights do not happen to be at hand . Commencing with the sovereign , this weighs a very safe quarter-ounce , for foreign postage , two equalling , of course , a half-ounce , and lour one ounce . The next

denomination , the crown piece , is just on the right side of one ounce in weight , and th ) half-crown of half-an-ounce . Five separate shillings , or two shillings and a sixpence , for the ounce and half-ounce will do as well . ' Descending from gold and silver to hard-working bronze , it is found that

either three penny pieces , or live half-pence , or 10 farthings will respectively make up one ounce . Another peculiarity in regard to the halfpenny is noted by Mr . Newton . That is its diameter , which is precisely -fne inch , so that by using it as a measure it will be seen that 12 half-pence laid lilt , and in touch , are equal to one fool :.

I heard a story a few days ago that fully illustrates forgetfulness , and shows the icy frigidity and hardheartedness of those who know not nor appreciate the labours of those who have gone before . In the Home at Utica is the member of a lodge whose advanced years precludes the possibility of his taking care of himself , ln years goneby he has stood shoulder to shoulder with those who upheld

the lodge . He was a faithful member , and was in good standing , of course , when admitted to the Home . A short time after he had been sent to the Home some one from the lodge of which he was a member wrote asking what they should do with this aged brother . The letter was somewhat after this fashion : "Brother A . having been acceptekl at the Home , what shall we do with him ? Shall

we grant him a dimit , or shall we wait until his dues accumulate for two years and then unaffiliate him for nonpayment of dues " : We do not want to pav Grand Lodge dues for him . " Great Ge ser ' s Ghost ! Was ever such a case of penuriousness thought of ? What sort of clay were those people made of ? How did the author of that letter or the person who could for one moment entertain such a thought ever become a Mason . * * Is it possible that humanity

can lall so low ? The Lick telescope cjuld not find the soul of such a man ? And all the microscopes in the world would fail to reveal any Masonic spirit in a lodge composed of men who would make such a proposition . And as you may know , that lodge has not paid its quota to the Hall and Asylum Fund . I don ' t know what the District Deputy of that district will do , but it seems to me he ought to read the " riot act" to that lodge , and set about to find , if possible , what has become of the hearts of those who for the paltry sum of 50 cents a year would desire to get rid o £ a worthy brother . — New York Dispatch .