Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

THE NORTHERN BAR LODGE , of which Bro . Justice Bruce is the Worshipful Master , will entertain the members of the Chancery Bar Lodge at a dinner to be held in Ihe Middle Temple Hall , by permission cf the Treasurer and Benchers , on Wednesday , the 24 th inst . FIELD LANE REFUGES AND RAGGED SCHOOLS . —The 54 th annual meeting and ccnveisEzior . e cf the above \ yill be held in the Institution on Tuesday evening , the lGth instant , when Ihe Right Hon . the Earl Compton , M . P ., Vice-President , has kindly consented to preside ; chair to be taken at 7 . 30 p . m .

THE PRAISEWORTHY EFFORTS of Mr . Walter Tyrrell , the manager of the Novelty Theatre , to convert his pretty little house into a pleasant resort for playgoers are meeting with a fair amount of success . Mr . Tyrrell is , perhaps , better known in Masonic circles as Comp . Shipway , the Scribe E . of the Dalhousie Chapter . THE LADIES' BICYCI . B GYMKHANA was held in the grounds of the Ranelagh Club , where a capital grass course had been prepared , on Saturday last . Among those

present were Ihe Duchess of York , the Princess Mary Adelaide ( Duchess of Teck ) , who subsequently gave away the prizes , and the Duke of Teck . THE ANNUAL REGIMENTAL DINNER of the Royal Horse Guards took place in the Whitehall Rooms of the Hotel Mctropole on Monday evening , among the guests being Bro . Viscount Wolseley , Commander-in-Chief , Lord Galway , Major Lord Dalrymple , Bro . the Marquis of Zetland , Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , and others . The band of the 2 r . d Life Guards played during the evening .

THE SIRDAR of tfe Egyptian Aimy , Sir A . Kitchener , has achieved a considerable victory over the Dervishes , of whom Soo , including the Emir Hammuda , who commsrded , were killed , while several hur . dreds were taken prisoners . ¦ The Egyptian loss was one British cfiicer , slightly wounded , and about 20 killed , and So , including eight Egyptian officers , wounded . The fight took place at Firkeh , on the road from Wady Haifa to Dongola .

THE DIRECTORS of Spiers and Pond ( Limited ) notify that the transfer books will be closed frcm the 15 th inst . to the 30 th inst ., both inclusive , for the purpose of preparing the interest warrants , on the 5 per cent . First Mortgage Debentures , the 5 per cent . " A " Mortgage Debenture Stock , and the 5 per cent . " B " Debenture Stock , and the 4 per cent . " C " Debenture Stock of the company . The warrants will be posted on the evening of the 30 th inst .

THE DUCHESS OF ALUANY , attended by Bro . Sir Robert and Lady Collins and Miss E . Heron-Maxwell , visited Wandsworth , on Saturday afternoon last , for the purpose of laying the foundation-stone of the new chancel of St . Anne ' s Church . The Bishcp of-Rochester and Archdeacon Burney conducted the dedicatory office , and her Royal Highness offered up a brief prayer in laying the stone . She afterwards received a number of purses containing a sum of £ 73 , and at the close of the ceremony took tea with several of the leading parishioners at the vicarage .

THE DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT has promised to open a rose show and bazaar at the Queen's Hall , on Tuesday , the 23 rd inst ., in aid of the Norlh-Eastern Hospital for Children , and on the occasion the Duke of Newcastle , whose skill as an amateur photographer is well known , will exhibit some of the most advanced uses to which Professor Reintgen's great discovery can be put . Among the stall-holders will be Lady Amherst of Hackr . ey ar . d her daughters , Countess Cowper , the Countess of Bantry , the Countess of Albemarle , Lady Llangattock , and Lady Skelmersdale .

AMONG the cycle companies that have just been brought before the public , there is probably none which has a better claim to attention than the Singer Cycle Company , whose prospectus was issued on Monday . The Messrs . Singer have been turning out cycles at their manufactory in Canterbury-street , Coventry , at the rate of 500 a week , and these cycles are all of the highest class . The firm holds any number of patents for various improvements , and the Singer cycles are used by Ihe War Office

for military purposes , the Czar , the King cf the Hellenes , the King and Queen of Portugal , the Princess of Wales , Princess Maud of Wales , the Duke of Cambridge , and the majority of the British and Continental aristocracy patronise this make . The new company thus ccmes out under exceptionally favourable auspices , and with the moderate capital of ^ 6 co , ooo there should be a very gocd ic ' . urn fcr those who are fortunate enough to secure an allotment .

H . R . H . THE DUKE OF YORK , the Master , and the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House were entertained at luncheon at the Marsion House on Monday by Bro . Lord Mayor Sir VV . Wilkin , among the guests present being H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gctha and the Duke of Cambridge , Piince Christian and the Duke of Teck , Ihe Duke of Westminster , Bro . Lord Ashbourne , the Earl of Northbrcck , Bro . Lord George Hamilton , Lord James of Hereford , Bro . Admiral of the Fleet the Hon . Sir H . Keppel , Bro . Ferdinand de Rothschild , M . P ., Sir Arthur Arnold , Bro . Sir C . Mark Palmer , M . P ., Bro . Alderman Davis M . P ., Sir Charles Hall , Bro . Sir

John B . Monckton , Bros . Aldermen Sir H . E . Knipht , Sir Joseph Savory , Bart ., M . P ., P . P . Alliston , Vaughan Morgan , Treloar , and Sir David Evans . In the course of the afternoon the Prince , who was accompanied by the Duke of York , presented to Mr . Henry C . Burdett a handsome album in recognition of his many valuable services in connection with the Metropolitan Hospital Sunday Fund , the ceremony taking place in the Old Ball Room , under the presidency of Bro . the Lord Mayor , the Lady Mayoress , the Sheriffs , and many members of the Corporation being also present , as well as Earl Stanhope , Lord Knutsford , Bro . R . B . Martin , M . P ,, the Bishop of Stepney , and Bro . Archdeacon Sinclair .

ROYAI . AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ' S SHOW AT LEIC : STER , J UNE 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 2 G , 1 S 9 6 . —The Great Northern Railway Company draw attention to the fact that they are prepared to deal specially with live stock , implements , and merchandise traffic passing to and from the Royal Agricultural Show at Leicester , from June 20 th to 2 fith next . There is a direct and convenient route between the Great Northern Station and the show ground , and the company will undertake cartage at a reasonable rate . Exhibits should be consigned and addressed per Great Northern Railway . The Great

Northern Company ' s office andtheir representatives on the Show ground will be available as usual for enquiries as to passenger or goods train services , and for the requirements of str . dersand cons gnees generally . Excursion trains will be run from various points on Ihe Great Northern Railway , full particulars of which may be obtained from bills to be had at ihe various stations . Cheap season tickets will also be issued during the show fcr the convenience of exhibitors and visitors generally , available from June 20 to 27 , belli dales inclusive , between Leicester and surrounding stations .

ROYAI . AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ' SHOW , LEICESTER , JUNE 20 T 11 TO 2 UTH . — The site selected for the Royal Agricultural Society ' s Show of iScjfi , being adjacent to the Midland line at Leicester , the company will tffer every possible facility for the prempt despatch and working of all descriptions of traffic both to and from the Royal Show . Ihe Midland Company's dock at Wei ford-road , where cattle and other live stcck will be dealt with , is in close proximity to the Show ground , and , in addition to this , a r . ew station at Aylesttne-road , with special siding and dock accommodation

( which will be Ihe nearest to the Show ground ) , has been provided for dealing with all descriptions of traffic , including machinery , traction engines , agricultural implements , & c . The Midland route is the most direct between Leicester and London , the Eastern Counties , the West of Ergland , the North of Englard , Scotland , & c , and the train services between these points will be found most convenient . The ordinary train service , by which passengers will be conveyed at a single fare and a quarter for the double journey , fiom certain stations will be supplemented by a number of special expresses .

Cheap excursion trains will also be run to Leicester from various parts of the Midland line , particulars of which will be duly announced by special bills . Cheap season tickets , available from Saturday , June 20 th , to Saturday , June 27 th , both dates inclusive , will be issued between Leicester and the surrounding stations , lull particulars of which may be had on application . Special folder time-tables , giving full particulars of the company ' s arrangements , in connection with the Royal Show , may be had on application at Midland stations and agencies .

V . BKNOIST , 3 G , Piccadilly , VV . —Banquets , Dinners , Suppers , and Receptions seivedin the most unique styh-. Menus and estimates on application . Also French Comestibles of every description . Sole Caterer to the celebrated Grafton Galleries . The best locale in ihe West End for holding Private Parties , Balls , etc . Telephone , No . 3 , 919 . Telegrams , Gourmet , London . —[ ADVI . i

Masonic And General Tidings.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN has forwarded to the Royal College of Music her annual subscription of 100 guineas . THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES the Prince and Ptincess of Wales , and the Princesses Victoria and Maud dined with Sir Horace and Lady Farquhar , on Saturday evening a ( their residence in Grosvenor-square . BRO . SIR EDWARD MALET , lately Ambassador at the Court of Berlin , will preside at the triennial dinner of old members of Corpus Christi College , Oxford , which will be held on Wednesday , the 24 th inst .

HER MAJESTY THE Q UEEN has announced her intention of contributing £ ra towards a fund which is being raised in Cornwall for the restoration of the fine old tower of Holy Trinity Church , St . Austell . The work of restoring the tower is now in active progress . BRO . SIR AUGUSTUS HARRIS has now in preparation at Orympia a grand spec , tacular display dealing with recent events in South Africa . It promises to be even more realistic and exciting than the Chitral scenes , which created such a sensation and kept alive so much public interest for five months .

AT HOLY TRINITY , Tulse-hill , on Wednesday afternoon , the marriage tcok place of Mr . Sydney Francis Staples , son of the late Bro . Sir John Staples , K . C . M . G ., who was Lord Mayor of London 1 SS 5-6 , and Miss Violet Maud Margaret Altman , daughter of Bro . Sir Albert and Lady Altman , of Elm Court , West Norwood . THE ANNUAL DINNER of the ist Life Guards' Club was held in the Whitehall Rooms of the Hotel Metropole , on Satuaday evening last , among the guests being Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar , Prince Adolphus of Teck , the Marquis of Ormonde , the Marquis of Hamilton , the Earl of Verulam , Lord de Ramsey , Lord Greville , Bro ! Lord North , and others .

WE REGRET to say that an accident befel the Count de Casa Valencia , the Spanish Ambassador , on Sunday afternoon last . His Excellency was crossing the road in Grosvenor-gardens , when he was knocked down by a cab and received a cut on the head and sundry contusions on the knee and elbow . He at once received medical aid , and has since teen reported as progressing favourably .

ACCORDING TO THE RETURNS issued by the London County Council , the number of unmuzzled dogs seized in the streets of the Metropolis between the 17 th February and the 16 th May was 17 , 989 , and of these 4195 were claimed by their owners at the various police stations . Ihe number of cases of rabies reported was 25 in January , 25 in February , 22 in March , n in April , and 10 from 1 st to 21 st May .

THE CEREMONY of the installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as Chancellor of the University College of Wales will take place on Thursday , the 25 th instant , at Aberystwyth . The Princess of Wales will accompany the Prince . After the Prince has been Installed , the Princess of Wales will open the new Women ' s Hostel , a beautiful building on the sea front , which has been erected to accommodate the lady students at the University .

THE MILITARY TOURNAMENT at the Royal Agricultural Hall , Islington , was continued during last week , and will be continued during this . There has been a large attendance daily , and the greatest enthusiasm has been shown by the spectators during the several competitions , several of which have been decided . It is to be hoped the Charities to which the surplus proceeds of the Tournament are devoted will be benefited as largely as they have been in previous years .

THE CYCLE CRAZE shows no sign of abatement , indeed , if one may judge from the number of cycle firms which have develop . d into limited companies , the day of the cycle has but just began to dawn . There is another cycle company on hand which will be out in a few days , and which , although it asks only for the moderate sum of £ 200 , 000 as capital , should prove an excellent investment , as it is stated that the firm , that of J . R . Starley and Co ., the Owners of the Imperial Rover Cycle , have already in hand far more orders than with their present appliances they can pjssibly complete .

WE UNDERSTAND that the Rev . Sydney H . Fleming , Vicar of St . James ' , Crojdon , contemplates joining the Craft , and will probably be initiated in the Bedford Lodge , No . 157 , at Freemasons' Hall , at the next meeting of that lodge , in the autumn , by Bro . Layton A . Richardson , I . P . M . The Rev . S . H . Fleming preached a sermon recently on Church and Stage , with special reference to the great drama , " The Sign of the Cross , " which has been published , and has now reached its third edition , and caused some sensation amongst the Masonic , Theatrical , Musical , and Clerical world .

IN ACCORDANCE WITH a time-honoured custom , which dates from the reign of Henry 111 ., sundry of the judges , attended divine service at bt . Paul ' s Cathedral , on Sunday afternon last . Their lordships were Lords Justices Kay and Smith , and Justices North , Grantham , Sterling and Kennedy , and were received by Bro . Lord Mayor Sir Walter Wilkin and the Sheriffs , among those who were present being the Lady

Mayoress , the Common Serjeant ( Sir Forrest Fulton ) , the Recorder ( Sir Charles Hall ) , Bro . Alderman Sir Joseph Savory , Alderman Truscott , Bros . Alderman Sir H . E , Knight , * F . P . Alliston , and VV . Vaughan Morgan , many members of the Common Council , the Dean of St . Paul's , and several of the Prebendaries and Canons , and a very large general congregation . The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Stepney ,

THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES , accompanied by their daughters , the Princesses Victoria and Maud , visited the East-end of London on Saturday alternoon last for the purpose of opening the East London Trades , Industries , and Arts Exhibition at the People's Palace , Mile End-road . The streets , all the way from the City to the Palace , were thronged with spectators , who . enthusiastically cheered the Royal visitors . On reaching their destination , the Royal party were received by the Bishop of Stepney and the Chairman and other members of the Executive Committee of the Exhibition , a guard of honour of the 2 nd Tower Hamlets Rille Volunteers

being on duty at the entrance . After the Princess and her daughters had been presented with bouquets and the Prince with a buttonhole , the Royal visitors took their seats , and an address of welcome was delivered by the Chairman . The Prince , who , on rising , was greeted with immense cheering , acknowledged the address , and dwelt at some length on the value of such exhibitions as tending to promote success in industrial competitions . When his Royal Highness had declared the Exhibition open , the Royal party were conducted round the building , and , after partaking of tea , quitted the Palace , in order to return to Marlborough House , amid the heartiest possible demonstrations of loyalty .

AN EARNEST APPEAL IS BEING MADE on behalf of "The Home of St . Barnabas , " which was founded last year , and has been temporarily set up at East Grinstead . f he Home is intended for poor and aged clergymen , who are without means and no longer capable of doing work , as well as for those who have been engaged in Mission Work and are utterly broken down in health from the effects of bad climate and excessive work . The Institution when completed will consist 01 a chapel and two wards at eacn side fitted with cubicles for incurable cases , and 20 small houses , each containing four

rooms , will be added as funds arc subscribed , ten of these houses will be set apart for Home , and 10 for Missionary and Colonial Clergy . It is estimated that the first portion of the proposed building , consisting of two wards , with accommodation for nurses and servants , and 10 of the small houses can be erected lor £ 5000 , while each additional house will cost about £ 300 . Towards this sum about £ . 500 has been subscribed , and we trust that for so admirable a purpose the remainder will be forthcoming at an early date . In the meantime a temporary home has been opened , as we have said at East Grinstead , which will accommodate 10 inmates , the honorary Lady Superintendent b ; ing Mrs . W . H .

Cooper , wife ot Bro . Canon W . H . Cooper , who occupied the same position at the Hostel of St . Luke . A rector has promised £ 50 on condition that nine others will give a like sum between now and St . Barnabas Day . Seven of the nine amounts have been contributed , so that their only remain two to complete the number which will secure the rector's promised donation . Among the members of the General Council will be found Bros . Bishop Macrorie , the Dean of York , the Archdeacon of { London , Canon Tristram , D . D ., the Rev . John Bobbins , D . D ., the Rev . J . A . Lloyd , M . A ., & c , & c , while Bro . Canon W . II . Cooper is-Warden and Hon . Secretary .

Tun TROCADERO RESTAURANT will shortly be opened hy Messrs . J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , alter a lengthened period of preparation . Every effort is being made to make this the handsomest and most perfectly-equipped dining palace in Europe , and the arrangements for Masonic meetings will be made a special feature . App lrcations respecting bookings should be made as early as possible to the proprietors , J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , Cadby Hall , Kensington , where all inquiries should be addressed . — I'Anvr . j