Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

The Duke of Conraught will return to Bagshot Park to-morrow ( Saturday ) , and will again assume command of the Aldershot Division . Bro . W . A . Bascomb has appointed Bro . Arthur Cross , A . R . C . O ., organist of Sandringham Church , organist to the Royal St . James ' s Singers and Players .

The Committee of the Grand Lodge of Scotland have recommended that Bro . Sir Charles Dalrymple , of Newhailes , Bart ., M . P ., be re-elected as Grand Master Mason of Scotland , and Sir Charles has signified that he will accept the position . Mr . Tuer ' s collection of old A B C horn books promises to be most unique in collection of old books , although its

use is in the memory of many living . It dates back from the earliest age of education among the masses , and right up to the present century it was the Alpha and Omega of the education of the majority of the people . Sir G . Macpherson Grant laid , with Masonic honours , on Friday , the 2 Sth ult ., the foundation-stone of a new iron bridge across the Spey at Kingussie , which is to replace an

old timber structure . The new bridge is of the lattice girder order , is of three spans , each So feet in length , with a clear roadway of 14 feet . The foundations are laid on cylinders sunk 16 feet below the bed of the river . Over these , piers of masonry have been erected , and the iron girders are about to be placed in position . What should be done with the brother who subscribes for a Masonic paper , and then after receiving one for a number

of years , directs the post-master to return his copy marked " refused . " We have a few such brethren in Canada , some of whom stand high in Grand and Subordinate Lodges . Appeals are made to Grand Master ' s on Masonic law , we would therefore respectfully ask the Grand Masters of the different Grand Lodges of Canada for a ruling on the question , What shall be done with such " material" ? Are they fit subjects to sit in Masonic lodges?—Canadian Craftsman .

THE CAXTON CONVALESCENT H OME . —Accompanied by the Lady Mayoress , Bro . Sheriff Hand and Mrs . Hand , the Lord Mayor laid the foundation-stone- of the Caxton Convalescent Home at Limpsfield , Surrey , on Saturday last . In spite of the very unfavourable weather , there was an attendance of several hundred reprrsentative members of the printing and allied trades , in connection with which the

home is to be erected , and a number of ladies were also amongst the company . The building will , when completed , furnish accommodation for 50 patients j but it is only proposed at present to erect the central block , to accommodate 12 inmates , the cost being defrayed by Mr . J . Passmore Edwards , who has been elected President of the Committee . The Lord Mayor expressed his gratification at having been

asked to lay the foundation-stone of the home . Ever since he was 15 years of age he had been more or less associated with printers , and , if it had not been for them , the chances were that he would not have been Lord Mayor . The Rev . Canon ( ones , Rector of Limpsfield , then offered prayer ,

after which the Lord Mayor laid the foundation-stone with the usual formalities . The handsome hall-marked silver and ivory trowel presented to Bro . the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor and the massive ebony maul , with silver plate and level presented by the architect to the President of the home , were manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

UNVEILING A STATUE TO THE LATE BRO . SIR WILLIAM PEARCE , BART ., P . G . M . ( S . C . ) On Saturday afternoon , the 6 th instant , there was unveiled a statue to the memory of the late Bro . Sir William Pearce , Bart ., late Provincial Grand Master of the Glasgow City Province of Freemasons . The statue stands on its own ground , almost in the

centre of Govan ( near Glasgow . ) It was designed by Mr . Onslow Forde , of London , and is executed in bronze ; it represents the late baronet bareheaded , and in ordinary business attire , examining a scroll , bearing on it the plan of a ship . The pedestal is of polished Peterhead granite . The unveiling ceremony was performed by Lord

Kelvin , of Largs , in the presence of a very large gathering oi the public . The Provincial Grand Lodge , under Bro . John Graham of Broadstone , P . G . M ., assembled in the Burgh Buildings , were then joined in procession , being followed by the Executive Committee , magistrates , commissioners , and officials of the borough , and

others , Lord Kelvin , accompanied by Lady Pearce , Lady Kelvin , Sir W . G . Pearce , Sir James Bain , and others . At the statue , Provost Kirkwood was called upon to take the chair , and the proceedings immediately commenced , with prayer , by the Rev . Dr . MCLEOD . While the preliminaries were being got through , a

long procession of trades societies and friendly societies was passing , and was much enjoyed by the on-lookers . Lord KELVIN unveiled the statue at the invitation of the Executive , and in doing so , delivered a very eloquent address , in the course of which he sketched out the career of the late Bro . Sir William , from the time he commenced his apprenticeship as a naval

architect in the Royal Dockyard at Chatham , until he became sole owner of the world-renowned Fairfield Shipbuilding Works of John Elder and Co . During the time that Bro . Sir Wm . Pearce was sole proprietor of the works ( six and a half years ) , there had been annually paid in wages an average of

^ 300 , 000 , value of work done , . fc 1 , 000 , 000 , tonnage built , 32 , 000 , indicating horse power , 40 , 000 . While presiding over the Glasgow City province , Bro . Sir William displayed the liveliest enthusiasm in his office , and was never weary of promoting the best interests of the Craft , and during his reign Masonry was much benefited by his prudence and zeal .

Masonic And General Tidings

Bro . Samuel Cochrane , P . G . Treas ., was on Wednesday last elected Master of the Dyers' Company . The Duchess of York has accepted a beautiful white lace and muslin frock for Prince Edward of York from the members of the Edinburgh Gentlewomen ' s Self-Aid Society . Prince and Princess Henry of Prussia took leave of the gueen , on Thursday afternoon , and left Balmoral for ondon , where they will remain on a visit for a week .

Arrangements for the funeral of the late Sir John Astley have been completed . The body will be removed from Park-place on Monday to Elsham , Lincolnshire , where it will be interred at noon on Tuesday . A memorial service will be held in the Guards' Chapel , Wellington Barracks , London .

There has been correspondence with Grand Lodge re the status of Past Masters under Irish and Scotch Constitutions in an English lodge , and it has been ruled , under date 8 th May , 1894 , that a Past Master of either Constitution is not at liberty to occupy the chair or confer Degrees

in an English lodge . The reason probably is that they have not , by the regulations of those Constitutions , necessarily qualified as Wardens . As a matter of courtesy they may occupy seats on the dais , but does the ruling referred to permit them to assist in forming a Board of Installed Masters?—Indian Freemason .

Dr . Regnault , the well-known Egyptologist , has written a paper on attitudes in Egyptian art , wherein he shows that while chairs were known in ancient Egypt , they were reserved for royal and august personages . The Egyptian attitude o £ repose differs . Irom that of the negro and Arab of our day ., The Arab sits cross-legged like a tailor , but this attitude is only seen in the cafe of scribes and some

women in Egyptian art . Negroes sit on their haunches with their knees rising to their shoulders in front . In Egyptian art this posture is sometimes observed , especially by servitors and persons of low caste , as well as by the inferior gods under the Thebian dynasties , for instance , Thoth , Ra , and Bast . Egyptian women , such as harpers ,

are usually represented on their knees , like so many negresses of to-day j but Egyptian men are only represented on their knees in the act of devotion . Their attitude of repose was commonly a mixture of sitting and kneeling the left leg being doubled under the body backward , and the right doubled in front of it forward .

Bro . Rear-Admiral Albert Hastings Markham , District Grand Master of Malta—both in the Craft and Mark Degrees—was married on Thursday last to Miss Theodora Chevalier Gervers , daughter of Mr . and Mrs . Gervers , of Emperor's Gate , South Kensington . The marriage took place at St . Michael ' s Church , Chester-square , the chancel of which was tastefully decorated with palms and flowers .

The service was fully choral , and the ceremony was performed by the Revs . Canon Fleming , C Markham ( cousin of the bridegroom ) , andC . Fitz Hardinge Morton , P . M . 257 . There were eight bridesmaids , drefsed appropriately in the summer costumes of Jack Tars . Rear-Admiral E . H . Seymour officiated as best man . The church was crowded with friends and spectators , including a large number of naval officers and several brethren of the Cratt ,

notably from the Phoenix Lodge , No . 257 , at Portsmouth , and the Royal Naval College Lodge , No . 1593 , zX Greenwich . After the conclusion of one of the prettiest weddings of the season , Mr . and Mrs . Gervers held a reception at their residence , after which the Admiral and Mrs . Markham took their departure for the Continent , amid expressions of the heartiest of good wishes from a multitude of friends . The wedding presents were very numerous and valuable .

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER . —An interesting event took place on Thursday evening , when a complimentary dinner was given to Bro . W . Baldwin , 2345 , the editor and proprietor of the Clapham Observer , by the leading tradesmen and officials of Clapham and district . The company met at eight o ' clock in the spacious clubroom of the Bowyer Arms , which had been very tastefully decorated with flowers

in honour of the occasion . J . H . Gibson , Esq ., occupied the chair , and was supported by Bro . H . Lynn , M . L . S . B . j Mr . J . R . Crockford , manager of Parr's Bank ; and several gentlemen connected with the local governing bodies . The Chairman and other speakers referred to the high appreciation of Bro . Baldwin ' s valuable public services as editor of the Clapham Observer lor the long period of 2 S years , and trusted that he would long continue to enjoy his well-merited

prosperity . In a few well-chosen words , Bro . Baldwin acknowledged the kind expressions of goodwill and personal regard which had been made ; after which a most enjoyable musical programme was rendered by the numerous artistes in a manner that secured the cordial approval of the company . The whole arrangements were carried out by Bro . Charlie Woods , J . W . 2345 , S . E . 2345 , who acted as Hon . Secretary . The meeting was a great success .

A MASONIC SERMON . —On Sunday afternoon of the 30 th ult . there was a large congregation at St . Thomases Church , Heaton Chapel , on the occasion of a Masonic musical service under the auspices of the Prince Edward Lodge , No . 2109 . The sermon was preached by Bro . Rev . John Henn , B . A ., rector , and Chaplain of Prince Edward Lodee , who took as his text the last verse of the chapter

which had been read as lesson : "And now abideth faith , hope , charity , these three ; but the greatest of these is charity . " He spoke of faith , hope , and charity—which word was translated "love" in the revised version—as the three Masonic graces , and defended the Craft against the criticisms of those who regarded it as beneath contempt , of others who treated it with derision , and of others again who

looked upon it as a selfish society . Strangest of all the misconceptions was that entertained in Roman Catholic headquarters ; they saw in Freemasonry something hateful to the Great Architect of the Universe . Freemasonry , however , is essentially religious in its nature . Freemasons do much towards the assistance and support of the needy , the old , and the suffering . There are , for example , the West

Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution for the education , clothing , maintenance , and advancement in life of the children of distressed and deceased Freemasons ; the West Lancashire Hamer Benevolent Institution for aged and distressed Freemasons of the province ; the West

Lancashire Alpass Benevolent Institution for providing annuities for distressed widows of Freemasons ; the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for aged Freemasons and widows ; the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and the one for Boysj besides smaller Charities . A collection for the Masonic Charities realised £ 16 QS .

Masonic And General Tidings

The nth dinner of the "One of Us" Club took place on Thursday evening , at the Grafton Rooms , Blanchards ' , Beak-street , Regent-street , W ., under the presidency of Oscar Berry , Esq . Electricity is now applied in France tojseal up bottles of wine , beer , and chemicals with a metallic coating , or capsule . A conducive layer is formed on the mouth of the bottle , and the metal coating is deposited on it by the ordinary method of electro-plating . It is proposed to apply the

process in sealing cans of fruit and preserved meats . The death is announced at Frinton-on-Sea , on Thursday , of Mr . Charles Chatterton . As confidential secretary ot Mr . Henry Abbey , Mr . Chatterton was associated for many years with important operatic and theatrical enterprises , both in America and this country . He was popular in musical and dramatic circles , in which his premature death will be sincerely deplored . At the time of his decease he was staying at the house of Mr . Eugene Oud .

A Committee has been formed in the Ward of Aldersgate to arrange for a display of decorations to welcome their Alderman , Sir Joseph Renals , who has been elected Lord Mayor , and whose procession will pass through the Ward on the 9 th November , with Mr . Deputy Pepler , as Chairman j Bro . Deputy Goodinge , as Treasurer ; and Bro . Benjamin Norman , Secretary .

At an ordinary meeting of the William Preston Lodge , No . 766 , held on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., Bro . Dr . J . Pidcott , W . M ., in the chair , Mr . J . Ward was initiated b y the W . M . Afterwards the brethren elected Bro . R . C . Wilson , S . W ., Master elect , who will be installed in November next . Bro . J . W . Miller , P . M ., was again reelected Treasurer , and Bro . C . Patrick , P . M ., Tyler for the ensuing year .

At a lodge meeting a few weeks ago , at the third enquiry as to the prospect of any brother having anything to propose for the good of Freemasonry in general , or of Lodge in particular , one brother announced his resignation and another applied to be put on the nonresident list . Our correspondent wants to know under which of the two heads these two interesting facts should be chronicled . —Indian Masonic Review .

CHELSEA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN . —At a special meeting of the Governors held recently , at the Hospital , the Board of Management , through the chairman , Mr . T . VV . Brookes , made a full statement of what they had accomplished in the re-organisation of the medical , sanitary , and managerial departments of the Institution ; and having done so , placed their resignation in the hands of the Governors . The resolution was put to the meeting , but the Governors declined to pass it , and requested the existing

Board of Management to continue office . The American Tyler describes how on a recent occasion a brother was listening to the words of wisdom falling from the lips of the W . M . preparatory to being raised , when an earthquake occurred . The brethren , including the W . M ., disappeared rapidly without the formality of being passed out , and when , in a quarter of an hour , they retained , the candidate was observed still standing amid the ruins . The W . M . tried to apologise , but t e candidate explained that he had been under the impression it was all a part of the

ceremony . Electioneering for office , cither in a subordinate lodge or in Grand Lodge is quite out of place . While human nature remains as it is we may expect , however , that there will be solicitations for oiSce in Masonic bodies , and sometimes , at least , a heated contest for a coveted post of distinction . This was the case at the recent meeting of the Grand Lodge of Canada . The office of " Deputy " was the special bone of contention , although for several other offices there were

contestants . The Freemason , published at Toronto , intimates that the Scottish Rite in some way made itself a party to the heated contest . It says : " the members of the Scottish Rite actively interested themselves in the selection of candidates for office in Grand Lodge . If such tactics is pursued in the future the Rite will sacrifice its dignity , and destroy its usefulness as a branch of the Masonic system . By all means let us confine electioneering to as narrow a circle as possible . "—Freemasons' Repository .

THE HOLBORN RESTAURANT . OPENING OF THE KING ' S HALL . —The enterprise of the proprietors of the Holborn Restaurant appears to know no bounds . The growth of this gigantic aggregation of dining halls adapted to the requirements of every section of the large and ever increasing world of diners out , is one of the features of London . It is not long since extensive additions were made to this building which to those persons

jess foreseeing than its proprietors seemed to cover all possible requirements for the future , and now we have an addition which , not only in itself , is certainly far and away the finest hall in London , but attached as it is to the old structure forms , what we believe to be , the most complete and perfect establishment of its class in Europe . On Wednesday evening last , in response to invitations issued , some 3000 persons assembled to view the building . They were received at the

new entrance in Newton-street by the ever courtejus manager . Bro . Hamp , and the whole suite of rooms soon presented an animated and gay appearance . On all sides were expressions of admiration . Nor was their admiration misplaced , for the King ' s Hall is certainly a noble structure , " perfect in all its parts and honourable to the builder . The span of the roof with its rich decorations is graceful in the extreme . It is supported on every side by piers in Verona marble , arched with the same material , and resting on dark

red pedestals with a massive plinth base of black marble with white deckings . There are two balconies as well an orchestra for 60 or 70 musicians . The suite of room ! attached comprises a large and perfectly ventilated smoking room and other apartments , plentifully supplied wit " lounges and other luxuries , which have been fitted up in the best taste by Messrs . Maple and Co . The new hall will , «" understand , be available for political meetings , balls , < ° < which the floors have been specially laid , and other social gatherings on a large scale .

WANTED—A WIFE . —A farmer in Manitoba " recently wrote < England , asking fora wife tube sent out to him . Webelieve 1 ' ^ meant well , and we hope be met with success ; but good wi , e ^ are not usually to be obtained in this way . In such a niat ^ a man cannot safely trust to the judgment of another , but ni ' - use his own . In choosing a wife , every man's judgment V ' '" ^ In other things it is not so . For instance , the judgment of eve . sensible man is in favour of Holloway ' s Pills and Ointment ' , the cure of liver complaints , disordered stomach , fi' 1 '' | ^ 'L | i nerves , rheumatism , gout , lumbago , scalds , bums , and a" * diseases .