Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

THURSDAY , the 27 th instant , is the date fixed for the production of " The Romance of the Shopwalker " nt the Vaudeville Theatre . BRO . LORD GEORGE HAMILTON , M . P ., Secretary of State for India , has appointed Bro . Gerald Loder , M . P ., to be his private Secretary for Parliamentary purposes .

BY THE WILL of Lady Gregory ( Mrs . Stirling ) , wife of Bro . Sir C . Hatton Gregory , £ 500 has been bequeathed to the Sisters of Nazareth Home , Hammersmith , in order to endow a bed in perpetuity for some poor person . BRO . CECIL RHODES , lately Prime Minister of Cape Colony , left London on his return to South Africa early on Monday morning , and will travel overland to Naples , so as to catch the East Coast mail , which leaves Suez on the 20 th inst .

AT THE SUGGESTION of the Provost of Eton , it has been decided to place a brass tablet in Eton Chapel in memory of the late Bro . Sir Joseph Barnby , who held the office of Precentor for 17 years . The cost will be borne by the Masters of the College . MESSRS . SYMMONDS AND THIELE , of Chancery-lane , have recently produced a "flash-light" photograph of the directors and members of the Press who attended the opening ceremony of the National Skating Palace . For so large a group the portrait is singularly distinct .

THE ANNUAL DINNER of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodonon has been postponed to the 17 th prox . in consequence of the death of Prince Henry of Battenberg , and the alteration in the arrangements of the Duke of York , who has kindly consented to preside . BRO . THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF DERBY are residing at Derby House , St . . lames ' s-square , and Bro . the Right Hon . W . H . and Lady Doreen Long are at 50 , Pont-street . Bro . the Marquis of Zetland arrived in London from Aske Hall , near Richmond , Yorkshire , on Monday .

THE Q UERN has been pleased to appoint Bro . Colonel Lord Edward Pelham-Clinton , Master of her Majesty's Household , to be a Knight Commander ( Civil Division ) of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath . His lordship is a son of the Bro . the late Duke of Newcastle , and uncle of the present Duke . A FIRE , which was fortunately discovered in time , broke out in the Greenwich Theatre , about 9 a . m ., on Monday . It was , however , soon got under , and only some match boarding , about 20 feet by to feet , was destroyed , while the ceiling under the gallery was damaged by water and the auditorium generally by smoke .

THE HOSPITAL SHIP Coromandel , with the sick of the Ashantee expeditionary force , sailed from Cape Coast Castle on Saturday afternoon last , and may be expected to reach the Albert Docks about the 25 th inst . Sir Francis Scott and his Staff , including Prince Christian Victor , were also on board , and were reported in good health .

IT IS PROPOSED to give a Club Dinner at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester , on Tuesday evening , the iSth inst ., to Bro . Wm . Jaffrey , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., who has for 13 years been the Chairman of the Club , and who now retires . We have no doubt that a very large number of brethren will assemble to do honour to one who is so beloved as Bro . Jaffrey .

A BRITISH COMMISSION has been formed under the auspices of the Duke of Teck , Bro . Lord Mayor Sir Walter Wilkin , and the Hungarian Association of London , in order to further the interests of the Hungarian Millennial Exhibition , which will be opened by the Emperor Francis Joseph in Buda-Pesth in May next , in the . presence of all the members of the Hapsburg dynasty .

THE CHRISTENING of the infant son of the Duke and Duchess of York will take place at Sandringham Church on Monday next , the 17 th instant , in the presence of the Piince and Princess of Wales , the Princesses Victoria and Maud , the Duke and Duchess cf York , the Duke and Duchess of Teck , the Empress Frederick of Germany , and a ¦ epresentative of the Queen , who will act as Sponsors .

BROS . SIR M . HICKS-BEACH , Bart ., M . P ., Sir M . White Ridley , Bart , M . P ., Sir J . Stirling Maxwell , M . P ., A . Akers-Douglas , M . P ., Lord Arthur Hill , MP ., W . Ellison Macartney , M . P ., W . Hayes Fisher , M . P ., Lord Stanley , M . P ., W . Hume Long , M . P ., and Sir W . Walrond were among those who dined with the First Lord of the Treasury at his official residence in Doivning-street on Monday evening . THE SPOT-BARRED MATCH , 24 , 000 up , between Roberts and Peall , which had been

in progress at the Egyptian Hall for a fortnight , and in wh ' ch Roberts gave his opponent a start of 9000 , teiminated on Saturday night last in a victory for the champion by 124 points , the scores at the close being Roberts 24 , 000 ; Peall 23 , 8 7 6 . This is the second of these big matches in which , under similar conditions , Roberts has come off victoriously , but only after a close and exciting finish .

AMONG THE NEW PEERS who have taken their seats inthe House of Lords are Loid James of Hereford , Char . cellor of the Duchy of Lancaster , Viscount Peel , the late Speaker , Bro . Lord Pirbright ( Baron Henry de Worms ) , Bro . Lord Rathmore ( the Right Hon . David Plunket ) . Bro . Lord Glenesk ( Sir Algernon Borthwick ) , and Lord Aldenham ( Mr . H . Hicks-Gibbs ) . Bro . the Duke of Leeds will also subscribe the roll as the successor to his father , the late Duke . THE EARL OF CADOGAN , Lord Lieutenant of Ireland , left London immediately after

the Cabinet Council on Monday , for Dublin , for the season , which was postponed in consequence of Prince Henry ' s death , but which will extend over the remainder of the present month . Yesterday the first Levee was held at the Castle , and to-day ( Friday ) will take place the first Drawing Room . To-morrow ( Saturday ) and on the 27 th inst , there will be dinners in St . Patrick ' s Hall , and a concert on the 17 th inst .

ORDERS HAVE BEEN received from the Admiralty for the new torpedo-boat destroyer , Sunfish , to be commissioned < at Sheerness for service in the Channel Squadron in place of the Havock , which has had to put into Portsmouth for repairs . She will be attached to the battleship Royal Sovereign . The tcrpedo-boat destroyer , Decoy , will also be commissioned to take the place of the Surly , which has been disabled through defects in one of her cylinders , and will be attached to the battleship Magnificent .

BRO . HIS HONOUR J UDGE PHILURICK , who succeeds the late Judge Hooper took his seat at the Bridport Court for the first time on Wednesday , the 5 th inst ., when Mr . F . W . Gundry tendered to him a warm welcome on behalf of the solicitors practising at the Court . His Honour , in graceful language , acknowledged the compliment , and did not forget to pay a trib-ite to the memory of the late Judge Hooper . His Honour has already made himself popular at the Courts where he has presided , and his courteous bearing , warmth of heart , and sympathetic feeling quickly created a most favourable impression , while his fairness and strict impartiality in dealing with the cases brought before him , together with his deep knowledge of the law , are guarantees that disputants who bring their differences before him will have justice done to them .

BRO . THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE gave a full-dress Parliamentary dinner at Devonshire House , Piccadilly , on Monday evening , at which there were present , among others , Bros , the Dukes of Bedford and Fife , Bro . the Marquis of Tweeddale , Bros , the Earls cf Cowper and Durham , and Bros . Lords Burton and Ampthill . The Duchess of Devonshire's reception followed , and was attended by many members cf the Diplomatic Corps , and in addition to many already mentioned , by Bro . the Earl of Cork , Bro .

the Hart ot Carrington , ttro . Lord Glenesk , the Baroness Burdett-Coutts and Bro . W . Burdett-Coutts , M . P . ; Bro . Lord and Lady George Hamilton , Bro . Lord Roberts , V . CBro . Lord Stanley , M . P . ; Bro . Lord A . Hill , M . P . ; Bro . Gerald Loder , M . P ., and Lady Louise Loder , ; Bro . G . J . Shaw-Lefevre , Bro . A . Staveley Hill , M . P . ; Bro . Sir M . Hicks-Beach and Lady Lucy Hicks-Beach , Bro . Sir M . White Ridley , Bart ,, M . P . ; Bro . Sir Dixon-Hartland , M . P . ; Bro . Sir M . Stewart , M . P . ; Bro . the Hon . T . Coclrane , M . P ., and others .

VNO . NUEKS iviLi . M-VEII CEASE wc-are told ; Imt it cannot he denied that HoIIoway ' s Pills are the greatest wonder of modern times . They correct bile , prevent flatulency , cleanse the liver , and ( purify the system , strengthen the stomach , increase the appetite , invigorate the nerves ! promote health , and reinstate the weak to an ardour ol' feeling never before experienced . The sale of these Tills throughout the globe astonishes everybody , convincing the most sceptical that there is no medicine ecjual to HoIIoway ' s Tills for removing the complaints incidental ui the human race . They are indeed a blessing to tbe alllicted , and a boon lo those who sutler from disorders , internal or external . Thousands of persons have testilied that by their use alone they have been restored to health , after other remedies bad proved unsuccessful .

Masonic And General Tidings.

TO-NIGHT ( FRIDAY ) a light comedy will be produced for the first time in London a » Terry ' s Theatre entitled " Jedbury , jun ., " by Madeline Lucette Ryley . BRO . ARTHUR B . HUDSON , F . S . I ., C . C , has been unanimously elected Chairmin of the Streets Committee of the Commissioners of Sewers for the current year . WE ARE GLAD TO HEAR lhat the improvement in the condition of Bro . Sir Joh „ Pender , M . P ., which has now extended over several days , has been maintained . BY THE QUEEN ' S COMMAND , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales will hold a Levee at St . James ' s Palace , on behalf of her Majesty , on Thursday , the -jth March .

HER MAJESTY ' S first-class cruiser Blenheim , which was recently dispatched to Madeira to bring over the body of the late Prince Henry of Battenberg , has resumed her place in the Channel Fleet , off Portland . THE ANNIVERSARY festival in aid of the London Society for Teaching the Blind will be held on the 18 th May , when the Lord Chief J ustice of England , Lord Russell of Killowen , has promised to preside as Chairman .

THE NEW OPERA by Mr . Gilbert and Bro . Sir Arthur Sullivan , which it had been almost decided to bring out at the Savoy Theatre on Saturday , the 22 nd inst ., will now it is thought , be performed for the first time on the 20 th inst . '

BRO . J . L . TOOLE and his company , which have been on tour in the provinces for the last five months , and have everywhere met with a most enthusiastic reception , commenced a week's engagement at the Kilburn Theatre on Monday . VISCOUNT CURZON , M . P ., has been appointed Treasurer of her Majesty ' s Household , vice Bro . the Duke of Leeds , who has resigned the post on his succession to the Dukedom , and the appointment has met with her Majesty ' s approval .

A PUBLIC MEETING was held at Ramsgate on Tuesday evening , when it wis decided to make the necessary arrangements for having a Yacht Race week during the month of July . It is believed the proposal will have the cordial support of the princi pal yacht clubs . ARRANGEMENTS are being made for the City of London Artillery Volunteers to be quartered in the forts at Sheerness during Easter , and for the 2 nd Middlesex Artillery to occupy Grain Fort , while the 3 rd Middlesex Artillery will be quartered at Chatham for work on the Lines .

THE RIGHT HON . THE SPEAKER of the House of Commons will give his full , dress Parliamentary dinners to members of the Government on VVednesday , the 26 th instant , and to members of the Opposition on the 4 th prox . He will hold fu' 1-dress levees on the nth and 25 th prox . THE PARTICULAR SERVICE SQUADRON , under the direction of Rear-Admira Alfred T . Dale , consisting ofthe Revenge ( flagship ) , ihe Royal Oak , Gibraltar , Charyb . dis , Hermione , and Theseus , with the six torpedo boat destroyers , sailed from Spithead for Berehaven on Monday .

BROS , THE DUKE OF FIFE and the Earl of Durham , Lord Tweedmouth , Lord Hillingden , Lord Aldenham , and others have signified their intention of acting as Stewards in support of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales at the banquet in May next , at which his Royal Highness will preside on behalf of the funds of Guy ' s Hospital . A PUBLIC LIBRARY and reading . room , erected by the Tottenham District Council at a cost of between £ 5000 and £ 6000 , were opened by Bro . J . Passmore Edwards in the presence of a large company of spectators on VVednesday afternoon . At present the library contains some 4 S 00 books , of which 1000 are the gift of Bro . Edwards .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK have accepted the invitation of the Mayor and Corporation of Lancaster to visit that town towards the end of next month , and open the infirmary which has been built by public subscription . Thei . * Royal Highnesses , during thtir visit , will be the guests of Bro . * the Earl and Countess of Derby , at Knowsley .

THE GUESTS at the dinner party given by Bro . Lord Pirbright at his residence in Grosvenor-place on Tuesday evening included Bros . Lord Halsbury ( Lord Chancellor ) , the Duke of Abercorn , the Maiquisof Tweeddale , the Earl of Lathom , the Earl 0 I Kintore , the Earl of Kilmorey , the Earl of Feversham , Lord Balfour of Burleigh , Lord Rath-mere , and Lord Glenesk .

THE 4 6 TH ANNUAL DINNER of the Metropolitan Foreman Tailors' Mutual Benefit Society was held at the St . James's Hall , on Monday last , under the presidency of Mr . H . W . Hill , the special object being to aid the benevolent fund , out of which annuities are paid to deseiving tailors who have fallen upon evil times , or are too old to work . The invested funds ot the socieiy no . v amount to £ 5 700 .

BRO . LORD MAYOR Sir Walter Wilkin and the Lady Mayoress entertained the Masters of the City Companies at dinner at the Mansion House on Wednesday . Among the guests present on the occasion were Bro . Viscount Wolseley and Viscountess WcLtley , Viscount Peel and the Hon . Miss Peel , Bros . Lord Norton and Justice Gainsford Bruce , Bro . Sir F . Abel , and Bros . John Aird , M . P ., and Alderman Treloar .

Miss MAY DOVAL-WORRELL , eldest daughter of the late Madame Worrell , A . R . A . M ., announces that she gives lessons on the violin , pianoforte , and mandoline . For terms—which are reduced in the case of two or more members of a family taking lessons together , and are the subject of special arrangement in the case of childrenaddress to Miss M . Duval-Worrell , 102 , Amesbury Avenue , Leigham Court , Streatham Hill , S . W . PRIOR TO THE opening of Parliament on Tuesday , Bro . the Duke of Devonshire , who was accompanied by the Duchess , unveiled , as Chairman of the Bright Memorial Fund , the statue of the late John Bright , which stands in the Central Hall of the Palace at Westminster . Bros . Lord Burton , Sir C . Dalrymple , Bart ., M . P .. Sir Mark Stewart , M . P ., J . B . Martin , M . P ., and many other Members of Parliament and friends and admirers ot the deceased stateman witnessed the brief but interesting ceremony .

THE SECOND SESSION of the present Parliament was opened by Royal Commission on Tuesday . The Lords Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor ( Bro . Lord Halsbury ) , Viscount Cross , and Broj . the Earl of Lathom , the Earl of Kintore , and Lord Ashbourne , who occupied seats on a bench in front of the throne , and the Commons having been summoned by Black Rod , the Lord Chancellor read the Queen ' s Speech . Among the peers present at the evening sitting during the debate on the Address were H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Duke of Yoik , and the Duke of Connaught , who occupied their usual seats on the cross benches .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK opened the Great Hall of the Church House , Westminster , on Tuesday , their Royal Highnesses being received by a guard uf honour of the Queen ' s Westminster Volunteers , and within the entrance hall by the official representatives of the church . Among those present were the Archbishops of Canterbury , and York , a formidable airayof bishops and clergy , the Lord Chancellor ( Bro . Lord Halsbury ) , Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , the Attorney-General , Sir Arthur Bloomfield , A . R . A . ( the architect ); the Duke and Duchess of Westminster , the Duchess of Buckingham and Chandos , Lady Halsbury , Lady Ashcombe , and others .

THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER , officeis , and founders of the Holmes Lodge , No . 2571 , recently presented a founder ' s jewel and illuminated address to Bro . K . H . Holmes , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Northumberland . The presentation was made by Bro . T . S . Hudson , P . P . G . D ., W M ., in open lodge , in the presence of a numerous gathering of membeis and visitors , and was most cordially acknowledged by Bro . Holmes . The address was as follows : " To VVorshipful Brother Aid . Richard Henry Holmes , J . P-i P . M ., P . Z ., P . G . D . England , W . D . P . G . M .-Wethe Worshipful Master , Past

, Masters , officers , and brethren of the above lodge , desire to confer upon you the honorary membership of this lodge , together with a founder ' s jewel , in recognition of your valuable services to Masonry in general , and this province in particular . We also desire to place on record our high appreciation of the zeal you have displayed in furthering the interests of the Masonic and local Charities , by which such magnificent results have been achieved , namely , your taking as Steward to the Masonic School for

Girls the largest amount ever presented to any of the Masonic Institutions , and the celebration this year of the 25 th anniversary of the Sunday Hospital Fund , wilh which you are so intimately associated . We esteem it as a great honour to have our lodge named after you , and consider it a happy augury for its ultimate success . We sincerely pray that the Great Architect of the Universe will long spare you , and give you health and strength to enable you to continue to promulgate the genuine tenets and princip le 3 of Masonry , and to take an active interest in the working of this province , T " * follow the signatures of the founders , 30 in all .