Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL tIDINGS .

The Grand Lodge of Canada will meet this year in Toronto on the 22 nd July . A concert was given in the Westminster Town Hall on Tuesday in aid of the Organ Fund of St . Andrew ' s Church , Ashley-place , at which her R . oyal Highness the Duchess of

Albany was present . We regret to announce the death at Government House , Farnborough , on Monday , of the Hon . Lady Wood , wife of Bro . Lieut .-General Sir Evelyn Wood , V . C , K . C . B ., commanding the troops at Aldershot . The lady had been ill for a long time .

The Robertson MSS ., the property of Bro . J . Ross-Robertson , Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada , comprises over 5000 sheets of MSS ., extending back over Canadian Masonry from 1760 , the year after the conquest of Quebec .

The members of the Victoria Mounted Rifle Team , who arrived from Australia on Wednesday , have gone to Windsor , where they will have the opportunity of practising on the Calvary Exercise Grounds in the Great Park previous to taking part in the military tournament of the Royal Agricultural Hall .

The Prince and Princess of Wales with their daughters , the Princesses Victoria and Maud , the Duchess of Teck , and the Princess Mary of Teck , visited the Royal Italian Opera , Covent Garden , on Tuesday evening , and witnessed the performance of Wagner ' s "Tannhauser , " vvith Madame Albani in the role of Elizabeth .

The ball given by Lord and Lady de Rothschild on Mondayin honour of the "coming out" of their daughter , vvas most brilliantly attended , among those present being the Prince and Princess of Wales , the Princesses Victoria and Maud of Wales , the Duke of Cambridge , the Duke and Duchess of Teck , and the Princess Victoria of Teck .

Bro . James Stevens asks us to notify that he is arranging vvith lodges in Norfolk and Suffolk for the delivery of his latest lecture on " The Ritual and Ceremonial of Symbolic Freemasonry" during the ensuing few weeks , and that he would be pleased to correspond vvith the Worshipful Masters or Secretaries of other lodges in those provinces desirous of hearing him . His address is " Evelyn , " Catford , S . E .

Messrs . Gilliam Bros ., gold and silversmiths , of 6 , Serlestreet , Lincoln's Inn , have been very fortunate in securing so fine a site for their new establishment as 446 , Oxfordstreet ( near Orchard-street ) , and vve congratulate them on the beauty and artistic design displayed in their new premises . The stock is of the most rare and choice kind , and our brethren vvho are fond of old and good things in precious metals would do well to pay them a visit .

The German Exhibition at Earl ' s Court was opened on Saturday last by Bro . Lord Mayor Savory , vvho was accompanied by Sheriff Farmer and Bro . Sheriff Augustus Harris , there being also present the Lady Mayoress , Prince Blucher , great-grandson of the famous Prussian Field Marshal , the Marquis of Lome , the Danish , Persian , and Servian Ministers , Bro . Sir Francis and Lady Alston , and the Secretaries and Attaches of the German Embassy .

Bro . Lord Mayor Savory presided at the annual meeting held at the Egyptian Hall on Tuesday of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children . The Princess Louise , the Countess of Iddesleigh , Dr . Adler , and the Lady Mayoress vvere present , and letters of regret at their inability to attend were received from Bros , the Duke of Abereorn , Lord Herschell , H . Montague Williams , O . C , and many others . ~

The Royal Albert Hall was crowded with a vast and sympathetic audience on Monday evening on the occasion of Sims Reeves ' s final retirement . A long and admirably chosen programme was given , and among the artistes present who took part in the event was Madame Christine Nilsson , who travelled all the way from Madrid in order to take part in the concert . Bros . W . Ganz and VV . Kuhe , Past Grand Organists , vvere among those vvho acted as accompanists .

Several members of the administration have been attacked by the prevailing epidemic of influenza , but vve are glad to say that according to the latest accounts they are all progressing very satisfactorily . Bros . Lord George Hamilton and Sir James Fergusson are decidedly better , though the former is still confined to his bed , while Bro . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , though he has not been able to leave the house , has transacted business . 1

The Duchess of St . Albanshad an "At Home" at Messrs . Green ' s Galleries in Pall Mall on Tuesday , when a collection of water-colour drawings by Count Angelo T . Giallina , illustrative of the scenery of Athens and Corfu was exhibited . Among the guests were the Prince and Princess of

Wales and their daughters , the Turkish Ambassador and Greek Minister , Bro . the Marquis and Marchioness of Tvveeddale , the Countess of Zetland and the Lady Hilda Dundas , Bro . the Earl and Countess of Lathom , and Bro . Sir Matthew and Lady White Ridley .

The annual summer sale at the Royal Art School of Needlework , South Kensington , vvas opened on Monday , the Princess Christian and her daughters occupying the principal stall , while other stalls were presided over by the Duchess of Abereorn , the Countess of Yarborough , Lady

Wantage , Lady Fitzhardinge , and Lady Muncaster . In the course of the afternoon the members of the School presented the Princess Louise of Schleswig-Holstein vvith a wedding souvenir in the shape of a beautiful fold screen , vvhich had been worked in the School .

A numerous and influential meeting of residents in Berkshire was held at Bro . Lord Wantage ' s house in Carltongardens , on Monday , for the purpose of considering the arrangements for the presentations to be made to the Prince and Princess Christian , in commemoration of their silver

wedding , and their daughter , the Princess Louise , on the occasion of her marriage . Upwards of £ 700 has already been subscribed , and it vvas ultimately resolved that the gift to the Prince and Princess Christian should take the form of a dinner service , and that to their daughter should be given a bracelet .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The work of the Grand Lodge of Canada is being entirely revised by a Committee of Past Grand Masters . The death is announced of Bro . David Cochrane , blacksmith , Coupar Angus , vvho has been a Free and Accepted Mason for the long period of 64 years . Bro . the Marquis of Carmarthen , M . P ., has kindly

consented to take the chair at the annual meeting of the Hospitals Association , which will be held on Tuesday , the gth June . Les Entrepreneurs Syndicate ( Limited ) now running the burlesque , " Joan of Arc , " at the Opera Comique Theatre , announce their second monthly interim dividend of £ 15 per share ( 1 S 0 per cent , per annum ) .

The Summer Exhibition of the Royal Botanic Society , Regent ' s Park , vvas opened on Wednesday , when there was a large and fashionable attendance . The show , which is strong in roses and cut flowers , will remain open till the 17 th June .

The fifth annual dinner of the Old Masonians will take place at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 23 rdinstant . Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., the President of the Association , will take the chair , and a very pleasant and interesting evening may be expected . The Marquis of Drogheda , Earl of Kilmorey , and Earl Morley , Sir Henry Tyler , Sir Spencer Ponsonby Fane , K . C . B ., and Lady Ponsonby Fane , Mr . R . K . Causton ,

M . P ., Bro . Sir Robert Fowler , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . W ., attended the Chapel Royal , St . James's Palace , on Sunday . By her Majesty ' s command the Duke of Connaught will hold a levee at St . James's Palace to-day ( Friday ) in place of the Prince of Wales , who is suffering from the consequences of a slight attack of influenza , and has been advised by his medical attendants to avoid the risk of standing .

H . M . S . Thunderer , which left Portsmouth on the 4 th inst . for Malta , on reaching Gibraltar on Saturday last , was detained in consequence of many of the ofiicers and crew having been attacked with influenza , and it vvas found that many of the more serious cases would have to be dealt with ashore .

Bro . Harry S . Foster was invited to meet a few friends of Bro . Captain Henry Wright at dinner at the National Liberal Club last week , among them being Lord Forbes , Bro . H . C . Richards , Conservative candidate for Coventry , Bro . Sheriff Augustus Harris , and the Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal .

It is announced that the attack on the Czarewitch vvhich was recently made in a Japanese town on his Imperial Highness by a Japanese policeman might have been more serious but for the presence of mind of Prince George of Greece , vvho vvas with the Czarewitch , and knocked the man down with his walking-stick .

For the first time in the history of English Freemasonry two Jews at present hold positions as Grand Officers , viz ., Bro . Samuel Vallentine , as Grand Pursuivant , and Bro . S . V . Abraham , as Assistant Grand Pursuivant . These officers vvere invested at the last Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge . —Jewish Chronicle .

Bro . T . S . H . Ashwell , late of Billingborough , vvas on Friday , the 24 th ult ., installed W . M . of the Commercial Lodge , No . 1391 , Leicester , in the presence of a large number of distinguished brethren . A banquet vvas afterwards held in the dining-room at the Masonic Hall , and vvas attended by over 70 brethren , presided over by the W . M . The usual complimentary toasts vvere given , and a very pleasant evening vvas spent .

The 4 6 th Anniversary Festival of the German Hospital , Dalston , was held at the Hotel Metropoleon Thursday , the 7 th inst . In the unavoidable absence of H . R . H . Prince Christian the chair vvas taken by the Baron von Schroder . The subscriptions amounted to £ 3543 , and included the German Emperor ' s annual donation of £ 200 , £ 50 Irom his Majesty the Emperor of Austria , and £ 100 from the Chairman .

The 25 th annual report of the Cheshire Masonic Educational Institution has just been issued , and as usual shows a record of increased prosperity and usefulness . The amount subscribed during the past year has been £ 459 19 s . 3 d ., the largest yet subscribed since the establishment of the Charity . During the past year 40 children have been educated and assisted . Of these nine go off the books , but there are 10 candidates for election .

Ihe Princess of Wales held a Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace , on behalf of her Majesty , on Wednesday , when a large number of presentations took place . The Royal circle was attended by the Princess Victoria of Wales , Prince Charles of Denmark , Prince and Princess Christian , and the Princesses Louise and Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein , the Duchess of Albany , and the Duke of Cambridge . The Great Orficers of State and of the Royal Household were in attendance .

The battleship the Empress of India was launched on the 7 th instant at Pembroke Dockyard , the ceremony of christening the huge ship being performed by the Duchess of Connaught , who , vvith the Duke , had arrived the previous evening on board the Royal Yacht Victoria and

Albert . Before the ceremony their Royal Highnesses vvere presented with an address by the Mayor and Corporation , and alterwards they held a reception in the dockyard . The Empress of India is of 14 , 000 tons displacement , with engines of 13 , 000 horse-power , and will carry a heavy armament , and be manned by a crew of C 50 officers and men .

Freemasonry in Ireland is under the special ban of the Roman Catholic Church , but it is very popular among those of the Protesting cults , and if judged only by its schools and the pupils it has turned out , it has fully vindicated its right to exist . Those familiar with the grounds of the Royal Dublin Society at Ball's Bridge , where the annual August horse shows are held , must havenoticed a rather ambitious-looking brick building just beyond them as one looks eastward . This

is the famous Masonic Female Orphan School , where girls are educated not merely for the accomplishments and graces of life , but for its daily duties and labours . Here , last week , the Duchess of Abereorn distributed the prizes to the meritorious pupils , vvith her usual grace of words and manner . It will be recollected that the only " lady Mason " on record was an Irishwoman , of the noble house of St . Leger ( Doneraile ) . —Piccadilly , May 7 th .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The West Smithfield Lodge of Instruction has ceased to meet at the Manchester Hotel , Aldersgate-street . The Craft of Quebec , Canada , has lost a valuable mem . ber by the death of Bro . Joseph Martin , of Montreal . The Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction , No . 12 SS , held

at the Old Cock Tavern , Highbury , has adjourned until the first Saturday in September . We are pleased to see Bro . C . E . Towell , S . W . of the Doric Lodge , No . 2359 , and one of the founders , has been unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . The installation takes place on the 13 th prox .

The Bishop of Wakefield will , we venture to predict succeed the late Bro . Dr . Magee as Archbishop of York , or at any rate he will be promoted to the vacant Bishopric should another prelate—London—be translated . The distribution of prizes by Lady Carrington to the successful scholars at the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls took place on Monday last . The ceremony took place at the Alexandra Hall and Lord Carrington was also present . We shall give a full report of the proceedings in our next .

The Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry entertained at dinner at Londonderry House , Park-lane , Wednesday evening , the Duke and Duchess of Abereorn , the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury , and other distinguished guests . The Marchioness afterwards held a reception , vvhich vvas very numerously attended .

THE CHURCH PASTORAL AID SOCIETY . —Bro . J . D . Allcroft vvas the Chairman at the annual meeting at Exeter Hall , on Thursday , the 7 th inst . A gratifying improvement in the finances of the society vvas reported , the Committee stating that the total receipts were £ 54 , 814 , or £ ' 3664 in excess of those of the previous year .

Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Abereorn , the Countess of Zetland , Bro . Lord Ashbourne ( Lord Chancellor of Ireland ) and Lady Ashbourne , the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury , and Bro . Sir Frederick Leighton vvere at the dinner party given by the Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry at Londonderry House , Park-lane , on Wednesday .

Among the artistes engaged for the . nevv season at the Shaftesbury Theatre is Miss Lilian Hingston , vvho made so favourable an impression in Mr . Calmour ' s " Cyrene , " and vvho has since made some not less gratifying successes . At the Shaftesbury Miss Hingston will play in the first piece , and under-study Miss Emery and Miss Annie Hughes .

Grand Master Vrooman , of New York , has said many good things , as a representative Freemason , and among them this : "lama believer in the old-fashioned Masonic doctrine that teaches the ' existence of one ever-living and true God . ' 1 believe in the old-fashioned Holy Bible of our Masonic fathers , ' and that it is given as a rule and guide for our faith and practice . "—Canadian Craftsman .

On Friday afternoon , the 5 th prox ., a performance will be given at the Opera Comique , in aid of the Irish Distressed Ladies' Fund , and under the patronage of Royalty . There will then be produced a new comedietta by Justin H . M'Carthy , entitled " The Highwayman , " followed by

selections by artistes of the Royal Italian Opera , an original recitation by Mr . Arthur Bourchier , " The Ladies' Battle , " and the "Pas de Quatre" from "Faust up to Date . " Messrs . Adolphns Vane-Tempest and Arthur Bourchier are the organisers , and Mr . G . r . Bashford has the business management .

Among the notable and well cared for Grand Lodge libraries , that of New York , of which Bro . Herman G . Carter is in charge , holds a foremost place . The library is rich in material , systematically arranged , and favourably placed for use . The work of classification has been performed with intelligence and carefulness . A reading room is connected , where current publications of the Cratt may

be found , together with the leading periodicals , magazines , reviews , Sic . It is to the credit of the Fraternity and of the Grand Lodge of New York that the library has received so generous a measure of support , and its benefits made available to so considerable a degree . Much of the interest shown and the good work accomplished is due to the zealous labours of Bro . Carter , the Librarian .

J CARPENTER LODGE , NO . 1997 . — The Grand Registrar ( Bro . Philbrick , Q . C ) , was present at the installation of Bro . Mount Brown , at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on Friday , the Sth inst . The following brethren vvere appointed officers for the ensuing year : Bros . C Lamb , S . VV . j Lewis Ferguson , J . W . j C W . C . Hutton , P . M ., P . G . D ., Treas . j J . Pinder , P . M ., Sec . j J . P . VV . Goodrani

win , S . D . ; Geo . Inskipp , J . D . ; S . H . Simon , I . G . j _ * Tayler , P . M ., D . C . j P . O . Taylor , F . J . Archer , and P . E . Clunn , Stwds . j S . W . Kent , Org . j and Goddard , Tyler . The members of the lodge consist of Old Boys or the City of London School , and it is popularly known as the "Schoolboys' Lodge . "

Recently we wrote : " Freemasonry is a luxury , not a necessary of life . " The San Francisco Trestle Board takes issue vvith our assertion , and says : " VVe think Masonry is a necessity for humanity , and not a luxury . " Will *» e Trestle Board fraternally consider the logical consequences of its statement ? If Masonry be " a necessity for humanity , it is the duty of the Craft to seek humanity , to ask humanity to join it , to send missionaries through the world to make

proselytes to Freemasonry . But in order to do this tne Craft would have to revolutionise its mode of procedure , from the beginning of Masonry . The unbroken policy ot our Fraternity has Been never to seek candidates . But if it " true that " Masonry is a necessity for humanity , " of course the profane should be sought . Does the Trestle Boarit observe the necessary outcome of its statement .

—Keystone-HOLLOWAY ' S OINTMENT AND PILLS . —Coughs , Influenza . —!» soothing properties of these medicaments render them well wor ) of trial in all diseases of the respiratory organs . In col '"" nt colds and influenza the pills , taken internally , and the 0111 " . ^ rubbed over the chest and throat are exceedingly c ' i , cn ( ; j- "' When inline ; , / . a is epidemic this treatment is the easiest , sa '

and surest . Holloway s Pills purify the blood , rel V " ,, t | , c obstaces to its free circulation through the lungs , re ' " , ( i „ i ; . over-gorged air tubes , and render respiration free , withoi'yS . ing the st . ength , inflating the nerves , or depressing the ^ -P ^ s ch are the ready means of escaping from suffering ) in . alllicted with colds , coughs , bronchitis , and other chest plaints , by wliich the health of so many is seriously an manently injured in most countries .