Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

THE SPECTACI . EMAKERS' COMPANY . —Bro . D . Mayer , of Great Marlboroughstreet , W ., has become a freeman and liveryman of this guild . BY THE VOTE of £ 3000 by the Finchley District Council on the nth inst ., the sum of £ 150 , 000 needed for trie purchase of the Alexandra Palace for public purposes has been obtained . BRO . PASSMORE EDWARDS has offered to present to the Metropolitan Public Gardens' Association two drinking fountains , to be placed in the grounds of the church of St . George the Martyr , Southwark .

BRO . ARCHDEACON SINCLAIR will preside at the annual speech day at the Commercial Travellers' Schools , Pinner , on Saturday , the 23 rd instant . The prizes will be distributed by Miss Sinclair . ST . BOTOLPH , ALDERSGATE . —Sunday next being the Festival of the Patron Saint ( St . Botolph ) special Patronal festival services will be held . The Vicar ( the Rev . H . R . Gamble / M . A . ) , will preach at each service .

THE MAY-DAY GAMES AND DANCES of the Mansfield House University Settle ment will be held at Mansfield Convalescent Home , Loughton , Epping Forest , on Saturday afternoon , the 23 rd inst ., from three to seven p . m . BRO . RICHARD BuRniDGE , of Harrod ' s Stores ( Limited ) , has been presented with an illuminated addrees in recognition of his able advocacy of the claims of the London General Potters' Benevolent Association at the 33 rd anniversary festival .

MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION OF A USTRALASIA . —In an earlier number we gave a brief summary of this flourishing Company . We should have then stated that the Chairman of the Company is M . W . Bro . J . C . Remington , Grand Master for New South Wales . ' BRO . THE LORD MAYOR and Lady Mayoress have accorded their patronage to the Austro-Hungarian soiree musicale to be given at the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours , Piccadilly , on Monday , the 2 nd prox ., in aid of the Francis J oseph Institute .

THE SOUTHEND-ON-SEA MASONIC HALL COMPANY , LIMITED . —An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the above-named Company will be held at the registered office of the Company , Marlborough House , Whitegate-road , Southend-on-Sea , on Wednesday , the 27 th instant , atS p . m .

A CONCERT AND GARDEN PARTY will be given by the pupils of the School for the Indigent Blind , St . George ' s-circus , Southwark , S . E ., on Wednesday , the 20 th instant , at 3 p . m ., under the direction o £ Mr . Herbert Hodge , F . R . C . O ., A . R . CM . An exhibition of articles manufactured by the pupils will be held after the concert . SOCIETY OF ARTS CONVERSAZIONE . —The Society's conversazione will take place at the Natural History Museum , Cromwell-road , S . W . ( by permission of the Trustees of trie British Museum ) , on Wednesday evening , the 20 th instant , from nine to 12 p . m . The reception will be held by Sir John Wolfe Barry , K . C . B ., F . R . S ., Chairman , and the other members of the Council , from nine to 10 p . m .

"STRAND PARK . "—It will be remembered that it was largely through the efforts of the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association some ia years ago that the garden on the west side of the Law Courts was preserved for the public use . Now that the site is threatened by a building scheme , the Association is making strenuous exertions to ensure the safety of this much appreciated open space . BRO . SAMUEL WHITE , P . M . and Treasurer 1657 , the senior partner in the firm of

Messrs . Spreckley , White , and Lewis , of 13 and 15 , Cannon-street , has just received a letter from his son , who was besieged in Mafeking at the time of writing . Bro . White , senior , it should be mentioned , still " sticks to business , " and is one of the best known and most popular men in the textile circle in the City . His son , Mr . G . S . White , was in a situation in Umbala at the time of the outbreak of hostilities , and was one of the first to be enrolled n the Protectorate Regiment , which did such excellent work against the Boers .

ON THE 19 th instant Bro . the Lord Mayor presides at the mth anniversay dinner of the City Dispensary at the Albion . The lease of the old premises of Ihe dispensary having expired , the institution has now taken up its quarters in College-street , Dowgatehill . The outlav consequent upon the necessary removal has been very considerable , exceeding £ 500 . It is towards the recoupment of this sum that a special appeal is now being made . The sheriffs will support Bro . the Lord Mayor at the dinner , as will a large and influential body of stewards , headed by Bro . Alderman Alliston .

THE LONDON SUNDAY S CHOOL CHOIR . —The 28 th annual festival of the choir will be held on the 127 th instant , at the Crystal Palace . Three concerts will be given . The first will take p lace at one p . m ., and 5000 juveniles , under the conductorship of Mr . J . Rowley , will give a programme of action songs and Sunday-school music . At six p . m . the orchestra will again be filled by a choir of 4000 adults , with orchestra under the conductorship of Mr . William Whiteman . Selections from Sullivan's "Golden Legend , " Mendelssohn's "Elijah , " Wagner's '"Lohengrin , " and Gounod ' s " Redemption " will also be given . At eight o'clock Jenkins'Mandoline and Guitar Band , with soloists , will perform in the theatre .

FIELD LANE REFUGES . —The annual reportof the Field Lane Refuge Institutions states that during the year 425 persons were assisted to obtain employment , 8 77 men and women were received in the refuges , and 515 attendances were made at the cieche , 26 , 107 at the lagged church , 10 , 625 at adult mission services , Co , oS 3 at the Bible ragged schools , SO 20 at temperance meetings , and id . oiS at mothers' meetings . The number of children sent to country homes was 324 . There were iG , 2 ( 56 distributions of broken food given by large City warehouses , and i 5 , SS 4 loaves of bread were also given away . The voluntary contributions amounted to £ 2324 , exclusive of £ 5094 lor the industrial schools . There was an overdraft of £ 700 at the bank at the close of the

year . THE VISIT OF THE K HEDIVE TO THE GUILDHALL . —The reception of the Khedive of Egypt will take place at Guildhall on Tuesday , the 2 fith instant . Arrangements are being carried out by the Ward Committee ( of which Mr . VV . R . Pryke , the Chief Commoner , is the Chairman ) for receiving the distinguished visitor in the Guildhall

Library at one o ' clock . Bros , the Lord Mayor , the Sheriffs , the Under Sheriffs , and the high officers will wear their robes and other insignia of office , but otherwise morning dress will be worn . After the presentation of the address of welcome in a golden casket , the company will adjourn to the Great Hall , where the dejeuner will be served . Invitations to the number of nearly Soo are being issued . The guests will include several members of the Cabinet and other dislinguished personages .

MEMORIAL W INDOW AT ST . LAWRENCE J EWRY . —We are informed by the reclor , Bio . the Rtv . J . Stephen Bariass , that on Friday , the 22 iid instant , the Speaker of Ihe House of Commons will unveil the window erected in St . Lawrence Jewry in memory tf his distinguished predecessor , Sir Thomas More , who became the first LaMnan I old Hich Chancellor ol Great Britain , and was closely connected with this

parish in ihe City ol London . The window is the gift of one of the old chairmen of the church , Mr . H . C . Richaids , Q . C ., M . P . Bio . the I-ord Mayor and the Sheriffs will attend in Slate to receive tbe Speaker , and special seats will be reserved for members of the Corporation . The service will be a short mid-day one , and the address will be delivered by Ihe Rev . William Holden Hutton , the biographer of Sir Thomas More . The cffntoiy will be devoted to the Dean Cowie Memorial Fund .

THE ROYAL F EMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM . —A general court of the Governors of this Institution tcok place at the Cannon-street Hotel on the 1 ith inst . Bro . Sir John B . Mcncktrn ( Ihe Chaiiman ) presided , and there were also present the Rev . R . A . Boyle , Mr . H . Winslanlty , Sir G . D . Harris , J . P ., Mr . E . Lewis ' 1 nomas , M . A ., LL . M ., Mr . K . F . B ) j > g , J . P ., Colonel ShoHland , Sic Frederick T . Fdtidgc , J . P ., Mr . Simpson Roslron , J . P ., Mr . John Hollams , jun ., Mr . C . Mortimer , J . P . ( Vice-President ) , Mr . 1 ' . Moitimer , LP ., and the Secretary ( Mr . Brough Maltby ) . The half-yearly report

slalcd that , alter Ihe annual geneial court on Uecember nth , Sir John b . Monckton , F . S . A ., was unanimcusly re-elected the chairman of the committee for 1900 , and a mi . il coidial vote of thanks was passed to him . The general health of the children duiir . g the past six months had been excellent . One hundred and forty children were in the home , and 10 would be elected that day from a list of 21 candidates . Eleven girls had been placed out in domestic service . The committee announced that the annual distribution of prizes had been fixed to take place on Tuesday , the 19 th instant , when Mrs . Kendal had kindly promised to visit the asylum , and give away the awards .

Masonic And General Tidings.

DOWN to the 14 th inst . the Indian Famine Fund had reached £ 283 , 590 . BRO . { SIR HOMEWOOD CRAWFORD entered upon his 51 st year on the 12 th instant . HER MAJESTY has consented to become the patron of the National Eisteddfodd a Merthyr Tydvil in igoi . DOWN to the 14 th inst . the Mansion House Fund for the Transvaal War Sufferers amounted to ^ 957 , 900 .

THE T . AND of the Scots Guards will plav in the Green Park next Sunday evening , and that of the 2 nd Life Guards in Hyde Park . THURSDAY ' S contributions added S 205 shillings to the Daily Telegraph Widows ' and Orphans' Fund . The grand total is now 3 , 493 , 377 shillings . IT IS SUGGESTED that either the Marquis of Northampton , the largest property owner in the district , or Sir Albert Rollit , M . P ,, will be asked to become the first Mayor of Islington .

GENERAL SIR RICHARD HARRISON , Inspector-General of Fortifications , will review the Queen's Body Guard of Yeomen of the Guard at St . James's Palace next Tuesday . BANK RATE REDUCED . —The Directors of the Bank of England on Thursday reduced the rate of discount from 3 $ per cent ., at which it has stood since the 24 th ult ., to 3 per cent .

THE CITY CORPORATION have decided to spend 1000 guineas in entertaining the members of the Institute of Journalists at the conference to be held in London in September next . THE GREAT NORTHERN COMPANY announce that the new station at Nottingham , the joint property of the Great Northern and Great Central Railways , will for the future be known as the Victoria station .

LORD RUSSELL OF KILLOWEN has accepted an invitation to be present at the Independence Day banquet of the American Society in London , which will take place at the Hotel Cecil on July 4 th . THE DEATH has occurred at Eastbourne of the distinguished entomologist , Mr . William Watkins , popularly known as "The Butterfly King . " He had devoted the greater portion of his life to the collection of butterflies .

THE GERMAN EMPEROR has been an occupant of the throne 12 years to-day ( Friday ) , his Imperial Majesty having succeeded on the death of his father , the Emperor Frederick , who died at Berlin on June 15 , 188 S . AT THE MEETING of the City Corporation on Thursday , the designs for the new Sessions House to supersede the Old Bailey were considered . On opening the sealed envelopes , it was found that the successful competitor was Mr . Edward W . Mountford .

THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY are offering every facility throughout their whole system for visitors wishing to attend the Royal Agricultural Show at York next week . Full paiticulars may be obtained at any of the Company's offices . STRICKEN INDIA . —There are now over G . ooo . ooo natives ^ on the relief lists . Bombay records an increase of 200 , 000 during the last week , owing to the return of destitute persons who deserted the works at the time of the cholera scare . The prospects of a fair monsoon have sunewhat improved . —Renter .

FOR THE IIENEVIT of those wishing to attend Saturday's races at Windsor , the Great Western Railway Company will run on that day a number of special fast trains . The trains from London are lo do the distance in 32 minutes . On account of the extra traffic , certain abatements oi the privileges of holiday makers are also announced . THE NEWS of the death of Mrs . Gladstone was received at the House of Commons was received with profound sympathy and regret on both sides of the House . A telegram of condolence was sent to the family at Hawarden from both front benches . In Parliamentary circles the kindliest remembrances of the deceased lady are cherished .

BRO . LORD WOLSELEY will preside at a dinner to be given in the Hotel Cecil on the 2 Sth instant , to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of the first Volunteer review before the Q ueen , which took place in Hyde Park on June 23 , 1 SO 0 . Volunteers of all ranks are invited to take tickets , which may be had from Mr . A . T . Williams , 27 Mincinglane , E . C .

"CAPTAIN , DEAR , " said an Irish tenant to his squire , who was off to the front at the head of the Militia , "don't be for goin'to be massacred by them Boers . " " Oh , I'll escape right enough , Mick ; if I ' m to be shot , I'll come here and let my tenants do it . " " God save ye , Captain , 'tis a true Irishman an'a lover 0 ' ye country ye are , afther all . "—St James's Gazette .

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN went out , at Balmoral , on Wednesday morning , the 13 th inst ., with Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein , and in the afternoon her Majesty drove out , attended by the Countess of Antrim and the Hon . Mrs . Grant . Her Royal Highness Princess Christian tf Schleswig-Holstein opened the new Ruchill Hospital at Glasgow , and attended by the Hon . Aline Majendie returned to the Castle in the evening .

MRS . GLADSTONE ' S DEATH , which occurred on the 14 th instant , must have come as a relief ( 0 the aged and most respected lady , will , nevertheless , awaken a profound regret among the entire community , who were deeply impressed by her constant devotion to her great husband . Indeed , it may be said » i h truth that she shared his political labours , for she was his constant companion . In death they will not be divided . She will be buried in Westminster Abbey , beside her husbind .

AT SOTHEUY ' S Dr . Inghs ' s library realised a total of £ 7519 6 s . Cd . for S 49 lots . The most important items on the last day were Rolle de Hampole ' s " Explanationes Notabiles , " a rare product of the Oxford printers , £ 300 , and Spenser ' s "Faerie Oueene , " in two vols ., first edition , £ 170 . The sale of the contents of the mansion of ihe late Madame de Falbe , which extended over four days , was brought to a conclusion at Christie ' s . The total realised amounts to about ^ Co , ooo .

Instruction.

Instruction .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 7 S 0 . A meeting of the above lodge was held on the Cth instant at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , when there were present Bros . F . Ridley , W . M . j E . C . St . Aubyn , S . W . ; R . C . Foghitl , J . W . ; A . H . llridgcr , Sec ; R . Williams , P . M ., J . D . ; Howling , I . G . ; and G . A . Sowerby . The ledge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . A . H . Bridger acting ascandidate . The ledge opened in the Second and Third Degrees , and resumed to the Second and First Degrees . The lodge was then closed .

HYDE PARK LODGE , No . 1425 . A meeting of the above lodge was held on the 11 th inst . at the Prince of Wales Hotel , Eastbourne-terrace , Bishop ' s-road , Paddinjjton , W . Present : Bros . J . W . Heaidon , W . M . ; W . 11 . Smilh , S . W . ; W . H . Handover , VV . M . 1 O 42 , J . W . ; H . Dehane , P . M . 1543 , P . P . S . GD . Essex , Sec ; E . Spink , S . D . ; A . Uclair , W . M , IGO 3 , J . D . ; G . li . Harris , I . G . ; W . J . Ferguson , P . M . 177 , Dep . Preceptor ; A . Collman , P . M ., W . M . 1425 ; and I . Chubb .

The ledge was opened and the minutes of the last lodge meeting were read and conliimed . Ihe ceremonies of passing and raising were rehearsed after the usual preliminaries , Bros . Chubb and Collman being the candidates . Lodge called off and on . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . W . 11 . Smith for kindly presenting the lodge with a pair of Deacon ' s wands , the worthy brother acknowledging the complimint . A letter of condolence was ordered to be sent to Bro . G . Davis , late Secretary of the odge of instruction , on his sad bereavement . The W . M . was elected for the next meeting , Bro . Smith , who appointed his ollicers . Alter " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge w » s closed .