Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

We are requested to state the Coborn Lodge of Instruction , No . 1 S 04 , will continue to hold its meetings throughout the summer . Brethren are cordially invited to attend . We are very glad to hear that Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton has entirely recovered from his late severe attack of illness , and that he is returning to England thoroughly restored to health .

As an indication of thrift amongst the working classes of France , it is stated that there are now 6 , 000 , 000 depositors in the French savings banks , with an accumulated fund of not less than £ 112 , 000 , 000 . Bro . Lord Halsbury ( Lord Chancellor ) and Lady Halsbury gave a garden party at their seat at Woodlands , near Stanmore , on Tuesday afternoon . Unfortunately the weather proved very unfavourable , and many of those who had received invitations vvere unable to be present .

On some of the prairies in America is found vvhat is called the compass plant , of great value to travellers . The long leaves at the base of its stem assume a vertical position , and point north and south . Travellers on dark nights have only to feel the edges of the leaves to ascertain the point of the compass .

The Princess of Wales and her daughters the Princesses Victoria and Maud arrived in England from the continent on Tuesday . They vvere met at the Charing Cross Station by the Prince of Wales and Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Fife , the Royal party driving at once for Marlborough House .

Bro . J . Derby Allcroft will preside at a special general meeting of the Governors of the Royal Hospital for Incurables at the Cannon-street Hotel on Friday , the 22 nd inst ., at 12 o'clock . The object of the meeting is to take into consideration the report of the Select Committee of the House of Lords vvith reference to the above institution .

It is stated that Mr . Gainsford Bruce , Q . C , M . P ., of the North-Eastern Circuit , has been offered and has accepted the Judgeship in the Queen ' s Bench Division vacant by the elevation of Lord Justice Smith to the Court of Appeal . The learned gentleman , vvho vvas born in 1834 , is Recorder of Bradford and Chancellor of the County Palatine of Durham .

Sir James Lenton , Pres * dent of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours , distributed the prizes to the successful pupils of the National Art Training School on Tuesday , the ceremony taking place in the Lecture Theatre of the South Kensington Museum . Among those present were Mr . John Sparks , Principal of the School , Major-General Lennox , Registrar , Bros . Sir P . Cunliffe Owen , Director , and Mr . Armstrong , Art Director , of the Museum .

Captain Fenton Aylmer , of the Royal Engineers , has just been awarded Ihe Victoria Cross for his conspicuous bravery in the assault and capture of the Nilt Fort on the 2 nd of December , 1891 . The gallant officer accompanied the storming party , burst open the inner gate of the fort with gun-cotton , vvhich he placed and ignited , and , though severely wounded , managed to kill several of the enemy . He remained fighting until he fainted from loss of blood , when he vvas carried out of action .

On the 6 th instant , the members of St . Bede ' s Lodge , No . 1119 , Jarrow , held their annual picnic at Alnwick . The party , vvhich numbered between 50 and Co , arrived in Alnwick earl y in the forenoon , and after viewing the principal sights in the town , visited the castle and adjoining

grounds . Dinner vvas then partaken of at the Star Hotel , after which a number of brakes were requisitioned , and Hulne Abbey and the Parks were visited , the latter drive being much enjoyed . Tea vvas afterwards had at the Star , and a pleasant day ended at train time .

In France Franc-Maeon nerie is not the institution Freemasonry is in England . In this country politics form no part of the speculative system of Masonic morality ; whereas in France , as well as in Italy , and some other- countries , politics enter very largely into the proceedings conducted under the cover of Masonic lodges . It

is surprising , therefore , to note that according to the Saint Public there are 24 , 500 Freemasons in France represented in Parliament by no fewer than 150 deputies , giving one deputy to every 1 C 2 Freemasons . The proportion is a very large one , as there is only one deputy to 22 , 000 ordinary citizens . —Newcastle Daily Chronicle .

IHE BIRKBECK BUILDINO SOCIETY . —The 41 st annual report of the Birkbeck Building Society just issued isa very satisfactory document . Notwithstanding the depression and inactivity of the commercial world during the year , it has not considerably affected the Birkbeck . A substantial increase in every branch of the Society has taken place . Upwards ol half a million sterling ha s been added to the

surplus funds , vvhich now amounts to over live and a half millions , and the directors have been enabled during the past year—after payment of all expenses and interest on deposits and shares , and £ 10 , 455 bonus to shareholdersto set aside a further sum of £ 16 , 091 additional profit , vvhich brings up the balance in excess of liabilities to £ 300 , 406 . The Permanent Guarantee Fund , invested in

Consols , stands at £ 150 , 000 . The new accounts opened during the year were 10 , 545 , and there are altogether 63 , 145 shareholders and depositors on the books . Since its establishment the Society has returned to the shareholders and depositors more than one hundred and a quarter millions ( £ 125 , 444 , 436)—the whole amount having been repaid upon demand .

HOLLOWAV ' S PILLS . —Weak Stomachs . —The wisest cannot enumerate one quarter of the distressing symptoms arising from enfeebled digestion , all of which might be readily dispelled by these admirable Pills . They lemove all unpleasant tastes from the mouth , flatulency , and constipation . Holloway ' s Pills r mo tile stornnch , liver , and every ether organ , helping digestion to

that healthy lone which fully enables it to convert all we eat and drink to the nourishment of our bodies . Hence these Pills are the surest strengthened and the safest restoratives in nt-rvousn-ss , wasting , and chronic debility . Holloway ' s Pills are infallible remedies for impaired appetite , eructations , ana a multitude of other diragreeablc symptoms , which render miserable the lives of thousands . These nils are approved by all classes .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The 12 th annual athletic meeting of the United Westminster Schools vvill take place , as usual , at Stamford Bridge Grounds on the 28 th inst . Baron Hirsch has forwarded to the committee of the Royal Hospital for Children and Women , Waterloo-bridge-road , a

donation of £ 500 in aid of the funds of that institution . On the motion if Bro . Lord Carrington , seconded by Mr . John Burns , Mr . John Hutton , Vice-Chairman , vvas unanimously elected Chairman of the London County Council on Tuesday .

The Cape Colony with its Dependencies is nearly twice as large as the United Kingdom ; the population according to the census of 1 S 91 is 1 , 527 , 224 , three-fourths of whom are of coloured race . Bro . Sir H . Trueman Wood , Secretary to the British Royal Commission for the International Exhibition at Chicago in 1 S 93 , left New York for England on Wednesday and will arrive home about the middle of next week .

Messrs Protheroe and Morris , estate agents , inform us that they intend holding a sale of So plots of freehold building land at Leigh-on-Sea , on Monday , the 25 th inst . The last sale was a very successful one , the plots sold averaging £ 300 per acre .

Bro . Arthur Roberts engagement at the Empire has been a great success , the theatre being crowded nightly . It is hard to say vvhich of the many attractions on the programme helps most to fill this popular house , but a good share of the credit ma ' y fairly be taken by our popular comedian . The Prince of VVales presided at the annual meeting of the Corporation of the Royal College of Music on

Thursday , at Marlborough House , and afterwards at the annual meeting of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music . Bro . D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas ., has forwarded a cheque for 100 guineas to the Lord Mayor for the poor box as an

expression of his gratification at the return of his countryman , Bro . Naoroji , as a Member of Parliament . Bro . Naoroji is a founder and P . M . of the Marquis of Dalhousie Lodge , No . 1159 , and it vvas he who introduced Bro . Cama in the lodge , vvhich vvas the lirst Bro . Cama joined in in London .

The Duchess of Albany vvith the young Duke and his sister the Princess Alice of Albany , the Russian Ambassador , the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador and the Countess Deym , the Spanish Ambassador , Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Portland , and the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury visited the Queen at Windsor early in the week , and so also did the ~ Princess Mary Duchess of Teck , the Duke of Teck , and the Princess Victoria Mary of Teck .

The annual Flower Show in aid of the movement in Lambeth for promoting window gardening among the working classes vvas held by permission of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the grounds of Lambeth Palace on Tuesday . Mrs . Randall Davidson , wife of the Bishop of Rochester , opened the show and the prizes were distributed by the Lady Mayoress , the vote of thanks to whom , for her kindness in attending , vvas gracefully acknowledged by Bro . Lord Mayor Evans .

The annual meeting of the National Rifle Association opened at Bisley on Tuesday , the principal competitions being for the Humphry Cup , and between Regular and Volunteer officers . In the latter contest , vvhich vvas Soo , 900 , and 1000 yards , seven shots at each range , the

Volunteers won by 16 S 3 to . 159 6 points , majority 37 points . For the Humphry Cup between the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge , at the same range , the Light Blues won , as last year , the scores being 74 6 Cambridge , and 6 S 6 Oxford , majority 60 .

On the occasion of the laying of the foundation-stone of the new British Home for Incurables at Streatham , by Princess Christian , on Saturday next , there vvill be a " Flower Market" in the grounds , at which roses sent from the Royal gardens at Frogmorc , by command of the Queen ,

and from the gardens of the Prince of VVales , Duke of Connaught , Duchess of Albany , and Duchess of Teck , vvill be offered for sale for the benefit of the building fund , an example vvhich , in all probability , vvill be followed by others willing to assist the Charity , whose offices are at 73 , Cheapside , E . C

Heartiest congratulations are being extended Bro . Sofoman Strasser , the Senior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York . His promotion is a fitting recognition of years of faithful , conscientious , and bnl iant labour for the advancement of the best interests of the Fraternity . The many honours vvhich he has received at home and abroad come to him unsolicited and are prized laurels in his crown of reward for the work well done . —Times Union , Albany , N . Y ,

The Princess Beatrice , in thc unavoidable absence of her sister , the Princess Louise Marchioness of Lome , presented the certificates to the . successful candidates at the local centre examinations held by the Associated Buard of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music . The ceremony took place in the Concert-room of the former Institution on Tuesday , and at

the close of the proceedings , a vote of thanks at the instance of Bro . the Earl of Kilmorey , seconded by Sir George Grove , Director R . C . M ., was passed by acclamation to her Royal Highness for her kindness in attending . HULL MASONIC CLUB . —The second annual meeting of this club vvas held in the Club house on Tuesday evening , the 5 th inst ., Bro . F . Blackburn , V . P . in the chair . 'The

, Secretary's report and Treasurer ' s statement of accounts , were submitted and unanimously adopted . The progress of the club is remarkable , and in all respects satisfactory , the membership has increased , and there is a balance of funds sufficient to meet the wishes of the shareholders . The retiring ollicers and members of Committee were re-elected as follows : Bro . F . B . Grotrian , J . P ., President ; Bros .

F . Blackburn , P . M ., H . S . King , CLE ., P . M ., M . C Peck , P . M ., and Col . Gerard Smith , P . M ., Vice-Presidents ; Bros . L . P . Brekke , P . M ., R . R . Hawley , P . M ., Thomas Jackson , M . D ., Geo . Leigh , VV . M . 2134 , and J . G . Wallis , L . D . S ., Club Committee . The usual vote of thanks for

past services concluded a pleasant evening ' s proceedings . A GOOD PLAN . —The Eleventh Annual Edition of Explanatory Book , sent free , gives valuable and reliable information how to operate successfull y in Stocks and Shares and obtain handsome profits . —Address , Geo . Evans and Co ., Stockbrokers , 11 , Poultry , London , E . C .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The new water supply , vvhich has been brought into Liverpool from Lake Vyrnvvy , was formally inaugurated by the Duke of Connaught . The works vvere begun in 1881 , and have cost £ 2 , 500 , 000 . On the motion of Mr . Alderman Green , the Court of Common Council readily voted 200 guineas towards the St . John ' s ( Newfoundland ) Relief Fund , novv being raised at the Mansion House by the Lord Mayor .

Miss Ellen Terry ' s benefit at the Lyceum Theatre has been fixed for Saturday , the 30 th inst ., which will be the last night of the present season and the 172 nd performance of " King Henry VIII . " Charterhouse School carried off the Ashburton Shield at Bisley vvith 443 points ; Rugby vvas second vvith 421 , and Winchester third vvith 419 . The first stage of the Albert vvas won by Private Douglas , of Edinburgh ; and Private

Billingham , of the 4 th Middlesex , won the Army and Navy Cup . Preparations for the mobilisation of the Fleet are being actively pushed forward at Chatham , at vvhich port nearly 20 ships of all sizes have been selected to take part in the approaching summer manoeuvres . The date mentioned at Chatham for the mobilisation is Wednesday next , the 20 th inst .

The Duchess of Albany , as President of the Streatham centre of the St . John Ambulance Association , attended a meeting held in the Streatham Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon , and presented the certificates to those vvho had passed examinations in nursing andj . in first aid to the injured .

All classes of small racers except the fivers vvere well represented in the races held by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club at Ryde . Grey skies and light winds prevailed . Mr . Ralli ' s Papoose vvas lirst in the two-and-a-half class , beating Faugh-a-Ballagh and Cockatoo , vvhich came in second and third . Of the one raters , Mr . Langrishe's Argula vvas again first , whilst amongst the halves Liliput was first of the eight pretty little boats vvhich started for the race .

Her Majesty's dinner party on Thursday included their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg and the Duchess of Albany , his Serene Highness Prince Louis of Battenberg , Count Albert Mensdorff , the Dowager Lady Southampton ( Lady in Waiting ) , the Duke and Duchess of Westminster , Lady Frances Baillie , the Right Hon . G . J . Goschen and Mrs . Goschen , General the Right Hon . Sir Redvers Boiler ( Adjutant-General to the Forces ) , and General the Right Hon . Sir Henry Ponsonby .

The eruption of Mount Etna is rapidly assuming formidable proportions , and the destruction of the villages and habitations in the vicinity appears inevitable . All three craters are very active . One is throwing out a continuous stream of liquid lava , vvhich , although several yards deep , is very wide , and seen from below presents the appearance of a river of fire . From the second crater incandescent

rocks are being hurled to an immense height , while the third cone threatens to crumble away . Miss Lile , who created some sensation in the Bisley camp last year b y shooting for prizes in some of the All-Comers ' matches , visited the scene of her prowess on Thursday afternoon , and had a few shots with the Martini-Henry at

200 yards , in preparation for the work which she has set herself for next week . Two magpies and an inner , however , vvere not sufficiently alarming to unnerve the gentlemen vvho will compete with her in the course of a few days . Miss Lile has not brought vvith her from the Channel Islands the ladies' team of vvhich there vvas some talk 12 months ago .

Princess Louise , Marchioness of Lome , who vvas accompanied by the Marquis , presented good conduct and other prizes to the young bluejackets in training at the Greenwich Royal Hospital Schools . On the arrival of the Royal visitors the boys manned the yards of their fine ship Fame , and afterwards , headed by the capital band of the institution , marched round the parade ground in 11 companies .

They also gave a display of musical drill vvhich evoked general admiration . This over , the visitors proceeded to the Gymnasium , where Princess Louise distributed the awards . O . T . Tuck carried off the £ 50 foundation exhibition , J . C Baker one for £ 40 , and A . Owen and H . Everett £ 30 exhibitions , and loud vvere the cheers that greeted the ' * best-behaved boys in the school , " 1 . Edwards and | .

Peacock , who each took a silver watch and chain . The Marquis of Lome addressed the yovngsters in kindly terms , and said the Princess hoped they would bear their part manfully , always speak the truth , go straight at the enemy , and support the name and fame of British seamen . Hearty cheers went up at these utterances , and were renewed on

the announcement that , at her Royal Highness ' s desire , the boys would have an extra week ' s holiday . Amonjr others present vvere Lord and Lady Grimston , Admiral of the Fleet , Sir John Commerell , Sir G . Baden-Powell , Admiral Sir William and Lady Dowell , Sir G . Hayter anil Lady Chubb , and Colonel Howard Vincent .

The Hon . G . R . Dibbs , Premier of New South Wales , vvas entertained to dinner at the Criterion on Thursday , by a body of colonists largely identified with New South Wales resident in London , and others interested in the commerce and progress of the colonies . Among others supporting the Chairman ( the Earl of Kimberley ) were Bro . Lord Carrington , Lieut .-General Fremantle , Major-General Sir

Baker Russell , Sir Daniel Cooper , Sir Charles Tupper , Bishop Barry , Sir G . Baden-Powell , M . P ., Sir J . !'• Garrick , Sir Arthur Hodgson , Sir W . Ogg , Sir J . Fowler , Sir Robert Herbert , Sir Saul Samuel , Sir J . C . Bray , and Sir Samuel Wilson . Letters of apology vvere received by the Chairman from the Marquis of Salisbury , the Earl of Rosebery , Lord Knutsford , Earl Cadogan , the Earl of

Derby , the Earl of Aberdeen , and others . In submitting the toast of the evening , Lord Kimberley made graceful reference to the services rendered by Mr . Dibbs in his native colony . Mr . Dibbs accepted the toast as in a large measure intended as a compliment to the colony he represented , and expressed the belief , without entering into the question of Imperial Federation , that greater good would

be effected towards strengthening the bonds ot Imperii ' union by the continued display of full confidence in the sell governing powers of colonies , whose proudest boast it vvas to hold tnemselves as part of a vast Empire , than by wf " mulating schemes in regard to vvhich there was a marked divergence of opinion . 'The toast ot "The United ErnP , ' proposed by Bro . Lord Carrington , vvas responded to "f Sir Charles Tupper ,