Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

BRO . J AMES Bisnoi'has been elected Second Warden of the Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers' Company for the ensuing year . AT TIIF . Banbury Poultry and Cage Bird Show , held on the Sth and gth inst ., Bro . VV . Pine was awarded three first , one second , and two special prizes for Norwich canarys , with four entries .

THE PRINCE OF WALES will open the International Railway Congress , of which he is President , on Wednesday , June 26 th . The first three days after the opening ceremony will be devoted to excursions to points of railway interest in the North of England , and the regular meetings , which will also take place at the Impeml Irs itute , will not commence till the morning of July ist . After the close of the Congress , excursions will also be arranged to Scotland ,

and probably to Ireland . BRO . FRANK A . LANE , Town Councillor of Christchurch , Hants , and fifth son of Alderman Lane , of the same laorough , was , on Thursday , the ioth inst .. installed as W . M . of Unity Lodge , No . 132 , at the Masonic Hall , Ringwood . The Installing Master , who officiated at the

request of the retiring W . M ., Bro . C Wilkes , was the eldest brother of the W . M . elect , viz ., Bro . E . Burritt Lane , Mus . Bac . Dunelm , P . M . 1765 , Org . 1 G 92 , M . E . Z . 1745 , Organist of Bromley ( Kent ) Parish Church . Over 50 brethren attended the festival , including several Past and Present Grand Officers of the province .

THE ANNUAL BALL and conversazione of the Temperance Lodge , No . 739 , was held at the Masonic Hall , Birmingham , on the ioth inst ., and proved one of the most successful on record . Bro . Lamsdale , W . M ., and his officers well deserved the thanks of the brethren and their lady friends for the trouble and care that had been bestowed so as to ensure the enjoyment ot those present . A total of 94 sat down to the banquet at 6 . 30 p . m ., after which the

ball was held , intervals being provided during which several fair visitors contributed music and song , and Bros . Poole and Trevitt gave short entertainments in legerdemain . THE ROYAL ACADEMY . —The President and Trustees of the Royal Academy of Arts have appointed Messrs . Spiers and Pond , Limited , refreshment contractors to the Academy . We understand that it is the intention of these well-known caterers to institute in the forthcoming season

an * ' Afternoon Tea , " served on small trays in the most recherche manner . This will be a boon which should be much appreciated by the many ladies who visit the galleries in Burlington Gardens . Improvements will also be made in the luncheon arrangements , amongst others being the provision of a first class Grill , a feature for which these world-renowned caterers have long been famous . The fitm have also under contemplation various modes of

modernising the arrangements for the annual banquet in Alay . BRO . THE RIGHT REV . THE BISHOP OF PERTH sailed for his diocese in Western Australia , on the 2 Sth ult . He is J . VV . of Lodge Peace and Unity , 314 , Preston , and Prov . Grand Chaplain of West Lancashire . When the occasion of his last visit to his lodge , Bro . the Rev . T . Barton Spencer , M . A ., P . M ., P . G . C . England , W . M .,

spoke of the regret the members of the lodge felt in losing the services of their right reverend brother—of the gratication it gave them to see his preferment to so honourable a position in the Church , and of the great interest the Bishop of Perth had taken in Masonry , and the admirable and impressive manner in which he always performed his

duties , and , in the name of the Iodge , wished him Godspeed . Bro . the Bishop of Perth suitably responded , and hoped that in his new sphere of work at the other side of the world , he would be able to help on the cause of Freemasonry . VVe congratulate our brethren in Australia upon having so able and zealous a brother occuping such an influential position in Australia .

MASONIC BALL AT LIVERPOOL . —The 46 th annual ball , in aid of the funds of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , took place on Tuesday evening at the Town Hall , and was one of the most successful ever celebrafed . The whole of the proceeds emanating from the ball goes to the Charity , which benefits annually to the amount of £ 400 . The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution educates and clothes some 400 orphans of

Masons annually , and it is supported solely by lodges belonging to the Province of West Lancashire . The ball was held under distinguished patronage , there being present the Countess of Lathom , the Hon . Lady Skelmersdale , the Countess of Derby , Lady Claud J . Hamilton , and the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Liverpool ; the Earl of Lathom , the Earl of Derby , Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie , Bro . Robt . Wylie , Lord Skelmersdale , and the Provincial Grand

Officers of West Lancashire . 1 he following ofiicers contributed materially to the success of the gathering : Bros . Walter Simpson , P . P . G . W . ; John Edwards , P . M . 11 S 2 ; W . Rawsthorne , P . AI . 11 S 2 ; H . M . Molyneun , P . P . G . D . of C . ; George A . Harradon , P . P . G . T . ; and E . Latham , P . AL 594 . Needless to add , the worthy Secretary , Bro . A . Ii . Povey , S . VV . 241 , was indefatigable in his efforts . The ball was largely attended , in spite of the inclemency of the

weather , the grand suite of rooms presenting a most animated and charming spectacle . The insignia of the brethren and the charming dresses of the ladies all tended to add to the glittering scene . Dancing commen-ed early , and was kept up with unabated spirit till the small hours . A most satisfactory programme was arranged by Bro . Geo . Eyton . P . M . 221 *; . The supper and refreshments , as provided by Bro . Thomas Wood , 1547 , were all that could be

desired . Till * IIKAMA nr To-n . w is iii : i ilerijeilly lu' . 'illhy rninlitinn . This is ilni' | ,: irtly In the fail Unit inir " U'luliiig ' dramatists endeavour In proihne work whit h w ill r . anl ; as liti-r .-itun * . lint ii is , ol ruui > -c , inninl ) due In tin- appri nation which tli * - llrilisli public always shows lor a ewiii Jilav . Inilrpil , th , ' /' rid ' s / i

uublir invariahlv patronises wha ! is I / MULI . I his . 'mounts lnr lhe wonderful populaiil \ , as a laniilv mcilirinr , nt" llollnway ' s I'ills and Clintiiu'iil . Tlii : llrilisli public kimivs liy cxpi-iieni ¦ ¦•llial lot purifying tin : M 11 O 1 I , ¦ 11 v if . 'oralille , tin- nenes , anil promoting Un ; healthy action of the liver , tlu-ri- is nothing in thc whole wide world to e'jual Holloway ' s I'ills ; while lor curing font , rheumatism , and the like , the Ointment is unsurpassed ,

Masonic And General Tidings

THE RANELAGH CLUB , which now numbers over 1000 members , has secured a 50 years' lease of its house and park . THE PRINCE OF WALKS and suite witnessed the performance of "The Chieftain , " at the Savoy Theatre , on Thursday evening .

BRO . SIR GEORGE R OBERT TYLER , Bart ., has been elected First Warden of the Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Company for the ensuing year . R EJOICINGS took place on the Duke of Buccleuch ' s estate in celebration of the birth of a son and heir to the

Earl of Dalkeith . Huge bonfires were lighted at Langholm and other places , the materials for which were largely carted by the tenantry . Mr . Malcolm , of Holmhead , proposed at dinner " The Health of the young heir , " whom he hoped would grow up to be a worthy successor of former Dukes .

Tin * , ANNUAL meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Roxburgh , Peebles , and Selkirk was held at Melrose on Thursday of last week , Bro . Dr . J . Middleton , Prov . G . M ., presiding . On the report of the dispensing of casual relief by the lodges in the province being submitted , the Prov .

G . M . impressed upon the Masters of lodges the necessity of seeing that their Secretaries send in reports of casuals pievious to the meeting of Prov . G . Lodge . The annual festival of the Prov . G . Lodge was celebrated at the close of the meeting .

MASONIC BALL . —On Friday evening , the 11 th inst ., a bill was ( given at _ the Amity Hall , Poole , under the auspices of the Amity Lodge . There was a large and brilliant assembly , the Masons themselves attending in strong force . The dance programme comprised 24 items ,

and the M . C . was Bro . W . J . Bacon . The ball-room was effectively decorated with flowers , flags , & c The music was supplied by Benzoni'sband , from Bournemouth . The supper , of a recherche character , was served by Bro . VV . G . Green . The profits will be devoted to the Dorset Alasonic Charity .

ON THURSDAY the Duke of Connaught , who was accompanied by Captain Lord Bingham , A . D . C , Major-General Utterson ( commanding the 3 rd Brigade ) . Colonel Kelly-Kenny , and Colonel H . S . G . Miles , inspected , at Aldershot , the Seaforth Highlanders , who arrived in camp on the previous day . The battalion , under the command

of Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart , presented a very smart appearance as it was formed up on the Parade-ground with the two deer presented by her Majesty the Queen . On making an inspection of the ranks his Rovai Highness spoke to several of the old soldiers , many of whom wore four and five decorations . All the officers were subsequently presented to the Duke of Connaught .

THE Glasgow Evening News contains a sketch giving the front elevation , taken from a plate prepared by Air . Henry , Ayr , of the proposed Masonic Building to be erected by St . Paul Lodge , No . 204 , situate in Nile Court , High-street , Ayr . Bro . Thomas Duncan , who successfully carried through the Burns Statue Masonic panel scheme , is the secretary for the building arrangements , and he has already in prospect the disposal of Soo £ 1 shares . The

building , however , will cost double that amount . There is a great demand for suitable hall accommodation in the locality , and it is expected that there will be considerable revenue from the main hall , which will be capable of seating about Goo persons . Above the large hall is the lodgeroom , & c Beneath , in a sunk flit , it is intended to have the kitchen and supper-room , bar , store , & c . The site is suitably chosen , being central and in full view from Highstreet .

MASONIC BALL AT GLOUCESTER . —A ball in connection with the Royal Lebanon Lodge , No . 493 , took place at the Bell Hotel on Thursday , the io : h list ., and proved a most successful affair . The decorations were exceedingly pretty , and praise is due to the ladies who rendered valuable assistance in carrying them out , among whom were Mrs . Bacon , the Alisses Woodward , Miss Partridge , Mrs . Robins , Mrs .

Watson , and the Misses Pocock . The Masonic Mall was laid out as a supper room , the tables being most tastefully decorated for the occasion , and the general arrangements for the comfort of the guests were everything that could be desired . The most hearty congratulations should be extended to Aliss Grimstead and the efficient staff at the Bell , who had worked so hard in connection with the event . The

arrangements in the ball-room were admirably carried out by a Committee , consisting of Bros . VV . J . Jenkins , W . M . ; li . G . Woodward , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; H . S . Crump , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; T . Robins , S . W . ; W . H . Godby , J . VV . ; H . R . J . Braine , S . D . ; II . V . llar , J . D . ; H . W . Watson , Stwd . ; and Dr . Bibby . The Hon . Secretaries were Bros . T . Robins and H . W . Watson , and the Al . C . 's , Bros . E . G . Woodward and H . S . Crump .

MASONIC SERVICE IN ST . GILES' EmNiiintGii . —On Sunday , the Gth inst ., a Alasonic service was held in St . Giles' Cathedral , Edinburgh , fur behoof of the Annuity Branch of the Fund of Scottish Masonic Benevolence . The function had been originated by the Lodge Dramatic and Arts , and was under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . The Masonic brethren met in the Parliament

House , formed into procession there and went to church . There were about 500 of them in Masonic clothing and regalia . Last of all came the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , Sir Charles Dalrymple , and a number of the Grand Officers . Inside the church there was a fair congregation . 'The Rev . Dr . Storey , Past Grand Chaplain and Moderator of the Established ^ Church , was the preacher .

The Rev . John Glasse , Past Grand Chaplain , conducted the devotional exercises , and the Grand Master Mason read the lessons . Dr . Story founded his sermon on the building and dedication of the 'Temple , and spoke of the elevating and ennobling power of a high idea , especially when combined with an effort for the discharge of duty . In addition to the sermon by the Moderator , what perhaps lent most interest to the function was the choral and orchestral service

organised by the Lodge Dramatic and Arts , and under the conduclnrship of Bro . James A . Moonic . The leading instruments of the Scottish orchestra were present from Glasgow , and the effect of the brasses ringing through the stone aisles was thrilling , and presented a line contrast to the stringed and wood accompanists . The order of service included the voluntary , " Alarch , " Alozart ; anthem , " Hear my prayer " ; solo , " Nazareth " ; and the chorus , < Hallelujah . "

Masonic And General Tidings

"THE POSITION of Freemasonry in Relation to Universal History and the Evolution of Thought . " Such is the title of a course of four lectures to be delivered by Dr . A . Ross Carmichael in the Couper Institute , to which "brethren are cordially invited . " The first of the course will be given on the 23 rd inst .

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND POCKET BOOK . —This annual , which is issued by George Kenning , " The Freemason" Printing Works , iG , Great Queen-street , London , contains a complete list of all the regular lodges and Royal Arch chapters , with their places and times of meeting , corrected from the books of the United Grand Lodge and

Grand Chapter , and a variety of articles concerning Masonry . It is published for the benefit of the Charity Fund , under the authority of the I Inited Grand Lodge of England , and by the command of the M . W . Grand Master . A nicely-bound book , full of useful information for Freemasons , it ought to commend itself to the approval of the Craft . —Stafford Advertiser .

THE EIGHTH ANNUAL BALL in aid of the Alasonic Mark Benevolent Fund will be held in the Freemasons ' Hall , Plymouth , on Wednesday , 23 rd inst . It is under the patronage of Bro . the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., the Prov . Grand Master , and Bro . G . S . Stroude-Lowe , P . M ., Dep . Prov . Grand Master . In former years the fund has greatly benefitted by this effort , and it is to be hoped that the Alasonic fraternity will accord

it the support and patronage of which it is deserving , and not permit its failure . There is a limited supply of tickets , and there should be no delay in applying for them . It is requested that no Craft or Arch jewels shall be worn , but by special dispensation brethren will be allowed to wear Mark Masonic clothing . Dancing will commence at 8 p . m ., and terminate at 2 a . m . A select orchestral band will be in attendance .

THE Bath Chronicle of the ioth inst . has the following : " The association of the Masonic body with the restoration of the west front of Bath Abbey Church , dates back something like 30 years , but the work undertaken has never been accomplished . Is it not time either that the project was abandoned or a serious attempt made to carry it out ? Other people may be more sanguine of the success of the

latter than we confess we are , but looking at the generally depressed state of everything , and the laudable desire of the brethren to maintain their own noble Charities , the prospect of being able to raise a considerable sum for a work of church restoration seems doubtful indeed . There is , we believe , something like £ 300 or £ 400 in hand ;

would it not be well to spend this money on some other part of the fabric , say the window in the south transept , or even add it to the . organ fund ? Of course it is safe where it isin the bank—and it is accumulating , but at what rate ? The question , we venture to think , is one that may well engage the attention of the Craft . "

SEWAGE IN OYSTERS . —VVe have recived a communication from Sir Charles A . Cimeron , medical officer of health for Dublin , in the course of which he says : Sir William Broadbent ' s observationsin reference to the transmission of typhoid fever poison through the medium of oysters , which appeared ' in the British Medical Journal of Jan . 12 th , deserve the most careful consideration . At the meeting of the British

Medical Association at Cambridge fifteen years ago I read a paper on " Typhoid from Oysters . " My hearers seemed to think that this paper was one which might amuse but could not instruct them , although I stated that I had found s : wage in considerable quantities in oysters . Since then the possibility of the matsries morbi of enteric fever and other diseases gaining access to oysters has frequently been

discussed , and I have published the case of a large number of persons who were undoubtedly subjected to severe gastro-enteritis as the result of eating oysters which were undoubtedly fresh . 1 hive frequently examined oysters taken from the estuaries of rivers , and often detected sewage in them . This pollution must also occur in cockles and mussels . There seems to be little doubt that oysters and other edible bivalves , taken trom the places to which

sewage has access , must occasionally be the vehicle of pathogenic bacilli . This matter ought to be considered by the sanitary authorities whose districts abut on bays and the seashore , and they should not permit oysters to be cultivated on beds to which sewage has direct access . With lobsters and crustaceans generally there need be no interference , as no danger is incurred by eating them even when they have fed in foul water . —British Medical Journal .

A WEIGHT OF FREEMASONRY . —When the Sibyl found that Tarquin would not purchase her nine-volume novel at the published price she considerately burned three of the parts and then demanded the same sum for the remainder ; repeating the crematory operation until at length she extorted from the unfortunate monarch for three times the amount she had originally demanded for the complete set .

Messrs Krskine and Co . have a more gentle method of getting subscribers to improve their minds by reading the works they produce . Mr . George Lane , licensed victualler , Hyde-street , Poplar , takes an interest in the deep mysteries of Freemasonry , and ordered from the firm named their history of the Craft , in two volumes , which heafterwirdi refused to accept . VVhen they were tendered to him in hi 5

bar he declared he would not touch them with a poker . Whether his choice of that particular article with which not to touch the books arose from his experience of the part a poker is popularly supposed to play in the rite of Masonic initiation was not disclosed ; the fact remained that he would have nothing to do with the "History of | Freemasonry . ' * Did Messrs . Erskine act in the unreasonable

manner of a Sibyl ? Not at all ; they piid the volumes into the Bow County Court , and then sued the publican for £ 2 10 s . as their value . In the tribunal over which Judge French presided , the two large folio volumes were laid before Mr . Lane ; and his Honour briefly said , " Now pay for the books you ordered . " " Oh , certainly , if you say so , " answered the licensed victualler , "but won't you tell them to send the books home ? " "No , " said the

inexorable Augur , " you caused them to be brought here , and you must carry them home yourself . " " But look how heavy they are , " cried the purchaser ; "fancy having to carry them all tne way to Poplar ! They are enough to break a man's back . " The judge would have nattiing to say tuitnec on thi matter . Tlie buoks were there 10 lake or leave , as the defendant liked—but he must ply for them . Mr- Lane staggered out of the court under the weight , not of the Alasonic secrets , but of their history , sumptuously bound in two volumes . Newcastle Leader .