Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CnNNAimilT drove out on Sunday . Their Royal Highnesses left Nice on Monday . THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GoLnsMiTiir . have sent a donation of £ iocn to the London Hospital Maintenance Fund Appeal . BRO . SIR HENRY IRVING possesses the English rights in the play "Cyrano de Bergerac , " recently produced with success in Paris . IT IS REPORTEO that the Oueen will visit the metropolis on the 04 th inst ., and remain it Buckingham Palace lor a day or two .

THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT will preside at the banquet in aid of the funds of St . Mark's Hospital , to be held at the Whitehall Rooms , H 6 tel Metropole , on the 25 th April . LA . DY BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH and the Hon . Misses Bruce arrived in town on Wednesday from Scotland , to join Bro . Lord Balfour of Burleigh , at 47 , Cadogansquare , for the season .

A MARRIAGE has been arranged between Capt . George Lister , Goth Rifles , eldest son of Sir Villiers Lister , and Lady Evelyn Bathurst , daughter of the late Bro . Karl Bathurst and Evelyn Countess Bathurst . T . R . H . THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OFWAI . ES retu'ned to Marlborough House from Sandringham on Monday afternoon . His Royal Highness dined in the evening with the Eatl of Albemarle and the officers of the 12 th Middlesex ( Civil Service ' Volunteers .

H . R . H . THE PRINCESS OF WALES and suite were present at the Lyceum Theatre on Monday evening to witness the performance , by special desire , of " Peter tbe Great . " The Prince , who was dining with the officers of the Civil Service Rifles , had already seen the play twice . AT SANDRINGHAM the Austro-Hungafian Ambassador , Count Deym , arrived on Saturday last on a visit to T . R . H . the Prince and Princess of Wales . _ Their Royal Highnesses and their guests were present at Divine service the following day at the Church of St . Mary Magdalene .

MANCHESTER LODGE , NO . 179 . —The annual ball of this old established lodge will be held in the Throne Rocm , Holborn Restaurant , on Monday , the 7 th prox ., at 9 p . m . Tickets , 12 s . 6 d . each , may be obtained of the Secretary , J . Kew , Esq ., 32 , St . John ' s Villas , Upper Holloway , N . MR . GLADSTONE has announced his intention of contributing £ 1000 , and the Rev . Stephen Gladstone £ 500 , towards the cost of providing a new church for the populous district of Shotton , near Hawarden . The neighbourhood has been served for the past 24 years by mission services held in the schools .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALEB , attended by Bro . Major-General Sir S . Clarke , dined with Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire on Tuesday evening , at Devonshire House . H . R . H . the Princess of Wales left Marlborough House for Sandringham in the alternoon , Miss Knollys and General Sir Dighton Probyn being in attendance . H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES has presented a window to the Sailors' Institute at Falmouth , which is a branch of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society . At the meeting held on Monday at the institution , Mr . Edward W . Matthews , the general secretary ,

said on behalf of the parent society that they had received many gifts from his Royal Highness . AT THE Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction , No . 12 SS , meeting at the Old Cock Tavern , Highbury , at 7 p . m . on Friday next the 26 th inst ., the ceremonies of consecration and installation will be rehearsed , the former by Bro . A . Lucking , P . M . 160 , P . G . P ., P . G . D . C . Essex , and the latter by Bro . C . VV . Austin , VV . M . 160 . Cralt clothing to be worn .

T . R . H . THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES will visit the Armoury House , Finsbury , the Head-quartets of the Hon . Artillery Company , on Saturday , the 2 Gth inst , for the purpose of unveiling a portrait of Cord Colville of Culross , which has been presented to his lordship by the regiment . Lord Colville is President ot the Honourable Artillery Company . The portrait is by Cope . The Royal visit is timed for 3 . 30 , and will last about half an hour .

ON THE Sth of next month will be celebrated the bi-centenary of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge , founded in 1 G 9 S , "to promote and encourage the erection of Charity schools in all parts of England and Wales . " Besides a special service in St . Paul's Cathedral , there will be a public meeting in the Guildhall under the presidency of Bro . the Lord Mayor , when addresses will be delivered by the Archbishop of Canterbury , the Lord Chancellor ( Bra . Earl Halsbury ) , the Bishop of London , and others .

AN ADMIRABLE method of perpetuating the . memory of the late amiable " Lewis Can oil , " the friend of countless little ones has been initiated by the St . James ' s Gazette . That journal has opened a subscription for the purpose of installing an " Alice in Wonderland " cot in the Hospital for Sick Children in Great Ormond-street , and it is calculated that £ icoo will be required to effect that desirable object . A strong Commit' -e has agreed to act in the matier . Subscriptions may be sent to the editor of the newspaper mentioned .

HER MAJESTY has intimated her intention of paying , if possible , another visit to the wounded soldiers at Netley Hospital in May next . Should the journey be found impossible , T . R . H . the Prince and Princess of Wales will act as the Queen's deputies . The Lady Superintendent at Netley has received a communication from the Lady-in-Waiting at Osborne , stating that her Majesty desires ^ a photograph of each of the wounded soldiers whom she saw on Friday , the nth inst ., together with a description of thc patients' cases written on the back . KENNING ' S CRICKET CLUB . —The third annual Bohemian concert of the above club was held at the London Tavern , Fenchurch-street , on Tuesday , the 151 I 1 inst ., and

proved a grand success . The chair was most ably filled by William Baker , Esq ., the vicechairmen being Messrs . A . W . Smith and J . H . Morris . Amongst the artistes who delighted the large audience assembled we might mention especially Mr . Will Edwards , who sang ** All change , " " Stars , " and in response to an enthusiastic encore , gave "Mr . Green ; " Mr . Will Dcller gave "Tut tut , " "Baby language , " and was not allowed to retire tillhe related about " Aunt Matilda ; " Mr . A . C . Lester earned great applause for "Staring me in the lace" and "Have to have ' em ; " Mr . Jay Taylor

was very amusing in " That s where my love lies dreaming and " What did I do ; " whilst Mr . Bert Taylor sang " It was beautiful" and " John Bull in the china shop . " Mr . Harry Merry varied the programme in an agreeable manner with a ventriloquial entertainment . The sentimental portion of the programme was well sustained by Mr . Charles Winter , who sang in line style , " My Queen , " and Mr . Chas . Game , who gave " Will 0 ' the wisp , " and these artistes also rendered the ever popular " Excelsior " duet so splendidly that an encore was demanded , and they obliged with " Love and war . " Mr . Archibald Holders' fine voice was heard to advantage " In blow , blow , thou winter

wind" ar . d "Jack ' s Ihe boy , " but fairly surpassed himself in "The Diver . " Mr . Gibson gave a nice rendering of " I am waiting , " and also also assisted the Mavis Glee Singers in their selections , "Come let us join the Roundelay " and "The letter ; " Mr . Reuben More recited " Ruined by a woman " and " For Love and Money ; " Mr . Dodson sent his audience into raptures over "Tommy Atkins ; " Mr . J . Clarke's flute and piccolo solos , ** Cleopatra " and " Les Oiseau du Bois , " accompanied by Mrs . Clarke , wcic very fine efforts and deservedly applauded . Mr . C . Frewin made an efficient pianist , and the musical arrangements were well looked after by Mr . J . H . Murphy .

EVERY MASON should read "Volo , or the Will , " what it is , how to strengthen and how to use it . By Arthur Lovell , author of " Ars Vivendi . " Crown Svo ., cloth , 3 s . Gd . net ; by post , 3 s . gd . Many cutious and interesting facts are given about arcient and modern initiations . Catalogue post free . Nichols and Co ., Publishers , 23 , Oxford-street , VV . Light , Sept ., 1 S 97— "The Author's theories seem to us reasonable and valuable . " The Glasgow litrnlil , Sept ., 1897— " Mr . LOVELL has much that is valuable to say on the subject of the Will . The advices which he gives as to the training and disciplining of the Will and its practical cultivation are excellent , while the central principle of his philosophy is beyond question . "—[ ADVT . 1

Masonic And General Tidings.

BRO . EARL AND COUNTESS CARRINGTON and . family have taken up their residence at 50 , Grosvenor-street until Easter . PRINCESS LOUISE ( Marchioness of Lorne ) travelling as Lady Sundridge , left Victoria on Monday for Paris , en route for the South of France . _ BRO . H . MCCALMONT , M . P ., has returned from the South of France to his residence , 11 , St . James ' s-square , S . W ., for the Parliamentary session . BRO . THE EARI OF WARWICK has returned from his sea trip to Madeira much benefited in health , and will shortly leave for Ireland for the spring fishing .

THE PREMIER attended the marriage of his nephew and private secretary , Mr . Evelyn Cecil , to the daughter of Bro . Lord and Lady Amherst of Hackney , which took place on Wednesday , at St . George ' s , Hanover-square . THE NEW LODGE at Hastings is to be consecrated on Tuesday , the 22 nd instant , at the Public Hall . In the unavoidable absence of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , Prov . Grand Master , the ceremony will be performed by Bro . Sir W . Marriott , Q . C , & c , D . P . G . M ., assisted by the Dean of Battle . The name of the lodge is to be Hastings , No . 2 G 92 . The banquet will be at the Castle Hotel .

A COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT is being arranged to take place on the 22 nd instant at the Masonic Hall , Leytonstone , for Mr . Frank Martin , in recognition of his having for the past three years given gratis his services as an entertainer to all local charities and cases of need . A number of brethren are interesting themselves in this movement , and a host of talented artistes have promised their help . Tickets may be obtained from Mr . F . McEwen , 6 _] , Granleigh-road , Leytonstone .

THE MAYOR OF CANNES has received a letter from the Prince of VVales , in which his Royal Highness promises to lay the foundation-stone of the new landing jetty there . The ceremony , which the town desire to make as impressive as possible , will take place towards the end of this month or at the beginning of March . The new jetty will be named the Albert Edward . It is to run due south , and will be 700 yards long . It is intended for the use of yachts , which hitherto have been mcored by the side of cargo boats .

THE PERSONAL ESTATE has been valued at £ 69 , 784 iGs . 4- ! . of Bro . Sir Charles Hutton Gregory , of 3 , Duchess-street , Portland-place , and of 2 , Djlahay-street , Westminster , K . C . M . G ., President of the Institute of Civil Enginers , who died on the ioth ult , aged So years , son of the late Dr . Olinthus Gilbert Gregory , Professor of Mathematics in the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich . Bro . Sir Charles Gregory , among other bequests , left to the Westminster Hospital £ 500 , to the London Hospital ' £ 500 , to the Middlesex Hospital £ 500 , to St . Mary ' s Hospital £ 500 , and to the Mother-General Superioress of the Convent of the Sisters of Nazareth at Hammersmith £ 500 .

To PROMOTE THE movement for founding a Home of Rest for Working Women as a national memorial to the late Duchess of Teck , a well-attended meeting took place recently , Bro . Alderman Sir John Whittaker Ellis , Bart ., presiding , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . the Lord Mayor . Aunng those present were the Lady Mayoress , the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava , Baroness Burdett-Coutts , Lord Farquhar ,

Bro . Sheriff Green , tiro . Sheriff Dewar , Lady Ellis , the Bishops of Rochester , Bristol , and Stepney , Sir William Vincent , and Bro . Dean Hole . A letter was read from the Marquis of Salisbury , expressing his hearty sympathy with the scheme , as well as from the Archbishop of Canterbury , who regretted that , as Convocation was sitting , he could not attend . The Chief Rabbi also wrote approvingly .

THE ANNUAL MEETING of the Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute was held on Tuesday afternoon under the presidency of Sir Frederick Young , K . C . M . G . From the report it appears that the Institute never before was in such a II lurishing condition as now . There were at the end of last year 4133 members , of whom 2721 resided in the Colonies . The income amounted to £ 7588 . Upwardsof 1163 volumes , 2350 pamphlets , 3 6 , 776 newspapers , and 32 maps had during the past year been added to the library ,

which now contains nearly 33 , 000 volumes and 330 files of newspapers . The Colonial Governments regularly forwarded all _ Parliamentary publications , so that the library is now pne of the most complete in existence on all subjects concerning the Colonies . Special attention , it was urged in the report , should be given to the teichin-r of geography in a great colonising country like England . H . R . H . the Prince of VVales has again graciously consented to become the president of the Institute .

THE RIGHT HON . the Speaker ( Bro . W . C . Gully ) gave-his first Parliamentary full-dress dinner on Wednesday evening to the following , amongst others : Right Hon . A . J . Balfour , Bros . Lord Stanley and Viscount Milton ( seconder of the Address ) , Viscount Cu'zon , Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Arthur Hill , the Hon . Ailwyn Fcllowes , Bro . the Right lion . Sir M . White Ridley , the Right Hon . J . Chamberlain , the Right Hon . G . Goschen , Bro . the Right Hon . Sir M . Hicks-Beach , Bro . the Right Hon . Sir

John Gorst , Bro . the Right Hon . A . Akers-Douglas , the Right Hon . R . Hanbury , Bro . the Right Hon . Walter Long , Bro . the Right Hon . Gerald Balfour , Sir William Walrond , Bro . Macartney , Mr . V , W . Russell , and Bro . Colonel Lockwood ( mover of the Address ) . Mrs . Gully afterwards held a recep-ion , which was numerously attended . The company included several of the Ambassadors at present in town , the Duchess of Devonshire , the Countess of Chesterfield , the Countess of Cottenham , Bro . Lord Glenesk , Lady Tweedmouth , Lady Jeune , Lady Ridley , and many others .

BRO . LORD GLENESK presided at the annual general meeting of the Newsvendors' Benevolent and Provident Institution , in the Memorial Hall , on Tuesday night , the 15 th instant , when three old women and an old man , who had sold papers in London for many years , were added to the pension list , upon which there are now 3 6 names . In proposing the adoption of the report , the chairman said that 40 years ago the subscriptions amounted to £ 59 , while in 1 S 97

they were nearly £ 300 . The pensions in the former year were valued at £ 82 , and no * at £ 566 . In 1 S 5 S the total receipts were £ 177 , while last year they were no less than £ 159 6 . The invested capital was £ 15 , 848 , the market value of which was £ 20 , 94 6 . ( Cheers . ) His lordship hoped that all newsvendors would join the society , not only with the view of having something to fall back upon in times of illness , but that they might aid an association which assisted all who followed this calling when misfortune overtook them . Mr . A . H . Hance seconded the resolution , which wasladopted .

THE EXECUTORS of the will , which bears date February nth , 1 S 07 , with codicils of the 22 nd February , 3 rd of May , and 23 rd of November , 18 97 , of Bro . Alderman Sir Polydore de Keyser , of 4 , Cornwall Mansions , and of De Keyser's Royal Hotel , Blackfriars , Lord Mayor in 1 . SS 7 SS , and a member of six City companies , who died on the 14 th January last , aged 65 years , are Mr . Edward Augustus Grunnintr , of Gresham House , architect , and Mr . Henry John Smith , of 3 , Salters' Hall court , solicitor , and the testator ' s nephew , Polydore Weichand de Keyser , of the Royal Ilotel . Bro . Alderman de Keyser left the residue of his property , real and personalto his said nephew ,

, Polydore Weichand de Keyser , The trustees are to invest only in British Givernment securities , and if they should think it desirable to realise upon any of his Picierenc ; or Ordinary Shares or Debentures in the Hotel Company , they are to invest the proceeds in British Government securities . The late Bro . Alderman de Keyser ' s personal estate has been valued at £ i 37 . 353 iSs . gd ., which includes 2200 Ordinary shares of £ 10 each , and 2 . 500 Preference shares of Ji , 10 each tn the company of De Keyser's Royal Hotel , Limited , which was formed in January , lSy ; , to purchase from him the business of the Royal Hotel for £ 367 , 500 .

THE QUEEN , accompanied by Princess Louise of Baltenberg and the children of Princess Henry of Battenberg , and attended by Bro . Lord Edward Pelham Clinton , Sir Arthur Bigge , Sir Fleetwood Edwards , Sir James Reed , Bro . Sir Henry Byng , Major the Hon . H . C . Legge , Lieutenant Ponsonby , Mr . Muther , and the Ladies-in-Waitinj * . left Osborne after luncheon on Wednesday upon the conclution of her winter visit to the Isle of Wight . The Royal party drove to Trinity Pier , East Cowes , and crossed the Solent in the Alberta to Clarence Yard , Gosport , where a special train had been prepared for their conveyance . A satisfactory journey was accomplished over the South-Western

and the Great Western systems , and Windsor was reached a few minutes after half-pa " six o'clock . A detachment of the 2 nd Coldstream Guards was mounted on Castle Hir '> and although dusk had set in by that time , many of the residents assembled in the vicinity of the railway . Her Majesty , who was escorted by Bro . Sir H . Byng and Major the Hon . H . C . Legge , drove immediately from the station to the Palace . Princes ' Beatrice did not accompany the Oueen to Windsor , but will remain in the Isle of Wig ht a day or two longer , as she is suffering from a slight attack of rheumatism . Miss Bulled , Miss Bauer , and Colonel Clerk remain in attendance on her Royal Hig hhness at Osborne .