Masonic Tidings.

Masonic Tidings .

The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., visited the Queen at Windsor Castle on Tuesday , and remained to luncheon . His Royal Highness returned to London in the afternoon , and went to the House of Lords in order to he present at the moving and seconding of an address of condolence to the Queen and the Duchess of Edinburgh en the death , of the late Emperor of Russia .

We understand that H . R . IT . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., accompanied by the Princess of Wales , the Duke of Edinburgh , and H . R . H . Prince Leopold , K . G ., P . G . W ., intend honouring Norwich at the forthcoming fisheries' exhibition , to be held in Chapel-Field , Norwich , on Easter Monday next . Bro . H . R . H . Prince Leopold , P . G . W ., will

preside at the annual festival dinner of the University College Hospital , at Willis ' s Rooms , King-street , St . James's , on May 20 th . Bro . His Royal Hi g hness Prince Leopold , P . G . W ., will open the Masonic Hall at Nottingham on the 2 gth June , and on the 30 th will formally open the fine

University Buildings which have just oeen erected in the town at immense cost . His Grace the Duke of St . Albans , as Prov . Grand Master , is making every arrangement for a very large Masonic gathering , this being his first appearance in his high office since the installation about two years ago .

The Empress of Austria hunted with Bro . Sir Watkin Wynn ' s hounds on Saturday . Bro . His Grace the Duke of Marlborough has taken a residence in Grosvenor-strcet for the season . Bro . the Rig ht Hon . Earl Percy entertained a

select circle at dinner on Saturday at his residence in Grosvenor-street . Bro . the Earl of Shaftesbury presided on Tuesday last at the fourth annual meeting of the schools attached to the Shoreditch Tabernacle .

GENERAL SIR FREDERICK R OBERTS , G . C . B ., K . C . S . L , V . C ., BART . —We think it is not generally known that this distinguished general is a member of the Craft . He was initiated in thc ' Khyber Lodge , at Peshawur , India , either in 1 S 54 or 1 S 55 . We are not aware whether he has filled the chair of a lodge or attained any other _ Masonic rank , but our correspondent states that at his initiation the

General acted as Junior Warden . Bro . Lord Wolvcrton has arrived in town from Cannes . Bro . Henry Irving will preside at the next anniversary festival of the Royal General Theatrical Fund . Bro . J . L . Toole is negotiating for a further lease of the Folly Theatre for a term of twenty-one years .

Bro . Frank Uffner , of the American Midgcls , intends bringing from New York and establishing in London his museum of living wonders . Among the curiosities is one well and beautifully-formed lady weighing S 4 C pounds . This will , indeed , be a contrast to Lucia Zarate , who weighs but 4 $ pounds . Bro . Joseph Jefferson , the eminent comedian ,

whose impersonation of " Rip Van Winkle " endeared him lo lovers of dramatic representations in both hemispheres , is a member of Concordia Lodge , No . 13 , of Baltimore , Md ., and has been since 1 S 57 . Quite recently the members of that lodge tendereel him a reception , which was greatly enjoyed by all present . Bro . Arthur Roberts has , we understand , already

been engaged for next year s pantomime at Drury Lane . He joins Miss Lizzie Coote ' s well-organised company on Easter Monday . A very successful statue in bronze , half life-size , of Bro . Henry Irving in the character of Hamlet has recently been executed by Mr . E . Onslow F ' ord . Bro . H . Clay Saunders , of the Emulation Lodsrc

of improvement , has been unanimously elected Preceptor of the Langton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1673 . Bro . Cornelius Moore says , in the February Voice of Masonry , " The Grand Lodge of England , as well as the Grand Lodge of Canada , who follow the usages of the body from which to a great extent they sprang , never allow of public installations . " He then goes on to

say that many Grand Lodges in this country do permit this practice ( which unfortunately appears to be' the fact ); but Bro . Moore , while he in terms justifies such a course , plainly sees its evils , for he adds , " I would not advise frequent repetitions of public installations—once in two or three years is sufficient . " Yes , more than sufficient . Once in any lodge ' s history is once too often .

Bro . H . G . Barwell , the P . G . Sec . Norfolk , exhibited one of his admirable water-colour paintings in the Grosvenor Gallery , and which was highly commented upon and praised as a work of art by the times and other newspapers . We congratulate Bro . Harwell upon his success .

Bro . \ V . H . Boswell informs us that a lodgc-of instruction in connection with the Stockwell Lodge , No . 1339 , has been formed anel will meet every Wednesday evening , at seven o ' clock , at the Cock Tavern , Kenningtonroad . The first meeting was held on Wednesday week , the oth inst .

Bro . Jonas Lindon Burns-Lindon , J . P ., ex-High Sheriff , P . M . Kenlis Lodge , No . 1267 , and P . P . G . S . W . of Cumberland and Westmoreland , will lay the corner-stone of the new parish church of Kgremont , Cumberland , on Tuesday , April 5 , with Masonic honours . Most of the nineteen lodges in the province will send deputations to

assist in the interesting event . The only other occasion of the kind in Cumberland or Westmoreland was in the year 1 S 56 , when the corner-stone of St . Matthew ' s Church , Westerton , was laid , uneler the auspices of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland , Bro . Dr . Greaves being D . P . Grand Master .

By an accident the name of Bro . G . Holdsworth , Org . 377 , who is well known for his musical abilities , was omitted from our report of the Consecration of the Lechmere Lodge as having given his valuable assistance in the preparation and the rendering of the beautiful consecration music performed at that ceremony .

Masonic Tidings.

Bro . His Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway will pass through Berlin in April on his way to England , with a view of escorting his consort on her return home . ¦ H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., is , we understand , expected to be present at the consecration of the new lodge at Portsmouth , of which Bro . Lord Charles Bercsford , Past G . W . Devonshire , will be-first Master .

Bro . Sir Michael Shaw Stewart s yacht , the Cavalier , has , we learn , left Cowcs for the Mediterranean . Bro . His Grace the Duke of Richmond and the Duchess ' are staying at Goodwood with a family party , anel are expected to remain there until after Easter . New Masonic halls arc to be erected in Bomb .-iy and in Dunedin . New Zealand .

The building of a new Masonic Hall has been taken up by the brethren of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales with great enthusiasm . The list of provisional directors include the names of many influential brethren . We record with regret the death of Bro . Alex . K . Smith , R . W . D . G . M . Victoria , S . C , which occurred in that colony on Sunday evening , the 17 th of January .

Bro . James Terry will rehearse the ceremony of consecration in the Kennington Lodge of Instruction , No . 13 S 1 , on Tuesday next , at the Horns Tavern , Kennington . Xhe Grand Lodge of Sweden has we learn had two-lithographic views of the ^ Masonic Temple—exterior and interior , at Stockholm , printed , and copies of them , and also of a chromo-lithographic portrait of His Majesty

Oscar II ., Grand Master of Sweden , presented to the Grand Lodge of Scotland and other Grand Lodges with which it is in fraternal intercourse . Bro . William Sugg has addressed a letter to the Metropolitan Board of Work's , requesting , in the event of the Board not continuing their contract for electric lighting on Waterloo Bridge , that he may be allowed to submit a plan for lighting the bridge with gas by means of his

patent gas burners and wind-proof ventilating lanterns . Bro . Bancroft announces that the Hay market Theatre is to be let for an autumn season . In our report of the installation meeting of St . David ' s Lodge , No . 1147 , Manchester , it was incorrectly stated that the ceremony was performed by Bro . T . R . Peel , P . M ., assisted by Bro . Ellis Jones , P . M ., P . G . Treas . _ ; the reverse was the case , Bro . Ellis Jones , P . M ., P . G . Treas ., performed the ceremony , assisted by Bro . T . R . Peel , P . M .

Bro . Poly dore De Kcyser was entertained at a complimentary banquet on Thursday week , the 10 th inst ., at Willis ' s Rooms , St . James's . The dinner was given b y a few friends of various nationalities in celebration of his appointment as a Knight of the Order of Leopold , a distinction fully earned by Bro . De Keyser's many and varied disinterested services to Belgium , anel especially to

the poor of that country settled in London . Bro . George Augustus Sal . i left London for Russia on Tuesday , at three hours' notice , for the purpose of describing the Imperial Funeral in St . Petersburg . Bro . the Most Noble the Marquis of Londonderry , Grand Master of Durham , accompanied by the Marchioness , has arrived at Londonderry House , Park Lane , W ., from Wynard Park .

Bro . Howard Paul has been appointed manager of the Alhambra Theatre , and , from his vast experience in theatrical and literary matters , will doubtless well fill the post . Bro . the Right Lion , the Karl of Mount Edgcumbc , G . M . Cornwall , with Lord Valletort and Lady Albertha Edgcumbe , have left the Alexandra Hotel , Hyde Park Corner .

Bro . Lavender , of the Aldersgatc Lodge , No . 1657 , has had the misfortune to break his arm . A vote of sympathy with Bro . Lavender was accorded at the meeting of the lodge tin Monday last . Bro . Sala has undertaken lo write a serial romance of modern society and civilisation for Pan , entitled "A Party in the City . "

A new departure has to be noted in connection with the entertainments at the Royal Victoria CoHee Music Hall , where every Thursday evening for some six week's a special ballad concert is to be given . The first took place on Thursday last , uneler the direction of Bro . Wilhelm Ganz , P . G . O .

Bro . James Willing ' s drama " Delilah " reached its 100 th night on Thursday last . Notwithstanding the great success which has attended its production at the National Standard , it will be withdrawn this ( Saturday ) evening , in consequence of a prior engagement with Bro . Wm . Crtswick , who appears on Monday . '

Ihe testimonial fund to Bro . Lord Holmcsdale , R . W . G . M . Kent , will be closed at the end of the month .

A soiree in connection with the Great City Lodge , No . 1426 , will be given on Saturday next , the 26 th inst ., when Craft clothing and jewels may be worn , by permission oftheM . W . G . M . PRESENTATION TO A MUSICAL BROTHER . — Last week the gentlemen connected with the various departments of the Prince of Wales Theatre , Liverpool ,

entertained Bro . J . F . Bayhss , No . iGoy , musical conductoi of that establishment , at supper at the Union Hotel , Clayton-square , and during the evening took the opportunity of presenting him with a valuable gold watch , chain , and appendages , as a mark of their esteem . This presentation was accompanied by a gold-mounted ivory baton , the gift of the marvellous Miltons , who have been

engaged at the theatre during the pantomime season . Ihe chair was occupied by Bro . Frank Emery , the popular lessee , the vice-chair by Bro . J . F ' . Doyle , author of the pantomime , and amongst others at the merry-meeting were Bros . Lindo Courteney , F . Wilkinson , J . L . Shine , | . M , Boyd , W . Addis , E . Brammell , H . Round , Neubcrt , Dr . Whittle , H . II . Harold , and others .

Bro . VV . S . Rindle , of Lod ge No . 8 51 ( Worthing ) , was re-elected \ V , M . for the ensuing year last Wednesday week .

Masonic Tidings.

Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , R . W . Deputy Grand Master , presided on Wednesday last , at the tenth Anniversary Festival in aid of the United Kingdom Railway Officers and Servants' Association and Orphan Fund , at Cannon-street Hotel .

Mr . John Maude , printer and publisher of the Scarborough Mercury , was on Wednesday committed for trial at the York assizes for printing and publishing a defamatory libel upen Bro . Sir Charles Legard , Bart . We understand a new lodge of Mark Masons will shortly be opened in Workington , there being over a dozen members belonging to the Order in the town . This will make eight lodges in the province of Cumberland and Westmoreland .

The Earl of Derby , on Thursday last , formally . opened the Science and Art Schools just built at Oldham at a cost of £ 10 , 000 . The event was celebrated by general rejoicings . Bro . C . Russ will be installed W . M . of the Royal Union Lodge , No . 3 S 2 , on Monday next , at the Chequers Hotel , Uxbridge . Lodge will open at half-past'two o ' clock , and will immediately proceed to business , which consists

, exclusive of the installation , of two raisings , one passing , and three gentlemen for initiation . A repprt of the proceedings will be given in our next . WEST BOURNE LODGE , NO . 733 . —The March meeting of this nourishing lodge was held , under the Mastership of Bro . Walter Ha ' llett , at Lord's Hotel , St . John ' s Wood , on Thursday last . A report of the proceedings will appear in our next .

A meeting of the Grand Masters' Council , No . 1 , of the Degree of Royal and Select Masters of England will be hekl in the Masonic Rooms , 2 , Red Lionsquare , on Thursday next , at half-past five o ' clock . . A convocation of the Grand Chapter of Hertfordshire was held at the Chequers Hotel , Bishop Stortford , on Wednesday last , when a large number of

companions were present . Bro . the Rev . C . W . Arnold . P . G . C ., consecrated the Wallington Lodge , No . 1 S 02 , at Carshalton , on Thursday afternoon . The W . M . installed was Bro . Chas . Sawyer , P . M . IGICJ , who invested as his S . W . Bro . John G . Horsey , iSC , P . M . 1 G 19 , and Bro . W . Pile , J . W . A report will appear in our next .

Bro . Ed \ yard Breese , Clerk of the Peace for Merionethshire , died somewhat suddenly at his residence in Carnarvon , on Frielay , the nth inst . Bro . Sir H . Drummond Wolff , M . P ., who was absent from the House on Monday night , is , we regret to say , still confined to his bed by an attack of quinsey , and bronchial congestion . Bro . the Earl of Fife has promised a donation of £ 500 towards the erection of a new town hall for Elgin .

General Tidings.

General Tidings .

The eleventh annual ball of the Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage will take place at the Cannonstreet Hotel , on April 27 II 1 . The Princess Louise of Hessc-Cassel , sister of the Duchess of Cambridge , is lying seriously ill , and owing to her

age grave doubts arc entertained of her recovery . Her Majesty the Queen of Sweden and suite left London on ' Thursday " evening at eight o ' clock , by the London , Chatham , anel Dover Railway Company ' s express train from Victoria Station , for Dover and Calais , on her return to Swede' . ! .

Mr . Russell Lowell , the American Minister , opened a free public library at Worcester on Wednesday last . At the luncheon which followed a congratulatory telegram from Worcester , Massachusetts , was read . THE AMERICAN- POLAR EXPEDITIONS . —The AVro York Tribune publishes intelligence from

Washington stating that two expeditions will be despatched to the Polar regions during the coming summer , under the direction of Ihe Chief Signal Officer . These expeditions will be undertaken for purely scientific purposes . One of them will go to Lady Franklin ' s Bay and the other to Point Burrow and the north coast of Alaska .

LONDON COTTAGB MISSION 1 . —It is well the weather has moderated , at least for the poor folks in East London , for on Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., the last of the series of the weekly Irish Stew Dinners to the poor there was given by the London Cottage Mission , so far as is yet decided . _ For the coming week the Mission Hall in Condcrstreet , Liinchouse , will on two or three evenings be open to

the children attending the Mission Schools , and entertainments , consisting of magic lantern exhibitions , recitations , etc ., as we / 11 as Ihe distribution of various book prizes , will take place , and a good tea will accompany them . If winter does come back , as yet it may , the dinners will be resumed , but to do it funds must be had , as the resources have been now reduced to Ihe lowe-st ebb . Funds are very greatlv

needed , and all contributions will he thankfully receiver ] , either by Miss Napton , the Lady Superintendent , 304 , Burdett-road , Liinchouse , E ., or by Mr . Walter Austin , 4-j , 1 'insliury Pavement , E . C . In close proximity to ihe Uuniversity buildings at Nottingham which Prince Leopold will open on the 30 th June , is a fine Masonic hall now approaching completion .

1 he Masons of the county and of the northern midland district generally are anxious that His Royal Highness should , during his visit , take part in the ceremony of opening this hall , and efforts are now being madeto induce him to fix either June 29 th or July 1 st for this purpose . The negotiations are in the trustworthy hands of the Duke of St . Albans , and we have good reason to believe there is good

prospect of a favourable reply . —The Cuckoo . N ' o member of ihe Masonic body who takes the slightest interest in the Craft should be without the Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar , Diary , and Pocket Book , published by Bro . George Kenning , of Fleet-street . This is the eleventh year ol its publication , and this year ' s book has already nearly exhausted its second edition . It is without doubt the most comprehensive . Masonic hook of reference extant . —Observer , Match ijth .