Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

At his half-yearly rent audit on Saturday last Bro . Sir Thomas Brassey , K . C . B ., M . P ., remitted 20 per cent , of the rents due . Bros , the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs attended the opening of the December session of the Central Criminal Court , at the Old Bailey , on Monday . Bro . General Lord Wolscley presided on Thursday , the 10 th inst ., at the annual dinner of the North London Rifle Club , of which his lordship is president .

The Prince of Wales was present on Saturday last at a Standing Committee of the Trustees of the British Museum , and afterwards presided at a general meeting . It is said that the sum of £ 15 , 000 has been expended by Bro . Henry Irving in making the necessary preparations for the production of Mr . Willis's version of ' Faust . "

Bro . Colonel C . Harding-, G . A . D . C , presented the prizes to the 4 th Volunteer Battalion Queen's ( Royal West Surrey Regiment ) in the great hall of the Cannon Street Hotel on Monday evening , the recepton accorded to him on his recent appointment to be lion , colonel of the battalion being of the most enthusiastic character . Bro . his Excellency , Count Nigra , Italian

Ambassador to the Court of St . James's , arrived at Dover from Rome on Sunday evening , and proceeded at once on his journey to London . Bro . the Lord Mayor and Bros . Alderman and Sheriff Evans and Sheriff Clarke were entertained at dinner on Friday evening , the nth inst ., by the Mayor of Croydon .

Bros , the Earl of Haddington , the Earl of Mar and Kellie , the Earl of Airlie , the Earl of Northesk , Viscount Strathallan , and Lord Balfour of Burleigh , are among the Scottish peers who have been elected to sit in the House of Lords during the term of the new Parliament . According to the Keystone , Bro . Thomas J . Shryock , the present G . Master of Maryland , will not be 34 years of age till February next , while Bro . Charles

Webb , the senior Past G . M . of the same G . Lodge , was only 33 years old when installed G . M . in 1 S 53 . Bro . Sir Frederick Lei ghton presided on Thursday , the 10 th inst ., at the distribution of medals and other prizes awarded to students of the Royal Academy , Burlington House , and afterwards delivered an interesting lecture on the progress of art . There was a large audience present .

The installation ceremony will be worked in its entirety at the Brixton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1949 , on the evening of Tuesday next , the 22 nd inst ., at 8 o ' clock , by W . Bro . Jos . Starling , P . M . and W . M . of the United Mariners Lodge , No . 30 , when it is hoped that a goodly number of brethren may be present , and that a large Board of Installed Masters may be formed .

On Thursday , the 10 th inst ., by special licence the marriage was solemnised in the Chapel Royal , Savoy , of Sir R . H . Williams-Bulkeley , Bart ., with the Lady Magdalen Yorke , youngest daughter of R . W . Bro . the Earl of Hardwicke , P . G . M . Cambridgeshire , and the Countess of Hardwicke . Among the relations and friends present were Bro . the Earl and Countess of Hardwicke ,

Bro . the Hon . Alexander Yorke , and Countess Cowley . Our worthy neighbour , Mr . E . Surrey , of 21 , Great Queen-street , W . C , has issued his usual handy little pocket ' * Almanack and Annual for 1 SS 6 . " It contains some useful and entertaining information , sufficient space for memoranda , and above all , a price list of the excellent commodities in the shape of cigars , tobaccos , smoking

appliances , and mounted and unmounted walking sticks , which are sold by Mr . Surrey . Bro . G . Shaw , Chairman of the Library Committee of the Corporation of London , presided at a banquet given by the said Committee to a large number of guests , literary , scientific , and artistic , at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on Tuesday evening , among the guests

present or invited being Bros , the Lord Mayor , F . S . A ., Alderman and Sheriff Evans , Sheriff Clarke , Sir R . H . Collins , K . C . B . ; Alderman Sir R . Hanson , P . G . Stwd . ; Sir J . B . Monckton ( Town Clerk ) , P . G . W . ; G . P . Goldney ( Remembrancer ) , and H . H . Crawford ( City Solicitor ) . Amongst the many attractions at the Royal Aquarium this week , one of the most notable has been the

exhibition of Messrs . A . J . West and Co ., gas engineers , of Lisle-street , Leicester-square . The unique stoves for drawing rooms , and other purposes , are all that can be desired in this age of modern improvement . By the combination of the delta metal with asbestos fibre , the most brilliant and comfortable effects are attained , and the

comsumption of gas , which is after all an object of consideration in these hard times , is largely economised . In addition to the saving , from a household point of view , there is cleanliness , and a saving of labour on the part of the servants of the establishments . This firm also manufactures cooking apparatus of the most modern appliances , which must be seen to be appreciated .

Bro . Edward Spooner , P . M . and P . Z ., President of the New Wandsworth Philanthropic Society , 1 , Albertteirace , Haldon-road , Wandsworth , will thankfully receive contributions towards the fund for providing Goo poor children with a dinner on Christmas Day , and on the 8 th of January next a tea , followed by an entertainment , to 250 old women and men . This has been an annual feature of the Society ' s work . The report and balance sheet of

this Society , just to band , is of a satisfactory character . No less than 2093 poor families have been relieved with meat , bread , grocery , and coals . Allowing five persons to each family , the number aided has been 10 , 465 . The Society was formed in iSGS , and one of its principal founders was Bro . Spooner . The balance-sheet shows an expenditure of £ 100 only ; and there is no item for labour or salary , everything is done voluntarily by a staff of willing philanthropists .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . Sheriff Clarke has contributed ten guineas to the funds of the Licensed Victuallers' School . There are 21 lodges under the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia with an aggregate membership of 3020 brethren . Early last week Bro . E . J . Wathcrston presided at a meeting held at Putney for the purpose of organising

a Sanitary Association for the district . Bro . A . J . Altman presided at a dinner of the City of London School Committee at the Guildhall Tavern on Wednesday , the gth instant . Bro . the Earl and the Countess Granville and Lady Victoria Leveson-Gower , returned to town on Saturday last , from visiting the Duke of Devonshire at Chatworth .

The debt of the Grand Lodge of New York , which Bro . Lawrence , G . Master , has resolved on making a determined effort to pay off or at all events to reduce substantially , is stated at 485 , 000 dollars ( £ 97 , 000 ) . Bro . Sir T . D y ke Acland , Bart ., M . P ., who was on a visit to Hawarden Castle , attended Divine service at the parish church on Sunday last . Bro . Lord Wolverton ,

who had also been on a visit to Mr . and Mrs . Gladstone at Hawarden , left for London on Saturday . Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Connaught visited the Royal Tapestry and Stained Glass Works at Old Windsor , on Thursday , the 10 th inst ., and inspected a window which is being executed for Bagshot Church , in memory of the , late Bro . the Duke of Albany .

Bro . the Right Hon . G . O . Irevelyan , M . P ., was on a visit to his father-in-law , Mr . R . N . Philips , at his seat near Stratford-on-Avon , during last week , and on Thursday was one of a party that shot over Mr . Philips ' s estate . The Board of Directors of the Garfield National Monument Association of Washington , D . C , has handed

the sum of 1000 dollars , consisting of contributions received for the Association , to the Masonic Widows' and Orphans ' Home , Louisville , Kentucky . At the 66 th annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Ohio , held at Cincinnati on the 20 th October last , Bro . S . Stacker Williams was elected M . W . G . M ., and Bro . Charles Brown , Grand Treasurer , while Bro . John D .

Caldwell was re-elected Grand Secretary . We regret to announce the death on Sunday evening last of Bro . C . Brewer , of Old Burlington-street , who was well known in racing circles as an owner and commissioner . Bro . Brewer was a Past Master of the Kilburn Lodge , No . 1 G 0 S . The York Lodge , No . 236 , will hold its annual meeting in the Masonic Hall , York , on Monday evening

next , when the W . M . elect will be installed in office by Bro . Jos . Todd , P . M ., Treasurer , P . P . G . R . The banquet is fixed for 6 . 3 b p . m . Bro . Sir Charles Dilke , Bart ., M . P ., addressed a political meeting at the Sydney Hall , Leader-street , Chelsea , on behalf of Mr . Joseph Leicester , M . P . for West Ham , for whom a fund to defray his election expenses is being raised , on Monday evening .

Bro . the Lord Mayor attended the meeting held on Monday evening , in the schoolroom attached to the Kingsland Congregational Church , for the purpose of distributing the Government prizes and local awards to the successful students of the North London School of Art .

The Prince of Wales will visit the Doulton Pottery Works , Albert Embankment , on Monday next , for the purpose of presenting the head of the firm with the Albert Medal awarded for the excellence of its exhibits at the Inventions Exhibition , and in recognition of its services generally to art pottery . Bros , live Earl of Carnarvon , Lord Lieutenant , and

Lord Ashbourne , Lord Chancellor of Ireland , Sir Michael E . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., Chancellor of the Exchequer , Lord Randolph Churchill , M . P ., Secretary of State for India , and Colonel Stanley , Secretary of State for the Colonies , attended the Cabinet Council held at the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury , in Downing-street , on Monday afternoon .

Visitors to the Royal Aquarium this week will hardly fail to notice in the Eastern Gallery a prettily arranged stall , not inappropriately denominated the"Sma ' Still , " occupied by Messrs . T . S . McAllister and Co ., distillers and blenders , of Lochgorm , Inverness . The stand is tastefully fitted up , and customers are most warmly received . It seemed to us , while on our visit of inspection ,

that " the prof o' the pudden is in th preein' o it . " Can anything be said more ? We regret to hear that , after an active city life of thirty years , the latter half of which was passed as partner in the firm of Bros . Farmancr and Hainswoith , of 8 , Coleman-street , Bro . IJames Hainsworth died at his residence , Wheatly , Coventry Park , Streatham , on

Monday . Bro . Hainsworth had been in failing health for some time past , but he was at his post , as usual , as late as Thursday , the 10 th inst . The deceased was a brother of some years' standing , and a Past Master of the Old King's Arms Lodge , No . 2 S . Bro . Hainsworth , who was a widower , leaves behind one son , resident in Sydney , New South Wales , and one daughter .

The Fifteen Sections will be worked at the New Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction , No . 1 G 95 , Hornsey Wood Tavern , Seven Sisters-road , on Tuesdays , the 22 nd and 29 th inst ., at 8 o'clock . On the first named date the Seven Sections of the First Lecture will be worked ; and on the latter date the whole of the Sections of the Second and Third Lectures—Bro . H . G . Gush , is the Preceptor ,

and Bro . A . J . Berry , Secretary . HOLLOWAY ' S OINTMENT AND PILLS , — During every break of wintry weather exertion should be made by the all ] icted to recover health before unremitting cold and Uying slorms set in . Throat ailments , coughs , wheezings , asthmatical allections , shortness of breath , morning nausea , and accumulations of phlegm can readily be removed by rubbing this line derivative Ointment twice a day

upon the chest and neck . Holloway ' s treatment is strongly recommended with the view of giving immediate case , preventing prospective danger , and effecting permanent relief . These allimportant ends his Ointment and Pills can accomplish , and will surely prevent insidious diseases from fastening on the constitution to display themselves afterwards in those disastrous forms that will probably embitter life till death itself is almost prayed for . — [ ADVT . ]

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . Lord Randolph Churchill , M . P ., has accepted the presidency of the Dublin Conservative Working'Men's Club . We are glad to be in a position to announce that Bro . W . C Smith , the worthy Preceptor of the Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction , has recovered sufficiently from his recent prolonged illness to be able to resume

his duties . The Music Committee of the Coiporation of London have unanimously passed a resolution of thanks to their Chairman , Bro . Pearce Morrison , for the very able manner in which he discharged the duties of his affairs during the past year .

Bro . the Lord Mayor will preside at a meeting , to be held to-day ( Friday ) at the Mansion House , in behalf of the Benevolent or Strangers' Friend Society , Bros . Alderman and Sheriff Evans , Sheriff Clarke , and H . B . Marshall , P . G . Treas ., being among those who are expected to be present and take an active part in the proceedings .

The Library Committee of the City of London have shown this appreciation of the valuable services rendered during the past year by their Chairman , Bro . George Shaw , by unanimously voting him a resolution of thanks for the able and courteous manner in which he fulfilled his duties . A similar compliment was paid to Bro . Henry Windybank by the members of the Law and City Courts Committee .

Bro . the Right Hon . Sir John A . Macdonald , G . C . B ., the Prime Minister of the Dominion of Canada , is now in London on diplomatic business connected with Canada . Sir John is the Representative of the Grand Lodge of England at the Grand Lodge of Canada , and airived in this country , unfortunately , just too late to attend

the last quarterly communication of Grand Lodge . Mr . John Maddison Morion—the veteran author of " Box and Cox "—is about to gratify the lovers of private theatricals all the world over . He has written a series of six new home plays , which will appear monthly in London Society . The first will come out before Christmas in the January [ number , and the title is " First Come , First Served ! "

l he following dinners took p lace at the Freemasons' Tavern for the week ending Saturday , the 19 th inst . Monday—St . George's and Cornerstone Lodge ; University Chapter . Tuesday—Enoch Chapter ; Royal York Chapter ; Cadogan Lodge . Wednesday—Novcomagus . Thursday—Gt . Northern Lodge ; Globe Lodge . Friday—London , Aberdeen , Banff , and Kincardine Association Ball ; Jordan Lodge ; Odd Volumes . Saturday—Tottenham House Ball .

A new novel b y Mr . Westall , entitled "Two Pinches of Snuff , " was commenced in Cassell's Saturday Journal of the lGth inst . The first popular editions of this author's "Red Ryvington" and "Old Factory " ( published in March and April last ) being nearly exhausted , Messrs . Cassell and Company are preparing a second edition of each of these works . —Academy .

The will of the late Bro . J . Forrester , of Sydenham-hill and Mark-lane , has recently been proved , the personalty being sworn at £ 41 , 855 , the whole of which is bequeathed to his widow and children . Every one will hear with regret that Bro . E . Dawkins , who for the last fifteen years has played a leading part in the management of the Freemasons' Tavern , has

retired from that position . Bro . Dawkins had laid himself out so assiduously to consult the wishes , both of the regular " habitues "and the infrequent customers , that his presence will be greatly missed . However , his departure will not pass unheeded , his many friends having already determined to present him with a testimonial in recognition of his invaluable courtesy and great business tact . Mr . S . Webb ,

24 , Clarendon-road , Holland Park , is the Hon . Treasurer of the fund , and Mr . J . Diprose , Radcliffe House , Denmarkhill , the Hon . Secretary , either or both of whom will gladly give any information that may be desired . On Thursday , 7 th inst ., a highly successful concert was given by the past and present pupils of Grove House School , South Hackney , at the Manor Rooms ,

Mare-street , Hackney , Besides a well-selected programme of vocal and instrumental music—the latter under the direction of Henry Baynton , Esq . —at the end of each part a farce was given , "Leave it to Me" and "That boy Pete" respectively ; all of which was successfully carried out . During the interval the distribution of prizes were made by the Rev . Canon Lester , M . A . There

was a large attendance of the friends of the pupils , and Bro . A . G . Watkinson , the Principal , is to be congratulated upon the satisfactory outcome of his arrangements . We are informed that the next term commences on January 19 th , iSSG . Monday last being the 24 th anniversary of the death of the Prince Consort , and the 7 th of that of the

Princess Alice , Grand Duchess of Hesse Darmstadt , Her Majesty and the Royal Family attended Divine service in the Mausoleum at Frogmore , the officiating minister being the Dean of Windsor . The Prince and Princess of Wales , Princes Albert Victor and George and the Princess Louise of Wales , the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh , the Duke

and Duchess of Connaught , the Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lome , the Duchess of Albany , Princess Christian , and Prince and Princess Henry of Battenbeig were present . The Prince and Princess of Wales and their sons and daughter , and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh afterwards left the castle for London .

We beg to express our sympathy with Bros , Robert and James Crowden—both of whom are Past Masters of the West Kent Lodge—who , as the old established firm of Crowden and Garrod , have just experienced the misfortune of having their handsome premises , Falcon House , at the corner of Southwark-street and Southwark Bridgeroad , destroyed by fire . This is indeed a verification of the well-known proverb that "it never rains but it pours , "

the two having recently sustained a severe domestic bereavement , while one of them is only just getting the better of a serious illness . We also regret to hear that a great fire broke out on Thursday night on the premises of Messrs . Vyse , Sons , and Co ., of Wood-street , the greater part of the building being nearly burnt out , and the rest severely damaged by fire and water . In this Bro . Howard Vyse and the other members of the firm have our cordial sympathy .