Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

BRO . SIR HENRY IRVING and MISS Ellen Terry commenced their American tour at Montreal on Tuesday , when a performance of " Faust" was given to a very crowded house , which accorded them a most enthusiastic reception . THE GREAT VINE in the gardens of Hampton Court Palace is just now in sp lendid condition , notwithstanding the fact of its having attained the great age of 127 years . At present it bears upwards of 1200 large clusters of grapes in process of ripening .

THE PRINTERS' MANAGERS AND OVERSEERS ASSOCIATION held their annual garden fete at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , on Saturday last , when several of the members took part in a cricket match , which was followed by the usual entertainment . THE EARL OF CRBWE ' shooting party at Fryston Hall , Yorkshire , includes , among others , Bro . the Duke of Devonshire , the Marquis of Londonderry , the Earl of Enniskillen , and Bro . Lord Stanley , M . P . Some capital sport was obtained on Saturday last .

BRO . LORD BRASSEY , the new Governor of Victoria , accompanied hy Lady Brassey , arrived at Cape Town on board his yacht Sunbeam on the 13 th instant . On landing his lordship was heartily welcomed by the Governor of Cape Colony , the city authorities , and a vast concourse of people . A PERFORMANCE of " Liberty Hall" by Mr . George Alexander and his company was given by Royal command at Balmoral on Monday , the Queen and all the members of the Royal Family staying at the Castle , with the ladies and gentlemen of the household and a number of invited guests , being present .

LEWISHAM LODGE , NO . 2579 . —The warrant for this new lodge has now been granted , and the consecration will take place at an early date , which will be duly announced . The first Master will be Bro . Christopher Sims , P . M . of the Corinthian Lodge , No . 120 S , Finsbury Lodge , No . SGi , & c .

THE MEMBERS of the Order of Good Templars assembled in their full regalia near Cleopatra's Needle on the Thames Embankment , and , preceded by a _ brass band , marched in procession to St . Paul ' s Cathedral . where they attended a festival service in celebration of the 27 th anniversary of the introduction of their Order into England . KHAMA AND THE OTHER BECHUANA CHIEFS now in London are said to be very anxious to see the Queen , in order to assure her Majesty personally of their loyalty and devotion . In the meantime they are engaged in the very agreeable task of sight-seeing , and on Saturday last visited Brighton , accompanied by their interpreter , the Rev . Mr . Willoughby , returning to town on Monday .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES , having concluded his sojourn at Homburg , has gone on a visit to the Danish Royal Family . His Royal Highness arrived at Copenhagen on Saturday last , and having disembarked from the Royal yacht Osborne , proceeded to the Castle of Bernsdorf , where he lunched with the King and Queen , H . R . H . the Princess of Wales and the Princesses Victoria and Maud .

THE MARRIAGE OF Captain Charles E . Bancroft , eldest son of Bro . and Mrs . Bancroft , with the eldest daughter of Mr . and Mrs . Kendal , was solemnised at All Saints' Church , Langham-place , on Sunday last , in the presence of a small gathering of the two families and their friends . Later in the day the bride and bridegroom left for Dover , en route ior Cairn , where they purpose spending the honeymoon .

THE 14 TH AHNUAL ATHLETIC MEETING of the Ranelagh Harriers was held in the Stamford Bridge Grounds , Fulham , on Saturday last . There was only a moderate attendance of spectators , but VV . J . Sturgess , the amateur walking champion , though he failed in winning the Two Miles Handicap from F . J . Shaw , 430 yards start , succeeded in beating all previous records , covering the distance in 13 minutes 54 4-5 H 1 S seconds .

THE CHANNEL FLEET was at anchor off Scarborough in the early part of the present week , and on Sunday last the different ships were visited by crowds of people , fhe previous evening Vice-Admiral Lord Walter Kerr and his officers were entertained at a banquet given in their honour at the Royal Hotel , among the principal personages present being the Mayor of Scarborough , the Lord Mayor of York , Rear-Admiral Alington , Mr . J . C Reckitt , M . P . ; Bro . Sir Frank Lockwood , O . C , M . P . j and others .

A DISTRESSING GUN ACCIDENT occurred on Monday , by which Lieut .-Col . Lord Beaumont lost his life . His lordship had gone out shooting , and it is believed that in crossing a stile his gun went off accidentally j at all events he was found close to it with his head terribly shattered . Lord Beaumont , who was born in 1850 and succeeded to the title as recently as 1892 , had onlyjust resigned his commission in the 20 th Hussars , and was having his ancestral seat of Carlton Towers , York , renovated prior to taking up his lesidence there . He had seen a good deal of service , having been on the staff in Canada lrom 1874 , in Malta in 1879 , with the volunteer mounted troops in Bechuanaland in 1883 , and with the fcgyptian Frontier Field Force in 1 SS 5 .

THE DUKK OF CORNWALL LODGE , NO . 1 S 39 , which was founded and consecrated in 1879 , held its annual meeting for the installation of a new W . M . on Saturday night , the 14 th inst ., at Freen asons' Hall , Bro . W . H . Lowry , the outgoing Master , presiding . Bro . Chailes Mussared , a Past Master of other lodges , and an old member of this lodge , who has served all the offices of the lod ge , was installed by Bro . Lowry as Master for the ensuing 12 months . The Master ' s immediate predecessor was presented

with a handsome and valuable jewel of a Past Master . Among the brethren present were many Past Masters of the lodge , one of them being Bro . J . W . Brooke , who has each year travelled from Vienna to attend the installation meeting of the lodge of which he is one of tie three successful founders . The proceedings of the day , which , of course , included the appointment and investiture of the new officers , closed with a grand banquet at Freemasons' Tavern .

A TERRIBLE CATASTFOPHE occurred early on Monday morning on board the steamship Iona , cf 1250 tons , belonging to the Londun and Edinburgh Steamship Company , and plying between Leith and London as a passenger and goods ship . At the time of the occuirence there were about 70 passengers on board , pretty equally divided between the ist and 2 nd classes . About 1 a . m . on the day in question when the Iona was off the Gunfleet , Capt . Thorr pson , who was on the bridge , noticedsmoke issuing from the skylight ^ of the second-class dining room , which is in close proximity to the second-class cabins . He at once signalled to the engineer who had the « , nin «

reversed and the ship was brought up . It was then discovered that the men ' s and women ' s sleeping saloons , as well as the dining saloon were on fire , and the alarm was f iven and all who could make their escape were quickly on deck , the majority of them _ eing only partially clad . Efforts were made to extinguish the fire , and after four hours ' incessant labour , the engineer and crew succeeded in getting the flames under control . It was then discovered that seven women , including the second-class Stewardess and a child she tried to save , were burned to death . The origin of the fire cannot be accounted for , but there will be the usual inquest and Board of Trade inquiry .

MASONIC CHARITY IN WEST LANCASHIRE . —A meeting of the Benevolent and Charity Committee of the Prov . Grand Lodge of West Lancashire was held on the 13 th inst . at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , forthe purpose of considering several applications for grants from the fund . Bro . R . Wylie , D . P . G . M ., occupied the chair , and there was a large attendance of brethren from Liverpool and various parts of the province . Bro . W . Goodacre , P . G . S . B ., read the minutes of the last meeting , held at Preston , and expressed his thanks for the vote of sympathy which was then passed to him in connection with his illness . He also made the gratifvine * announcement that their

three candidates for the Boys' School , one candidate for the Old Men ' s , and one for the Old Women ' s Benevolent Institutions in London had been elected . Petitions for grants from the fund , on behalf of several widows and distressed brethren , were considered , and sums in relief to the amount of £ 75 were made . The appropriation of votes at the disposal of the province at the October elections for boys and girls on the London Institutions was next discussed and arranged . The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

1 , o " r . " ° LSA ! i" I ' ° l ' x . " ' . ANNUM MAV HE KARNKI . at too great a s .-uTilire , if we ruin our health and happiness during its accumulation . Although money is ,-i necessary article to possess in order to nolain the means of existence , it cannot purchase lo ' e , friendship , or immunity froin the dangers and pangs of disease . I he mil lonaire has often envied the -oiling labourer his hearty appetite and sturdy health and would gladly have sacrilired a large amount of his wealth ill exchange for these blessings . Holloway s l'iils , however , can give health to the most deli . ate . lliey are Ihe precious key which can open the door leading lo Ihe smiling valley of health Thev puruy the system and give thc essentials ot strength tor Uie blood . '

Masonic And General Tidings.

WE DEEPLY REGRET to hear of the death of Bro . George Herbert Reynolds , p . m 1614 and 2191 , and J . Lebanon Chapter , No . 1326 . PRINCE HENRV OF PRUSSIA , who is about to go on furlough , will proceed t 0 England on a visit to the Queen , and for that purpose has been granted an extension of leave . THE HEREDITARY PRINCE ALFRED of Saxe Coburg-Gotha , the only son 0 [ the Duke and Duchess , will attain his majority on the 15 th October , and the Grand Ducal Court intend celebrating the auspicious event in a special manner .

THE 73 RD SESSION of the Birkbeck Library and Scientific Institution will ) op 0 n Tuesday , the ist prox . Upwards of 200 classes meet weekly , there being special classes open to both sexes , for University , Civil Service , and other examinations . ' LORD WINDSOR has consented , at the unanimous wish of the County Council of Cardiff , to serve as Mayor of the borough during the ensuing municipal year . During his lordship's term of office there will be held a Fine Arts , Maritime , and Industrial Exhibition .

BRO . LORD WOLSELEY visited Ballyshannon on Tuesday for the purpose of inspect , ing the barracks and the proposed rifle range and training grounds at Finner . His lordship met with a most cordial reception from the townsfolk , and was presented with an address by the authorities . THE LORD MAYOR ( Bro . Sir Joseph Renals ) and the Lady Mayoress have returned to town from their visit to the Bordeaux Exhibition , and on Tuesday at his lordship ' s luncheon party a large number of guests weie present , and the health of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress was drunk most cordially .

THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ATHLETIC SPORTS will take place on Saturday , the 5 U 1 October , when it is by no means unlikely that the teams of the London Athletic and Cambridge University Athletic Clubs , as well as the New York and Boston Athletic Clubs , will take part in the contests .

IT IS ANNOUNCED that a movement is on foot to give Bro . the Earl of Dunraven a public reception at Cardiff on his return from America , in recognition of his sportsmanlike conduct in connection with the late contest for the America Cup . There is now no doubt about the speedy return of his lordship's yacht Valkyrie . TO-MORROW ( SATURDAY ) being St . Matthew's Day , Bro . the Lord Mayor and the Court of Aldermen , with the Sheriffs and City officers , will attend Divine service in Christ Church , Newgate-street , and afterwards assemble in the Court Room of Christ ' s Hospital for the transaction of certain business according to ancient custom .

THE LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY BAZAAR at Grimsby in aid of the funds of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children will be opened bv the Duchess of Newcastle on Wednesday , the 2 nd prox . In honour of the occasion , Bro . the Earl and Countess of Yarborough will entertain a large party of guests at Brockleby Park .

THE NEW BATTLESHIP MAJESTIC had a four hours' forced draught trial of her machinery on Tuesday , and on her returning to Spithead the result was reported as being very satisfactory . She attained an indicated horse-power of nearly 500 above the contract with an average revolution of 106 per minute and a mean speed of 17 . 8 knots per hour .

SPIERS AND POND , LIMITED , notify that the share transfer books will be closed from the 16 th to the 30 th instant , both inclusive , for the purpose of preparing dividend warrants for the first instalment of 4 s . per share ( less income tax ) on account of the dividend for the year ending 31 st March , 18 9 6 , which will be posted to the shareholders on the 1 st of October next .

WE REGRET TO HEAR of the death of Bro . W . H . Kirby , the assistant manager of Messrs . Burroughs , Wellcome & Co ., the result of an explosion of gas at his private residence . His loss will occasion keen regret amongst the wide circle of brethren to whom he was known . The funeral service will be held at St . Sepulchre ' s Church , Holborn Viaduct , at 12 . 30 to-morrow ( Saturday ) .

THE EXAMINATIONS for the Royal Agricultural Society ' s Junior Scholarships have been arranged to be held on the 12 th and 13 th November . The Scholarships are of the value of , 1 , 20 , and candidates must be between the ages of 14 and 18 years . Ten will be competed for on this occasion , and the examinations will be conducted at the candidates' schools , and at the Society's premises , 13 , Hanover-square .

BRO . THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE inaugurated the Midland Dairy Institute , which has been founded under the joint auspices of the County Councils of Derbyshire , Leicestershire , the Lindsey Division of Lincolnshire , and Nottinghamshire , and is located in South Notts on a farm , rented from Lord Belper on advantageous terms , near the Keg worth Station on the Midland Railway . A large company were assembled on the occasion , a nd his Grace delivered an important speech .

THE COMBINED VORACITY and cunning of big fish was well exemplified at this week ' s re-union of the Piscatorial Society , foregathered at headquarters , Holborn Restaurant , when an instance was given of a large pike which is hooked by expert anglers pretty well every day of its life , but which always , on being hooked , darts into a certain clump of weeds , where the rodsman ' s line is inevitably broken . With enough hooks in his gullet and stomach to stock a small tacklemaker ' s shop , this enterprising fish is still on the feed .

SIR ANDREW LUSK , BART ., who has been a membsr of the Corporation of London for 40 years , and is highly esteemed and respected bj his fellow citizens , has felt obliged to resign his seat in the Court of Aldermen owing to advancing years , tie served the office of Lord Mayor in 1873 , and had the honour of entertaining the Czar Alexander II . and gave a ball at the Guildhall in honour of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh , who were present . It was also in his year of office that the statue of the Prince Consort on the Holborn Viaduct was unveiled . For his services during his mayoralty he was created a baronet .

ON MONDAY , the gth inst ., Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , was installed W . M . of the Highgate Lodge , No . I 3 66 - Our veteran brother was its first W . M . just 25 years ago , and it was thought a fitting celebration of the " silver wedding " to place its first Master again in the chair . We do not know whether Bro . Terry is a member of the Thirteen Club , which sets at defiance the time-hallowed belief in unluckly numbers , but his acceptance of the olfice of VV . M . for the thirteenth time should qualify him tor a place among those daring iconoclasts .

HALF-DAY TRIPS TO "SHAKESPEARE ' S COUNTRY . " —The London and North Western Railway Company announce that , owing to the continued success of the half day trips to " Shakespeare ' s Country , " they have decided to run another excursion to Stiatford-on-Avun on Thursday , the 26 th inst . The train will leave Euston Station at 12 . 30 p . m . ; Chalk Farm , 12 . 9 noon ; Kilburn , 12 . 15 noon ; Chelsea , 11 . 52 a . m . j West

Brompton , 11 . 56 a . m . j Kensington ( Addison-road ; , 12 . 12 noonj Uxbridge-road , 12 . 14 noon ; Willesden Junction , 12 . 40 p . m . ; Clapham Junction , 11 . 46 a . m . j Battersea , 11 . 49 a . m . j and arrive at Strattord-on-Avon at 3 . 30 p . m . The return train will leave Strattord-on-Avon at 7 . 40 p . m ., and arrive in London ( Euston ) at 10 . 40 p . m . The third class return fare is As . bd .

DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND . —A meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Freemasons' Hall , Princess-square , Plymouth , to make arrangements for the election to be held in October . Bro . Samuel Jew , one of the oldest Life Governors of the Institution , was voted to the chair , and there were also present Bros . j . B . Gover , Hon . Sec . j W . H . Dillon , Hon . Asst . Sec ; J . R . Lord , Hon . Treas . j W . G . Gregory , F . B . Westlake , W . Allsford , C Watson , J . Leonard , C MuttenW . CoxW . Sweet ,

, , and J . J . Elliott . The Hon . Treas . reported that at the meeting held in April last there were 24 children on the fund , but since then six had gone off , and three more would gc off before the end of the year , bringing the number down to 15 . This is the sinalk 5 ' number that has been on the fund tor many years , and it was unanimously decided , on the motion of Bro . Gregory , to elect three more at the meeting in October , to be held at Exeter . The date of tne election will be announced in the course of next week . It . was

also resolved to ask Bro . W . Willoughby , who has so successfully conducted preyiJU-j concerts , to undertake the arrangements for another concert on behalf of the Educational Fund , to be held in Plymouth Guildhall during the month of November . Last year the concert resulted in a net profit of about £ 100 , and Bro . Jew , in acknowledging a vote ot thanks for presiding , expressed a belief tnat the next concert would be similaily successful . The Educational Fund was doing an excellent work , and he was glad to see that so much interest was taken in it .