Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL in behalf ot the Gordon Boys' Home will be held in the Whitehall Rcoms of the Hotel Metropole , on Thursday , the 20 th May next , under the presidency of the Duke of York . BRO . LORD GLENESK will preside as Chairman at the annual festival which will be held in the Whitehall Rooms of the H 6 tel Metropole , on Friday , the 14 th May next , in behalf of King's College Hospital .

PRINCESS CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG HOLSTEIN and her daughter , Princess Christian , and Prince Francis Joseph of Battenberg , visited the Queen on Saturday last at Osborne , arriving from Portsmouth on board her Majesty's yacht Alberta . SUNDAY LAST , the 17 th instant , was the anniversary of the battle of Abu Klea , and in commemoration of the event , the Royal Sussex Regiment , which is quartered at Brighton , decorated with wreaths the obelisk erected in the Steine to the memory of those who fell in the engagement .

THE BECHUANA REBELS were defeated at Kaboga , some 20 miles below Takoon , on the morning of the 15 th inst ., their loss being 40 killed , while the British force , composed of police , volunteers , and burghers , had one trooper wounded and three horses killed . Very few of the rebels escaped .

HER MAJESTY ' S cruisers Theseus and Forte sailed from Malta for Gibraltar on Saturday last , being under orders to proceed at once to the West Coast of Africa . The former is a first-class cruiser of 7350 tons and carrying 12 guns , and the latter a secondclass cruiser of 4360 tons and carrying 10 guns . AT THE MEETING of Beadon Chapter , No . 619 , at Anderton ' s Hotel ,-Fleetstreet , Comp . Geo . Rice Bolton , P . Z ., P . P . J . G . W . Kent , of Devonia , Lordship Lane , Forest Hill , on retiring from the chair for the second time , was presented with a jewelled bar , massive silver salver , and illuminated vellum , subscribed by all the members , in token of esteem and regard for services .

BRO . H . G . HOLLAND , Secretary to the Sailors' Orphan Girls' School and Home at Hampstead , has been unanimously elected Master of the Hugh Owen Lodge , No . 2593 i which holds its meetings at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford-street . Bro . Holland is now W . M . of the Wilson lies Lodge , No . 2054 , and a P . M . of the Broxbourne Lodge , No . 2353 , both in the Province of Hertfordshire .

THE 12 TH ANNUAL MASONIC BALL of the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge , No . 1446 , will be held at the Hotel Cecil , on Friday , the 19 th prox . Bro . A . E . Mullins , W . M ., is President of the Stewards : Bros . G . W . Perry , P . M ., Treas . ; G . M . E . Hamilton , P . M ., Sec . ; and T . Toffs , 214 , Barry-road , East Dulwich , S . E ., Ball Secretary , of whom tickets , price ios . ( 3 d ., to include light refreshments and supper , can be obtained .

THE 14 TH ANNUAL DINNER in aid of the Tailors' and Outfitters' Assistants ' Mutual Association was held at the St . James ' s Restaurant on Saturday evening last , under the presidency of Mr . Lionel Holland , M . P ., the proceeds , amounting to about £ 100 , being handed over to the Annuity Fund . The Association , though on a modest scale , has been doing some excellent work during the period of its existence .

SPECIAL COMBINED EFFORTS on a large scale will be made at Hampstead during the present year in commemoration of the Queen ' s Diamond Jubilee in aid of the North London Hospital for Consumption , the Hampstead Hospital , and the Hampstead Nursing Association . These three institutions confer benefits far beyond the Hampstead district , receiving patients from all parts of the kingdom , this being more particularly the case with the Consumption Hospital .

AT THE FORTHCOMING general meeting , the directors of Harrod ' s Stores , Limited , will recommend a dividend of 20 per cent , on the ordinary shares for the six months ending December 31 st , IS G , which , together with the interim dividend of 5 per cent , paid in July last , will make 25 percent , for the year , and a dividend of £ 17 per share upon the original founders' shares . At the following general meeting , the directors of Harrod ' s Stores Founders' Shares Company , Limited , will recommend a dividend of 3 s . 5 d . per £ 1 share for the year ending December 31 st , 1896 .

IT IS IN CONTEMPLATION to present a testimonial to Bro . James Thorn , P . M 22 C 6 and 2331 , in recognition of the services he has rendered to Freemasonry during the past 12 years , more especially as the Preceptor of the Camden Ledge of Instruction , Deputy Preceptor of La Tolerance and Eclectic Lodges of Instruction , and past Preceptor of the Ravenscrcft Masor . ic Club and the Joppa , Queen ' s Westminster , St .

Marylebone , William Preston , and Great Northern Lodges of Instruction . An influential Ccmmittee has been formed , with Bro . W . Curry , Treas . 2331 , 195 , Great Portlandstreet , W ., as Hon . Treasurer , and Bro . J . Hume , Stwd . 1305 and J . D . 2331 , 5 , Charlton-street , W ., as Hon . Secretary , of whom all necessary particulars may be ascertained ar . d to whom all contributions should be sent .

A LARGE and influential meeting was held at the Mansion House on Saturday last in support of the Indian Famine Fund . The Lord Mayor , who was accompanied by the Lady Ma } oressand the Misses Faudel-Phillips , occupied the chair , and was supported by the Duke of Ccnnaught , the Duke of Cambridge , Bro . Lord George Hamilton , M . P . ( Secretary of State for India ) , and Lady George Hamilton , the Hon . George

Curzon , M . P ., and Mrs . Curzon , Lord Harris , Lord Hobhouse , Sir Donald Stewart , Bart ., Bro . Sir Frginald Hanson , Bart ., M P ., Sir Lepel Griffin , Sir Arthur Arnold , Bro . Aldeiman Davies , M . P ., Bro . Alderman Treloar , Bro . Gerald Loder , M . P ., and many others . The resolutions submitted to the meeting were carried , and a vote of thanks to the Lord Major brought the prcceedinjjs to a close . Up to Saturday evening last the Fund amounted to £ 83 , 000 , which has since been increased to about £ 120 , 000 .

THE MINISTERIAL and opposition leaders gave their usual full dress Parliamentary dinners on Monday evening . Among the invited guests at the Marquis of Salisbury ' s were the Duke of Cambridge , the Lord Chancellor ( Bro . Lord Halsbury ) , the Lord Privy Seal , Bros , the Duke of Portland , the Marquis of Hertford , and the Marquis of Zetland , the Lord Steward , the Lord Chamberlain ( Bro . the Earl of Lathom ) , Bros , the Earl of Derb y , the Eail of Jersey , the Earl of Kintore , and the Earl of Dartmouth , Earl Stanhope , Bros , the Earl of Warwick , the Earl of Onslow , the Earl of Dunraven ,

me carl ot Varborough , the harl of Londesborough , Lord Balfour of Burleigh , Lord Egerton of Tatfon , Lord Hothfield , Lord Wantage , Lord Rathmore , and the Hon . Schomberg McDonnell ( private Secretary . ) Among the guests of Bro . the Duke of Devonshire were Brcs . the Duke of Bedford , the Duke of Fife , the Maiquis of Tweed-(&\ e , the Earl of Durham , Lord Ampthill , Lord Monk Bretton , and Lord Burton . Bros , the Earl of Cork and Earl Catiington were among those who dined with Karl Spencer . The Right Hon . A . J . Balfour , M . P ., First Lord of the Treasury , invitedamong others

, , the Speaker ( Bro . W . C . Gully , Q C ) , Bros . Sir M . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., and Sir M . White Ridley , Bart ., the Rt . Hon . J . Chamberlain , Bros . Lord George Hamilton , A . Akers-Douglas , W . Hume Long , Gerald Balfour , Sir John E . Gorst , Lord Arthur Hill , Ellison Macartney , Hayes Fisher , and Lord Stanley , and the Attorney and Solicitor-Generals—all members of the House . Bros . Sir G . O . Trevelyan , Bart ., A . H . Dyke-Acland , C . Seale-Hayne , Sir Frank Lockwood , and Sir B . W . Foster were among the guests of Sir William Harcourt .

" I DRFAMT THAT I DWELT IN MARBLE HALis " will be the pleasing fancy of every one who first crosses the threshold of the gorgeous Trocadero Restaurant , which new holds such a proud and enviable position in the " New Londcn " starting into life round and about Piccadilly Circus . But instead of the ' * vassals and serfs " of the old song we shall find a warm and hospitable welcome from the courtecus and spirited proprietois , Messrs . J . Ijons and Co ., Limited , and the proveibial attention and peisonal cemfort ever extended to the public by these well-known caterers and restaurateurs ineDastment is devoted to the

. noor grill room , with the buffet , smoking , reading , and billiaid rccms . The entrance flcor is occupied by the giand restaurant ' with its golden minstrel and great gallery in the style of Louis Quatorze , and attached to the gold hall and gallery is a splendid adjacent saloon in the style of Louis Quinze . Small but deliciousr / cosy dinirg rocms surround these splendid public rooms . The first floor of the new Trocadero is another welcome surprise , consisting as it does of a ball

room , a banqueting hall in the Empire period—a most admiiable reproduction—and an ante-rcom in the style of Louis Treize . On the gallery level , at the top of the grand staircase , will be found a reception room , again in the style of Louis Treize ; a magnificent Masonic lodge in the period of Francois Premier , with , of couise , the necessary ante-rooms for the comfort and convenience of the brethren of the Craft . Full particulars can be had on application at the Trpcadero , Piccadilly Circus .

Masonic And General Tidings.

THE BANK RATE yesterday ( Thursday ) was reduced from 4 to 3 . I per cent . BRO . COL . PHINEAS COWAN has been elected for the third year Master of the Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers' Company . H . R . H . THE PRINCESS OF WALES has consented to attend the opening of the Queen ' s Commemoration Trades Exhibition in King's Lynn , on February ioth . THE DUKE OF FIFE will preside at the annual dinner in aid of the funds of the Alexandra Hospital , which is fixed to take place at the Whitehall Rooms on April Sth .

BRO . LORD WOLSELEY has latterly been suffering from an attack of jaundice , but we are glad to hear that his lordship is progressing favourably towards convalescence . AT A MEETING of Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East , held in Paisley last Saturday , Bro . Lord Blythwood , Prov . Grand Maste ' , nominated Bro . Major F . W . Allan as his Dep . Prov . Grand Master .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES , attended by Capt . Holford and Bro . Sir Francis Knollys arrived at Marlborough House from Sandringham on Monday afternoon , and in the evening witnessed a performance of " Betsy" at the Criterion Theatre .

THE LIVERPOOL DRAMATIC LODGE , No . 1609 , possesses a long roll of names of members who are prominently identified with the dramatic and musical professions , and there is to be a considerable accession to its ranks on Tuesday next of gentlemen who are so connected . MASONIC REGALIA BURNED . —The regalia of the Mayor of Kidderminster and other members of the Freemasons' lodge in Kidderminster were destroyed by a fire which broke out on Tuesday morning at the Masonic Club in the town . The installation of the new W . M . had taken place on Monday evening .

COURT OF ALDERMEN . —On Tuesday , at a meeting of the Court of Aldermen at Guildhall , at which the Lord Mayor presided , a letter was read from Bro . Sir G . Tyler resigning his gown as an Alderman , but it was unanimously resolved to ask him to reconsiderhis decision , to which request , it is understood , he will consent . WK UNDERSTAND that Bro . L . A . Richardson is endeavouring to arrange for a Masonic church service in aid of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , either in Croydon or at one of the churches on the Bedford estate in London . Bro . Richardson is I . P . M . of the Bedford ( centenary ) Lodge , No . 157 , and will represent it at the Festival in February next .

ON THE OCCASION of her Jubilee the Queen gave a commemorative medal to servants and officials in her service , and to mark thecompletion of the Goth year of her reign her Majesty will shortly bestow a commemorative medal impressed with the date and occasion of its bestowal . Those of the officials and servants who already possess the Jubilee medal will have a dated clasp or bar instead of a second medal .

THE ANNUAL CINDERELLA DANCE in connection with the Prosperity Lodge , No . 65 , will take place at the Cannon-street Hotel , on Thursday , the iSth February next . Tickets , including light refreshments during the evening , 63 . each , or double ticket to admit two ladies , or lady and gentleman , 10 s . 6 d . A supper , which is optional , will be provided at 3 s . each , and for which separate tickets will be issued .

A SPECIAL MEETING of the Royal Counties Agricultural Soctety was held in the Town Hall , Reading , on Thursday . His Royal Highness Prince Christian , who has accepted the presidency for the year , attended . The object of the gathering was to appoint certain officials to carry out matters in connection with the show to be held in June next year , at Reading , and to discuss certain questions . The Mayor of Reading , Mr . William Ferguson , afterwards entertained the party to luncheon .

UNDER THE auspices of the L . O . A . Club a concert will be given at St . ( Martin's Town Hall , on Tuesday next , in aid of that excellent Institution , the London Orphan Asylum , Watford . Among the entertainers will be Mesdames Belle Cole , Florence Bethell , Marian Blinkhorn , E . Clare Gritten , Jessie Hotine , Fanny Wentworth ; Messrs . A . Dennant , Theo . Distine , E . Edwards , W . Emerson , Arthur Grover , George Grover , F . Louis Schneider , Vernon Taylor , W . Edwards , and Frederick Williams .

THE LONDON COLLEGE OF Music , in Great Mailborough-street , was the scene of a pleasant gathering on Thursday evening , when the students attending that institution gave a conversazione , which brought to their midst many of their friends . It was only natural on such an occasion that the programme carried out should be of a light and bright older , and that no attempt should te made to put to the test the attainments of the pupils in a classical direction . A special feature , and one that obtained instant and cordial recognition , was the performance of an opere'ta , written and composed by "Leslie Gordon , " entitled , "The Stage-struck Slavey , " in which Miss Susetta Fenn ard Mr . Sinclair Dunn acquitted themselves with no little credit .

A GRAND MASONIC SERVICE IS to be held at the Parish Church of St . Michael , Wood Green , by kind permission of the vicar , the Rev . J . Thomas , on Sunday , the 31 st inst ., at 3 . 30 p . m . Bro . the Venerable Archdeacon Sinclair , D . D ., P . G . Chap ., will deliver an address . The brethren will appear in Royal Arch and Craft clothing . Tne musical arrangements will be under the direction of Bros . James Halle , Org . 2426 ; C . A . Wilkinson , P . M . 1322 ; and H . E . Knight , 2005 . Bro . Halle will preside at the organ . The brethren will be admitted on production of their badges , and will assemble

in a specially-erected marquee adjoining the church at 2 . 45 p . m ., the procession being formed at 3 p . m . AFTER BRO . THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE ' S Pailiamentary banquet on Monday , the Duchess of Devonshire held a crowded reception at Devonshire House , which was attended by most of those present at the various Parlimentary dinners , the corps diplomatique , and many others , among whom were Bro . Lo : d Justice Lopez , ; Bro . A . Staveley Hill , M . P ., and Mrs . Staveley Hill ; Bro . the Right Hon . Sir lames Fergusson ,

Bart ., M . P . ; the Hon . W . Massey-Mainwanng , M . P ., and Mrs . Massey-Mainwanng ; Bro . the Hon . Thomas Cochrane , M . P ., and Lady Gertrude Cochrane ; Bro . Sir Thomas Sutherland , M . P ., and Lady Sutherland ; Bro . Sir W . Dixon-Hartland , Bart ., M . P . j Bro . General and Mrs . Laurie ; Bro . Herman Hodge , M . P . ; Bro . Halsey , M . P ., and Mrs . and Miss Halsey ; Bro . Stanley Leighton , M . P ., and Mrs . Stanley Leighton ; Bro . Tomlinson . M . P ., and Mrs . Tomlinson ; and Bro . R . G . Webster , M . P ., and Mrs . Webster .

THE THIRD SESSION of the 14 th Parliament of her Majesty the Queen was opened by Royal Commission on Tuesday , the Commissioners being the Lord Chancellor ( Bro . Lord Halsbury ) , the Lord Privy Seal ( Viscount Cross ) , the Earl of Pembroke ( Lord Steward ) , and Bros , the Earl ot Kintore and Lord Ballour of Burltigh . The opening was fixed for 2 p . m ., and the Loids Commissioners having taken their seats on the bench , immediately in front of the Throne—which , as usual , was uncovered—the House of

Commons , was summoned , and the Speaker , preceded by the Seigeant-at-Arms , and accompanied by a numerous body of members , appeared at the bar , and the Lord Chancellor at once read the Quden ' s Speech . The representatives of the Lower House having retired , both Houses adjourned , and re-assembled at 4 p . m ., when the debate on the Address in reply to the Speech was commenced in each House . In the House of Lords the Address was agreed to , and the Lords adjourned at 6 . 30 p . m ., but in the Commons the debate was adjourned at a quarter before midnight .

IN THE extremely interesting article which appeared in the Daily Telegraph of . Thursday , the 14 th inst ., headed " Fifty Years of Railway Life , " the caieer is sketched of " Mr . G . Abbott , " who has been in the service of the South-Eastern Railway Company for upwards ot half-a-century , and holds at the present time the responsible post of Superintendent of the Cannon-street and Charing Cross Stations . He began as assistant to the toll-collector then stationed at the gate of the tunnel under Spa-road on the 8 th February , 184 G , and , having been transferred to London Bridge , was

subsequently employed as guard , first on the North Kent Line and then on the Main Line . In 1 SG 4 he ceased to be a guard , and became Chief Inspector at London Bridge . In 18 G 6 he was placed in charge ot Cannon-street , and in 1890 he became , in addition , Superintendent of Charing Cross Station . He was a lad of 12 years when his experiences began , and he is still engaged in the full discharge of his very responsible position , with no idea whatever at present of retiring from office . It will probably

interest our readers to know that the "Mr . G . Abbott " who figures thus honourably in our contemporary ' s aiticle is none other than Bro . George Abbott , a P . M . of the Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 , who , when holding the efticeof Secretary of that lodge , compiled a ntat little sketch of its history , which was read and extremely well received at the Centenary Celtbration in 18 S 9 . We trust that Bro . George Abbott may acquire , if possible , still further honour in his opacity of Superintendent of two of the busiest stations in the Metropolis of London ,