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appertaining to them . When that opportunity presented itself Comp . Worthington appointed him as the Second Assistant , and he hoped by regular gradation to go up to thc chair . The companions mig ht rest assured that he should do his best to do honour to any appointment that mig ht be conferred upon him . " Thc Lay Alembers of thc Chapter , " was the next toast proposed , and Comp .

Z . D . Berry replied , stating that though he had been many years a member of the chapter and might have had office , he did not take it because his memory was not so retentive for the learning of the ceremonies as it vvas twenty or thirty years ago , and he would feel degraded if he had to be prompted and dragged through his duties as he had unfortunately seen some Principals and

Past Principals of chapters occasionally . He intended , however , to remain a member of this chapter , but he intended most firmly to resist taking office , feeling he should not do justice to the companions who appointed him . He hoped for many years to enjoy the friendship of the companions , and to spend as pleasant and happy hours with them as he had spent hitherto . Comp . Joseph Smith

afterwards gave " The Janitor ' s Toast , " and the evening , which had been enlivened by some pretty singing by the companions , was brought to a close , with Lest wishes for " A happy Christmas . " BEDFORD . —Stuart Chapter , ( No . 540 ) . —The first anniversary ' of this chapter was held on Tuesday , December 12 th , when many of those London compan ions ,

who showed such a fraternal interest by being present at the consecration of tbe chapter , again attended ( being the invited guests of Comp . J . H . Bull ) , and were able to congratulate the chapter as having been , in every possible respect , a complete success . There were present Comps . Col . William Stuart , of Tempsford Hall , D . L ., P . S . G . W . England , Past G . H . England , W . AI . of the Stuart Lodge

540 , & c , A 1 . E . Z . ; Alderman J . R . Bull , J . P .. . P . AI . 540 , H . j A . Cookson , P . AI . 340 ; Rev . William Tebbs , M . A ., P . M . 285 . P . P . G . Chaplain Somerset , Chaplain ; Captain J . Colbourn , E . ; J . M . Cuthbert , P . M . 540 , P . S . ; J . Fisher , P . AI . 540 , 1 st A . S . ; J . Trapp , P . AI . C 40 , Treas . ; Coombs , Allan , Harris , Leslie , Billson , P . AI . ; Nash , P . AI . ; G . P . Nash , P . AI . ; Stafford , and R . Wentworth Little ,

P . G . H . Aliddlesex , & c , honorary companion of the chapter . The visitors included Comps . Rev . Holden , P . G . S . Aliddlesex , Chaplain 19 ; Barfield , P . Z . 19 ; Read , P . Z . 834 ; Swallow , Z . 77 ; Bryett , H . 834 , 19 ; Game , 19 ; Grabham , 19 ; and R . Boughton Smith , P . G . R . Leicester , J . 1007 . Chapter having been duly opened and the companions admitted the report of the Audit

Committee was read and adopted unanimously . We too must lall in with the companions' own view of their year's work and pronounce it successful in the extreme . The next business was the election of the Scribe N , in place of Comp . W . J . Nash , who was elected to the office at the last chapter , but who declined it , Comp . J . Fisher was unanimously selected to fill his place . All companions

below the rank of Z . having now reiired , Comp . Read proceeded , at the request of AI . E . Z . to install Comp . J . R . Bull to the chair of Z . ; Comp . Cookson was next installed II . ; and Comp . Cuthbert , J . A requisition was now made by the Royal Cyrus Chapter 285 , Shepton Mallet , to the Principals of thc Stuart Chapter to install Comp . Rev . Wm . Tebbs , P . AI . of Lodge 285 , and P . S . of

Chapter 285 , to the Chair of J . in the Royal Cyrus Chapter . The request was acceded to , and Comp . Tebbs installed accordingly . The companions being re-admitted saluted the newly installed Principals in the manner and with the honours usual amongst 11 . A . Alasons , after which the officers of the chapter were invested as follow : —Comp . Rev . W . Tebbs , P . S . ( who thereupon nominated

and invested Comps . Billson and Stafford as First and Second A . S . ) ; Fisher , N . ; Colburn , E . ; Trapps , Treas . ; Reynolds , Jan . Comp . Rev . W . Fassett Ward was appointed Chaplain , but owing to his absence his installation was deferred . The usual enquiries for notices of motion , & c . having elicited the nomination of a candidate for exaltation and hearty good wishes from several chapters , the

chapter was closed in solemn form , after wliich the companions sat down to a banquet served in their usual room , lu the course of the evening Comp . Bull , AI . E . Z . presented a handsome alms-box to the chapter , which was much and deservedly admired . The next morning Comp . Bull took the London A'isitors for a drive through the pretty environs of Bedford , showing them many local

objects and places of world-wide interest . Coplc , where was the house of Luke ; Butler ' s Hudibras ; Cardington , the residence of John Howard , the Philanthropist ; Elstow ( with its church and old market-house ) , the birthplace of John Bunyan , Kcmpstow and back to Bedford , to the worthy host's house , where an excellent dinner was

provided ; the party ( which was here joined by Comps . Cuthbert and Rev . W . Tebbs ) , comprised Ct . mps . Rev . Holden , Wentworth Little , Read , Swallow , Game , Barfield , Grabham and Bryett . After dinner Comp . Holden said that they must not separate without thanking Comp . Bull in the warmest possible way for the hospitality he had shown , and which knew no break from the time of their arrival

on the Bedford platform to the time of their departure from it . Die anniversaty of thc Stuart Chapter would henceforward be a red-letter day in his calendar . The " Health of Comp . Bull" was then most heartily drank . Comp . Little's health was then proposed by the host , after which that of the London companions followed , responded to by Comp . Read , who also spoke in very happy terms of thc hospitality of the host . Airs . Bull , at this point

entered thc room , when her health was proposed in a most feeling speech by Comp . Barfield . The visitors soon after left for London , declaring that they should never forget either Bedford ' s town or people . LANCASTER . —Rowley Chapter ( N 0 . 1051 ) . — The regular meeting of this chapter was held in the Masonic Rooms , Athenamm , on Monday , the 20 th ult . The chapter was opened by the M . E . Comp ., Ed . Airey , M . E . Z . ;

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William Heald , H . ; F . Dean , J . ; Dr . J . D . Moore , P . ; Prov . G . H ., Scribe E . ; Dr . Hall , P . E . Z ., as Scribe N . ; W . Hall , P . S . ; J . Ellenshaw , ist A . S . ; , ] .. ] . Crosskell , 2 nd A . S . ; and others . The muster roll of the members was called over , and the minutes of last meeting read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken separately for Bro .

John Tilly , 281 , of Ceylon , and Bro . A . K . Allinson , P . S . W . 281 , which proving unanimous , they were each exalted to the companionship , the mystical lecture being given by Comp . Dr . J . D . Aloore , and the symbolical by Comp . William Heald . After the transaction of other business the chapter was closed with the usual formalities .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

ALDERSGATE LODGE , No . 16- 57 . —The warrant for this lodge has been granted , the consecration of which will take place shortly at the Castle and Falcon Hotel , Aldersgate-street . The officers designate are , Bro . John Derby Allcroft , W . AI . „ Rev . Dr . P . H . Ernest Brette , S . W . „ Dr . Charles Hogg , J . W .

The regular meetings are to be held on the second Alonday in February , Alarch , October , and December . The Rt . Hon . the Lord Suffield , K . C . B ., R . W . Provincial Grand Master for Norfolk , has kindly accepted the Chairmanship of the next Festival of the Royal Alasonic Institution for Girls , to be held on the 9 th of Alay next .

A handsome grant of £ 500 by the council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England will be expended in the preparation of a memoir on English husbandry , to be laid before an International Congress at Paris in 1878 . The volume will be the work of several hands , and among the writers ( says the Chamber of Agriculture Journal ) will probably be ACr . James Caird ,

Air . J . D . Dent , and Air . John Algernon Clarke . We learn by telegram that a new Masonic temple was on Sunday inaugurated in the Via della Valle , under the name of Giordano Brune . The reappointment ofthe Scottish Education Board for another term ol five years is announced .

Wedding presents are going out of fashion across the Atlantic . It is now usual to put in the corner of the wedding invitation-card " No presents accepted . " American brides , also , now rarely wear white , while no lady over twenty-two is entitled by the present fashion to a bridal veil .

The Queen has been graciously pleased to command that the engraving of Airs . Ward ' s picture , " Airs . Fry visiting Newgate , 1817 , " should be dedicated to her . The British Channel Squadron arrived in the Tagus on Saturday last . The will of Bro . William Henry Teale . late

of the Rye House , Hoddesdon , Herts , who died on the 20 th of October last , was proved on the 9 th inst . by his sons , William H . Teale and Robert J . Teale , and Air . R . U . Wallace , the executors , the personal estate being sworn under ^ 8000 . The testator gives to his wife . Airs . Jane Teale , certain furniture and plate absolutely , and the rents for life , or so long as she shall remain his

widow , of certain freehold and leasehold properties . There are some specific gifts to his children , and the residue he leaves among them all equally . —City Press . Bro . C . Lord , we learn , has resigned his position as manager of the Cannon-street Hotel , and will relinquish his duties in a few days . Jt is announced that the officers of the 1 cth

Hussars will be permitted to wear the Prince of Wales ' plume in silver on the undress sabretache . The crest and motto of his Royal Highness thc late Prince Consort is to be worn over the regimental device on the dress sabretache of the nth Hussars . Notice is given by the Postmaster-General

that " the public would greatly assist the operations of the Post Office if they would be good enough to post their letters , Christmas cards , & c , intended for despatch from London on the evening of the 23 rd ( the Saturday before Christmas-eve ) and the evening of the 30 th ( the Saturday before New Year ' s-eve ) , earlier in the day than usual .

Amongst the latest improvements in the trumpet-mouthed fog signals used on the English coasts is a clockwork arrangement by which steam passes through a pipe and gives intermittent signals at stated intervals .

Ihe Belgrave Lodge of Instruction having removed from "The Lyceum Tavern" 354 , Strand , ( adjoining the Lyceum Theatre ) , Bro . Charles Cairn , P . AI ., Proprietor , an opportunity now offers to brethren for establishing one or more lodges in this very central locality .

PARIS EXHIBITION . —At the request of the Prince of Wales , the Lord Alay or has consented to act as one of the Royal Commissioners of the British section of the Paris Exhibition of 1878 . The Funeral of the late Mr . Alderman Besley

is appointed to take place this ( Saturday ) afternoon , at one o ' clock , at Battersea Cemetery . The Post Office authorities have decided that the " Christmas numbers " of the illustrated papers are not " newspapers , " and when sent through the post must be sent at the book rate of postage .

Bro . T . J . Hooper Wilkins offers himself for elec . ion as Common Councilman for the Ward of Aidgate .

Masonic And General Tidings.

URBAN LODGE OF INSTRUCTION ( No . 1196 ) . —The first meeting of this lodge of instruction was' held on Wednesday , Dec . 6 th , at Bro . T . G . Willett ' s , the Three Bucks Tavern , Gresham-street , City . Bro . J . Tickle , W . AI . of the Urban Lodge , officiating as W . AI . for the evening ; C . Hawksley , S . W . ; W . Wilkins , J . W . ; E .

Hollands , S . D . ; C . Young , J . D . ; C . Willett , I . G . ; J . L . Mather , P . AI ., ' Preceptor J . Wall , Secretary . The ceremonies of initiation and passing were worked by the W . AI . After the election of new members and other business , the lodge was closed in due form . NEW ZEALAND . —The whole of the insignia for the Supreme Council , 33 ° , for the Valley of New

Zealand , is now on view at the Alasonic Show Rooms , Little Britain , and Aldersgate-street . The annual meeting of the Lodge of . Unity , No . 613 , will be held on St . John ' s Day , Dec . 27 th , at Freemasons' Hall , Southport . The W . AI . elect , Bro . George Bailey , will be installed by W . Bro . John Bowes , P . AI ., P . Z ., Prov . G . Junior Warden , Cumberland and Westmorland .

We are authorised to state that Divine service at ' the Chapel Royal , St . James ' s , will commence on Christmas Day at eleven o'clock a . m ., instead of at tlie usual hour .

The Mayor of Sheffield presided at a public meeting held on Tuesday , at which it vvas resolved to raise a sum of £ 10 , 000 to secure the bequest of £ 20 , 000 left by the late Air . Daniel Hopy , of Sheffield , to found a blind institution .

The anniversary dinner of the Commercial Travellers' Schools at Pinner took place at the Freemasons Tavern , on Wednesday night , when subscriptions were announced to the large amount of £ 16 , 6 73 . SURREY MASONIC HALL . —A juvenile Fete will be held on Thursday next .

FUNERAL OF THE LATE BRO . THE DUKE OF SALUANIIA . —The remains of the late Duke of Saldanha were buried in the Church of Saint Vincent , on Wednesday with great pomp . Alany officers of thc army and a large body of cavalry and infantry were present . The

King was represented by an adjutant . A large number of thc nobility and of the friends of the deceased were also present . There was a great crowd of spectators . The rain interfered with the ceremony . The Duke has bequeathed his marshal ' s baton to the 1 st Regiment of Infantry .

We are asked to state that the meetings ofthe Alarylebone Lodge of Instruction , No . 1305 , have been altered from Tuesday to Friday evening . ECLECTIC LODGE NO . 1201 . Several important alterations have been made in the bye-laws of this

lodge . The day and months of meeting have been changed to the 2 nd Friday in the months of October to Alarch , inclusive , and the subscription increased . These alterations come into force at the next meeting , which will be on the 12 th proximo , the installation of Bro . E . J . Harty as W . AI . for the ensuing year .

West Smithheld Lodge of Instruction , No . 1623 . The first meeting of this new lodge will take place on the 8 th of January , 1877 , and will be held regularly every Alonday evening at 8 o ' clock , at the New Alarkct Hotel , King-street , Snow Hill . Bro . J . Howes P . AI ., is the Preceptor .

RHYL . —The want of a Masonic lodge has long been felt in Rhyl , and we understand that "" one is about to be formed . A meeting of Freemasons has been held , and a number of the brethren have agreed to contribute towards the necessary expenses .

At the monthly meeting of the Mersey Lodge , No . 477 , at the Alasonic Chambers , Birkenhead , on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., Bro . William Pulford was elected W . AI ., and Bro . D . Fraser , P . M ., Treasurer , for the ensuing year .

COWSLIP WINES . —Home-made wines are not , as a rule , appreciated by most people , though there are among them several which are extremely pleasant , palatable , and healthful . Aluch , indeed , depends upon thc mode of manufacture , for while one person can produce an agreeable wine from some particular fruit , flower , or berry , another

would make it just the reverse . Undoubtedly one of the nicest of our home-made wines is that made from the cowslip , but in some districts of the country the pretty pale yellow blossoms are not to be obtained in quantity . In tile Alidland Counties , however , particularly in Leicestershire , cowslips cover the meadows in all directions during

the late Spring and early summer time , and Alessrs . Alott & Co ., long- known as wine merchants , at Leicester , have turned this wealth of bloom ta good account in the production of a wine which , by common consent , very far excels any similar beverage before made , and which , under the name of Leicestershire Cowslip Wine ,

has attained a reputation for delicious flavour , fine aroma , and for delicacy of colour , which cannot be parallelled in this country . This wide-spread fame has been obtained by Alessrs . Alott & Co . adopting the most scientific mode of manufacture , so that the full flavour and fragrance of thc cowslip is retained in the wine produced . As an agreeable , pleasant , and sparkling draft , with cold

or iced water or seltzer , no one could desire anything better than thc Leicestershire Cowslip Wine ; and when we look to the fact that it is sold in large capsuled bottles , and the carriage paid to all stations on thc Midland and London and North Western systems , at 16 s . per dozen , we believe we have said enough to induce our readers to judge for thems-lves whether our commendation is or is not a just one .