Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

Bro . Frank Lockwood , Q . C , M . P ., will be the guest of the Eighty Club at the dinner that , as usual , will be held at Cambridge in May . To the members of the Institute of Secretaries Bro . G . Pitt Lewis , Q . C , read on Wednesday evening last at Winchester House a paper on " Transfers . "

The Duke and Duchess of Connaught have consented to attend a summer fete to be held in aid of the Royal Albert Orphan Asylum in June next at Bagshot . A sketch of the gown worn by Mrs . Dimsdale , wife of Bro . James | Dimsdale , at the recent Drawing Room was published in last week ' s number of the Lady ' s Pictorial .

In the opinion of Lord Halsbury , going to war under modern conditions would be probably somewhat equivalent to challenging an enemy to fight a duel with squibs in a powder magazine . The Duchess of Teck has graciously consented to open on Wednesday , the iSth prox ., a bazaar that is to be held in aid of the building fund of the Great Northern Central Hospital , Holloway .

The members of the British section of the Antwerp Exhibition , the Lord Mayor being the president , have decided to make a special effort to obtain the adhesion of the leading agricultural implement makers and electrical engineers .

A set of 62 plates of the London churches of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries is in preparation by Mr . B . T . Batsford . The descriptive letterpress will be supplied by Mr . G . H . Birch , A . F . R . I . B . A ., who is also superintending the work .

Following on the lines of the lodge which is composed of members of the medical profession , and appropriately named the -Esculapius , a chapter has been formed and was consecrated on Friday , the iGth inst ., by the G . S . E ., Comp . Letchworth . _ Judging from the success of the lodge a similar experience awaits the chapter . The World ' s Fair has produced a desire for show ,

exhibition , parade , and public manifestation . The Fraternal Congress was the offspring of that sentiment . Now it would seem that another attack of this epidemic is proposed . Masons , it is hoped , will not be seduced into these public profane parades . But—yes—but moral epidemics are as likely as those which afflict the physical system . — Keystone .

The Mayor of Grimsby last week brought before the Grimsby Town Council a request from the Masonic brethren of Lincolnshire for the use of the whole of the Town Hall on the occasion of a Masonic reception , to be held at Grimsby on the 3 cth inst ., when Bros , the Earl of Yarborouh , the

Earl of Lathom , Viscount Dungarvan , and other eminent brethren would be present . The Council unanimously granted the use of the entire building for the day named . There will be a reception , entertainment , and ball , and it is expected that the gathering will be a most brilliant one .

For 13 years , says the author of "All Sorts and Conditions of Men , " I have been working continually , at every spare moment , on the cities of London and Westminster with the things that appertain thereto . Bro . Besant , by the way , traces his systematic study of the history of London to the circumstance of his being asked by his

friend and literary partner , the late Mr . James Rice , when the latter was stricken down by his last illness , to take upon himself the task of writing the life of Sir Richard Whitiington , with the aid of notes made by Mr . Rice , for a memoir of that famous historical personage and hero of the nursery .

The fifth annual ball of the Cosmopolitan Lodge took place at the Cannon-street Hotel , on Wednesday evening , the 14 th inst ., and resulted in a complete success . There was a company of about a hundred , and previously to the ball a select concert of music was given , the contributors in addition to the professional element , including Bro . and Mrs . Hamilton and Bro . F . Thomas . Bros . A . Andrews

and H . Planner , jun ., acted as M . C . ' s , but the President , Bro . Wm . Salmon , W . M ., was unable , through ill-health , to be present . The Stewards were Bros . G . Autunovich , W . Bott , H . J . Charmbury , T . Draper , G . Edwards , Treas . ; E . Francis , J . R . Hewett , G . F . Keys , R . Prime , H . E . Edwards , H . K . Sanders , VV . Smith , G . J . Thomas , and A , Hamilton , Sec .

With millions of persons , the names Philippoteaux and Niagara Hall are so closel y related as to be almost synonymous , but in the majority of cases he is thought of as the able director of a staff of specialists for the production of cycloramas . However , M . Paul Philipprteaux has won in France and America a distihquished position on account of the paintings which he has executed on flat

canvas entirely by his own brush . One of the very largest and best pictures in this branch of his works has recently been acquired by the proprietors of Niagara Hall ; and , accordingly , they have made such arrangements as were necessary for the exhibition of "Christ entering Jerusalem , " simultaneously with the beautiful panorama of " Niagara Falls in Winter , " by Mr . Austen . This new picture by the

celebrated Frenchman is one upon which he spent four years , and is regarded by all who are acquainted with his famous pictures as Philippoteaux' masterpiece . The scenes are described at intervals by Bro . Hunter Bo \ d , 2 . S , St . John's , Kilwinning , Kirkintilloch , S . C , and Cor . Circle Ars Ouatuor Cor ., who has long been associated with Biblical pictures , and is also well acquainted with the local history of Niagara .

J il' THAMES every dayscoops out of its brinks fifteen liuidrcil tons of milter , or half a million tons pi' annum . 'Ihe Mis .-isippi works at the rate of three hiindreil and sixty million tons yearly . 'Ibis difference at first si ^ ht is something enormous in favour oi the woihJ-fanu-d river , We only i | iiote it as in object lesson M

prove tin- value of Holloway ' s I'ills and Ointment . At the sime rate as the difference is between the Thames and Missisi ppi so is the increase in popularity of these valuable medicines ove every known remedy for the case of disease . 'they have been friends m need to many a hopeless invalid . Sold bvall chemists throughout the mi : Id . "

Masonic And General Tidings

Bro . Henry Irving and Miss Ellen Terry sailed on Wednesday from New York for England . The Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs of London have promised to attend the festival dinner of the Middlesex Hospital on April 13 , at which the Prince of Wales has graciously consented to preside . Bro . Alderman Treloar and Archdeacon Sinclair were amongst the guests of the Press Club at their annual dinner on Saturday at the Freemason' Tavein .

Sir Julian Goldsmid , Bart ., M . P ., has consented to preside at the forthcoming anniversary festival in aid of the funds of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution . Brethren are invited to send for the list of Masonic Books published at the office of the Freemason . Many works of interest both to the Masonic student and general reader have recently been added , and the publisher will gladly forward a copy to any address on receipt of a post-card .

At the 67 th annual meeting of the Printers' Pension Corporation , held on Saturday last at the Memorial Hall —Mr . VV . H . Collingridge in the chair—the report and balance sheet for the year were adopted , and the names were announced of the successful candidates declared elected to pensions varying from £ 25 down to £ 7 ios . per

annum . A memorial to the late Charles Kingsley , in the form of a Munich stained-glass window , has been erected by public subscription in the parish church of his native place , Holne , Devon , the work having been entrusted to Messrs . Mayer and Co . The following inscription appears at the base of the window-: " To the glory of God , and in pious memory of Charles Kingsley , born and baptised in this parish iSigj

died at Eversley , Hants , 1 S 75 . " There is every reason to believe that the Masonic ball at Leighton Buzzard on the 30 th inst ., will be a brilliant affair . By kind permission of Colonel Commandant Phillips , C . B ., and the officers , the string band of the Royal Marine Light Infantry , from Portsmouth , under the conductorship of Bro . Geo . Miller , Mus . Bac . Cantab ., will attend . Bro . D . T . Willis has kindly undertaken the duties of Hon . Secretary of the Ball Committee .

The Queen , attended by the Dowager Lady Churchill , went on Wednesday morning for her usual drive in the grounds of the Villa Fabbricotti . In the afternoon it rained slightly , but her Majesty and Princess Beatrice , again attended by Lady Churchill , took an hour ' s drive in an open carriage through the city to the Porta San Frediano and back to the villa by the Lung 'Arno . Prince Henry

of Battenberg left Florence in the morning for Genoa , en route to the Riviera , where his Royal Highness intends to spend a few days . CHRIST ' HOSPITAL . —We understand that in the course of a few days the work in connection with the reorganisation of the drainage at the Newgate foundation will be

rommenced , the scheme presented by Ihe almoners having been approved by the Medical Officer of Health ( Dr . Sedgwick Saunders ) and the Sanitary Committee of the Commission of Sewers . This will be good news to all lovers ot the old school , while the intelligence will also be received with intense satisfaction by the relatives and friends of the scholars . —City Press .

The Keystone of Philadelphia thus delivers itself : " It can hardly be believed that any lawfully warranted and duly constituted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons would seriously undertake to put in writing the esoteric work of the Fraternity . Yet outrageous as it is , so criminally violative of the landmark , there are efforts being , if not made , now under consideration to do this thing . We

caution the Craft in Pennsylvania to be on its guard against this monstrous Masonic crime . Any one in this State who is a member of a lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania concerning himself with this offence against both law and landmark of Masinry should ba promptly tried and expelled from Masonry . Such prompt action , courageously adopted and carried out .

will save the members of lodges from the perils of inconsiderate , incautious , and conduct which could only be the result of thoughtlessness . To be warned now may be a protection against the censure and condemnation of every true Mason . " The British Commissioner-General for the Antwerp Exhibition writes : "I am glad to say that my appeal to

British exhibitors in the matter of the Antwerp Exhibition has been even more satisfactory than I anticipated . The space which I have already secured , namely , 30 , 000 square feet , is already practically filled . 1 am desirous , therefore , of making known through your columns that it is absolutely essential that all exhibits should be forwarded to Antwerp so as to arrive at or before the 15 th prox . A , it is possible

for me to require a small supplementary space , I hope that any intending exhibitors will signify to me their intention of exhibiting , with all the necessary details , with the smallest delay . I would also take this opportunity to remind exhibitors that they should apply to Messrs . Henry Johnson and Sons , 39 , Great Tower-street , London , E . C , for the necessary labels to fix to their goods . —I am , yours , & c ,

G . R . r > E COURCY PERRY , H . B . M . Consul-General and British Commiscioner-General . " At Bow County Court last week , before Judge French , Erskine and Co ., publishers , of Birmingham , sued Henry William Boorer , furniture-dealer , Hubbard-street , Bow , for five guineas for books supplied . This was a case affecting a large number of Freemasons throughout the country ,

against many of whom similar actions are now pending . Defendant was called upon by plaintiffs' traveller and induced to sign an order for the delivery , in quarterly parts , of a book styled "The History of Freemasonry , " to be completed in three volumes , at 35 s . each . When the parts began to arrive defendant found that the book was as an old one published 10 years ago , and he refused to go on

with the contract . Judge French ( examining the order ) : It says the book is to be completed in three volumes . To my mind that implies that it is to be a new work . In that case defendant would be justified in refusing it . His Honour added that it was ceitainly a point which was open to argument , and he would resetvc his decision in this case

till the hearing of further similar cases which would be argued by counsel next week . Twelfth Annual Edition of Explanatory Book , sent gratis and post free , gives reliable information how to make money quickly by Stocks and Shares . Highest and lowest prices for past years . —Address , G . Evans and Co ., Stockbrokers , 11 , Poultry , London , E . C .

Masonic And General Tidings

The Prince of Wales attended a dinner given in ) , ; , honour , at Cannes , on Tuesday eveningby the Grand DuU of Mecklenburg-Schwerin . His Royal Highness will l eav the Riviera next Monday on his return to England . Dr . W . H . Longhurst , organist of Canterbury Cathedraj has been appointed a member of the Board of Examination of the London College of Music j and Mr . J . Maud . Crament , Mus . Bac . Oxon , has also been elected an Examiner in connection with the same institution .

Many prominent Masons are opposed to the Grand Representative system , and one or two Grand Lodges have " abolished the office . " We cannot see any harm in tj e system , ft must be confessed that the Grand Representative has little work to do , but he can certainly do no injury t 0 the Craft . Then why " agitate " against this fraternal ex . change of representatives ?—tfiwW ( Ashlar .

Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales and her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany have given their immediate patronage to an evening concert to be given by the Strolling Players' Amateur Orchestral Society at the Queen ' s Hall , Langham-place , on Wednesday , May 2 jrr ] in aid of the Royal Hospital for Children and Women ' Waterloo Bridge road , S . E .

Bro . James Stevens may be almost considered an institu . tion at the Crystal Palace . His lectures on Australian Irrigation have " caught on " amazingly , and are attended by much larger numbers than the subject under ordinarj conditions would be likely to draw . The lectures art

illustrated by limelight views , and there is also exhibited a trophy of dried fruits representative of the districts in which they are grown . The next lecture , of which par . ticulars will be found in our advertising columns , will be given on Tuesday next , the 27 th inst .

The annual general court of the governors and supporters of the Royal Caledonian Asylum was held on Wednesday , at the Hall of the Royal Scottish Corporation , Crane-court , Fleet-street , Sir John R . Heron-Maxwell , Bart ., presiding . In the place ot the late Earl of Eglinton and Winton , Mr ,

A . Ritchie , C . C , J . P ., proposed that Sir Donnald Currie , M . P ., be elected as one of the Vice-Presidents of the asylum . Dr . D . M . Forbes seconded the resolution , which was carried . Sir John Maxwell having been unanimously elected to the position of Chairman of directors , was heartily thanked for his past services , and the court closed .

READING MASONS . —The Masonic brotherhood ought to be made up of reading people , and Masons are supposed to be a select people , chosen with much care from the common mass of mankind—sound in body and mind—who have a desire for knowledge , that they may be serviceable to their fellow-men . And our art is calculated to stimulate rather than stultify a growth of intellect and foster a love for learning . Now , in order to acquire knowledge , study is

requisite j hence it might be readily inferred that Masons would be students—not only readers of books , but students of them , and of that class of books which afford food for the intellectual faculties . That they would devote at least some time to those works of science which are calculated to reveal the hidden truths of nature , and lead the mind up through nature into communion with the Great First Cause —the God who dwelleth in secret , and yet He is not far from him who searcheth after Him . —Masonic Tidings .

Imber Court , near Thames Ditton , which is believed to have been designed by Inigo Jones , wilt shortly be put up for sale . The manor of Imber or lmworth—it is a small estate now of less than 100 acres—was originally in the Brasse family , from whom it descended by heritage to Thomas Duke of Norfolk , Later it was annexed by Henry VIII . to his chase at Hampton Court . It was subsequently restored to the Norfolk family on a petition to the Protector

Somerset . In 1 G 30 it fell into the hands of Dudley Carleton Viscount Dorchester , through whom it descended to Sii Dudley Carleton . Henry Bridges was the next owner , and he settled it on his niece on her marriage with Arthur Onslow , the Speaker , whose only son became the Baron Crawley of Imber Court , and subsequently Earl of Onslow . Sir Francis Burdett , father of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , lived for some time at Imber Court , which is a capacious residence , to which two wings were added about a centuiy

ago . Mr . Gladstone , accompanied by Mr . Armitstead , arrived in town on Wednesday morning from Brighton , and drove to Downing-street . After a brief rest he went to a consultation with Mr . Nettleship , the oculist , remaining there lor three-quarters of an hour . With the sanction of Mr . Gladstone , the specialist states that the ex-Prime Minister

has consulted him as to the condition of his eyes . After making a full examination , Mr . Nettleship confirms the presence of cataract in both eyes , and adds that the failure of sight has been and is due solely to this cause , andthat no complications are present . In the evening Air . Gladstone dined at 10 , Downing-street , with Miss Helen

Gladstone . The ex-Premier leaves town at four o ' clock to-morrow to rejoin Mrs . Gladstone at Brighton , and accord ing to present arrangements , will pass through London on Tuesday next en route for Hawarden . Mr . Gladstone will probably undergo an operation at the hands of Mr . Nettleship within the next six months .

We are in Masonry Representatives of every religious system known in the world which acknowledges the existence of the Supreme Being , Author and Preserver of all things , and differing widely , as the Htbrew , the Mahommedan , and every variety of the Christian sects . Ihe English and the Scotch Constitutions do not contain the word religion , and surely show that theological op inions

were intended to be ignored in Masonry . How , then , can an Order , propagating a creed or opinions beyond the cardinal doctrine of the existence of Deity , be entitled to be called a Masonic Order , or even fostered by the great Masonic body ? Do not Masons lose their distinctive character as Masons when they consent to be bounden by any creed or rule of action which might under some

circumstances circumscribe their acts or interfere in ths leist degree with the exercise of the great cardinal doctrine o \ the Masonic Institution , viz ., the Brotherhood of Man- ' Masonry does not prohibit the holding of op inions not included in its tenets , but where it might conllict with or

lessen our zeal in the discharge of our duties to our brethren who might hold different views , should we not return t 00 . H allegiance to the cardinal principles taught in the Symboli Degrees , and waive those minor differences of opinion ' » Masons , we should discard everything approaching sectarianism . — Trestle Board .