Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . John West , P . M . 1055 , of South Parade , Manchester , has been awarded by Sir John Hawkshaw , C . E ., the first premium , value £ 750 , for ' his design for thc Is ' ew Exchange Station of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company at Liverpool , for which no fewer than fol-ty-four competitive sets were sent in . ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY . —Tlie Press and

St . James s Chronicle intimates that the Royal Historical Society is to be used as an organ by thc church ofj Rome . The Ultramontane journals urge Roman Catholics to become members of it . The annual festival of tlie Langton Lodge of Instruction will be held at the Bridge House Hotel , Londonbridge , on the 3 rd prox ., at six o ' clock . The installation

ceremony will be worked by Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , thc Preceptor of the lodge . Tickets for the banquet ( 3 s . Gd . ) can be obtained from the Stewards or from thc Hon . Sec , Bro . j . D . Langton , 6 , Adam-street , Adelphi , W . C . Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , who will open new docks at Swansea on October iSth , will be entertained at a grand ball by the Freemasons of the district on the

evening of thc 17 th . Another ball will be given after opening the dock , and the Prince ancl Princess will leave the town on the 19 th . French Masonry is sni generis . A French Mason liaving fallen in love with , and desiring to marry , a young lady living in a distant province , sent to thc lodge in her town to make enquiries as to her family . The Master of thc lodge deemed this a proper request and the

information was promptly furnished . —Keystone . Bro . Edward Clarke , Q . C , M . P ., was present on Thursday week at the opening of Churcher's College , Petersfield , whicii was founded in 1722 . The Lord Chancellor was to have opened thc building , but was prevented by indisposition . A letter was , however , received from him , in which he stated that there few more pressing needs of thc present time than the increase of good middle-class schools

for such communities as the inhabitants of the more important county towns . We are authorised to state , in reference to' the Fish Supply of thc Aletropoh ' s , that the question of sites is now occupying the attention of the special Committee of the Corporation , and that instructions have been given that any suggestion as to a site for a fish market forwarded to the City Architect , Guildhall , on or before the 2 SU 1 instant , will be considered .

Bro . Major F . R . Sewell , P . M . 229 , P . G . M . O ., has been appointed Deputy Grand Master of the Marl-Province of Cumberland and Westmorland by Bro . thc Earl of Bective , M . P ., R . W . Prov . Grand Master . The appointment will give much satisfaction in the north , our gallant brother being a thorough working Craftsman in every department of Masonrv with which he is connected .

D . D . G . M . Bro . Alexander M . Lloyd , acting for Bro . Hon . Samuel 13 . Dick , Grand AIaster of Afasons of Pennsylvania , laid the corner-stone of St . Luke ' s Protestant Episcopal Church , Altoona , Pa . ( Rev . O . S . [ Wootlle , rector ) , on Saturday , Iho 3 rd inst . liro . the Rev . W . Henry Platt , rector of St . Mark ' s Church , Lcwistown , was present , and acted as Grand Chaplain . P . AI . Bro . Capt .

E . H . Turner delivered the oration . Thc new church , when completed , will [ be thc finest church edifice in the city . We { Atltentvtim ) read with grief and shame that it has been thought needful to protest against the desecration , in order to " utilise " thc place as a cart-shed , of the beautiful Priory Chapel of St . Leonard at Stamford , one

ihe masterpieces of English Gothic architecture . If such a work of art as this is to be destroyed in order to save the cost of building a new cart-shed , what can be said of the results of the expenditure of millions in the art education of the English ? Surely the town of Stamford or the county of Lincoln would build a cart-shed for the owner of the chapel rather than allow him fo destroy a structure

which is not only beautiful , but associated with the history of the place . It is not generally known among antiquaries that the tabular arrangement of births , marriages , and deaths , much as they stand in the columns of our daily papers , dates back all but thiee centuries , if not further . Mr . B . Quaritch , of Piccadilly , lately found pasted into the

covers of an old edition of Ptolemy ' s Geography ( 1513 ) a number of old German broadsides , with rough illustrations , heraldic , grotesque , and topographical . Among these is one printed by a Formanschueider of Augsburg , in 15 S 7 , giving in epitome a return of the births , marriages , and deaths during the previous year , showing how many had died young , and thc relative proportions of boys and girls ,

grown-up men and grown-up women . To this is prefixed a table in ( our columns , showing the totals of births , marnages , and deaths ( but unclassified ) in Augsburg annually it ' oni 1510 . At the toji of this broadside are three curious engravings , evidently from wood-blocks , the first showing the interior of a bed-chamber with a mother and her infant , the second thc celebration of a wedding in a church , and the third the digging of a grave in a churchyard . At

one side are between twenty nnd thirty doggrel verses , amj-Iit ying the idea that " there is a time to be born and a } . '• "" ' ° die , " and some further observations of the same ' ¦ . ind in prose . Bound up in the same volume is a curious Vll -w of the city of Augsburg itself , dated 15 G 3 ; and a I-euigrce of thc reigning Duke of Wi'irlembcrg , whicii mentions his son Everard , Count of Mumplegart , " who was

° rn in 15 ^ 5 , and died prematurely in 15 GS , and to whom some interest attaches on account of an allusion to him , '" J his almost unpronounceable name , which occurs in ¦ " makespcare . .. ' 1 he Masonic Magazine . " ( London : George cnning . ) Among the many interesting articles in the "" rent number of this magazine , that on Chinese Frec' JMinry , „ f which we have the first instalment , will be

""'< i Jiarlicularl y interesting . —Jlrmtd Arrow . , vr * SHALL \ vi * DRINK ?—No summer bevcr' " ** it T , * - ' ' ' c ' ' ' "g , so wholesome , none so delicious and * j * 'Vliil to the taste , when hot , tired , and thirsty , as a glass v .- tt J ' s M' - " ' * - ' "' -1 Cherry Brandy taken with aerated Su ] *• ' ' . * '" ' lemonade . Ask jjointeiily for it by name , as t | ,,. ' ' '" " - '¦ j nnd mixtures abound . Report adulterations to Sold ma . ' -- "" -i-. 'Thomas Grant , Distiller , Maidstone , ever ,., i Crystal Palace , and by Bertram and Roberts Places I \ ' a , s , ° at Ule d , ' ' the hotch > a"d all noted •" -es ot refreshment .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Encouraged by thc success which has attended thc introduction of dining-room cars on the Great Northern Railway , thc Midland Railway Company have decided to follow in the same direction . They intend to place a dining car on all their express trains running from London to Alanchestcr and Liverpool , antl vice versa . These cars are to be made by the Pulman Palace Car Company . Bro . John Hollingshcad has returned from Russia .

Thc Country Gentleman of Saturday last contained an excellent portrait of the Provincial Grand Alaster of Devonshire , Bro . Viscount Ebrington . Her Majesty has been pleased lo confer on Bro . Lieut .-Col . J . J . Boswell , 30 ° , thc distinction of Commander of the Bath .

Bro . J . G . Faithful ! , of the Merchant Taylors ' Company has kindly undertaken to assist the case of Gertrude . May Hare , daughter of the late Bro . J . M . Hare , a candidate for the Girls' School . Bro . T . Kingston , P . M . and Treas . of Lodge SG 2 , was , we believe , the only English Mason jiresent at the reception of King Kalakaua , by the Alasons of Edinburgh on the ioth inst .

Bro . President Garfield died shortly after halfpast ten on Alonday night . Thc Queen has ordered that thc Court shall go into mourning for one week for the late President . At the last meeting of the Lodgeof Benevolence , sixteen cases were relieved , with a total amount of £ 3 65 . Bro . J . M . Farr was installed W . M . of the St . Andrew's Lodge , No . 1 S 17 , Shoeburyness , on the iGth inst .

Bro . thc Marquis of Hartington has arrived at Balmoral Castle , as the Alinister in attendance upon her Alajesty . Bro . Walter Bentley was entertained at a Alasonic supper by the Freemasons of Belfast on the 10 th inst ., in the Banqueting Chamber , Freemasons ' Hall , Belfast . Comp . J . P . Platt was installed Z . of thc Bridgewater Chapter , 75 S , Runcorn , on the 13 th inst .

The late Dean Stanley has bequeathed all his curiosities and historical relics to thc University of St . Andrew ' s , and the executors , in handing them over , have expressed a wish that they should be preserved iu a separate cabinet . Bro . J . IT . Jennings was installed W . M . of tlie Star in the East Lodge , G 50 , for thc second time , at the

Pier Hotel , Harwich , on the 13 th inst . Bro . tlie very Rev . Dean Clarke took his Third Degree in the Carnarvon Lodge , No . 1735 , Cape Town , on the 24 th ult . At Shrewsbury the Ear ! and Countess of Bradford on Wednesday opened a nlrw Eye , Far , and 'Throat Hospital for Shropshire and North Wales , which has cost

nearly ^ 14 , 000 . Ihe hart of Powis and Viscount Newport , M . P ., were also present . Bro . the Duke of Richmond and Gordon , in consideration of the present agricultural depression , lias resolved to return twenty per cent , of the current year ' s rent to the tenants on his Scotch estates , and to postpone the Martinmas collection until Candlemas .

Her Majesty on Wednesday afternoon , accompanied by Tne Duchess of Edinburgh and attended by the Dowager Marchioness of Ely and the Hon . Harriet Phipps , drove to Mar Lodge and honoured Bro . the Earl of Fife by a visit . Bro . the Most Honcurablc the Marquis of Londonderry , K . P ., R . W . Provincial Grand AIaster of

Durham , assisted by Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster , and the ofliccrs of the Provincial Grand Lodge , will consecrate the Whitworth Lodge , No . 1932 , on Thursday , thc 29 th inst ., at the North Eastern Hotel , Spcnnymoor , thc ceremony to commence at one o ' clock . A banquet will be held at three o ' clock . 'The officers designate are Bros . C . E . Barnes , 1334 , W . M . ; R . D . Shaftoc , 12 4 , S . W . ; and W . II . Turner , 124 , J . W .

MASONIC PRESENTATIONS AT DOVER . —Last week thc members of D . Company 31 st Regiment presented to Colour-Sergeant Bro . W . IL Foss , a handsome marble striking clocli with visible escapement , as a token of their good feeling towards him with hearty congratulations on his marriage . A silver plate bore the following inscription : — " Presented to Colour-Sergeant W . H . Foss , on the

occasion of his marriage , 13 th September , 1 SS 1 , by D . Company 31 st Huntingdonshire Regiment , Dover . " Paymaster Sergeant Bro . Jos . Herbert , W . AI . of the Meridian Military Lotlge attached to the regiment , who is deservedly esteemed for his genial disposition and

unswerving- attention to his duties , was also selected for a mark of favour by bis comrades on the occasion of his recent promotion . The presentation consisted of an elegant electro plated teapot and cruet stand . Each article was inscribed as follows : — "To Paymaster-Sergeant J . Herbert , 31 st Regiment , by his Company on promotion , July , 1 SS 1 . "

Wednesday last being St . Matlhciv ' s-day , in accordance with ancient civic usage , the Lord Alayor , ALP ., altendcd by the Sword and A ' lace Bearers and the City Marshal , and accompanied by the Sheriffs ( Bro . Alderman Fowler , ALP ., and Bro . II . J . Waterlow ) went in State to Christ ' s Hospital . 'They were met by the Governors , and escorted to Christ ' s Church , Newgate-streetadjoining the

, Hospital , where Divine service was celebrated . Ali the scholars of the Bluecoat School , seven hundred in number , were jiresent , and an appropriate sermon was preached b y a former Grecian , thc Rev . [ . T . Hull , M . A ., Head AIaster of Christ's Hospital at Hertford , from the text , " As ive have received mercy , faint not . " After the service thc civic

authorities proceeded to Ihe Court Room , wheic the lists of the Governors of all the Royal Hospitals were presented to the Lord . Mayor , who delivered them for safe custody to the Town Clerk ( liro . Sir John Moncklim ) , the lists being thus confirmed according to ancient custom and the Act ot Parliament .

. / . no to . £ 500—TOBACCONISTS C'OMMIiXCINl ' . —A namphiet ; how to open respectably from . € 20 , post free . Address H . Myers and Co ., 1031 , Euston-road , London ; and at irmintzharr . Established iS f- * -. Wholesale only

American Tidings.

American Tidings .

bro . George Carpenter , whose name stood next before Bro . and General Oglethorpe's in the charter of the Colony of Georgia , one of the first trustees appointed by King George , 11 ., and whose name one of the tithings of Savannah still bears , was Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of England , in 1731 , the very'year that active preparations were made to found the colony of Georgia . —Keystone .

Bro . James E . Chase , of Nantucket , celebrated his ninety-seventh birthday on May 16 th . He has been a Mason since December ioth , 1 S 07 , a period of over seventythree years and five months . —Toronto Mail . The Grand Mas ter of Colorado recommends as a curative for suspensions for non-payment of dues , high fees for the degrees and low dues for members . —Keystone .

The first temperance pledge in this country , if not in the world , was drafted and signed in Litchfield by thirty-six prominent citizens of the town , nineteen of whom wereAIasons and members of St . Paul ' s Lodge , No . 11 , of Litchfield , Conn . This was in the year 17 S 9 . Among the official acts of the Grand Master of Canada , was the laying of the corner-stones of the five

churches during the Alasonic year . We learn that Em . Sir Robert Macoy , Recorder of the Grand Commandery of New York , has in preparation a history of Templarism in New York , which he expects to have ready in October next . The latest venture in Masonic journalism is the Masonic Star , of Toronto , Canada , which is to be a weekly paper . Our Candian correspondent , Bro . Dr . Robert

Ramsay , will have editorial control of the new enterprise , which is sufficient guarantee that it will be conducted with zeal and ability . Eig ht Presidents of the United States have been Freemasons , and not six or seven , as has been stated by some of our exchanges .. . They are Washington , Jackson , Tyler , Polk , Pierce , Buchanan , Johnson , and Garfield , respectively .

Bro . Cornelius Moore , the veteran Masonic editor , says , "For dignity , order , and decorum in the transaction of its business , the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania excels all other bodies of the kind I have ever visited . " A well bestowed compliment . The Keystone of Philadelphia has entered upon its fifteenth volume with evident signs of prosperity and

usefulness . It is one of the oldest Masonic journals published , and second to none in point of editorial ability and mechanical make-up . A journal that is so ably edited and well-conducted as the Keystone cannot fail to meet that encouragement which it so richly merits . Some of the Protestant churches in New York are adopting the Chicago plan ot excluding Freemasons from membership .

Miss Clara Louisa Kellogg , who has returned to-America , strongl y advises mothers not to send their daughters to study music in Italy , and backs the advice by good reasons . Many of the poor girls came to her in Italy to tell their sad tales . No girl should be sent unless secure of

protection from watchful friends , or on an independent income . There arc competent masters in America where after due training should it be discovered that the voices warrant it , Italy can be visited for finishing touches , and , Aliss Kellogg adds , Paris is a safer place for a girl alone than any Italian city .

The general opinion is that the trees of California are the most gigantic specimens of vegetable growths known to man , but such is not the case . There is a submarine plant growing in the North Pacific Ocean , which , according to Professor Reinsch , dwarfs all others in its vast proportions . " 'The Macrocystis pyrifera , one of the Mclanospcrmee , has been known to grow so as to cover vast areas of the ocean bed . One specimen , by measurement , was found to cover three square miles , and the stem

whence the growth proceeded was eight feet in diameter . It is almost impossible to conceive of such a plant , or how a system of nourishment can be maintained through such extended channels in the living organism . Nature performs strange freaks , and certainly none can be stranger than the fact that , of this gigantic species , there are some specimens so small as to be microscopic , or only to be seen by the aid of powerful objectives .

Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

[ The charge is 2 s . Cd . for announcements not exceeding Four Lines under this heading . ]

BIRTH . O'CONNEI . I .. —On the 17 th inst ., at Thornfield , Hastings , the wife of Surgeon-Major E . O'Connell , A . M . D ., of a daughter . PAYNE . —On the iSth inst ., at Hill House , Hatfield , Peveral , Chelmsford , thc wife of Sir Philip Monoux Payne , Bart ., of a daughter . Sonrc . v . —On ( he 19 th inst ., at 4 , Norfolk-square , Brighton , thc wife of Air . Robert Sodon , of a son .

AIARRIAGES . II . vrTi-. Rsr . EV—BRIGGS . —On the 13 th inst ., at Bolton Abbey , Yorkshire , by the Rev . C . Bellairs , Thomas Hattersley , of Fairlawn , Harrogate , to Ijane Briggs , of Birk Lea , Harrogate .

STOKKS—B . w . v . —On the 17 th inst ., at St . Mary Magdadalene ' s , Paddington , by the Rev . R . T . West , Vicar , John Philpott , son of Mr . John Stokes , of S , Delamerestreef , W ., to Alary Isabella , daughter of the late Mr . Joseph Baly , formerly of Dalston-rise .

DEATHS . AMF . I-NEY . —On the iGth inst ., at S 7 , Seymour-street , VV ., Antonius George Amcuney , Professor of Arabic , King ' s College , ageil Co . CROFT . —On the lyth inst ., Mr . John Croft , of Clapham , aged OS . TOOVEY . —On the 19 th inst ., at King ' s Langley , Hertford shire , Mr . John Francis Toovey , aged 53 years .