Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

The new Royal Arch Chapter at Clevedon , named after the popular Grand Superintendent of the Province ( Col . Adair ) , will be consecrated on Friday , January 6 th . The three Principals designate are Comps . Colonel Long , T . Barnes , and T . J . Scoones . It is reported that Bro . Henry Irving ' s first week in Philadelphia proved remarkably successful , the total reeeipts exceeding 21 , 000 dollars .

The Prince of Wales has consented to open the Bath and West of England Cattle Show , at Newport , Monmouthshire , conditionally that he should not attend the banquet , and should leave the day of the opening . Bro . the Marquis of Carmarthen , M . P ., has gone abroad , and will probably not return to England till towards the end of next month , or shortly before the time

appointed for the re assembling of Parliament . According to telegraphic advices from Beyrout , two cemeteries have been discovered near Sidon , which are supposed to be of very great antiquity—certainly not later than ihe Phoenician eia . It is added that the rock tombs and sarcophagi do not appear to have ever been disturbed . The Quarterly Communication of the Grand

Lodge of Pennsylvania and the Annual Convocation of its Grand R . A . Chapter were held at the Masonic Hall , Philadelphia , on the 7 th and Sth inst . respectively . At both meetings the annual election of Grand Officers took place . The consecration and installation ceremony of the Frederick West Lodge , No . 2222 , were performed by Bro . General J . Studholme Brownrigg , C . B ., P . G . S . W .,

Prov . G . M . Surrey , at the Castle Hotel , Fast Molesey , on Tuesday last . A full report will appear in our next issue . Olympia , the Paris Hippodrome , provides a really magnificent spectacle , and fully deserves all the support given it by the public . One little matier should be altered . A charge of sixpence for a programme is a grievance , consisting as it does almost wholly of

advertisements . Bro . Lord Charles Beresford , M . P ., in company with his host , Mr . A . B . Forwond , M . P ., visited the Liverpool Town Hall , the Exchange News Rooms , where he made a short speech , and was loudly cheered , and the Liverpool Conservative Club , where he also made a speech

and met with a similarly hearty greeting . The annual concert by the boys of Christ ' s Hospital took place in the Great Hall , on the 15 th inst ., in the presence of a numerous gathering of Iriends and visitors . Several of the items in ihe programme were heartily applauded . The boys have since dispersed for the Christmas holidays .

A testimonial consisting of a silver salver , an album , a purse of 100 guineas , and a gold bracelet set with jewels , was presented by the members of the Couit of Common Council , on the 15 th inst ., to Mr . W . J . Soulsby , who has been Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor for the last 13 years . The presentation was made just before the meeting of the Couit , and vvas suitably acknowledged by Bro . Soulsby . The Sterndale Bennett Lodge , No . 2182 , has

resolved to celebrate the close of its first year of existence by a "Ladies' Night " early in the new year . It is to be an entertainment in good old English style—baron of heel , wassail bowl , boar ' s head , and such like "unconsidered trifles " ; with musiral accompaniment , of which Bro . John Hodges will have the management . Quaint old songs and carols vyill enter largely into the programme , and a " high time " is looked forward to .

The proprietors of Bow Bells announce important changes in their old-establ ^ hed peiiodieal . A new series , under the title of Bow Bells Weekly , will commence with the opening year . In the first number of the new scries , Mr . Wilkie Collins contributes a tale , entitled , " The first

Officer's Confession . " 'I he romantic schoul is represented by "Psyche : a Lakeland Mystery , " from the pen . of Miss Florence Warden , the authoress of " The House on the Marsh . " Society and fashion will be pourtrayed in its pages , and several interesting new features—Notes and Queries , Graphology , and Household Hints—will be introduced .

The annual distribution of prizes of the 3 rd Middlesex Artillery took place at St . James ' s Hall on Tuesday , Bro . the Eail of Limerick , who is President of the National Artillery Association , occupied the chair , and the Countess of Limerick gave away the prizes . Among the winners

vvas Bombardier Abbott , eldest son of Bro . G . B . Abbott , who took the second carbine prize , the third gun prize , and the second attendance prize of his battery —No . 6 . Votes of thanks to her ladyship and to the noble lord were passed by acclamation , and the proceedings shortly afterwards terminated .

The ei ghteenth annual issue of the "Masonic Pocket Book" has been published by Mr . George Kenning , of Aldersgate-street . The information it contains is like " y to prove of service to all brethren , for in addition to lists of the lodges , councils , Sic , tabular statements are set

forth which enumerate the officers of the United Kingdom , the Colonies , and all other parts of the world . It ' would be difficult to improve on the arrangement of the work in any way , for everything appears to be so well indexed that no trouble need be experienced in the matter of reference . —City Press .

Pertinent questions . What is more comforting in cold and damp weather lhan " Grant ' s Morella Chen ' y Biandy " ? What is mere beneficial to the weak and aged than this wholesome tonicasn commended by Medical Men ? What do Sportsmen and Travellers find more sustaining lhan flask f

a ( this unrivalled liqueur , and for whom a stronger quality ( " Sportsman ' s " ) is prepared ? Beware of imitaiions . Observe our branded corks and capsules . Sold by Wine Merchants , and by Thomas Grant and Sons , Maidstone , and 4 6 , Gresham-street , E . C . Makers of the delicious Mortlla Marmalade . Sold by Grocers .

Masonic And General Tidings

The Metropolitan Chapter of Improvement will not meet until Tuesday , . January 3 rd , and on Tuesday the 17 th , Comp . Brown will give a lecture or explanation of the R . A . Jewel , on which occasion the chapter will meet at the usual time , and no other work will be done on that evening . The Goldsmiths' Company have voted a grant of £ 250 to the London Society for the extension of University teaching .

The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maryland entered on its 90 th year at its annual convocation in Baltimore on the Sth November last . Bro . Baron H . De Worms , M . P ., and the other British delegates were entertained at dinner at the Marlborough Rooms , Regent-street , on Monday evening by the

foreign representatives at the conference on the Sugar Bounties Question . The directors of the Bank of England have contributed too guineas to the Mansion House fund for the Police Convalescent Fund and the Metropolitan and City Police testimonial .

Paragraphs have been going the rounds of the papers about the great auk ' s egg sold far 160 guineas . We learn that Bro . Leopold Held is the happy purchaser . The Royal National Lifeboat Institution , in answer to its recent appeal for funds , has been presented by the Merceis' Company with 103 guineas , and by the Fishmongers' Company with 50 guineas .

Bro . Lord Mayor De Keyser has kindly consented to preside at the Sand anniversary festival , to be held at the Hotel Mdtropole on the 24 th April next , of the Societies of Friends of Foreigners in Distress . It is authoritatively announced that Bro . Viscount Kilcoursie , M . P ., who , by the recent death of his lather , has succeeded to the Irish Eacldom of Cavin , will not vacate his seat in the House of Commons .

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Lyceum Theatre on Mondiy evening , and witnessed the performance of " A Winter ' s tale , " thtir Royal Highnesess having returned in the morning to Marlborough House from visiting the Eail and Countess B : oivnlow , at Ashridge , near Beikhampstead . A conversazione of the Society of Telegraph

Engineers and Electricians was held in the . rooms of the Institute of Painters in Oil Colours , Piccadilly , on the iGth instant , the company being received by Bro . Sir Charles Bright , the president of the Scciety , and Lady Bright . On Friday , the 16 th instant , Bro . General Lord

Wolseley paid a visit to Liverpool for the purpose of unveiling a siatuc which has been erected to the memory of the late General Earlc who was killed during the Soudan Campaign . His lordship spoke in terms of great respect of his late gallant comrade , and afterwards lunched at the Conservative Cluh .

At Marlborough House , on Monday , the Prince of Wale , vvas presented with the old colours of the 2 nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall ' s Light Infantry , a guard of honour , consisting of 100 officers and men , being present . His Royal Highness having briefly acknowledged the gift , the proceedings terminated . A Masonic Charitable Association has just been

started in connecti on with the Covent Garden Ledge of Instruction , No . 1614 , which meets at the Criterion , Piccadilly , VV ., on Thursday evenings . The payments vvilcommence on the 5 th January , 18 SS . The officers are 1 Bros . T . A . Dicks n , VV . M . 1614 , President ; A . Clark : S . W . 2 if ) i , Vice-President ; G . Reynolds , J . W . 1614 ,, Treasurer ; and F . M . Noakes , 214 S , Secretary .

A concert vvas given in the Public Hall , Harrow , on Wednesday , in aid of the Building Fund of the Harrow Liberal Club . It vvas cxlremely well attended , and the Stewards had provided an excellent and well-assorted programme of vocal and instrumental music , with the addition of sundry recitations and a farce entitled "A Doilge for a Dinner , " in which the characters were sustained by members of the Harrow Liberal Dramatic

Club . Mr . F . Fisher vvas very successful in his songs ' ' ¦ Alone on the laft " and " Nazareth ; " and Mrs . Burns played a violin obbligato , " La Serenata , " by G . Orraga , with great skill and admirable taste . Miss Roberts , professionally known as Miss Clifton , and the daughter of a deceased member of the Eastern Star Lodge , No . 95 , vvas warmly applauded in both her songs , " Only for you and me " and " Dear one of mine , " while the other aitistes materially contributed to the evening ' s entertainment .

ROYAL COMMEMORATION LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 15 S 5 . —Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., P . Z ., delivered his Masonic lecture on the Symbolical Degrees of Freemasonry , for the fiftieth time , to the members of this lodge of instruction on Monday , the 19 th inst ., at Bro . Webb ' s Railway Hotel , Putney . There vvas a tolerable attendance of members and visitors , and the gathering would doubtless have been much larger but for stress of

weather . For two hours Bro . Stevens vvas listened to with earnest attention , and tokens of approbation were Irequent during the delivery of his excellent address , made from commencement to conclusion without reference to notes or aids to memory . At its termination Bro . Stevens received a cordial vote of thanks , and as honorary member of the lodge of instruction , a further invite for a similar lecture at an early date .

A special Provincial Grand Lodge will be held at noon on Wednesday , the 2 Sth inst ., at the Assembly Rooms , Royal Hotel , Plymouth , when , after the transaction of the ordinary business , the brethren will march in procession in their Masonic clothing to St . Andiew's Church , where a shoit special service will he held . As this is the first time that a Masonic procession has taken place in

Plymouth since 1 S 74 , when H . R . H . the Prince of Wales opened the Guildhall , the event will be of an especially interesting character . After Divine service the brethren will march to ihe new Mascnic Club , No . 1 , Princess-square , where V . W . Bro . Viscount Ebrington , M . P ., Prov . G . M .,

will lay the foundation-stone of the new Masonic Hallwhich will he the finest in the western counties—to be erected at the back cf the existing premises , which will be utilized for the purpose of a Masonic Club . As there are seventeen lod ges in the Three Towns a very large gathering is anticipated ,

Masonic And General Tidings

The annual New Year ' s entertainment to the old folks at Croydon will take place at the asylum on Wednesday , the 4 th January prox . Bros . Sheriff Higgs and Alderman Whitehead were among the principal guests at the 42 nd anniversary dinner , on the 13 th instant , of the Commercial Travellers ' Schools at Pinner .

The Robert Burns Lodge of Instruction , No . 25 , has removed from the Portland Arms , Great Portlandstreet , to the Bedford Head Hotel , Maiden-lane , Covent Garden , W . C . Her Royal Highness the Princess Christian visited the Holloway College , on Friday , the 16 th instant ,

for the purpose of unveiling a statue of the Queen , and was received by Bros . Earl Granville , Sir G . Martin Holloway , and others . Bro . Lord Mayor De Keyser has kindl y consented to preside at the anniversary dinner of the Socie ' te 3 elge de Bienfaisance , which will be held at the Hotel Meiropole on the oth May next-.

The sermon preached by the Bishop of Gibraltar at the conseecration of the Memorial Church tj H . R . H . the Duke of Albany , at Cannes , will be published in the January number of " The Quiver . " The first number for the New Year of Cassell ' s Saturday Journal will contain special features of interest , including a complete story by Theo . Gift , illustrated ; and the first of a series of humorous full-page illustrations from original drawings by Jas . F . Sullivan .

We are sorry to hear of the somewhat sudden death of Bro . H . J . Amphlett , who vvas initiated in the Alexandra Lodge , No . 1511 , Hornsea , many years ago . Bro . Amphlett was an able journalist , and a not infrequent contributor in the past to the columns of the Freemason .

The Lord Mayor and the Sherilt of York are both prominent members of the York Lodge , No . 236 . The former ( Bro . J . Sykes Rymer ) is a P . M ., and P . P . G . Reg . of the province , and the present ist Principal of the chapter attached to the lodge ; and the latter ( Bro . S . Border ) is Senior Warden of the lodge .

The Princess of Wales has graciously accepted the present of a red "Claddagh" skirt , made of long napped homespun by the peasant workeis of the Donegal Industrial Fund , in whose work her Royal Highness has on several occasions manifested consideiable interest .

Bro . G . Augustus Sala presided at the dinner at the Hummums Hotel , Covent Garden , which took place on the ( 5 th instant , as a kind of inauguration of the new and palatial premises which have been erected on thesiteoi the old Hotel . Among the principal guests were Bros . Sir George Elliot , Bart , M . P ., and Augustus Harris .-

The first meeting 01 the seventh annual congress of the Society of French Professors in England will be held in the Lecture Theatre of the Society of Arts , London , and the second on the day following at the Lectuie Theatre of the Archaeological Museum , Cambridge . The dinner will take place at King's College , and the conversazione at Trinity College , Cambridge .

On T hursday the Empire Palace , Leicestersquare , vvas opened under most distinguished pationage . As a souvenir ot the occasion Bro . Beaufort is preparing , under the supervision of Bio . H . J . Hitchins , the manager , a very interesting brochure on the history of the Theatie , Savile and Leicester Houses , Leicester Fields and the neighbourhood .

We tender our hearty congratulations to Bro . T . J . Shryock , M . W . G . M . of Maryland , on the occasion of his marriage to Miss Cassie B . Miller . The event took place at Sy racuse , New York , on the 3 rd inst ., and the many warm friends our most genial and respected brother made during his recent visit to England will unite with us in wishing Bro . Shryock and his bride many many years of happiness .

A USEFUL PRESENT . —At the close of the Liverpool Exhibition Mestrs Spiers and Pond , the refreshment contractors , presented the crockery , which had been in use during its continuance , to the vaiious hospitals , industrial schools , and charitable institutions in tne City and neighbourhood . Upwards of ten thousand pieces of crockery were thus presented , and the Recorder of Liverpool , Mr . Clarke Aspinall , kindly arranged and . presided over the distribution .

The will of Bro . Frederick Thomas Isitt , late of Friday-street , and So , Adelaide-road , Haverstock-hill , one of the wardens of the Fruitertrs' Company and a lieutenant of the City , who died on the 22 nd ult ., was proved on the 17 th inst . by Mrs . Sarah Isitt , the widow , Mr . Charles William Isitt , the nephew , and Mr . George William Tripp ,

the executors , the value ot the personal estate amounting to upwards of £ 29 , 000 . The testator btqueaths all his household furimure and effects and £ 500 tj his wife , Mrs . Sarah Isitt , and £ 50 to each executor . The residue of his real and personal estate he leaves upen trust for his wife for life or widowhood , aad at her death or re-marriage to his children in equal shares .

Much as one may regret to see such a splendid house as the Empire Theatre , the only one in London at all approaching the Grand Opera in its comfort and convenience as an evening lounge , devoted to ballet and variety entettainir . ents , instead of to opera-bouffe , we are confident that , under the stage management of Bro .

Augustus Harris , the general management of Bro . H . J . Hitchins , associated with the house in its early days , and with Mr . George Edwardes as [ Managing director , theie will be an admirable series of productions . In their hands the opening night—Thursday—was a grand success , which we shall further notice .

HOLLOW . VY s PILLS . —When inclement weather checks to a considerable extent the action o £ the skin , an alterative is required to compensate the body by means of other channels . Hollovvay ' s Fills can be confidently recommended as the easiest , surest , and safest means of attaining this desirable end without weakening the most delicate or incommoding the most feeble . When torn frequently recurring chills or the inhalation of impure air the blood

becomes foul and the secretions vitiated , these Pills piesent a ready and elhcient means of cleansing the former and correcting the latter . By this salutary proceeding disease is arrested at its outset , its pains and inconvenience averted , and the nervous structures saved from the depressing effects entailed upon them by an illness , ADVT .