Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

The " Illustrated London . News" of last week contains a full page illustration of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , laying the foundation stone ofthe New Docks at Bombay . Prince Leopold left Oxford on Saturday for Windsor , having completed his University career .

The Duke of Connaught has been boar hunting with spears at Tangier . Dr . J . D . Collis , thc Vicar of Stratford-on-Avon , has issued an appeal on behalf of thc restoration of the church of thc Holy Trinity . He wants , £ 10 , to restore thc fabric of Shakspcare's church as Shakspeare saw it , and , £ 4000 or ^ " 5000 more to fit up the interior properly .

From a report made by Sir Gilbert Scott , in reply to certain inquiries made by Sir Edward Beckett , relative to the condition ofthe south arcade wall of St . Alban ' s Abbey , it appears that this part of thc building is in . need of "immediate and serious attention , " and Sir Edward Beckett lias offered the munificent sum of , £ 1000 towards the same . Lady Beckett abo offers /" 200 .

Thc amount collected by thc Grand Orient of France for the inundation relief fund had 011 the J 2 lh inst . reached the largo amount of 6 4 , francs . Bro . AA ' ard Hunt , the First Lord of the Admiralty , and Mrs . Ward Hunt left AVhilehall on Monday on a visit lo the Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter at Burghley House .

I ' IUCE oi- GAS . —The Directors of the London Gaslight Company have reduced the charge for common gas to 3 s . 6 d . per 1000 cubic feet from thc Christmas quarter . At thc City AVarthnotcs there was very little

opposition to tiic re-election ot the Common Councilmen . Bro . Alderman Stone received thc hearty thanks of thc electors of his ward for the manner in which he hacl maintained the dignity of the oflice of Lord Mayor during the past year .

In the presence of the Duke of St . Albans , ( P . G . M ., Lincolnshire ) honorary colonel of the Robin Hood Ritles , the annual distribution of prizes to successful volunteers too ! : place at Nottingham on Tuesday , when it was stated that of 1 , 000 men on thc roll every one had made himself extra efficient , and earned thc Government grant .

IIKR MAJESTY ' CHRISTMAS GIFTS . — On Monday and Tuesday last , according to ancient custom . Her Majesty ' s Christmas bounties were distributed at thc Almoner ' s Office , by the Lord

High Almoner , Sub-Almoner , and Mr . John llantcy , secretary , and other officials . The recipients were principally blind and infirm , varying in their ages from 60 to 92 . The amounts distributed varied in sums from 5 s . to 73 . 6 d .

WILTS Ei . v . cnox . —Thc Speaker ' s notice preliminary to the issuing of a new election writ to till the vacancy caused by the acceptance by Bro . Lord II . Thynne of the oflice of Treasurer of her Majesty ' s Household appeared in Tuesday ' s London Uireellc .

Loin ; - ; OF 1 ! I : NI : VOI . I :. \ CI : —The Lodge of Benevolence met on Wednesday evening , the 22 nd December , 1 S 75 , in thc Board Room , Freemasons' Hall , Iiro . j . M . Cluiion , President ; Bro . Joshua Nunn , Senior Vice-President ; . iti-l Bro . James Brett , Junior A'icc-President . 'J'he lodge was fully attended , and there were present ,

among oilier brethren , Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary ; Bio . II . G . Buss , Bro . A . A . Pendlebury , and Bros . S . Kawson , John Boyd , C . A . Cottebrune , K . P . Albert , C . I * . Hogard , W . Mann , Samuel Poynter , II . W . I fernsworth , \ V . T . Howe , J . JJingemaim , K . T . Wood , W . II . Myers , Giles Jat-dine , 'A ' . II . Murlis , Grillillis Smith

Herbert Dickctts , Joseph Smith , George ICvcrelt , Samuel May , 11 . Massey '• 'Freemason" ) , J . G . Marsh , W . II . Stephens , K . Whiting , W . Clifton Crick , \ V . Ncale , G . K . Shervill , AV . Gilbert , S . I ,. Hickman , If . Bartlett , Frederick W . Pownall , II . T . Wood , 11 . George Free , Munyard , an 1 J . W . Baldwin . At the opening of the

lodge the grants made at former lodges which required L-onlirmatiuii were confirmed , anionming to _ £ 220 . There were thirty-one new cases on the list for relief . Of these tun were di-missed and three deferred , and the remaining cases were relieved with / , " " , oo in all . Of this sum two

cases were relieved with / ,. \ o each ; six with ^ 30 each ; sit with . £ 20 each ; three with . £ 15 each ; six with /' io each ; and three with , £ 5 each . The grant made in each case was very lii eral . Grand Lodge was thereupon c ' 4 cd .

I )< ix . v 1 lu . NS from -omc of thc City companies and from private individuals- , in anticipation of Christinas , have been received by the magistrates at several of tlie metropolitan police-courts .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Stanrir . j ' - ' U 3 METROPOLITAN . GREAT NORTHERN LODGE . —On Thursday , the 161 I 1 inst . the members of this nourishing Lodge held thc usual monthly meeting at the Freemason's Hall , under W . M . Bro Janies F ' orbcs , who was supported by I' . M . T . II . Scaton as S . AV ., and Bro . E . Lancaster as J . W . There were also prercnt P . M . AVebb ( Treasurer ) , and Bros .

Jupc , Christie , West , and . 1 large number of the Brethren . The visitors were represented by I ' . M . Goldham , 109 , and Bro . Foss , 1260 . The W . M . having opened the Lodge in the first and second degrees , proceeded to entrust Bros . Hobbs , Aiding , Cushion , Eisher , AVymark , Phillips and AA'hewell , prior to their being raised to the sublime degree . Having retired for preparation , and

presenting themselves at thc call of the W . M „ they were all in due course raised in his usual careful maimer . Thc Lodge was then closed to the first degree , and the ballot taken for Messrs . A . D . Smith and William Cleghorn , which , proving satisfactory , they were initiated into the ancient order , and having retired , Bros . Gray and Whitfield were examined and entrusted . The latter nnmed

Brethren having also retired , the Lodge was resumed in the second , and on their return , they were duly passed . This brought the regular Lodge work to a close , but a very agreeable portion yet remained , in which all were able to participate , vi- " ., the election of W . M ., Treasurer and Tyler for the ensuing year . ' 1 he Secretary having announced who were eligible for the chair , and the P . M . ' s

having decided not to seek re-election , the Lodge elected thcJ . W ., Bro . Lancaster , who returned thanks for the same . P . M . AVebb was re-elected Treasurer and Rawles , Tyler . The Audit Committee having been appointed , it was proposed , seconded and carried unanimously , that the usual amount should be voted from the Lodge funds for Ihe purchase of a jewel for the retiring W . M . Bro .

Forbes then closed his Lodge , after upwards of four hours steady work . PLUMSTEAD . —UNITED MILITARY LODGK ( No . 1536 ) . —The members of this young and rapidly increasing Lodge assembled for their monthly meeting at tlie Hall , Plumstead , on Friday thc loth December , upwards of a hundred Brethren and visitors being present .

The business of the Lodge was the passing of Bros J . A . Mason and G . Smith , and the raising of Bro . S . Morrish , both ceremonies being worked by the AV . M ., Bro . F . G . Pownall . Among the visitors p : csent were : —J . AVard , AA ' . M . 700 ; C . Coupland , P . M ., 913 , ; and P . G . S . for the Province of Kent ; G . D . Roe , P . M ., 37 S and 1424 and P . P . G . S . for thc Western Division of South AVales ;

Captain Phillips , P . M ., 13 5 J . Hcadley , P . M ., 13 ; J McDougall , P . M ., 913 ; T . Butt , S . AA ' ., 700 ; J . Allen , 913 ; A . Ammcrton , 1042 ; T . Hutton , 13 ; D . Beard , 700 ; O . Ilulton , 13 ; AV . S . Parsons , 700 ; R . Beaver , 700 ; A . Lindsey , 730 ; F . Bnltersby , 903 ; IS . Norman , 13 ; R . A . Smith , 13 ; R . J . Perry , 13 ( Scotch ); J . Gregg , 6 S 7 ; C . Cook , 13 ; J . Tame , 7 ° o ; AV . McCoy ,

700 ; C . follv , 913 . The officers present besides the W . M ., were ' J . Fenn , P . M . ; AA' . AVcslon , S . AA ' . ; G . Spinks , J . AV . ; AV . Murphy , Treasurer ; T . Cooper , Secretary " ; H . G , Pickcn , S . D . ; II . Shaw , J . D . ; Joseph McCaffc'T , Steward ; f . Lackland , Tyler . The Brethren adjourned for refreshment , and the AV . . AI . gave the tuual toasts in appropriate terms .

PROVINCIAL . FRICEMASONRY IN . SHEFFIELD . —ROVAL BRUNSWICK Loix ' l * . —The Royal Brunswick Lodge , No . 296 , held its anniversary in the Freemasons' Hall , Sheffield , on the evening of Monday , December 13 th , when Bro . Henry ICcroyd , ( the AA ' orshipful Master-Elect ) , was Installed in thc chair of K . S ., in succession to Bro

II . AA ' . lawson , I . P . M ., who very ably performed the solemn ceremony of Installation , in due and antient form , and in the presence of a large number o ( the brethren of the Craft . Amongst the distinguished visitors from other Lodges were Bro . Henry Smith , Prov . Grand Secretary of West A ' orks ; Bro . Rev . A . AV . Hamilton , M . A ., Muc . Bac ., Senior Prov . Grand Chaplain of AA ' est A ' orks ;

Bro . AVilliam Roddewig , Prov . Director of Ceremonies J the AA ' orshipful Masters of the Britannia and AVentworlli Lodges , Sheffield , Scarsdalc Lodge , Chesterfield ; Pincnix Lodge , Rollicrhani ; Pelham Lodge , Worksop ; Bro . Robert Stevenson , Nottingham ; Bro . Rev . A ' ernon Russell , AA ' orksop ; Bro . John Denton , member of the Grand Lodge of Sweden and Norway ; Bros . Major

vigors , Capt . 1 rail ] , and ( . apt .-Adjutant Mills ; liros Alexander Hay , and II . J , Garnett ( Past Prov . Grand . Sword Bearers , etc . ) . The I ' rov . Grand Master of Wesl Yorks ; Pro . Lieut .-Col . Sir Henry Fdwards , bait ., and Bro . Tew , 1 > cp . Prov . lliand Master , were unavoidable absent . After the customary homage had been paid to the neu'Iy installed Master , lie invested ln ' . s officers as

follows :- —Bro . John Ridal , Senior Warden ; Bro . Walter Nicholson , Junior AA ' ardcn ; Bro . Rev . Samuel A \ . Earnshaw , M . A ., Chaplain ; Pro . M . de Barlolome , M . D ., Treasurer ; Bro . Robert Schotl , Secretary ; Pro . Geo . Cubley , Senior Deacon ; Bro . AVm . Skinner , M . R . C . S , Junior Deacon ; Bro . John Mtuples , Director of Ceremonies ; Bro . Thomas Harrison , Inner Guard ; Bro .

Charles Clement Carr , and Pro . Moses Hartley , Stewards ; and Bro . Sucklcy , Organist . The Brethren afterwards sal down to a banquet provided by Bro . Brookes , at which Uro . ICeroyd presided . The health ofthe Worshipful Master was proposed by Bro . Past Master Seebohm , F . Z . S ., that of thc A'isiling Brethren was proposed by Bro . Past Master l . ongdcn , and responded to by Bro . Captain Traill ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

ST , LUKE ' S LODGE ( No . 225 ) . —This Lodge met on AA ' ednesday last , thc Sth inst ., at the Coach and Horses Hotel , and , it being the evening for Installing Brother P . M . AA'estgate , your readers of this town and the many Brethren members of this Lodge , who I may truly say are scattered over the four quarters of the globe , will not lie su prised to know that the Lodge was filled to excess by

its numerous members , and a large gathering of visitors from the other Lodges of the town . The meeting had been fixed for seven o ' clock , Bro . Turner , P . M ., having taken thc chair , in consequence of that lamentable occurrence , which took pla-c in Lodge that day twelve months , when our beloved and esteemed Bro . King was summoned from this sublunary abode to that Grand Lodge

above , just as he was 111 the act of performing the duties of AV . M . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . AA ' enlworth passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft . Mr . Antcliff was initiated . The Installation of AV . M being the next and most important business ofthe evening , the duties if Installing Master devolved upon Bro . J . AV . AVhiuhead , P . M ., who

presented the AA ' . M . Elect and afterwards conducted the whole proceedings . The new AV . M . having taken ihe chair , commenced at once lo Invest his officers as fellows : —Bro . Dakin , S . AA ' . ; Bro . Hillyanl , I . W . ; Bro . Booth , S . D . ; Bro . Canharm , I . D . ; Bro . Orton , I . G . The AA ' . M . then rose and addressed the Brethren , thanking them for the high honour they had conferred upon

him for the second time , and then in most feeling terms alluded to that melancholy event to which we have before referred . Before concluding his remarks he announced to thc Brethren that they had a very short time since the pleasure of affording relief to a worthy , although distressed Bro , and he believed that Ihe Secretary ' had re ceived a communication from him expressive of thc deep

fe * lmg of gratitude he owed to the Lodge . There being no further business before the Lodge , he proceeded to close the Lodge , after which the Brethren then adjourned lo refreshment . Thc usual toasts 1 eing duly honoured , the AA ' . Master , in proposing for ' "The Visitors , " said : Brethren it is always one of thc most p ' casing duties which a AV . M . has to perform at the festive board

in proposing the health of A'isiang Brothers , and upon this occasion it was especially so , when he saw before him such a goodly number representing , not only the Lodges in this Province , but others from a greater distance . He 1 hanked them for the honour they had done him . and he assured them that any t ' me tee St . Luke ' s Lodge would be ever ready to receive with a hearty welcome all who

would favour him with their presence . The AV . M . then coupled the names of this toa « t with the Rev . Bro . Sanderson , P . M ., and P . P . G . C , of Lodge Prince of AVales ; Bro . Tracey , P . M ., Lodge Perfect Friendship ; Bro . Clarke , J . AV ., Lodge British Union ; Bro . Stevens , Lodge Perseverance , Norwich ; all of whom responded . ROCHDALE . —PROIIITV AND FREEDOM LODGE

( No . 367 ) . —The installation meeting of this Lodge was held on Thursday the 16 th inst , at the Bull ' s Head Hotel , Sirallbridge , Rochdale , and was well attended . The Lodge was opened in due form , and thc minutes of last meeting unanimously confirmed . The ballot for Mr . James Leach proving favourable he was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . Bro . AVm . Schofield , AA' . M ,

elect , was then installed in the chair of K . S . according lo ancient custom , and appointed the following officers : Bros . William J . Kinder , S . AA ' . ; AVm . Bcswicke , J . AV . ; A . F . Shore , S . D . ; J . Schofield , J . D ' . ; C . M . Jones , P . M ., Treasurer ; Swift , Secretary ; Robert AVren , P . M . 1 ) . of C . ; Henry Ashworth , I . G . ; AA * . Davis Tyler . The ceremony of Installation was performed by Bro . T . Baker Ashworth , P . M ., in the most impressive and

eloquent manner . Four candidates were proposed for initiation at uext meeting , and ihe Lodge was then closed . An excellent banquet was served by Bro . McOwen . The usual toasts were proposed by the AV . M . Responding to thc toast of the Provincial Grand Officers . Bro . Jones , P . M ., and Bro . Roberts , P . M ., both P . P . G . Officers , gave the brethren some interesting information , respecting the proposed East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educaional and Benevolent Institution .

MANCHESTER . —Low ; - ! OF TRUTH ( NO . 145 S . )—This Lodge met at the Royal Archer Hotel , Dale Street , on thc 4 th inst . The minutes of last regular meeting , which included the election of AA ' . M . for thc ensuing year , were confirmed unanimously . Mr . AA ' m . Richardson was initiated into Freemasonry . Bro . Caldwell , P . M . I ) , of C , assisted by Bro . James E . Hall , AA ' . M . 1459

, then installed Bro . Charles Joel Kent , AV . M . elect , in the chair of K . S ., and the ceremony was performed in . most impressive manner . The following officers were appointed by the AV . M . : —Bros . James Batchcldcr , S . AA ' . ; Jas . Branton , J . AV . ; Thos . Tyers , P . M ., Treasurer ; AVm . John Kinder , Secretary ; Robt Fallows , S . D . ; AVm . Cox , J . D . ; J . Taylor , I . G . ; E . AValton , and R .

AVheelfloii , Stewards ; C . lieswick Tyler . Many visitors were present , and the following Lodges were represented , viz : —Provincial Grand Lodge , 5 S 1 , S 79 , 999 , 1011 , 1077 , 1083 , 1161 , 1219 , 1357 . After the Lodge was closed , thc brethren adjourned to banquet , . nnd to celebrate the Festival of St . John . The usual toasts were given and duly honoured . A handsome P . M . ' s jewel had been subscribed for amongst thc brethren , and the

AV . M . presented it to the immediate Past Master , Bro . Smith , who accepted it with an appropriate acknowledgment . Au event of a gratifying character was the attendance of Bro . Charles AV . Kent , P . M ., S 79 , thc AA ' . M . ' s father who , within three days afterwards was himself installed first AV .. AI . of the Leopold Lodge , No . 1571 , Bermondsey , London . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Balehelder , and all carried out in a creditable manner .

LEIU ' . STJCR . — J OHN OF GAUNT ( No . 523 ) . —Thc regular monthly meeting of this Lodge , was held at Freemason ' s Hall , Thursday , December 16 . Thc AA ' . M .,