Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

THE GERMAN HOSPITAL has received a bequest of £ " 50 from the executors under the will of the late Sir David Sassoon . THE OROTAVA , which some time since sunk during the operation of coaling in one of the docks at Tilbury , was successfully floated on Monday , several previous attempts having- failed to effect the desired object . THE _ FIRST MEETING of the General Committee of Advice in connection with the forthcoming Exhibition of Yachting , Fishing , and Life-saving at the Imperial Institute , has been held under the presidency of H . R . H . the Duke of York .

A PUBLIC MEETING will be held on the 28 th January , at which Bro . the Duke of Bedford has very kindly consented to preside , when attention will be called to the serious financial position of the North London or University College Hospital . PRINCE ALBERT SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN arrived at Cumberland Lodge , on Sunday last , on a visit to Prince and Princess Christian , while Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein also arrived from the Continent , where she has been staying several wieks .

AMONG THOSE PRESENT at the marriage , at St . Paul ' s Church , Knightsbridge , on Monday , of Mr . R . Evelyn Beckett and Miss Muriel H . Paget , daughter of Lord and Lady Berkeley Paget , were the Marchioness of Londonderry , Miss Chaplin , Bro . the Earl of Feversham , Mr . and Mrs . Adrian Hope , Miss Wyndham , Miss Bass , and Bro . the Earl of March .

THE QUEEN ' S Christmas doles known as the "Minor Bounty" and the "Royal Gate " alms , were distributed at the Royal Almonry , Craig ' s-court , Charing Cross , on Monday , to upwards of 1000 aged , disabled , and worthy persons , who had been previously recommended by the clergy of certain selected parishes throughout the various dioceses of England and Wales .

PRINCESS CHRISTIAN and her daughter , Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein , were present at the marriage at Old Windsor Church on Monday of Mr . J . H . Spengler and Miss M . Plvetze , two valued servants of their Royal Highnesses . They also gave both bride and bridegroom handsome presents , a reception and wedding breakfast afterwards taking place at Cumberland Lodge .

LADY WOLSELEY , who was accompanied by her husband , Bro . Lord Wolseley , the Commander-in-Chief , distributed the prizes won during the past year by members of the City of London Fusiliers , of which his lordship is the honorary colonel , at St . James's Hall , on Monday evening . At the close of the ceremony a vote of thanks was passed to her ladyship and acknowledged on her behalf by Bro . Lord Wolseley .

PRINCE AND PRINCESS CHARLES OF DENMARK arrived at Copenhagen on Monday morning by express train for Korsor , and were received at the railway station by all the members of the Royal Family , the ministers , members of the Diplomatic Corps , and a large number of naval officers . The station was gaily decorated , and there was present a guard of honour with a band , Their Royal Highnesses were heartily cheered as they drove from the station to the palace .

H . R . H . THE PRINCESS OF WALES , accompanied by her daughter the Princess Victoria , and attended by Miss Knollys and General Sir Dighton Probyn left London on Saturday last for Sandringham , where she will spend Christmas . The same day Prince and Princess Charles of Denmark left town for Copenhagen , where their arrival has been long expected and where a most enthusiastic welcome awaits them . Their Royal Highnesses were accompanied to the Charing Cross Station by T . R . H . the Prince and Princess of Wales .

THE LADY MAYORESS distributed the prizes to the successful members ofthe 2 nd London Rifles , in their spacious drill hall on Saturday last , among those present being the Lord MayoJ , Bro . Sheriff Rogers , and Col . Oliphant , Grenadier Guards . A letter was received from Bro . Lord Roberts , who is honorary colonel of the regiment , regretting his inability to be present , and expressing his best wishes for the success of the regiment . The Lord Mayor acknowledged the vote of thanks accorded the Lady Mayoress for her kindness in attending .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES attended the smoking concert given in Middle Temple Hall on Monday evening by the Inns of Court Volunteers . His Royal Highness , on his arrival , attended by Captain Holford , was received by Bro . Lord Halibiry ( Lirl Chancellor ) and Lord Russell of Killowen ( Lord Chi : f Jus ice ) , among thise pres mt being the American Ambassador , Lord Jamis of Hereford , Bro . Sir Henry Keppel , Br ) . Sir Frank Lockwood , Q . C , M . P ., Bro . Major-General Lord Msthuen , Lord Chelmsford , Bro . Sir Edward Clarke , Q . C , M . P ., the Lord Mayor , and Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., M . P .

FIELD-MARSHAL BRO . LORD ROBERTS unveiled the Parkes Mimoriil Statue before a large concourse ef people on Leinster Lawn , Dublin , on Saturday last . His lordship was accompanied by the head-quarters and district staffs and alien lid by an escort of hussars . A guard of honour was drawn up on the Iavn and a milit iy bind was in attendance and played some excellent music . A numoer of letters apoligising for non-attendance were read , among them biing one from Mr . H . M . Stanlsy , M . P ., eulogising the career and services of the late Bro . Surgeon-Major Parkes .

MR . A . WILLIAMS , Mus . Bac , who tor the last four years has been bandmaster of the Royal Marine Artillery at Eastney , has been appointed bandmaster of the Grenad er Guards , in succession to Bro . Lieut . Dan Godfrey . It is understood that there is a movement on foot among the present and past officers of the Brigade of Guards to present Bro . Godfrey with a piece of plate in recognition of his 40 years' services in the regiment , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales being President of the Fund Committee , and Col . P . A . Bute , the Hon . Secretary , to whom at the Guards' Club , Pall Mall , S . W ., subscriptions should be sent .

THE REMAINS of the late Earl of Darnley were interred in the family vault in Cobham Parish Church on Monday , among those present , in addition to the members of the family , being Earl Stanhope , Lord Lieutenant , and the Hun . Ralph Nevi le , High Shetiff , of Kent , Bro . the Very Rev . A . Purey-Cust , Duan of York , Bro . W . W . Hayward , Mayor of Rochester , the Mayor of GavesenJ , Bro . Abel Smith , M . P ., Sir John F . Linnard , Chairman of the Kent County Council , Lieut .-Gen . Sir J ihn Slotter , K . C . B ., Lieut .-G : n . the Hon . Richard Monck , Commander the Hin . Francis Pelham , and others .

THE CAREER OF Miss El ' en Terry , who has been before the public for just over 40 years , forms one of the most interesting personal histories of the stage ; and playgoers will note with pleasure that Mr . Walter Calvert has compiled a " souvenir" of the famous actress illustrated with a number of excellent portraits . An incident is recalled of Miss Terry ' s early days at the Lyceum which may be wprth repeating . "Romeo and Juliet" was witnessed one n ' ght by the impetuous Sarah Bernhardt , who afterwards went bthind the scenes to congratulate the performers . " How can you act in this way every night ? " she exclaimed to Miss Ellen Terry ; The latter in her simple , natural way , explained : " It is the audience—they inspire me . "

" I DREAMT THAT I DWELT IN MARBLE HALLS" will be the pleasing fancy to every one who first crosses the threshold of the gorgeous Trocadero Restaurant , which now holds such a proud and enviable position in the " New London " starting into life round and about Piccadilly Circus . But instead of the " vassals and serfs " of the old song we shall find a warm and hospitable welcome from the courteous and spirited proprietors , Messrs . J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , and the proverbial attention and personal comfort ever extended to the public by these well-known caterers and

restaurateurs . The basement floor is devoted to the grill room , with the buffet , smoking , reading , and billiard rooms . The entrance floor is occupied by the grand restaurant , with its golden minstrel and great gallery in the style of Louis Quatorze , and attached to the gold hall and gallery is a splendid adjacent saloon in the style of Louis Quinze . Small but deliciously cosy dining rooms surround these splendid public rooms . The first floor of the new Trocadero is another welcome surprise , consisting as it does of a

ball room , a banqueting hall in the Empire period—a most admirable reproduction—and an ante-room in the style of Louis Treize . On the gallery level , at the top of the grand staircase , will be found a reception room , again in the style of Louis Treize ; a magnificent Masonic lodge in the period of Francois Premier , with , of course , the necessary ante-rooms for the comfort and convenience of the brethren of the Craft . Full particulars can be had on application at the Trocadero , Piccadilly Circus .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The Essex Agricultural Show will beheld next year at Chelmsford , under the presidency of Bro . the Earl of Warwick . BRO . BARON FERDINAND DE ROTHSCHILD , M . P ., has left London to join his steam yacht , Rena , in the Mediterranean , for a two months' cruise in the Greek Isles and the Levant . THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF TECK and Prince and Princess Adolphus of Teck visited the Gaiety Theatre on Tuesday evening and witnessed the performance of " The Circus Gill . "

THE FISHMONGERS' COMPANY has forwarded a donation of 100 guineas towards the purchase fund for the new head-quarters of the Young Women ' s . Christian Association . PRINCE ALBERT OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN , Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar , Bro . A . Akers-Douglas , M . P ., Baron Eckardstein , and Mr . R . W . E . Middleton shot over the Childwick Bury covers with Bro . Sir J . B . Blundell Maple on Tuesd iy .

SIR ROBERT MEADE , Permanent Under-Secretary for the Colonies , who recently met with a severe accident in Downing-street , was removed from Westminster Hospital , whither he was taken , for his private residence near the Marble Arch on Saturday last . HER MAJESTY has been graciously pleased to accept a copy of " Records and Reminiscences of Goodwood and the Dukes of Richmond , " by John Kent , formerly private secretary to the fifth Duke of Richmond and Lord George Cavendish Bentinck , M . P . . . ..

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS the Prince of Wales on Wednesday evening drove from Marlborough House to St . Pancras , attended by Captain Holford and Sir Francis Knollys , and proceeded by train to Sandringham . It is unlikely that the Prince and Princess will leave Sandringham again till they pay their visit to the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland .

THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE of the Mark Masons of Kent , postponed in consequence of the death of the late Archbishop of Canterbury , and subsequently fixed for a date in November , which was found to be inconvenient , is now arranged to be held at Canterbury , on January 38 th next , for the installation of the Prov . Grand Master designate , Viscount Dungarvan , Deputy Grand Master of England .

H . R . H . THE PRINCESS LOUISE ( Marchioness of Lome ) , accompanied b y the Marquis of Lome , who were at the time the guests of the Hon . Mrs . Eliot Yorke , at Hamble Cliff , Netley , visited the wards of the Southampton Free Eye and Ear Hospital on Tuesday , and received purses in behalf of the institution . The bells were rung and the Royal Standard hoisted on the public buildings in honour of the visit .

A LIST OF the naval relics preserved at Chatham Dockyard has just been compiled by the orders of the Lords of the Admiralty . They include a chest taken by Sir George Rooke from a Spanish gallion in 1704 , a standard of Oliver Cromwell , a bronze gun taken at the storming of Nankin , souvenirs of the Dutch attack on Chatham in 1667 ; sundry mementoes of Lord Nelson , and one of the ill-fated Royal George , which was sunk in 1782 , with a portion of the keel of the ship .

KENTISH OYSTERS . — As a result of the favourable reports presented by the Local Government Board experts in regard to the fam > us Kentish native oyster beds the businessof both the Whitstable Oyster Company and the Ham and Seasalter Company is looking up in a marked degree , large orders having coma to hand from all parts of the country , as also from Germany . Brood to the value of £ 40 , 000 have just been laid down upon the grounds of the Whitstable Company .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES , President of the St . John ' s Ambulance Association , has sanctioned a grand ambulance fete and demonstration , to be held at the Crystal Palace in May or June , in commemoration of her Majesty ' s reign . It will take place under the patronage of the Princess Christian , President of the Norwood and Great Western Railway Centres , and other members of the Royal Family . There will be a special challenge shield to be competed for only by the railway classes .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK concluded their visit to Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Portland , at Welbeck Abbey , on Saturday last . On leaving , their Royal Highnesses , accompanied by their hosts , drove to Mansneld . where the streets and public buildings wero profusely decorated in their honour and where they were presented by the Mayor , on behalf of the Corporation , with an illuminated address of welcome , to which the Duke briefly but graciously replied . In the evening their Royal Highnesses visited the Comedy Theatre and witnessed the performance of " A White Elephant . "

" RICHARD III . " was produced by Bro . Sir Henry Irving at the Lyceum Theatre on Saturday evening last , and was received with the utmost favour by a house that was crowded from floor to ceiling . At the close ofthe performance Bio . Sir H . Irving appeared before the curtain in response to the unanimous call of the house , and uttered a few words of grateful thanks for the reception . Unfortunately , on Sunday morning , as he was descending the staircase at his house , he _ miss ; d the last step , and falling stiained one of the tendons of the knee-joint . He is progressing satisfactorily , but it will be some days before he will be able to resume his part , and in the meantime the theatre will be closed .

A TERRIBLE FIRE broke out at Headley Park , the residence of Mr . F . Mappin , of the Arm of Mappin and Webb , on Sunday morning . A new wing had recently been added to the building , and it was Mr . Mappin ' s intention to spend Christmas there with his fi lends . This intention , however , has been frustrated , both the old and the new buildings having been entirely destrojed , so that nothing remains but the bare walls .

1 he housekeeper who was in charge of the premises perished in the conflagration , while a servant girl who was with her , only just managed to escape a similar fate by jumping from a window , the floor on which she had been standing collapsing immediately afterwards . It is not known how the fire originated , but the property was insured , the policy having been completed only a few days previously .

BRO . H . T . BRICKWELL , one of the chief _ officers of St . Martin ' s-in-the-Fields Lodge , has lately become the lessee of the Garrick Theatre , next door to the home of his lodge , and has had a good set-off with " My Girl , " transferred from the Gaiety , where , though it has been played for live months , and with a changed cast now , it bids fair to have a phenomenal success in its new home . It is not often that' pieces' do

well when removed , but " My Girl " is going to prove the exception . It affords one a hearty laugh , for it is immensely amusing both in words and songs , and the dances are captivating , and the players one and all hrst-rate . Bro . John Le Hay bears the burden , and is closely supported by Messrs . Ryley , Arthur , Bradlield , and Downns , and Misses Sybil Carlisle , Ira Bowman , Florence Djsart , ind L . Belmore . " My Girl" is one o £ the best musical comedies we have seen .

THE FIRST MEETING of the Committee of the MUMC Section of the Victorian Era Exhibition , which is to be held at Earl ' s Court next year , took place on Wednesday afternoon in the Chapter Room . of the Cri . erion Restaurant . The gathering included Sir Alexander C . Mackenzie , who , in the absence of Bro . Sir Arthur Sullivan , took the chair , Signor Randegger , Dr . Parry , Professor . Villiers Stanford , Messrs . R . Cocks , E .

Encch , Albert Visetti , Henry J . Wood , W . H . Cummings , and Bro . Imre Kiralfy . Letters were read from several gentleman offering cantribut ' uns of valuable autographs and other mementos of the progress of English music during the Qiieen ' s reign . In this connection , it was pointed out that the most complete arrangements have been made in regard to the insurance , and protection in every way possible , of all objects lent by the public .

THERE WAS A very crowded attendance in the Theatre of the Royal Institution on Tuesday afternoon , when H . R . H . the Prince of Wales graciously declared open , the free chemical and physical laboratory , which has been founded , equipped , and endowed , by Dr . Mond , and is named the Davy-Farady Laboratory . His Royal Highness was accompanied by the Duke of Teck , and among the more prominent personages present were Bros . Earl Percy and Lord Halsbury , Lord Playfair , Lord Elvin , Bro . Lord Ashbourne , Lord Knutsford , Lord Rothschild , the Right Hon .

C . T . Ritchie , M . P . j Bro . Sir Frederick Abel , Sir John Lubbock , Sir H ; nry Thompson , Sir William White , Sir John Brunner , Bro . W . H . Preece , Bro . F . Wolf Barry , and others . The Prince having first inspected the premises , took the chair , and called upon Dr . Mond to address the company , and Dr . Mond hiving complied with the invitation , his Royal Highness was pleased to declare open the laboratory , which is ths first of its kind instituted in this country . Subsequently , by the Prince ' s disire , Profess Diwar gave a lecture , accompanied by a numberof highly-interesting expjrim ; nt 3 on "The Use of Liquid Air in Scientific Research . "