Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

The first meeting- of the Council of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys under the new regulation will be held at Freemasons' Hal ! to-day ( Friday ) , at 4 p . m . It is expected that Bro . the Duke and Duchess of St . Albans will arrive in town shortly from Bestwoorl I ' arlc , and will remain till Easter .

A performance of <( Lady Clancarty , " organised by Mr . Cyril J . Lansrley , in airl of the Gordon Boys' Home , was given at St . ( George ' s Hall , on Thursday , and proved a very great success . A Masonic ball will take place at the Assembly Rooms , Derby , on Tuesday next , the proceeds of which , as well as of a series of dances to be held later on , will be devoted to the Masonic Charities .

We regret to state that Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , P . A . G . D . C , was prevented attending the installation of Bro . (' Belton , as W . M . of No . 1 Lodge , by a severe attack of gout , from which he has been suffering since the beginning of the year . Bro . Stevens' lecture on "The Ritual and Ceremonial of the Symbolic Pegrees , " announced for the 27 H 1 inst ., at Birmingham , is postponed in consequence of the

Masonrc ball and other Masonic meetings appointed to be held on that evening . The anual meeting of the Gladsmuir Lodge , No . 13 S 5 , will be held at the Red Lion Hotel , Iiarnet , to-day ( Fridaj ) , when Bro . G . Blizard Abbott , S . W . and W . M . elect , will be installed in office as W . M . in succession to Bro . S . Tryon , W . M ., Prov . G . S . of Works .

The essential article in the treaty between Great Britain and Roumania for the marriage of Princess Marie of Edinburgh and the Prince Ferdinand of Roumania , provides for her Royal Highness's renunciation "for ever of all hereditary rights of succession to the Crown and Government of Great Britain . "

On Tuesday , the Prince of Wales presented the gold medals , which he gives annually for competition among the pupils of King's Lynn Grammar School , to Mr . G . B . E . Riddell , to whom it was awarded in 1892 , and who is now an Undergraduate of Corpus Christ ! College , Cambridge , and Mr . J . D . Coe , who win it last year .

The death rate in London has , according to the Registrar-General ' s returns for last week , shown a very considerable diminution from 30 . 3 to 25 . 4 per 1000 . It seems , however , that influenza has re-appeared , and it is entered as being the cause of death in 17 cases , as compared with seven and twelve on the two previous weeks .

The dockyard officials at Sheerness have been informed by the Admiralty authorities that the programme of work during the coming financial year will include the building of two fast gun-vissels of a new type , and the arming and completion of live torpedo gunboats , which are being built by contract under the Naval Defence Act , on their delivery by the contractor .

General regret is felt in the colony of New South Wales at the resignation of Bro . the Earl of Jersey , who was appointed Governor in iSrjo , but now finds himself tink er the necessity of returning to England to look after his estates , his agent having recently died . His lordship succeeded Bro . Lord Carrington as M . W . G . M . of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales , anrl was installed in office for the second time last year .

Col . the Hon . Oliver Montagu , who has ju-. t died of lung and heart disease at Cairo , was the third surviving son of the late Earl of Sandwich , anrl hail just completed his 4 . SCI 1 year . He served with his regiment—the Royal H . rrse Guards—in the Egyptian campaign of 1 SS 3 , and had securer ! the medal and bronze star . He commander ! his regiment from 1 SS 7 to 180 , 1 . His sister , Lady Emily Hart-Dike , wife of Bro . Sir William Hart-Dyke , Bart ., M . P ., was with him at the time of his death .

From the repoit , which has lust been issued , of Captain Simonds , chief officer of the Metropolitan Eire Brigade , it appears that the number of fires attended by the Brigade in which life was endangered was 100 , that the number of persons whose lives were endangered was ICIJ , of whom 105 were saved and f . 4 perished . Of the latter 40 were taken out alive , but died from the injuries they had received either in the hospital or elsewhere . The total numbrr of attendances at fires , or alleged lires , was 11 , 6 57 .

The Prince of Wales presided at a meeting held at the rooms of the Royal Society , Burlington House , on Saturday last , for the purpose of considering the best form of meiroiial to the late Sir Richard Owen , who rendered such eminent services in advancing the sciences of anatomv , zoology , anil paVrntology . The Duke of Teck was also

present , and there was a very large attendance of distinguished scientific gentlemen . It was agreed to form a committee , with the Prince of Wales as chairman , to carry out the objects tf the meeting , and subscriptions am nnting to about , £ ' 250 were raised at once . A vote ! of thanks was passed by acclamation to his Royal Highness for his kindness in presiding .

I he . Masonic Ball , held in the Assembly Rooms , Westgatc-voad , Newcastle , on the 12 th instant , was the most numerously attended and successful gathering of the kind ever known in the city . Promoted under the auspices of the W . M . ' s , officers , and brethren of Walker Lodge , No . 1342 , St . Nicholas' Lodge , No . 1 ( 5 70 , St . Peter ' s Lodge , No . 4 S 1 , and the Northern Counties Lodge , No . 4 D > , a

combiner ! effort was made to ensure the brilliint result . The elegant suite of rooms was thronged with iH ( 5 couples , the costumes of th ladies contrasting with the regalia of the brethren , and giving a pleasing effect to the assembly . In a sense the ball was almost too successful , the large assembly room being quite inadr quale to accommodate all

the dancers . To relieve the crush the smaller suite of rooms were utilised with a satisfactory result . Noirly every lodge in the Province of Northumberland , with brethren from the sister Province of Durham , was represented in the gathering . An excellent orchestra , under the personal condnclorship of Bro . J . Amers , supplied the music . Dancing began at S . 30 , and was kept up with spirit until 3 a . m .

Masonic And General Tidings

Bro . Bradshaw Brown has been appointed receiver and manager for the debenture holders of the Greenwich Ferry Company , Limited . According to the latest arrangements , the Marquis of Salisbury will arrive in England from his villa , Beaulieu , in the Riviera , on Sunday next . On the following day he will give the usual Parliamentary dinner at his residence in Arlington-street .

Owing to the recent events which have taken place in I ' - ! fypt , the Government has arrived at the conclusion that under the circumstances it is necessary to strengthen the British troops in thatcountry , and reinforcements , it is said , are already en route for Cairo .

" The Caterer , " a monthly journal published in the interests of the trade , thinks Freemasons' Hotels a possibility of the future , and , indeed the idea has already found voice in the registration of the "Sudbury Freemasons ' Commercial and Family Hotel Company ( Limited ) , " with the modest capital of £ 2000 .

The Duke of Westminster presided at the annual meeting of the Chester Rifle Association on Monday , when it was reported that prizes to the value of £ 365 , as compared with £ 375 for the previous year , were distributed at the last shooting competition on the Altcar Range . The noble Duke made an earnest appeal for further support .

The Portuguese Minister , Senhor de Several , was recently entertained ' at dinner by the Amphitryon Club , as a slight mark of appreciation for the assistance , kindness , and humanity shown by the Portuguese Government to the Roumania , when it was wrecked on the coast of Portugal , and its crew and passengers . Bro . Lord Alcester was one of the principal guests invited to meet his Excellency .

The Government have appointed the Earl of Aberdeen to succeed Bro . Lord Stanley of Preston as Governor-General of Canada . The latter , who will retire from office in June next , has enjoyed great popularity among the Canadians during his term . Lord Aberdeen is married to a daughter of Bro . Lord Tweedmouth , and in 1 SS 6 was , for a short time , Lord Lieutenant of Ireland .

A terrible disaster occurred at the Aberdare Junction sinking pit on Monday , when a part of the wall of the shaft , which is 30 > yards deep , fell on the sinkers , to the number of 26 , who had just commenced work . Six are known to have been killed , and their bodies brought to bank , while others who were injured have sin : e been brought up .

Under the auspices of the Jersey Lodge , No . 2163 , a full-dress Masonic ball was held at the Lyric Hall , Ealing , W ., on Friday , the 20 th inst . The W . M . ( Bro . W . A . Cocks ) , the Wardens , Past Masters , and officers of the lodge acted as Stewards , and are to be congratulated on the brilliant success that crowned their exertions . Bro . H . R . Lancaster ' s military bind was engaged , and gave general satisfaction .

On the evening of Friday , the 20 th inst ., all the children of Freemasons belonging to Folkestone and neighbourhood were invited to a children ' s party and ball . The youthful guests ranged at the party from 3 J to 10 years of age , and they were not only regale 1 with a splendid tea , but were entertained with a magic lantern and all sorts of

other amusements , especially with a grand children ' s tree , which was more particularly under the management of Bro . Stock , the oldest Mason in Folkestone , and Mrs . Stock . After the entertainment of the younger children was over , the older children remained to a ball . A sma'l committee of ladies , with Mrs . Griffin at their head , undertook the management of the entertainment .

The Liverpool Express believes that the many earnest Roman Catholics , who are also Freemasons , find much to disquiet them in the Pope ' s latest pronouncement . The lull text of that document , or rather documents , has not reached this country , but it is understood to contain a tremendous indictmentot lhat Society . His Holiness considers Freemas rnry to be antagonistic to Christianity , and given over to the propagation ot infidelity . 'J he reason ol this scathing attack is

supposed to be the recent agnostic speeches of certain Italian profess > rs . These gentlemen are also ardent Freemasons , and the Pope's argument is to the effect that the tree is known by its fruit . The opinion in English Roman Catholic circles , however , is that the Pope has been misinformed , and that the connection between Freemasonry and anti-Christian sentiment is purely fortuitous . We should certainly be much surprised to hear the charge brought against any of our own loiges .

A successful ball was given by the brethren of the Temple l-odge , No . 5 SS , Folkestone , on Wednesday , the 18 th inst . The great hall of the Masonic Institute was superbly and tastelu . ly decorated with floral and laurel wreaths , Masonic emblems , and art-shade muslin , of which Bro . Clifford Holden fraternally placed upwards of a thousand yards at the disposal of the Committee . The adjoining chamber on

the first llJor was prepared as a lounge and retiring room , and on the staiicase and i . i suitable spots in the bill room were grouped noble exotic plants lent by Bro . Spurgen . A super-lloor was constructed in tha billiard room , so as to admit of chairs being placed suliiciently high round the billiard tables for supper to be served on them . A buffet for refreshments was also constructed . The decorations

were cairiedoutby Bro . Harry Clements , in conjunction with Bros Cl . fford , Saunders , IS . B . Pain , and Geo . Peden . The refreshment department was in charge of the Steward , Bro . T . G . Holmes . Some 150 ladies and gentlemen accepted the invitation , and a very delightful ball resulted .

The M . C . ' s were Bros . W . Grillin , W . M . ; Dunk , P . M . ; VV . B . Kennett , P . M . ; G . Peden , P . M . ; C . J . Saunders , J . D . ; 11 . G . Clements , Org . ; and G . Pain , Hon . Sec . liro . Sir E . Watkin , M . P ., wno is a member of the Temple Lodge , is one of the Committee . Music was furnisher ! by Prague's OuadriUe Hand .

HOLLOWAY ' 1 ' rr . t . s . —Cure for Indigestion . —Indigestion , with torpidity of lire liver , is lire curse of thousands , wlrrr spend each day Willi acciimirlale . 1 sullcrings , . "ill el' wtrkli may be avoided by taliinr , ' llulluway's I'ills aecurrlinr ; to their accompany lug directions They s . reiijithen rrrrrl invigorate every organ srihservient lo digestion . Their action is pnril \ iii ^ , healing , rrrrrl

strengthenin . lhuy may be saiely l . rken willionl interfering Willi onli . rary piirsn ts , or rerpiiring much restriction in diet . They rjuickly remove noise ami giddiness in lire head , and dispel low spirits anrl nervous lears . 't liese b . ( sarnie rills work tfre errre without duljtlrtaliiig or exhausting tire system ; on tire contrary , they conserve anrl support the vital principle by substituting pure for impure blood , —I Alrr I ' . J

Masonic And General Tidings

The Provincial Grand Chapter of Hampshire and the isle of Wight will meet at Newport , on Monday next . It is satisfactory to hear , on the authority of his medical adviser , that Bro . Lord Stalbridge's fever , though severe , is running its natural course , and that , on the whole , the

symptoms are favourable . We regret to learn that Bro . Justice Cave was so unwell that he was unable to be in court on Monday , and to go to Gloucester on Tuesday for the Cirencester election petition , his place being taken by Mr . Justice Vaughan Williams .

Bro . H . S . Foster , ALP ., will be installed W . M . of the Temple Lodge , No . 101 , on Tuesday , the 7 th prox ., at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-street . The installation will take place at 5 . 30 and the banquet at 7 o'clock . Bro . Lord Burton has been presented with a regulation sword and an illuminated address , in album form , by the officers , non-commissioned officers , and men of the 2 nd Volunteer Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment , oi which his lordship is honorary colonel .

The annual ball of the St . Lawrence Lodge , No . 207 S , was held on Wednesday , the iSth inst ., and proved very successful . The Stewards were Bros . Campbell , W . M ., Peace , Murray , Chatterton , and M'Callum . Gregory ' s band , from Doncaster , supplied the music .

In our report of the Quarterly Court of the Boys' School in the last issue we named Bro . Masters as having seconded Bro . Glass ' s propositi in for the non-confirmation of the minutes , whereas it should have been Bro . Corbie . As Bro . Masters seconded the resolution at the former mee ting , which was now sought to be rescinded , the correction is all the more necessary .

DICKENS' CHRISTMAS CAROL . —Bro . Fred . Morgan , of the Doric Lodge , gave a highly successful recital of this popular work at St . Stephen ' s School , Manchester , on Monday evening , to a large and appreciative audience , who were delighted with this versatile entertainer , and rewarded him at the c ' ose with a perfect ovation of applause .

At a meeting of the Southampton Lodge , No . 394 , held on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Bro . H . C Ashdown was elected as W . M . for the ensuing year , Bro . Lemon , P . M . ( Mayor of Southampton ) , the Senior Warden of the province , as Treasurer , and Bro . H . Laslimore , P . M ., as lodge representative on the Provincial Grand Lodge Charity Committee . All the elections were unanimous .

We regret to learn of the death of Bro . Harry Hodges , LP ., the leading member of the firm of Hodges and Son , Westmoreland-street , Dublin , which took place after a few days' illness , at his residence , Belgrave Hou = e , Monkstown . Our deceased brother , who passed away at the age of 53 years , was highly esteemed in commercial circles in

Dublin for his integrity and business capacity . He was for many years connected with the Masonic body in Dublin , and rose to the high position of Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Instruction of the Order . He was highly efficient as a Freemason , and his loss will be much felt by the Body , as , indeed , it will be by every person with whom it was his custom to come in contact , either in a public or private capacity .

Bro . Lestocq , P . M . 1319 , has furnished Bro . C . H . Hawtry with a farcical work which is calculated to fill the Comedy Theatre for a long whie . It is adapted , as most of such plays are , from the French , anil though it is patent to every one in thi audience what the original must be which would not do for English tastes , the adaptee is to be commended in that while he alters the situation he has lost none of the pungency of the French piece , for " The

Sportsman " bristles with smart sayings , and the fun is carried right through the play . The third act , unlike such pieces , is quite as well sustained as the other two . liro . Hawtry is able to lie away to his heart ' s < ontent . I n stage fibbing he is veritably a past mister , and in Bro . Lestocq ' s farcical comedy he lairly levels in lies . Bro . Hawtry has the capable assistance of Miss Lottie Venne , Miss Go . vard , Mr . Chas . Grr . ve ! , and others . The Comedy ' s new play miy be said to be an instantaneous success .

It is interesting to note that during the serious illness of Bro . the Earl of Londesborough , the fact that he had to be installed the Worshipful Master of the Constitutional Lodge , Beverley , the centenary year , did not escape his recollection . Indeed , it gave him some concern , and at his request a communicatication was addressed to the lodge , stating how deeply he regretted not being able to attend the lodge to have the ceremony performed . He further stated that

should he get better , he would have to go abroad for some time to recuperate , and should be glad if any arrangemen I could be made , whereby the installation could be postponed till June . We understand that that had already been anticipated by the lodge , and a telegram was sent to his lordship informing lum that it had been arranged to defer the installation until he had recovered from the affliction , which his brethren of the Craft , with others , so deeply deplored .

On Wednesday evening the Penge Lodge , No . 1 S 15 , held one of the most successtul d » nccs in connection with the above lodge at the Vestry Hall , Anerley . About 120 brethren and friends assembled and spsnt a most enjoyable evening , dincing being most spiritedly maintained until

12 . 30 . I ne music was all that 1 ould be desired , under the able conductorship of Mr . C . Godirey , jun . The M . C . ' s Bros . II . U . Uudd , J . W ., and G . 1 \ Crockford , I . G ., performed their task most efficiently . Refreshments were provided by Bro . Hutchins , ot the Thicket Hotel , in his usual able manner . Mention should also be made of the

courteous attention of the Worshipful Master , bro . II . Leney , to all those present , and his very successful efforts to ensure a mo . t enjoyable evening . He was ably assisted by the following biewards :--Bros . John Dibble , I . P . M . ; Ihos . West , P . M . ; D . C . W . Baker , S . W . ; H . U . Budd ,

J . W . ; W . I . Hocken , P . M ., lreas . ; A . Bentley , Sec . ; J . O . Curtis , G . H . Ellis , S . U . j A . E . I ' ridmore , I . D . J U . I . Crocktord , I . G . ; A . Thompson , Org . ; W . j . M . Grady , Stwd . ; D . Parsons , A . S . ; H . lodu , W . Peskett , J . Rnodes , VV . H . Watford , and F . Grose .

Iwelfth Annual Edilion of Explanatory Book , sent gratis and post free , gives reliable intonation 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 .