Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

A new lodge , to be called the London Rifle Brigade Lodge , will be consecrated at Anderton ' s Hotel on May nth . The Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , u-ill he the Consecrating Officer , assisted by the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , J . G . W . ; Sir Francis Truscott , P . G . W . ; Sir John B . Monckton , President of the

Board of General ' Purposes ; and others . Bro . Neville Green is the VV . M . designate . Bro . Sir Erasmus Wilson , we are g lad to say , is making improvement . His illness began with an attack of dyspepsia , and showed febrile symptoms . These have now happily disappeared .

Bro . the Pro Grand Master has been on a visit to General Burnaby , M . P ., at Baggrave Hall , Leicester . Bro . the Lord Mayor presided at a committee meeting at the Mansion House , on Friday , of the Rowland Hill Memorial , when it was decided the following inscription should be placed on the statue : " Rowland Hill . He founded uniform penny postage , 1 S 40 . " We hope this question is now settled i ' or ever .

Bro . the Earl of Rosebery will probably visit America again this year , and this time may be accompanied by the countess . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh have accepted the invitation of Bro . the Lord Mayor to dine at the Mansion House on the occasion of the banquet to the Mayors of England on the 17 th June .

Bro . Viscount Falmouth's daughter . Lad y Mabe ' Emma Boscawen , was married on the 18 th , inst ., at St-St . James ' s , Piccadilly , to Mr . C . H . Williams , son of the late Sir William Williams . Bro . Lord VVolverton has arrived in his yacht at Constantinople , from Naples , and is not expected to return to England until June .

Bro . H . R . H . the Duke of Albany will preside , on the iGth May , at the dinner of the Samaritan Free Hospital , at Willis ' s , and be supported by Bro . the Earl of Shaftesbury , Bro . Lord Leigh ( President ) , P . G . M . War wickshire , and Bro . the Marquis of Hertford . Bro . the Earl of Breadalbane , G . J . W . Scotland , has left Taymouth Castle for Harcourt House for the London season .

Bro . Ford Kensington ' s brother , Mr . Cuthbert Edwardes , is about being married to Lady Blanche Butler , sister of the Marquis of Ormonde . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales will' pay a visit to Bro . lord Carrington at Wycombe Abbey in May ,

and will inspect the Bucks Militia , of which Bro . Lord Carington is colonel . The Hon . and Rev . Carr-Glynn ( brother of Bro . Lord VVolverton ) , vicar of Kensington , will shortly wed Lady Mary Campbell , daughter of the Duke of Argyll .

Bro . Sir Thomas Brassey ' s yacht , the Sunbeam , in which he , Mrs . Brassey , and family made a voyage round the world , was towed into Ramsgate Harbour on Thursday week , her propeller having been fouled by a hawser .

Bro . the Right Hon . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M . Gloucestershire , addressed his constitutients on Thursday week at Stow-in-the-VVo ! d . Bro . Edward Clarke , Q-C , M . P ., has been elected a Bencher of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn . Bro . Clarke was called to the Bar in 1 S 64 , and made a Q . C . in 1 SS 0 . Our brother began life as a mechanic , his father being a working jeweller in Clerkenwell . 'The son

did not like the trade , and felt he had talents for greater things , and attended in the evenings the City of London College classes for young men , and from this has made his name in the country . Bro . the Earl of Derby and Bro . Lord Brabourne have been elected on a sub-Committee of the Beaconsfield Memorial , to consider what shall be done with the surplus fund of £ 2000 .

Bro . H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , with his Duchess , have arrived at Buckingham Palace from Biarritz . Bro . the Earl of Northesk has been honoured with a visit by H . R . H . the Princess Louise , at Rosehill , near Winchester .

At thc first anniversary and installation meeting of the Lechmere Lodge , No . 1 S 74 , held at Kidderminster , when the retiring W . M ., Bro . George Taylor , P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Sec , installed his successor , Bro . G . VV . Grosvenor , P . P . G . R ., the idea was mooted of helping the authorities of St . Mary ' s Church , in that town , in the efforts they are making to provide means for repairs to the

tower of that ancient edifice . As it is intended at the same time to rehang the bells , it was decided by the brethren present to seek the co-operation of the other local lodge , Hope and Charity , No . 377 , with the view of the Freemasons of Kidderminster combining to purchase and erect a set of chimes at their sole cost . The idea was cordially supported , and the result is that in a very few weeks the

amount required , between two and three Iiundred pounds , has been subscribed , and the vicar , the Rev . T . L . Claugnton , son of the Bishop of St . Albans , has on behalf of his parish gratefully accepted the offer . 'This is a work well worthy of the brethren of the Craft , and another proof ol the renewed vigour and life we have several time had occasion to note in the Province of Worcestershire .

PRESERVATION * EXTRAORDINARY . — Everys one knows that for softening and preserving the skin , cleansing it from impurity , and thereb y ensuring its healthy action , there is nothing equal to Wright's Coal 'Tar Soap . Use it constantly , and you will have neither an irritable skin or a disfigurement of the face from pimples and blotches . Refuse all other Coal Tar Soaps , which are but worthless imitations . —[ ADVT . ]

Masonic And General Tidings.

The Stewards of the late Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution have been invited by the Committee to visit the Institution , at Croydon , on Tuesday next , May 2 nd . Bro . Bassano received commands from the Queen to proceed to Windsor , on Her Majestys return from Mentone , to photograph Her Majesty , Princess Beatrice ,

and the young Princess , the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught . No doubt there will be a demand for the photographs when published , to see how Her Majesty looks after the change . After the visit to Windsor on Thursday of the

Corporation , Bro . the Lord Mayor dined with the City-Lands' Committee at the Guildhall Tavern . Thc following Masonic brethren were also invited : Alderman Sir F . VV . Truscott , P . G . W . ; Sir Thos . Charley , Mr . Deputy Crispe , C . C . ; Alderman Stone , P . G . W . ; and the Comptroller ( Mr . Brand ) .

It is interesting to note that in ihe contest for the vacant Aldermanic gown the successful candidate will be a Mason , all the three who have come forward being members of the Craft . A majority of the Court of Aldermen are now Masons .

On Thursday the Corporation of the City of London , headed by Bro . the Lord Mayor , proceeded to Windsor to present to Her Majesty an address on her recent providential escape from the assassin ' s hands . In the deputation there were Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Hanson , Bro . Sir John Monckton , President Board of General Purposes ; Bro . Sir F . VV . Truscott , P . G . W . ; Bro . Sir Thos . Charley , Bro . Brand , the Comptroller ; Bro . the

Sword Bearer , Bro . the Mace Bearer ( Captain Okey ); Bro . the City Marshal ( Major Campbell ) ; Bro . Deputy Crispe , Bro . A . Brookman , VV . M . Aldersgate Lodge ; Bro . W . H . Pannell , W . M . Pattenmakers' Company ; Bro . ti . Squire , Bro . J . Judd , and G . N . Johnson , P . G . Steward . The mover and seconder of the address , together with the Lord Mayor and the two senior Aldermen , were afterwards presented to the Queen . Luncheon for the whole party was served in the Waterloo Chamber .

Bro . the Earl and Countess of Jersey have arrived at Great Stanhope-street , from Middleton Park , near Bicester . Bro . the Duke of Marlborough will probably realise /* 5 o , ooo by the sale of the Sunderland library .

Bro . the Duke of Connaught , who is a Bencher of Gray's Inn , presented an address on Saturday to the Queen , on behalf of the Treasurer and Benchers of the Honourable Society of Gray ' s Inn , congratulating Her Majesty on her escape from the hands of the would-be assassin on the and of March .

Bro . Colonel the Marquis of Londonderry , P . G . M . Durham , has promised to preside at the annual dinner of the Home Service Club , on 15 th prox . Bro . thc Earl of Kintore has arrived in town for the season . Bro . the Duke of St . Albans , at the personal

request of Bro . the Prince of Wales , called together a meeting of the inhabitants of Nottingham , on Saturday , in connection with the Royal College of Music . Various resolutions were passed pledging the meeting to support the scheme , jfiooo , in five annual payments of jfaoo , has been voted by the Merchant Taylors' Company .

The closing meeting of the session of the Ear of ' / . elland Lodge of Instruction will be held on Saturday ( this evening ) , at Bro . Richardson's , Royal Edward , Marestreet , Hackney . The evening will be devoted to working the ceremony of installation , and after the lodge has closed , a number of the brethren intend celebrating the great

success which has attended the lodge during the past months by holding a smoking concert . Several brethren of acknowledged ability , in addition to the musical brethren of the lodge , will do their best to afford an ' . enjoyable hour to any visitor who may attend . Bro . Dr . Haskins will act as musical director and accompanyist .

Ihe hifteen Seclions were worked at the Egyptian Lodge of Instruction , No . 27 , on Thursday last , Bro . T . J . Barnes , P . M ., presiding . A report will appear in our next issue . Many of our readers who have been entertained at the social board by thehistrionic and musical endeavours of Bros . J . A . Keable , G . Vigay , and C . A . VVhite , R . A . M .,

will be glad to hear that the first named brother intends giving an entertainment on Monday evening next at the Poplar Town Hall , E ., when he will be assisted , in addition to the brothers named , by Miss Berrie Stephens , K . A . M ., Miss Jeanie Rosse , Mr . L . King , Mr . A . Bryant , Mr . F . Richardson , and others . Bro . Keable will recite " How

Jane Conquest rang the bell , " "A story of a pipe , " describe an interview between " Mr . Bumble " and " Mrs . Corney , " and relate " A night ' s adventure with a baby . " The ceremony of installation will be worked at the Merchant Navy Lodge of Instruction , 781 , at the Silver Tavern , Burdett-road , K ., on Wednesday next . Rro . H . E . Frances , P . P . G . J . D . Surrey , P . M . S 4 , & c , will officiate .

At Sheffield parish church the font given by the Freemasons has just been completed by the addition of armorial bearings on the eight shields placed at intervals on the wreath round the top of the font . This addition much enhances the beauty and interest of the gilt , as the device on each shield has been chosen with special reference to individuals and public bodies connected with the church ,

the Craft , or the town . Looking at the front of the font , the first shield on the right-hand side bears the Arms of the See of York ; the second , those of the Duke of Norfolk , Lay Rector and Lord of the Manor , & c . ; on the third are the arms of the Rev . Canon Blakeney , D . D ., vicar of Sheffield ; and on the fourth , those of the Church Burgesses . On the first shield to the left is placed the badge

of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master ; on the second , the arms of the Corporation of Sheffield ,- on the third , those of Cutlers' Company ; and on the fourth , those of the Town Trustees . These armorial bearings are beautifully modelled in high relief , and are the work of Bro . Chas . Green , of Howard Street , who designed and executed the font to the order of the Freemasons ;

Masonic And General Tidings.

Early in June the Prov . G . M . of Hants and Isle of Wight ( Bro . VV . VV . B . Beach , M . P . ) , and' his officers will constitute a new lodge in Havant , Hants , to be called " The Hundred Bosmer ' e , " and is numbered 195 S . The name is taken from the local appellation of the district . Bro . H . Martin Green will be the first W . M . This is the second Craft lodge in this town . The exhibition of the United Arts Gallery in

Bond-street has been opened to thc public this week , and our readers will find much to interest them , both in oils and water-colours by English and foreign artists . Among the more noteworthy pictues , Mr . W . Szerner's "Insurgent Chiefs in Herzegovina ; " Mr . R . Ribera's "The Trump Card ; " " An Incredulous Listener , " by Mr . F . Streitt ; " Shrimpers , " by Mr . A . Kiwschenko ; Mr . G . Halm ' s " Ready for Dinner ; " " In Holland , " by Mr . H . Bisbing ; and "The Midday Meal , " by Mr . A . Ditscheiner .

Bro . the Rev . T . Robinson , M . A ., is to be presented by his brethren in Kent with a testimonial on his appointment to Grand Office as Grand Chaplain , in recognition of the services he has rendered to Freemasonry m Kent and elsewhere .

The new Masonic Hall recently erected at Wagga Wagga , on the site of the one destroyed by fire some twelve months ago , was opened recently . The hall is 65 by 35 feet , and will seat about 500 , and its accoustic properties are said to be all that can be desired .

West Virginia pays a Grand Lecturer 500 dollars per annum to teach her Worshipful Masters " the true work . " Bro . Alfred Brookman , W . M . Aldersgate Lodge , was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society , at a meeting held on Monday last .

Bro . Alderman Fowler , M . P ., presided at the anniversary festival of the Earlswood Asylum for Idiots , held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on the 21 st inst . Among those present were -. Bros . Baron de Ferriers , M . P ., and J . A . Bevan , D . G . M . Westland , New Zealand .

T he Annual Dinner of the Railway Benevolent Institution , will be held this year at the Cannon-street Station Hotel , on VVednesday , May 10 th , when the Right Hon . Joseph Chamberlain , M . P ., President of the Board of Trade , will preside .

Mr . J . D . Lindon , member of the Institute of Painters in Water Colours , has received a commission from Her Majesty to paint a picture of the forthcoming Royal Wedding . The annual dinner given by the Royal Academy of Arts to the chosen representatives of Art , . Science , and Literature , and the world of fashion , takes place this ( Saturday ) evening at Burlington House . On Monday next the Exhibition will open to the public .

At the last meeting of the Lodge of Israel , No . 205 , a letter from the Duke of Albany was read acknowledging the receipt of an illuminated address , congratulating him on his approaching marriage . The sum of twenty guineas was voted to the fund for the relief of the persecuted Jews in Russia .

Bro . the Duke of Marlborough has taken for the season Lord Downe ' s House , 39 , Berkeley-square . The Lad y Mayoress , Bros . F . Vialls , Sir Thomas VVhite Lodge ; Bue , F . G . Bamfylde , 1 S 20 ; Sir George Baker , Arthur Reynolds , Org . 1 S 20 ; Rev . R . Hoskens , Chap . ; F . G . Faithfull , and Henry Wright were amongst the numerous company at the Merchant Taylors' School Choral Society ' s Concert on VVednesday , The Master of the Merchant Taylors' Company was also there .

Bro . G . R . Sims , we regret to say , is again seriously ill . A subscription is being raised at Windsor for a stained-glass window , which , in commemoration of the Queen's escape from assassination , is to be placed in Holy Trinity Church , of which the Rev . Arthur Robins is the incumbent .

Bro . J . Taylor , P . M . and P . Z . Doric , 933 , has removed from London to the Vicarage , Compton JJando , Bristol . A National Great Priory of the Orders of the Temple and of Jerusalem , & c , will be holden at the City 'Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , on Friday , 12 th May .

We learn that Bro . General Sir Garnet Wolseley has joined the Council of the Oxford Military College , and thus swelling the list of eminent officers already serving on that body . Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., P . Z ., has consented

to deliver his interesting lecture , explanatory of the ritual of the First Degree , at the William Preston Lodge of Instruction , J acob's Well , George-street , Manchester-square , on Tuesday evening , the 9 th May ; and at the Kingsland Lodge of Instruction , Canonbury Tavern , on Monday evening , the 22 nd May .

Bro . Wm . Wrench Towse has accepted the position of Hon . Secretary of the Clacton-on-Sea branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution . It will be remembered that the Albert Edward was one of the boats presented by the Freemasons to the Institution on the safe

return of the Right Wor . the Grand Master from India . She has been the means of saving over sixty lives in little over four years . Contributions forthe local fund for current expenses will be received with thanks hy the Hon . Secretary .

HOLLOWAY S PILLS . —Liver , Lungs , and Kidneys . —Most diseases of these depurative organs arise fruin obstruction , over the removal of wh ch these celebrated Pills exercise the most jjeifect control . A course of them is strongly recommended as a remedy for snch chronic affections as liver enlargements , congestion of the Ivings , torpidity of the kidneys , and oilier functional disorders which

cause must present suffering , and , if neRlecled , lav the foundation nf organic diseases . Hoilowav ' s l'iils are sprci .-illv adapted for the young and delicate ; the gentle and purifying action ranks them above all other medicines . In digestion , nervous affect ons , gout , and rheumatism the Pith hart- . ichieval for tliemscires universal fame . They expel all impurities from the blood , and thus- retore cheerfulness and vigour . — [ ADVT . 1