Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

We are asked to announce that The Great City Lodge of Instruction meets every Thursday at 6 . 30 p . m . at Masons ' Hall Tavern , Basinghall-street . At a meeting of the Natalia Rose Croix Chapter , Pietermaritzburg , Bro . Sir Charles Mitchell , Governor of the colony , vvas admitted to the 1 S .

Bro . Grantham Dodd has been elected the Master of the Bakers' Company , one of the oldest livery companies of the City of London . Bro . Lord Mayor Savory has consented to open a bazaar in the schoolroom of the Raleigh Memorial Church , Stoke Newington , on Tuesday , the 2 nd prox ., with a view to reducing the debt on the edifice .

Among the contributions to the Mansion House Fund for the relief of the relatives of the seamen and marines lost in H . M . S . Serpent are £ 100 from Messrs . Rothschild and £ 21 from the Merchant Taylors' Company . Bro . Sir H . Drummond WolffH . M . ' s Minister at

, Teheran , is expected to arrive at Constantinople to-morrow ( Saturday ) , and will probably arrive in England about the iSth prox . He has now quite recovered from his recent dangerous illness , which is supposed to have been typhoid fever .

The Duchess of Albany , vvith her son the Duke of Albany and her daughter the Princess Alice , arrived at Windsor Castle on Friday , the 21 st instant , on a visit to the Queen . On the same day the Prime Minister and the Marchioness of Salisbury arrived at the castle , returning to Hatfield the following day .

A numerously-attended meeting vvas held at Reading on Friday , the 21 st instant , for the purpose of concerting the necessary arrangements for the installation of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale as Prov . Grand Master of Berkshire . It has been settled that the ceremony , which is fixed for Monday , the 15 th prox ., shall take place in the Town Hall .

The Duke of Cambridge , who is Colonel-in-Chief of the 60 th Rifles visited Aldershot on Saturday last for the purpose of bidding farewell to the ist battalion of the regiment , which is about to proceed on service to India . His Royal Highness congratulated the officer in command on the fine appearance of his men . The Duke returned to town after lunching vvith the Royal Artillery men .

The Recorder of London ( Sir Thomas Chambers ) celebrated the jubilee of his call to the Bar in the Whitehall Rooms of the Hotel Metropole , on the evening of the 20 th instant . The Mayor ' s Court and the Old Bailey were numerously represented , while among the other guests vvere Lord Justice Bowen and Bro . Sir Edward Clarke , Q . C , M . P ., her Majesty ' s Solicitor-General .

Lord St . Levan , Mayor of Devonport , presided at a meeting held in the Guildhall on the 20 th instant , when it vvas decided to raise a fund for the relief of the widows ancl children lost in H . M . S . Serpent . The Duke of Edinburgh , the Naval Commander-in-Chief at the port , took part in the proceedings , and at the close of the meeting subscriptions to the amount of £ ' 6 50 vvere announced .

His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief has expressed his gratification at the conduct of the non-commissioned officers and men of the Coldstream and Scots Guards durinq- the recent fire at Wellington Barracks , and has expressed his belief that but for their courage and presence of mind more lives would have been sacrificed . The soldiers concerned have been recommended for the Albert Medal .

Among the contributors to the Serpent Relief Fund are the Queen , who has sent a donation of £ 50 ; the Prince of Wales , £ 25 5 s . j Admiral the Duke of Edinburgh , £ 100 J the Duchess of Edinburgh , £ 26 5 s . ; the Soldiers' and Sailors' Association , £ 500 j the Trinity House Brethren , £ 105 j Lord St . Levan , £ 100 ; the Earl of Northbrook , £ ' 50 ; the National Provincial Bank , £ 52 ios . ; and Bro . Sir Massey Lopes , £ 50 .

The death is announced of William III ., King of the Netherlands , born in 1 S 17 , and , therefore , in the 73 rd year of his age . A few months ago , in consequence of the condition of the deceased monarch ' s health , a regency was appointed to carry on the government , and this regency will now be continued in the person of the widowed Queen during the minority of her daughter Wilhelmina ~ now Queen of the Netherlands ,, who is in her nth year .

The Duke of Clarence and Avondale arrived at Dover from Calais on Sunday afternoon last , and proceeded to Windsor Castle on a visit to the Queen . His Royal Highness had been attending the marriage of the Emperor William ' s sister to Prince Adolphus of Schaumberg-Lippe at Berlin , and had taken that opportunity of visiting the tomb of his late uncle , the Emperor Frederick , on whose tomb he placed a magnificent wreath of laurels .

Bro . the Rev . John A . Lloyd , P . G . C . Eng ., has been appointed by the Bishop of Salisbury to the benefice of Mere in South Wilts . Our reverend brother has been vicar of Broad Hinton , in the county of Wilts , for over 13 years , and his parishioners and friends have presented him with

a handsome testimonial ot regard and esteem on his leaving the parish , consisting of an English chiming clock , a library chair , a silver inkstand , and some volumes of theological books . Bro . Lloyd holds the office of P . S . G . W . in the Craft , and P . G . H . in the Royal Arch of Wilts .

The remains of the late Bro . Joshua William Le Ray vvere laid in their last resting place at the cemetery , Arno ' s Vale , Bristol , on Wednesday , the 19 th inst . This wellknown citizen of 53 years' standing , who died on Sunday previous at his residence , St . Yincent ' s-parade , at the ripe age of 84 , was well known in the business circles of Bristol

and district . Half a century since he was the first to introduce the importation of French alabaster . At about the same time he opened up direct and regular communication between our port and Guernsey and Jersey , which line has been continued to this day , and Bro . Le Ray was the agent up to the time of his death . Amongst the Masonic Craft Bro . Le Ray vvas a prominent member up to some few years since ,

Masonic And General Tidings

& t ^ The Australasian Federal Convention will meet in Sydney , New South Wales , in March next , to consider a scheme for establishing a Federal Constitution for the Australasian Colonies . For "The Penalty " at Terry's Theatre on the 2 nd prox ., Mr . Julian Cross has engaged Mr . A . Wood , who play the

part of Jack Barnacle , an ancient mariner , who mingles comedy vvith pathos . Bro . the Duke of Fife ' s shooting party at Castle Rising broke up on the evening of the 20 th instant , when the Prince of Wales , accompanied by the Duke and the other guests , took their departure for London .

We are glad to hear that the improvement of last week in the Countess of Jersey ' s condition has been well maintained , and that her ladyship has been making satisfactory progress towards recovery . The Queen sent to make inquiries on Sunday .

There vvas a large field , including the Master ( the Earl of Coventry ) , Lady Cholmondeley , and others , present at the meet of her Majesty ' s staghounds , at Brick Bridge , on the 2 ist inst . The deer vvas uncarted near Westley Mills , and taken after a capital run at Winkfield .

On Friday , the 21 st inst ., the Empress Frederick ( Princess Royal of Great Britain and Ireland ) , eldest daughter of the . Queen , completed her 50 th year , having been born on the 21 st November , 1 S 40 . Her Imperial Majesty received the congratulations of her relations .

The new Commission of Lieutenancy for the City of London , which is issued by the War Office , vvas opened and read at the Mansion House in presence of Bro . Lord Mayor Savory on the 20 th instant . The vacancies , which are filled up by the retiring Lord Mayor—Bro . Alderman Sir H . A . Isaacs—vvere only seven in number , oraboutonehalf the average for which nominations are required .

The Queen and Court arrived at Windsor Castle from Balmoral about 9 a . m . on the 20 th instant , having accomplished the journey of 591 miles by rail within 19 hours . On reaching the castle it vvas ascertained that her A'lajesty ' s watch had been left in the train , and on inquiry it vvas found in the sleeping saloon which the Queen and Princess Beatrice had occupied , and promptly forwarded to her Majesty .

At the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Naval Exhibition on Saturday last , at which Admiral Sir Houston Stewart presided , in the unavoidable absence of Admiral Sir William Dowell , the Secretary announced that the Guarantee Fund already exceeded £ 40 , 000 , and that in the course of the present week he had reason to believe there would be a very considerable increase .

The Library Committee of the Corporation of London has just issued to its members and to a number of public libraries its Part II . of the "Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting , London , between 1258 and 168 S . " The work has been very ably edited by Dr . Reginald Sharpe , Records Clerk in the office of the Town Clerk ( Bro . Sir J . B . Monckton ) .

The members of the Vyne Hunt met in considerable numbers at the Vyne , Basingstoke , on Saturday , the object being to present Bro . W . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., vvith his portrait in recognition of his services as Master for 20 years . Among those present vvere the Earl of Northbrook , Lord Basing , General Lord A . Russell , Bro . Mount , M . P ., General Sir VV . P . Radcliffe , Lady Charlotte Portal , and others .

The Feast of St . Andrew , the Patron Saint of Scotland , will be celebrated at the Crystal Palace on St . Andrew ' s Eve to-morrow ( Saturday ) by a grand evening Promenade Concert . Favourite Scotch songs will be sung b y Madame Antoinette Sterling , Miss Minnie Duffus , and Mr .

Iver McKay . The band of the Royal Horse Guards ( Blues ) has been specially engaged , and will , in conjunction with the Crystal Palace Military Band , play selections of Scotch music . 1 he grand central nave and transept of the Palace will be specially decorated and illuminated for promenade .

Mr . Clement Scott's article in the December Theatre on " The Worship of Bad Plays" is a vivacious onslaught on Mr . Wm . Archer for his exaggerated commendation ( as Mr . Scott thinks it ) of " Beau Austin . " In the same magazine Mr . Davenport Adams sketches the stage history of Shakespeare ' s " Antony and Cleopatra " and other plays on the same subject . A new and excellent feature is the

illurtrated "Art Gallery . Ihe photographs are of Miss Rosina Filippi and Mr . Fred Terry . The success Mr . Willard has made in New York in " The Middleman " has been not only with the public but vvith the critics . The Tribune , the Herald , the Times , the Sun , and the World of the day following Mr . Willard ' s appearance as Cyrus Blenkarn are unanimous in saluting

the debutant as a player of exceptional force and skill . " An actor of splendid power and extraordinary selfdiscipline "—that is the Tribune ' s verdict j "an extraordinarily good actor " says the Times ; " an artist" says the World . All praise his voice , facial expression , and physique and manner generally . Nor is there any fear that all this eulogium will turn Mr . Willard ' s head , which is singularly cool and " level . "

The new American census shows some wonderful results . In the first place the population , now about 62 , 500 , 000 , is nearly three times as large as it was 40 years ago . In the second place it has increased by more than 12 , 000 , 000 in the last 10 years . But that is the grave fact . This rapid and enormous increase is what most alarms thoughtful American politicians . It is , in fact , the most important

question of the day in America j for this large increment is greatly owing to immigration . Naturalisation is an easy thing in America , ancl a large proportion of the immigrants consist of uneducated , pauperised persons . This domestic question will soon have to be seriously faced . HOLLOWAY ' S PILLS . — Weak Stomach . — The wisest cannot enumerate one quarter of the distressing symptoms arising from

imperfect or disordered digestion , all of which cau be relieved by these admirable Pills . They remove cankcry taste from the mouth , flatulency and constipation . Holloway ' s Pills rouse tlie stomach , liver , and every other organ , thereby bringing digestion to that liealthly tone which fully enables it to convert all we eat nnd drink to the nourishment of our bodies . Hence these Pills

are the surest strengthened and the safest restoratives in nervousness , wasting , _ . nd chronic debility . Hol . oway ' s Pills are infallible remedies for impaired appetite , eruciations , and a multitude of other disagreeable symptoms whicli render the lives of thousands miserable indeed . These Pills are approved by all classes . —Auvr .

Masonic And General Tidings

We are pleased to see Bro . Matthew Fielding , W . M . of St . George Lodge , No . 1723 , vvas elected Mayor of Bolton for the ensuing year . The St . Luke ' s Lodge of Instruction will meet on and after Monday next at the Somerset Arms , 214 , Fulhamroad ( entrance in Seymour-place ) , at S o ' clock .

The beautiful chapel of King's College in the Strand is to be utilised during the Sundays in Advent for a course of sermons conducted in the same way as the University Sermons at Oxford and Cambridge . Her Majesty held a Council at Windsor Castle on Saturday last , at which the Marquis of Salisbury , Viscount Cranbrook , the Earl of Yarborough , the Right Hon . C . T . Ritchie , Lord Justice Kay , and Sir C . Lennox Peel vvere present . .

Bro . H . Roberts , P . M ., and VV . M . elect , vvas installed W . M . of the Borough of Greenwich Lodge , No . 2332 , on Wednesday , the 26 th inst ., Bro . T . VV . Boord , M . P ., VV . M . and P . G . D . England , being the Installing Officer . A full report will follow .

On Monday next , at the Haymarket ,. "Beau Austin " will commence at 8 . 15 , and will be followed by " The Ballad Monger , " in which Mr . and Mrs . Tree will play their old parts , vvith Mr . Fernandez as Louis XI . On Monday , the Sth prox ., " The Red Lamp " will be performed .

Mr . Shiel Barry will appear on Monday next for a short season at the Lyric Opera House , Hammersmith , in "Les Cloches de Corneville , " supported by Miss Amy Grundy , Messrs . Wm . Hogarth , David James , jun ., and a full and efficient company , chorus , and band .

Under the united banners of the Tyrian Lodge , No . 253 , and the Arboretum Lodge , No . 731 , Bro . James Stevens will deliver his lecture on" The Ritual and Ceremonial of the Symbolic Degrees in Freemasonry " in the Masonic Hall , Derby , on Friday next , the 5 th prox . On the afternoon of Saturday , the 13 th , he will lecture in The Great City Lodge , No . 1426 , at Cannon-street Hotel , London .

Sir Frederick Roberts s five years , tenure of office of Commander-in-Chief in India expires to-morrow ( Friday ) . But the unusual honour of an extension of two years has been conferred upon him . India cannot spare him just yet . He is the best Commander-in-Chief the Indian Army has

had for many years . He has djne much during his occupancy of the post to develop the efficiency of the army , the frontier and other defences , and the military railways . In another two years his work should be complete .

We regret that vve are compelled , by the unusual pressure on our space , to omit this week all reports of lodges of instruction . These records may not be ot great interest to brethren not immediately interested in the particular lodge described , but we have reason to believe that they are much

valued by our hard-working brethren , who devote so much time and labour to the work of instruction , and vve are always glad to be of service in making known the good work done , but occasionally vve fear some indulgence must be granted to us during the present very busy season .

The fund for the restoration of the famous Church of St . Saviour , Southwark , has now reached nearly £ 30 , 000 . The work of removing the nave , which was erected nearly 60 years ago , is now far advanced , and has revealed many portions ot the walls of the old church , still in situ , but for

the most part in such a mutilated condition , that it is doubtful whether much can be retained . Perhaps the most interesting discoveries are those of the remains of the ancient doorways—an early English one on the south , a filteenth century one at the west end , and two Norman doorways into the cloisters on the north side .

The brethren of St . John's Lodge , No . 137 , S . C . ( Blairgowrie ) , have forwarded through their Concert Secretary , Bro . Cadenhead , the sum of £ . 10 ios . to the Marquis of Breadalbane , the Provincial Grand Master of Perthshire East , as the proceeds of the concert recently held , to be applied in supplement of the funds to be raised in

connection with the Grand Lodge Masonic Bazaar in Edinburgh from the 2 nd to 5 th prox ., and have further forwarded the sum of £ 2 is . ot special donations for the same purpose We understand also a large quantity ol work to be sold at the bazaar will be forwarded to Lady Breadalbane , Taymouth Castle , on Monday .

A special Masonic service vvas held on the 23 rd inst ., in Christ Church , Denton , in connection vvith the Duke of Athol Lodge . A large number of brethren assembled in the afternoon and walked in procession to the church , wearing the regalia of their respective offices . Bro . Irvine Dearnaley presided at the organ , and Bros . Moore , C . H . Warren , achotield , and others assisted in the musical

service . Ihe sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . E . Bigoe Bagot ,- rector of the Bishop Lee Memorial Church , Manchester , P . M ., P . P . G . C . ot East Lancashire and Cheshire , who took for his text 2 nd Chronicles , iii ., 17 : "And he reared up the pillars before the Temple , one on the right hand and the other on the left , and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin , and the name of that on the left Boaz . "

A correspondent of the Cape Times , " H . S ., " gives several very stirring and interesting accounts of encounters with pirates on the Atlantic in the old days . He brings his articles to a conclusion in these words : before concluding this narrative of murder and pillage by pirates in the Atlantic in the years 1827-30 , I would record an incident which goes far to prove an assertion often made that even among the

vilest some good may be found , and that some latent spark of the human may yet exist in the breasts of men , who , by their deeds ,, have become fiends incarnate . Captain George Carew—a name not forgotten in Cape Townalso lell into the hands of these pirates . 1 forget what ship he then commanded , but in the hour of his extremity , and when on the point of cruel treatment , the pirate and his prey recognised in each other a brother Mason . All further

violence ceased , and Captain Carew , with his fellow voyagers , vvere allowed to go on their course rejoicing . I know not by what talismanic sign , or by what act of necromancy this recognition was made which ended so providentially tor Captain Carew and companions j 1 state the fact as repeatedly told me by himself , and I commend it to the notice ot my valued friend and neighbour , who for so many years has worthily filled the high and honourable office of D . G . M . of the Western Division of South Africa ,