Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

THE DUKB AND DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH left town on Saturday last for Warwick Castle , on a visit to Bro . the Earl and Countess of Warwick . H . R . H . THE PRINCF . OF WALES , as Chancellor of the University of Wales , has sent an address to the University of Glasgow , congratulating it on the Jubilee of Lord Kelvin as Professor of Natural Philosophy .

ADDITIONAL birthday honours have been conferred , with her Majesty s approval , on various personages , among them being Bro . the Duke of Portland , who has been made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order . THE WHOLE OF THE National Museums in London were thrown open to the public on Sunday last , and though the weather was fine and the outdoor attractions to holidayseekers were numerous , there was a considerable attendance of visitors , of whom 3173 visifed the South Kensington Museum , 2437 the National Gallery , and 1644 the British Museum .

THE ROYAL BERKS YEOMANRY CAVALRY , commanded by Colonel the Hon . Osbert Craven , completed its annual training on Saturday last ; when they were inspected bv the officer commanding the 40 th Regimental District . One of the bandsmen named Smith , who sounded the charge at Kassassin , was kicked by his horse and had his leg fractured .

BRO . ALDERMAN TRRLOAR has very kindly promised to preside as Chairman at the festival dinner of the Newsvendors' Benevolent and Provident Institution , which , by fhe kind permission of the Stationers' Company , will be held in their hall , on Wednesday , the ioth June . The charity , which was founded in 1 S 93 , is a most deserving one , and we trust will meet with a large measure of support on the occasion .

BRC . R . D . CUMMINGS , P . M . and Sec . of the Derby Allcroft Lodge , has made airargirrer . ts for an entertainment ( instrumental and musical ) to be given to the Boys at Wood Green , on Friday , June 12 th , under the direction of Bros . Short and Bradford of the same lodge . We understand that last year ' s very successful entertainment will te improved upon if possible , and we should advise our readers to make an early application for tickets of admission the number of which is very necessarily limited .

LILIAN , DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH , opened a grand Gainsborough Bazaar in the Great Hall of Canford Manor , Lord Wimborne ' s residence in Dorsetshire , on Monday last , in aid tf the restoration of the old church at Harnpreston . The stallholders , who were all dressed in pretty Gainsborough costumes , included Lady Wimborne , Lady Glyr , the Countess of Malmesbury , Lady Rodney , and others . In the grounds a grand iete , including a rrilitary tournament by the Royal Artillery , was also arranged .

THE TROCADERO RESTAURANT will shortly be opened by Messrs . J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , after a lengthened period of preparation . Every effort is _ being made to make this the handsomest and most perfectly-equipped dining palace in Europe , and the arrangements for Masonic meetings will be made a special feature . Applications respecting bookings should be made as early as possible to the proprietors , J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , Cadby Hall , Kensington , where all inquiries should be addressed . — [ ADVT . 1

SUNDAY LAST was the 77 th anniversary of the Queen ' s birthday , her Majesty having been born on the 24 th May , 1 S 19 . Next month her Majesty will have reigned 59 years , and as she is , happily , in the enjoyment of the best of health , there is every prospect that she will reign longer than her grandfather , George the Third , who ascended the throne in 1760 and died in 1 S 20 . The auspicious event was referred to in many of the churches and chapels in London and the country , while flags were loyally displayed on many public buildings .

THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF GERMANY gave a large luncheon party at the new palace , Wildpark , near Potsdam , on Monday last in honour of the Queen ' s birthday . Covers were laid for 70 persons , and among those present were the British Ambassador , with Lady and Miss Lascelles , the Chancellor and Foreign Minister of the Empire , several of the Ministers of State , Prince and Princess Frederick Leopold , and the civil and military suites of their Majesties . In Paris , the British AmSassador ( the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava ) gave a dinner party , at which the guests numbered to , while the anniversary was also noted at Rome , Constantinople , and Athens .

A DISPENSATION HAS BEEN grarted for brethren to appear in full Craft clothing at a special Masonic service to he held at St . Augustine ' s Church , Honor Oak Park , on Tuesday next . The sermon will be preached by Bro . the Rev . J . F . K'tto , Prebendary of St . Haul ' s , Chaplain-in-Ordinary to tin Queen , and Vicar of St . Martin ' t-in-the-Fields , Westminster . Brethren will assemble at 7 . 30 p . m .. in morning dress , with black ties and white gloves , and clothe in the Parish Room adj > iiing the chu'eh . A procession will be formed at 7 . 45 p . m ., and enter the church bv the West door , where they will be met by the clergy , churchwardens , and ch ir . 1 'he offertory will h : given to Masonic Charities .

THE PROCEEDINGS IN CONNECTION with the festival in aid of Guy ' s Hospital which is to be held on the ioth June at the Impelial Institute will be on a very grand scale . The Duchess of Portland , fhe Marchioness of Londonderry , the Countess of Warwick , Lady Aldenham , Lady Randolph Churchill , Lady A . Gordon-Lennox , and others are acting as the Committee for the reception which will be held in the Institute .

After the dinner , at which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales will take the chair , his Royal Highness will lead the way into the West Garden , which , with the rest of the grounds , will be illuminated for the occasion , and here the Monte Carlo Band will play from 9 p . m . to 12 . 30 a . m . The whole of the buildings will also be set apatt for those who attend Ihe dinner and reception .

FARMHOUSE , SEASIDE , AND COUNTRY LODGINGS . —The Great Western Railway Company have issued a nicely- illustrated pamphlet , containing lists of Farmhouses , Seaside and Country Lodgings , Hotels , and Boarding Houses in the Districts served by the Great Western line , including Jersey and Guernsey . The pamphlet shows the accommodation obtainable , and the teafures of interest in the various localities , and will be found exceedingly useful to Tourists . Copies can be obtained free on personal application at the Company ' s London Receiving Offices , and at Paddington Station and

the principal stations throughout the line . The Companv s Divisional Supenntenaents at Paddington , Reading , Bristol , Exe ' er , Plymouth , Penzance , Swansea , Llanelly , Cardiff , Pontypool-road , Heieford , Worcester , Birmingham and Chester , will forwaid pamphlets on receipt of twopence to defray postage , and copies can be obtained at Messis . Smith & Son ' s bookstalls at the stations on the Great Western Railway , at the price of id . each . The pamphlet is published by Messrs . Walter Hill & Co ., of 6 7 and 69 , Southampton-row , London , W . C .

AN URGENT APPEAL IS being made to the public for its assistance in raising a sum of £ 3000 wilh which to en ' arge and improve the premises of the " Princess Louise Home—National Society for the Protection of Young Gitls—Norbiton , Kingston-hill , Surrey . " The institution was founded in 1835 , and since then has been the means of rescuing some 1700 young girls , fr < m all pans of the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands , from bad surroundings , Of these about 1200 have been placed in service , and nearly all of them have done well , while in very many instances the girls still keep up

an interest in the Home in which they were trained . Some 30 years ago , the annual subscriptions averaged close on £ 700 . In 1 SS 5 , however , owing to commercial and agricultural depression , there was a falling off to the extent of about £ 200 , and at the piesent time they amount to less than £ 300 a year . The management , however , have fought bravely to keep the Home going , and for some time past have earned a considv rable amount by means of laundry work towards the support of the institution . In ifga the Home was removed from Wanstead to Norbiton , and it became necessary to

erect and furnish a new laundry . The £ 2000 which was borrowed for the purpose has been paid off , but the number of girls in the Home has increased to such an extent that additional laundry accommodation has become absolutely necessary , as well as a playroom for the children in bad weather and during the winter months . In order to carry out this scheme , it is proposed to convert the present schoolroom into a playroom , and

build a new schoolroom . It is for this that the £ 3000 is required , and considering the good work the Home has done in the past , and that at the present time it has 10 O girls in its charge , we trust that the appeal will not be made in vain . Full particulars can be had on application to the Secretary , 32 , Sackville-street , Piccadilly , by whom , as well as by the Treasurer , Richard M . Harvey , Esq ., 7 , Mincing-lane , E . C ., contributions and subscriptions will be most gratefully received .

Masonic And General Tidings.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE has appointed Thursday , the 9 th prox ., for the inspection of the Yeomen of the Guard at St . James ' s Palace . DEAN FARRAR ' S FUND for the restoration of Canterbury Cathedral now amounts to £ S 6 oo , among the latest contributions being one of £ 250 from the Galdsmith ' s Com . pany and . £ 100 from Mr . W . Hoare . Miss ROGERS , sister of the late Prebendary Rogers , who was long connected with the Parish of St . Botolph , Bishopgate , died- recently at the Old House , Mickleham , the Surrey residence of her late brother , at the age of 75 years .

BRO . SIR J . BLUVDELL MAPLE , M . P ., will distribute the prizes at the fourth Annual Athletic Sports of the Bellenden-road , East Dulwich , higher standard Boatd School , to be held at the London County Athletic Grounds , Herne-hill , on Friday , June 26 th . GENERAL LORD CHELMSFORD reviewed the boys of the Church Lads' Brigade at Furzedown-park , Tooting , which was lent for the purpose by Bro . Sir Charles Seely , on Whit-Monday . There were over 2500 lads who were entertained at a substantial tea , and afterwards reviewed in five brigades .

THE DEATH IS ANNOUNCED of Mr . Edward Armitage , R . A ., who succumbed after an illness of about three weeks , at Tunbridge Wells on Monday . Mr . Armitage , who was in his 79 th year , first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1 S 4 S . In 1 S 72 he was made an Associate , and three years later became a full Academician . The deceased excelled in religious subjects .

THE HOUSE PARTY which Bro . the Earl and Countess of Warwick has been entertaining at Warwick Castle , during the Whitsuntide holidays , included the Austria-Hungarian Ambassador and the Countess of Deym , the Earl and Countess of Westmoreland , Lady Randolph Churchill , the Hon . Alwyn Greville , the Hon . Sidney Greville , and Lord and Lady Norreys .

THE ANNUAL ATHLETIC SPORTS of tho Boys' School will be held on Saturday , June 13 th , at Kempton Park . Arrangements have been made for special trains , Sic , as last year , particulars of which we hope to give in our next issue , and these with tickets m ay be had from Bro . McLeod , Secretary of the Institution , at the Offices , or from members of the Board of Management .

AT THE FIRST meeting of the members of tho Cabinet Picture Society the following officers were elected for 1 S 9 G , viz .: President , Mr . J . L . Pickering : Vice-President , Mr . Carlton A . Smith , ( R . I . ) j Council—Messrs Almond , Wilfrid Ball ( R . P . E . ) , Bundy ( R . I . ) , Clifford , Val Davis , Farquharson , Kinsley , Sheridan Knowles ( R . I . ) , Coutts Michie ( A . R . S . A . ) , Scott ( R . I . ) , Weedon , ( R . I . ) , -and Serrick-Williams . Sixty members contribute works to the inaugural exhibition which has just been opened at the Society ' s Gallery , 17 s , New Bond-street .

THE HON . E . CHANDOS LEIGH , as Chairman of the London Playing Fields Committee , has received towards the expenses of laying out the new field of 25 acres at Brockley £ 200 from the City Parochial Foundation , £ 100 from the Brewers' Company , £ 50 from the Goldsmiths' Company , £ 50 from the Clothworkers' Company , £ 25 from the Skinners'Company . £ 50 from Bro . Lord Kinnaird , £ 20 from Bro . Lord Llangattock , and £ 15 15 s . from Sir Frederick Wigan .

BRO . LORD WOLSELEY visited Bournemouth on Saturday last for the purpise of opening a new volunteer drill hall and inspecting the Portsmouth Brigade of the Hants and Dorset Yeomanry , assembled there for their annual training . After inspecting the Yeomanry , his lordship proceeded to the new drill hall , where he was entertained at luncheon by the Mayorand Corporation , a number of distinguished officers and others being invited to meet his lordship .

THE NEW SECOND-CLASS Cruiser Venus , which was laid down at the works of the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company , Glasgow , towards the end of June , 1 S 94 , is on the eve of being delivered to the authorities , and orders have been given by the Admiralty for her to be completed for commission at Chatham Dockyard . The Venus has a displacement of 5600 tons , and will be armed with five Gin . and six 4-7 in . quick-firing guns , with torpedoes , Sic Her total cost , including guns , is estimated at £ ' 267 , 133 .

GUY ' S HOSPITAL FESTIVAL . —! n addition to thc Stewards , the following ladies have consented to form the Reception Committee : —The Duchess of Portland , the Duchess of Sutherland , the Marchioness of London ferry , the Countess of Warwick , Lady Aldenham . Lady A . Gordon-Lennox , Countesi Grey , the Duchc = s of Marlborough , Lady R . Churchill , Lady rweedmnutb , Mr-. Cosmo Bonsor , Mrs . A . L . Cohen , Mrs . W . H . Grenfell , Mrs . R . M . Harvey , Mrs . Howse , and Mrs . Pye-Smith .

THE THIRD ANNUAL gathering of the London Highland Athletic Club took place at the Stamford-bridge Grounds on Whit-Monday , when there was a very large att-ndanee of visitors . Ihe sports included pipe-music , re els , and strathspeys , throwing the hammer , putting the shot , & c , & c . The Marquis of Tullibardine officiated as referee , and the piizeswere distributed by the Duchess of Atholl . In the evening , the Club held their annual dinner at the Holborn Restaurant , the chair being taken , in the absence of the Marquis , by Mr . William Grant .

THE PRINCE'S RESTAURANT . It has long been a reproach to London that , though the greatest and wealthiest capital in Christendom , it has never possessed such a restaurant as might favourably compare with those palatial saloons which are to be found in the fashionable thoroughfares of Paris . It has had hotels of the very highest character , but not an establishment of the kind we have mentioned that would combine the advantages of being at one and the sam * time both central and sufficiently fashionable to commend itself to the elite ol

English Society . However , this reproach no longer exists . Prince's Hall , Piccadilly , which has hitherto been devoted to music , elocution , and oratory , has been converted into a restaurant , which , if only it is supported as it deserves to be , will prove a resort of sufficient exclusiveness to entitle it to take precedence of all other places of a similar character . This new restaurant is the property of a company , whose directors have the advantage of being , all of them , practical men , and in order to render the success of their project as assured as the success of anything can be , they have enlisted the

services of those who already enjoy the highest reputation in the various departments of a restaurateur ' s business . Mr . Benoist , who is one of the Board of Directors , has been known in England for . the best part of half-a-century , who was associated with the Bristol and the Berkeley in their best days , is the proprietor of the Hotel du Palais , at Ilianitz , formerly the seaside residence of the third Napoleon . Mr . T . A . Highton , who for 11 years held the arduous and imoortant post of Secretary of Prince ' s Hall , has been eneaged as Secretary of Prince's Restaurant . M . Fourault , whose fams as a

m -tire d Hotel is unequalled , has been engaged as manager , while the chef is M . Azemn of the Cafe Anglais in Paris , who brings over with him a staff of the mo ^ experienced sous-chefs , and the maitre d'hotel is . VI , Laurent , formerly manager of the Cafe Anglais , and until quite recently maitre d'h 6 tel at the Savoy . The building comprises a splendid central saloon , which , as regards dimensions and artistic mural decoration , will compare favourably with the princip al room in any restaurant in Europe , and a number of special apartments with separate entrances unconnected with the orincioal hall

for such guests as may desire to lunch , dine or sup in orivate . As for the service , its special feature is that eveiything will be brought to the guests by hand , without the intervention of lifts . The kitchens , larders , and wine cellars and the gineral arrangements for the pieparation and conserving of food an on a scale commensurate with the rest of the building , while the latest and most improved system of ventilation and all the best sanitary devices for the cuisine have been adopted . As for the wines , the extensive cellars are already furnished with

an immense and varied stock , but , in addition , one of the greatest of our wine importers , who holds stocks of the choicest ports , burgundies , champagnes , clarets , and sherries , has entered into negotiations with the directors , and has agreed to give them the first refusal of his finest bins at all times and seasons . In short , everything has been djne in order to secure the best men ior presiding over the numerous departments of so vast a business , and that what is supplied to the patrons of the restaurant s-hall be of the choicest and best that artistic skill and money can provide . Aid to ths that the very best arrangements that could be devised have been made for the accommodation of

those who delight in balls and Cinderellas , conversaziones and receptions , and other functions of a similar character , and that the directors are in touch with the authorities of the Royal Institute , we think we have said enough to show that the directors of the Prince ' s Restaurant have done , and are prepared to do , everything in their power to ensure its equalising or ; it may be , surpassing , all other establishments of a similar character , no matter how great their fame in the past may have been . For the sake ot the Metropolis , we wish the directors of the new restaurant that success which they have laid themselves out to secure ,