Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

BRO . SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH , Bart ., M . P ., the Chancellor of the Exchequer , and- Lady Lucy Hicks-Beach have left town for Netheravon , Salisbury . THE Q UEEN has conferred the decoration of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India on tady George Hamilton , wife of the Secretary of State ' for India . BRO . THE EARI . OF DUNRAVEN has been elected an honorary member of the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club , and has written to the club to thank the members for the compliment they have paid him .

HER MAJESTY ' STAGHOUNDS will meet to-day ( Friday ) at Hawthorn Hill , near Brucknell , and a special train for the conveyance of passengers and horses was to leave Waterloo Station for Brucknell at 9 . 20 a . m . His EXCELLENCY THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR has consented to preside at the banquet , which will be held at the Holborn Restaurant on Wednesday , the 4 th prox ., in behalf of the Locomotive Steam Enginemen's and Firemen ' s Friendly Society .

BRO . DAVID D . MERCER , P . G . P ., P . M . 1329 , 1641 , and 2381 , has been nominated for the office of Senior Vice-President of the Board of Benevolence . Bro . Mercer is a Vice-Patron of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and Vice-President of the Girls' and Boys' Institutions . THE RIGHT REV . E . STUART TALBOT , D . D ., visited Windsor Ca = tle on Saturday last , and , having been introduced to the Queen by the Lord-in-Waiting . did homage to her Majesty on his appointment . Bro . Sir M . White Ridley , Bart ., the Home Secretary , was in attendance in his official capacity .

BRO . THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE has very kindly promised to distribute the certificates to the winners of the Scholarships and Exhibitions awarded during the year by the Technical Education Board of the London County Council at a meeting to be held at the Queen ' s Hall , Langham-place , on the 31 st January . PRINCE HENRY OF BATTENBERG , who is going out with the Ashantee Expedition , was present at the Victoria Barracks , Windsor , on Tuesday morning , when Major-Gen . Lord Methuen inspected the detachment of non-commissioned officers and men of the ist Battalion of the Scots Guards , which has been told off for service in Ashantee .

A SMALL LOAN COLLECTION of pictures , portraits , manuscript and other memoiials of , or associated with , Thomas and Jane Welsh Carlyle ( including various interesting personal relics ) , will be opened at Carlyle's House , 24 , Cheynerow , at 11 o'clock , on Wednesday , the 4 th prox ., and will probably remain open for about a month .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES dined at the Imperial Inslitute on Monday evening , and afterwards presided at an illustrated lecture by Mr . W . B . Harris , in which that gentleman described his recent travels in Persian Kurdistan . On the same day the D'ike of York left Sandringham on a visit to Bro . Lord and Lady Amherst of Hackney at Didlington Hall , Norfolk .

BRO . SIR AUGUSTUS HARRIS , Master elect of the Loriners' Company , speaking at the annual dinner of the guild at Cannon-street Hotel , said he was proud to have been selected to preside over a body which , in point of numbers , was the most influential of all the City guilds . During the last 50 years it had included on its roll of membership 10 Lord Mayors and 25 Sheriffs .

A HANDSOME SILVER SERVICE , consisting of a large and four small bowls , a pair of candelabra , and a salver , has been presented to the Rev . R . Duckworth . Sub Dean and Canon of Westminster , in recognition of his services as Vicar of St . Mark ' s , Hamilton-terrace , for the last 22 years . The service was accompanied by a cheque for 300 guineas , which the rev . Canon said would enable him to instal the electric light in the church .

A NEW commodious home for epileptics , which has been provided by the generosity of Bio . Passmore Edwards , was opened at Chalfont St . Peters , Bucks , on Tuesday by Bro . the Duke of Devonshire , who was accompanied by the Duchess . Votes of thanks were passed to Bro . Passmore Edwards for his gift of the building , and to Bro . the Duke of Devonshire for his kindness in attending on the occasion and inaugurating the Home .

THE WEST NORFOLK HUNT , for the first time for several years , metat Sandringham on Saturday last , and gave a hearty reception to the Royal party consisting of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales , the Duke and Duchess of York , the Princesses Victoria and Maud , and Prince Nicho ' as of Greece . The Prince and Princess entertained the members of the Hunt at breakfast , after which a start was made for the covert side .

TUB FIRST PORTION of the sale of the collection of coins belonging to the late Bro . II . Montagu was brought to a close on Saturday last , when it was found that the sum realised amounted to ^ 4221 , giving an average of about £ 5 per lot . The coins thus far disposed of consisted for the most part of single silver pennies of the Anglo-Saxon period , and , as will have been seen from our paragraph last week , some very good prices were obtained .

A TESTIMONIAL is about to be presented to Lady Halle to commemorate the 50 th anniversary of her first appearance in public and the 25 th of her debut in England . Miss Lacey Terry Lewis has consented to act as honorary Secretary , and among the members of the Committee are Bro . the Duke of Fife , the Duke of Westminster , the Marquis of Lome , Bros , the Earl of Lathom , the Earl of Kintore , and Earl Carrington , the Right Hon . Aithur J . Balfour , M . P ., Bro . Sir Henry Irving , and others .

BRO . THE DUKE OF FIFE presided at the banquet which was held at the Hfitel Mi-tropole , on Tuesday in honour of Bro . John Hare , who is on the eve of visiting America on tour for the first time , while among those present were the Lord Chief justice of England ( Lord Russell of Killowen ) , Bros , the Earl of Onslow , the Earl of Wharncliffe , Ihe Earl of Donoughmore , Sir F . Lockwood , Q . C ., M . P ., Sir Edward Clarke , Q . C ., M . P ., Sir Douglas Straight , Sir C . Rivers Wilson , Viscount Dungarvan , Sir Bruce Seton , Sir J . Puleston , and J . C . Parkinson .

THE FOUR BATTALIONS of Foot Guards in London , with the Horse Artillery from St . John's Wood , and portions of the ist Life Guards from Knightsbridge , and the 4 th Hussars from Hounslow marched to the Putney and Hammersmith Bridges on Saturday last for the purpose of taking part in certain mamr : uvres towards the country in the direction of Maiden . They had not , however , gone very far before the rain , which had only been slight , came down heavily and the troops were compelled to return home , leaching their respective quarters thoroughly well soaked to the skin .

A FUNERAL SERVICE was held in the Roman Catholic Church of St . James ' s , Spanif-h-place . Manchester-square , in memory of Rustem Pasha , the Turkish Ambassador to the Court of St . James ' s , while his body was interred in St . Mary ' s Roman Catholic Cf melery , Kensal Green . At the service in the church the Diplomatic Corps was very Miongly represented , while amongst the rest were Bro . the Earl of Lathom , representing

her Majesty the Queen ; Commander the Hon . Seymour Fortescue , R . N ., for the Prince of Wales ; Lieut . Colin R . Keppel , for the Duke of Saxe Coburg Gotha ; Bro . Col . Egeiton , for the Duke of Connaught ; and Capt . St . John Mildmay for the Duke of Cambridge . Lord Salisbury , the Foreign Secretary , was also represented , while among the others present were Bro . Lord George Hamilton , M . P . ; the Baroness Burdett-Coutts and Bro . Burdett-Coutts , M . P . ; Sir Edwin Arnold , and Bro . Sir lohn Pender , M . P . J . *

THE MARRIAGE OF MR . NEWTON OGI . H , with the Lady Lilian Denison , second daughter of Bro . the Earl and Countess of Londesborough , was solemnised at St . Andrew ' s , Well-street , on Tuesday . The bride was given away by her father , and the Hon . Claude Hay acted as best man . After the ceremony Bro . the Earl and Countess of Londesborough entertained the bridal party at their residence in Grnsvenorsquare , among the guests being- the Countess of Westmorland , the Earl and Countess

ol Lucan , Bro . Viscount and Viscountess Rainclme , the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , and Bro . W . Burdett-Coutts , M . P ., Lady Hothfield , Lady Gray Egerton , and the Hon . Hy . and Mrs . Denison . Subsequently the bride and bridegroom left for Apethorpc , the Earl of Westmorland's seat in Northamptonshire . In the evening Bro . tard 1-ondesborough and the wedding guests filled nearly three rows of stalls and two boxes at the Royalty 'Iheatre . where a performance was given of the "Chili Widow . "

Masonic And General Tidings.

BRO . SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY , Bart ., M . P ., Secretary of State for the Home Department , has been appointed an Ecclesiastical Commissioner for England . THE QUEEN has been graciously pleased to accept from the veteran songster , Bro . Henry Russell , a copy of his reminiscences , which have recently been published under the title of " Cheer , Boys , Cheer . " THE Q UEEN has been pleased to approve the appointment of Bro . the Duke of Devonshire ^ K . G ., to be Lord Lieutenant of the County of Waterford , in the room of the late Marquis of Waterford .

ON WEDNESDAY Princess Beatrice , who was attended by Lady Biddulph , opened the winter sale of the Working Ladies' Guild at 24 , Park-lane , which had been kindl y lent for the purpose by Bro . Lord and Lady Brassey . AN EVENING CONCERT will be given to-day ( Friday ) at the Dome , Brighton , by Bro . W . Kuhe , who has secured the services of Madame Albani and of Messrs . Ben Bavies , Douglas Lott , Johannes Woolf , and other artistes .

THE MUNIFICENT GIFT sent by Mr . Richard Cadbury , of Birmingham , brings the Armenian Relief Fund up to £ 13 , 000 . Sir Philip Currie has been informed by telegram that Mr . Cadbury ' s gift is available for immediate transmission to the most necessitous districts . THE DUKE OF SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA having returned to Clarence House at the conclusion of his visit to the Midlands , dined on Tuesday evening with Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar , and afterwards attended the Smoking Concert of the Royal Amateur Orchestral Society .

THE TREASURER of Christ ' s Hospital has caused it to be made known that as there are 23 cases of measles , three of scarlet fever , and three of diphtheria in the school , the parents of the boys are at liberty to remove them at once instead of waiting to the end of the term if they can do so without risk .

THE DUCHESS OF WESTMINSTER distributed the prizes to the successful members of the 2 nd ( Earl of Chester ' s ) Volunteer Battalion Cheshire Regiment , at Cheshire , on Wednesday , the vote of thanks to her Grace for attending and performi ng the function being acknowledged by the Duke of Westminster . THE HUMAN RIVER POACHER , the fish-destroying otter , and the spawn-devouring swan were among the numerous foes to the angler which , in his lecture before the Piscatorial Society at the Holborn Restaurant this week , " Old Izaak " demonstrated that the Thames Angling Preservation Society were largely repressing .

IN AID OF THE Devon Masonic Educational Fund an attractive concert was given in the Plymouth Guildhall on Wednesday , the 27 th inst . The feature was the performance of an operetta , " The Children ' s Harvest , " specially written and composed by Bro . W . Willoughoy , Mus . Bac . The Orpheus Glee Singers also performed . THE ASSOCIATION OF INVERNESS-SHIRE MEN resident in London din ^ d together at St . James ' s Restaurant on Wednesday evening under the presidency of Mr . Charles Fraser Mackintosh . It was stated that during the year Lord Lovit , Bro . Lord Bjrti > ti , Lord Tweedmouth , and other gentlemen of the county had become members .

AMONG THOSE INVITED by Bro . Sir Edward and Lady Lawson to meet the Doke of Cambridge on the occasion of his Royal Highness ' s visit to Hill Barn wire Eirl Cairns , Bro . Lord and Lady Burton , Bro . and the Hon . Mrs . Rochfort Maguire , Sir Edwin Arnold , Bro . and Mrs . W . H . Grenfel ) , Colonel FitzGeorge , and B ,-o . Montague Guest .

THE MEMBERS of the Army and Navy Club entertained their president , the Duke of Cambridge , on the occasion < f his Royal Highness relinquishing the command of the army , at dinner on Saturday evening last . General Sir Arthur Herbert occupied the chair , the guests being composed exclusively of members of the club and personal friends of the Duke .

THE 2 IST ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL of the Dairymen ' s Benevolent Institution will be celebrated at the Holborn Restaurant on Thursday , the 5 th prox . Mr . G . Titus Basham , son of one of the founders of the Charity and President of the Dairy Trade Protection Society , will preside , and among the guests will be Bros . Lord Addington and W . Burdett-Coutts , M . P .

THE FIRST MUSICAL CEREMONY of the Finsbury Park Lodge of Instructbn , No . 12 S 8 , will take place at the Old Cock Tavern , Highbury , to-morrow ( Saturday ) , at eight o ' clock p . m ., punctually , with full choir and organ accompaniments . Bro . Hill , P . M . 1305 , Preceptor , will occupy the chair . Brethren who are not membe-s of the lodge who choose to attend will be heartily welcome .

A SMOKING CONCERT was given by the "Bohemians" in the Grand Saloon of the Crystal Palace on Wednesday last under the Chairmanship of Bro . Sir J . Blundcll Maple , M . P . A splendid selection of solos and glees was rendered by the members of the Meister Glee Singers and Messrs . Collette , Mortimer , Fagge , and Dalgety Henderson , the humorous contributor being C . E . Nott . Bro . Harry Tipper sustained his reputation as a campanologist in the manipulation of " The Lost Chord . " Miss FLORENCE ST . J made her first appearance as Sylvia in the "

Bric-a-Brac Will ' at the Lyric Theatre , on Tuesday night last , and scored an instant success . At the fall of the curtain Miss St . John was recalled by a house crammed in every part . Signor Emilio Pizzi's charming music ( including some new songs specially composed for Miss Florence St . John ) , combined with a superb stage production , in which Mr . Hugh Moss has surpassed himself , is now drawing crowded and enthusiastic houses nightly to the Lyric Theatre . THE LAST GREAT SHOW of chrysanthemums this year by the National

Chrysanthemum Society will be held on Tuesday , Wednesday , and Thursday next , the 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th prox ., at the Royal Aquarium , when an exceptional display is expected . In addition to the " Mums , " there will be a fine display of winter flowering and b erricd plants , also cyclamen and Chinese primroses . Special arrangements have been made to hold this show without interfering with the cycling track . Visitors will , therefore , he able to witness the novel bicycling races by ladies of France and England , in addition to the Chrysanthemum Show and the entertainments on the Great Central Stage without extra charge .

THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT , Colonel of the Scots Guirds , presided at the dinner given at the Hotel Metropole , on Wednesday evening , by the olli : ers , past and present , of the Brigade of Guards , to the Duke of Cambridge . His Koyal Highness the Prince of Wales was also present , and among others , Prime- ; Edward of Saxe-Weimar , Gen . Grafton , Bro . Gen . Sir R . Gipps , Maj .-Gen . Lord iMethuen , Maj .-Gen . Lord William Seymour , Bro . the Duke of Bedford , Bro . the Marquis of Hertford , the Marquis of Winchester , Bro . the Earl of Wharncliffe , the Earl of Albemarle , Lieut .-Gen . the Hon . K . Monck , and Bro . tht Earl of March .

BRO . THE EARL OF J ERSEY AND THE DRUIDS . —At a meeting of the Druids ol Oxford on Wednesday nignt , an oil painting of Bro . Lord Jersey was presented to Lodsje No . 59 , as a memoiial of many acts of kindness and generosity to the lodge by the Karl . Ihe presentation was made by Past Arch Beesley , and Bro . Lord J ersey , in acknowledging the compliment , referred to the many Druids he met whilst Governor of New South Wales . There was nothing , he said , which could tend to bring the people who inhabited the different parts of the empire closer together than the knowledge that those who went backwards and forwards belonged really to the same society , friendly orso ; ial . The picture is the work of Mr . Gerald Moir .

A FEARFUL GALE raged in the Channel during Saturday and Sunday last , and for the first time within the memory of the oldest sailors the packet service between Dover and Calais was interrupted . One of the packets , an old-fashioned type of vessel , named the Foam , attempted to cross on Sunday , but after a passage across to the French coast , in which the passengers were drenched , the saloons filled with water , and the bows stove in , she found it impossible to enter Ca ' ais Harbour , and was signalled to return , reaching the Admiralty Pier about 7 . 30 p . m ., having left Dover at 1 . is p . m . 'lhe

captain ( Masson ) and the crew behaved splendidly , and , by the calmness with whu'ii they went about their duties , allayed all fears on the pirt of the passengers . A Dover smack made the harbour successfully and under appalling difficulties , while many casualties have since been reported . A CKKAT lif . nssiNG TO HUMANITY is without iloubt a medicine composed of ingredients lj ,: ^ whilst it eradicates the ol diseasestrengthens the systemIlnllowny ' s fills act i" !

germs , . manner , ami in general debility , mental depression , and nervous irritability there is no r 1 ' ' . '' , * which operates so henclieially . They purify the blooil , ( jive tone to the stomach , ami thorow !'") jegenerate Ihe system . They are mihl in operation , although most powerful in remnving disean ' Delicate femalcsaml vnung children can lakethem with safely and benelil . It would bedillic " enumerate all the advantages to be derived by taking these wonderful pills . No lionsc-li "" should be withouL them , for there is no comnlnint which they cannot cure or relieve .