Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

WE REGRET TO HEAR that Bro . Sir Henry Halford , Bart ., is much worse and that his condition is the cause of very grave anxiety to his family and frinds . H . R . H . PRINCESS LOUISE his consented to be present at the Christmas enter , lainment which will be given to the sick children in the Victoria Hospital , on Friday next the Sth instant .

DR . CREIGHTON , Bishop-Designate of London , preached his farewell sermon as Bishop of Peterborough on Sunday last in the Parish Church of that city , the Mayor and Corporation attending in State . IGNORANCE OF THE CRAFT . —The Freemason who never peruses a Masonic book or periodical must of necessity be woefully ignorant of the good old Craft to which he professes to belonc . —Bro . Mn-kham Tweddell .

THE QUEEN lias inspected the wrought brass screen , which has been designed and executed for her Majesty by Mr . Alfred Gilbert , R . A ., and is to be placed in the Battenberg Memorial Chapel at Whippingham . OUR RESPSCTED and venerable Bro . Henry Russell completed his 85 th year on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., and received many kind letters and telegrams of congratulation from his numerous friends and admirers on the occasion .

PROFESSOR FLEMING delivered his opening lecture on " Rays of Light , New and O d , " at the London Institution , on Tuesday , thero being present a very numerous audience of the young people for whom the Cnristmas series of scientific lectures are intended . THE POSITION taken up by the Bechuana rebels at Pokwani was carried on Sunday by the police force after a stiff fight , in which a considerable number of natives were killed . The only casualties on the British side were Lieut . Ternett and Sergeant Brady , who were both wounded .

AT THE recent sitting of the Indian National Congress at Calcutta on Tuesday a resolution congratulating the Queen-Empress on having attained the 60 th year of her reign and expressing the hope that her Majesty might be spared many years to rule the Empire was passed unanimously , all the delegates being upstanding . THOUGH THE WEATHER has latterly been most unseasonable , the health of London has been better than usual , the rate of mortality being 15 . 1 per 1000 , as against 17 per 1000 for the whole country , while for the month it was 4 . 5 below the mean average for the corresponding period of the previous ten years . The rates for Brighton and Croydon were 12 . 5 and 11 per 1000 respectively .

T . R . H . THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES and Princess Victoria will visit Trentham Hall next week , and the arrangements have been completed as far as possible . The party invited to meet them include the Marquis and Marchioness of Ormonde , Bro . the Earl and Countess of Dartmouth , Lord and Lady Wolverton , Lord Herbert Vane Tempest , Bro . Lord Algernon Gordon-Lennox , and Mr . Henry Chaplin , M . P .

THREE FATALITIES occurred at Dover on Christmas Day , in one of which a young lady , the daughter of a pilot , went to lie down on the sofa and was afterwards found dead . In the second case a woman was found decapitated on the London , Chatham and Dover Railway , while in the third a soldier , belonging to the 2 nd West Yorkshire Regiment , was standing on a form singing a song , when he over-balanced himself , and , striking his headon truflonr , was fatally injured .

ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET , Sir Alexander Milne , Bart ., who completed his 90 th year on the ioth November last , died , after a few days' illness , on Sunday , the 27 th ult . The deceased veteran entered the Royal Naval College in iS 17 , and two years later , when only 13 years of age , went to sea in the fligship of his father , Sir David Milne . He is succeeded in the baronetcy by his son , Captain Archibald Milne , R . N ., who was Aide-de-Camp to Lord Chelmsford during the Zulu war , and was wounded at Ulundi .

A SELECTION OF Christmas music was performed at the evening service on Sunday last , at the Royal Military Chapel , Wellington Barracks . The orchestra was composed of members of the bands of the Grenadier , Coldstream , and Scots Guards , while the vocal music was accompanied by the pianoforte with occasional assistance from the organ . Selections were given from " The Messiah , " and from Gounod , and two Christmas Carols were included in the programme . The Chaplain delivered a brief address .

THE KING AND QUEEN OF DENMARK gave a state banquet on Saturday last in honour of the arrival of Prince and Princess Charles in Copenhagan . The guests numbered about 60 , and included the members of the Royal Family , the Ministers , the British Minister and Lady Scott , the Presidents of the two Houses of Parliament , and several of the higher dignitaries of the Kingdom . The King proposed " The Health of the Prince and Princess Charles , " and the Prince acknowledged the honour done them .

THE PREPARATIONS have teen completed this week for laying down the keel plates for three new first-class battleships of a new type , to be named the Goliath , the Canopus , and the Ocean , to be built at Chatham , Portsmouth , and Devonport Dockyards respectively . They will have 2000 less tonnage than the Magnificent and Majestic , and their dimensions will be correspondingly smaller , but they will be equal to the latter in respect of armament and crew . Two sister ships to be named the Glory and the Albion will be built by contract .

MASONIC AIMS . —Aim not so much at high office in the Craft , as to be a true Freemason in thine heart . It is not necessary that we all should take office , nor is it possible for us all to do so ; but it is of essential importance that every Freemason should prove by his actions that he has not crept into the Craft under false pretences , but that he is really anxLus to live its holy precepts , not only for his own sake , but also in order to make himself more useful to his fellow-cieatures . A selfish Freemason is a perjured man , in whom I , for one , could place no confidence , whatever signs or passwords he may be able to give . —Bio . Markham Tweddell .

THE ANNUAL Christmas pantomimes were produced at many of our London and Suburban theatres on Boxing-Night , and in spite of the dismal weather mest of the houses were crowded to overflowing . At Drury Lane , the executors of the late Bro . Sir Augustus Harris produced "Aladdin , " with Herbert Campbell and Dan Leno , Mis * Clara Jecks , Miss Ada Blanche , Miss Decima Moore , the Misses Helena Pitt and Florence Darley . and MissG . Somjrset among the principal performers . "Cinderella "

was produced at the Grand , * " Sinbad the Sailor " at the Surrey , under the ausp ces of George Conquest ; " Mother Goose " at the Strand , and " The Giant and the Dwarf " at the Britannia . I n nearly every case the performances appear to have gone well . At the Lyceum , " Cymbsline " has taken the pi ice of "Richard III .. " which has been withdrawn pending the recovery of Bro . Sir Henry Irving irom his recent accident . This recovery , we are glad to say , is progressing favourably , but some time must elapse before he will be able to undertake his part of Richard III . agaii .

"I DREAMT THAT 1 DWELT IN MARBLE HALLS " will be the pleasing fancy to every one who first crosses the threshold of the gorgeous Trocadero Restaurant , which now holds such a proud and enviable position in the " New London " starting into life round and about Piccadilly Circus . But instead of the " vassals and serfs " of the old song we shall find a warm and hospitable welcome from the courteous and spirited proprietors , Messrs . J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , and the proverbial attention and personal cemfort ever extended to the public by these well-known caterers and

restaurateurs . The basement floor is devoted to the grill room , with the buffet , smoking , reading , and billiard rooms . The entrance floor is occupied by the grand restaurant , with its golden minstrel and great gallery in the style of Louis Quatorze , and attached to the gold hall and gallery is a spit ndid adjacent saloon in the style of Louis Quinze . Small but dehciously cosy dining rooms surround these splendid public rooms . The first floor of the new Trocadero is another welcome surprise , consisting as it does of a

ball room , a banqueting hall in the Empire period—a most admirable reproduction—and an ante-rcom in the style of Louis Treize . On the gallery level , at the top of the grand sta rcase , will be found a reception room , again in the style of Louis Treize ; a magnificent Masonic lodge in the period of Francois Premier , with , of course , the necessary ante-rocms for the comfort and convenience of the brethren of the Craft . Full particulars can be had on application at the Trocadero , Piccadilly Circus .

Masonic And General Tidings.

CAPTAIN F . L . MAXSE , Coldstream Guards , has been selected for service with the Egyptian Army , under Sir Herbert Kitchener , K . C . B . THE TRIENNIAL FESTIVAL in behalf of the Homes for Working Boys in London will be held in St . Martin ' s Town Hall , Charing Cross , on Wednesday , the 20 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . the Duke of Fife .

A TERRIBLE CATASTROPHE occurred in the extreme east of the County of Kerry on Monday morning when some 200 acres of bog slipped from their moorings , carrying devastation in all directions and entailing the loss of several lives . THE DUCHESS OF YORIC sent a large number of toys and scrap-books to the Children ' s Happy Evenings' Association , of which she , is president , for distribution among the 35 branches and to be used by the children during the winter .

VVE LEARN that a Ladies' Night in connection with the Lion and Lamb Lodge ( consisting of a dinner and dance ) , will be held at Cannon-street Hotel , on the 29 th inst . Tickets may be obtained from the Worshipful Master , Bro . Robert Sarson , 9 , Colfe-road , Forest Hill , S . E . AN INQUEST was held on Monday on the bodies of two seamen lately belonging to the torpedoboat destroyer Serpent at Devonport . They had rowed the g unner ashore , and were ordered to return alone , but instead they went to an inn , and had got drunk and were drowned , their bodies being subsequently discovered in Hamoage .

DURING THE present week T . R . H . the Prince and Princess of Wales have been entertaining a shooting party at Sandringham . Most of the guests arrived on Monday , and among them , in addition to the Duke and Duchess of York , were Bro . Lord and Lady Stanley , Viscount and Viscountess Curzon , and Lord and Lady Gerard . FAULTS OF FREEMASONS . —We must only mark the faults of our brother Masons in order to avoid them , not to carp at them ; just as we should seek to discern and pattern after the most perfect models we can find ; then will Freemasonry help us ti build up a living temple fac more glorious than that on Mount Moriah . —Bro . Markham Tweddell .

ON MONDAY THE 2 Sth ult ., Innocents' Day , a special service was held in Westminster Abbey for children , the music and discourse being made suitable to the young . There was a large congregation , and at the close of the service there was _ a collection in aid of the Desolate Children ' s Dinner Society , of which Bro . Lord Kinnaird is treasurer .

AT THE RECENT half-yearly Court of the Governors of the Commercial Travellers ' Schools , Pinner , the report showed that during the past year there had been an increase in the receipts from £ 12 , 158 to £ 20 , 252 , or upwards of £ 8000 . A vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor for presiding as chairman at the anniversary festival . THE 12 TH annual conference of the Incorporated Society of Musicians was opened in the Park Hall , Cardiff , on Tuesday , and will remain open till to-day ( Friday ) . The Mayor and Town Clerk were present at the meeting and tendered a hearty welcome from the Corporation of the town to the visitors . There was a very full attendance of members and their friends .

THE ACT PASSED during the last session for the abolition of the Ancient Stannary Court of Cornwall has just come into force and H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as Duke of Cornwall , and the Earl of Ducie as Lord Warden , relinquish offices which have been held for centuries by the heirs to the throne and their nominees . The Court dealt with disputes arising in connection with the tin and copper mining industries in the county .

THE RIGHT HON . W . E . GLADSTONE celebrated his 87 th birthday on Tuesday , having been born on the 29 th December , 1 S 09 . All day long letters and telegrams of congratulation were being received , special preparations having been made at the Hawarden Post Office to cope with the expected pressure of work . Among those who sent their congraulations were H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Marquis of Ripon , Lord and Lady Tweedmouth , Bro . Lord Leigh , Sir Campbell-Binnerman , and others .

THE USUAL CHRISTMAS enteitainment to the out-patients of the Children ' s Hospital in Great Ormonde-street was given on Monday , when a large number of children attended , and having enjoyed the tea provided they adjourned to the North Room , which had been gaily decorated for the occasion , where an excellent programme of music , both vocal and instrumental , was carried out to the very great delight of the poor little visitors .

H . R . H . THU PRINCE OF WALES will attend the laying of the foundation-stone of Sutherland Institute , at Longton , on Thursday , the 7 th inst ., in his official capacity of Grand Master of English Freemasons , and it will be a Masonic function . Prior to the laying of the foundation-stone by the Prince , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Staff > rdshire will be opened at the Queen ' s Theatre , Longton , by the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . the Earl of Dartmouth .

THE FOLIOWING document has been found in the Old Star and Garter Hotel , Pall Mall , which is now being converted into a restaurant . — "Thursday , 6 th Febry ., 17 S 7 . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was initiated into Masonry , at an occasional Lodge convened for the purpose at the Star and Garter , Pall Mall , over which the Diks of Cumberland presided in person . Friday , ist November , following , his Royal Highness the Duke of York vvas initiated into Masonry at a special Lodge at the sami place , over which the Grand Master presided , being introduced by his royal brother , the Prince of Wales , who assisted at the ceremony . " The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York were , of course , the first and second sons of George III , —Daily Chronicle .

WEDDING OF BRO . HANS SCHARIEN . —On Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., at St . John ' s the Evangelist , Goose Green , East Dulwich , the Rev . Strickland , M . A ., and vicar of the church , officiating , the wedding took place of Bro . Hans Scharien , W . M . of the Ranelagh Lodge , No . S 34 , and Mrs . Lily Woodhams , ot East Dulwich-road , The bride was attiied in a pale heliotrope moire silk , with train , and trimmed with silver , with tcque to match . She carried a charming shower bouquet of white roses and lilies of the valley . Her married daughter , Mrs . Tracey , who acted as bridesmaid , was attired in a pale green silk dress , trimmed with silver and sequins , with large picture

hat also in pale green and silver trimmings , carrying a beautiful shower bouquet of pink roses . Mr . E . Bingham , a very old friend of the bridegroom ' s , acted as best man , and Mr . W . Woodhams , the eldest son of the bride , gave his mother away . The bride was supported by Mrs . Bingham and other ladies . After the ceremony , the wedding breakfast took place at the bride ' s house , and the photographer was in attendance and took tne group on the lawn . The bridegroom ' s present to the bride was a handsome pendant

watch , green enamelled , studded with diamonds and pearls , and the bridesmaid wore a beautiful horseshoe brooch presented to her by the bridegroom . Among the numerous presents was a most artistic marble bust standing upon a marble pedestal , representing Summer , presented by Mr . and Mrs . Bingham . Later in the day the happy pair drove away amidst the heartiest congratulations and the good wishes of all to spend the honeymoon at Hastings .

NOEL-TIDE AT FIELD-LANE REFUGES . —At this hospice Christmas has been a very joyous time for some 800 destitute poor of our great Metropolis , who ware supplied with a substantial hot dinner of good old English fare , comprising roast beef , plum-pudding and vegetables . On arrival at the Institution we found that extensive and complete preparations had been made for the day ' s festivities ; the several rooms were both tastefully and seasonably decorated and the platforms were arranged for the short services consisting of singing and impressive addresses which lasted from n to 11 . 45 . The

tables , covered with snow-white cloths , were neatly laid ; the carvers and waiters ( all friends of the Institution ) were already assembled in readiness for the signal to commence operations , which , after grace had been enthusiastically but reverently sung , was given about 12 o'clock , when the first joint of beef was put upon the table amid hearty cheers . After this the scene is more easily imagined than described ; but like all good things , even a Christmas dinner must end , and when that tim ; arrived there was a look ot thankfulness and contentment on the faces of every one and the hearty way in which they cheered their kind friends who had given them the dinner , proved to the

fullest extent their gratefulness . The menu consisted of a large quantity of roast beef , 544 lbs . plum-puddings , seven sacks of potatoes , 150 quarterns of bread , and 800 oranges . We were also informed that the poor families in the immediate neighbourhood were in no way forgotten but that C 70 had received provisions for a good dinner . The recipients of these gifts are all known to the friends of the Institution , and list but not least , we found that 700 of the children attending the various classes in connection with the Field Lane Ragged Schools were also to have a dinner during the first week of the New Year . The expenses of these dinners are entirely defrayed by contributions given expressly for that purpose .