Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.

The British Museum will shortly receive some valuable Natural History specimens collected by the Alert during her recent survey of the Straits of Magellan . THE LEEDS MUSICAL FESTIVAL . —So great is the interest manifested in the musical festival at Leeds , now fast approaching , that already , though the opening is

nearly two weeks distant , the whole of the second seats for the performance , at which the Duke of Edinburgh will be present , are sold , while but few other seats remain undisposed of . The booking for other performances is also proceeding rapidly , applications coming in from Scotland , Ireland , and the West of England .

A number of M , Gustave Dorei ' s pictures are being exhibited at the News-room Art Gallery , Newcastleupon-Tyne , this being the first time any of the artist ' s larger works have been shown out of London . The paintings have been exhibited for some years at the Dore Gallery , and include , amongst others , such well-known works as "The Christian Martyrs , " "The Brazen Serpent , " ' Les Tenebres , " and the " Gambling [ Rooms' at Baden-Baden . "

The Native Industrial Art Exhibition shortly to be held at Simla promises to be highly successful . Admirable specimens of local industries arc being sent in from all parts of India , and the Punjab pottery , the Madras and Benares brasswarc , and Bombay carved woodwork , will be

particularly well represented . Native schools of arts will also contribute largely , the most interesting selection coming from Madras—a collection representing the application of native art to useful objects . Loans of objects from Afghanistan will fill up the odd corners of the Exhibition .

THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION . —The Secretary to the Royal Commission for the Australian International Exhibitions has received , through the office of the Government of Victoria , a telegraphic despatch from Sir Herbert Sanelfortl , informing him that the Melbourne

Exhibition surpasses his highest hopes , the general condition of many of the courts being far advanced ; that great assistance is being rendered to British exhibitors by the Great Britain Committee , of which the Hon . Mr . Casey is chairman ; and that he ( Sir Herbert ) , as representing the Royal Commission , had been very cordially received .

THE VIKING SUIT . —Our readers will remember that a few weeks since we published a description of a ship belonging to one of the old Vikings , or sea-kings of Denmark , many centuries ago . Since then it has been stated that it was intended to leave the timbers of the ship where they were found , and to carry to Christiania only the smaller objects among its contents . We are informed , however , that

this intention , if it was ever seriously entertained , has been abandoned , and that the ship , or , at least , so much of it as remains entire , has been transplanted from the Christiania fiord , where it was found , to Christiania , and that it is now inclosed in a shed specially set apart forks reception in the museum of that city . The population of the world now reaches

' , 45 S , 92 . l > 50 o souls , according to the latest calculations jf the German statisticians , Behm and Wagner , who publish about every two years an account nf the area and population of the globe . Since their last issue , nineteen months ago , the earth claims 10 , 778 , 000 additional

inhabitants . In Europe dwell 315 , 929 , 000 persons ; in Asia , ^ 34 > 707 > °° o ; in Africa , 205 , 079 , 000 ; in America , 95 , 495 , 500 ; in Australia and Polynesia , 4 , 031 , 000 ; and in the Polar Regions , 82 , 000 . Coming to countries we find that Great Britain and Ireland in 18 79 possessed 34 , 517 , 000 inhabitants .

The gallant leaders of the Belgian African Expedition , Messrs . Carter and Cailenhead , whose death had hitherto been only briefly reported , fell in a tribal skirmish . The two explorers were following a short cut from Karema to the coast , when the robber chiefs , Mirambo anel Siniha , attacked a village in which they were resting for the night ,

plunder being the object of the raid . Although the Englishmen avoided taking either side of the contest , . Mr . Cailenhead was shot in the hack , either by accident or design , and Captain Carter , roused by his comrade ' s death , joined the fight , killing some thirty men before he was himself shot through the head . Nearly all the travellers' followers were massacred .

AN ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERY . —Professor E . C . Picketing , director of Harvard University , has made an important discovery in stellar physics . In the ordinary telescope , a star appears as a point of light , brighter , but not larger , than when lookeel at with the naked eye . When a prism is placed between the object glass and the

evepiece , the light of a star is drawn out into a continuous band . When , however , the telescope with the prism is directed to a planetary nebula the light is collected into a starlike point without any band . Thus the astronomer can easily distinguish between a star and a planetary nebula . This principle has already enabled Professor Pickering / to discover several nebula ? .

Ihe completion of Strasburg Cathedral , by adding another tower and various internal decorations , is being discussed in Germany . Now that their own Dom is finished , the influential Cologne Builders' Society wish to utilise their large funds in completing other national monuments , and hesitate between Ulm and Strasburg Cathedrals . A

beautiful design for the Strasburg 'Tower was made years ago by a Prussian architect , but there is a strong feeling throughout Alsace against any alteration of the building , while German Protestants urge that it would be more fair to finish the facade of Ulm Minster—the largest Evangelical Church of the empire ; more particularly as the Protestants contributed so much money to the Cologne works .

ART SCHOOLS AND HOUSEHOLD FUKXITURK . — The Council of the Society of Arts are trustees of the sum of £ 400 , presented to them by the Owen Jones Memorial Committee for the purpose of expending the interest thereof in prizes to students of the schools of art who in annual competition produce the best designs for household furniturecarpets & cregulated bthe princiles

, , , y p 'aid down by Owen Jones . The prizes will be awarded on the results of the annual competition of the Science and Art Department . The Council now announce that the next award will be made in 1 SS 1 , when six prizes arc offered for competition , each prize to consi . it of a bound copy of Owen Jones s " Principles of Design" and the society's bronze medal . —Academy .

Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.

A colossal painting of the battle of Agincourt , containing over 1000 figures , is now on view at the Guildhall . It was executed by Sir R . K . Porter—who painted the "Siege of Seringapatam "—when only nineteen , and was presented to the London Corporation in 1 S 19 . Owing to its enormous size—100 feet long and 30 feet deep—the picture has been cut into three portions , the middle" division representing the battle at its height , and the side sections

depicting the retreat of the French army and the advance of the English forces . Although used occasionally at the Mansion House as a screen , it has usually remained hidden amongst various civic lumber , but now a committee will decide on the possibility of mounting and restoring the work . THE SOUTH LONDON FINE ART EXHIBITION —which has been open for the last three months at the Working Men ' s College and Free Library . Lambeth—has

been highly appreciated by the neighbouring working classes . It has now closed after being visited by over 3000 persons , exclusive of children , but , unfortunately , the pecuniary results are very small , the donations—all in small sums—only amounting to £ 2 , while the expenses reached £ 50 . The Exhibition was free , and was the second held in South London . Talking of picture-galleries , the Yorkshire Fine Art Society has opened its Autumn Exhibition at

Leeds , which is said to be specially good . In five days paintings to the value of jCSoo have been sold . Brighton too has opened her annual collection of oil paintings at the Pavilion , numbering 650 works ; while the Birmingham Art Gallery project prospers , ^ 14 , 000 having been collected towards acquiring and stocking a suitable building . EXTENSION OF UNIVERSAL TEACHING . —The second session of the North London branch of the London

Society for the Extension of University Teaching will open on Monday , the 4 th inst . Two courses of lectures are delivered each session , the first extending from October to December , and the second from January to March . They are delivered on Monday evenings , from S to 9 , at the Athenaeum , Camden-road , N . Each is followed by a short class of a conversational character . A syndicate , nominated by the [ three Universities—Oxford , Cambridge , and

I-ovtdon—appoints the lecturers . At the close of each course an examination , open to all who have attended it , is held , and certificates are granted by the syndicate to the successful candidates . The fee for the session , including the two courses and covering the examination , is only a guinea . The subjects selected for the forthcoming session are ( 1 ) Physical Geography ; ( 2 ) Shakespeare . The former course , of which the syllabus has just been issued , will consist of

twelve lectures by Mr . T . Rupert Jones , F . R . S ., F . G . S ., & c , Professor of Geology at the Staff College , Sandhurst . The London Society for the Extension of University Teaching have this year extended their work to the district comprising Blackheath , Lee , and Lewisham . An influential committee has been formed , who offer in their first session two courses of twelve lectures each—one on "English

Literature of the 17 th Century , " By Mr . S . J . M'Muilan , M . A ., at the Alexandra-hall , Blackheath , on Wednesday afternoons , at 3 p . m ., beginning on October 0 th ; the other on " Political Economy , " by Mr . H . Cunynghame , M . A ., of St . John's College , Cambridge , at St . Mary , Lewisham , National Schools , on Friday evenings , at 8 p . m ., beginning on October 15 th . The local secretary is the Rev . C . II . Simpkinson , No . 237 , Lewisham High-street .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

The meetings of the Ancholme Lodge , No . 12 S 2 , will in future be held in the new Lodge Room , Cary-lanc , Brigg , Lincolnshire . 'The I . ord Mayor of London has invited the whole Commercial Council of Brussels to a banquet at the Mansion House towards the middle ofthe month .

The marriage of Viscount Newark with Miss Shaw Stewart , daughter of Bro . Sir Michael Shaw Stewart , M . W . G . M . of Scotland , was celebrated on Tuesday last at Ardgowan , near Greenock . The Sandown Lodge , No . 1869 , Sundown , held its first meeting since its consecration on 'Thursday , the

23 rd ult ., at the Pier Hotel , under the presidency of Bro . Loveland , W . M . There were present at the consecration , on the 22 nd ult ., representatives from Middlesex , Warwickshire , Yorkshire , Derbyshire , Suffolk , and Hampshire . 'The petition for the warrant was signed by thirty-six brethren .

FREEMASONRY IN SUSSEX : —Next week will sec a series of interesting events in Brighton , and its immediate neighbourhood , for on Thursday , the 7 th inst ., the installation of the W . M . elect of the Burrell Loelge , No . 1 S 20 , will take place in'the presence of the R . W . the Prov . Granel Master . On Friday , the 8 th inst ., the annual meeting of the Provincial Granel Lodge will he held at the Royal

Pavilion , Brighton , while on Saturday , the 9 th , a new Royal Arch Chapter , the Hova Villa , in connection with the Hova Ecclesia Lodge , No . 14 ( 5 ( 1 , will be consecrated at the Old King ' s Hotel at 3 . 30 p . m . The Grand Scribe E ., Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , will act as the M . E . Z . ; and will be assisted by E . Comps . J . H . Scott , G . S . B ., as H . ; and

the Rev . R . J . Simpson , 'Past G . Chap ., as J . The Principals designate are K . Comps . Sir Walter Wyndham Burrell , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . P . G . M . of Sussex , M . E . Z . ; Charles John Smith , P . Z . of Si 1 , H . ; Capt . James C . II . Stratford , J . The banquet will take place at the Royal Pavilion , at O . 30 p . m .

The consecration of the Amherst Lodge of Mark Master Masons , NO . _ 2 ( J ( I , will take place atSandgale on 'Thursday next , the 7 U 1 inst . The Consecrating Officer will be the R . W . Bro . the Rev . T . Robinson , Grand Master of the Province of Kent , assisted by the R . W . Bro . Fredk .

Binckes , Past Granel Warden ; the V . W . Bro . Don . M . Dewar , P . G . Overseer ; the VV . Bro . J . G . Podevin , Dep . G . Master of the Province of Kent ; the VV . Bro . Etlwel Margrett , P . G . S ., G . J . W . of the Province of Berks anil Bucks , and other Grand anel Prov . Grand Ofiicers .

The London , Sevcnoaks , Tunbridge Wells , and Brighton coach horses , eighty in number , were on Monday last sold by Messrs . 'Tattcrsall , and realised £ 3701 . The Empress Eugenic has bought the Farnborough Hill estate , Hants , for ^ 50 , 000 . The estate was the property of the late Mr . Longman , the publisher , and consists of about 257 acres , with a mansion , erected by the late owner about eighteen years ago . The Empress will not go into possession of it until January .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The meetings of the Duke of Connaught Mark Lodge , No . 199 , will in future be held at the Bell Hotel , Shoreditch , on the first Thursday in the months of February , May , October , and December . Bro . R . G . Thomas , late of the Mohawk Minstrels , has been appointed acting manager of the Philharmonic Theatre , Islington .

A congratulatory dinner was given to Bro . W . Creswick , on his return to England , at the Shakespeare and Burns Club , on Wednesday evening last . Bro . W . H . Smyth , R . W . P . G . M . of Lincolnshire , will consecrate the new Lodge Room in Cary-Iane , Brigg , on Tuesday ' next , the 5 th inst . Bro . Creswick , the eminent tragedian , makes his

first appearance in England , after an obsence of three years , at the Surrey Theatre , on Monday next , in Sheridan Knowles's "Virginius . " ST . MARGARET ' LODGE NO . 1 S 72 . —Will the Secretary or other officer of this lodge kindly send his address to the Editor of the Cosmopolitan Masonic Pocket

Book , 19 S , Fleet-street , London . The South London Choral Association announce that they have taken a lease of the Surrey Masonic Hall , and that a Grand Inaugural Concert will be given vithin its walls on Tuesday next , the 5 th inst ., at S o'clock . The building will in future be called the South London Institute of Music and Surrey Masonic Hall .

The installation of the Marquis of Londonderry as Provincial Grand Master for Durham will take place at the Town HaII , Durham on Tuesday , the 12 th inst . The R . W . Deputy Grand Master the Earl of Lathom will perform the ceremony . The installation meeting of the All Saints Lodge , No . 171 O , took place at the 'Town Hall , Poplar , yesterday ( Friday ) . Bro . Leonard Potts is the W . M . elect . We hope to give a report of the proceedings in our next .

The Grand Secretary , Bro . D . Murray Lyon , has had the honour of sending a diamond bracelet to Miss Shaw Stewart , as a wedding present from office bearers and members of the Grand Loelge of Scotland . By dispensation of the M . W . G . M . the meet " ings of the St . John of Wapping Lodge will in future be held at the Moorgate-street Hotel , E . C , instead of the

Gun Tavern , Wapping . The next regular meeting will take place on October 13 th ; W . M . Bro . C . Veal , S . W . Bro . Magrath , J . VV . Bro . Wooding . We arc asked to state that the meetings of the Metropolitan Chapter of Improvement will be resumed on Tuesday week , the 12 th inst ., at the Jamaica Coffee House , St . Michacl's-alley , Cornhill , at haif-past six for seven .

The Strong Man Lodge , No . 45 , will hold its first meeting after the recess on Thursday , the 7 th inst ., at C > p . m ., at the Masons' Hal ! Tavern , Masons' Avenue , Basinghall-street . We arc pleased to notice ihe good work that is being done at the Westbourne . Lodge of Instruction , No . 733 , held at Lord's Hotel , St . John ' s Wood . Bro .

Arrowsmith , the honorary Secretary , has collected £ 60 in twentysix weeks , for the three Institutions ; each member paying weekly towards the fund . It is an example well worthy or ollowing by other lodges . The return of Lord and Lad )> Algernon Percy from their honeymoon Continental tour to Mount Edgcumbe , the early home of the biiile , was the occasion of a spontaneous but hearty demonstration on Saturday last .

Their carriage was drawn by willing friends up the avenue , and on either side of the lawn and broad flight of steps the Sunday school children and church choir of the parish were arranged , while at the head was Bro . the Earl of Mount Eelgcumbe , R . W . P . G . M . Cornwall , surroundedby the leading gentry ' of the neighbourhood . Complimentary addresses were maele , and welcome demonstratively given anel cordially received .

The annual meeting of the Masonic Mark Lodge Metham , No . 9 6 , was heldnt the Huyshe Masonic Hall , Home Parle , Stoke . VV . Bro . VV . T . Walter , the W . M . elect , was installed bvW . Bro . E . Aitken Davies , P . P . C . J . D ., supported bv VV . Bros . VV . II . Gillman , P . P . G . ' . V . D . C , J . H . Blackell , John Gould , P . M . S ., Metham Lodge . At the close of the installation the W . M .

invested the following brethren as the officers for the ensuing year : —VV . Bro . John Gould , I . P . M . ; Bros . S . Panter , S . VV . ; T . S . ' May , J . W . ; VV . H . Conquer , M . O . ; J . Picking , S . O . ; H . Rogers , J . O . ; W . Bro . W . H . Gillman , Treas . ; Bros . VV . J . Stanbury , Sec . and Registrar of Marks ; T . May , S . D . ; T . J . Cole , J . D . ; F . Adams , D . C ; | . VV . II . Cox , l . G . ; E . G . Richards , Steward ; James Rashbrook , 'Tyler . The Treasurer ' s

report showed a very favourable balance . " ABERDEEN LOJJGES , " BY BRO . HUGHAN . — Brethren interested in reading the sketch of these old lodges will do well to correct the date of the reference to the word Lodge ( Luge ) . It should be A .-p . 14 S 3 , not 1 S 43 . A novel experiment , of peculiar interest to the Baptist community , is announced by the " Christian

World . " The proprietor intends to issue , during next week , the " Christian World " daily , and at such a time as to permit of its being sent to all parts of the United Kingdom by the early newspaper train . These daily issues will contain verbatim reports of all the proceedings at the autumnal meetings of the Baptist Union , held this year in the metropolis , and expected to he of unusual interest and value .

BURGLARY AT THE SURREY MASONIC HALL . —On Friday morning week , the 24 th ult ., it was discovered that the hall had been , during 'Thursday night or the small hours of Friday morning , ransacked by thieves . The outer doors of the hall were found properly fastened , which proved that the thieves had secreted themselves earlier in the evening , doubtless during the meeting of the Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 11 I 5 S . Fortunately but little was stolen , the

only things taken being three medals belonging to the Russian Skaters in Hamilton ' s Diorama , and a few dozen bottles of wine , the property of the caterer to the hall . The burglars had removed the glass , and taken off the linen coverings and napkins from the tables , placing them in a convenient spot for removal , but finding them stamped with the name of the hall , and various emblems , left them behind . No trace of the thieves has yet been found .