Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

The Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will hold their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday next , the Sth inst ., at 4 p . m . There will be a consecration of a new chapter , to be called the Minty , at Oldham , on the 22 nd inst . Comp . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , Grand Superintendent , will be the presiding officer , whilst Comp . C . V . Haworth will be the First Principal .

The Provincial Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the Eastern Division of Lancashire will be held at the Oueen-street Schools , Oldham , immediately after the atove ; Comp . Col . Starkie will preside . The Queen , according to present arrangements , is expected to leave England about the 20 th inst . for Florence . Her Majesty , who will be accompanied by Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg , will spend Easter at Florence , and return to Windsor Castle in April .

Two battleships were commissioned at Portsmouth on Thursday , the Royal Arthur , by Captain Trent , as the flagship of Rear Admiral Stephenson to relieve the Warspite flagship on the Pacific Station , and the Achilles , temporarily commissioned to convey a relief crew to the Victoria about to recommission in the Mediterranean .

The Crystal Palace Gas Company will hold its ordinary half-yearly meeting on the 16 th inst . The directors recommend that a dividend be declared for the half year ended 31 st December of 6 per cent , on the preference stock , 7 per cent , on the ordinary 7 per cent , stock , and 10 per cent , on the ordinary 10 per cent , stock , amounting to £ 141875 .

The Princess Louise , Marchioness of Lome , presented Ihe prizes to the 4 th Volunteer Battalion of the Essex Regiment , at Hackney , on Saturday the 25 th ult . Her Royal Highness met with a most enthusiastic reception , among those present being Field Marshal Sir J . Lintorn Simmons , General Sir F . Grcnfell , Colonel Maguire , and Brigadier General Yorke .

The Countess Stanhope gave her second At Home during the present season at her residence in Grosvenor-place , on Saturday evening last . The guests included the French Ambassador and Madame Waddington , the Turkish Ambassador , Bro . Lord Herschell ( Lord Chancellor ) , Bro . the Earl and Countess of Arran , Bro . Lord Ashbourne , and the Hon . W . Gibson , Bros . Lord Alcester and Cremorne , and the Right Hon . the Speaker , and Miss Peel .

Bro . Sir Algernon Borthwick , M . P ., presided at the annual meetingof the supporters of the Newspaper Press Fund , which was held at the Society of Arts , John-street , Adelphi , on the 25 th ult . The report , which was read and unanimously adopted , showed that there were 400 London and 41 O country members ; that the grants during the past year amounted to £ 1509 ; and the invested funds to £ . 23 , 000 . A vote of thanks t- > the Chairman concluded the

proceedings . The Duke of York , as President of the Highland Agricultural Show , which will be held at Edinburgh in July , has offered as prizes three champion cups , value £ 10 each , the first to be given for the Shorthorn , Aberdeen-Angus , Callaway , West Highland , and Aberdeen breeds of cattle , the second for horses , and the third for sheep . The Society itself has offered nearly £ 200 , and private contributors £ 500 for prizes in the various classes .

The first part of the new serial issue of "Cassell ' s Popular Gardening " is published this week . The work is edited by Mr . D . T . Fish , and contains contributions by Mr . Edward W . Badger , F . R . H . S ., Mr . James Britten , F . L . S ., Mr . William Carmichael , Mr . William Coleman , Mr . Richard Dean , Mr . William Earley , Mr . G . S . Jenman , F . L . S ., Dr . Maxwell T . Masters , and other authorities . A special feature of this new serial edition is that the best and latest varieties of llowers for cultivation will be described .

Bro . the Fail of Jersey , M . W . G . M . of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales , who has just resigned his post of Governor of the Colony , was entertained at a grand banquet at the Central Hall , Sydney , on Monday . Upwards of 500 of the leading citizens of the capital were present ,

the retiring- Governor ' s health being proposed by the Premier , Sir G . R . Dibbs , and gratefully acknowledged by his lordship . " The Health of the Countess of Jersey " was proposed by the Mayor , who presided , and briefly acknowledged by her ladyship .

In pleasant weather practice for the Boat Race was resumed on Thursday by Mr . Moore taking out Messrs . Bayford and Waller in the gig pair . About n o ' clock the eight was manned , and at a slow stroke of 28 the rrew paddled up to the Grass Wharf , and thence to the Soap Works , where they turned . The men made a short rent at the Crab Tree , and then started to row down . At 29 to

the minute they went on to just below Putney Bridge , and then went ashore . Cambridge were afloat again at halfpast three , and after going as far as Mortlake turned and rowed on a strong ebb between Barnes and Hammersmith Bridges in Smin . 22 secs ., striking an average of 30 . A change has been made in the boat , Fogg-Elliott going three and Bajford two . Oxford paddled to Chiswick and back .

The 100 th night ot "Liberty Hall , " Mr . R . C . Carton ' s dainty domestic comedy , was celebrated at the St . James's , on Wednesday , with all due honours . The members of the audience were limited only by the holding capacity of the house , and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed . The souvenir presented to each member of the audience was really a delightful and valuable memento of the occasion , consisting of a photographic reproduction of a line cabinet portrait of the himelf

manager ; , and eight line groups of the members of the company taken at different moments of the play . Mr . Alexander must be admitted to have produced the most generous , suitable , and artistic souvenir up to date . A very warm call brought him before the curtain to gracefully express his thanks . There is no need for us to recapitulate our opinion of the acting . It was expressed at the time of the production in superlatives , and they remain unqualified .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . John Nelson , P . P . G . Reg ., was installed W . M . of the Sewell Mark Lodge , No . 421 , at Egremont , on Thursday , the 3 rd ult . In our report of the meeting of the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge last week , it was stated that the chair of J . W . was filled , during the temporary absence of Bro . J . Whitehead , by Bro . H . A . Brown . We should have said that it was occupied by Bro . Jesse Masters .

At the monthly meeting of the Fletcher Mark Lodge , No . 213 , held at Whitehaven on the 24 th ult ., Bro . Major Spencer Broadbent , P . S . G . D ., W . M ., intimated that it was his intention to go up as Steward to the Mark Benevolent Fund Festival in July next , and he hoped to have the united support of the province .

Bro . Sir Algernon Borthwick , M . P ., presided at the 54 th annual general meeting of the Newsvendo s' Benevolent and Provident Institution held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleetstreet , on Tuesday . The report , which was adopted , showed that the income during the past year was £ 1256 , and the amount of invested capital , £ 13 , 000 .

The Queen ' s Drawing Room on Tuesday was attended by the Prince of Wales , the Duke d'Aosta , the Dukes of York and Edinburgh , Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein , Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg , the Duke of Teck and his son , Prince Adolphus , and Prince Louis of Battenberg .

A lodge of instruction has been formed under the warrant of the Robinson Lodge , No . 2046 , and will hold its meetings at Freem'asons' Hall , Brewer-street , Maidstone , every Friday evening at 8 o ' clock . The permanent officers elected are as follows : Bros . F . W . Wright , P . M ., Prov . J . G . D . Kent , President ) VV . Payler Dickinson , Treas . ; and T . P . Dickinson , Sec .

Bro . the Duke of Fife presided at the 155 th anniversary festival of the Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain , which was held at the Hfitel Metropole on Saturday , the 25 th ult . Among the guests present on the occasion were Bros . Sir VV . Cusins , Sir J oseph Barnby , VV . Kuhe , Lennox Browne , and Barton McGuckin . The subscriptions amounted to about A 700 .

The ninth annual Spring Exhibition of the Royal Commission on Horse Breeding , the Hackney Horse Society , and the Hunters' Improvement Society , was opened at the Royal Agricnltural Hall , Islington , on Tuesday , and was visited on Wednesday by the Prince of Wales and the Empress Frederick of Germany . The number of thoroughbred stallions was 10 S , as against 134 in : S 92 , but , on the other hand , the Hackney stallions were 221 to 10 G .

The moneys at present unclaimed in the custody of the Chancery , Queen ' s Bench , and Probate Courts , and the names of the parties connected with them are not by any means so large as is generally supposed . A special Gazette has been published in reference to them . The list occupies 1 S 7 pages , but it is explained that one-half of the accounts do not exceed £ 150 , and only one-sixteenth go beyond £ 1 , 000 .

The report of the Guards Employment Society show that of 612 names of former Guardsmen registered for employment 233 were provided with work b y the Society and 5 G by the Post Ollice , while employment had not been found for 77 . Of the remainder a considerable number had not reported themselves and in all probability had found engagements . Only in Si cases had it been found difficult , owing to character , health , or other cause , to find the men

places . The funeral of Bro . Herbert W . Madeley , of Heavitree Brewery , took place on Friday , the 17 th ult ., in the burial ground at Brynmawr , South Wales , with every mark of respect , between 40 and 50 friends . attending at the grave side . Several members of the Masonic body were present , including Bros . Dr . Brown ( medical attendant ) , Dr . Evans Beaufort , and Vergin . A very handsome wreath was sent ,

with fraternal sympathy , from Lodges Nos . 30 , 1332 ( of which the deceased was a P . M . ) , and 1284 . Bro . Madeley was held in high esteem by all who knew him . Mr . Edward Cutler , whose recent compositions , "An Arab ' s Song , " and " Child and Mother , " hid fair to rival many of his earlier' productions in popularity , is a O . C .. well known in copyright cases as well as by the National Union of Teachers , for which body he has never lost a case .

He is also distinguished musically as the first amateur whom the Prince of VVales honored with the appointment of Grand Organist ( Freemasonry ) . He was born at Canons Park , the seat of his grandfather , Sir Thomas Plumer , Master of the Kolls , and was educated at Eton ( being in the Eleven in 1 S 49 ) , and at Touraine and Dresden . The family is of French extract , and claims descent from Henri de Guise . —Monti ne Leader .

THE CANCER HOSPITAL ( FUEK ) BROMPTON , S . W . — The 42 nd annual meeting of the Governors of this Charity was held in the board-room of the hospital , Brompton , on VVednesday , the 22 nd ult ., Sir George Samuel Measom , J . P ., occupied the chair . From the report of the Committee it appears that during the past year 2100 new patients were received , Sn as in-patients , and 12 S 9 as outpatients , whilst the total number of attendances of

Outpatients was 9279 , these figures being largely in excess of any previous year since the hospital was founded . This continued increase in the work points to the necessity tor increased funds , the reliable income of the Charity being about ^ 3000 a year less than the ordinary expenditure , and an earnest appeal is made by the Committee for continued support to enable them to carry on the important work of the

hospital . Considerable additions and alterations have recently been made in the hospital , including the erection of a chapel and extra sleeping accommodation for nurses , & c . The Samaritan Fund for assisting discharged patients had proved very successful , some being sent to convalescent homes and others receiving pecuniary aid . The report and balance-sheet were adopted , and the usual vote ot thanks accorded , after which the proceedings terminated .

HOLLOWAY ' S PILLS . —Good Digestion . -Holloway ' s Pills are universal . )' acknowledged to be the safest , speediest , and best corrective for indigestion ; loss < f appetite , acidity , flatulency , and nausea are a few of the inconveniences which are remedied with ease by these purifying I'ilis . Th , y strike at the root of all abdominal ailmt nt » , they excite in the stoma ih a proper secret ion 01 ami the

gastric juice , regulate action of the liver , promoting in that organ a copious supply of pure , wholesome bile , so necessary for digestion . These I'ilis remove all distension and obstruction , and from their harmless composition are peculiarly well adapted for delicate persons and young children ; whilst casting out impurities these excellent I'ilis strengthen the system and give muscular tone .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lome arrived at Windsor Castle on Thursday evening on a visit to the Queen . The ballets" at the Empire Theatre are now , by desire , played as follows : " Round the Town " at 8 . 30 , and " Katrina" at 10 . 10 .

"The Golden Webb " will not be seen at the Lyric until the nth inst ., one of the leading ladies being unable to free herself from her present engagement for an earlier date . The Duchess of Teck , who was accompanied by the Duke and their son , Prince Francis , distributed the prizes to the 3 rd Volunteer Battalion East Surrey Regiment at Kingston on Saturday last .

Mrs . Gladstone is fast recovering from the attack of influenza with which she was overtaken while tending her daughter , Mrs . Drew . One of the Queen ' s Equerries called by her Majesty ' s command to make enquiries . The Prince of Wales , the Dukes of York and Edinburgh , the Princess Louise Marchioness of Lome , and the

Hereditary Prince of Hohenlohe Langenburg dined with the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday . Mr . A . J . Balfour , M . P ., though still having the appearance of being out of health , was so far recovered from his recent attack of influenza as to be able to resume his duties in the House of Commons on Tuesday .

General Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar and Bro . the Marquis of Breadalbane , Lord Steward , dined with Lord Vernon and the corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms at their Mess Room in St . James ' s Palace on Tuesday evening . The new cruiser , Edgar , was commissioned at Plymouth on Thursday by Captain W . A . Dyke-Acland , with a complement of 544 oflicers and men , to relieve the Undaunted , Lord Charles Beresford , on the Mediterranean Station .

Lord Mayor Knill presided at the 75 th Anniversary Festival , which was held at the H 6 tel Metropole on Tuesday evening , in aid of the German Society of _ Benevolence . The subscriptions announced during the evening amounted to £ 1640 . It is generall y supposed that , owing to the unfortunate death ot Captain Middleton last year , and the fact that Mr . Weston Jarvis is no longer a member , the House of Commons Point-to-Point Steeplechase will not be held this

spring . A Cottage Hospital is about to be erected at Northallerton as a memorial to the late Hon . J . C . Dundas , brother of Bro . the Marquis of Zetland , who , with . Lord . Marham , the Duchess of Leeds , and others , have subscribed to the fund .

We are glad to hear that Miss Kate Phillips , who lately badly damaged her ankle , is progressing favourably , and soon hopes not only to be able to leave her sofa , but gf ive us once more those welcome touches of comedy which so brighten " Becket . "

The Prince of Wales was present at the meeting , on Tuesday , of the Royal Commission on the Condition of the Aged Poor . Lord Aberdare presided , and Mr . John Allen , Guardian of St . Pancras , and Mr . S . B . Fuller , Chairman of the Paddington Guardians , gave evidence .

The Princess of Wales , accompanied by the Princesses Victoria and Maud , arrived at Marlborough House from Sandringham on Monday , and in the course of the day the Princess visited her eldest daughter , the Duchess of Fife , at her residence in Portman-square . The inauguration of the Imperial Institute has been fixed by the Queen for Thursday , the 11 th May . The ceremonial will be one of full state and with the exception of

specially invited guests , only Fellows of the Institute will be eligible for admission—so far as the accommodation will permit . The annual meeting of the Actors' Benevolent Fund was held by the kind permission of Bro . Henry Irving , on the stage of the Royal Lyceum Theatre on Tuesday afternoon , T he chair was occupied by Bro . Irving , and among those

present were Bros . S . B . Bancroft , J . L . Toole , W . Terriss , and T . H . Bolton , M . P . The Queen has graciously accepted from the Library Committee of the Corporation of London a handsomelybound volume of beautifully-executed reproductions of some of the finest and most beautiful of the art treasures which formed part of the Loan Collection exhibited in the Guildhall last summer .

Bro . Sir James Whitehead presided at a meeting of members ot the House of Commons interested in the question of Railway Kates , which was held on I uesday for the purpose of considering the steps they should take in order to bring the question before the House at as early a date as possible . EMPIRE THEATRE . — Menotti , the famous Austrian soubrette—who might almost be called the Nelly Farren

of Vienna—will appear at this theatre on Monday , the fith inst ., when she will sing , in German , the principal songs of her repertoire . This is the first appearance in England of one of the most popular artistes on the Continent , where she is equalled famed for the expressiveness of her singing and the charm and piquancy of her dancing . She has been the leading favourite ot Vienna for several years .

Freemasons are , perhaps , met with less frequently among lawyers than in any other profession . That is to say , few barristers or solicitors mention their connection with this form of Brotherhood , whether they are participators in its secrets or otherwise . There is , of course , a I'reemasonry of another kind existing in legal circles , and that , perhaps , has been the reason why the Chancery Bar has not up to

the present been represented by a special lodge . tne ceremony of inaugurating this new lodge will be an important one , and the Benchers of Lincoln ' s Inn—the traditional Chancery Inn—have granted the use of the great hall tor the occasion . The consecration of the lodge will be performed by the Earl of Lathom , and the Prince of Wales

will probably be present in his capacity of Grand Master . — Daily Telegraph . Twelfth Annual Edition of Explanatory Book , sent gratis and post free , gives reliable information how to make money quickly by Stocks and Shares . Highest and |? west prices for past years . —Address , G . Evans and Co ., Stockbrokers , 11 , Poultry , London , E . C .