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 , the Sth instant , at 4 p . m . BRO . THE MARQUIS AND MARCHIONESS OF TWEEDDALE have left London for Paris , where they purpose making a short stay . THE 49 T H ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL in behalf of the Earlswood Asylum , Red Hill , Surrey , will be held , by permission of the Comoany , at Fishmongers' Hall , on Wednesday , the 13 th May , under the presidency of Alderman Samuel .

THE IITH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL of the Westminster Orchestral Society was celebrated at the Holborn Restaurant on Saturday evening last under the presidency of Mr . Walter Macfarren , there being present a considerable number of guests . THE ROYAL MAIL STEAMER DAHOMEY has arrived at Liverpool from West Africa , bringing with her a number of officers and men who had served in the Ashantee expedition , as well as Captain Denton , Deputy Governor of Lagos , and Judge Richards of the Gold Coast .

THE KING OF THE BELGIANS and his daughter , Princess Clementine , arrived at Cannes at 2 p . m ., on Saturday afternoon last . They were met at the railway station by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , by whom they were escorted on board his Royal Highness ' s yacht Britannia . PRINCESS HENRY OF BATTENBERG and Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein visited Cannes on Saturday morning last for the purpose of attending a service held in St . George's Church in memory of the late Duke of Albany , it being the anniversary of the Duke ' s death in 1 SS 4 .

As THE RESULT of the ball recently held in the Inner Temple Hall , in behalf of the funds of St . Michael's Convalescent Home , Westgate-on-Sea , Lady Halsbury has been able to hand over to the managers of that institution the sum of £ 530 17 s . GJ . out of the £ 1000 required for the building of the new wing . A SAD ACCIDENT occurred on Saturday afternoon last off Greenhithe , by which a boat was capsized by a sudden squall and two of the three occupants drowned . The third , who belonged to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade , was picked up in an insensible condition , but in about an hour and a half was restored to consciousness .

BRO . LORD MAYOR Sir Walter Wilkin will return to the Mansion House for the purpose of receiving the boys of Christ's Hospital and presenting them with their usual buns and wine , and coins of the realm , and will afterwards attend Divine service with the Sheiiffs and other members of the Corporation at Christ Church , Newgate-street , to hear the customary Spital sermon .

A SALE AND EXHIBITION cf handwork by the workers of the Countess of Warwick's County Schools of Needlework Associatio n—formerly known as the Fuston School of Needlework—will be held at Stafford House , by the kind permission of the Duke and Duchess of Stafford , on Thursday , the 30 th instant . The Countess of Warwick will personally conduct the sale from 3 p . m . till 7 p . m . on that day .

ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON the service of thanksgiving at St . Pauls Cathedral in connection with the completion of the mosaics of the choir will be attended by Bro . the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs in State , together with a large deputation of the Courts of Aldermen and Common Council . The Corporation representatives will assemble at the North Entrance at 3 . 45 , the Aldermen wearing their violet robes and the Commoners their mazarine gowns .

AT A MEETING on Saturday last of the fellows and members of the Royal Botanic Society , Regent's Park , a resolution was proposed for opening the Gardens to the general public on every Monday and Saturday throughout the year on the payment by each person of one shilling , and recommending that a band should be engaged to play on public days . After a long discussion , the Chairman announced that the Council of the Society would give the matter due consideration .

IN THE ABSENCE of Bro . Lord Mayor Sir Walter Wilkin , Alderman Sir Stuart Knill presided at a meeting , held at the Mansion House on Saturday evening last , of the Hospital Saturday Fund . The report showed that the receipts for the past year frtm all scuices amounted to ^ 20 , 354 os . 4 d ., and the expenditure to £ 2498 3 s . id ., and that the sum of £ 17 , 650 had been awarded to 170 hospitals , dispensaries , and convalescent homes . The report was adopted , and subsequently certificates were presented to students who had passed examinations in "first aid to the injured . "

THE HOME SECRETARY ( Bro . Sir M . White Ridley , Bart ., M . P . ) , and the Hon . Lady Ridley gave a dinner party at their residence in Carlton House-terrace , on Saturday last , at which Bro . the Earl and Countess of Lathom and Lady Bertha Wilbraham and others were present . Among those who attended the subsequent reception were Bro . the Farl of Crawford , Bro . and Mrs . A . Staveley Hill ; Bro . the Hon . B . Bathurst , Bro . Sir Thomas Sutherland , M . P . ; Bro . Sir Joseph Savory , Bart ., M . P . ; Bro . Sir Herbert Maxwell , Bart ., M . P . ; and Bro . Sir J . Blundell Maple , M . P .

THE RACE BETWEEN Oxford and Cambridge on Saturday was one of the hardest rowed on record , the distance being covered under the most unfavourable conditions as to weather in 20 minutes one second . The Light Blues led the greater part of the way , but not by more than a length . During the last 100 yards or so , Oxford , which was then more sheltered than its rivals , put on a tremendous spurt , and in spite of all the efforts of the Cambridge stroke , won a grand race by about two-fifths of a length . Those who were on board the steamers that followed the race must have had one of the finest rowing treats .

A NEW first-class battleship was launched at Messrs . Laird's yard at Birkenhead on Mcnday in the presence of several thousands of spectators . The vessel , which was christened the " Mars" by Mrs . Laird , will have a displacement ot 14 , 900 tons , the power of engines with natural draught being 10 , 000 , and with forced draught 12 , 000 horse-power . She was designed . by Sir » W . White , and is 39 ? feet long and 75 feet beam , with a mean draft of 27 feet 6 inches . Her coal carrying capicitv is 1900 tons , and her speed is estimated at i 61 knots with natural and 17 ^ knots with forced draught . She is an exceptionally powerful vessel , and her main armament will consist of four 12-inch 46-ton breechloading guns , firing a projectile of S 50 lbs .

MEMBERS OF THE CRAFT will be interested to learn that the Leopold Lodge , No . ' 775 > Church , have ( with the consent of the Rev . T . E . S . Catterns , vicar ) made arrangements to hold a Masonic service at St . Paul ' s Church , Osivaldtvistle , on a Sunday afternoon sometime in June or July . The sermon will probably be delivered by one of the Chaplains to the Order , and the date will be fixed to suit the convenience of the _ clergyman selected . The W . M . of the Leopold Lodge ( Bro . Lord ) is taking a great interest in the matter , and it is intended to invite the attendancion this occasion of all Freemasons who can make it convenient to be present . The proceeds will be devoted to the East Lancashire Masonic Educational Systematic and Benevolent Fund .

A MEMORIAL TO BRO . GEORGE AUGUSTUS SAI . A — At an influential preliminary meeting held on Friday last under the presidency of Bro . the Duke of Abercorn , it was decided to raise a memorial fund in recognition of Bro . Sala ' s long and distinguished journalistic work . Among those who have consented to act on the Committee which has been formed are Bro . the Duke of Abercorn , the Duke of Fife , Lord Rosebery .

Bro . Loid Glenesk , Lord Dufferin . Sir A . Otway , Bro . Sir Douglas Straight , Sir H . de Bathe , Sir David Salomans , Bro . Sir Augustus Harris , Sir Charles Dilke , Sir Walter Bisant , Sir George Newnes , [ Sir H . G . Reid , Bro . Sir VV . B . Richardson , Sir H . B . Poland , Bro . Sir Somers Vine , Sir Richard Quain , Mr . William Black , Mr . George Alexander , and the Hon . W . F . D . Smith .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK brought their visit to Knowsley , where for the preceding week they had been the guests of Bro . the Earl and Countess of Derby , to a conclusion on Monday . Previous , however , to their departure they paid a visit to Liverpool and inspected the overhead railway under the guidance of Sir William Forwood , who is chairman of the Company . The Royal visitors made a journey as far

as Seaforlh in a specially-decorated saloon carriage , and on their return were received by their hosts , as Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress , at the Town Hall , where they were entertained at luncheon . Afterwards they left for York House , St . James ' s , accompanied by Lady Mary Lygon and Sir Charles Cust . During their excursion to Liverpool the traffic was stopped and their Royal Highnesses were enthusiastically cheered along the line of route .

Masonic And General Tidings.

THE DUCHESS OF TECK attended a special dedication service which was hc u the new chapel of the Home for Incurables , Streatham , on Tuesday . " > BRO . LORD MAYOR Sir W . Wilkin will open in State on Saturday , May 2 n < j ,, International Horse and Horseless Carriage Exhibition at the Crystal Palace . ' NEWSPAPER PRESS FUND . —The 33 rd anniversary dinner will be held at the H * i MOtropoIe on Saturday , the 16 th May . The chair will be taken by the President nf 1 u Fund , Bro . Lord Glenesk . the IN SUCCESSION to Sir Albert Rollit , M . P ., who has retired after four years' s vice , Bro . Sir Stafford Northcote , M . P ., has been elected the President of the Associati ^" of Chambers of Commerce . on

FOR THE BENEFIT of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , a Cinderella will h given at the King's Hall of the Holborn Restaurant on Friday , the 24 th inst . Ticket may be had of Mr . H . Kemp , 7 and S , Thavies-inn , Holborn-circus . THE DUCHESS OF ABERCORN and Lady Alexandra Hamilton have left town fo Eaton Hall , Cheshire , on a visit to the Duke and Duchess of Westminster , until the end of the week , when they go to Baron ' s Court , Newtown Stewart , county Tyrone .

THE AMOUNT PAID in fees to the various professors of music and singing at th Guildhall School of Music during last term is announced to have been £ 8500 , and in this are not included the salaries and wages paid to the various members of the staff . THE EARL OF ALBEMARLE presided at the fourth annual dinner of the London County Cycling and Athletic Club , which was held at the Hotel Mutropole , on Saturdav evening last , among the guests being Lord Granville Gordon and Bro . J . C . Parkinson

1 HE GOLD ORNAMENTS and other articles taken from King Prempeh ' s palace at Coomassie have , by the authority of the Secretary of State for the Colonies , been lent to the Museum of the Royal United Service Institution , where they will be on view for the next two months . H . R . H . THE DUKE OF YORK has forwarded £ 5 as an annual subscription to the Sailors' Orphan Girls' School and Home , Hampstead , which Institution is greatl y in need of assistance . The office of the Charity is at 50 , Bishopsgate-street Within London , E . C . '

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES has arranged that the festival dinner which is to be held at the Imperial Institute in aid of the re-endowment of Guy's Hospital , and at which his Royal Highness has graciously consented to preside as Chairman , shall take place on Wednesday , the ioLh June . IT IS OFFICIALLY announced that the Committee of Council on Education have decided to open the South Kensington Museum , including the Indian and Science Collections in the galleries on the Western side of Exhibition-road , as well as the Bethnal Green Branch , as an experiment on Sundays .

IN CONNECTION with the approaching Royal visit to Croydon in May next , the Mayor ( Bro . Alderman F . T . Eldridge ) has offered to present the Corporation with a silver gilt mace . It is proposed to spend £ 1000 in decorations and entertainments , while the day will be observed as a public holiday . THE FETES in commemoration of the 75 th anniversary of the War of Independence will begin at Athens on Monday , the 6 th inst . The principil fea ture will be the revival of the Olympic games , and already a large number of visitors hava arrived in the Greek capital in order to take part in the festivities .

THE DUKE OF SAXS COBURG GOTHA paid a private visit to Eltham College , the Royal Naval School in which for so many years his Royal Highness has taken so deep an interest . His Royal Highness was very heartily received , and on being conducted to the College library , inspected the plans for the new chapel which is about to be erected . THE ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL of the British Orphan Asylum , Slough , will be held at the Whitehall Rooms of the Hotel Metropole , on Wednesday , the 22 nd inst ., under the presidency of Lord Rothschild , while Mr . James Bailey , M . P ., will preside at that of the Royal Eye Hospital , Southwark , which will b 2 held at the same hotel on Tuesday , the 21 st inst .

GENERAL SATISFACTION will be felt at the announcements made in the duly press on Wednesday that the excess of income over expenditure for the financial year ending on the 31 st ult . reaches the unprecedented sum of £ 7 , 642 , 642 . It is evident from this that both the home and export trade of the country has been in a flourishing state during-the past 12 months .

LEWISHAM PUBLIC LIBRARIES POLL . —The Ratepayers refuse the Penny . —Th : voting papers issued to the Lewisham ratepayers of the parish last wiak to ascertain il they were in favour of increasing the library rate to a penny in the pound was collected on Saturday last . The result was asfollo . vs : Against the increase , 4044 ; for , 303 ' ) - majority against , 100 S .

THE SECOND annual dinner of the St . Martin ' s Old Boys took place at the Holborn Restaurant last Saturday under the presidency of VV . Mclntyre , Esq . After dinner , which was admirably served , a capital programme of music was rendered by members and friends of the Post Office . A handsome gold watch-chain was presented to Mr . G , H . Webb , Hon . Sec , for services rendered to the Club .

THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY will be opened to the public , but without am ceremony , to-morrow ( Saturday ) , at 10 a . m . It will be free on Mondays , Tuesdays , Wednesdays , and Saturdays during the summer months from 10 a . m to 6 p . m ., but on Thursdays and Fridays , which will be students' days , it will be opened to the public only on payment ot sixpence each person , from 10 a . m . to 5 p . m .

PORTSMOUTH FREEMASONS'CLUB . —The annual meeting of the shareholders of this Club was held on the 25 th ult ., Mr . H . Croucher , President , in the chair . On the proposition of Mr . Buckle , seconded by Lieutenant T . Cowd , R . N ., the whole of the retiring Directors were re-elected , and Mr . T . P . Hall was appointed to till a vacancy on the directorate , caused by the death of the late Mr . W . Gunnel ! . Messrs . Casey and Windsor were re-appointed Auditors .

THE KENNING CRICKET CLUB held their first Bohemian Concert on Tuesday evening at the Horseshoe , Tottenham Court-road , when Bro . William Baker presided over a large audience which assembled to enjoy a long and varied programme , both vocal and instrumental , which had been provided under the musical directorship of Mr . J . H . Murphy . The executive of the club are to be congratulated on the success which marked their first efforts , and we learn with pleasure that it is intended to be an annual affair .

THE STEAMSHIP ESSEN has left Colombo , with a large number of Cingalese artizins , devil dancers , carvers , potters , painters , goldsmiths , brassworkers , lacewomen , & c , for the Empire of India and Ceylon Exhibition at Earl's Court . An opportunity « 'il thus be afforded this summer ol seeing both Indian and Cingalese workmen and performers plying their varied vocations , and endeavouring in their different wiys to amuse the public . Work on the groui . ds and various buildings at Earl's Court is being rapidly pushed forward for the opening early in May .

BROS , LORD MAYOR and Alderman Sir J . Whittaker Ellis , Bart ., Mr . F . L . Cook , M . P ., Mr . Ernest Ue La Rue , Mr . T . Andros De La Rue , Mr . H . Gilliat , Mr . J . S . Gilliat , M . P ., M . P ., Mr . B . L . Cohen , L . C . C ., M . P ., Mr . S . Hope Morley , Mr . Charles Morley , M . P ., Bio . Lord Pirbright , the Hon . W . F . D . Smith M . P ., L'J Rothschild , Bro . Baron F . De Rothschild , M . P ., and Colonel Makins are acting as Stewards in connection with the forthcoming festival dinner of the Royal Hosp ital tor Diseases of the Chest . Lord Charles Bruce will preside .

A " HISTORY OF THE STEWART LODGE , NO . i 960 ( E . C ) , Rawal Pindi , " by Bro-Major J . H . Leslie , with an introduction by Bro . R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., will be published early ncxtmonth . The woik will be brought down to the closeof 1 S 95 , and will contain several appendices , a facsimile of the lodge warrant , copy of the lodge by-laws . & c , ana a portrait of the late Btp . Colonel Anthony Stewart , after whom the lodge is named ) in full Masonic regalia . The price , including postage , is four shillings , and applica t | jns for copies should De addressed to Major J . H . Leslie , R . A ., The Gaules , Shoeburyness .

SEVERAL INCORRECT STATEMHNTS have appeared in the papers ( says Truth ) respecting the wedding of Princess Maud ot W _ les and Prince Charles of Dennur ' y The ceremony is to take place early in J uly at the Chapel Royal , St . James's ^' a'ac ' J and the airangements will be much the same as when the Duke and Duchess of > or , were married tnere . Ihe Primate is to officiate , assisted by the Bishops of London an Winchester . the statement that " there will not be any State procession throug h tn streets" is nonsense . The Royal Family and guests will assemble at Bucking" *' Palace between 11 and 12 , and there are to be four carriage processions to St . James Palace before the wedding , and three afterwards on returning to Buckingham Palace ,