Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

The Council of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will hold their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons ' Hall to-morrow ( Saturday ) , at 3 p . m . The Committee of Management of tbe Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will hold their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday next , the gth inst ., at 4 P . m .

We understand the Provincial Grand Chapter of East Lancashire will be held on Wednesday , the 30 th instant , and will be presided over by Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , Grand Supt . It it expected there will be a very large meeting . We are requested to state that the Regent ' s Park Lodge , No . 2202 , have started a lodge of instruction on Thursday evenings , from S to 10 , at the Waterloo Arms , High-street , Marylebone . Brethren will be heartily welcome .

Bro . Sir Algernon Borthwick , Bart ., M . P ., who was recently elected President of the Newsvendors' Benevolent and Provident Institution , has kindly consented to preside at the annual festival , to be held at the Hotel Metropole on Saturday , 21 st May , supported bv a distinguished company .

A festival service in Welsh was held in St . Paul ' s Cathedral on Monday evening , being the eve of St . Davids , which was attended in State by Bro . Lord Mayor Evans , who was accompanied by the sheriffs and attended by the sword and mace bearers .

The Leathersellers' Company have forwarded a donation of 20 guineas , and the Mercers' Company one of 25 guineas , in answer to Bro . Lord Mayor Evans ' s appeal for funds in aid of the Mansion House Council on the Dwellings of the Poor .

An old clock once belonging to Yorktown Lodge , in Virginia , made about 1775 , has been found and purchased by Bro . A . B . Lyman , residing near Baltimore . The face and hands are filled with Masonic emblems . This lodge ceased its work years ago , and this clock recalls the past and peoples the lodge with many distinguished brethren connected with the revolutionary struggle , among others , Washington and La Fayette . —Keystone .

The Prince of Wales left Compton Place , Eastbourne , early in the week , and , after paying a brief visit to Sandringham , returned to Marlborough House on Thursday afternoon in time to meet the Princess of Wales , the Princesses Victoria and Maud , and Prince George on their return from Eastbourne . Their Royal Highnesses will remain at Marlborough House until they leave England for a brief sojourn on the Continent .

The Earl of Glasgow and Bro . Sir Albert VV . Woods ( Garter ) arrived at Windsor Castle on Monday , when the former was introduced and presented to her Majesty , and received at her hands the honour of knighthood , as well as the insignia of the Order of the Grand Cross of the Order of St . Michael and George . His lordship subsequently kissed hands on appointment as Governor of New Zealand , in succession to Bro . the Earl of Onslow .

Her Majesty ' s battleship The Ramillics , of the same tonnage and horse-power as the Royal Sovereign and Empress of India , was launched from the yard of Messrs . Thompson , Clyde Bank , Glasgow , on Thursday afternoon . The ceremony of christening the huge vessel was performed by the

Duchess of Abercorn , and the order to let the vessel go was at once given . But it only travelled some 12 feet , and then stuck fast . However , the efforts of the workmen were eventually successful , and the ship entered the Clyde amid the cheers of the immense crowd which had gathered to witness the event .

Among those present at the marriage of Captain the Hon . A . Gore Curzon-Howe , C . B ., R . N ., brother of the Duchess of Abercorn , and Miss Alice Cowell , daughter of Major-General Sir John Cowell , Master of the Queen ' s Household , at St . ' Mark ' s Church , North Audlcy-street , on the 25 th ult ., were Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn , the

Duke of Grafton , Lady George Hamilton , Lady Tweedmouth , Bro . Admiral Sir E . and Lady Commerell and Miss Commerell , and others . Among the wedding gifts were presents from her Majesty , the Princess Louise , Marchioness of Lome , Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg , and the Duke of Edinburgh .

The sixth Exhibition of the I ' niversal Cookery and Food Association will be held at Portman Rooms , Baker-street , from May 3 rd to 7 th . Among- a long list of noble and distinguished patrons are H . R . H . the Duke of Cambridge , T . R . H . Prince and Princess Christian , H . R . H . Princess Louise , H . R . H . the Duchess of Albany , T . S . H . the Duke

and Duchess of Teck , II . S . H . Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar , & c . The exhibits will be divided into three , viz ., the artistic , housewife , and trade sections , and these will in turn comprise 15 divisions with 77 classes . The Committee will award special prizes , diplomas for gold , silver , and bronze medals , and certificates of merit according to the decision of the juries .

Every lodge appears to have its " objector "—a member who seems to attend , : nd pretty regularly , too , for the sole purpose of objecting to any proposition brought before the lodge . The merits of the case make no difference to the objector . He may be in favour of the measure proposed , but before giving it his support must indulge his favourite peculiarity . He is generally well posted on ancient usages

and laws , and does not hesitate 0-1 occasion to dig up obsolete enactments and resurrect buried traditions in support of his opinions ; nor does it matter to him that he may not fully understand the question—he sails serenely on until checked by the presiding officer or called to order by some impatient brother . Hut the obj-ctor is not without his value . On the contrary , he is often as necessarv to the

lodge as an air-brake is to a railroad train , ami for the same purpose--to check Ihe speed . Often his opposition brings on a discussion that benefits every member and leads to a wise disposal of the matter under consideration . There are , it must be confessed , worse men than objectors , but their faces are rarely seen in the lodge room . To be entirel y frank with you , they belong to a large family whose name is Absentee . —American Tyler .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers' Company will entertain the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at a dinner on Monday , the 4 th April , at the Whitehall Rooms , Hotel Metropole . Bro . Sir Matthew White Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., and Mr . Caleb Wright , M . P ., have joined the Bimetallic League , and have been elected Vice-Presidents .

Her Majesty's staghounds met at Gerard ' s Cross , about 14 miles from Ascot Kennels , on Tuesday . The Earl of Coventry and a good field were present , and after a capital run , the deer was taken at Little Missenden in the Chesham district .

Bro . the Right Hon . Sir H . Drummond Wolff , G . C . B ., arrived at Windsor Castle on a visit to her Majesty on Monday , and had the honour of dining with the Royal Family . His excellency also kissed hands on his appointment as Ambassador at Madrid .

The annual meeting of the Governors of the West-end Hospital for Diseases of the Nervous System was held at the Institution , 73 , Welbeck-street , on Saturday afternoon last . General Mercer presided , and the annual report was accepted after a brief discussion .

The Duke of Connaught attended the meeting of the Portsmouth Royal Sailors' Home , held on the 26 th ultimo , under the presidency of Admiral Superintendent Fane , and expressed his regret at the continued absence , through indisposition , of Admiral the Earl of Clanwilliam , Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth .

On Monday the Duchess of Westminster distributed the prizes to the successful scholars in the Manual Training Classes established and maintained by a joint Committee of the London School Board , the City and Guilds Technical Institute , and the Drapers' Company . The ceremony took place in Drapers' Hall , and among those present was the Duke of Westminster .

A stirring chorus is among the additions that Mr . Imre Kiralfy has been recently making in his spectacle , "Venice , the Bride of the Sea . " There is also a fine dance for males in the second act . A strong feature will shortly be added in the shape of gondola racing , for which some special arrangements are being made , and which should prove an additional point of interest in Mr . Kiralfy ' s "Venice at Olympia . "

At the Virtue Lodge , No . 152 , held recently at Freemasons ' Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester , the retiring W . M . was presented with a splendid Past Master ' s jewel , in recognition of his valuable services for the last 12 months , and Bro . Gillebrand , l . P . M ., presented a beautiful charm to Bro . Crompton , who had acted as his Secretary during his year of office . Both of the above jewels were speciall y manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

Ihe 22 nd annual grand ball in aid of the funds of the Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage will take place at the Cannon-street Hotel on the 2 Sth April next . Two ball rooms with suite of apartments have been engaged for the evening , and a successful result is anticipated . Chief-Superintendent A . L . Foster is the Hon . Secretary , and information with regard to the arrangements may be obtained at the City Police Office , 26 , Old Jewry .

Bro . Sir J . R . Somers Vine , P . M ., P . G . D ., who has just recovered from a severe attack of influenza , takes the Secretaryship of the Savage Club Lodge , vice Bro . Paige , d-. ceased . It is somewhat remarkable that three Secretaries of this lodge have died within four years—Bros . McNeill ( mysteriously drowned at Boulogne ) , Duffy , and Paige—only one past Secretary ( Bro . P . Soman ) surviving of those appointed since 1 SS 7 , when the lodge started into existence .

A destructive lire occurred on the 22 nd ult . in the fine block of buildings comprising the Masonic Temple , the theatre , and the Government Office tor Native Atfairs at Cape Town , South Africa . The three edilices were entirely gutted . Mrs . Brown Potter ' s dramatic company was performing at the theatre , and the value of the scenery and wardrobes lost in the conflagration is estimated at a high figure . The flames spread so rapidly that there was no time to save even the archives in the Native Affairs Office .

The Ahiman Rezon of Pennsylvania , prepared by Rev . Dr . William Smith , in 17 S 1 , and known as Smith ' s Ahiman Rezon , was the first "Ancient" Constitution published in America . It was modelled upon Dcrmott ' s Ahiman Rezon , and submitted to Grand Lodge November 22 nd , 17 S 1 . It

was dedicated by permission to Gen . Washington on June 24 , 17 S 2 , and published in 17 S 3 . A copy was ordered to be prepared and presented to Washington , which was done . This original and valuable volume was recently sold at a public auction for over four hundred dollars . —Keystone .

there was a great sale in Edinburgh on Tuesday of silver and silver plate belonging to the late Earl of Dunmore , the late Lord Justice General Inglis , & c , when sensational prices were realised by several articles . An early Italian double-handled cup and cover in the form of a chalice ,

belonging to the late Justice General Inglis , realised £ 13 per ounce , the highestprice hitherto known to have been paid being £ 10 per ounce . A similar price was paid for a quaint old stirrup-cup of the year 16 S 5 . A centre epergne of 1774 . weighing 111 ounces , sold for 50 s . per ounce , and other equally good prices were obtained .

The fund for providing a memorial to the late Rev . Henry White , for 30 years Chaplain of the Chapel Royal , Savoy , has just been closed . There were over 300 subscribers , and the amount raised was £ 1098 . A bed has been permanently endowed in King ' s College Hospital , a stained glass window erected in the Savoy Chapel , a

window space in King ' s College Chapel has been filled with mosaics , and a marble bust of Mr . White has been placed in the art gallery at Guildhall . The balance of the fund has been presented to the Savoy Choir School . A handsome memorial monument has been erected over Mr . White ' s grave , in Brompton Cemetery , by the Baroness and Mr . Burdett-Coutts , his friends for many years .

HotutWAv's OlNTMKsr AND PII . LS . -Hhenmalism ami Neuralgia . Though tin : former disease remorselessly attacks persons of all ae . es , ami the I HIT ruthlessly selects its victims fro . n the weal ; ami delicate , the pcrsev . riiin use of these remedies will infallibly cure holh complaints . Afler the allei teil parts have 1 een diligently fomented with hot brine , and the skin tnoruunnl y dried , Hnlknvi Ointment must he rubhed in firml

. ) s y and evenly lor ten minutes twice a day , and his Pills taken according to the printed directions wrapped round each box of his medicine . Uolh Ointment and Pills are accompanied hy instructions designed for Ihe public at lartfc , and no invalid , who attentively reads them , can now be at any loss how to doctor himself successfully .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Lord Knutsford and the Hon . ' Edward Stanhope on Thursday morning concluded their visit to the Queen , and returned to town . Bro . the Right Hon . Hugh C . E . Childers , M . P ., atl ( J Mrs . Childers are still residing at Mentone , where the former has derived great benefit to his health from his visit but they will not return to England till after Easter .

Miss Ellen Terry has been suffering from a partial extinction ot voice , an inconvenience rather than a malad y , with which she has more than once been seized before , and which usually passes off after a few days' rest . The "Official Year Book" of the Church of England has just been published by the Society for Promoting

Christian Knowledge . There are no new features this year but the information has been carefully revised and brought up to date . Every branch of the social and other work of the Church is treated fully and clearly . The volume does not confine itself to the United Kingdom , but contains statistics and other useful information of the foreign mission work of the Church .

The largest steamer that has ever been built at Greenock has just been launched from the yard of Messrs . Caird and Co ., at that port . The vessel , on leaving the ways , was christened the Himalaya . The Himalaya is a steamer of over 7000 tons gross register , and is of the following

dimensions : Length 4 ( 56 feet , breadth 52 feet , and depth 37 ! feet . She will be supplied with triple expansion engines indicating 10 , 000 horse-power , which will be capable of driving her at sea at a speed of over iS knots , or more than 20 ? miles an hour .

The performance of Gounod's " Redemption " at the Albert Hall on the 2 nd instant was the chief musical event o ? Ash Wednesday . It was given to a crowded house by thi Royal Choral Society , Mr . Barnby conducting . " Redemption , " a sacred trilogy , is a very fine work , rather

out of M . Gounod's tuneful style . Madame Nordica was in very fine voice ; it is the first oratorio work she has done since her return from America . Madame Belle Cole sang the contralto part with her usual charm , and Mr . Ben Davies and Mr . Watkin Mills did justice to their respective solos . Altogether , a finer performance has not been heard in London .

The hard frost in London , which set in on Wednesday , has since continued , and has been accompanied by inter , mittent falls of snow , which the strong north-east wind has , however , blown away almost as soon as it reached the ground . Ice has meanwhile formed in the parks . The edges of the Serpentine and Long Water in Hyde Park , and the Round Pond , in Kensington Gardens , being congealed . At no time during the 24 hours ended at nine

o ' clock this morning did the thermometer rise above freezing point , the highest record at midday yesterday being 32 . During the night the mercury fell to 27 ( five degrees of frost , and two degrees below the preceding night ) , while this morning the register was 29 ° ( three degrees of frost ) . The barometer has risen since yesterday from 30 . 05 to 30 . 22 , and this , taken in conjunction with the falling thermometer , is regarded as a pretty sure indication of a continuance of the present severe weather .

We understand that after the opening of the bazaar and fete in May next in connection with the celebration of the Centenary of the Masonic Female Orphan School , Dublin , a grand musical entertainment will be given . The programme will consist of the National Anthem , a Masonic ode , and a short selection of part songs suitable for the occasion . The choir will be exclusively composed of members of the

Order and their lady relatives . As a very large number of voices will necessarily be required to fill so extensive a building as the Main Hall at Ball ' s Bridge , we have been requested to ask those who arc eligible to take part in this interesting part of the opening ceremony to send in their names ( with particulars of their voices ) to Dr . Joze , Masonic Hall , who has kindly undertaken the work of organising the concert . —Dublin Daily Express .

The General Purposes Committee of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund held a meeting at the Masonic Hall , Plymouth , on Saturday , the 27 th ult . Among the members present were Bros . F . B . Westlake , P . P . S . G . D ., who presided ; J . R . Lord , P . P . G . T ., Treasurer of the Fund ; J . B . Gover , P . P . G . Sec , Secretary ; VV . H . Dillon , Asst . Secretary ; S . Jew , P . P . G . T . ; J . VV . Cornish , P . P . G . T . ;

W . Powell , P . P . G . T . j J . Griffin , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . Cawsey , P . P . J . G . D . ; E . Aitken-Davies , P . P . G . S . of W . ; A . R . Lethbridge , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; C Watson , P . P . G . D . C ; R . Pengelly , P . P . A . G . D . C ; G . Gidley , P . O . Std . Br . ; C . Mutten , W . M ., and R . G . Bird , P . M ., of 1550 ; W . Allsford , P . M . 202 ; and W . H . VV . Macey ,

P . M . 1 S 47 . After the report of the Finance Committee had been read , it was decided to elect two candidates on the fund at annual meeting on April 5 th , to be held at Exeter A prior meeting of the Committee was appointed to be held at Plymouth on Thursday , the 24 th inst ., to consider petitions , and place such petitioners as are approved of on the list of candidates .

Bros . Curtis and Willis , proprietors of the Alexandra Hotel , Kingston Hill , the home of the Brownrigg Lodge of Instruction , had a novel form of a silver wedding celebration on the 1 ith ult ., when they invited 30 brethren of that and adjoining lodges to make merry with them in commemoration of 25 years' union as partners in business . Bros . Curtis and Willis were both in one service as lads at

Southampton in 1 S 54 , after which each went in a different way for a time , later on coming together as partners . The guests were entertained with the utmost hospitality , and over dessert a few toasts were given . Bro . Edgell , S . W . S 89 , gave the chief sentiment , and bore his testimony to '" individual worth of the hosts , as well as to the harmony which had been apparent to all since they came to Kingston . the

The partners also testified , the one of the other , to pleasant relations which had existed between them for many years , and especially during their partnership . Bro . Willis is this year W . M . of the Brownrigg Lodge , No . 163 S , and at the approaching Festival qualifies as a Life-Governor ot the Boys' School , thus becoming entitled to wear the Charity jewel . Among the guests were Bros . A . M . Levy , VV . M ; 889 ; H . J . Shelley , [ . P . M . 19 S 1 ; and several F «' Masters of 1 O 38 .

INFLUENZA TONIC—Nothing is more effective in keeping up nerve and strength during the prevalence of i" ; fluenza than Grant ' s Murella Cherry Brandy . In cases ot debility its marvellous restorative powers , derived from In ' peculiar properties of the Kent Morella , render it of 6 ' *** value in regaining strength after illness . Sold everywhere .