Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

Bro . George Everett , P . G . Treas ., has just been reelected at the head of the poll a member of the Committee of the Surrey Cricket Club . Bro . Sir R . Hanson , M . P ., has also been re-elected . The Duke and Duchess of Connaught and suite visited the St . James ' s Theatre on Thursday evening , to witness the performance of "The Masqueraders . "

Bro . Archdeacon Sinclair , Grand Chaplain , occupied the pulpit at Norwich Cathedral at the service held on Wednesday evening in connection with the re-opening of the choir . The half-yearly meeting of the Province of

Cambridgeshire Masonic Charity Association will be held at the Lion Hotel , Cambridge , to-day ( Friday ) . Bro . A . J . Elworthy , W . M ., will represent No . Son ; Bro . P . H . Young , W . M ., No . 441 ; and Bro . E . M . Money , P . M ., No . 850 , as Stewards at the Festival of the Boys' Masonic Institution .

The Queen has expressed a desire that on the occasion of her visit to Manchester on the 21 st inst ., she should not only see the Canal but make a trip upon it . The directors have arranged the journey so that her Majesty may inspect the wonderful engineering works , including the Barton aqueduct and the swing bridge . A Committee of the City Council has been appointed , including the Lord Mayor , his deputy , and the ex-mayors , to superintend the arrangements .

This year Greenwich Hospital celebrates itsbi-centenary . The Queen has commanded all the boys of the Xaval School , about 1000 in number , to appear before her , when her Majesty will review them . The exact date for this event has not yet been fixed , but it will in all probability take p lace at the end of June , when the Queen returns from Balmoral .

The Prince of Wales visited the Exhibition of Pictures of Life in Egypt by Mr . F . Goodall , R . A ., and of " Military England of To-day . " by Mr . J . P . Beadle , at the Fine Art Society ' s Galleries , 148 , New Bond-street , on Thursday . His Royal Highness also honoured Messrs . Dowdeswell ' s Galleries with a visit , to inspect the collection of drawings by Mr . L . Wyllie , A . R . A .

" Ladies' night " concert of the Strolling Players' Amateur Orchestral Society brought together a large and brilliant assembly in the Queen ' s Hall , Regent-street , on Thursday night , among whom was the Duke of Cambridge . The players turned out in great strength , and , under the

baton of Mr . Norfolk Megone , a long and varied programme was g iven to the entire satisfaction of the audience . Part first included Beethoven ' s Symphony No . S , the Prelude to "Luhengrin . " and a Concerto for piano and orchestra , by Mr . R . H . VValthen . Madame Fanny Moody and Mr . 11 . Braxton Smith were the vocalists .

The Royal private view of the Academy Exhibition was attended rn Thursday afternoon by their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Maud , the Duke and Duchess of York , Prince and Princess Christian and Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Hols ^ in . Princess

Louise Marchioness of Lome , the Duke and Duchess of Fife , the Duchess of Albany , the Duchess of Connaught , the Duke of Teck . and Princess Victor of Hohenlohe , and the Countesses Gleichen . The Royal guests were all received at the entrance of Burlington House by Sic Frederic Leighton , President of the Royal Academy of Arts .

Substantial benefit to the Clergy Orphan Corporation must have resulted from the choral service held on Thursday afternoon in Westminster Abbey . The venerable fane was thronged b y a congregation that would have been still larger bad more space been available ; and there can be little doubt that the amassed contributions of so numerous an assembl y reached a gratifying total . Founded in 1 749 , the Clergy Orphan Schools hav- grown from sin ill

b-ginmngs into the two buildings at Canterbury and St . John ' sword , wherein is now carried on the excellent work of the Govporalion . Thursday ' s service in aid of these worthy institutions was made mu-ic ^ lv interesting hv the performance as anthems of Dr . Bridge ' s set'ing of the " Lord ' s Prayer , " translated from Dante , and the ch-irus . " Unfold , Ve Portals Everlasting , " from Gounod's " Redemption . " The sermon was preached by the Dean of Worcester .

EAR 1 . s COURT INDUSTRIAL EXIIIHITIO . W—This popular metropolitan resort will this year he the locale of an exhibition of industrial pursuits , combined with a complete snd comprehensive round of amusements . The Exhibition will represent many of the manufacturing indus ' ries of Great Britain , with their latest artistic and scientific developments and improvements . The practical part of the

show will he suoplemented by lectures and conferences on the different trades represented . The Fine Art Department will be found more interesting than usual , and will include many valuable pictures which have been kindly lent by their respective owners . Special arrangements have been made

with the leading regimental hands in London , including jnat of the celebrated Grenadier Guards , under Lieutenant Uan Godfrey . Captain Paul Boyton ' s World's Water ahow has been again organised on a more magnificent scale than it was last year , and with the famous water chute will form an attractive feature of the Exhibition . The

gigantic wheel , 60 feet higher than that of Chicago , is in course of construction . The gardens are being elaborately Prepared , and with their exquisitely laid out flower beds and illuminations will be an added source of delight to many JOusands this year as they have been in past years . The Exhibition will be opened to-morrow ( Saturday ) by the Lord Mayor of London .

,.. i 'V ' ESSI ' N' ° 1 N DIMIUIPK is often a pleasant surprisi ' , especially "" en it brings is relief from pain . Holloway ' s Ointment will e toiind to fullil both these conditions to those who have l . iilh troll me . ' - lts success induced the medical profession to in . ™ uce '' into the hospitals and their private practice , and in

Hoii ln 6 tances where the suuerer was considered incurable , J ° ay ' s Ointment , in conjunction witli his Pills , healed the scrnf 1 spcrate cases . They are also unequalled for the cure of Wert sc " i an « l a " diseases of the skin , and the cures they Pow 3 r ? t < : m P orary or imperfect , for by their purifying Iti . f ' if . 3 ' 1 > rin K about a marvellous and beneficial change in , ne whole Bystem .

Masonic And General Tidings

In our notice last week of the Masonic services of Bio . General Gadsden , Grand Sword Bearer , westated that he had occupied the chair of St . John ' s Lodge in 1 S 68 and 1 S 75 . This was correct as to the former date , but it was the chair of the Western Star Lodg'e that he filled in 1 S 75 . VVealsogave the number of Lodge Astrrca as 1376 , it should have been No . 674 , a lodge now defunct .

The Evening Star Lodge of Instruction has now discontinued its weekly meetings until the last Saturday in September . The "Messenger" says the Lord Mayor will be made a baronet at the opening of the Tower Bridge , the sheriffs will also become knights .

We are requested to state that the Stanhope Lodge of Instruction , held at the Fox and Hounds Hotel , Putney , will not meet again until the first Friday in October . Her _ Majesty has presented a handsome full-length portrait of herself , in massive gilt frame to the Church of England Soldiers' Institute at Woolwich , which will be opened on Monday next by the Prince of Wales .

A giver , who modestly hides his identity under the signature "A Friend well-known to the Hospital , " has justsent a ninth donition of £ " 1000 towards the building fund of the London Homceopathic Hospital . A further £ 14 , 000 is still required .

The Marquis and Marchioness of Granby , General Sir Redvers Buller , and Sir Frank and Lady . Lascelles visited the Queen at Windsor Castle on Thursday evening and were included in the Royal dinner party . Her Majesty ' s guests remained at the Palace .

We regret to record the death of Bro . Henry Frederick Youle , the ClerVof the Special City Sessions , who expired at his residence , Angell-road , Brixton , at the age of 59 . Bro . Youle was a much respected official in the service of the Corporation , having b » en in the service upwards of 40 years . Amongst other offices he held was that of Clerk to the Pattern Makers' Company .

The Cardiff Masonic Hall Company , Limited , was registered on the 25 th ult ., with a capital of £ 6000 in £ 5 shares , to enter into an agreement for the purchase of certain properties situate in Guildford-street , Cardiff , and to provide a Masonic hall . The number of directors is not to be less than five or more than 13—remuneration not stated . —Investors' Guardian .

Professor Percy Frankland , the well-known authority on Water Supply , furnishes some important statistics as to experiments made by him some years ago . Professor Frankland shows that micro-organisms in the Thames and Sea are at least twenty times more plentiful in the winter than in the summer , thus proving that sunshine is a powerful counteracting influence against microbes . These statements have also been proved by other scientific men both in this country and abroad .

Ot no creed or nationality , Freemasonry his embraced the Jews . In East London the Hebrew element offers exceptional facilities for the study of the world-wide cult . Several good lodges exist , and last week a ceremony of particular interest took place at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , where Bro . Charles Eschwege was installed

as VV . M . of the Friars Lodge , No . 1349 , for the ensuing year . Few East-end Jews are so well known as Mr . Eschwege , whose friends are to be found in every quarter of the globe . His interests are cosmopolitan , and his knowledge of South African affairs and mining work has raised him to the status of an expert . —City Press .

"THE METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL . —The annual dinner of the Metropolitan Hosmtal took place on Monday last , under the presidency of the Right Honourable , the Lord Mayor ( Bro . Tyler ) at the Whitehall Rooms , Hotel Metropole . The toasts of " The Queen " and " Prosperity to the Hospital " were proposed by the Lord Mayor , thc latter being responded to by Mr . J . Fry , Chairman of the

hospital . The either toasts were proposed by Bros . Alderman and Sheriff Dimsdale , Grand Treas ., the Rev . R . J . Hassard , Mr . J . R . Pike , and Bro . Henry Lovegrove . The sums received amounted to £ 2200 , and it was announced that Mr . Passmore Edwards had offered to provide 3 convalescent home . The string band of the Royal Engineers performed an excellent selection of music .

WESTERN , ' MASONIC ASSOCIATION . —A largely-attended and representative meeting of the Masons of the Three Towns , was held on 27 th ult ., at the Masonic Club , Princesssquare , Plymouth , to consider a proposal of Bro . C . G . VVithell , P . M . 70 , Treis . 2025 , Preceptor Plymouth Lidije of Instruction , to form a Western District Mas > nic Association . Bro . Captain G . Strode-Lowe , P . J . G . W ., was voted

to the chair . Bro . VVithell having explained his scheme , it was resolved to form an association of VV . Ms ., Wardens , and P . Ms , of the Three Towns , to be called the Western District Masonic Institution . The officers appointed were : Bros . Strode-Lowe , President ; J . R . Lord ,

Vice-Chairman : W . Allsford , treasurer ; and J . Gifford , Secretary . The brethren at a previous meeting revised the liws of the Fortescue Annuity Fund with a view to increasing its usefulness . The alcerali-ins suggested will have to be submitted to a meeting of the governors and subscribers of the institution , and if adopted , be confirmed by P . G . Lodge .

Interesting particulars of the foundation of the Volunteer force are given by the Devon and Exeter Daily Gaocttc in an article recounting the services of Dr . Bucknill , who is described as the pioneer of the movement of 1852 . He is the only survivor of the small committee who set to work , upon his initiation , to establish a system of home defence by volunteers . Writing to Earl Fortescue , Lord-Lieutenant

of the county of Devon , from the Devon County Asylum at Exminster , of which he was then superintendent , Dr . Bucknill , on January 27 th , 1 S 52 , informed the noble lord that some gentlemen in the neighbourhood had resolved to form themselves into a rifle club and had asked him to act as Secretary . He continued : " The present state of France and the opinion so generally entertained on thc unprotected condition of England , no doubt prompt the idea that a judiciously

conducted corps of volunteer nfljmen might become subservient to the defence of this coast , " and the doctor concluded by asking Lord Fortescue to use his influence to procure Government recognition of ( such an association . Her Majesty readily granted her approval , and from this beginning has sprung the force which consists to-day of 225 , 000 men . Dr . Bucknill is now 7 6 years of age , and lives in retirement at Bournemouth .

Masonic And General Tidings

Princess Anx of Hesse , the fiancee of the Cesarewitch , will arrive at Windsor Castle to-day ( Friday ) on a visit to the Queen . The Dulwich Picture Gallery is to be op » n on Sunday afternoons , from two o ' clock to five , during the months of May , June , and July .

Friday , the ist prox ., is the day fixed for the opening by Princess Christian of the new buildings of the Hospital for Women and Children , Soho-square . The Duke of Fife will be in the chair at the Hotel Metropole on Tuesday , the 22 nd inst ., at the annual meeting of the Children ' s Country Holidays Fund .

Upon his relinquishing the management , Bro . Bartini is about to be presented with a pirse of £ 400 by the frequenters of Messrs . Spiers and Pond ' s Criterion Restaurant . In response to the appeal of the Church Missionary Society , issued last month , the sum of £ 16 , 580 has been received . Thus the deficit of i . , 610 has been win ; d off

and £ . 3970 remains in hand . The Committee have received a subscription of £ 100 for current year from the Saddlers' Company for the maintenance of the saddlers ' shop at the Gordon Boys' Home ; they have likewise received a further donation of 20 guineas from the Company of Skinners .

Brethren are invited to send for the list of Masonic Books published at the office of the Freemason . Many works of interest both to the Masonic student and tgeneral reader have recently been added , and the publisher will gladly forward a copy to any address on receipt of a post-card .

Mr . John Burns met with an accident on Thursday in Battersea Park . A cricket-ball struck the hon . member in the face with great force , cutting his face and blacking his eye . Mr . Burns , with his face surgically dressed , subsequently proceeded to the House of Commons .

The annual sermon of the Central Society for Higher Religious Education will be preached in St . Gabriel ' s Church , Warwick-square , Pimlico , at eleven o ' clock , on Sunday next , by the Bishop of Chester . The object of this society is to draw together and consolidate the efforts now being made in nearly all the English dioceses to promote a higher standard of religious knowledge .

John Roberts , the champion billiard player , has now realised the chief object of his professional ambition . On Thursday night , at Manchester , in the course of a match he is playing in that city , he made an unfinished all-round break of 1033 , beating his own record by 166 points . As

he goes on with the break this afternoon he may do considerably more ; but even if he should fail at the first shot the greatness of the feat will be in no way diminished . Not very many years ago thj idea of a player miking a thousand off the balls without using the spot-stroke would have b en regarded as ridiculous .

In the Government Whip ' s Room , on Thursday , at the House of Commons , the Ministerial marriage present to Mr . Asquith , Home Secretary , was on view , and was much admired by those who had the privilege of seeing it . The gift consists of four pieces of silver plate , including a loving cup of the period of George II ., of which the sides are richly embossed with high relief medallions , and the lid and

handles are beautifully chas ; d . There are also three massive salvers richly decorated . In the evening the Right Hon . Robert Spencer , who had been entrusted with their custody , conveyed the articles for presentation to the Home Secretary . At a meeting of the committee of management of Swansea Hospital , on Thursday , a letter was read from Madame Adelina Patti , dated Craig-y-Xos Castle ,

indicating that it was her intention to give a concert for the benefit of the institution and the poor of her own locality . The offer was received with much satisfaction , the concert being fixed for the second week in July . It was stated that Lord and Lady Swansea had suggested that Madame Patti and her distinguished party of artistes should bs given a fitting reception on the occasion , and an influential committee was appointed to carry out the arrangements .

Bro . H , C . Richards , by whom the presentation was organised , has received from Mr . H . H . Asquith , Q . C , M . P ., a very appreciative acknowledgment of the silver epergne offered to him as a wedding gilt by his old schoolfellows at the City of London School . " Will you please convey to the subscribers , " wrote the right hon . gentleman , " my most hearty thanks , and assure them that I

shall not forget the ties of comradeship and old association which bind us together , and v . 'nich ( as this present shows ) are not weakened by time ? " The epergne bore the following inscription : " Presented to the Right Hon . H . H . Asquith , from old schoolfellows . May loth , 1 S 94 . " A meeting , attended among others by Mr . Gladstone and presided over by the Duke of Cambridge , was held in the

Prince ' s Hall , Piccadilly , on Thursday , in furtherance of the movement to raise an adequate memorial to the life and labour of the late Sir Andrew Clark . Mr . Gladstone , in moving the first resolution , p rid an eloquent tribute not only , as he said , of duty and respect but of gratitude and personal affection to his late physician . Cardinal Vaughan

seconded the resolution , and other speakers included Canon Wilberforce and Sir . James Paget . The object of the meeting was declared to be to collect a sufficient sum for the erection of a block of buildings at the London Hospital , to bear the name of Sir Andrew ( Clark , and to afford increased facilities for the relief of suffering and the advancement of medical science .

The Duke of Westminster presided on Thursday afternoon , in Grosvenor House , at the annual meeting of the council of the Royal Normal College for the Blind , Norwood . A voluminous report was pesented by the Committee and the principal , Dr . F . J . Campbell , as well as the annual balance-sheet . It was stated that , in view of the new Act of Parliament for the education of blind children ,

provision should be made for the accommodation of a large number of pupils who were likely to be sent by board schools from many parts of the country . Government grants in aid depended on one-third of the cost of the children's education being provided by private charity . An

increase of subscriptions was on that account desirable . After brief addresses from Mr . W . F . Smith , M . P ., and James A . Campbell , M . P ., the report was adopted . The Duke of Westminster and other speakers expressed the liveliest interest in the college , and commended the excellence of the work carried on there .