Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

Bro . Sheriff Hand has presented a banner of his arms to the Loriners' Company . The Sincerity Lodge of Instruction is now held at the Blackwall Railway Hotel , Fenchurch-street , E . C , on Mondays , at seven p . m . The Metropolitan Chapter of Improvement has resumed its weekly meetings at the White Hart , Abchurch-lane , E . C , on Tuesdays , at 6 . 30 p . m .

The Freemasons of Langholm are about to erect a new Masonic hall in the " muckle toon , " and at their request the foundation-stone will be laid by the Prov . G . Lodge of Dumfriesshire on Saturday , the 13 th inst . The Quarterly Convocation of the Supreme Council of the 33 will be held at 33 , Golden-square , on Tuesday next , at 5 . 45 p . m . There is a list of 24 candidates on the agenda paper for the 30 , six for the 31 , and one for the 32 .

We have been asked to state that the Lodge of Loyalty , No . 1607 , have discontinued the September meetings . The 19 th installation meeting will be held on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., when Bro . VV . B . Vaile will be installed Worshipful Master , at the London Tavern , Fenchurch-street , E . C .

Bro . F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M ., P . Z ., & c , author of "The Noble Soul , " "The Submerged City , " "Toujouds Perdria" ( poems ) , and "A Novel Vengeance" ( prose ) , recites his original productions at musical entertainments , smoking concerts , & c For terms , address F . D ., 62 , Lancaster-road , Notting Hill , W .

The directors of the Empire Palace Company , Limited , have declared the third interim dividend for the present year at the following rates , viz .: is . Sd . on each share of £ 1 on which 10 s has been paid ; 25 . 6 d . on each share of £ 1 on which 15 s . has been paid . The said interim dividend to be payable on the 1 ith instant . '

_ A dinner of unique character was given on Saturday night , the 2 gth ult ., to a company numbering upwards of 600 in the palatial new annexe of the Holborn Restaurant . The guests consisted of all the artificers and workmen employed in the construction of this adjunct ; the proprietors considering that those whose hands had reared the structure should be the first to banquet within its principal salon—the "King ' s Hall . "

THE Q UEEN ' INDIAN CARPET . —The handsome Indian carpet which has been made for the Queen in the Agra Central Prison has arrived at Windsor Castle from the Metropolis , whence it was conveyed upon several carriage trucks by the Great Western Railway Company . The large roll weighed three tons , and was about 40 feet long . . The labels affixed to the outer envelope of the carpet bore , the direction : "The Queen-Empress , Buckingham Palace , " and some Indian words .

Before closing up his work on the old A . B . C . Hornbook , which is to contain something like two hundred illustrations , Mr . Andrew Tuer , of the Leadenall Press , E . C , asks to be favoured with notes from those who may remember the horn book in use , or who may have in their possession examples which he has not yet seen . Information about spurious horn-books , from the sale of which certain persons are at present said to be reaping a golden harvest , is also sought .

A Masonic musical service is to be held on the 2 tst inst . at St . Oswald's Church , Collyhurst , in connection with the Newall Lodge , No . 1134 , Manchester , under the patronage of Bro . Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie , Prov . Grand Master , Bro . George Mellor , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and the officers of Prov . Grand Lodge ; and , by kind permission of

the Kev . A . W . laylor , M . A ., rector of St . Oswald ' s , the sermon will be preached by Bro . the Rev . J . W . Challenor , M . A ., rector of Christ Church , Moss Side , and Chaplain of Centurion Lodge , No . 2322 . The proceeds of the offertory are ti be divided between the East Lancashire Masonic Charities and church expenses .

At a regular meeting of Alexandra Lodge , No . 9 S 5 , Sutton Bridge , Lincolnshire , on Monday , the 24 th ult ., it was unanimously agreed that the W . M . and Wardens sign a recommendation to a petition to Grand Chapter from Comps . H . F . Pollock , P . Z ., asZ . ; S . S . Mossop , P . M ., as H . ; J . H . Carter , P . M . as I . ; Chas . E . Ward . Z . 107 .

as S . E . ; Mark Cox , P . Z . ; J . R . Clarke , Z . 809 ; J . E . Townsend , P . M . ; S . J . Coupland , P . M . ; J . G . Dunlop , and Harry Healey , praying for a charter to be granted to work a Royal Arch chapter , to be named the Edward Albert , to be attached to the Alexandra Lodge , and held at Bridge Hotel , Sutton Bridge .

Bro . J . W . Moorman , P . M . 163 S , and Secretarv 19 S 1 , holds the important post of Superintendent of Victoria Park under the London County Council , and since entering upon his duties he has effected many alterations and improvements in this popular recreative area . The Gardening World _ recently had a long article upon the park and its attractions , and expresses the opinion that the new superintendent will soon make the place more worlhv

of its name . The writer of the article , which is critical and laudatory , says : " A new departure is being inaugurated by Mr . Moorman in an attempt to enliven the park in spring by the use of thousands of polyanthus and other hardy subjects now being rapidl y brought to the frnnt for spring bedding . Formerly the beds were wont to lie bare for eight months in the year , a fact which was not very creditable to a large London park . "

WILL ruAiu * iMvnover-So far everyone admits Hint i 8 n 4 is every whil as had as -Ho ** . Universal e-rumblinc ; prevails , lint while we hope lor belter times , lei us not forget that we are our . selves 1 , 1 some measure to blame for the trouble . Certainly we should have much less cause for ( rnimUiim if we took better

care of „ ur health . . Nothing unfits one for work so miirli as illness . I-. vcn what wc are wont to ¦ •all minor complaints lead lo endless trouble . Happily ... Hollouav ' s I'ills and Ointment wc have the means ol ellceling a speedyVurc for .-, 11 such . roubles , and we should he ioolish indeed if we neglected to avail ourves of belli .

Masonic And General Tidings

The Maharajah of Kuch B , * har and suite witnessed the performance of "The Derby Winner" at Drury- ! ane Thea're , on Thursd < y night . " Little Christopher Columbus , " on Wednesday next , enters on its second year , 350 performances hiving been given . Mr . Horace Sedger has arranged an appropriate

" souvenir" for the occasion , with , which every visitor will be presented . The silver wedding year of Bro . Sir Albert and Lady Altman , of Pagoda Lodge , Norwood , has been signalised by the advent of a daughter , whidi will not by any means be the least interesting of the presents received in celebration of the event .

To-morrow ( Saturday ) , at the Opera Comique Theatre , a matinee will be given by the German company in aid of the funds of the German Hospital , Dalston , when a comedy by A . TArronge , entitled " Dr . Klaus , " will be performed for the first time in Englan ' .

The scholarship of 60 guineas open to students of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge has been awarded to Mr . William Cecil Bosanquet , of New College , Oxford . The entrance scholarship of 120 guineas has been awarded to Mr . A . K . Taylor , and that of 60 guineas to Mr . Ernest Lewis Lilley .

The Duke and Duchess of York , who are to open the new medical school in connection with the Yorkshire College at Leeds today ( Friday ) arrived at Girforth yesterday afternoon , and met with an enthusiastic reception . They will stay at T , emple Newsam as the guests of the Hon . Mrs . Meynell-lngram , till their departure for London to-morrow ( Saturday ) .

¦ * At a meeting of the local committee of the Royal Humane Society a monetary reward and a testimonial were granted to Percy Edward Tattn , iS , a clerk in the employ of Mr . J . Vickeis , 42 , Cheapside , London , for his courage and humanity in saving Harry Phillips , iS , of 30 , Endymionroad , Finsbury Park , London , who was in danger of dtowing near Hastings Pier in July last .

M . George Demeny has invented a chronophotographic camera , by which a quick succession of photographs of a person smiling or talking can be taken , suitable for combining in a zoetrope apparatus , so as to give an animated reproduction of the figure , in short a " speaking likeness . " The prohLm to be solved is the same as that of Edison ' s kinetograph , but M . Demeny ' s apparatus is much simpler than Edison ' s and quite portable .

The Chief Officer of the Parks Department of the London County Council announces that any surplus plants which may be available in the following parks will be distributed to the public on the 23 rd inst . Applications should be made direct to the Park Superintendent at each place . Battersea Park , Dulwich Park , Finsbury Park , Kennington Park , Myatt ' s Fields , Camberwell , Royal Victoria Gardens , North Woolwich , Southwaik Park , Victoria Park , and Waterloo Park .

MARRUGE OF MISS GOLDIE TAUBMAN . —The marriage of Miss Goldie Taubman , daughter of Bro . J . S . Goldie Taubman . P . G . M ., with Mr . J . Mackay Wilson , of Currygram , County Langford , took place at the M unnery , Isle of Man , on the 27111 ult . The wedding was a very " pretty " one , the company large and dis'inguished , and the presents were numerous and costly . Some exquisite

music was performed at the ceremony . A recherche dejeuner followed , and the young pair left lor the honeymoon in the brightest sunshine . THE ELECTION OK LORD MAYOR . —The succession to the Mayoralty of the City of London was accompanied on this occasion with unwonted stir and excitement . At the last moment , what appeared to bs a po . verful oppositi in to

the Alderman next in succession—Sir Joseph Renals—developed itself , but , after a poll , Bro . Renals was returned to the Court of Aldermen by a majority of over a hundred , and was by them selected as Lord Mayor for the ensuing year . Bro . Sir Joseph Renals is a Past Master of the Aldersgate Lodge , and his brethren of the " Ward " Lodge are unanimous in their congratulations on the result of the election .

MASONRY APPRECIATED . —When our fathers made long journeys to and from the lodge , they appreciated and valued Masonry at its truest worth ; the number was limited to a few choice spirits , and it was counted a very honourable thing for a man to be known in the community as a Freemason . It is not to be denied that we have not gained in proportion to our increase of numbers in the public estimation , nor has our moral s rength grown with

our numerical . I recollect as a youth seeing all the people uncover when a Masonic lodge passed in procession ; it was the sterling worth of the men that comprised that movi . ig body which compelled the act of homage . If Freemasonry were to guard its doors with Aiming swords and admit within its sanctuaries none but those whose characters had been established , it would not have to lament the fact that stones unfitted for the builders' use are to be found in its walls . —Frederick Speed .

On Saturday last , the whole of the brethren of the Rose of Raby Lodge , with their wives and lady friends , were the guests at Raby Castle of Lord and Lady Barnard , his lordship being W . M . of the lodge . Shortly after their arrival the officers were photographed in regalia , Lord Barnard wearing for the first time the clothing of a Provincial Senior Grand Warden of Durham , to which office he was appointed

last Wsek . Another photographic group was taken of the whole of the ladies and brethren present . Lord and Lady Barnard then most graciously entertained the guests to afternoon tea , and , dividing the company into two parties , conducted them personally over the castle and grounds , pointing out the special features of interest . Subsequently the party sat down to a banquet , at the conclusion of which

the Senior Warden of the lodge , Bro . J . E . Backhouse , in a very eloquent and feeling speech , thanked Lord and Lady Barnard for the very kind and hospitable manner in which they had entertained their guests . Lord Barnard responded on behalf of Lady Barnard and himself , expressing the p leasure it had given them to have the opportunity of

entertaining those present . During the afternoon the band , provided by Mr . Boynes , enlivened the proceedings with several very charming musical selections . The guests departed at seven o ' clock , with most favourable impressions , which will long be remembered , of the Lord and Lady of Raby .

Masonic And General Tidings

Pro . Richard Baker has acquired , for his firm , the busiress of L'Hotel de l'Europe , Leicester-square , latterly run by M . Jouggla , formerly known as " Varques . " Mr . C . Welch , the Guildhall librarian , delivered the inaugural address on Saturday at the opening of the free library just established in Blackstock-road , Finsbury Park . Bro . Samuel Ellis , who is well known and respected as the Tyler of several London lodges , was on Tuesday last installed as VV . M ' . of the Arnold Lodge , No . 19 S 1 , at East

Molesey . A handsome stained-glass window has been presented to the Parish Church of St . Mirtin ' s-in-the-Fields bv Bro . Major Clifford Probyn ( member of the London County Council for the Strand Division ) . Mr . Andrew W . Tuer , of the Leadenhall Press , suggests that an exhibition of old clocks should be held . But this is just what we are to have at the Guildhall , thanks to the generous gift of the Rev . H . L . Nelthropp , the master of the Clockmakers' Company .

It is the decision of the Grand Master of California that " No funds of a lodge , no matter from what source derived , can be used for social purposes ; the funds of a lodge are exclusively for necessary current expenses and for charity , and cannot be diverted . If the brethren must have refreshments and a good time , they must go down into their pockets for the expense . " How many London lodges would have to alter their by-laws to conform to this resolution ?

The monument which was erected by the Queen to the memory of the late Prince Imperial on the spot where he met with his tragic death has been stolen . The monument took the form of a cross , and bore the following inscription : "This cross is erected by Queen Victoria in affectionate remembrance of Napoleon Eugene Louis Jean Joseph , Prince Imperial , to mark the spot where he , while assisting in a reconnaissance with the British troops , on the ist of

June , 1 S 79 , was attacked by a party of Zulus , and fell with his face to the foe . " A reward of ^ 50 has been offered . At a recent special meeting of Montezuma Lodge , Santa Fe , a movement was inaugurated which promises to be oi inestimable benefit to suffering humanity . W '' h the consent of the Grand Master of the grand jurisdiction of New Mexico , a resolution was adopted setting forth the fact that

the death-rate from consumption is increasing at an alarming rate all over the world ; that the benefits of climatic cure are now universally recognised by physicians ; that the most perfect climate is found at Santa Fe , and inviting the Masons of the United States and Canada to co-operate with Montezuma Lodge in the erection in Santa Fe of a n . tional home for consumptives , to be governed and maintained by Masons for benevolent and charitable

purposes . Ihe summer has passed—the autumn winds are blowing —and Craftsmen will soon meet again in their Masonic homes to renew fraternal fellowship , to confer degrees , and to transact the business which may require their attention . Is it too much to hope that they may come together with a better recognition than they have ever before had of the worth of Freemasonry and of the responsibility which rests

upon them for its right expression ? Hiving a broader appreciation of the nature ot the Masonic Institution and its far reaching possibilities of good , they will become more devoted to the interests of the Fraternity , while by their words and deeds they will reflect the benign teachings which are fundamental in the Masonic sjstem . So will the value of Masonry be disclosed by the lives of its members . —Freemasons' Repository .

'The question " By whom was the postal order conceived , " still remains unanswered . The postal authorities cliim the honour for the late Mr . Chetwynd , C . B ., a member of their staff ; whereas Mr . E . S . Norris , ex-M . P . for the Liinehouse Division of the 1 ' o . ver Hamlets , contends , and brings forward various facts co prove the contention , tnat to him alone belongs the credit . The case tor and a ^ insc has been on more than one occasion argued at length in

our columns , and therefore at the present moment it will be sufficient merely to state tnat Mr . Nonis in a pain jhlet he has just issued reiterates his claim , and quotes from official letters and als ) Irom evidence given bctore Pailu * ment many statements to substantiate what he a-ssrts . Even for a Governmenc department it will be difficult now to deny Mr . Norris the honour which apparently is his due . —City Press .

It is said that the late Mr . Spurgeon wasin the habit of testing the ability and se'f-possession of the theological s ; uJenti under his care and instruction by sending them up in the pulpit with a sealed envelope in their hands containing the text of the sermon or address each one was to deliver on the spur ot the moment . On one of these occasions the student , on opening the paper found this subject and direction given him : "Apply the story of Zaccheus to your own circumstances and your call to the ministry . " And the student

promptly delivered himself in the following way : " My brethren , the subject on which I have to address you today is a comparison between Zaccheus and as to my qualifications . Well , the first thing we read about Zaccueus is that he was small of stature ; and I never felt so -. mail as ' do now . In the second place we read that he was up in a tree , which is pretty much my position now . And , thirdly , we read that he made haste to come down ; and in this I gladly and promply follow his example . —Presbyterian Banner .

The annual show of roots , corn , and yearly ploug hing matches in connection with the Royal East Berks Agricultural Association took place on Thursday , at Heywo ? Farm , near Maidenhead . The show was the best held lot many years , and the competition was very keen . The Prince Consort ' s Cup , value 20 guineas , for Best cultivation of root crops generally , was won by Mr . R . L . Cantrell , while the Prince of Wales ' s piece of plate , value £ 10 , was

awarded to Mr . George Hobbs . The labourers' premiums were presented on the show ground by Mr . Walters Bond , Vice-President . Sir George Russell , Bart ., M . P ., . w *** present , and , speaking on the present condition of agriculture , said that he had wondered , while watching the distribution of money awards , where the money had come from ; He did not think it could have come from the farmers

profits , with wheat at its present price . He should not be surprised to find next year that instead ot the labour" ' paying for their bread the bakers paid them to eat it , enable them to maintain the taste for bread until he "' j times arrived . Lord Ribblesdale , Master of the Royj " Buckhounds , presided at the farmers' banquet in the evening at Maidenhead .