Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

BRO . SIR MICHARL HICKS-BEACH , Bart ., M . P . ( Chancellor of the Exchequer ) , and Lady Lucy Hicks-Beach returned to town on Monday from their visit to Bro . the Earl and Countess of Onslow at Claydon Park . MESSRS . HARBO AND SAMUELSON arrived at Scilly on board the tS-feet rowing beat Fox en Satutday last , after a 55 days' passage from New York . They were in excellent health , but somewhat exhausted , having rowed the whole distance .

OF THP cricket male ! es which were rcncluded on Saturday last , that between Surrey ard Yoikshire terminated in a victory for the former in one inn ingswith 61 runs to spare , while those between Notts and Hants and Warwickshire and Sussex were drawn .

THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES the Prince and Princess of VVales , the Duke of York , Princess Victoria of Wales , and Prince Nicholas of Greece , dined with the Queen on Sunday , it being tbe Vrthday of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sparta ( Crown Prince of Grecc- ) . THE SHRIEVALTY . —Bro . Alderman Frank Green , we are gratified to be _ able to state , has—repeating the announcement he made same timi ago—definitely signified bis intention to offer himself to the livery on Midsummer Day in next year for the position of one of the Sheriffs for 1 S 97-S .

THE QUEEN DROVE FROM Oiborne to East Cowes on Tuesday evening , and having embarked on board the Royal Yacht Alberta , proceeded to inspect the fleet anchored off Spithead . The yacht steamed between the lines , and Her Majesty was received with a Royal salute , the yards being manned and the ships dressed . THE QUEEN held a Council at Osborne on Saturday last , when there were present Bro . the Duke of Devonshire ( Lord President of the Council ) , Viscount Cross ( Lord Privy Seal ) , and Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Arthur Hill ( Comptroller of the Household ) . The Duke of Devonshire subsequently had an audience ' of her Majesty .

BRO . A . AKERS-DOUGLAS , H . M . S First Commissioner of Works , has forwarded the customary warrants to Bro . Lord Mayor Sir W . Wilkin for four fat bucks , to each of the Sheriffs oi London for three , and to the Recorder , Chamberlain , Town Clerk , Common Serjeant , and Remembrancer for one each . Similar warrants are issued at Christmas for the same number of fat does .

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY , ever solicitous to satisfy the wants of the travelling public , have decided to further extend the issue of week-end tickets at a cheap rate . Commencing on August 14 th , the Midland Company will issue return tickets between certain stations on their railway and numerous seaside and inland pleasure resorts distant 30 miles and upwards , at about a Single Ordinary Fare for the Double Journey . These tickets will be available by any ordinary train on the outward journey on Friday or Saturday , and on the return journey on the following Sunday

( where the train service permits ) , Monday , or Tuesday . THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT and their children and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein were present at the Army Athletic Sports , which commenced at Aldershot on the 31 st ultimo and were brought to a close on Saturday last . Very many of the events were keenly contested , among them being flat races , hurdles , high and long jumps , bicycle races , lemon cutting , tent pegging , Sic The meeting throughout was a great success , the weather being fine and the attendance of spectators very large . The prizes were afterwards distributed by the Duchess of Connaught .

EXTENSION OF ISSUE OF WEEK-END TICKETS . —The arrangement which has been in force for the _ issue of cheap week-end tickets from certain Great Northern stations to seaside and inland health resorts , for some years past , is to be very largely extended . Commencing on August 14 th , these tickets , which are available by ordinary train , will _ be issued rn each Friday or Saturday to return on the following Sunday ( if train service admits ) , Monday , or Tuesday from aU the . principal towns on the Great Northern Railway to the chief health resorts on and in connection with that Company ' s system . Further particulars can be obtained of Superintendent of the Line , Great Northern Railway , King's Cross .

THE UNIVERSALITY of Masonry is well illustrated by a touching incident , which occurred on the high seas , on the steamer Lucania , on a recent trip to New York . Bro . James Albin Roberts , an English passenger and a member of Sherborne Lodge , No 702 , of Stroud , England , died suddenly at sea , and his remains were about to be committed to the _ deep waters when a brother Mason stepped forward and asked the captain for permission to examine some effects of the dead man . This was readily granted , and among these effects ' were found a Masonic apron and other evidence that

the deceased belonged to the Brotherhood . The body was claimed by Bro . Charles W Collier , of Putnam Lod ge , of New York City , who , with Bro . William Wilson , of W infield , York ; Bro . William Field , of Liverpool ; and other brethren on board , had the remains embalmed and biought to this city , and from here shipped them back to his native land in care of his lodge , Sherborne , No . 702 , at Stroud , England , where the body was received and interred with Masonic honours . The lodge at its meeting passed

the following resolutions : " That Sherborne Lodge desires to express its most grateful and sincere acknowledgment of the very kind feeling which prompted the action of Bro . ( harles W . Collier , of Putnam Lodge , New York City , United States ; of Bro . William Wilson , Bro . William Field , of Liverpool , and other unknown brethren on board the steamship Lucania , upon the sudden death of our lamented and esteemed Bro . James Albin Robetts , an action alike honourable to themselves and to the whole body ot the Craft , and to record its appreciation of the p-oof of the reality ot the Brotherhood of Masonry . "—Philadelphia Press .

ASBESTOS BEDDING AND CORDAGE . Visitors to the Life Saving Exhibition , at Central Hall , Holborn , could not fail to pause in their peregrinations to observe the interesting exhibits of the Cape Asbestos Company , Limited ( Stand No . 1 ) , who are the manufacturers of every description of Asbestos goods inblue Cape or White Canadian Asbestos , Asbestos cloths , yarns , millboards , & c , having their head ofiice , at 8 , Minories , London , E . G ., with bedding factory at 3 , Carlisle Avenue , E . C .,- / nines at Griqualand West , Cape Colony , and

spinning and weaving factory at ' 1 unn , Italy . The application of Asbestos to bedding has been pronounced a complete success . Infect life cannot exist in the material , and it is absolutely rot-proof and unburnable , so that in case of fire it is obviously safer to sleep in a room where the beds are of Asbestos than of other material , the combustio-1 of which would soon fi I the room with suffocating smoke . While possessing such unique qualities an Asbestos bed is just as soft and comfortable to sleep upon as any other , and the judgment of those who have tried them is that they sleep better and awake with a

sensation of freshness not so sensibly felt after sleeping upon ordinary bedding . The same material is also made into ropes and cordage of all descriptions , the tensile strength being about two-thirds that of hemp and halt that of best manille . Thus the Asbestos cordage is strong enough for all ordinary strains . But where the superiority oi Blue Asbestos over all organic fibres that can be used for rope making asserts itself is that it is imperishable and absolutely rot-proof ; it can be used in contact with acids and chemicals and re main quite unaffected . Ants or other insects that play havoc with all

organic substances in India and other hot climates will not touch a Blue Asbjstos rope . Lastly it is unburnable and will withstand for an indefinite time a degree of heat that would instantly destioy an crdinary rope . At the Exhibition the Asbestos rope shown suspended through a gas flame with 2 cwt . attached to it did not break at all , although for many hours each day the flame of a gas burner enveloped it at the same spot . There can be no doubt that goods possessing such unique qualities will meet with a large measure of public appreciation .

V . BENOIST , 36 , Piccadilly , W . —Barquets , Dinners , Suppeis , and Receptions served in the most unique style . Menus and cslimates on application . Also French Comestibles of every description . Sole Caterer to the celebrated Grafton Galleries . The best lecale in the West End for holding Private Parties , Balls , & c . Telephone , No . 3 , 919 . Telegrams , Gourmet , London . —[ ADVT . ]

THE TROCADERO RESTAURANT v . i' 1 shcrtly be opened by Messrs . J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , alter a lengthened period of preparation . Every effort is being made to make this the handsomest and most perfectlj-r quipped dining palace in Europe , and the arrangements for Masonic meetings will be made a special feature . Applications respecting bookings shculd be made as early as possible to the proprietors , J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , Cadby Hall , Kensington , where all inquiries should be addressed . JA DVT .

Masonic And General Tidings.

BRO . SIR M . WHITE RIDLEY , Bart ., M . P . ( Home Secretary ) , and the Hon . Lady Ridley have taken Cassiobury Park , Watford , for a long term of years and will very shortly go into residence there . IT IS ESTIMATED that the tidal wave , five miles in width , which inundated the coast of Hai-chau , in the north-east part of the province of Kiangsu , on the 26 th ult ., has caused the loss of some 4000 lives , to say nothing of the cattle that perished and the damage done to the rice fields .

AT THE CONCLUSION of their encampment at Pirbright for musketry practise , the Royal Horse Guards returned to London oh Wednesday , and took up their quarters at Knightsbridge Barracks . On the same day the 1 st Battalion Grenadier Guards moved from the Tower to Wellington Barracks .

SIR FRANK LASCELLES , the British Ambassador to Germany , with Lady and Miss Lascelles , and Mr . Gerald Lascelles , returned to Berlin on Monday , and proceeded tor the rest of the summer to Potsdam , where his Excellency has taken over the house formerly occupied by Sir E . Baldwin Malet , and Lady Ermyntrude Malet . BRO . ALDERMAN SIR J OSEPH SAVORY , BART ., M . P ., as the locum tenens of Bro . Lord Mayor Sir W . Wilkin , and Lady Savory entertained about 400 lady and gentlemen members of the third International Congress on Dermatology , now assembled in London , at a pleasant gathering at the Mansion House on Wednesday , when music formed the chief feature of the proceedings .

THE 9 TH ( QUEENS OWN ) LANCERS have received instructions from the War Office to piepare ior immediate embarkation for South Africa . The regiment , which is q uaitered at Aldershot , is 620 strong and in a high state of efficiency , but deficient in horses . As soon as orders were received the preparations commenced , and it is expected that the regime nt will be able to leave on the 25 th instant . There are also rumours that the Royal Scots Fusiliers , who are under orders to embark for India in September , will have their destination changed for South Africa .

AMONG THOSE PRESENT at the marriage of Mr . George Kemp , M . P . of Beechwood , Rochdale , with Lady Beatrice Egerton , third daughter of the Earl and Countess of EUesmere , either in St . Paul's Church , Knightsbridge , where it was solemnised , or at the reception at Bridgwater House , St . J ames's , which followed , were the Earl and Countess of Desart , the Earl and Countess of Strafford , Bro . the Earl and Countess of Onslow , Bro . Viscount and Viscountess Milton , Bro . Viscount and Viscountess Folkestone , Lord and Lady Calthorpe , and the Baroness Burdett-Coutts . Mr . and Lady Beatrice Kemp subsequently left for Burwood House , Cobham , to spend the honeymoon .

AT DEVONSHIRE HOUSE , on Tuesday afternoon , a meeting was held by permission of Bro . the Duke of Devonshire , who presided , when a handsome testimonial , consisting of an illuminated address , an album containing the names of the subscribers , a silver bowl , and a cheque for 1500 guineas , was presented to Mr . John Boraston for his valuable services to tne political party of which his Grace is the leader . Among those present , in addition to the Duke , were Bra . the Duke of Bedford , Viscount de Vesci , and Bros . Viscount Milton , M . P ., Sir J . B . Simeon , Bart ., M . P ., and Sir Thos . Lea , Bart ., M . P .

THE PRINCESS LOUISE ( Marchioness of Lome ) and the Marquis of Lome arrived at Crewe Hall on Tuesday evening on a visit to the Earl of Crewe , while the Prince and Princess Christian left Cumberland Lodge , Windsor Park , for Kissingen , where they are expected to remain till October . The Duchess of York , accompanied by her mother , the Princess Mary Adelaide Duchess of Teck , have also left London for St . Moritz Bad , Switzerland , the Hon . Eva Dugdale and the Hon . A . N . Hood being in attendance on their Royal Highnesses . The Crown Princess Archduchess Stephanie of Austria arrived in London on Tuesday , and took up her quarters at the Hotel Albemarle .

ON MONDAY the Queen received a contingent , about 500 strong , of the Church Lads' Brigade , which was founded in 1891 , and now numbers some 25 , 000 members . Lieut .-Col . Green , V . D ., of the 2 nd London Rifles , and the lads went through a few of the simpler movements very creditably . The Queen was very pleased with the appearance of the lads , and when the inspection wis concluded they were marched into a field adjoining the grounds of Osborne House and there regaled with cake , tea , & c , which had already been set out on tables ready for their consumption . The Dukeof Connaught is President of the Brigade .

THOUSANDS ON THOUSANDS of people took advantage of the fine weather on Bank Holiday to enjoy themselves thoroughly . All the parks were thronged with people , while the Zoological and Botanical Gardens , Madame Tussaud ' s , the Crystal Palace , the India and Ceylon Exhibition at Earl's Court , and Olympia each had its usual measure of support from the pleasure seeking folk . As for the railway companies , it was as much as they could do to meet the requirements of the huge crowds of excursionists bent on spending the day at the favourite resorts on the sea coast and in the

home counties , which are within easy reach of London . As for numbers , there were upwards of 47 , 000 to the Crystal Palace , about 11 , 000 to the different sections of the South Kensington Museum , and nearly 22 , 000 at the Zoo . IMPERIAL INSTITUTE . —In order to furnish an opportunity for the popular study of the abundant resources of the Empire , as illustrated in the Galleries ot the Imperial Institute , the Directors of the British Workman ' s and General Assurance Company , Limitedare issuing several hundreds of invitations to a half-holiday at the Imperial

, Institute , on Saturday , the 15 th inst ., the last day of the season of 1896 . The guests are a selection from the most important industrial establishments in the Metropolis ; at the expense of the Company a luncheon will be provided for them , and they will be admitted free of charge to all the galleries of the Institute , to the several exhibitions , and to the gardens , which will be brilliantly illuminated at night . A few tickets are reserved , which will be issued on application at the Company ' s Offices , 2 , West-street , Finsbury .

Li HUNG CHANG , the Chinese Ambassador , presented his credentials to the Queen at Osborne House on Wednesday , his Excellency being formally introduced to her Majesty by the Marquis of Salisbury , K . G ., Prime Minister , and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs . The Ambassador and his suite left their residence in Carlton House Terrace in Royal carriages for Victoria Station , whence they travelled by special train to Portsmouth . There he embarked for Cowes on the Royal yacht Alberta , and on reaching Osborne House the ceremony of introduction was gone through , among those

present being T . R . H . the Prince and Princess of Wales , the Dukeof York , the Duke and Duchess of Sparta , Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein , the Marquis of Salisbury , Sir Fleetwood Edwards , Sir Arthur Bigge , Bro . Col . the Hon . W . Byng , Major Legge , Bro . Lord Edward Pelham Clinton , and the ladies of the Household . When the reception was over , his Excellency returned to Trinity Pier , and , again embarking on the Alberta , was conveyed to the Koyal yacht Osborne , where he was entertained at

tea by the Prince and Princess of Wales . He then returned to the Alberta , on board of which he was given the opportunity of inspecting the Fleet off Spithead , being received with the customary salute . He then returned to Portsmouth and thence to the Koyal Pier Hotel at Southsea . On Thursday his Excellency visited the Dockyard and was taken over some of the battleships . Her Majesty has conferred on the Ambassador the Hon . Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order .

AT THE MEETING of the Committee for the raising of a menorial to the late Bro . Sir Augustus Harris , P . G . Treasurer , held on Wednesday afternoon in the saloon ol G jvent Garden I heatre , and , in the absence of Earl de Grey , presided over by Bro . Alderman Frank Green , free , but no means unkindly , criticism was bestowed upon the Executive Committee—that of the amount raised 10 per cent , should be applied towards the erection of a suitable personal memorial , and that the remaining nine-tenths should be divided equally between the Koyal Society of Musicians and the Actors' Benevolent

Fund , by whom the money would in some way be associated with the name of Sir Augustus . One section of those present , with Mr . Cecil Raleigh at their head , contended that a statue should be erected in some public place , and that the surplus funds , if any , should go to the charities , a course which was stated by Mr . Kendle , Sir Augustus ' s brother-in-law , to have the approval ot Lady Hani ; . Anather section deprecated thc spending of any large sum on what one gentleman described as cemetery marble and theatrical statuary , believing that the best memorial to a m in who was sii

generous and large hearted would be to aid the musical and theatrical charities in which he took so much interest . A d > cision was finally ad ipted that subscribers be asked to notify whether they desired their contributions to be devoted to a benevolent object or to a statue , the money subscribed to be applied to the particular object so notified . This practically means the carrying out of the double scheme , and the Chairman , in view of the large sum required , made a fpecial appeal to all promoting the memorial to be z-alous in their work .