Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

We are glad to hear that Bro . Sir Augustus Harris , who is staying at Carlsbad , has already derived great benefit from the change . Bro . the Earl and Countess of Albemarle sailed in the Grantuily Castle for Maderia on Saturday last , and are expected to return to England about the middle of next month .

Bro . Sir Edward Clarke , Q . C ., M . P ., her Majesty ' s Solicitor General , presided at the ninth annual meeting of the Bar Committee , which was held in the old Dining Hall of Lincoln's Inn , on Saturday last . During the first three months of the year reports were published of no less than 70 wills , which had been proved , each with personalty amounting to upwards of £ 100 , 000 and making a total of nearly £ 19 , 500 , 000 .

According to the latest advices from Darmstadt , Prince Alfred of Edinburgh is progressing rapidly towards convalescence , and will leave next week for C ' obtirg , whither he will be accompanied by his mother , the Duchess of Edinburgh .

We learn from the report of the Chief Librarian , Mr . E . Foskett , that in Camberwell , which has four free libraries , the issues to the public during the past 12 months exceeded 495 , 000 volumes , Lambeth standing next with an issue of 434 , 253 volumes .

His Majesty Christian IX ., King of Denmark , father of the Princess of Wales , the Czarina , King George of Greece , and the Duchess of Cumberland , completed his 74 th year on the Sth inst ., and will celebrate his golden wedding on the 26 th May .

Sir Algernon West , Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue , retired from office on Monday , after having been upwards of 40 years in the public service . His successor is the Earl of Iddesleigh , who in his turn has been succeeded by Mr . F . Lacy Robinson , C . B ., as Deputy Chairman .

Bro . the Right Hon . Hugh C . E . Childers , M . P ., and Mrs . Childers had the honour of dining with the Queen and Royal Family at Costebelle , Hyeres , on the 8 th ~ inst ., and after dinner Miss Childers and Bro . the Hon . A . Yorke had the honour of being admitted to the Royal circle .

Bro . George A . Sala presided at the annual dinner , which was held at the Holborn Restaurant on Saturday evening last , in behalf of the London Association of Correctors of the Press , and paid a very high compliment to those gentlemen for the accurate manner in which they discharged Iheir dulies .

The installation meeting of the Chorlton Lodge , No . 13 S 7 , was held at Chorlton-cum-Hardy on Thursday , the 7 th inst ., on which occasion Bro . F . Renshaw , LP . M ., presented to the lodge a most beautiful silk banner , bearing the arms of I ¦ ancashire , the work being entrusted to Bro . George Kenning .

Bro . the Marquis and Marchioness of Tweeddale have been entertaining the members of the Edinburgh Architectural Society at Gifford Castle , which came into the possession of his lordship's family in the fourteenth century and the story of which is told at length in Hcott ' s " Marmion . "

News has been received at the War Office from Colonel Ellis to the effect that ' Iambi , We . it Africa , was taken by assault by the British forces and destroved on the 7 th inst . Our casualties were one semeant Royal Engineers and two sergeants and six privates of thc 1 st West India Regiment , wounded , two of the latter mortally .

It is the intention of the Oueen to visit Darmstadt on her way home from Hjcres , and " it is probable she will be there on the 25 th inst ., the anniversary of the late Princess Alice ' s birthday , ller Majesty ' s journey from Germany will be viii Flushing and Port Victoria , and it is expected she will arrive at Windsor on the 29 th inst . The Duke of Cambridge , accompanied by Bro . Sir

Redvers Buller , Sir T . D . Baker , Bro . Sir Reginald Gipps , Col . FitzGeorge , and other oflicers of the Head-quarters Staff , visited Aldershot on the 7 th inst ., and inspected the troops encamped there to the number of some 10 , 000 . The weather was splendid , and the troops presented a fine appearance .

The Banks Dramatic and Musical Society , of which Mr . Alfred de Rothschild is President , brought a highly successful season to a close on Saturday last by a performance , at St . George ' s Hall , of the late Bro . Albery ' s popular comedy of the " Two Roses . " There was a full house , and the excellence of the acting was testified to by the frequent and hearty applause of the audience .

lhe fatal accident to Captain "Bay" Middleton atthe steeplechase meeting near Kineton on Saturday was not the only mishap which then occurred . On learning of Captain Middleton ' s accident , Mr . Smith-Barry , M . P . for the Huntingdon Division , proceeded to the spot , and taking a fence on the way , his horse stumbled and fell , and threw him on his head . Fortunately , Mr . Smith-Harry was not seriously injured , and is progressing favourably towards recovery .

There will be a grand military tattoo on the Marine Parade , Dover , on Saturday evening next . When the bugle sounds the bands of the Regulars and Volunteer Corps will march from different points through the town to the central rendezvous on the sea front , when the combined bugles will sound the " First post . " The massed bands , with the drums and lifes and pipers , will then perform a

programme of music , concluding with " Abide with me , " •' Rule Britannia , " the National Anthem , and the " Last post . " About 300 officers and men of the Artists' Corps left London by train for Newington , which is halfway between London and Dover , early on Tuesday morning . Here they

found their tianspoit waggons horsed and equipped by the corps ' awaiting them , and having transferred their baggage to these , the detachment , followed by the waggons , marched 12 miles to Faversham , and took up their quarters for the night , head-quarters being established at the Ship Hotel . The officer in command was Captain Willoughby Weiss .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . W . F . Bruty was elected Worshipful Master of the Strong Man Lodge , No . 45 , on Thursday , the 7 th inst ., and his installation will take place on Thursday , the 5 th May . Bro . Lord George Hamilton left town on Tuesday evening with Lady George Hamilton for Portsmouth , there to embark on board the Admiralty yacht Enchantress _ for a cruise in the Channel .

The American bison , which has been kept for about 10 years in the Home Park at Windsor , has been presented by the Queen to the Zoological Gardens . The animal is a very fine specimen of a nearly extinct species . The latest reports respecting Bro . Sir Arthur Sullivan , who has been laid up for some days at Monte Carlo with an attack of venal calculus , is to the effect that he is making good progress , and will in a few days be sufficiently well to

Be always obedient to the Chair . Obedience is a virtue of the greatest importance to your own character as a Mason , and to the welfare of the lodge . Without obedience , wisdom would be inoperative , strength would lose its power , and beauty its grace . —Masonic Tidings .

The Duke and Duchess of Connaught have left Hyeres for London , but their children will remain with the Queen for some time lo , nger . Prior to his departure the Duke called on the owners of the various estates in the neighbourhood , and thanked them for their courtesy in having placed their grounds at the disposal of the Queen .

Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., M . P ., presided at the annual dinner which was held at the Hotel Metropole , on Friday , the Sth instant , in aid of the London General Porters' Benevolent Institution . The subscriptions announced in the course of the evening , including £ 100 from the Chairman , amounted to £ 1005 .

In the Public Schools Gymnastic Competition last week at Aldershot , the Bronze Shield was won by the Surrey County Schoool , with 105 i points , Cheltenham , Clifton , and Bideford being placed next in order of merit . The prize for fencing was awarded to Walter Leonard Churchill ( Harrow ) , son of Bro . Lord Randolph Churchill , M . P .

As Prince Edward of Leiningen , brother of Prince Ernest of Leiningen , an admiral in our Navy , was alighting from a tramcar in the Avenue de la Gare , Nice , on Tuesday , he was knocked down by a passing vehicle , and seriously injured about the head and legs . He was taken to the Chateau Fabion , the residence of the reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg . Happily , his injuries , though severe , are not dangerous .

Her Majesty the Queen having been asked for her permission that the last ^ stablished bed at the Infant Asylum at Hyeres shall be named after some member of our Royal Family , has , by way of reply , remitted a sum of money sufiicient to install four additional beds in the asylum , which , at her desire , will bear the names of " Oueen Victoria , " " Princess Beatrice , " the " Duchess of Connaught , " and thc " Princesss Margaret Victoria of Connaught . "

A practical American electrician has discovered , so says the Philadelphia Ledger , that electricity is a cure for fog . Mr . M . E . lohnson , of Pittsburg , has made experiments at Sandy Hook and Boston Harbour in dense sea fogs , and , according to the report , a single powerful discharge cleared 70 , 500 square feet , near two acres , the thick aqueous vapour being turned into rain . From this Mr . Johnson anticipates that every sea-going mail steamer will carry its own fog annihilator .

A terrible boating fatality is reported from Boston , Massachusetts . A boat was returning from the City and lhompson Island , having on board 10 boys connected with the Farm School on the Island and the instructor , when it capsized , with the result that e'ght of the boys and the instructor were drowned . The two survivors were found clinging to the boat when it drifted to the shore about four hours after the accident , and though in a very exhausted state they soon revived .

In the Oxford and Cambridge University Athletic Sports , which were held at the Queen ' s Club , West Kensington , on Friday , the Sth instant , The Li g ht Blues proved victorious , winning the high jump , the mile , the hurdles , the quartermile , and the hammer , while their opponents won the hundred yards , the weight , the long jump , and the three miles . In the long jump thc Oxonian , Fry , of Wadham ,

cleared 23 feet 5 inches , and thusbrokeall previous records . The Boat Race on Saturday , however , resulted , as the best judges anticipated it would , in a victory for the Dark Blues , who passed the winning post , rowing well within themselves , some 2 ' , lengths ahead o ( their rivals . The winning crew rowed in grand style throughout , but the Cambridge men , though they made desperate efforts to win , showed very indifferent form .

The annual series of Shakesperian memorial performances at Stratford-on-Avon have again this year , for the fifth time , been undertaken by Mr . F . R . Benson , and will consist of eight representations of Shakesperian plays , including a most interesting revival of " 'Timon of Athens , " a tragedy that has not been seen on the boards since Phelps produced it at Sadler ' s Wells about 25 years ago . The performances

commence on Monday , lhe 18 th inst ., and will be as follows : Monday , 1 Sth , and Tuesday , lyth , "A Midsummer Night ' s Dream ; " Wednesday , 20 th , '' Julius C . x-sar ; " 'Thursday , 21 st , "Twelfth Night ; " Friday , 22 nd , and Saturday , -. ' 3 rd ( Shakespeare ' s birthday ) , " Timon of Athens . " There will be also two matinees ,

one of " A Midsummer Night ' s Dream" on Monday , iSth , and one of " Timon of Athens" on Saturday , 23 rd . Special trains will be run from London on Friday , the 15 th , and Friday , the 22 nd . ' 1 here will also be special trains from Northampton , Birmingham , Wolverhampton , Leamington , and surrounding districts .

MOLLOWAY ' S OISIMLST ANH I ' ILLS . -Ii ' 'sea >(* s and cnsmlties incidental to youth may he safely t eatcd hy the use of these excellent Medicament- ' according to the printed directions folded mind each pot mill hox . Nor is this Ointment alone applicable to external aijmcn s ; conjointly with the I'ills it extremes the most salutary influence in checking inflammations situated in

the interior of the hody ; when rnhhed upon the back and chest it gives the most sensible relief i-i asthma , bronchitis , pleurisy , and threatening consumption . Holioway ' s remedies are especially serviceible in liverand stomach complaints , c-or the cure of had legs , all sorts of wounds , sores , and likewise scrofulaand scorbutic affections , this Ointment produces a cooling and soothing feeling most acceptable to the sufferer . —Anvr .

Masonic And General Tidings.

We are asked to notify that the Camden Lodgeof Instru tion , No . 704 , is now held every Friday evening , at S o ' clock " at the Earl Russell , No . 2 , Pancras-road , N . W ., instead of at Lee , as formerly . The Grand Lodge of New York prohibits the issuing f demits until the demitting brother has petitioned and been elected in a regular lodge . The demit is then issued and sent directly to the lodge electing him . Exception is made to this rule where the brother desires to leave the State .

The Geographical Section of the London Geological Field Class will take their first excursion under the personal direction of Professor H . G . Seely , F . R . S ., on the afternoon of Saturday , the 23 rd inst ., when they " . will " visit Rei gate . The Bishop of Rochester has consented to preside at the annual meeting of the South London Free Art Gallery at Peckham in May next . It is expected tbat Bro . and Mrs Beerbohm Tree , Mrs . Humphrey Ward , and several other influential ladies and gentlemen will also be present .

The Baroness Burdett-Coutts has consented to distribute the Faithful Service Prizes to the old scholars of the Ragged School Union , who will form a choir to sing a selection of pieces on the occasion of the 48 th annual festival of the union , at Exeter Hall , on May gth .

There is at present on view at the Polytechnic in Regentstreet , a fine series of photographs . It comprises the most picturesque scenes on the Pennsylvania Railroad , the route by which the Polytechnic excursionists to the World ' s Fair will travel next year . The directors of the Empire Palace , Limited , have declared the first interim dividend for the current year at the usual rates , viz , 2 s . 6 d . on each share of £ 1 upon which 15 s . has been paid , and is . 8 d . on each share of £ 1 upon which ios . has been paid .

A Musicians National Mutual Aid and Employment Association is about to be established to foster and develope national musical talent , and to assist musicians in the various branches of the profession . The Secretary and manager is Mr . G . R . Basham , and the chief offices , 30 , Southampton-row , W . C

As Mr . and Mrs . Gladstone were driving on Tuesday morning in their brougham to Euston station on their way to Hawarden for the Easter recess , the horse fell , breaking the shaft of the carriage . The vehicle was so much damaged that the travellers were obliged to leave it and hail a cab , in which they arrived at Euston barely in time to catch the 10 . 30 train . Hawarden was reached shortly after three o'clock .

The new light draught paddle steamer , built by the Fairfied Shipbuilding and Engineering Company , of Govan , Glasgow , for the Clacton and Harwich trade of the Victoria Steamboat Association , was successfully launched on Tuesday , at Govan , the name selected for the new vessel being the Koh-i-noor . Built entirely of steel , and with 10 watertight compartments , the Koh-i-noor is practically unsinkable . She is expected to make her debiii in southern waters at , or before , Whitsuntide .

It has been a puzzle to some people to discover how Italy , notwithstanding her declining trade , manages to find gold for the goods which she imports . According to the First Secretary of our Embassy to Rome , Mr . Dering , Italy is really kept going by her foreign visitors . The Consular

representativesof the United States calculate that Americans spend £ 7 , 000 , 000 a year in Italy , and , according to Mr . Dering , other foreigners spend £ 14 , 000 , 000 more , exclusive of the money spent by the fifty or sixty thousand pilgrims who visit the Pope every year .

It having become known that Bro . Beaty had decided to remain the host of the Maiden ' s Head Hotel , Uckfield , his Masonic friends determined to celebrate the event by giving him a complimentary dinner , which took place on Wednesday , the 30 th ult ., at Bro . Beaty's hotel . A number of Masonic friends from Lewes , Brighton , Tunbridge Wells ,

Hayward ' s Heath , and other parts of Sussex were present , the chair being taken by Bro . VV . Wright , Prov . J . G . W . The health of the guest was given in genial terms , and replied to by liro . Beaty , who thanked them for the good feeling and kindness that had been expressed , especially by his brother Masons . Other toasts followed , and an agreeable evening was spent .

We remind our readers that the second edition of Bro . James Stevens' new work , * ' The Evolution of Symbolic Alasonry , " will be issued on the ist proximo , as advertised . The first edition has been subscribed for beyond Uro * Steven-, ' expectations , but as several lodges and lodges of instruction cannot complete their lists before Easter , he has

consented to extend the time for applications for subscription copies to the lyth inst ., and for delivery of the work to the 26 th . Meanwhile brethren desirous of being included in the appendix of list of subscribers should forward address , number of lodge and rank therein , with postal order to value of thirteen pence per copy , to him at Evelyn , Catford , S . E .

The House of Commons Point-to-Point Steep lechase was run on a course situated about two miles from Kineton , Warwickshire , on Saturday last . 'There were two classesot entries , one for heavy weights , of 14 stone and upwards , and the other for light weights , of 12 stone and upwards . The first to pass the post was Mr . F . B . Mildmay ' s Uiscr , " tion , ridden by the owner , who was therefore adjudged tne nrize in the light-weight class , while Bro . W . H . Long , °

his Crusader , came in second and won the prize tor '" heavy weights . Unfortunately , a fatal accident occurre to Captain "Bay" Middleton in one of two addition * *' steeplechases which had been arranged to be run s " cr " quently . Captain Middleton was tiding an aged S jf' ! B ' his own property , when his horse " pecked" after g »> S about three miles and threw his rider , who fell on j " '" . 0 The captain was taken up unconscious and died shor * afterwards . In consequence of this fatality , the other r was abandoned .

FISH ! FISH ! I-ISH < The CO-OPERATIVE F ISH Sui ' ' ^ Co ., LTD ., are now sending out cheap II ASKKTS ot i' ^ or OVSTHKS , carriage paid , to any part of the ^ 'n 8 l jj n * from 2 s . Od . each and upwards , direct Irom the ••*" ive stage . Address orders and remittances to the Co-Upei * Fish Supply Co ., Ltd ., Pontoon , Grimsby , or to BilU"iJ & . Buildings , London , E . G ., as may be most convenient . ' our London House for their celebrated Bloaters , 1 '" Haddocks , Kippers , & c .