Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

GLASGOW EXHIBITION OPENING DATE . —T . R . H . the Prince and Princess of Wales will open the Glasgow Exhibition on the 7 th May . The announcement was made on Thursday at the meeting of the Gla gow City Council by the Lord Provost . THE EARL OF CLONMELL is reported from New York to be considerably better in health . MR . W . WALDOFF ASTOR has forwarded his annual subscription of £ 1000 to the Prince of Wales's Hospital Fund for London .

HER MAJESTY the Queen has sent a present of pheasants for the use of the patient s of the St . George ' s Hospital . THE TREASURER of Guy ' s Hospital has received from " G . R . " a donation of £ 1000 , for the endowment of a bed in memoriam . BRO . MATTHEW RIGHTON WEBB , J . P ., F . S . A ., was installed Master of the Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers' Company on Monday , the 7 th inst .

BRO . EARL AND COUNTESS CARRINGTON AND LADY MARJORIE CARRINGTON have returned to Grosvenor-street from visiting Mr . Charles Wilson , M . P ., and Mrs . Wilson , at Waiter Priory , Yorkshire . THE COMMISSION for the marble bust of Richardson , the novelist and printer , to be presented to the St . Bride's Foundation Institute by Bro . Passmore Edwards , has been placed in the hands of Mr . George Frampton , A . R . A .

THE MARQUIS OF SALISBURY has accepted an invitation conveyed by Sir George Hayter Chubb , President of the Nonconformist Unionist Association , to a banquet in the Whitehall Rooms of the Hotel Metropole , on Monday , May 13 th . THE DUKE OF FIFE has consented to preside at the Display of Military and Musical Drill , to be given in the Guildhall , on Wednesday , the 13 th prox ., at eight p . m ., by selected companies of the London Diocesan Church Lads' Brigade .

WE HEAR that the Benchers of the Inner Temple have under their consideration an application from the Palestine Commandery Knight Templars of the New York City for permission to have a copy made of a banner of the Templars for use in the United States of America . _ As A BENCHER OF THE _ MIDDLE TEMPLE , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales has intimated his intention of dining in the Hall with his colleagues of the Inn on Grand Day of Hilary Term ( Tuesday , the 29 th instant ) , when Bro . Earl Roberts and the Right

Hon . Joseph Chamberlain , M . P ., will be among the guests on the occasion . THE DUCHESS OF SAXE-COBURG AND GOTHA , accompanied by Princess Beatrice of Coburg and Princess Elizabeth of Hesse , and attended by Lord Monson and Augusta Lady Monson , left Waterloo Station on Monday afternoon , on a visit to the Queen at Osborne . Their stay with her Majesty will probably be of 10 days or a fortnight ' s duration .

A PORTRAIT of Bro . Sir Horatio Davies , M . P ., representing him in his offic al robes as Lord Mayor of London in 1 S 97-S , has been hung in the Town Hall at Chatham , for which borough he sits in Parliament . It was painted by Mr . Charles Spencelayh , a local artist , and was presented to the Town Council by a private resident .

WIDENING LONDON BRIDGE . —Not only the general design , but the sketch models and all the plans in connection with the proposed widening of London Bridge are now complete , and , assuming Parliament approves of the scheme , the work will probably be commenced in May next , although it must be some two years from now before it can be finished .

THE LONDON NEEDLEWORK GUILD . —The Lady Mayoress has consented to become a Vice-President of the Duchess of York's London Needlework Guild . Mrs . Main Walrond , who has been the President ot the institution for the City for eight years , appeals for new associates , and asks that new garments , chiefly for men and boys , may be sent to her at the Charterhouse by the end of October . The object of the Guild , it may be mentioned , is to distribute articles of clothing among the hospitals , missions , prisons , refuges , and poor parishes of London .

BRO . LORD NORTHCOTE , who has earned golden opinions among all classes during the 10 months which have so far elapsed of his Governorship of Bombay , has just been installed Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , writes the Daily Express Bombay correspondent , under date December 22 nd . The new Masonic Hall just off the Esplanade was magnificently decorated for the occasion , and there was a large muster of distinguished Freemasons , including Bros , the Earl of Jersey , Prov . G . M . Gloucestershire ; Sir Lawrence Jenkins ( the Duke of Connaught ' s Deputy D . G . M . ); and Dr John Poken , Depute Giand Master , who performed the ceremony of installation .

AT THE installation meeting of the Empire Lodge , No . 210 S , which takes place at the Criterion on Tuesday next , in addition to many other distinguished guests , the W . M ., Bro . Bassett Hopkins , the Wardens and brethren will entertain Bros , the Lord Mayor , the two Sheriffs , the Under-Sheriffs , and their respective Chaplains , for , by an almost unique circumstance , all of these civic dignitaries are members of the Order . This lodge has always borne high reputation for hospitality . Bro . Field Marshal Earl Roberts , who had been expected , has wiitten to express his regret " that he is unable to attend any banquet until the war ii . South Africa has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion . "

A MUCH NEEDED LONDON IMPROVEMENT . —A meeting of influential tradersand ratepayers of St . Pancras has been held to consider the question of widening the Hampstead-road at its junction with the Euston-road , and a committee , including representatives from all the large business houses in Tottenham Court , Euston , and Hampstead-roads , was formed with a view of bringing the matter before the London

County Council as a metropolitan improvement . It was resolved to urge the movement forward by every legitimate means and to call a public meeting at an early date . The congestion of traffic at this corner is now so great that it _ is of the utmost importance that something should be done to relieve it , and the matter is likel y to become prominent before the public between now and the County Council Elections in March next .

"THE MASONIC CALENDAR , " by George Kenning and Son , for the Province of Glasgow and surrounding districts , is to hand . Information has been more readily supplied by the Secretaries of lodges and chapters for this issue , with the result that the Calendar is out fully a month earlier . It has all its former attractive simplicity , and array of reliable facts of Grand Lodge , Provincial Grand Lodge , Subordinate Lodges ,

of Royal Arch Masonry , and side Degrees . Its list of lodges and chapters , with dates of meetings , is comprehensive , and the list of R . W . Ms , and Secretaries on opposite pagts is an improvement . These annual issues by Messrs . Kenning are of ancient institution , and in fullness of information have always given satisfaction . The facts as formerly are edited by the local representative of the firm , Bro . F . W . Larter , P . M . — Glasgow Evening Netvs .

'THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ANNUAL , 1901 . " —The 10 th issue of this indispensable handbook has just been published . The directory portion of the book has been amplified , and now provides ready means of reference to all branches of local government . In these days of intercommunication between various public bodies on subje cts of common interest such a handy book cannot fail to be of immense service to the officia I , the contractor , and to those to whom accurate reference books are of great importance . The directory portion gives the names and addresses of the chief officials of all

Coroorations , London Borough Councils , County Councils , Boards of Guardians , Urban and Rural District Councils , County and Borough Asylums , & . ; ., throughout the kingdom , as well as the public libraries , public parks , and City companies of London . There is also much new and useful information relating to the public libraries , baths and washhouses , and electric light undertakings in the boroughs of London , and the abstract ol the Local Government legislation of 1900 cannot fail to be of service . The charges for

water and gas in London are shown , the population of the various provincial Unions is given , thus providing a sure guide to the relative importance of the different unions ; and a complete list of all the parks and open spaces of the Metropolis , with the local authorities controlling them , practically completes this most useful local government directory . This year the book is sold at is . fid . —a very low sum when one remembers the comprehensive character of its contents , and the usual price of specialised directories . It , is published at 2 , Dorset-street , Fleet-street , E . C .

Masonic And General Tidings.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE will leave England on Sunday next for Cannes . THE HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND . —The income of this fund during the year just closed is £ 20 , 222 , as against £ 20 , 002 in iSqg . THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY have appointed Bro . Emra Holmes , 'District Collector H . M . 's Customs Harwich , Paymaster in the Royal Naval Reserve . Bro . Holmes ranks senior on the list .

A SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING of the shareholders 06 the Aldershot Masonic Hall Company . Ltd ., will he held at the Foresters' Hall , Victoria-road , Aldershot , on Tuesday , 22 nd instant , at 8 . 30 p . m . THE 34 TH ANNUAL DINNHR of the London General Porters' Benevolent Association will be held at the Hotel Metropole , Whitehall-place , S . W ., on Friday , the 29 th _ MarcVu Victor L . Taoling , Esq . ( of Messrs . T . Tapling and Co ., Limited ) will preside . Dinner on table 6 . 30 for 7 o'clock .

THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY and banquet arranged by the brethren in con - nection with the Prov . G . Lodge of Antrim have been postponed owing to the illness of Bro . the Earl of Shaftesbury . It is to be hoped that he will be speedily restored to health , and that the postponement will be for only a very short time . BRO . LORD HAMILTON—who is on leave—and Lady Hamilton are staying at

Baronscourt , where Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn have a family party . The Duke and Bro . Lord Hamilton visited Derry on Thursday , the 10 th instant , when the former , as Grand Master of Ireland , dedicated the new Masonic hall erected by the members of St . Alban ' s Lodge . The Grand Master was presented with a gold key as a memento of the occasion .

BRO . EARL ROBERTS AND THE CITY . —Bro . Earl Roberts has informed Bro . the Lord Mayor that , under the unhappy circumstances prevailing in South Africa , he would prefer that there should be no fiiting of himself until the campaign is definitely concluded . His lordship , therefore , asks that his engagement to receive the congratulations of the citizens at the Guildhall on Friday , 22 nd prox ., may be indefinitely postponed .

"NATAL CAMPAIGN . " —Mr . Frank A . Stewart , soecial artist to the Illustrated London News and the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News , begs to invite attention to the original drawings which he . made while with General Buffer through the Natal Campaign . The drawings will be on exhibition at the Modern Gillerv . 175 , Bond-street , W ., from Saturday , the 19 th inst ., to Saturday , the 23 rd prox ., inclusive , between the hours of 10 a . m . and 6 p . m . daily .

TH E TIVOLI will on Monday evening , the 4 th prox ., introduce a novel and important addition to its present strong programme in the person of " The Great Everhart , " who is known in the United States as " The World's Wonder . " His performance consists of the manipulation of an extraordinary number of hoops , which he causes to fly round him in a most marvellous manner , apparently putting the law of gravitation utterly at defiance . This will be his first appearance in England .

THE MONUMENT erected in Brockley Cemetery , S . E ., in memory of the late Bio , Walter Martin , P . A . G . P ., & c , being one of the objects for which the Walter Martin Memorial Fund is being raised , will be unveiled to-morrow ( 'Saturday ) , at 2 . 30 p . m ., when the attendance of the subscribers and friends of the deceased is particularly desired . After a prayer by the Rev . VV . Harrison , M . A ., the ceremony will be performed by Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., the President of the Fund .

METROPOLITAN LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . NO . 1056 . —The annual banquet of this lodge of instruction will take place on Friday , the 25 th instant , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , E . C . It has been decided to introduce ladies and non-Masonic iriends to this gathering , by which means it is hoped to make this fixture even more popular than in former years , and the Executive trust that in this endeavour they will have the hearty support and co-operation of the brethren .

BRITISH MONARCHS AND FREEMASONRY . —Bro . Archdeacon Wilberforce , Past Prov . Grand Chaplain Hants and the Isle of Wight , preaching before a Urge gathering of Masons , at a special service held in St . Peter ' s Church , Bournemouth , on Wednesday , to celebrate the commencement of the 20 th century , said many of the Sovereigns of England had held the office of Grand Master of the Order , from Alfred the Great to George the 11 ., and if the life of the present heir-apoarent were preserved , we should once more witness a Kin ? of England in the Grand Master ' s chair .

ANNOUNCEMENT IS made that the 16 th annual North London Masonic Ball , in aid of the three Institutions , will be held at Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 24 th instant . Bro . Alfred W . Humphreys , I . P . M . of the Crusaders Lodge , No . 1677 , is President of the year , and Bros . Captain George F . Edwards , also ot the Crusaders Lodge , Hon . Sec . ; Herbert Sprake , P . M ., P . Z .. is Hon . Treasurer , and John Potter P . M . 16 93 , Chairman of Committee , with Bro . W . Goring , 1471 , Vice-Chairman . All communications should be addressed to Bro . Captain George F . Edwards , Hon . Sec , Alger House , 6 , Highbury-crescent , London , N .

PROPOSED HALL FOR J OURNALISTS . —The council of the Institute of Journalists met at Stationers' Hall on the 12 th inst . The President ( Mr . Arthur a Beckett ) explained a scheme drawn up for the acquisition of a site in the Bridewell precinct , and the erection upon it of a substantial building to be used as a hall and offices for the institute , the offices not required for those purposes to be let . The matter was referred to the executive committee . The President afterwards entertained the council at luncheon . Mr . G . A . Jones , in the course of the proceedings , was presented with a gold watch ( and his wife with a bracelet ) in recognition of his services . as the Secretary of the London district during the conference last year .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES presided at the dinner given on Thursday evening to Bro . Earl Roberts , V . C , bv the members of the United Service Club , and as the number of guests was greater than could be accommodated in the clubhouse , the banquet was held in the Whitehall Rooms of the Hotel Metropole . In addition to the Royal chairman , the Duke of York and the Duke of Cambridge were present , and the general company included about 300 naval and military officers , of whom at least half a score wore the Victoria Cross . The Prince had on his right hand Bro . Earl Roberts , the guest

of the evening . Among those present were Sir Redver * Buffer , V . C , Bro . Sir E . Commerell , V . C , General Sir Hugh Gough , V . C , Lieut .-General Sir J . Hills-Johnes , V . C , Lieut .-General J . McL . Innes , V . C , General Sir H . N . D . Prendergast , V . C , General Sir H . Rowlands , V . C , General Sir John Watson , V . C ., General Sir II . E . Wood , V . C , Major-General Sir John Ardigh , General Sir R . Biddulph , General Sir Henry Brackenbury , Colonel Sir E . Bradford , Major-General Sir Owen Tudor-Burne , General Lord Chelmsford , Vice-Admiral SirC . Domvile ,

Colonel Viscount Downe , Admiral Field , Colonel A . FitzGeorge ( in attendance on the Duke of Cambridge ) , Commander the Hon . Seymour Fortescue ( in attendance on the Prince of Wales ) , the Hon . Derek Keppel ( in attendance on the Duke of York ) , Admiral the Hon . Sir E . Fremantle , Admiral tne Right Hon . Sir John J . Hiy , Lieut .-General Sir H . Newdlgate , Major-General Sir Oliver Newmarch , Lieut .-Colonel Sir J .

Terence O'Brien , Major-General Pole-Carew , Vice-Admiral Sir H . Rawson , Admiral Sir Michael Culme-Seymour , and Colonel E . W . D . Ward . Music was played during the evening by the string band of the Royal Artillery , under the direction of Cavalier L . Zavertal . Alter the dinner the Prince of Wales , accompanied by the Duchess of Connaught and suite , visited the Prince of Wales' Theatre , and witnessed the performance of " English Nell . "

Obituary.

OBITUARY .

BRO . B . COOPER , P . M ., P . Z . We much regret to have to report the decease of our worthy Bro . Burcbam Cooper . Bro . Cooper was well-known among the brethren of the Craft , and most highly esteemed by all who knew him . His funeral , which took place on the 20 th ult ., was exceedingly well attended by members of his lodge and other

brethren . Bro . Cooper was initiated in the Ivy Lodge , No . 1441 , in February , 1877 , and was Master in 1886 . He was exalted into R . A . Masonry in the Highgate Chapter , No . 136 G , in 1882 , and occupied the chair of Z . in 1891 . He was a P . Z . also of Chapter No . 94 6 , Twickenham , Life Governor of the Qirls and . Steward of the R . M . B . I .