Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS or YORK have become patrons of the Royal School for Daughters of officers of the Army at Bath . BRO . THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF WARWICK have left Warwick Castle for Easton Lodge , near Dunmow , where they will spend the summer . WE REGRET TO HEAR that the condition of Bro . Lord Lord Fitzhardinge is considered very grave . He is lying seriously ill and his weakness has greatly increased .

OWING to the great success of the concert on 4 th inst ., Madame Adelina Patti has consented to sirg at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday evening , the 30 th inst . This will be her last appearance in London during the season . THE ADDITIONS WHICH the Admiralty has decided on making to the Royal Naval Barracks at Devonport , are more extensive than was originally provided for . The work will cost £ 160 , 000 , and it is expected it will be completed by December , iSon .

THE SIAMESE MINISTER held a reception at 23 , Ashbum-pbce , South Kensington , on Tuesday evening . About 400 guests were present-, among them being most of the Ambassadors and Ministers in London and many leading political and social notabilities . THE DUKE OF WESTMINSTER , on behalf of thc National Trust for Places of H ' s eric Interest and Natural Beauty , has issued an appeal for £ 755 for the acquisition of Barras Head , Kings Arthur ' s Cove , Cornwall , and for the preservation of a Pre-Reformation Clergy House at Alfriston , Sussex .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OK WALES presided at a meeting of the Royal Commission forthe Exhibition of 1 S 51 on Monday morning ar , d in the afternoon , with H . R . H . the Princess of VVales , the Duke and Duchess of York , and the Princesses Victoria and Maud , left Marlborough House for Silwood Park , Sunninghill . < LAST SUNDAY collections were made in the churches and chapels of all denominalir ns throughout London in behalf of what is known as the Hospital Sunday Fund , the sum rolectcd st St . Michael's , Chester- ! quare , and remitted lo the Mansion Hcuse on Mcndsy by the Rev . Canon Fleming , being £ 1477 iSs . 6 d .

THE ME . MUERS OK the Institute of Naval Architects , who were splend-dly received by the Emperor ot Germany at Berlin , visited Stettin on Monday , for the purpose of inspecting the yards of the Vulcan Shipbuilding Company , and were conducted over them by lhe direc ' ors . When the inspection was over , they returned to Berlin .

BRO . THE RIGHT HON . A . AKERS-DOUGLAS , Lord Balfour of Burleigh , Lord Ha ' sbury ( Lord Chancellor ) , Lord Ashbourne ( Lord Chancellor of Ireland ) , the Duke of Devonshire , Lord George Hamilton , Sir M . Hicks-Beach , Bart . ( Chancellor of the Exchequer ) , the Right Hon . W . Hume Long , and Sir M . White Ridley , Bart ., were present at the Cabinet Council held at the Foreign Office on Saturday last .

THE DUCHESS OF ALBANY , accompanied by her sister , the Princess Elizabeth of Wildeck-Pytraont , visited St . Augustine's Hall , Settles-stieet , Commercial-road , E ., on Tuesday afternoon , and having been conducted over the Clergy House , mission premises , club , and church , was presented by the children with a number of gifts for the Princess Alice , and Dukeof Albany , and herself , which she very graciously acknowledged .

ON SATURDAY LAST the Emperor William of Germany forwarded to the ist Royal Dragoons , of which he is Hon . Colonel , a wreath with which to decorate the head of the staff of the regimental colours on Waterloo Dav ( the iSth inst . ) . The garland is composed of golden laurel leaves , intertwined with ( lowers and fruits and with a scarlet goldliinged iiband attached . On one end of this riband is the initial " W . " with a crown , and on the other the words " Waterloo , June iS , 1 S 15 . "

SEVERAL of her Majesty's judges dir . ed together , according to annual custom , at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , on Tuesday evening , among them being the Lord Chief Justice of England ( Lord Russell of Killowen ) , the Master of the Rolls ( Lord Esher ) , Lord Justice Smiih , Sir Francis Jeune , Baron Pollock , Bro . Justice Cave , and Justices Chitty , North , Stirling , Wills , Collins , Barr . es , Kekettich , ar . d Kennedy , and Bro . Gainsford Bruce .

THE ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE of the Honourable Society of Cynmrodorion was held , by Ihe kind permission of the Masters and Wardens , in the ha'l of the Haberdashers' Company , the number of those present being about 600 . Bro . Alderman Sir David Evans , Vice-President of the Soci-ly and Master of the Hi ^ eHishers' ' ' ompinv , and Lady Evans , received the guests . The entertiin nent inclu led music , mostly Welsh in character , and sund . y recitations .

THE CREW SELFCTED by Yale University to compete for the Grand Challenge Cup at Hmley arrived at Southampton from the United Srates on board the American Line Stesme r Berlin . They were 12 in number , three of them being substitutes in the event of breakdown on the part of any of the crew , and are accompanied by the famous Yale ccach , Mr . Kcbert J . Cook . They have also biought with thim two boats , one a new brat ard the other a practice shell . They arrived at Henley early in the day and riceiuda hearty welcome from the Mayor . Subseq lently they went in for a little ptactice on the river .

BRO . SIR W . WILKIN , Lord Mayor cf London , announces that a-, influential meeting will be held atthe Mansion House on Monday , the 2 g ' . h instant , at 2 p . m ., to censider what steps can be taken to give relief to lhe native population of Bechuanaland , numbering over 100 , 000 , who are suffering sore and exceptional distress , with the probability of a prolonged famine , through a drought , followed by the ravages of locusts , and a visitation of rinderpest . In the meantime his lorc ' ship will receive at the Mansnn House any contributions that may be forwarded .

ON aU . NDAY LAST some 350 Roman Catholic sailors of the Mediterranean Sqmdron , which is visiting the principal Italian ports , attended Mass in the Sistine Cnipel in the Pope's Palace of the Vatican , the Pope himself being present and bestowing his blessing on the congregation . On leaving the sailors lustily cheered his Holiness as he was being carried through llieir midst , 'l hey were afterwards entertained at dinner , and then conducted in carriages to see the principal sights in the Eternal City and finally returned home delighted with their visit .

SOME S 2 DRAWINGS AND PICTURES belonging to the late Sir Julian Goldsmid , M . P ., weie sold by auction at Christie ' s on Saturday and realised £ 67 , 342 , or an average of over £ 820 each . Of these , iy icJi ed . £ 54 , 453 , Sir J < -shuia Keyno'ds ' s "the Hon . Mary Monckton " fetching 7500 guineas , Gainsborough ' s " Dorothea L idy Eden " 5000 guineas , Sir J . Reynolds ' s " Barbara Countess of Coventry " 3 S 00 guineas , " . Mrs Mathew , " by Reynolds , 4000 guineas , " Mrs . Oliver and sleeping baby on her lap , " by G . Romney , 3100 guineas .

THE COUNTPSS PERCY gave a garden party at Sion House , Isleworth , on Saturday las ' , t ^ e beautiful gardens beingthionged with guests , smeng whom weiethe Unitei Stales An bassador and Mrs . Bayard , the Duke and Duchess 01 Aigyll , the Duchess of Buckirgham and Chandos and Bio . Lord Egeiton of Tatton , the Duchess of Montrose , the Marchioness of Zetland and Lady Maud Dundas , the Ccunless of Yaiborough , ths Earl and Countess of Portsmouth , and others . The Grenadier Guards' band performed on the lawn , and refreshments were served i , i a large marquee .

IN THE unavoidable absence , through indisposition of the Prince's Louise ( Marchioness of Lome ) , the Duchess of Argyll , accompanied by Miss Campbell , opened the floral fete and country fair , organised at the Cazenoves , Upper Clapton , in aid of the church schools of St . Michael and All Angels ' , London Fields . Among those on the dais were Bro . Lord and Lady Amherst of Hackney , Sir Andrew Scobie , M . P ., Mrs . Brew ne , wife of the Bishop of Stepney , Mr . Herbert Robertson , M . P ., and a cons tlerable nurrlerof the clergy of the distiict . Very general itgret was expressed at the absence of the Princess .

THE TROCADERO RESTAURANT wi . l shortly be opened by Messrs . J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , alter a lengthened period of preparation . livery effort i . s being made to make this Ihe handsomest and most perfectly-equipped dining palace in Europe , and the arrangements for Masonic meetings will be made a special feature . Applications respecting bookings should be made as early as possible to the proprietors , J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , Cadby Hall , Kensington , whe'e all inquiries should be addressed . — ! ADVT . 1

Masonic And General Tidings.

SATURDAY NEXT , the 27 th inst ., will be the annual ex-pupils day of the Royal Masonic Institution for Gir ' . s , when all ex-pupils will be heartily welcomed at the Institution at 3 . 30 . MR . J . GURNEY BARCLAY has given £ 100 towards the purse of £ 1000 started by the Duke of Westminster in aid of the North-Eastern Hospital for Children , Hackneyroad .

THE GRAND DUKE AND GRAND DUCHESS OP MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ , and Princesses Marie and Juttaof Mecklenburg-Strelitz and suite , witnessed the performance of " Romeo et Juliette " at the Royal Opera House , Covent Garden , on Thursday evening . THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES , with their daughters , the Princesses Victoria and Maud , visited the Royal Italian Opera , Covent Garden , on Saturday evening last , and witnessed a performance of " Die Walkurie . "

THE SPANISH AMBASSADOR and the Countess de Casa Valencia , have expressed their thanks through the press for all the kind enquiries received at the Embassy as to the health c-f the Ambassador , who was knocked over by a cab last week , but is now fast recovering from the injuries he received . AN EXHIBITION of violas in connection with the National Viola Society will be held iii the Botanic Gardens , Regent ' s Park , to-morrow ( Saturday . ) The band of the ist London Roval Engineer Volunteers will play from 3 . 30 to 6 . 30 , this being the second of the series of Saturday Musical Promenades .

THE WILL of Mr . Henry David Leslie , formerly of Conduit-street , Regent-street , and late of Bryn Tanat , Montgomery , the well-known choirmaster , who died on February 5 th , at Bischurch , Salop , was proved on the 31 J inst ., by Mrs . Mary Betsy Leslie , the widow and sole executrix , the value of the personal estate being £ 452 ss . —City Press .

ON SATURDAY LAST , the Princess Louise , Duchess of Fife , accompanied by her husband , Bro . the Dukeof Fife , opened a bazaar and garden fete in the grounds of Holmwood , Putney , which had been lent for the occasion by Bro . T . Simpson J ay , in aid of Ihe National Schools and All Saint ' s Church , Putney . On Monday the sale was opened by the Duchess of Teck .

THE ANNUAL DINNER of the Corps of Royal Engineers was held in the Whitehall Rooms of the H 6 tel Metropole on Saturday evening last , under the presidency of the Duke of Cambridge , who is the Colonel . Among the guests were Field Marshal Sir J . L . Simmonds , Colonel Commandant , General Sir Gerald Graham , and Bro . Major-General E . C . Sim .

THE ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE of the members of the North Lambeth Association of the National Union of Teachers was held in the Batt » rsea Town Hall on Saturday evening last . An ample programme , which consisted of vocal and instrumental music , some amateur theatricals , & c , and gave every satisfaction , was carried cut very successfully , a dance bringing the proceedings to a termination .

THE GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY have re-issued their list of farm and garden producers . Theie are now nearly 1000 persons in the Fastern Counties prepared to send produce direct to consumers at the cheap rates recently brought into operation . The farmhouse lodging list has been enlarged and brought up to date , and will be found useful to persons in quest of quiet country apartments during the summer season .

THE MEDALS AND DIPLOMAS awarded to British exhibitors at Chicago in 1893 have been issued to our Ambassador at Washington , and have been transmitted by him to the Foreign Office . Sir Henry Trueman Wood has been requested by the Secretary of State to undertake the duty of distributing them , and this will be done at once . All the exhibitors may expect to receive their medals within about a month from the present date .

THE JUBILEE of Lord Kelvin s tenure of his Professorship at the University ol Glasgow has been celebrated with all possible eclat , and on Tuesday letters of congra tulation were received by his lordship from Sir Arthur Bigge , on behalf of her Majesty , and from Bro . Sir Francis Knnllys , on behalf of H . R . H . the Prince of VVales . The celebrations concluded in the evening with a grand banquet in St . Andrew ' s Hall , at wliich over 500 gentlemen were present .

THFIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES the Prince and Princess of Wales are successful exhibitors at the inaugural show of the Welsh Kennel Club , now being held at Cardiff . The Prince , who is President of the club , exhibits in Basset hounds and foreign dogs ; whilst the Princess nf Wales h .-s won several prizes « ith her collie Sandringham Dainty . The Royal dogs , which have proved an immense attraction , have been housed in special Uennsls , which throughout the s-. ow hav j been surrounded by admiring throngs .

FIELD LANE REFUGES AND RAGGED SCHOOLS . —The 54 th annual meeting and conversazione was held nn the 16 th instant in the Institution . Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl Compton , M . P ., Vice-President , occupied the chair . Mr . Peregrine Piatt read the report , from which it appeared that this Institution helps Co men and women nightly , 220 boys and girls in the Industrial Schools , 21 infants daily in the ci riche . 1000 children

in the Bible Schools , and Soo men and women in the mission services Upwards of 30 meetings are held weekly , the aggregate average attendance being 3600 . I he income ( f these Sc h ools for the pa . " year was £ 13 , 000 and the expenditure ^ 12 , 200 ; £ ' 4100 per annum is required . Contributions are earnestly solicited to carry on this good work .

AT THE KENSINGTON TOWN HALL , Lady Russell of Killowen opened a two days ' bazaar on behalf of the work carried on in Cavendish-square in the training of Roman Catholic pupil teachers . The stalls hive been furnished by the Convent of the Enfanta de Marie , and one is devoted to vestments and ecclesiastical embroideries . Her ladyship , before declaring the bazaar open , explained its object- ! , and said a Government

grant could only be secured by a fully-trained pupil teacher , whose course involved a year of education after leaving school . Then , when she obtained a post as pupil teacher , hsr salary would only be £ 16 , and her maintenance was estimated at £ 24 . This deficit had to be met by the home . It was unnecessary to urge the importance of hiving teachers of the Catholic faith to cope with the secular tendencies of Board School education .

THE NEW PALACE STEAMERS . —On Thursday last , La Marguerite performed her opening trip of the season to Margate and Boulogne and back the same day , when a large number , taking advantage of the favourable condition of the weather , availed themselves of the opportunity of f pending a delightful day . La Mars uerite will now run through the season as above every Monday , Thursday , and Saturday , and to

Alargate only and back on Tuesdays , Wednesdays , and Sundays . Brethren of various lodges who exercise their minds as to the most enjoyable method of spending a summer outing would do well to take a trip in La Marguerite . Special reduced fares can be had for parties of 15 and over . The splendid fittings , the catering , and evident wish to study the comfort cf the passengers , together with low fare , should make these tries exceedingly popular .

THE DRUMMOND CASTLE , one of the best known of the Castle liners , struck on a rock between Ushant and the French coast on Tuesday night last , upon her homeward voyage , and immediately foundered . This terrible disaster to a fleet hitherto enjoying the distinction uf never having sustained any loss of life by accident at sea has apparently involved the whole of the crew and passengers—250 persons—excepting three survivors . Whatever the cause , the ship was obviously out of her course . It is suggested that the weather was foggy , and that the Ushant lights were obscured , so that it is conceivable

that she was caught in one of the currents so numerous on that perilous coast , althoug h , in view of the care with which these vessels are navigated , such an ordinary element' f danger as a fog could net be rrgaided as coun'ing for much . Captain Pierce , who commanded the ill-fated ship , " was one of the most experienced officers in the service , and it is not likely that he would have taken the hazardous course of shortening his voyage in the slightest degree possible hy keeping nearer the land than is customary . The cause of this fatal digression therefore remains to be discovered .

V . BKNOIST , 36 , Piccadilly , W . —Banquets , Dinners , Suppers , and Receptions served in the most unique style . Menus and estimates on application . Also French Comestibles of every description . Sole Catirer to the celebrated Grafton Galleries . Th ? best lecale in the West End for holding Private Parties , Balls , Sic . Telep hone , No . 3 , 919 . Telegrams , Gourmet , London . — [ ADVT . ]