Masonic And General Tidings.

flftascmic anb © eneral ftibinas

IT HAS BEEN officially announced that a further issue of Volunteer Long Service Medals is about to take place , the number to be awarded being about 1600 . THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE has promised to lay the foundation-stone of a new Secondary School and Techincal Institute in Kew-road , Richmond , on Wednesday next , the 24 th instant . THE CONDE DE CASA VALENCIA , the newly-appointed Spanish Ambassador to London , has arrived in England , accompanied by the Countess and family and attended by a numerous suite . His Excellency was met , on landing at Folkestone , by the Spanish Consul for the Cinque Ports .

AMONG THOSE to whom Civil List pensions have been recently granted are Bro . G . A . Sala , who has been assigned a pension of £ 100 per annum , in consideration of his services to literature and journalism , and Bro . Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., to whom has been awarded one of £ 75 a year , in recognition of his scientific and medical services . THE ANNUAL COMPETITION in drill and physical exercises amongst children of the London Board Schools took place in the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday , in the presence of the Duke and Duchess of York and a large gathering of spectators , and at the close the prizes were distributed by the Duchess of York , to whom , on the motion of Bro . Lord George Hamilton , M . P ., a vote of thanks was passed by acclamation .

THE LORD MAYOR ( Bro . Alderman Sir J . Renals ) and Mr . Edward Lee , Chairman of the City Lands Committee , visited Dorchester House on Monday , as a deputation from the Corporation of London , for the purpose of presenting to the Shahzada the gold casket containing the address of welcome from the City . The presentation was made by his lordship , whom the Shahzada begged to convey his thanks to the Corporation for their handsome gift .

A MEETING was held by permission of the Duke of Westminster at Grosvenor House on Monday for the purpose of forming a Ladies' Committee to aid the finances of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution . Lord Tweedmouth presided , and was supported by Sir E . Birkbeck , Chairman of the Institution , the Hon . Lady Birkbeck , the Duchess of Roxburghe , the Marquis and Marchioness of Ormonde , the Earl and Countess of Romney , the Earl and Countess of Strafford , and many others .

AN EMERGENCY MEETING of the Dcbie Lodge , No . SS 9 , was held at the Kingston Hotel , Kingston-on-Thames , on the 2 nd inst ., when Bro . Tom Wilkinson , W . M ., initiated five accepted candidates , who were all " well and worthily recommended " in the fullest meaning of the phrase . The ceremony was ably and impressively performed , every officer being thoroughly conversant with his duties . There was a large attendance of members of the lodee , and the occasion was quite a red-letter day in its annals .

THE QUEEN held a Council at Windsor Castle on Tuesday , at which the Duke of Connaught ^ Bro . the Duke of Devonshire , K . G ., Lord President , Bro . the Duke of Portland , the Earl of Coventry , and Bros , the Earl of Limerick and the Earl of Lathom were present . The outgoing Great Officers of State and Officers of her Majesty's Household delivered up their wands and insignia of office , and took leave of her Majesty , while their successors kissed hands upon appointment , and received their insignia .

BY COMMAND OF THE QUEEN , a performance of Bizets "Carmen" was given by Bro . Sir Augustus Harris ' s Italian Opera Company at Windsor Castle , on Tuesday evening . The Waterloo Chamber was selected for the performance , and among those present were her Majesty , the Duke and Duchess of Connaught , Princess Christian , Princess Louise ( Marchioness of Lome ) , Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg , the Duke and Duchess of York , the Grand Duchess of Hesse , and the Crown Princess of Roumania .

BBO . J . LLEWELLYN THOMAS has called our attention to the fact that he repre-£ ented the " Western , " not the " Eastern , " Division of South Wales as Steward at the recent Boys' School Festival , when he took up a list of £ 220 . If Bro . Thomas will refer to our "Analysis of Returns , " he will find that the " Eastern " Division of South Wales is mentioned among the absentee provinces , while the "Western " Division received full credit fcr its share' in the proceedings on that occasion . Still the error , which we regret , should not have occurred in the "Stewards' Lists" and "Summary of the Provinces . "

THE MARK PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL IS to be held at the old Grammar School , Lostwithiel , on Tuesday , the 30 th instant , at 1 . 30 p . m . Sir Charles Brune Graves-Sawle , Bart ., 30 , is the Prov . G . M ., but at present there is no Deputy Prov . G . M ., owing to the lamented decease of Bro . Thomas Chirgwin , J . P ., P . M . 7 S , who far long filled that honourable position . Bro . W . J . Johns , P . M . 7 S , is the Prov . Grand Sec The Prov . Grand Lodge was founded in 1 S 6 ; through the instrumentality of Bro . W . J . Hughan ( Past Grand Warden ) , the first Prov . G . Sec . and Senior Past Master in the county .

MASONIC PICNIC . —The annual outing under the auspices of the Staffordshire Knot Lodge , No . 726 , took place on Wednesday , the 10 th inst ., when about 40 members and friends journeyed to Oxford and spent a very pleasant day , the principal features of which were visits to the colleges and a trip on the Isis . A guide led the visitors to the different places of interest , and a steam launch was chartered for the river trip . The return journey of 9 6 miles was made in the excellent time of two hours and three minutes , including the change at Wolverhampton . The W . M . ( Bro . J . E . Evans ) and the rector of Stafford and Mrs . Norman , in addition [ to the principal officers of the lodge , accompanied the party .

MASONIC EXCURSION . —On Thursday , the 4 th inst ., an enjoyable ' excursion took place in connection with the Victoria Lodge , No . 2360 , the beautiful weather experienced throughout the day adding greatly to the pleasures of the outing . The party , which numbered about 20 , left Chapel-street Station , Southport , shortly before eight o'clock in the morning , and upon arriving at Skipton partook of a capital breakfast at the Ship Hotel . Afterwards they . drove to Bolton Woods , and then went on to Ilkley . where the various places of interest were visited . They returned by road to Skipton in time for dinner at six o'clock , and started on the return journey about 20 minutes past seven , Southport being reached shortly before nine .

WE HAVE just had shown to us two photographic groups of the founders and Consecrating Officers of the Abbey Lodge , No . 2529 . The group is arranged at the entrance of Whalley Abbey , with its beautiful surroundings . Amongst the number there are many well known influential brethren , including Bros . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , Prov . G . M . ; the late Col . Gerard Noel Money , C . B ., Prov . G . M . Surrey ; Edmond Ashworth , P . G . D . ; John Chadwick , P . G . S . B ., P . G . Sec . ; James Newton , P . A . G . Sec . ; Rev . J . O . lelly , P . P . G . Chap . ; William Forrest , P . P . G . D . ( the W . M . designate ) , and others ,

The execution of the work was performed by Bro . Leslie Shawcross , of Blackburn , whose reputation as an artist is so widely extended , thus producing one of the finest groups we have had the pleasure to see . BY THE QUEEN ' S COMMAND , a State Ball was held at Buckingham Palace on Monday night . Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales , with their daughters , the Princesses Victoria and Maud , the Crown Prince of Denmark and the Duke of Sparta drove under an escort of the Royal Horse Guards Irom Marlborough House to the Palace . Among those who were included in the Royal Circle were the Duke of

Saxe Coburg-Gotha , who was accompanied by the Grand Duchess of Hesse and the Crown Princess cf Roumania , the Archduchess Stephanie of Austria , Prince and Princess Philip of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha , the Shahzada Nasrulla Khan , the Duke and Duchess of Connaught , Prince and Princess Christian , with Princess Victoria and Prince Christian of Schleswig Holstein , Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg , the Duke and Duchess of York , Princess Louise ( Duchess of Fife ) and the Duke of Fife , the Duke of Cambridge , the Duke and Duchess of Teck and Prince Francis of Teck , and Prince and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar .

THE CIKEAT SITCKSS that lias rewarded the philanthropic efforts lo provide the public with good music in our parks , is shown by the large apprci iativc crowds who linger , with evident delight , near the various bandstands . The creation of the healthy taste for harmony will , in time , yield good fruit in giving the people a liking for a higher state of civilisation and a yearn * ing for that which is good , noble , and true . llolloway ' s remedies work a similar miracle with the organisation of the body . 'Ihe fills , by their purifying iniluencc . cleanse the blood , and the Ointment gives strength and energy U > the system . Disease is driven out oi its Hlron ^ hoitl , and health once again resumes its sway . 1

Masonic And General Tidings.

THE DUCHESS OF ALBANY entertained the girls of the Esher National Schools at a garden party at Claremont on Thursday . BRO . LORD HERSCHELL , G . C . B ., has accepted the office of President of the Reformation and Refuge Union , in succession to the late Lord Aberdare . IT HAS BEEN DECIDED that Bro . Lord Roberts shall take over the command of the troops in Ireland in succession to Bro . Lord Wolseley , on the ist October next .

BRO . LORD AND LADY BRASSEY visited Windsor Castle on Wednesday for the purpose of taking leave of the Queen prior to their departure for New South Wales , of which his lordship has been appointed Governor . THE QUEEN has presented Bro . Sir Augustus Harris , in commemoration of the many operatic performances given by him at Windsor Castle , with a handsome gold a nd silver centre ornament for the table .

AT THE Royal College of Music , on Tuesday , the certificates awarded to the pupils in the examinations recently held by the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music were distributed by the Princess Henry of Battenberg . BRO . J AIRD , M . P ., presided at the 40 th annual dinner , held at the Holborn Restaurant , on Wednesday , in aid of the Poplar Hospital for Accidents . Subscriptions to the amount of close on £ 4000 were announced in the course of the evening .

H . R . H . THE PRINCESS OF WAI . ES , accompanied by the Princesses Victoria and Maud , the Crown Prince of Denmark , and the Duke of Sparta , visited the East African Village at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday , and witnessed a display by the Somali natives .

THE DUCHESS OF ALBANY visited Leathethead on Tuesday for the purpose of opening a bazaar and fete in aid of the Church Tower Restoration Fund , and , before leaving Windsor Castle to fulfil the engagement , was commissioned by the Queen to make several purchases . THE PRINCESS HENRY OF BATTENBERG , accompanied by her husband , visited Hackney on Monday for the purpose of laying the foundation-stone of the new free and parochial schools attached to the parish of St . John-at-Hackney , which were founded in 1714 , and which it has recently been found necessary to extend . The reception which her Royal Highness met with was most cordial .

THE CJNTENTS of the Ladies' Street Collection Boxes for the Hospital Saturday Fund , to the number of 500 , were counted on Tuesday at the Drill Hall , Farringdonroad , by a staff of 5 S bank clerks , under the direction of Messrs . Martin and Berry , of the City Bank ( Holborn Branch ) , when they were found to amount to a total of £ 1530 Of this sum 1120 was in gold , £ 675 in silver , and -C 735 in bronze .

A FULL PROGRAMME of festivities has been arranged in connection with the visit of the Spanish Training Squadron , under Admiral Martinez de Espinosa . ^ to Plymouth . This ( Friday ) evening the officers will be entertained by the Mayor . On Monday next a visit will be paid to the Dock-yard , and the officers will afterwards lunch at the Royal Naval Barracks , Devonport . On Tuesday there will be a garden party and ball .

PERSEVERANCE LODGE , NO . 371 , MARYPORT . —On Tuesday , the 9 th inst ., Bro . G . W . Turney was installed Worshipful Master of this lodge at a meeting held in the Masonic Hall , Maryport , by Bro . G . W . Kenworthy , P . M . 119 , P . P . S . G . W ., assisted by Bro . J . C Thompson , P . M . 9 62 , 22 S 5 , P . J . G . W . At the conclusion of the investiture of officers the brethren were entertained by the Worshipful Master at a banquet . THE DUKE OF SAXE COBURG-GOTHA , with his daughters the Crown Princess of Roumania and the Grand Duchess of Hesse , paid an informal visit on Sunday last to Eastwell Park , near Ashford , where in former days he and the Duchess spent so many

happy years . Their Royal Highnesses having wandered about the Park , returned to Ashford , and having dined at the Saracen's Head , resumed their journey to London . THE DUCHESS OF TECK opened a garden fete and fancy fair at St . Anne ' s Hill , Wandsworth , on Wednesday , in aid of the restoration fund of St . Anne's Church . Among the patrons of the fete are the Bishops of Rochester and Southwark , Bro . Lord George Hamiliton , M . P ., Viscount Cranbourne , M . P ., Bro . Sir J . Whittaker Ellis , Bart ., and the Countess of Warwick . The fair and fete will remain open till to-morrow ( Saturday ) .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK honoured the Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs . Benson with their presence at dinner at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday , among the guests invited to meet their Royal Highnesses being the French Ambassador , Bro . the Marquis and Marchioness of Breadalbane , Bro . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , the Bishop of Rochester and Mrs . Davidson , Bro . Lord and Lady Wantage , Bro . Lord and Lady Roberts , and Lord and Lady Reay .

THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL score ever made in the cricket field in a first class match was made early this week in the match between Lancashire and Somersetshire , when Mr . A . G . McLaren , after batting for seven hours and 50 minutes amassed the unprecedented total of 424 , made up of one 6 , sixty , two 4 's , eleven 3 ' s , thirty-seven 2 ' ? , and sixty-three singles . The previous highest score was that of Dr . W . G . Grace , who in 1 S 76 made 344 runs for the M . C . C . against Kent .

THE REMAINS OF THE LATE SULTAN OF J OHORE were removed from Kensington under a guard of honour on Thursday . The body , which was embalmed , was conveyed from the Liverpool-street Station of the Great Eastern Railway by special train to the Docks , where it was shipped on board the P . and O . steamer Bombay , which leaves on Sunday . 1 he Prince of Wales was represented by Major-General Clarke and the Duke of York by the Hon . Derek Keppel at the embarkation .

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE , the Earl and Countess Howe , Bro . the Earl and Countess of Jersey , Viscount Peel , and the Swedish Minister and Madame Akerman were guests of the Queen , at Windsor Castle , on Wednesday , and remained the night . In the afternoon her Majesty , accompanied by the Princess Henry of Battenberg and Princess Louise visited the camp of the 2 nd Life Guards in Windsor Great Park and witnessed a musical ride . As at present arranged , her Majesty will leave the Castle for Osborne on Monday next .

THE FOUNDATION-STONE of a new technical institute in Lancaster-road , North Kensington , was laid by the Marchioness of Lome , on Tuesday , in the presence of a large assembly . The site was purchased with a sum of £ 2500 , subscribed in answer to an appeal by the Marquis of Lome , while the Camden 1 rustees gave £ 5000 . The building , when complete , will be available for instruction in carpentry , wood carving , dressmaking , and cookery . At the close of the function a vote of thanks to her Royal Highness was proposed by Bro . Sir A . Borthwick , M . P ., and carried by acclamation .

His HIGHNESS THE SHAZADA NASRULLA KUAN held a brilliant reception at Dorchester House , Park-lane , on Thursday . The magnificent saloons and staircases were lavishly decorated with palms , ferns , and exotic ( lowers . Arrangements had been made to utilise the fine grounds of the mansion for the purposes of the function ; but they had to be abandoned on account of the wet weather . Among the guests were H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , accompanied by the Crown Prince of Denmark , and attended by

Major-General Ellis ana Capt . Bull ; the Duke of York , attended by the Hon . Derek Keppel ; the Duke of Cambridge , Prince and Princess Christian , Princess Louise Marchioness of Lome , Field-Marshal Lord Roberts of Candahar and Lady Roberts , Lord and Lady Playfair , Lord and Lady Tweedmouth , the Ambassadors of Russia and Austria , the French Military Attache , Bro . Lord George Hamilton , M . P . ( Secretary of State tor India ) , and a great number of heads of departments in the various offices of State . During the evening the Blue Hungarian Band played .

DURHAM PROVINCIAL CHARITIES COMMITTER . —The annual meeting of the Charities Committee of the Province of Durhum was held on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., in the Freemasons' Hall , Durham , Bro . Thomas Coulson presiding , when representatives attended from the majority of the lodges in Durham . Bro . R . Hudson , Secretary , read the eighteenth annual report , congratulating the members on the enlarged interest which has been manifested , and the excellent returns compiled by the lodge representatives , 34 out of 3 C lodges having responded to the special appeal made to them last year .

Ihe report showed a surplus ot £ 414 13 s . 4 d . on donation account , and it was agreed to invest a further sum . The repoit was approved , and the officers were afterwards elected as follows : Chairman , Bro . Thos . coulson ; Vice-chairman , Bro . C . S . Lan , < Treasurer , Bro . C . Uowlandson ; Secretary , Bro . John Robinson ; Auditors , Bro . T . C Mabane and F . H . Bennett ; Finance Committee , Bros . Beckwith , G . W . Bain , RHauxwell , R . Luck , M . Corbett , R . Hudson , Dr . C . D . Hill Drury , and S . Fenny . Two petitions for aid from the Durham Masonic Education Fund were considered , and grant ' made therefrom ,