Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

BRO . T . MURRAY J AMES has been unanimously elected president of the Aldersgate Past Officers Club for the ensuing year . BRO . ALDERMAN- SIR ( AMKS WHITEHEAD has been re-elected a director of J . and P . Coats .

BRO . SHERII-T HAND has accepted office as a Vice-President of the City of London Swimming Association . WE ARE REQUESTED TO STATE that the Stanhope ( No . 1269 ) Lodge of Instruction has resumed its meetings for the session , which are held at the Fox and Hounds Hotel , Putney , every Friday evening , at half-past eight .

HOMES FOR LITTLE Bovs . —So that the outstanding liabilities may be met , a gentleman , who desires to conceal his identity , has offered £ 3000 to the Homes for Little Boys , Farningham and Stanley , on the condition that a like sum is raised by the end of the year .

MESSRS . J . L . LYONS AND Co ., the well-known caterers of Olympia , the Imperial Institute , & c , have been appointed to supply the Lord Mayor's banquet on November gth , and to furnish the decorations forjhe Guildhall and the Mansion House on that occasion * .

\ V E REGRET TO RECORD the death of Bro . C . J . Perceval , a brother well-known in London Masonic circles , more especially in connection with the Charitable Institutions . Some account of his Masonic career will appear in our next issue .

THE DUCHESSOFTHCK , who was accompanied by Prince Alexander , Lady Margaret Grosvenor , and Madame Bricka , opened a bazaar at Clarence House , Priory-lane , Roehampton , in aid of the funds of the Seamen ' s Mission . Prince Adolphus of Teck arrived at White Lodge , Richmond Park ^ during the afternoon .

THE MASTER OI- - THE CLOCKMAXF . RS' COMPANY , the Rev . H . L . Nelthropp , M . A ., F . S . A ., has recently presented to this Company his valuable , extensive , and highly interesting Horological Collection . His munificient gift is now deposited •in the Company ' s Museum , in the Guildhall Library and is there open to public inspection between the hours of 10 and five o ' clock .

MRS . ALDWORTH , upon whose hie such a desperate attempt was made b y a burglar the other day in County Cork , is connected with the family of the famous Lady Mary Aldworth , whose curiosity led her to secrete herself in a clock in a room where Freemasons were assembled . The result was that the lady had the honour of having been made a Mason free and accepted there and then , and could boast that she was the only one of the Brotherhood that belonged to the softer sex .

ON SUNDAY NIGHT the service at St . James ' s Church , Croydon , was marked by a painful incident . An old lady named Sykes , an inmate of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , was entering the church gates with her son , when she suddenly exclaimed— ' * 1 am dying , I am dying . "

She was earned into the porch and died before medical aid could be summoned . The body was removed to the mortuary . Atthecloseof the service the Dead March in " Saul " was played on the organ . The deceased was 6 S years of age .

WE WOULD SUGGEST to inexperienced brethren the advisability of their * not taking on themselves more work than they can creditably perform . It is a noble ambition for each W . Master to install his successor , but brethren should be fully convinced of their ability to carry out the

whole of the ceremony before trying it . The ceremony of installation is a very diversified one , and only brethren of experience should undertake the whole of it . Voung Masons should begin by taking a part , and after they have carried out the several parts satisfactorily , they might then after much study and practice venture on the entire ceremony .

WE WOULD ALSO SUGGEST to those brethren who are connected with the outside press , that they should not sacrifice their duties as Masons to that of iournalists . We are drawn to this remark from frequently observing in reports of lodge business—moreespecially installations—information given to the outside world of matters which should never be mentioned outside a tyled lodge . I n fact if this tendency

is not checked the tvling of lodges will be reduced to a farce . —Australian Keystone . IN THE " PALL MALL MAGAZINE " for November Lord Roberts continues his account of the rise of Wellington to fame , and describes the state of affairs in the Peninsula before "General Wellesley " commenced his campaign there . VVe follow the course of his arms up to the battle of

Talavera and the lines of Torres Vedras , and catch incidental glimpses of such heroes of the war as Sir John Moore , Sir Hew Dalrymple , and General Berestord . Another interesting paper , accompanied with many illustrations , is that devoted to Christ ' s Hospital , as it is now and as it existed a century and a half ago ; and Bro . Walter Besant has much to say on the lives and duties of the monks at Westminster in the old days .

THE GAY AND HOSPITABLE TONE which distinguishes Freemasonry among its many other social merits was recently very potently manifested in the far-off region of Simla , where a Masonic ball was given which was " the finest ever witnessed in India . " This unqualified opinion means a great deal , as the grand fetes of the Viceroys are historic records . The Viceregal Lodge will , however , soon

be the scene of a splendid fancy dress ball , judging from the preparations that are being made . Lady Elgin will certainly make a most charming hostess . The Simla Masonic ball drew the elite from all parts of India , and naturally the Viceroy's ball will not fail to be equally attractive . If such gaieties are to recur in India during winter months there will doubtless be an increase in the

number of visitors from England . Evidently people want new wintering quarters , and do not mind extending the distance to reach them . Recently there was a suggestion made that Ceylon would be found to be a pleasant winter resort , and it has been , thanks to fast steaming , brought within a shorter travelling range . Still , for gaiety , it cannot compare with India . —Court Journal .

Masonic And General Tidings

BRO . TREE ANNOUNCES another matinee of "A Bunch of Violets , " on Saturday , the 27 th inst ., at the Haymarket Theatre . DUKE OF CORNWALL LODGE , No . 1529 , St . Columb , has elected Bro . John Evans , W . M .. and re-elected Bro . T . Gatley , P . G . S ., Treas ., and Bro . S . B . Liddicoat , Tyler .

A CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM FROM MADRID says that the Queen Regent has issued instructions to the Government to institute proceedings against the Catholic papers which propagated statements asserting that she had caused the infant King to be enrolled as a Freemason .

THE ANNUAL PROV . GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL , which was postponed on account of the lamented death of the Prov . Grand Sec , Bro . T . Chirgwin , was held at Redruth on Tuesday last , the Prov . G . M ., the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , presiding . VVe hope to give a report in our next .

ON SUNDAY afternoon last the rector of Bassishaw , Bro . the Rev . J . Stephen Barrass , gave an address on what he facetiously termed "Gambling , " at the "Old Vic . " in Waterloo-road . The meeting was held in connection with the Borough Polytechnic P . S . A ., and there was a large attendance of men .

A LARGE NUMBER OF MEMBERS of the Grosvenor Club and their friends attended the re-opening of the winter entertainment season . Among the artistes whose names appeared in the programme were Mr . Herbert Grover , Miss Grace Damian , Madame Marie Carandini , Miss Louise Nanney ( violinist ) , and Little Valli Valli , who sang and danced .

THE MUTUAL LIFE INSURANT *? . COMPANY of New York , having arranged to make London the centre for the control of all the company's European financial matters , has appointed as financial representative of the company in England , Mr . D . C . Haldeman , their general manager for the United Kingdom . Mr . Haldeman will continue to act as general manager for the United Kingdom , while assuming the important additional duties of financial representative .

THE DUCHESS OF RUTLAND opened the new buildings of the Midland Deaf and Dumb Institution at Derby , and , in a graceful speech , said that many opinions were expressed at the present diy as to whether much talking was either very good or very useful . Some of her gentlemen

relatives considered that a perfect woman would be a silent woman . However that might be , there was but one opinion on the point that those who enabled individuals afflicted , or even unafilicted , to work for themselves and become useful to the community were conferring an immense benefit on those they taught .

AN INTERESTING COMPETITION . — Our enterprising contemporary , Science Siftings , has just decided a most interesting question , which in view of the approach of cold weather , was asked at a particularly fitting moment . The object was to find out which is the most popular beef essence in the maiket , and a spirited competition was held by its readers , which resulted in placing Bovril at the head of the

poll with 4318 votes . As 11 , 563 votes were taken , and all the well-known products ( nine in number ) of this nature were in competition , this is tolerably conclusive evidence of the universal popularity of Bovril . THE OPENING OF AN ANCIENT CRYPT . —On Saturday , 6 th inst ., the ancient crypt of St . John ' s Church , Clerkenwell ( formerly the Priory Church of the Knights of

St . John of Jerusalem ) , was thrown open to the public , and was visited by a large number of people . It is worthy of note that in' one of the narrow cloisters on the north side of the crypt there was a coffin which was pointed out as the one which contained the body of the woman whose spirit was said to haunt Cock-lane in tne adjoining Smithfield ,

and it was in this crypt that the Cock-lane ghost was detected and exposed . A short time ago the Clerkenwell Vestry , in accordance with an order in Council , removed all the coffins in the crypt to Woking Necropolis , where the human remains which they contained were decently reinterred . The crypt will be on view on the first Saturday in each month until January next .

THE P ROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ( Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ) and the officers of the P . G . Lodge attended the meeting of the United Brothers' Lodge , No . 1069 , at the Masonic Hall , Highbury-street , Southampton , on Monday , the 14 th inst ., the occasion being the last lodge meeting in the year of office of Bro . I . D . Morant as VVorshipful Master . The

D . P . G . M ., Bro . Le Feuvre , was unavoidably absent , but the P . G . M . was attended by most of the Provincial Grand Officers , and there was a large number of visiting brethren . The lodge ceremonies were ably conducted by Bro . J . D . Morant , VV . M . The election of W . M . forthe ensuing year took place , and resulted in the unanimous choice of Bro . James W . Gieve , S . W . Upwards of So brethren were entertained at the banquet .

THE COMMITTEE OF THE FIELD LANE RAGGED SCHOOLS are most anxious to avail themselves of the ever extending opportunities for increasing their work amongst the poor in the courts and alleys of that overcrowded part of London which forms the centre of their operations . Their meetings are attended by hundreds of these poor creatures , the history of whose privations and sufferings is

most harrowing ; and they have upwards of 1000 of the children attending their various Bible Schools , ln addition their refuges for the deserving homeless poor are filled every night , and they feed , clothe , educate and industrially train some 230 boys and girls in their industrial homes .

Very much more , however , remains to be done , and the only difficulty is funds . With a view to increasing their income the Committee have had made some special collecting boxes , which may be obtained by the friends of the Institution from the Secretary , Mr . Peregrine Piatt , Vinestreet , Clerkenwell-road .

" Hi * OUGHT TO HI : I ' KOSECCTKII . —The indignant words fell from the lips of a young girl wbo stood helplessly watching a drunken cabman brutally lashing his horse . It is , indeed , apalling to think how much cruelty goes unpunished in this world . Why are there so many weakly children in all grades of society ? The explanation is simple . The blame lies with the

thoughtlessness and selfishness of parents . While men and women neglect their health they cannot expect to have strong and robust children . Fathers and mothers , be warned in time . Clear your systems of biliousness , indigestion , nervousness , and the like j restore your vigour and your strength hy taking HoIIoway ' s Tills , the safest and best of family medicines .

Masonic And General Tidings

BRO . SHERIFF HAND will shortly be entertained at dinner by the members of $ the Homers' Company . Buo . THE REV . T . SELBY H ENREY preached on Sunday afternoon at St . George ' s Chapel , Albermarle-street . A SUM OF NEARLY ^ , So has already been received by Mr . Marston in response to his appeal for funds to enable a stained-glass window to be erected to the memory of Isaak Walton in St . Dunstan ' s Church , Fleet-street .

IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO FORM a fifth Masonic Charities Association in connection with Prosperity Lodge , No . 65 . The first meeting for receipt of subscriptions will be held at the Prosperity Lodge of Instruction , Old Parr ' s Head , Knightrider-street , on Wednesday , 7 th November , at

eighto'clock . WESTMINSTER TECHNICAL INSTITUTE . —The Baroness Burdett-Coutts will distribute the prizes and certificates , won last session by the students in this institute , at a public meeting to be held at the Westminster Town Hall on the 22 nd inst .

Bro . F . W . DRIVER , M . A ., P . M ., P . Z ., & c , author of "The Noble Soul , " "The Submerged City , " "Toujours Perdrix "(( poems ) , "A Novel Vengeance , " and "TheFour Henries" ( prose ) , recites his original productions at musical entertainments , smoking concerts , & c . For terms , address F . D ., Lancaster-road , Notting Hill , W .

BKO . J THOMAS MOSS , 38 , Gracechurch-street , a well-known City solicitor , died on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., at his residence , Zetland Lodge , New Cross-road , from cancer of the liver , after a somewhat prolonged illness . Bro . Moss , who was in his 73 rd year , had a large practice , and frequently appeared in the City and other Courts .

THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY announce their improved express train service to Torquay , Falmouth , St . Ives , Penzance , and other places in Devon and Cornwall . These favourite winter resorts give the invalid a choice of equable climates rivalling those of the South of France without the drawbacks of long and fatiguing travel and foreign languages .

As A SOUVENIR of the recent visit of-the Haymarket Company to Balmoral , the Queen has presented a ha-idsome silver salver , with inscription , to Mr . Tree ; a brooch set with diamonds and rubies to Mrs . Tree ; and a ruby brooch to little Miss Viola Tree . Miss Lily Hanbury has receiveJ a turquoise and diamond brooch ; Mr . Lionel Brough , a diamond and rubv pin ; Mr . Charles Allan , a silver cigar-case ; and Mrs . E . H . Brooke , a brooch set with diamonds .

THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL of the Alfred Mark Lodge , No . 247 , was held at the Masonic Hall on Thursday evening , amongst those present being the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Viscount Valentia , Bro . Rev . R . VV . M . Pope , Past Grand Chaplain , and others . Bro . Mark VVeyland was installed W . M . tor the second year in succession , and he appointed Bros . H . M . Turner and G . Sare , his Senior and Junior Wardens respectively .

IT MAY BE REMEMBERED k that last month Mr . Walter Winans won the revolver championship of the South London RiHe Club . The competitions tor the revolver championship of the North London Rifle Club are just over , and Mr . Winans has won that also . He made the highest

possible score of 42 points , at 20 yards , on two consecutive shooting days , and also a highest possible score at 50 yards . Of the remaining five scores , he made within one point of a highest possible in each , scoring , for his total , 307 out of a possible 312 points .

DEVON M ASONIC EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE . —A meeting of the Devon Masonic Educational and General Purposes Committee was held on Friday evening , the 12 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , Bro . W . Pjwell presiding . It was announced that three applications had been received for the twj vacancies on the fund which are to be filled at the election on Monday , the 29 th inst . One of the

petitions was received from Metham Lodge , Stonehouse , the second from Charity Lodge , Plymouth , and the third from Harmony Lodge , Budleigh Salterton . All these were stated to be deserving cases and worthy of support , and it was decided to place them on the list . of candidates . In addition to these there are two candidates brought forward from the last election , making in all five for the two vacancies .

A CRAFTSMAN ' S DUTY to his lodge and to Freemasonry requires nim to exercise great care in recommending candidates for admission to the Fraternity . It does not m eet the law of duly that an applicant is as worthy as some persons wno are now in the organisation , or tnat perhaps he will do better as a Mason , and by reason of such improvement no evil results will tollow his admission . The lodge

ought to be exposed to no such risk . A brother is not jusufied in recommending an acquaintance or friend unless such commendation is based 011 sufficient knowledge , and on a positive belief that tne applicant is worthy to become a Mason , and will add strength to the organisation . That a man is genial , a " good sort of a fellow , " is not a sufficient reason tor recommending his admission to a Masonic loic , ' -

THE TORONTO FREEMASON does not hesitate to express its disapproval of the reduction of fees of the Grand Chapter of Canada . In the latest issue received at this oflice we note the following : " It was a fatal mistake and one that must affect injuriously the Capitular branch in the near future , lt was never intended that Masonry snould j )** cheap . On the contrary , we believe it is a luxury ; its

membership drawn from men in reputable circumstances , and such as are not likely to ever become a charge upon tne geneial Craft . Freemasonry is not competing witn otne fraternities , but is a cut above them all , and should neve resort to the ' job lot' and ' bargain day' methods o ' modern mushroom societies . High joining fees and low 0 no dues is the oolicv that should be adopted by allbranc" *"

of the Masonic system in . Canada , and when the y ' ^ r Chapter restores its fees to the old figure , it will regain W » high place in the public estimation it has f . "" ^ jeopardised . " On general principles we agree with tjj statement made b y the Freemason . It is never good P ° " -j to lower the fees for the sake of attracting a multitude candidates . Freemasonry should so commend itself a * " to become a competing society seeking for popular favo ' Of course the fees should not be unreasonably highi * , they may 1 well vary in . different localities . — breentaso ^ Repository .