Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . —The inmates of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution had a special treat provided for them through the kindness of Bro . Dr . Wayte , the Honorary Surgeon to the Asylum , the treat taking the form of a concert , the several items of vvhich were admirably rendered , and received the hearty applause of the audience . Part I . included a trio for violin ' cello , and piano by

Messrs . Kitcat and Scott and Mrs . Wayte ; a violin solo by Mr . Kitcat and a ' cello solo by Mr . Gilderoy Scott , together with songs by Mr . Houlder , Mr . Slack , Mrs . Russell , and Mrs . Scott . Part II . also included 'cello and violin solos by Messrs . Scott and Kitcat respectively , and songs by Mrs . Russell , Mrs . Scott , and Mr . Slack . With such a programme arranged for their entertainment , it cannot be doubted that the " Old People " in residence at Croydon most thoroughly enjoyed themselves .

AT THE forthcoming general meeting of the Guildhall Cricket Club an emblazoned address will be presented to Bro . Sir John B . Monckton ( the Town Clerk ) in recognition of his services for several years as president . CAPT . PRINCE FRANCIS OF TECK , Royal Dragoons , who has lately returned from service with the Egyptian army , has been appointed Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Sir Henry Rundle , commanding the South-Eastern District .

THE COUNTESS OF WARWICK presided on Monday night at a lecture in Leamington Town Hall , in connection with the Municipal Technical School , and , in responding to the vote of thanks , made an interesting speech on secondary education . THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OE YORK have promised to open the new wing which has been added to the Royal Portsmouth and Gosport Hospital in commemoration of her Majesty ' s Diamond Jubilee . The ceremony is fixed to take place at the end of next

month . The Duke of Connaught laid the foundation-stone of the wing in 1897 . AT THE MEETING of the Covent Garden Lodge , No . 1 G 14 , held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , W ., on the ioth inst ., Bro . G . H . Walker , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , also Bro . G . Coleman , P . M ., Treasurer , and Bro . R . F . Potter , P . M ., Tyler . We heartily wish the W . M . elect a successful year of office , and the lodge prosperity .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES ' S HOSPITAL FUND FOR LONDON . —Among the latest contributions to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales's Hospital Fund for London are the following . —Annual subscriptions : Earl of Dartmouth , £ 105 ; Lord Wantage , V . C ., jfioo ; Mr . F . C . Stoop , £ 100 ; Sir Squire Bancroft , £ 50 . Donation : "A Friend , " £ 200 . PRESENT FROM THE EMPRESS FREDERIC . —Before leaving for Italy on Saturday last the Empress Frederic presented to Chief-Inspector Sweeney , of Scotland-yard , who nad been in attendance on her Majesty during her visit to thi s country , a magnificent gold watch and chain , upon which was engraved the Imperial coat of arms and monogram .

THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN is authorised to state that Drawing Rooms will be held at Buckingham Palace , under the usual regulations , on Friday , February 24 th , and on Friday , March 3 rd , next . Names for presentation at these Drawing Rooms may be sent in to the Lord Chamberlain ' s Oflice , for submission to her Majesty , on and after Wednesday , February ist .

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . —It has been arranged ^ that on February ist the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , Lotd Saltoun , will visit the Province of Forfarshire . His lordship , who will be accompanied by several of the Grand Oflicers , will be received by the Prov . Grand Lodge in Dundee , and will afterwards be entertained at luncheon by Bro . James Berry , the Prov . Grand Master , and ths oflice bearers of the Prov . Grand Lodge .

THERE is a small choice private collection of pictures and curios to be seen at Mrs . E . K . Johnson's , 12 , Ladbroke-grove , Bayswater . It comprises original works of Sir Frederick Leighton , Sir E . Poynter , Sir J . Linton , G . F . Watts , and Frank Dicksee , also pictures from the water-colour exhibitions , original sketches published in Punch by C . Keene . These are for sale . Mrs . Johnson is at home every day between 12 andC p . m ., and will be happy to receive callers . To lovers of art this collection will well repay a visit .

NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVAL . —On Saturday , the 14 th inst ., Bro . Lord Suffield presided at a meeting at Norwich of the general committee of the Norwich Musical Festival . The report presented on the occasion stated that the Festival for 1 S 99 had been fixed for October 3 , 4 , 5 , and 6 , and that Signor Randegger , who has acted as conductor on six previous occasions , had again accepte d that position . The total receipts at the last Festival were £ 5191 17 s . 3 d ., and the surplis , after paying ] expenses , was £ 453 12 s . ? d .

GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY . —The Geological Society ot London will this year award its medals and funds as follows : The Wollaston Medal to Prof . Charles Lapworth ; the Murchison Medal to Mr . B . N . Peach ; and a seond Murchison Medal to Mr . John Home ; the Lyell Medal to Lieut .-General C . A . MacMahon ; the Btgiby Medal to Professor T . W . Edgeworth David ; the Wollaston Fund to Professor J . B . Harrison ; the Murchison Fund to Mr . James Bennie ; the Lyell Fund is divided between Mr . F . Chapman and Mr . John Ward .

THE MARyuis AND MARCHIONESS OF LONDONDERRY have been entertaining the following guests at Mount Stewart , County Down . Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn and Lady Alexandra Hamilton , the Marquis and Marchioness of Dulferinand Ava and Lady Hermione Blackwood , the Earl of Ava , Bro . the Earl of Shrewsbury , Viscount lngestre and Lady Viola Talbot , the Earl of Shaftesbury , Viscount Crichton , Bro . Lord and Lady Clonbrock and the Hon . E . Dillon , Lord and Lady Langford , Mr . R . C . Yeoman , Mr . Michael Hugh Hicks-Beach , and Mr . Maitland Kersey .

THE REMAINS OF Lady Edith Wilbraham , youngest daughter of the late Bro . Earl of Lathom , Lord Chamberlain , were laid to rest in the family vault at Lathom Park , on Monday . The chief mourners included her brother , Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Bro . the Hon . Reginald Wilbraham , Lady Maud and Lady Bertha Wilbraham , the Hon . Rose Wilbraham , Bro . the Earl of Derby , Bro . Lord and Lady Loch , Lord Balcarres , Captain and Mrs . Blundell , Mr . and Lady Evelyn Mason , and Miss Parker . Among the wreaths sent were tributes from the Countess of Leitrim , Countess Lytton , Lady Henry Bentinck , Countess of Crawford , and Bro . the Earl and Countess of Derby .

AMONGST THOSE PRESENT at St . James's Roman Catnolic Church , Spanishplace , Manchester-square , on Monday afternoon , to witness the marriage of the Hon . Edward Alexander Stonor , formerly of the Oxfordshire Yeomanry Cavalry , and now Clerk in the House of Lords , brother of the late Lord Camoys , and M-s . Ambros : Ralli , daughter of the late Mr . Richard Ralli , of Paris , and widow of Mr . Ambrose Ralli , formerly of 24 , Gloucester-square , Hyde Park , were Vhcount Peel , Captain and Mrs . Peel , Bro . Rochfort and the Hon . Mrs . Maguire , the Hon . Ella Peel , Mu-quisana Marquise d'Hautpoul , the Hon . Mrs . Algernon Grosvenor , Miss Sechuri , Captain Pereira ( Grenadier Guards ) , the Hon . Helen Henniker , & c , & c , & c .

MR . LEWIS CARROLL left behind him a legacy which will keep his memory green in the hearts of English children , in "Alice in Wonderland , " and Mr . Horace Ssdger has given us a picture of it which appeals to young and old alike , and is , at once , the prettiest pantomime in London . The "dream play , " as the Opera Comique version is termed , is divided into two parts , the first dealing . with " Wonderland , " and the second with its sequel , " Through the Looking-glass , " in a succession of pictures , every one of which is a lesson in the harmonious blending of colours . Miss Rose Hersee , who

comes of an old theatrical family , gives a remarkable delineation of Alice . It is the characteristic of the English girl , with just the suspicion of priggishness , which makes Alice ' s character so delightful , played with a freedom and naivete which promise great things for Miss Hersee in the future . Mrs . Arthur Eliot , as the Queer , of Hearts in " Wonderland , " and the White Oueen in the Chess scenes , meets again the ideal of the book , and , indeed , this is a characteristic of the whole of the play . It is Lewis

Carroll ' s book that we see , and not a distorted adaptation . Miss Odell , Miss Alice Barth , Miss Beaden , Miss Blanche Doyle , Master Harold De Becker , Mr . BertSindsn , Mr . VV . R . Staveley , and a strong company each support their parts well , while Mr . Eliot , as the Hatter , introduces many a scene of true Carrollian humour . The Opera Comique is certain to continue one of the principal attractions in town for the youngsters , and equally so for the " grown-up's . " Mr . Walter Slanghter has provided some charming music , and the performance goes with a swing from beginning to end .

Masonic And General Tidings.

BRO . THE DUKE OF ATHOLL has left town for Blair Castle , Blair Atholl , Perthshire . THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUTHERLAND are entertaining a large house party at Trentham Hall . The festivities during the week will include a ball . BRO . THE MAROUIS AND MARCHIONESS OF BREMJALBANR ate entertaining a small party at Tajmouth Castle , Perthshire , for the opening of salmon angling in Loch Tay .

M . YGLESIAS , President of Costa Rica , visited the Tower of London on Saturday , and the curiosities of that ancient and famous building greatly interested him . He was accompanied by Mr . Robert Synge , of the Foreign Office . " THE THREE MUSKETEERS "_ at the Garrick Theatre reached its 100 th performance on the iSth inst . In addition to the usual Wednesday and Saturday matinees , there will be a special one on Thursday , the 26 th inst .

PRINCESS ^ LOUISE , accompanied by the Marquis of Lome , M . P ., with Lieut .-Col . Collins , C . B ., in attendance , distributed , at Mercers' Hall , Cheapside , the prizes gained by the successful students of the Royal Female School of Art , Queen-square . BRO . LIEUTENANT-COLONEL THE EARL OF AIRLIE and the officers of the 12 th Prince of Wales ' s Royal Lancers , are to erect a tablet in St . George ' s Church , Stanhope Lines , Aldershot , in memory of the late Lieutenant R . S . Grenfell , who was killed at the battle of Khartoum .

SATURDAY LAST WAS the seventh anniversary of the death of the lamented Duke of Clarence and AvondaIe , and T . R . H . Prince and Princessof Wales senta beautiful cross made of arum lilies , hyacinths , other white blooms , and foliage , to the Albert Chapel , at Windsor Castle , where the deceased Prince is interred . AT THE CELEBRATION of the silver wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg at Gotha , on Monday next , the Queen will be represented by the Earl of Clarendon , Lord-in-Waiting , while Commander the Hon . Seymour Fortescue , Equerry , will attend on behalf of T . R . H . the Prince and Princess of VVales .

BRONDESBURY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 269 S . —It has been decided to hold a supper , confined to Masons only , in connection with this lodge of instruction , at the Earl Derby Hotel , 155 , High-road , Kilburn , on Monday , the 13 th prox ., at 7 p . m ., under the presidency of Bro . A . F . Hardyment , S . W . 2693 , & c , Preceptor . PENNY POSTAGE IN THE ROYAL NAVY . —Some doubt having been expressed as to the application of the new colonial rate of postage to H . M . ships serving on foreign stations , a letter addressed to the Postmaster-General has elicited the following reply : " Letters sent from this country toJH . M . ships in any part of the world are now prepayable at the rate of id . per 1 oz . "

THE COUNTESS OF ARRAN presided on Tuesday at a crowded meeting of the London General Committee of the Irish Industries Association , held at Bio . Lord Arthur Hill ' s house , in Eaton-place , and among others present were the Marchioness of Headiort , the Marchioness of Hamilton , the Countess of Lucan , Bro . Viscount and Viscountess Castlerosse , Bro . Lord and Lady Arthur Hill , Lady Magheramorne , the Hon . Mrs . Swinton , the Hon Mrs . Maude , and many others .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES , attended by Bro . Major-General Sir Stanley Clarke , drove to Buckingham Palace on Saturday morning last , and accompanied the Empress Frederic to Victoria Station , where he took leave of her Majesty on her departure for Italy . His Royal Highness was present afterwards at a meeting of a Standing Committee ( Natural History ) of the Trustees of the British Museum . In the evening the Prince , attended by Bro . Major-General Stanley Clarke and Bro . Sir Francis Knollys , arrived at Sandringham , and joined the Princess of VVales and Princess Victoria .

WORK AMONG BRITISH SAILORS IN ARGENTINA . —Bro . Aldetm-w Sir Joseph Dimsdale , the Treasurer , and Bro . Archdeacon Sinclair , one of the Vice-Presidents , are amongst the signatories of an appeal that is being made on bshalf of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society for special help to carry oi mission work amongst sailors in South America . The President of the Argentine Republic and many of the leading Government officials , together with British Consuls and others , have givan help and encouragement to the mission in the efforts it is putting forth to check the extraordinary immorality which prevails in the large foreign ports .

ON SUNDAY MORNING LAST the remains of the late Lady Edith Wilbraham were removed from 3 ^ , Gloucester-place , Portman-square , to Euston Station , en rout ; to Lathom House , Ormskirk , Lancashire , where the interment took place on M-nday , at noon . Among those who travelled in the same train were Ladies Maud and Bertha Wilbraham , the Hon . Reginald Wilbraham , Bro . the Earl of Darby , and Mr . and Ladv

Evelyn Mason . Among those who sent wreaths were Bro . the Eirl and Countess of Dartrey , Viscount and Viscountess Cranborne , the Countess of Sifton , the Dowager Countess of Normanton , Lady Florence Cecil , Bro . Lord and Lady Ampthill , Viscountess Hood , and others . In addition to the sympathetic message of condolence received from the Queen , the Empress Frederic , and T . R . H . thi Princ * . and Princess of Wales sent similar letters by special messengers .

ON SATURDAY MORNING last the | Queen went out , accompanied by their Royal Highnesses Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein , Princess Henry of Battenberg , and her Highness Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein . Her Majesty conferred the honour of knighthood upon certain gentlemen , who were severally introduced to her Majesty ' s presence by Bro . Col . Lord Edward Pelham-Clinton ( Master of the

Household ) , and among whom was Bro . Justice Thomas Townsend Bucknill , Q . C . Her Royal Highness Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein was present with the Queen . Her Majesty drove out in the afternoon , accompanied by her Royal Highness Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein . Bro . the Very Rev . H . D . M . Spence , D . D ., Dean of Gloucester , arrived at Osborne , and had the honour of dining with the Queen and the Royal Family . "

A MASONIC FESTIVAL S ERVICE , under the auspices of the Clissold Lodge , No 2 CG 1 , Bro . Alfred H . Cooper , W . M ., will be held in the Kingsland Congregational Church , High-street , Kingsland , N . E ., on Sunday evening , the 29 th instant , at 7 p . m ., in aid of the building fund . A special dispensation has been granted by the M . W . the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , for the brethren to wear Masonic Craft clothing and jewels . The sermon will be preached by Bro . the Rev . William Whittley , P . G . D ., P . P . G . Chap . Devon ; and Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., has

kindly consented to act as Director of Ceremonies . It will be a rare occasion in the history of Masonry that the brethren have attended a Nonconformist place of worship . Bro . Arthur Briscoe , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . Surrey , will preside at the organ and undertake the musical arrangements . The order of service will include solos by Madame Emily Davies and Bro . Herbert Grover , who will sing " Let the Bright Seraphim " ( Handel ) , and " Be thou faithful unto D .-ath" ( Mendelssohn ) respectively . Bro . Warwick Williams will conduct a full orchestra ; and Handel ' s "Concerto in B flit" will be performed .

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