Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

BRO . THE HON . CECIL RHODES , on leaving London , forwarded a cheque for £ 25 to the endowment fund of the Balloon Society of Great Britain . BRO . THE Earl and Countess of Airlie , who have been spending the winter at Cortachy Castle , Forfarshire , left Scotland on Tuesday for Ireland , where his lordship rejoins his regiment , the 10 th Hussars .

LETTERS of administration have been granted to the Duke of Montrose , and the gross value of the personal estate of his late mother , Caroline Duchess of Montrose , who died in November last , has been sworn at £ 181 , 325 17 s . . ^ d . THE FIRST ball of the St . Michael's Lodge , No . 2487 , was held at the assembly room , Crown Hotel , Stone , on Thursday evening , the 14 th inst . About 50 guests were present , and dancing was enjoyed to the strains of Wood ' s string band .

BRO LORD HERSCHELL presided at the annual Festival in aid of the Royal Sea Bathing Infirmary , Margate , which was held at the Hotel Metropole , on Wednesday , the amount of donations and subscriptions being announced by the Secretary as £ 1070 .

BRETHREN are invited to send for the list of Masonic Books published at the office of the Freemason . Many works of interest both to the Masonic student and general reader have recently been added , and the publisher will gladly forward a copy to any address on receipt ot a postcard .

THE two University Crews which take part in the approaching Oxford and Cambridge Boat Rrace have taken up their quarters at Cookham , and have been practising daily on the Thames . The Light Blue Crew had been condemned to idleness for nearly a fortnight previous in consequence of the river Cam being frozen over .

BRO . HENRY IRVING will preside at the Festival Dinner of the Cabdrivers' Benevolent Association , to be held in the Whitehall Rooms , Hotel Metropole , on Saturday , the 15 th June . The object of the festival is to increase the amount of the annuity fund , so as to enable a few more aged , worn out , but deserving cabdrivers to be added to the pension list at X " 20 a year each .

THE WILL of Bro . Sir Edmund Anthony Harley Lechmere , Bart ., of Rhydd Court , Hanley Castle , late M . P . for the Evesham Division of Worcestershire , who died suddenly when addressing a public meeting at Pershore on December iSth , is proved by Mr . C J . Stephens , his brother-in-law , the sole surviving executor , by whom the personalty is sworn at £ 24 , 203 iSs . iod .

THE annial Masonic ball , by invitation of the Arkwright Lodge , was held at the New Bath Hotel , Matlock Bath , on Thursday , the 14 th instant , and nearly 100 ladies and gentlemen attended . The dancing commenced at eight o ' clock , to the music of Mr . J . H . Barnes' quadrille band . Bro . J . Dawes , P . M ., was an energetic M . C ., and was assisted by several Stewards . Bro . B . Barton acted as Secretary .

THE HON . GEORGE CURZON , M . P ., delivered an address in the theatre of the London University , Burlington House , before a brilliant audience of members of the Royal Geographical Society , on his recent travels in the Pamire . Bro . General Lord Roberts took part in the discussion which followed , and expressed great satisfaction that men like the lecturer could be found ready to go and judge

for themselves of our Indian Empire and its surroundings . . THE ARCHDUKE ALBRIXHT , Field Marshal and Inspector General of the Austrian Empire , died at Arco , on Monday , in the 7 Sth year of his age , having been born at Vienna on the 3 rd August , 1 S 17 . His Imperial Highness

was a soldier of eminence , and commanded the Austrian Armyiat the battle of Custozza on the 24 th June , lSGO , when the attacks of the Italian Army under King Victor Emmanuel were successfully repulsed . Since then he had taken a leading part in the re-organisatun of the Austrian Army .

THE Q UEEN and the Empress Frederick of Germany , accompanied by the Princess Beatrice and her children , and attended by the ladies and gentlemen of her suite , arrived at Buckingham Palace from Osborne , shortly before three p . m . on Monday . Her Majesty being rtspectfully greeted all along the route from Victoria Station tu the Palace . After

luncheon , the Ptime Minister had an interview with her Majesty , and then the Oueen , with the Empress and Princess Beatrice drove to fiyde Park to witnsssthe skating on the Serpentine . In the evening , there was a dinner party at the Palace , and on Tuesday her Majesty held the first drawing room of the season .

AMONG THOSE who had the honour of receiving , on Thursday , the 14 th instant , the decoration which her Majesty has been graciously pleased to bestow upon all Volunteers who have served in the ranks and as non-commissioned officers for 20 years and upwards , was our worthy friend , Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., who ran boast of having been a member of the 1 st Surrey Rill a Volunteer Corps for

34 years . The fact is all the more worthy of being recorded as Bro . Stevens was one cf the principal founders of the Macdor . ald ( Craft ) Lodge , No . 1216 , attached to that corps , and the Macdonald ( Mark ) Lodge , No . 104 . Bro . Stevens deserves to be congratulated on having received this much-coveted reward for his long service in the ranks of our citiz : n soldiers .

OUR HEALTH IN WINTER . —Dr . Andrew Wilson , writing in Lloyd ' s Newspaper on diet , says : " The teaching of nature should never be neglected , and in tha matter of winter food let us see we are not wrong , and take sufficient fat , for the changes that result in the wear and tear of our bodies are lessened in intensity by the fat of food ,

and the need for flesh is always less when fat forms a due proportion of our diet . " The doctor proceeds to enumerate natural products that are admirable , among them " cocoi , " with its contained cocoa butter . Relatively to this it may be said that Epps's Prepared Cocoa retains all the constituents of the natural cocoa , including the oil or butter , intact ,

Masonic And General Tidings

BRO . HORACE B . MARSHALL , J ., M . A ., J . P ., was presented at the levee , at St . ' James ' s Palace , on Friday , the 15 th inst ., by the Lord Mayor on apointment to the Lieutenancy of the City of London . THE DRAWING ROOM . — At the Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday , the Lady Mayoress was presented by the Countess of Kimberley . Mrs . Samuel

and Mrs . I land were also presented . THE INSTALLATION of Bro . H . H . Bonning , as W . M . of Portcullis Lodge , No . 203 S , took place at the Hanging Chapel , Langport , on Thursday , the 14 th instant . The ceremony was performed by Bro . R . C Elst , D . P . G . M . of Somerset .

THE MASTERS of the Livery Company of the City of London were entertained at dinner at the Mansion House by Bro . the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress , on Wednesday . Bro . Sir Augustus and Lady Harris , Bro . Sir E . Clarke , Q . C , M . P ., and other notabilities being among the guests .

WE REGRET to hear that Bro . Henry Irving has been suffering from a severe cold , which prevented him for several nights from taking his part in " King Arthur , " at the Royal Lyceum Theatre . He has , however , now been able to re-appear .

THE QUEEN , accompanied by the Empress Frederick of Germany and the Princess Beatrice , left Buckingham Palace about 4 . 30 , on Wednesday , for Windsor Castle , where slje arrived about an hour and a half later , and where the Court will remain until her Majesty pays her yearly visit to Italy .

BRO . THE Duke and Duchess of Fife gave a dinner party at their residence in Portman-square , on Wednesday , in commemoration of her Royal Highness ' s birthday , among the guests present being the Prince and Princess of Wales , the Princesses Victoria and Maud , and the Duke and Duchess of York .

BRO . the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire entertained the students and friends of Toynbee Hall at a party at Devonshire House on Wednesday evening , among those present who contributed to the entertaiment of the guests being the Countess of Dudley and the Misses Egerton , daughters oi Lady Louisa Egerton .

THE ANNUAL dinner in aid of the Drivers' Benevolent Institution , which was established 50 years ago principally by the efforts of the Baroness Hurdett-Coutts , was held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on Tuesday , under the presidency of Mr , T . G . Forsbrav . Subscriptions and donations were obtained to the amount of between £ 600 and £ 700 .

BRO . WILLIAM A . BASKCOMB , of Drury Lane Lodge , so many years the Chief Clerk at Marlborough House , has been appointed Secretary of the Old Welcome Club , Earl ' s Court , and Assistant Secretary of the Loan Exhibition of Relics and Memorials of the late Honourable East India Company at the forthcoming Empire of India Exhibition , Earl ' s Court . A contemporary says of Bro . Baskcomb , " He is , I think , the right man for the post . He knows nearly everybody of consequence , and is equally well-known . "

THE severe weather has been causing sad havoc among the occupants of the judicial bench , Bro . Justice Cave and Justice Collins having leturned from the Western Circuit with severe colds , which have prevented them tesuming their seats on the bench for the present . Mr . Justice Day

was absent from Judge ' s Chambers on Tuesday through indisposition , and Mr . Justice Wills has been unable to attend the Newcastle Assizes owing to a slight attack of bronchitis . His lordship , however , hopes to be able to sit at Newcastle to-day ( Friday ) .

BRO . TIIEMARQISOI" GRANUY , M . P ., has been confined to his room for several days owing to a sharp attack of influenza , and it is expected it will lie some little time before his lordship will be able to resume his Parliamentary duties . We also regret to hear that Bro . the Earl of Dunraven is

laid up from the same cause and was unable to attend a meeting at Putney at which it was his intention to have been present . On the other hand , Bro . Lord Arthur Hill and the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough are making satisfactory progress towards recovery .

" PYN- KA , " anew composition for burnishing gold , silver , and other metals , as well as glassware , and for removing stains from paint and polished wood , is fast winning a welldeserved reputation . It contains no injurious ingredient of any kind , and is applied by means of a piece of wet flannel to the article to he operated upon , while the polish

is afterwards produced by rubbing it over repeatedly with a dry woollen rag . It is sold in tablets , which can be obtained from chemists , grocers , oilmen , & c , or from the company ' s agents . Messrs . Low , Sons , and Bedford , 11 , Billiter-square , E . C We should recommend our friends to make a trial of " Pyn-ka . "

AMONG those present in the Royal Circle at the Drawing Room , which the Oueen held at Buckingham Palace , on Tuesday , were trie Princess of Wales , the Duke and Duchess of Connaught , Princess Beatrice , Prince Christian , with the Princes Victoria , and Prince Christian Victor of Sch / esivig-HoIstein , the Duke and Duchess of York , and the Duchess of Teck . The corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms was

on duty in the State Saloons , and the Yeomen of the Body Guard , under the command of Bro . Lord Kensington , in the interior of the Palace . Among the officers of the Household in attendance upon her Majesty were Bro . the Marquis of Breadalbane , Lord Steward ; Bro . Lord Carrington , Lord Chamberlain ; and Bro . the Earl of Cork , Master of the House .

CAPPER ' S CELEBRATED CONSTITUTION CURE . —IS a new and original preparation not contained in any other advertised medicine , and has proved to be a reliable remedy for all complaints resulting from a disordered condition of the Head , Stomach , Liver , and Blood . It is also strongly recommended by all who have tried it

for the cure of Gout , Rheumatic Gout , Rheumatism , Sciatica , Lumbago , Stiff and Swollen Joints , and all nerve pains . It is perfectly safe in all cases , and for all ages . Testimonials in favour of it are being received daily . Post free is . 3 d . and 3 s . per case . —Agent by special appointment , buo . G . COUCHMAN , Rutland-place , Charterhouse-square , London , E . C—Ai ) VT . ,

Masonic And General Tidings

THE MERCERS COMPANY have contributed a donati of 500 guineas towards the special fund now being rais < j for the purpose of enabling the Governors , of St . Thomas ' s Hospital to open its disused wards . BRO . LORD H ERSCHELL ( Lord Chancellor ) and Bro . the Right Hon . Shaw-Lefevre and Sir George Trevel yan Bart ., were among those who attended the Cabinet Council

held at the Prime Minister ' s official residence in Downing , street on Tuesday . THE Wi FE of Bro . Frederick John Horniman passed away we regret to state , on Thursday the 14 th inst . at Surrey Mount , Forest-hill , S . E . The interment took place a * Camberwell Cemetery , Honor Oak , a service being firs ( held at St . Peter ' s Lordship-lane .

PRINCE CHRISTIAN , of Schleswig-Holstem , dined with the Earl of Chesterfield and the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms at their mess in St . James ' s Palace on Tuesday , Bro . Lord Kensington and Lord Ribbledale beirm invited to meet his Royal Highness .

A PEARL necklace , with diamond clasp , comprising 30 well-matched pearls , was sold on Tuesday by Messrs . Ellis Morris and Co ., to the representative of Mr . W . Vandei ' bilt , of New York , for £ 2900 . A bangle bracelet , over an inch in width , and studded with gem stones , consisting of four rows of diamonds , two of emeralds , and one of rubies realised £ 250 .

A THEATRICAL ENTERTAINMENT will be given in Chelsea Town Hall , on Tuesday evening next , the 26 th inst ., under the patronage of the Duchess of York , by working men members of the Oxford House Working Men ' s Society in aid of the Working Men ' s Club recentl y opened in Bethnal Green by his Royal Highness .

THE SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS dined together at St , James's Hall , on Tuesday , under the chairmanship of their President , Bro . E . J . Hamilton , among the princi pal guests being Sir Francis Jeune , Archdeacon Farrar , the Rev . Canon Browne , Mr . Atherley Jones , and others . It was stated in the course of the evening that the Societ y numbered some 500 members , who were scattered over the surface of the globe .

MASONIC BALL . —The annual assembly of the Galashiels Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , on Friday evening , the Sth inst . About fifty couples were present . The music was supplied by Messrs . Grieve ( 2 ) and Welsh , and Bros . Peden and Kemp acted as Masters of Ceremonies . Deputations were present from the Melrose and Jedburgh Lodges and Hawick St . James , and the following lodges were also represented—Stow , Selkirk , and Canongate , Kilwinning .

THE NEW buddings adjoining the banqueting room of the old Palace of Whitehall , which has now been made over to the Royal United Service Institution , was opened by the Prince of Wales , on Tuesday . His Royal Highness was accompanied by . the Dukes of York and Connaught , Prince Christian , Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar , and

others , and among those present were the Earl of Rosebery , Earl' Spencer , Bro . Lord George Hamilton , Bro . General Lord Roberts , Mr . Campbell-Bannerman ( Secre . tary of State for War ) , Lord Walter Kerr , Bro . Sir Evelyn Wood , and Bro . Lord Bsassey . The Prince was suffering from a cold , but he made a brief address , and subsequently went over the building .

DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN FREEMASON . —By the death of Bro . William Joseph VVhittall , of 83 , Lancaster-street , Birmingham , a prominent figure has been removed from the world of Freemasonry . Deceased , who had taken the greatest interest in Freemasonry for very many years , was the oldest member of St . Thomas's Lodge . He held the post of P . P . S . G . W . of Staffordshire , and held high degrees

in Royal Arch Masonry . He was well known as an active Mason in Handsworth , and was very highly respected by a large number of the inhabitants , and his death at the age of 72 is deeply lamented by his many friends , especially in Masonic circles . Deceased died in the house in Lancaster-street , in which he was born , and it is a coincidence that his father was born and died in the same

residence . A CONVERSAZIONE , under the auspices of the C' olne Valley Lodge , No . 1645 , was held on Friday evening , the Sth inst ., in the lodge-rooms , Britannia-road , Slaithwaite , The Worshipful Master , Bro . Jonathan Holroyd , and his officers determined to make the affair a success , and they succeeded well . There was about 60 couples present , and

the entertainment provided gave great satisfaction . Songs , glees , and rtcitations were rendered in good style by the following ladies and gentlemen : Miss Fisher , Golcar ; Miss Sykes , Golcar ; Miss A . J . Eagland , Miss Metcalf , Mrs . Minnedew , Linthwaith ; Bro . Bates , Glossop (* possesses a rich tenor voice ) ; Bros . E . Brook . Joseph Berry , I . A . H . Eagland , Mr . Owen ( Huddersfield ) , Mr .

Fillans ( Huddersfield ) , and Master H . Mallinson ( Untnwaith ) . The accompanists were Bro . J . A . H . Eag land , Org ., and Bro . Jonathan Holroyd , W . M . After supper dancing was indulged in until the small hours of the mor *" ing grew somewhat large , to the music of Mr . L . Gledtull s Ouadrille Band . Bro . P . H . Dean , D . C , acted efficiently

as M . C . The children's party was held in the same room on the cjth inst , when a large number ol children and their parents sat down to an excellent knife and fork tea , a ' which an adjournment was made to the lodge room , wrier j the evening was pleasantly spent . Mr . Uledhill ' s l » ana again played for dancing .

BRO . F . W . DRIVER , M . A ., P . M ., P . Z ., & c , author oj " The Noble Soul , " " the Submerged City , " " Toujour ? Perdrix " ( poems ) , " A Novel Vengeance , " and "The Fou Henries" ( prose ) , recites his original productions a musical entertainments , smoking concerts , & c . terms , address 62 , Lancaster-road , Notting Hill , W . I ' OKEIUN COMPETITION is often declared to be the cause "f "''' of the sullcrini ; in ihis country , and He-are told that the m |"' . Hi till . r > llllCI IIIC , III 1 IU , T 1 ' / 'Hill J illlll Y » 17 ( 1 It I Ulll 1 " i > 1 mill

, ot foreigners in Kngland make it very diflicult lor the ling '"'"" liat to get a living . However , this may he , it is certainly true Ihe presence tii foreign lmilicr in Die blood endangers thtf '";' ,, nf the whole system . To purify thc blood and to correct disor ot the liver and stomach , the only certain , sate and : i ^^ lja ^* medicine is Holloway ' s I'ills . If you sutler trom gout , rhej ^ Usui , or lumbago , scalds , burns , or similar evils , you r » u * ^ with the least possible delay Holloway ' s Ointment . ' " it | , fiil Itali ' -a-cenitiry ihese f . 'iHJuus remedies have been the * i » friend toman .