Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

This month ' s Brief contains a capital portrait and an appreciative biographical sketch of Bro . H . H . Crawford , the City Solicitor . THE SHRIEVALTY . —The banner forGeorge Hand , Esq ., Sheriff elect , is being made at George Kenning ' s manufactory , Little Britain , E . C .

The Great Eastern Railway do not intend to allow their passengers to be inconvenienced if another cab strike takes place , as threatened . The directors have made arrangements to work a supply of cabs from their station , to which eventually they will be permanently attached .

The Piovincial Grand Master for Worcestershire , Bro . Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., has appointed Wednesday , September aCth next , for the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge . It will be held at Malvern under the banner of the Royds Lodge , No . 1204 .

We sincerely regret to announce the death of Bro . Alfred Best , who will be well known to a large number of our readers as the lessee for some years of the Freemasons ' Tavern , Great Queen-street , and afterwards of the Queen's Hotel , St . Martin ' s-le-Grand . The sad event took place on Saturday , the nth inst ., at lloscombe Chine Hotel .

The Grand Orient of North America of Free and Accepted Masons has been incorporated in New York . Jacques Ochs , one of the best all-round Masonic deadbeats now in existence , is said to be " booming " it . If this is true , it is well to bear in mind that as a collector of money Ochs is a monumental success , but when it comes to

accounting for it he is reticent to a fault . Some who have had dealings with him have been mourning over his untimely departure for other fields of uselessness . " The Grand Orient of North America of Free and Accepted Masons . " Hark to that , brethren , and pass by on the other side . —Masonic Guide .

Freemasonry has more to fear from foes within its lines than from enemies without . Its greatest danger is from ignorant , weak , and selfish brethren , who are liable to wreck the Institution by their folly or passion . It will survive attacks from without , and prosper and grow strong under such adverse discipline ; but when its own membership becomes affected by disloyalty to high and noble

principles identified with the Masonic system , then it requires no special gift of prophecy to declare a threatened danger . Giving heed to the proposition announced at the beginning of this paragraph , greater care should be taken in scrutinising the character and standing of applicants for the degrees . Let Masonic lodges take heed whom they admit to membership . —Freemasons' Repository .

On Thursday , the 9 th instant , an interesting ceremony took place at the PeJham Pillar Lodge , No . 792 , upon the occasion cf the retirement from office of Bro . J . W . Carr , who has for several years occupied a prominent and useful position in connection with Ihe Cr ^ ft in Grimsby . Bro . F . Barrett , W . M ., alluded in feeling terms to the labour and enthusiasm which had characterised the career of his departing J . W ., and paid a warm tribute of praise and

admiration to Bro . Carr ' s many personal and public virtues . The presentation consisted of a sterling silver tea and coffee service , of a neat and tasteful design , and the subscribers thereto numbered the majority of the Masonic brethren of the town . The cause of Bro . Carr ' s retirement is owing to his having taken a business at Newmarket . He carries with him the good wishes of a host of Grimsby friends .

The musical evening given by the Duchess of York and the Duchess of Teck at St . Moritz in honour of the Duchess Vera of Wiirtemberg was highly successful . Among those present were the Duchesses Lisa and Olga of Wiirtemberg , Princess Helena of Sachsen-Altenburg and her brother , Duke Carl Michael of Mecklenburg-Strelilz , the Duchess of Aosta , and the Prince of Turin . There were also invited Lord and Lady Alington , the Countess of

Powis , the Countess of Colli de Felliziano , and the Marquis de Moncrivello ( in attendance on the Duchess i . f Aosta ) , Lady Eva Greville , Miss Tufnel , the Hon . Denk Keppel , the Hon . S . Greville , Count Albert Mensdorff , Mr . and Mrs . Leopold de Rothschild , M . Tivadar Nachez , and Mr . Frederic Cliffe . The Princess Helena of Sachsen-Altenburg sang several songs , and M . Nachiz and Mr . Cliffe gave a number of selections for the violin and piano .

The City Press in its Saturday ' s issue thus speaks of Bro . Hand : " Bottesford is proud , as it has every reason to be , of the Sheriff-elect . The modern Dick Whittingion , as Mr . Hand has been termed , ought to act as an example to the young of today , and to be the means of convincing them that circumstances do not count for everything in thc race of life , but that even the most handicapped may by

industry and perseverance use to the top of the tree . A Bottesford friend in an appreciative note , in the course of which he predicts further civic honours for the Sheriff-elect , corrects an error in my note last Wednesday . Mr . Hand did not tramp to London , but came by train , while the proverbial half-crown consisted of thirty-eight shilling . ' -, only twenty-two of which remained in his pocket when he

entered upon his duties in Holborn . ' If only he could have foreseen the future , ' my correspondent adds , and I cordially agree with him , ' no doubt our friend would have willingly tramped the whole way , and arrived with even less than the half-crown . ' But after all the point is enly a minor one , and in no way affects the case as showing what industry can do . "

Ik KIND TO IIII : Lnil . i : 0 \ i :-. —There is no tyranny : o I anl to tie . 'tr .-is lite- liramu of [ eon-fils who , witli'ini nu : inhrh r lo he cruel , do not tinch-rsl .-i 11 < 1 their children . 1 low 1 ontinnnllv do we liml achild punished simply because it is frctlnl . It doe „ not seem to occur to . some parents tliar in nine eases out of 10 a

chilil . s Iretfulncss arises liom ill-healtli or from eorne temporary ailment . Hot Iliis is assuredly true , and , instead ot punishing their children , parents will do ' well to lake stejes to keep lliein healthy and stronj ; . They will not lind this ilillieiill if they lake care to keep Holluway ' s I'ilhi and Ointment always liy them . These are remedies which never tail .

Masonic And General Tidings

Her Majesty has sent £ 10 to Mrs . Renny , the mother of the apprentice who was killed in the recent explosion on the Solent . Mr . Horace Sedger announces another special morning performance of "Little Christopher Columbus " on Wednesday next at 2 . 15 , when the full cast of the company , including ; Miss Florence St . John , Miss Geraldine Ulmar , Mr . E . J . Lonnen , and Mr . J . F . Sheridan will appear .

V . u . uAiii . K PRESENTATION . —Bro . J . Ross Robertson , P . G . M . of Canada , has presented the Grand Lodge of England with a handsome proof engraving of the late Bro . Ri g ht Hon . Sir John A . Macdonald , who was the representative of England , near the Grand Lodge of Canada , from 1 SG 7 until 1 S 91 . Bro . Robertson was appointed , in 1 S 93 , the successor of Bro . Sir John A . Macdonald , as representative of England , near Canada .

The Duke and Duchess of York have accepted an invitation from Mr . Graham Vivian to visit Clyne Park , Swansea , during the latter part of the coming autumn . Some years ago Princess May made a visit to Clyne Valley with the Duke and Duchess of Teck , and is known to have pleasant recollections of the reception given to her on that

. We learn with pleasure that the movement for the presentation of a testimonial to Bro . Sir Albert Altman , in recognition of his services to Aldersgate Ward is being heartily taken up by his personal neighbours . Bro . B . Norman , of 6 ~ 2 A , Aldersgate-street , is the Hon . Secretary , and as the list of subscribers will shortly close , contributions

should be sent to him forthwith . In connection with the autumnal assembly of the Congregational Union at Liverpool , arrangements are being made to hold a large centenary gathering bearing upon the past , present , and future of the London Missionary Society . Among the speakers will be Mr . Albert Spicer , M . P ., the Treasurer : Rev . C . Sylvester Home , M . A ., of Kensington ;

Rev . Richard Lovett , M . A ., of Clapham ; and Rev . James Chalmers , of New Guinea . Mr . J . H . Simpson , of Liverpool , will be the Chairman . The arrangements for the Queen ' s autumnal visit to Scotland have now been completed . Her Majesty and suite leave Osborne about six o ' clock on Monday evening

for Trinity Pier , East Cowes , whence they cross the Solent in the Alberta to Gosport . The Royal party land at Clarence Yard at seven o ' clock and travel by special train over the South-Western , Great Western , North-Western , Caledonian and Deeside Railways to Ballater , where they arrive on Tuesday afternoon . The Queen on quitting the train drives from the station to Balmoral .

If officers and members of a Masonic lodge would always remember that when they see a strange face in the lodge , though he may be of another household , yet the cement of brotherly love unites him as well as them into one universal Brotherhood , his reception would be more courteous , and his visit exceedingly more fraternal and enjoyable . While it is the prerogative of the Worshipful Master to admit visitors

known to him or vouched for by a member or visiting brother , and his duty to deny admittance to any one objected to whose presence would mar the harmony and good order of the lodge , yet the duty of making those admitted feel at home does not involve on him alone , but is a fraternal duty devolving upon every member of the lodge . — Keystone .

It is interesting to learn that the basement of the new Post Office building in St . Martin ' s-le-Grand is Hanked on one side by an extensive remnant of the old Roman wall which at one time encircled london . It runs along on the outer side of an area between the footway in St . Martin'sle-Grand and the new building , at a depth which proves conclusively that since the wall was built the level of the

streets must have been raised to the extent of nearly four yards , thus probably indicating that at one time this northern thoroughfare dipped down in a valley similar to that now spanned by the Holborn Viaduct . Every care has been taken to preserve this interesting relic of a remote past , which is thus brought into curious juxtaposition with the latest addition to that department of the

public service which , perhaps , more than any other may be regarded as the embodiment of modern civilisation . The Metropolitan Hospital , which for so many years has done such excellent work amongst the densest and poorest populations of London , is , like many other similar institutions , in sore need of funds . No stronger proof of its needs can be shown than the fact that , although there are 1 O 0

beds in the wards , only 7 S are available , and of these only 54 are in actual occupation . Short of actually closing the hospital , this state of things is almost as bad as it can be . The handsome legacy of Mr . H . Spicer ( over £ io , ooo ) , though it is only available for convalescent patients , and the munificent effer of Mr . Passmore Edwards to build a

convalescent home in a suitable spot , with the probability , we understand , of the suitable site being presented by another generous donor , should be in themselves a source of much encouragement and s ' . imulus ; but what is wanted is a return of that constant stream of charity as shown in individual subscriptions . We trust our readers will take the hint .

In the affairs of the lodge the older members have years and experience , that should make them wise and safe counsellors . There is a responsibility equal to their years and experience that goes with them , and they should stand as sentinels ready to guard the dangerous ways into which inexperience might lead the younger members . As fathers , they should direct the course of their children in Masonry ,

into those paths that will bring honour and prosperity . So train them by example and words , that when they , in turn , become " tie older members , " the same good work may go on . The good that the older members can do is immeasurable . The responsibility of the older members cannot be weighed . Therefore the most careful judgment should be exercised , and no personal ambition ( bow hard it is for

human nature to lose its pfrsonality in the desire to benefit the many ) should cause any older member to swerve from the right path . There is one great and grand work to be accomsiUshed , nut the elevation of one man , or the gratification of one set of nun , but the upbuilding of the whole institution of Freemasonry . If the Fraternity teaches

arything it is the utter disregard of selfish motives , and the elevation of the whole hrotheiliuod of man . Let this , then , and this alone , be the work of the older members , to so advise the younger , and so act themselves that , as one united army , they may advance against the strongholds of ignorance , oppression , immorality , and superstition . —New York Dispatch .

Masonic And General Tidings

A HIGH APPOINTMENT . —Canadian Masonic circles are pleased over the appointment of Bro . John W . Murton , of Hamilton , Ontario , to the position of Sheriff of the County of Wentworth , in which Hamilton is situate . Bro . Murton is the leading spirit of the Scottish Rite in Canada and Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of that

jurisdiction . He is not a Mason in name only , but an intelligent Craftsman , one intimately acquainted with the history of the Institution and an expert in all that pertains to Scottish Rite work . His appointment to the civil office of Sheriff is appreciated as testimony not only of personal qualifications or fitness , but by the Craft of Ontario , who have for Bro . Murton sincere regard and affection .

The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Exhibition of Photo-Mechanical Work , to be held in the Institute Room , at Falmouth , will be opened by a conversazione to the members of the Association on Monday next , the 27 th inst ., and to the public on the 2 Sth inst ., and remain open until the end of the week . It is announced that the display will be of a varied and interesting character .

The Queen of Portugal is expected at Stowe to-morrow ( Saturday ) to spend some days with her parents the Comte and Comtesse de Paris . Her Majesty's journey is not in consequence of a serious aggravation of her father ' s condition of health . The Count is still weak , but he is able to drive out daily , and takes an active interest in the indoor life of the household

A startling rumour was in circulation on Thursday afternoon to the effect that Mr . Gladstone was dead . Not only is thc right hon gentleman alive , but according to a telegram received from his private secretary at Hawarden , where Mr . and Mrs . Gladstone are now residing , the late Prime Minister is quite well . Mr . Gladstone is taking good care of himself during this wet weather , and attends evening service at the Parish Church instead of early morning service .

At the prison of St . Paul at Lyons , where Caserio lay under sentence of death , there is a curious collection of pens . They are the pens with which the executioners have signed the regulation receipts for the prisoners handed over to them to be guillotined . At each execution a fresh pen is used for the purpose , and the ink is left to dry upon it . The pen with which M . Deibler signed the receipt for Caserio is now in the collection .

Private Luff , of the London Rifle Brigade , is a marksman whose success is growing monotonous . He has just been announced as winner of the Regimental Gold Badge , the trophies already won by him this year including the Regimental Gold Medal and the Championship . This makes the third season in succession , and the fourth in the last six years , in which he has carried off these coveted dutinctions .

John Davis , one of the heroes of the charge of the Light Brigade , died on Thursday morning in the Kettering Workhouse . He was a native of Tunbridge Wells . He belonged to the 4 th Dragoons , and served throughout the Crimean campaign . He had only been at Kettering about a month , and when admitted to the workhouse was dying of consumption . A local fund has been started to prevent the man being buried at the expense of the parish .

Fraternity was never stamped with so much of significance as now . The present age is alive to the question of brotherhood , and is striving by various agencies anil methods to bring men together , so that there shall be less of discord and of selfish isolation here on earth . Freemasonry has an important mission in helping on the great movement of Fraternity . Its province is to educate its members in the sublime ideas of the brotherhood of man . — Freemasons' Repository .

London had an article in its last issue on the new premises of Messrs . Horace Marshall and Son , on the Victoria Embankment , and records the interesting fact that the senior partner , Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall , C . C ., J . P . ( better known to the Masonic Body as a Past Grand Treasurer , and a munificent donor to its Charities ) , never failed but once in 35 yeatsto himself open the warehouse at half-past one o'clock in the morning for the dispatch of the morning papers .

Bro . Sir Augustus Harris returns from New York on Wednesday next in time to start his Royal Italian Opera tour at Blackpool , where the first provincial performanee of Wagner's " Die Meistersinger " is to take place . Verdi ' s " Falstaff" and Massenet ' s "Nevarraise" will also he

produced during the first week The rehearsals for the new Drury Lane drama by Bro . Sir Augustus Harris , Cecil Raleigh , and Henry Hamilton , are progressing favourably , and the production may be expected about the second week in September .

An interesting experiment was carried out on Thursday at Grindelwald in connection with the literary and scientific section of the Grindelwald Conference . Mr . Caius Wilson , of Oxford University Extension lectures , accompanied a large party of members of the conference to the Aferde Glace , above Grindelwald , GOOD feet above the sea , an J delivered a lecture on glaciers , mountains , and moraines in situ . The splendid glaciers descending between the liiger and the Viescherhorn on the other furnished an excellent

object lessen lor the lecturer s remarks . The opening of the Clarence Ward of the Alexandra Hospital , Woudhall , Spa , by Mr . E . Turnor , High Sherilf of Lincolnshire , took place on Thursday before a distinguished company . The addition to the institution has cost £ 600 , of which £ 200 was obtained by the concert

given in London by the Countess of Radnor , in accordance with the desire of the Princess of Wales , who is the patroness of the hospital . The institution is a national one , patients being received from all parts of the Kingdom , and there are now sufficient on the books to keep it full until Christmas .

Prince Edward of York—as the Royal infant of White Lodge is now formally described—has recently had a gift f . om his uncle the Emperor of Germany in the shape of a " exquisite little carnage in which to take his airings . J he dainty vehicle—which was brought over / in the Emperor s is

yacht , the Hohenzollcrn—is in the form of a shell , and coloured in pale prismatic shades , matching the cushions , and contrasting with the pale blue velvet used to line the shell . A coverlet of rich crimson veliet , worked with the arms of the Guelph and Hohenzollern families , comp lete the gift .