Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

Bro . the Earl and Countess of Lathom and Lady Maud Wilbraham will spend Christmas at Lathom House , near Ormskirk , Lancashire . The Prince of Wales was to leave town to-day ( Thursday ) for Sandringham Hall , where he will join the Princess and spend the Christmas holidays . Bro . H . De Worms , M . P ., was present at a

political banquet at Rosherville , on Monday evening , and delivered a long speech on public affairs . Bro . Sir P . Cunliffe-Owen , K . C . M . G ., C . R ., presented the prizes to the successful students of the West London School of Art , at Steinway Hall , Lower Seymourstreet , on Wednesday , the iGth inst . Among the Aldermen who presided at the

City Wardmotes on Monday were Bros . Alderman Sir F . W . Truscott , De Keyser , Sir J . W . Ellis , Bert ., M . P ., Savory , Waterlow , Evans , Whitehead , and Sir H . E . Knight . On Monday afternoon a fire broke out in a printing room occupied by Bro . J . Bertram , refreshment contractor to the Crystal Palace , belonging to the Palace

Company , but no extensive damage was done outside the original limits of the conflagration . The 40 th anniversary dinner of the Commercial Travellers' Schools took place at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street , on Tuesday , when among the principal guests present were Bros . Sheriff Clarke , F . Gorringe , and T . H . Devonshire , P . G . D . The total of the subscriptions

and donations exceeded ^ . 4000 . Bro . Henry Baldwin , P . P . G . Std . Br . Middlesex , W . M . of the Brixton Lodge , No . 1940 . will rehearse the ceremony of installation at the United Pilgrims Lodge of Instruction , No . 507 , in the Temple , at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , on Friday evening , the Sth January next . Lodge will be opened at eight o'clock prompt .

All P . Ms . and brethren are cordially invited to attend . Arrangements are already being made for the visit of the Prince of Wales , who will be accompanied on the occasion by the Princess , on the 20 th January prox ., for the purpose of opening the Mersey Tunnel . During their stay their Royal Highnesses will be the guests of the Duke of Westminster , at Eaton Hall , and if the weather

is favourable , the Prince will have some shooting over the Duke ' s estate . The annual installation of W . M . of the Douglas Lodge , No . 1725 , was held at the College , Maidstone , on the 4 th inst . The retiring W . M ., Bro . George Friend , acted as Installing Master , and performed the ceremony in such an impressive manner that the hearty thanks of the

lodge were accorded for his services . A set of tracing boards and two handsome banners were presented to the lodge by Major Isherwood , and his kindness was cordially acknowledged . The Princess of Wales has graciously intimated her intention to become the Patron of the Chelsea Hospital for Women , Fulham-road , S . W ., in succession to the late

Duke of Albany ; and we believe that it is with the hope that it may be helpful to the hospital in obtaining the means to keep open the twenty extra beds in the " Albert Ed-vard " fl > or , which for two years have been unoccupied for want of funds . Notwithstanding the existence of a mortgage debt and a heavy balance due to the hospital ' s bankers , the board have been compelled to open these bsds

because , of the increasing number of women needing and seeking operative treatment . In order to alleviate to some extent the present distress amongst the poor of Ripley , the brethren of the Okeover Lodge , No . 1324 , of Free and Accepted Masons of Ripley and district , have decided to open a soup kitchen . For this puipose Mr . lames Crossley has placed

at the disposal of the committee his premises in Oxfordstreet , Ripley , and it is proposed to distribute soup on Tuesdays and Fridays each week during the winter months . In aid of this laudable object a special service was held in All Saints' Church , Ripley , on Sunday , when a sermon was preached by the Rev . E . A . Hillyard , M . A ., W . M . of the Bcaureper Lodge , Belper . There was a large

congregation . Upwards of forty Masons in full regalia were present , having walked in procession from the Town Hall previously . The offertory amounted to £ 17 lSs . The distribution of prizes to the members of the 15 th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers ( Her Majesty ' s Customs and Docks ) took place on Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., at the Cannon Street Hotel , E . C . Among those present were

Col . Philip Smi'h ( commanding the Grenadier Guards ) , Lieut .-Colonel and Mrs . A . W . Chambers , Col . and Mrs . Kennard , Sir George H . and Miss Chambers , Dr . and Mrs . Tatham , Dr . and Mrs . Humphrys , Dr . and Mrs . Dickson , Majors Freelovc , Fisher , and Carr , Captain and Mrs . Stebbings , Captains Steed , Jeffery , Cahill , Chambers , Pipe , and Adye , Quartermaster While , Lieut , and Mrs .

Holloway , Lieutenant . Stevens , Macpherson , Hollings , Vernon , Arnaud , Darlow , and Scott ( the two last named being in command of a guard of honour ) , Sergeant-Major Blaxim and Staff , and a numerous attendance of lady and gentlemen friends of the members of the corps . The presentations were made by Mrs . A . W . Chambers , and were both valuable and numerous . After the ceremony ,

some practical speeches upon military matters as they effect the volunteer movement were made by Colonel Philip Smith ( Grenadier Guards ) , Lieut .-Col . Chambers ( commanding ) , Lieut . Kennard , and Sir G . H . Chambers , and a vote of thanks was passed to Mrs . Chambers for her kindness in presenting the prizes . Subsequently a dance was given ( ur the men and their iriends , and a large number of the latter availed themselves of the opportunity of

evincing their sympathy wifh ihe volunteer movement in general and the 15 th Middlesex in particular . The regiment'il band , under the direction of Mr . S . T . Cawse , bandmaster , supplied the . music , and Captain Stebbings was M . C , ably assisted by Bro . Captain S . M . Pipe . We were pleased to see so large a number of Craftsmen and their ladies showing by their presence their sympathy with the 15 th Middlesex .

Masonic And General Tidings.

The Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite have granted a warrant for a New Chapter , named the " Bective , " to meet in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland . Bro . Lord Mayor , accompanied by the Lady Mayoress , distributed the prizes to the members of the 3 rd City of London Engineers in the Guildhall on Saturday

last . Bro . the Lord Mayor , with the Lady Mayoress , and Bro . Sheriff Clarke , visited the School of the London Society for Teaching the Blind , St . John's Wood , on the 16 th inst ., and distributed the prizes to the successful pupils . Bros . Sir J . B . Monckton , E . Clarke , Q . C .,

M . P . - , and Baron H . de Worms , M . P ., were among those who witnessed on Saturday last the first performance of " Faust , " at the Lyceum Theatre . The following- dinners took place at the Freemasons' Tavern for the week ending Saturday , the 26 th inst . Monday—Grand Masters' Lodge ; British Lodge ; Asaph Chapter . Tuesday—Commercial Travellers' School .

Among the newly-elected Court of Common Council will be found the names of Bros . A . B . Hudson and Renals , the two Deacons of the Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1659 , who have been returned , the former for Castle Baynard Ward and the latter for the Ward of Aldersgate . On Friday , the nth inst ., the installation of

the Worshipful Master of the Invicta Lodge , No . 709 , Ashtord , took place at the Bank-street Hall . There was a numerous gathering of the Craft , other lodges being represented . The new VV . M ., Bro . J . Brazier Lovett , succeeds Bro . Shaw . A banquet was held at the Saracen's Head in the afternoon .

Of the newly-elected members of the House of Commons , Bros . Alderman Sir R . N . Fowler , Bart ., Sir W . Hart Dyke , Bart ., Baron H . De Worms , Agg-Gardner , are members of the Spectacle Makers' Company , while Bros . Sir T . Brassey , K . C . B ., Sir E . J . Reed , K . C . B ., E . Clarke , Q . C ., J . Sutherland , and VV . L . Jackson are Shipwrisrhts .

1 he ceremony of installation will be rehearsed by Bro . John Jacobs , W . M . 1614 , at the Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction , No . 1614 , held at the Bedford Hotel , Maiden-lane , Covent Garden , VV . C ., on Thursday evening , the 31 st inst . Bro . G . Reynolds , Sec , asks us to state that all brethren will receive a hearty welcome to the above mentioned rehearsal of installation .

Bro . Lord Mayor Staples has very kindly accepted the post of President of the St . Bride ' s Youths ' Institute , while his predecessor in the Mayoralty , Bro . Alderman Sir R . N . Fowler , Bart ., M . P ., has consented to be the Vice-President . The final entertainment of the season was given early last week , when II . B . Marshall , jun ., son of Bro . H . B . Marshall , P . G . Treas ., presided .

Our readers will be pleased to learn that the Grand Organist , Bro . E . M . Lott , has had the degree of Mus . Doc . ( Honoris Causa ) conferred on him , as Principal of the Musical International College , by the University of Toronto , and that the College will also award , annually , a gold medal ( value 10 guineas ) to the best senior practical candidate . We congratulate our worthy brother on his

well-earned distinction in which , we are sure , his many friends in the Craft will heartily join us . We understand the Crichton Lodge , No . 1641 , intend holding their seventh annual ball at the Freemasons ' Tavern , on Thursday , the 7 th prox ., in aid of the Benevolent Fund of the lodge , which we hope will be as successful as last season . A dispensation from the M . W .

• G . M . has been obtained to wear Lraft clothing and jewels , and as the ball will be much earlier this season , in fact , in the midst of the season ' s festivities we have no doubt it will be largely patronized by the members of the Craft and friends . Full particulars may be obtained of Bro . H . A . Stunt , Secretary , 12 , Akerman-road , Brixton . Bro . C . H . Cromwell Marsh , last month retired from

the post of Head Master of Holy Trinity School , Dover , after holding the appointment over iS years . On the day of leaving , the teachers and pupils presented him with a massive mahogany pedestal library table with brass handles , bearing the inscription : "Presented to Mr . Chas . H . Cromwell Marsh by the teachers and past and present pupils of Holy Trinity School , Dover , in recognition of

their esteem for him during the iS years two months he held the Head Mastership . 27 th November , 1 SS 5 . " Bro . Cromwell Marsh now gives his attention to the watchmaking and jewellery business he has established in Dover , with branches at Tunbridge Wells and Sheerness , in which places he is well known and deservedly respected . THE LONDON COTTAGE MISSION . —For weeks

past many a wistful eye has been cast at the heretofore hospitable doors of the London Cottage Mission in Salmon'slane . Limehouse , and many a poor little empty belly has wondered what had become of the " stew , " which has now become an institution at the East End . Yesterday all their fears were dispelled , the savoury smell of Irish stew once more floated round the building , and when the

doors opened , shortly before noon , the rush was a sight to see , indeed , had there been room inside for twice the number the Hall will contain , Mr . Austin might have filled it in a twinkling . But this was not to be , for it has only been with the utmost difficulty that this first dinner of the season has been given , and a good deal of that , Mr . Austin assures us , on credit . The loss of their one dinner a week

would prove a terrible one to the poor children of the East End , and for that matter , to many older folks too . To avert this calamity , and to keep these weekly Irish stew dinners going throughout the winter , surely no one will refuse any help they can give , but forward their donations forthwith to Mr . Walter Austin , Managing Director of the London Cottage Mission , 44 , Finsbury-pavement , London , E . C ,

who will gladly receive and acknowledge them . HOLI - OWAY ' S P 11 . 1 . V . —These admirable Pills cannot be too highly appreciated f-r the who esome power they exert over all disorders of Ihe stomach , liver , bowels , and kidne \ s . They instantaneously remove impurities and steadily witrk out . 1 thorough cure , and in its Cfuir . se dispel headache , bilionsne-s , flatulence , and depression of

spirits . It is wonderful to watch the daily improvement nfllic complexion as Hollnway ' s Pills purify lhe blofid and restore plumpness to the face , which had lost both flesh and colour . These Pills comhine every excellence desirarde in a domestic remedy . The most certain and beneficial results Dow from the occasional use of this medicine ; even persons in health , or when following sedentary . occupations , will find it an invaluable aperient . —[ Auvr . ]

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . Lord Mayor Staples has presented a donation of 10 guineas to the London Society for Teaching the Blind . Bro . the Earl and the Countess of Carnarvon left the Viceregal Lodge , Dublin , on Sunday for England , where they will spend Christmas .

The Princess of Wales has expressed her readiness to become the patron of the Chelsea Hospital for Women , Fulham-road , "in place of the late Bro . the Duke of Albany . Bro . Augustus Harris wiU preside at the avirma \ dinner to be held at the Freemasons' Tavern , of the Royal General Theatrical Fund .

Monday being St . Thomas ' s Day , the Wardmotes in the different Wards in the City of London we » e held , and a new court of Common Council elected . The majority of the late court were re-elected almost as a matter of course , among them being Bros . A . J . Altman and J . VV . Goodinge for the Ward of Aldersgate , in which Bro . Lord Mayr Staples presided in person . Bro . E .

Dresser-Rogers , for Aldgate ; Bro . F . P . Alleston , for Bread-street ; and others . In some cases a poll was demanded . We regret to learn , at the moment of going to press , of the sudden death of the City Marshall , Bro . Major Campbell . He had been in indifferent health for some time , and had been medically treated for disease of the heart . The gallant major was appointed to the office

in 1 S 73 , previous to which , he had been a Staff Officer in the Madras army of the East India Company , and had seen much service during the Mutiny . We congratulate our Bro . Baldwin , W . M . of the Brixton Lodge , 1949 , & c , on his recent 're-election as captain of the Commercial Travellers' Cricket Club for the coming season of 1 SS 6 . This will make the fifth year of

Bro . Baldwin ' s captaincy of the club . In their annual grand matches played at Lord ' s and Catford-bridge ( kindl y lent for those occasions ) he has been successful in leading to victory the London teams on five successive occasions . The club has handed over to the Commercial Travellers ' Schools and benevolent institutions the handsome sum of 1000 guineas . The annual dinner took place at the Holborn

Restaurant on Saturday , the 12 th inst ., when upwards of 90 commercial gentlemen and their friends dined together . Bro . G . S . Graham taking a prominent part in the musical portion of the programme . On Thursday , the 17 th inst ., the freedom and livery of the Worshipful Company of Turners , of London , was publicly presented in the Old Council Chamber of the

Guildhall , to Bro . the Right Hon . Sir John A . Macdonald , Prime Minister of Canada , and representative there of the Grand Lodge of England . The Master of the Company , Bro . S . G . Bake , presided , supported by Bros . Edgar Sydney and Robt . J . Pigott , the Upper and the Renter Wardens of the Company . There were many ladies and gentlemen present , among the latter being Bros . Loveland Loveland , William Bristow , Dr . T . E . Cox , and others .

Bro . Brackstone Baker , as the mover of the resolution , introduced Bro . Sir J . A . Macdonald , and reviewed the eminent services he had rendered to Canada , especially in aiding the confederation of the British possessions in North America , as the Dominion of Canada , and in promoting the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway , a line of 2900 miles , connecting the Atlantic with the Pacih ' c Ocean . Bro . Sir Charles Hutton Gregory seconded the resolution in an able speech . Sir John returned thanks .

CAMA LODGE . —FOUNDERS' JEWEL . The jewel for the founders of the Cama Lodge , No . 2105 , Hampton Court , of the consecration of which we have given in a recent number , is after the style of the Star of India , the name and number of the lodge enamelled in sky blue on a farter , in which is enclosed a five-pointed star with a brilliant in the centre , the bars suspending the jewel are enamelled in correct colours ; on the ribbon U a representation of the vessel used in India for burning incense , with the motto as above .