Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

The monthly meeting of the Council of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will be held at Freemasons' Hall , on Saturday , the 6 th prox ., at three p . m . Bro . T . Hastings Miller , C . C , has been elected Chairman of the Music Committee , Corporation City of London . Bro . John Wakefield was installed VV . M . of the Henry Mark Lodge , No . 216 , at Frizington , on the 20 th inst .

The Grand Duke Constantine , uncle to the Czar , and father of the Queen of the Hellenes , died at midnight on Monday , in his 65 th year . The Queen has been pleased to approve of the appointment of Bro . the Hon . Sir Edmund Alonson , K . C . M . G ., C . B ., as Alinister Plenipotentiary at Brussels . Bro . Lord and Lady Hrassey have arrived after a stormy passage at Teneriffe on board theiryacht the Sunbeam , and will sail before the end of the present week for Barbados .

The Duke of Connaught returned for the purpose of resuming his military duties at Portsmouth on Tuesday , after visiting London to take leave of Pi ince Frederick of Prussia on his return to Berlin . Messrs . James Pain and Sons , the well-known London pyrotechnists , have been appointed to carry out all the pyrotechnical displays at the forthcoming International Exhibition at Chicago .

The members of the Dyke ' s Conclave , No . 3 6 , of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine , held their quarterly meeting on Friday , the 22 nd inst ., at Workington , when Bro . Edwin Loach , W . AL 9 62 , was installed a member of the Order .

The subscriptions raised by a Ladies' Committee at Harrogate for the purchase of a wedding present for the late Duke of Clarence are to be devoted to founding a ward in the Cottage Hospital , to be called the Albert Victor or Clarence Ward .

The Queen has been graciously pleased to direct that letters patent be passed under the Great Seal appointing the Alarquis of Lome , K . T .. G . CAI . G . Governor and Constable of the Castle of Windsor in place of the late Admiral Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg .

The "Devonians in London" have , in consequence of the death of the Duke of Clarence and the domestic bereavement of Airs . Justice Kekewich , postponed their second annual reception and ball till Tuesday , the 22 nd March , when it will take place at the Portman Rooms .

Bro . F . P . AUiston , C . C , presided at the adjourned general meeting of the City Dispensary , 4 S , Watling-street , held on Tuesday evening . At the same meeting Bro . Samuel White , cf the firm of Alessrs . Speckly , White , and Lewis , accepted the office of Sub-Treasurer of the institution .

At a special meeting of the Cotswold Hunt , held under the presidency of Bro . Lord Fitzhardinge , the question of Mr . VV . F . Hicks-Beach ' s resignation of the . Mastership was discussed . That gentleman expressed his willingness to act in co-operation with Air . G . B . Watts , provided an increased subscription w-re forthcoming-, but he did not feel justified in undertaking to bear the deficit on the current season . Ultimately , at the suggestion of the chairmin , the matter was adjourned for a fortni'hl .

On Alonday last the m ; mb ; rs of the Albsrt Edward Lodge , No . 1557 , commenced their sec jnd week of their free breakfasts to a hundrej pair children of Hexham . The following ladies and gentlemen have given their active assistance : Airs . Alilne , Airs . Stephenson , Airs . Aloffatt ( Tynedale-ter . ) , Airs . Wedgwood , Miss Robinson , Aliss AL

Robinson ( Seal Gates House ) , Misses PruTJah , Stephens in , Sewell , Kimpster . Oliver , and Dr . Duncin Stewart , Air . Wedgood , and Air . E . Shield . In place of currant buns seven ounces in weight , on Saturday they had bread and butter along with milk , heated to 110 degrees and sweetened with sugar , and on being appealed to the children declared in favour of the bread and batter in preference to the buns .

Among the public institutions which will be especially affected by the recent lamented death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , miy be mentioned the Great Northern Central Hospital , Holloway-road , which was opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales in July , iSSS . The late Duke presided at the festival dinner held at the Hotel Metropole in May , 1 SS 9 , in addition to which he was

President of the Hospital and took a deep interest in its prosperity . At the Committee meeting held just previous to his death it was resilved that the Chairmin , Air . C . T . Murdcch , ALP ., should invite his Royal Highness and the Princess Victoria of Teck to lay the foundation-stone of the new buildings which are about to be erected and which will complete the hospital .

The Sydney tree mason ol December ist has the following : " It will be remembered that some 18 months ago Grand Lodge voted 50 guineis for a Grand Reprcsentttive ' s jewel to be presented Bro . Earl of Carnarvon , who was then the Grand Representative of our Grand Lodge near the Grand Lodge of England . 'The death of our distinguished brother before the jewel was ordered has

enabled a change to be made , by which a lasting memento of his connection with our Grand Lodge has been sccuicd . A copy of Bro . Earl of Carnarvon ' s portrait in the Grand Lodge of England has been made by a well-known London aitist , through liro . Colonel Shadwell Clerke , the Grand

Secretary of England , and it has ju , t been leceived anil hung in the Grand Lodge room . It is deemed a life-like likeness , and will be valued as a memento of on > : who did much useful work in bringing about the unity of the Crult in this colony . 'I he sum vcteJ for the jewel covers the c > st of the picture . "

'TONIC AI-TER LNTI . UICMZ . I . — Grant ' s Alorella Cnerry Brandy has again asserted its marvellous restorative powers . 'Taken in small quantities persistently , nothing else is so effective . Its great success after cholera in iMitj was proved in the London Hospitals . See testimonials . Sold everywhere .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . Dr . Benjamin Ward Richardson has been adopted as the Liberal candidate for the Walton Division . Prince Henry of Prussia , brother of the Emperor William , is fast recovering from his attack of influenza . Bro . Albert J . Altman , C . C , has been elected Chairman of the Coal and Corn Finance Committee , Corporation City of London .

The Prince of Wales has directed the issue of letters patent for the appointment of Bro . E . VV . Brydges Williams , of Carnanton , St . Colomb , as Sheriff of the county of Cornwall . Bro . the Alarquis of Tweeddale , who has been suffering from a cold and bronchitis , is making favourable progress

towards recovery , but as yet is unable to leave his residence , at Gifford , Haddington . Mr . and Airs . Gladstone , who are sojourning on the Continent , are enjoying excellent health , and have recently had the pleasure of receiving a visit from the Right Hon . Hugh C . E . and Airs . Childers .

The installation meeting of the Gladsmuir Lodge , No . 13 S 5 , Barnet , will be held to-day ( Friday ) , at the Red Lion Hotel . The hour of meeting- is fixed for 3 . 30 p . m ., and the Master elect is Bro . S . Tryon , S . VV . There is a considerable amount of business to be transacted .

The Fifteen Sections will be worked on Alonday , the ist prox ., at the Carnarvon Lodge of Instruction , No . 1572 , at the Salutation Tavern , Newgate-street , E . C . Bro . VV . S . Whitaker , P . M . 1572 , will occupy the chair . We regret to announce the death of Bro . Sir Oscar Clayton , C . AI . G ., Extra Surgeon in Ordinary to the Prince of Wales . The sad event occurred on Tuesday last . The deceased was born in 1 S 1 G . His loss will be severely felt .

The Committee of the National Alemorial to General Gordon have , with the approval of the Prince of Wales , appointed Lieut .-Col . J . B . Walker ( retired ) , R . A ., to be Commandant of the Gordon Boys' Home at Chobham , where the number of inmates is 230 .

Bro . Lord Halsbury ( Lord Chancellor ) , Bro . Lord Ashbourne ( Lord Chancellor of Ireland ) , and Bros . Lord George Hamilton , Sir AL Hicks-Beach , Bart ., and the Right Hon . VV . L . Jackson attended the Cabinet Council which was held at the Foreign Office on Tuesday .

We regret to hear that Lady Charles Beresford , who left England a short while since to join her husband , Bro . Lord Charles Beresford , at Cairo , has been detained at Alexandria , by the illness of her child , who was suffering from a bad attack of influenza .

Bro . Akers-Douglas , ALP ., has resumed his duties at the Treasury in Downing-street as chief Government Whip , and was engaged during the whole of Tuesday in making the necessary arrangements for the opening of the session . So many members are laid up with illness that some time will elapse before there is a full House .

Bro . VV . C . Smith , of Alohill , in the Alasonic Province of North Connaught , has been promoted to the managership of the branch of the Northern Banking Company , Limited , in that town . The brethren of Lodge No . 405 , of which he is the S . VV ., and those who know him generally , congratulate him on his promotion and wish him success and prosperity in his new sphere .

On a motion brought forward by Bro . Deputy Bedford , which received the cordial support of Bro . Lord Alajor Evans , the Court of Common Council of the City of London has referred it to the City Lands Committee to consider and take such steps as may be necessary in order to place a stained-glass window in the Guildhall to the memory of the late Duke of Clarence and Avondale as a companion to the one already placed there to commemorate the late Prince Lonsort .

The death rate in London last week showed an increase from 40 to 46 per 1000 , the number of deaths from influenza being set down as 506 , while there were Sfi cases in which the epidemic was returned as a secondary cause . Deaths from affections of the respiratory organs were 1465 , or SOS in excess of the corrected average . The death rate in Brighton was 60 . 9 ; in Norwich , 44 . 7 ; in Portsmouth , 44 . 3 ; in Liverpool , 40 ; and in Vvolverhampton and Croydon , 39 . 3 .

The annual assembly of the Edinburgh St . James Lodge , No . 97 , took place on Fridiy night last in the Alasonic Hall , George-street . There was a company of nearly a hundred couples—possibl y the largest at any assembly of the lodge —and a very enjoyable evening was passed . Bro . Harry Lawson , R . W . M ., and the other office-bearers of the lodge were present , and Bro . T . R . Gibson discharged the duties of M . C . Shepherd ' s band supplied the music , and the purveying was in the hands of Mr . Lam md , Castle - . 'otel .

'The following is a li- > t of the first iS names in the succession to the English Throne : 1 , Prince of Wales , 50 years old ; 2 , Prince G ; orge of Wales , 2 G ; 3 , Duchess of Fife , 25 ; 4 , Lady Al-xandra Dud , 1 ; 5 , Princess Victoria of Wales , 23 ; 0 , Princess Alaud of VVales , 22 ; 7 , Duke of Edinburgh , 4 S ; 8 , Prince Alfred of Edinburgh , 17 ; 9 ,

Princess Marie of Edinburgh , lO ; 10 , Princess Victoiiaof Edinburgh , 15 ; 11 , Princess Alexandra of Edinburgh , 13 ; 12 , Prim-ess Beatrice of Edinburgh , 7 ; 13 , Duke of Connaught , 41 ; 14 , Prince Arthur of Connau ; ht , 9 ; 1 . 5 , Princess . Margaretof Connaught , 10 ; IU , Princess Victoria of Connaught , 5 ; 17 , Duke of Albany , 7 ; iS , Princess Alice of Albany , n .

On the 2 ist inst . the annual full and fancy dress ball , held under the auspices of the local Freemasons' lodges , took pi ice in the Royal Assembl y Hall , Sjuth Shields . There was a large attendance of la-lies and gentlemen from all parts of the district , and the proceedings past off most successfully . The stewards were Bros . U . Cameron , J . T . Henderson , John Cosans , John Kcadhra . l , jun ., S . VV .

Linsley , jun ., G . R . Putts , J . VV . Wuolner , and George Robson . An excellent programme" ! dance music was performed by Air . R . Smith s bind from Newcastle , and the dance was greatly enj > ycd tiy those present . Aid . Alahane and Air . | . II . . Morton officiated as AI . C . ' s . Alessrs . J . Watt Henderson and John McDowell fulfilled the duties ol Hon . Secretaries , and the arrangements in every respect were most complete . The refreshments were supplied from the Royal Hotel .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Of Waterloo veterans France has eight left . There are two who took part in the retreat from Moscow ; and altogether there are now living iS or 20 of Napoleon ' s veterans , of whom several are centenarians . We are asked to announce that the William Preston Lodge of Instruction meet every Thursday from S to 10 at the Waterloo Arms , High-street , A'larylebone . Old and new members will be heartily welcome .

Mr . David Cobb , who died last week at Dundee , has left the magnificent sum of £ 70 , 000 to be applied to benevolent and charitable institutions . The trustees can exercise their own discretion in the distribution of the money . It is gratifying to learn that Bro . Sir Somers-Vine is reported by his medical advisers to be making favourable progress towards recovery . Among those who have been making constant inquiries are the Prince and Princess of Wales .

Bro . Henry Irving has kindly undertaken to preside at the anniversary festival , which will be held at the Hotel Aletropole on Saturday , the 2 Sth Alay , in aid of the funds of the North London Consumption Hospital ( Hampstead and London ) .

We are asked to state that the supper of the Corinthian Lodge of Instruction will take place at the George Hotel , Cubitt Town , on the 2 nd prox ., at S p . m ., preceded by the installation ceremony worked by the Preceptor at 7 p . m ., also a presentation to Bro . Bonner .

The irregular Grand Lodge of Ontario has now existed for 16 years , and the Grand Master , at its late annual meeting , suggested the possibility of a future union with the regular Grand Lodge by referring to the union of the two Grand Lodges of England . —Masonic To / ten .

A meeting of the Livery of the City has been convened by the Lord Mayor for Tuesday afternoon next , at two o ' clock , when the election of a Chamberlain , in the room of the late Air . Benjamin Scott , will take place . At the invitation of Alessrs . Aloore and Burgess , the whole of the boys of the Royal Military Asylum , together with their officers and band , will attend the day performance of the Aloore and Burgess Alinstrels this ( Friday ) afternoon .

Air . Pinero ' s most successful play , " The Times , " reaches its 100 th representation on Alonday next , when it will be played by the original cast . The business continues so good that in addition to the usual evening performances , morning performances are given every Wednesday and Saturday . Air . and Airs . Gladstone , Air . Herbert Gladstone , Air .

and Airs . Henry Gladstone , and Air . and Mrs . Stuart Rendel will return to London on Saturday week . The party will arrive at Folkestone and proceed to Charing Cross , whence they will drive to No . 1 , Carlton Houseterrace , where Air . and Airs . Gladstone will stay for the opening of the Session .

At the annual general meeting of the Gresham Life Assurance Society , held on the 2 fith instant , the report stated that the new assurances for the year amounted to £ 2 , wS , 6 y 6 , the new premiums to £ 73 , 245 , the annual income to £ ' S 2 g , oio , and the assets to £ 4 , 702 , 031 . A surplus of £ uo , SG 2 was declared upon the operations of the society for the past triennium .

The Prince and Princess of Wales , the Crown Prince ot Denmark , Prince George of Wales , the Duke and Duchess of Fife , and Princesses Victoria and Alaud , returned from Windsor Castle to Sandringham on Saturday last , the suite in attendance including Aliss Knollys and Bro . Sir Franch Knollys . The Duke and Duchess ot Teck , with the Princess Victoria and the Princes Adolphus , Francis , and Alexander of Teck , left the castle the same day for the White Lodge , Richmond .

LiwiU'OOi . MASONIC HALL COMMI ITI'E . —The annual meeting of the members of the Masonic Hall Committee was held on the 22 nd instant at head-quarters , Hope-street , Bro . Beesley presiding . The Honorary Treasurer , Bro . J . H . Tyson , read the following report of the Committee The accounts of the past year show total receipts of £ 7114 iGs . 4 d ., and payments £$ 17 5 s . 4 d ., the latter

including a transfer of £ 150 to the mortgage redemption fund , as recommended to and approved by the Hall Committee , leaving a balance of mortgage on the hall equal to £ 2350 . In tne matter of average income there does not seem any probability of increase , and cartful consideration of the expenditure seems to leave only about three items there , which can be dealt with to practical effect . First , in

the matter of gas fur the building , the accounts show a total payment of £ 147 125 . 1 id . for the year , being an increase of a little over £ 20 on the previous year , and of this extra amount about £ 12 Ss . 1 id . is for extra gas consumed in the building . It is believed such increase could lie avoided , and the House Committee would be glad of the kind co-operation of every member of the Hall Committee

to check this growing expense . The other two items of outgoings referred to are the interest and the mortgage . By the adoption of the mortgage redemption fund , and the preliminary arrangements already made , which we hope to have shortly confirmed , these will be practically dealt with in a manner to secure the total repayment of the mortgage in lG years , and effect a total saving of about £ 7 ^ 0 in that

time , equal to ^ , 42 ios . per annum -making , over the IU years , an average of outgoings under these heads of £ 207 ios . per year , as agtinst £ 250 at present , and at the end of this period ( apart from anything else that mig ht meantime be done to help the matter ) leave the hall entirel y free of this annual charge of £ 250—an attainment which it is trusted all will most heartily support , as it will place your

Committees in a very improved position . To carry this out we will need lodges , & c , to kindly favour us with earlier payment of their rents . HOLLOWAY ' OixrMExr AXII l ' n I . S .--NVVIT at Fault . —In a " irritalio s ol' the s < in , sons , ulcers burns , anil scrofulous i . 'fla ^ euiL-uts of th ' . ' u'lauils , Holloway ' s Ointment presen * a rct'l )' ami easy means ol core which utver disappa ' uUs tin- most favorable expectations . ' It manifests a peculiar powi-r in restraini" ! - '

inllammation , reniovin ); slatfuaiiim , rooiin ^ the heated bliv . > . ami chcckinijall ; urim « nmiis or unhealthy discharges . WlrM thus actio } , ' locally , the Pills are no less rcmar ^ ahle for tli < ¦'" power iu irprovinji the general camliliuit ami liahit of Uiui )' , which renders the carts complete anil permanent . Umlcr t ' Keneral influence of these potent rcinciUcs the puny infant becomes the robust child ; th-: pale and emaciated regain coIi "' ami rotundity j and the dyspeptic eats freely without fear .