Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

BRO . THOMAS BRIGGS , C . C , has left town for a holiday in Switzerland , QUEEN ALEXANDRA has graciously consented to become patron of the Irish Distressed Ladies Fund , in succession to Qoeen Victoria . THE beautiful park and museum presented toDuIvrich by Bro . F . J . Horniman , M . P ., will be publicly opened on Saturday , the 29 th instant . BRO . SIR SQUIRE BANCROFT will distribute the Beaufoy and Mortimer prizes at the City of London School for Boys on Friday , the 7 th instant .

THE LONDON GENERAL PORTERS' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION . —Bro . Victor L . Tapling'has been presented with an illuminated address in recognition of his sjrvices to the association in presiding at the recent anniversary festival . BRO . MAJOR G . HARLEY THOMAS , son of Bro . James Lewis Thomis , P . A . G . D . of C ., left on Wednesday last for South Africa on the ss . St . Andrew in charge of 120 N . C . cfficers and men of the R . A . M . C . Mrjor Harley Thomis only recently returned from South Africa invalided .

A SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING of the shareholders in the Aldershot Masonic Hall Co ., Ltd ., will be held at the Geoige Hotel , Aldershot , on Monday next at 7 . 30 p . m ., to authorise the directors to carry out the complete scheme by building tne dining-hall , temple , and billiard-room as at first contemplated . THE LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION . —Madame Albani has consented to sing at the concert to be given at the Guildhall , on Wednesday , the 19 th inst ., in aid of the City branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution . Tickets miy bi had of Mr . Deputy Sayer , Lower Thames-street , and Mr . Barker , Fishmongers' Hill .

MR . WEEDON G ROSSMITH , consequent upon the successof "The Nightof the Party " at the Avenue Theatre , has declined an offer made to him by a very prominent American Manager , to take his play and the whole company , as it now stands , to tour through the States , opening in New York next Autumn , as he intends taking the play himself to America .

BRO . SIR A . F . GODSON , M . P ., presided at the general meeting of the City and West-e nd Properties ( Limited ) , and stated that it was proposed to pay a dividend of 2 s . per share on the ordinary shares , to add £ 3240 to the reserve fund , and to carry forwa rd £ 436 . It was a matter for congratulation , he added , that the dividend was 61 . per share in excessof that of last year .

BRO . EARL ROBERTS AND THE MERCHANT TAYLORS' COMPANY . —By a unanimous vote the court of the Merchant Taylors' Company have decided to confer upon Bro . Field-Marshal Earl Roberts the freedom of that guild . It was hoped that the presentation would have taken place in the early summer , but Bro . E 11 I Roberts has intimated that he will not become the recipient of this or any other similar gift until hostilities in South Afiica have been brought to a conclusion .

THE Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men las adopted a resolution cordially recognising the patiiotic services of the Yeomanry and Volunteers engaged in the South African campaign , and conveying its special thanks , in the form of an appropriately designed and illuminated souvenir , to every officer , non-commissioned officer , and man of the companies raised in Kent , and to all Kentish men who have rendered military service with the other Yeomanry Volunteers , or irregular forces during the war .

THE 62 nd anniversary festival of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution was held at the Hotel Metropole last week , the chair being occupied by Lord Llangattock . The Chaiiman stated that sin ce its inception , the institution had distributed £ 87 , 010 in relief . At present 181 persons were uce ' ning annuities , which amounted to . £ 3288 , to which the assured annual income was only £ 900 , the remainder having to be made up by donatiens . Owing to scarcity of funds , 21 deserving cases were awaiting relief , two of whom were totally blind . The toast of " The Chairman " was proposed by Bro . L . E . Kevser . I . P . A list of donations and subscuptions amounting to £ 1761 was

announced by the secretary during the course of the evening . ROYAL GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND . —The annual dinner was held at the Whitehall Rooms , on Thursday , the 23 rd ult ., when that excellent actor Bro . Edward Teny , Past G . Tieasuier , presided , ar . d obtained a sum of £ isoofor ihe clarity . The sptiil . es v , tte sbeve the average , as might be expected , Besides the ehairman we r . oticed the following well-known members of the Craft : Bros . Sir John Monckton , P . G . W . | Col . Clifford Probyn , Treas . } Sir HomewoodCrawfoid , P . G . D . ; J . Strachan , K . C , Grand Registrar ; Rev . J . N . Palmer , P . G . C . ; H . Lovegrove , P . G . S . B . j Wilhelm Ganz , P . G . O . ; W . Emden , P . G . S . ; Nelson Lee , Franklin Clive , and others .

AMONG the new attractions at Madame Tussaud's , which have been delighting holiday-makers during Whitsuntide , is a splendidly-executed tableau repiesenting his Excellency the Earl of Hopetoun , first Governor-General of Federated Australia , in the act of signing the Oaths of Allegiance and office , surrounded by the members of the first Federal Government . The other figures represent Mr , Batton , the Prime Minister j Mr . Deakin , Attorney-General ; Sir William Lyne , Minister of Home Affairs ; Mr . Dickson , Minister for Defence ; Sir Frederick Darley , Chief Justice ; Sir

John Foi rest , and the Archbishop of Sydney . The above group will naturally take a high place among the other tableaux of gieat histoiic interest at Madame Tussaud ' s . THE GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC—The annual dinner of the professorial staff of the Guildhall School of Music took place on the 27 th ult . at the Cafe Monico , under the presidency ot the Principal of the school , Bro . Dr . William H . Cummings . Mr . Richard Davies , the chairman of the Music Committee , was the chief guest , and there weie also present : Mr . H . Gadsby , Mr . E . Prout , Mr . Arthur Payne , Bro .

Wilhelm Ganz , Mr . W . Stevenson Hoyte , Mr . John 1 homas , and Mr . Henry J . Wood . In proposing the toast of " Success to the Guildhall School of Music , " the Principal spoke of the gratitude all lovers of music , whether amateur or professional , owed to the Corporation of London for their continued support and encouragement of the school . Replying to a toast in his honour submitted by the Chairman , Mr . Davies recillej so . ne reminiscences of the days when , as a pupil of the school , he himself registered a vow to

become one day the chairman of the Committee of Management . He also spoke of the committee ' s desire to see the elimination of any unsatisfactory elements from the staff and management generally . Dr . Pearce proposed " The Health of the Gujsts , " and Dr . Vincent and Mr . Henry J . Wood responded , the latter recalling the fact that the Guildhall School of Music was , by reason of the eminence of its teaching stiff and its enormous number of pupils , the institution above all others primarily responsible for the education of a musical public in London .

THERE is a new musical instrument just now in vogue which bids fair to obtain a well deserved popularity . It is called the Gondolin . On it is possible , with but little mechanical skill , to play solos and accompaniments , and to sustain the same at will . It is portable , and has a tone of exceptional sweetness , without th ; disagreeable twang of the banjo . It may be best described as a flit miniature piano , of four chromitic octaves , with the tone of an organ . It is fitted with a hammerless action , but , in place of the hammers , the playing is done by the fingers of the right hand , or a plectrum held

in the tight hand . For the piano player it is easy to play ordinary music , and even t > any one ignorant of music the mechanism of this instrument is readily acquired , effects depending mainly on the taste and discretion of the player . Owing to its really grand sustaining power one can glide from haitmny to harmpny in the same manner as on the organ , and to produce effects which can only be obtained on that instrument . There are no pedals or stops , modulation and expression being obtained entirely by the varied pressure of the right hand . Three plectra are provided , by which varied effects are

produced ; the finger is , however , considered to be the best plectrum , as by it the fine harp effects are obtained , and pizzicato movements perfectly rendered . We attended a concert at the Gondolin Studio , g , Argyll-place , Regent-street , a few evenings ag ^ o , and were much delighted with the playing of the Misses Walker and Mr . H . M . Millington . We came to the conclusion that numerous as are the present facilities of the Gondolin they are by no means yet exhausted , and by those possessing expression and taste many

wor . deiful opportunities will occur of further development . ANGLO-INDIANS AND OTHERS seeking genuine Indian-manufactured condiments , currie stuffs , chutnees , preserves . ^ pappidums , Bombay ducks , Nepaul pepper , & c , send to the original firm . C Stembridge and Co ., 18 , Green-street , Leicester-square , London ; and Calcutta . Established 1821 . Write for price list . Removed from 33 , Leicester-square ) .

Masonic And General Tidings.

BRO . C . E . KEYSER has been appointed a deputy lieutenant of the county nf Beiks . y ' BRO . THE LORD MAYOR has been elected a Vice-President of the Royal Cambridge Asylum for Soldiers' Widows , Kingston . K THE METROPOLITAN AND CITY POLICE ORPHANAGE . —The 32 nd annual fete i fixed to take place on Thursday , the 4 th prox ., at the Crystal Palace . BRO . SHERIFF J OSEPH LAWRENCE , M . P ., has contributed £ 1000 to the fund for the erection of a hall and offices in connection with the Institute of Journalists .

THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT has appointed Bro . Alfred Seymour Bankart to be a District Grand Master of Mark Masons for New Zealand , in succession to Bro . F . W . E Dawson , deceased . ' ' A BEAUTIFULLY-EXECUTED wreath of palm and laurel leaves , in silver , has been handed to Viscount Cromer by a deputation from the Greek colony at Cairo , to be placed on the tomb of Queen Victoria .

THE DUCHESS OF PORTLAND will attend the festival dinner of the Homeof Rest for Horses on Monday nexf , when Bro . the Duke of Portland presides . A donation of £ 200 has been sent by Mrs . Grove-Grady in aid of the endowment fund . THE DUKE OF CORNWALL AND YORK on the 30 th ult . made an inspection of the navd depot on Gordon Island , Sydney Harbour . In the afternoon the Rojal visitois witnessed a naval display from the grounds cf Admiralty House , and there was another reception at Government House in the evening .

BRO . SIR SQUIRE BANCROFT , having been invited by the Chairman and Com mittee of the City of London School to present the Beaufoy and Mortimer prizes to the " respective winners , has consented to do so at the institution , Blackfriars Embankment on Friday , the 7 th instant , at two p . m . Admission will be only by ticket of invi . ation . By HIS PRESENCE in the Royal box at the Agricultural Hall , Islington , on Thursday , the Commander-in-Chief , Bro . Lord Roberts , marked the opening of the great annual Military Tournament . His lordship , who was accompanied by Countess Roberts , was received with loud and prolonged cheering by a large gathering of spectators .

SEVERAL of his Majesty's Judges will , according to custom , attend the afternoon seiviceatSt . Paul's Cathedral in state , or . Sunday , the 9 th inst ., when their lordships will be received by Bros , the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs , attired in their robes of office . Bro . the Loid Chancellor , Sir Francis Jeune , and Lord Justice Stirling are among those on the rota to attend .

THE New Palace Steamers commenced their regular sailing to Margate and Ramsgate on Saturday last with the Royal Sovereign , in addition the Koh-i-noor will run tegulaily to Southend and Margate on and after the 29 th instant , whilst La Marguerite makes her delightful trips to Boulogne and Ostend on and after the 26 th instant . For fares and other particulars apply to T . E . Barlow , 50 , King William-street , E . C .

Q UEEN ALEXANDRA , who succeeds Queen Victoria as Patroness of the Queen ' s Nurses , has kindly consented to give the badges to the newly-qualified probationers early in July . _ Her Majesty ' s keen interest in nursing is well known , and the Queen ' s Nurses regard it as a special maik of favour that the Queen has graciously consented to identify herself with them in 0 . e of the earliest functions of the present reign .

THE erection of a new Royal residence at Cromer is looked on as a certainty . Lord Suffield has been spending Whitsuntide at Cromer , and , subject to the King ' s approval , the site for such a residence has been selected . It lies between the Royal Links Hotel and Lord Hillingdon ' s fine house , and is near the famous golf links . His Majesty is shortly expected on a visit , Lord Hillingdon having placed his residence at his disposal .

GLASGOW EXHIBITION \ ACHT RACE . —It is officially stated that , despite reports to the contrary , the Glasgow Exhibition Yacht Race will' take place on the Clyde on the original date fixed , viz ., the 7 th and Sth inst . A Glasgow coirespondent learns that the following yachts will take place in the principal race : German Emperor ' s Meteor , Mr . Whittaker Wright ' s Sybarita , Mr . Clark ' s Kariad , and Sir Thomas Lipton ' s Shamrock i .

THE BRETHREN of the Duke cf Connaught Ledge of Instruction , No . 1524 , have kindly offered to woik the Fifteen Sections at the Prosperity Lodge of Instruction on Wednesday next , at 7 o ' clock precisely , in the Bristol Room , Manchester Hotel , Aldersgate-street , E . C , and , from the list of names before us of those who will work the various Sections , we anticipate that a most enjoyable and instructive evening will be spent by all brethren able to be present .

THE KING AND THE C . l . V . —The announcement that the King has graciously intimated his intention to present medals to the members of the City Imperial Volunteer Force on the 12 th instant , when the Household Cavalry and the Biigade of Guards are to icceive theirs , was hailed witb loyal pride and gratitude by the members of tbe battalion . So far no orders for the muster have been issued , but in all probability the men will assemble on the Horse Guards' Parade .

RECENT WILLS . Bro . Ftederic Samuel Schreiner , of Wansfell , Eastbourne , schoolmaster , who died on the ; th May , 1 ged 60 yeais , left personal estate of the net value of £ 16 , 664 2 s ., and the gross value of nis estate is £ 18 , 923 KJI . 5 d . He bequeathed to the Princess Alice Memorial Hospital at Eastbourne £ 50 ; to the Royal Connaught Lodgeof Freemasons , lor the Rcyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , 50 guineas ; to the Andereida Lodge , for the same Institution , 25 guineas ; and to the Tyrian Ludge , for the same Institution , 25

guineas . Under the will of the late Bro . John Keasley , of Saltoun . road , Brixton , legacies are left to the following , among other , Charities : Tne Deaf and Dumb Asylum ; the Blind Society ; the Royal Masonic Institution for Aged Freemasons ; the Royal Masonic Institutions for Girls and Boys ; the Reedham Asylum ; the London Orphan Asylum ; the Cancer Hospital ; the Consumption Hospital ; the City of London 'Truss Society ; the National Benevolent Institution ' ; the Karlswood Asylum for

Idiots ; the Royal Asylum of St . Annes Society ; the Church Missionary Society ; the Society for Teaching the Blind to Read ; the Throat Hospital ; the Royal Free Hospital ; the London Hospital ; the Westminster Hospital ; the Middlesex Hospital ; St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital ; St . George ' s Hospital ; and the Infant Orphan Asylum . The trustees are Bro . John Bott , of 37 , Heme Hill , and Miss M . Buckingham , of Woodford . A sale of the properties belonging to the estate will take place to-day ( Friday ) at the Mart for the purpose of providing the funds to enable the legacies to be paid . The auctioneers will be Bto . John Bott and Sons .

Sonnet For The Month Of June.

SONNET FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE .

June comes in all the pride of womanhood , Dressed in a glorious garb of leaves and flowers ; And in a myriad meads , and glens , and bowers , She graceful reigns—the Empress of each wood . And ah I her rule is beautiful and good :

She fills the rills with soft , refreshing showers , And gives to us those peifume-laden hours Which fly too soon from her fair habitude . Sweet is her breath , melodious her voice , Stately her form , yet gentle as the breeze

That softly sip lis through all her well-clad trees , Making her children , bird , bud , bee , rejoice , But , radiant , rapturous June will quickly fly , Leaving her offspring , all forlorn , to d , e ! Bradford . CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D .