Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

The handsome window placed in the parish church of St . Mary , Cheltenham , by the Freemasons of the Province of Gloucestershire , to the memory of their former Deputy Grand Master , the late Bro . John Brook Smith , was formally presented to the rector of the parish , Canon Bell , D . D ., at a special service ¦ in the church . The presentation was made by the Grand Master of the Province , the Right Hon . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P . On Monday next , the 25 th instant , the Artists ' Corps ( 20 th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers ) , of which Bro . Sir Frederick Leighton , P . R . A ., is the honorary colonel , and Bro . Colonel R . Edis the commanding officer , will give a musical matinee and smoking concert in aid of their new Drill Hall , which will be opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales .

The Prince of Wales presided at a meeting at Marlborough House on Monday of Ihe Royal Commission of 1 S 51 , Bros . Lcrd Herschell and Sir Frederick Abel representing the Imperial Institute , and Sir George Grove , the Royal College of Music , being also present . GOULD TESTIMONIAL . —The Grand Master ' s Lodge , No . 1 , at its last meeting , voted £ 5 5 s . to this

deserving fund ; the Invicta Lodge , 709 , Ashlord , has also forwarded two guineas to Bro . Dc . Ralph Gooding , P . G . D ., Blackheath , who is acting as Hon . Sec . The Prince Frederick William Chapter of Improvement now meets on the second Thursday in the months of January , February , March , April , May , October ,

November , and December , at the Eagle Tavern , Cliftonroad , Maida Vale , at 8 o ' clock precisely . Monday was the 41 st anniversary of the birth of the Princess Louise , her Royal Highness having been born on the iSth March , 1 S 4 S . The occasion was celebrated at Windsor with the customary honours .

Very general regret will be felt at the announcement ot the death of Bro . S . C . Hale , formerly , vve believe , a memberof Grand Master ' s Lodge , No . 1 , and a dietinguished journalist and author . Bro . S . C . Hale vvas for many years editor of the " Art Union , " and in that capacity

rendered very valuable services to art . St Patrick ' s Day falling on a Sunday , the usual concerts in honour of the Patron Saint of Ireland took place either on the day preceding or the day following , the principal being the concert in St . James ' s Hall on Saturday last , and that in the Royal Albert Hall on Monday .

Sunday last , the 17 th instant , being St . Patrick's Day , was very generally observed in London , the display of green emblems on the hat or coat being very consideiable . The day vvas also observed in Liverpool and other large towns , where there are many Irish residents . It is definitely arranged that the Queen will meet the Queen regent of Spain at San Sebastian , on Wednesday next , the 27 th instant , leaving Biarritz at noon , and returning the same evening .

The Royal warrant for re-constructing the Honourable Artillery Company of London vvas promulgated on Saturday last , by his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief , with the approval of the Secretary of State for War . According to this document the Court of Assistants will have power to manage the propeity , finances , and civil affairs of the Company , while the Queen reserves to herself the right

ot appointing the Commissioned Officers and bergeant-Instructors , all the officers except the field officeis and adjutant being members of the Company , while the Company shall comply with all the regulations of the Secretary of S ' tate for War in military matters . Bros . Lord Halsbury ( Lord Chancellor ) , Lord George Hamilton , and Sir M . E . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., attended the Cabinet Council held at the Foieiim Otlice on

Saturday last . DORSET MASONIC CALENDAR . —Bro . John A . Sherren , as the editor , printer , and publisher of the Dorset Masonic Calendar , has received no end of correspondence in reference to the edition for 1 S 89 . Copies , specially bound , were sent to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as M . W . G . M ., and to the R . W . Bro . Montague

J . Guest , Prov . G . M . of Dorset , for acceptance . The following replies have been received , and will doubtless be much appreciated . — " Marlborough House , Pall Mall , S . W ., 14 th March , 1 SS 9 . Sir , —I have had the honour of laying the copy of the Dorset Masonic Calendar which you forwarded to me before the Prince of Wales , and 1 am desired by His Royal Highness to convey to you the

expression of his thanks for it . —lam , sir , jour obedient servant , FRANCIS KNOLLYS . Mr . J . A . Sherren has received the following letter : — " Royal Dorset Yacht Club , Weymouth , March 13 th , 1 SS 9 . Dear Brother Sherren , — Allow me to congratulate yuu upon the way you have turned out the calendar which you have sent me , on the part of All Souls' Lodge , both externally and internally . The calendar for the year has been compiled with great

care , and does you a great deal of credit , 'i he binding and get up of the little volume which you have forwarded me is exceedingly effective , and as far as 1 am able to judge , is a very good and delicate piece of workmanship , and is worth handing down , as 1 shall do , to a future generation , to show what can be done in our day , and 1 doubt if the highest state of civilization of the future will be able to beat it if even they can do as well . —Believe me , yours faithfully and fraternally , MONTAGUE GUEST . "

THE UNEMPLOYED IN EAST LONDON . —At a time when much thought is being given to this matter , a practical suggestion may be of service . Last year more than £ 300 , 000 worth of foreign matches were purchased by inconsiderate consumers in this country , so true is it

that " evil is wrought by want of thought , as well as want of heart . " If all consumers vvould purchase Bryant and May ' s Matches , that firm would be enabled to pay £ 1000 a week more in wages , and large numbers of the unemployed of East London vvould thus be provided with work , instead swellining the ranks of pauperism , —ADVT .

Masonic And General Tidings

The annual supper of the Star Chapter of Instruction , No . 1275 , will be held at the Stirling Castle Hotel , Church-street , Camberwell , on Friday , the 5 th April , at seven o'clock , Comp . ' F . Hilton , P . Z ., Preceptor , has kindly promised to preside . VVe are pleased to announce that Bro . VV . H . Saunders has been appointed Deputation Secretary to the

Royal Alfred Seamen ' s Institution , of which the late Bro . Capt . the Hon . Bro . Francis Maude , R . N ., and Bro . Francis Leon , R . N ., vvere the founders a quarter of a century ago , at which time Bro . W . H . Saunders vvas working in co-operation with them . The Annual Supper of the Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction , No . 1614 , will take place in the

Victoria Hall of the Criterion , Piccadilly , on luesday , the 9 th of April next , vvhen the chair will be taken by Bro . George Reynolds , who is W . M . of the Covent Garden Lodge and Secretary of the Lodge of Instruction , and Secretary of the Anglo-American Lodge , No . 2191 . We anticipate that , under the auspices of so genial a chairman , this annual event will be a very gieat success .

Bro . Lord Brassey , K . C . B ., presided at the annual general meeting , at the Club House , 7 , Albemarlestreet , W ., of the Royal Thames Yacht Club . A letter vvas read from Bro . Sir Francis Knollys , expressing the regret felt by the Prince of VVales that he was unable to be present , and conveying to the members his sympathy with the club on the death of its Vice-Commodore , the late Bro .

Lord Alfred Paget . The sailing programme forthisyearwas adopted , and also the statement of account , after which the Prince of VVales was re-elected Commodore , and Bro . Lord Brassey Vice-Commodore , in place of the late Bro . Lord A . Paget .

Bro . Sir Algernon Borthwick , M . P ., presided at a meeting of the Newspaper Press Fund . on Saturday last , when a new rule providing for a different mode of filling vacancies , which had been adjourned from a previous meeting , was carried by a large majority . A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings .

The Benevolent Society of St . Patrick held its annual festival at the First Avenue Hotel , Holborn , on Saturday evening last , under the presidency of Bro . the Eatl cf Erne , Bros , the Earl of Milltown and Captain Shaw being among the principal guests .

Bro . Walkem , M . W . G . M . of Canada , visited the Prince of Wales Lodge , Ottawa , on the 31 st January last , and experienced a very hearty reception , ana on the Sth February Bro . J . Ross Robertson , D . G . M . Canada , delivered an interesting lecture before the brethren of the Builders Lodge , No . 177 . On the Gth February , Bros . Spry , P . G . M ., and E . T . Malone visited Collingwood for the purpose ot presenting to Bro . H . Robertson , Past

G . M ., the testimonial voted to him at the last annual meeting . The testimonial , which vvas accompanied by an address , consisted of a gold watch and chain—the watch bearing a suitable inscription—an epergne of silver and Bohemian glass , and a five o ' clock tea set . The proceedings were public and vvere witnessed by a numerous gathering of the principal citizens , who gave Bro . Robertson a most enthusiastic reception and congratulated him on so conspicuous a recognition of his services .

Bro . Alderman Sir Polydore de Keyser , who is President of the Executive Committee of the British Section of the Paris International Exhibition , presided at a meetingot the Council , on the 15 th instant , and stated that he had great pleasure in being able to give a favourable

account of the progress which had been made . The Exhibition vvould be opened on the 6 th May , and he hoped his friend , Bro . Lord Mayor Whitehead , would be able to be present at the ceremony , which would be unattended by by anything in the shape of a political demonstration .

The Khedive of Egypt has subscribed £ 50 to the fund which is being raised in order to erect a monument to the late Bro . Col . Duncan , C . B ., M . P . At the meeting of the St . David ' s Lodge , No . 3 S 4 , at Bangor , on the 19 th inst ., there vvas an

exceptionally large number of candidates lor initiation , the ceremony being performed by Bro . T . Mills , the W . M . of the lodge , Bro . Henry Piatt , D . P . G . M . of North VVales , P . M . 1 S 49 , ako taking part . The banquet was served at the Station Hotel , a large party sitting down to a splendid menu provided by Bro . Taylor . The vV . M . presided .

The task of converting Bacon ' s Hotel into the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters has been intrusted to Bro . C H . Diiver , who built the Masonic Hall at Gibraltar , and Bro . Robert Berridge . Although the general scheme of decoration is to be Italian , the two beautiful Queen

Anne rooms arc to remain intact . One is lo be reserved for the use of the Prince of Wales , and the other will be assigned to his deputy . The works are to commence immediately , and the inauguration of the building will take place towards the close ot the year .

By command of the Queen , the Prince ot Wales held a Levee at St . James , s Palace , on Fiiday , the 15 th instant . Tne membeis of the Royal Family present vvere Prince Albert Victor of Wales' , the Duke ot Cambridge , Prince Christian , and Prince Christian Victor . The diplomatic and general circles vvere very numerously attended .

An interesting presentation took place on Thursday evening , the 14 th inst ., at the Coleridge Lodge , 1750 , held at the Town Hall , Clevedon , on the occasion of Bro . Thomas Barnes attaining his Masonic jubilee , he having been initiated at Barnstaple in the year 1 S 3 S . The presentation was made by Bro . Michael Clark , the W . M . of the Coleridge Lodge , on behalf of the brethien , a large number of whom were present . It consisted 01 a handsome silver goblet , engraved with the arms of the lodge and a suitable

inscription . HOLLOWAY ' PILLS . —Nervous Debility . —No part of the human machine requires more watching than the nervous system—upon if hangs health and life itself . These P _ l _ s are the best regulators and strengtheners ot the nerves , and the safest general purifiers . Nausea , headache , giddiness , lumbness , and mental apathy yield to them . They dispatch in a summary maimer those distressing

dyspeptic symptoms , stomachic pain , fulness at the pit of the stomach , aodoininai distension , aim overcome both capricous appclities and confined bowels—the commonly accompanying signs 01 detective or deranged nervous power . Holloway's Pills are particularly recommended to persons of studious and sedentary habits , who gradually sink into a nervous and debilitated state , unless some such restorative be occasionally taken .

Masonic And General Tidings

On Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., 250 of the poor of Margate vvere most bountifully entertained at the Foresters' Hall by the Margate Freemasons ( Union Lodge , No . 127 ) , this being the third time the aged folk have been similarly provided for by the Masons , and , from the remarks made at the gathering , there is every probability that , if this event does not become an annual

institution , it will at least be continued next year . Although the Freemasons' Hall at Park-street , Bristol , is one of the largest private halls in the kingdom , such a large number of brethren of the Bristol province and distinguished visitors have intimated their intention to be present at the installation of Bro . W . A . F . Powell as Prov . Grand Master , on the 27 th inst ., that it is quite inadequate for the purpose , and , therefore , the whole suite

of the Victoria Rooms has been engaged for the proceedings of the day . Bro . Lord Mayor Whitehead presided at the 13 th anniversary of the Brixton Orphanage , in Brixton Hall , Acre-lane , on Monday , about 2000 persons being present . The institution , which has grown with marvellous rapidity , supporls 300 girls , whom it maintains , clothes , and educates for domestic service .

From a short report we publish in another part of our columns it will be seen that the Egyptian Lodge of Instruction , after having been dormant for some years , has been re-opened , and stands a very fair chance ot continuing its labours with success . The Preceptor is Bro . Jas . Stacey , P . M ., and the Se : retary Bro . Grammer , P . M ., both of whom we may be sure will exeit themselves to the utmost of their ability in order to keep the resuscitated Iodge of instruction in a condition of prosperity .

An interesting presentation took place on the 14 th inst ., at the Coleridge Lodge , No . 1750 , held at the Town Hall , Clevedon , on the occasion of Bro . Thomas Barnes attaining his Masonic jubilee , he having been initiated at Barnstaple in the year 1 S 3 S . The presentation was made by Bro . M . Clark , W . M . oi the Coleridge Lodge , on behalf of the brethren , a large number of whom

vvere present , lhe gift consisted of a handsome silver goblet , engiaved with the arms of the lodge , and a suitable inscription . Female aversion to Freemasonry has , for the last fifteen or twenty 3 ears , been a gradually diminishing quantity , and the cause is not lar to seek . During that lime the lodges that have given peiiodical entertainments

to ladies have become more numerous , and at present there are many which " commit the enormity " every year of either a banquet or a ball , or a summer outing , participated in by the gentler sex . Lodge La Tolerance has just given one of these ladies' banquets , followed by a ball . Every lad y on her arrival at Freemasons' Tavern was presented with a bunch of orchid blossoms and the choicest of opening rosebuds . The Gallery Lodge ( named

after the Reporters Gallenes of the Houses of Parliament ) is another lodge prone to the same heresy . From the time vvhen it vvas consecrated by the Grand Secretary , of England in ISSI , it has annually permitted itself a ball every winter and a picnic eveiy summer , and for the last two seasons has added to its questionable innovations by giving a series of enjoyable Cindre la dances . — Daily Telegraph .

Bro . Lord Magheramorne presided at the usual weekly meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Works on the 15 th instant , when the lowest tender for the construction of the Blackwall Tunnel was accepted , after a long and animated discussion . Bros , the Hon . H . de Tatton , M . P ., and Colonel Howard Vincent , M . P ., were among the members present .

ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION , CRYSTAL PALACE . —The great success which attended the inauguration of the above Exhibition last year , demonstrated beyond a doubt that a distinct want had been met , inasmuch as there had been no effort hitherto made to bring under one roof a sufficiently representative collection of apparatus and appliances in connection with the art

of photography ( for , be it known , this is pre-eminently an apparatus exhibition ) , whilst many of the picture exhibitions had fairly shown the perfection to which photography had attained Irom an art point of view . Additional interest attaches to this year ' s show from the fact of 1 S 89-90 being to all intents and purposes the jubilee of photography ; Fox Talbot , Daguerre , and others having almost

contemporaneously given to the world various methods of producing a photographic image by the action of light upon the sensitive salts of silver . Although the processes vvere entirely dissimilar , one ( that of Fox Talbot ) was destined to be the precursor of most of the existing negative systems , whilst that of Daguerre died a natural death , because his images ( being positives ) vvere incapable of reproduction , and

consequently , though costly , were of no lasting commeicial value . An ideaof the enormous slrides , both scientifically and artistically , which have been made during the half-century under review , may be estimated by a visit to the Crystal Palace during the next few weeks , when those who are past middle lile will be able to form an opinion upon the merits of a modern comeia and lens capable of

producing , in good hands , the beautiful pictures displayed in such abundance in the several Courts , as compared with the results produced by the instruments of former days . Looking at the splendid implements now shown , occupying as they do the entire length of the Grand Central Nave of this vast building , and then wandering through the Courts and admiring the aitistic work , it is haid to say whether

greater progress has been made in the scientific or the artistic branches of Photography . It will give some idea of the growth of this Exhibition , when we say that last year the amount of space occupied in the Apparatus division was under 3230 square feet , whilst this year it exceeds 8700 feet . In the Art division also a distinct advance has been made , and not only has the wall space covered

increased fiom 3 6 S 0 square feet to 8 34 6 square feet , but a novel feature has been adopted , whereby a series of ' cne man" exhibits has been introduced , alcoves , or bays , forming little three-sided rooms , and suitably decorated , having been erected round the sides of the Courts . In

addition to the above leatuies , the daily Lantern Entertainments , which last year proved so great an attraction , will be repeated . A grand conversazione will be held _ on Thursday , the 28 th insc ., which promises to be very e ^} 0 ^' able for those who take any interest whatever in ' ' » fashionable pastime . "