Books Of The Day.

Books of the Day .

Books , Music , & c . intended for review , should be addressed to the Editor of the Freemason ' s Chronicle , at Fleet Works , New Barnet . — : o : — The Parson's Daughter , her early recollections and how Mr . Bomney painted her . A story by Emma Marshall , with illustrations ( 5 s ) . —Seeley and Co .

This volume has many claims upon our sympathetic recognition . Mrs . Marshall left it unfinished at her death , and her daughter undertook its completion . How well Miss Marshall has performed her task may bo seen , even by those wbo read as they run . " The Parson ' s Daughter " belongs to a class of works in which a serious attempt is made to revivify the past , and of such works those of Mrs . Marshall have been some of the most successful .

Her stories are invariably realistic and entertaining , and she evidently spared no pains , as in the present instance , to make herself fully conversant with life and literature in a past generation . As Canon Ainger said the other day , her stories have awakened a taste for history and literature throughout the English speaking world . This is high praise , and we can conscientiously add that it is well merited . The parish clerk , the young squire in the hands of

the press-gang , Gainsborough , Bomney , Beynolds , the " fair Cecilia " and Mrs . Siddons , in short , the general trend and tone of life in the latter half of the eighteenth century—all is portrayed with much skill . Some passages , we think , are suggestive of Miss Burney in her earliest and best work , in "Evelina , " written before she strove to write Johnsonese . One passage ,

dealing at some length with Mrs . Siddons , is , unless we are greatly mistaken , particularly well written . It recalls the glowing references to the great actress by De Quincey and Macaulay . Nor can we refrain from complimenting Blessrs . Seeley in regard to the eight beautiful illustrations , after Bomney and Gainsborough , which greatly enhance the value of this book .

Wolfs Head , a story of the Prince of Outlaws , by the Eev . E . Gilliat , M . A ., with illustrations ( 5 s ) . —Seeley and Co . A book for lane and down on a summer holiday . Those who love the good old days of Bobin Hood and his outlaws , and cherish the romance which so tenaciously olings around our memories of merry England , will And in this book much matter for " pleasant recreation . " Here and there we have

met with a passage somewhat suggestive of Mr . S . Baring Gould's handicraft in , say , his " Pabo the Priest "; moreover , the author of " Wolf's Head " haa a strong grasp of historic detail , and an eye for local colour which proclaims him hardly less skilful in such matters than the learned and reverend novelist of Lew Trenchard . The story is eminently entertaining . King John , with his coarse personality and graceless retinue ; the lusty forester and the faithful " Midge " ; the long-bow and the quarter-staff—are all laid

under contribution , and serve to impart interest to the narrative . The characters are for the most part well drawn . Bobin Hood lives onoe again , in these pages , the familiar adventurous life touched here and there to finer issues by the exercise of a generous chivalry . Among the illustrations we may mention that of the murder of Prince Arthur , as worthy of the warmest commendation . Mr . Gilliat is much indebted to Sir Walter Scott | s " Ivanhoe , " but what writer in the same period is not ? We heartily recommend this volume to all who are purchasing Christmas gifts .

The Young Master of Hyson Hall , by Frank E . Stockton , with illustrations by "Virginia H . Davisson and Charles H . Stephens ( 6 s ) . —Chatto and Windus . Mr . Frank Stockton has recently come much to the front . Eeaders of " Captain Chap " are aware that Mr . Stockton knows how to tell a good yarn in a racy manner . " The Young Master of Hyson Hall" is a book

abounding in short pithy paragraphs such as schoolboys dearly love , and the subject matter is surely after their own heart . Here we read of Old Bruden , the double-barrelled shot-gun—of the ride on the back of " Jounoer , " hardly inferior to John Gilpin ' s far-farmed escapade—of musk rats , of sunken treasure , of the fight between Phil and Emile , when old Bruden twice missed

fire . These and many other strange happenings tha young folks will like to read about for themselves ; and they will be singularly fortunate if they meet with many books so healthy in tone . Mr . Stockton is hardly a " stylist" in the modern sense of the term ; yet we find just a dash of tho true Stevensonian flavour about this book . Or did the spirit of Bobert Louis hover near us as we read ? Who shall say ?

Tom Graham , V . C . A tale of the Afghan war , by William Johnston , illustrated ( 3 s 6 d ) . —Thomas Nelson and Sons . An opportune volume , full of stirring adventures brightly told . The fight between Graham and Jarvis at Seaton Grammar School is dismissed too briefly to suit the pugilistic predilections of most boy readers at the present crisis ; nor will it compare favourably with similar episodes in " Contarini

Fleming , " " Lorna Doone , " " Eric , " and other favourites . But the subsequent adventures of Graham—from the night when he fell off the quay into the dark waters of the Seaton Biver , to his gallant conduct at Baba Wali which gained him the Victoria Cross—are evidently the work of one whose pen is as the pen of a ready writer . The terrible disaster at Maiwand is narrated by a succession of graphic touches which should live long in the memory of many readers . A slender thread of love is deftly woven into the latter strands

of this story of dutiful service and heroic action ; and when Tom Graham of the " seventy second " finds Miss Mary Bobertson painting in the leafy lane at Medworth , and gives her the papers entrusted to his care by her dying brother in the Field Hospital at Sherpur , finally marrying her and living happily at Seaton Lodge , the reader feels that everything has come about in a highly satisfactory manner . We anticipate with pleasure the next volume from the author of " Tom Graham , V . C . "

THE Christmas number of " Cassell ' s Magazine " it not only rich in readable matter , but a veritable triumph in the way of illustrations , including no less than four Bembrandt Photogravures from celebrated paintings , while a handsome large plate is also presented with the part . Some popular subjects are touched upon , and altogether a very good addition to our serial literature is presented .

Music Of The Day.

Music of the Day .

IN these times , when all interests centre in South African affairs , it is but natural that The South African Patrol March ( i ) should be awarded a foremost place in our " Music of the Day , " but the premier position which

Music Of The Day.

seems to belong to it by right might also have been achieved by merit , for we find it one of the prettiest marches we have heard for some time , and cordially recommend it is a lively and taking piece . Messrs . Beid Bros , have published an Album of Sousa ' s popular Marches ( ) which should have an almost record sale , containing as it does

so much that is lively , interesting , and popular . The " Liberty Bell" and " Washington Post" marches are in themselves a good return for the shilling at which the collection is published , but there are seven more , including H . Evan Jones ' s " Homeward March , " and others equally deserving of speoial mention—truly a popular selection , at a popular price .

Dance of the Dervishes . Caprice Egyptierme for the pianoforte , by F . G . Bussell , B . Mus . B . A . ( Edwin Ashdown ) . —Well illustrates the peouliar features of Eastern music . Full of spirit and " Dervish " enthusiasm .

(!) The South African Patrol March , for pianoforte , by Theo . Bonheur ( Orpheus Music Publishing Company ) . ( ) Album of Sousa ' s popular Marches , Is ( Reid Brothers ) .

BOOKS RECEIVED . Evangelical Belief . The prize essay on the present conflict between evangelicalism and sacerdotalism . By John Broadhurst Nichols ( 6 s ) . —

Eeligious Tract Society . Until the day declare it . Prize story on the present day conflict with sacerdotalism . By Margaret Cunningham , illustrated by Lancelot Speed ( 5 s ) . —Eeligious Tract Society .

The Vicar of St . Margaret ' s . Prize story on the present day conflict with sacerdotalism . By W . G . Murray , illustrated by W . S . Stacey ( Is 6 d ) . — Eeligious Tract Society . Driftwood . —By Mary E . Palgrave , with seven illustrations ( 5 s ) . — Eeligious Tract Society . Runnymede and Lincoln Fair . A story of the great Charter , by J . G . Edgar , illustrated by Adolf Thiede ( 3 s 6 d ) . —Ward , Lock and Co .

The consecration of a Masonic Lodge by the Very Worshipful Bro . Letchworth , F . S . A ., is one of the most impressive and solemn of ceremonies . I am revealing no secret of the Craft King Solomon instituted when I say that the Grand Secretary of the benevolent Brotherhood of which the Prince of Wales is Most Worshipful Grand Master has

cultivated this Consecrating service into a Fine Art . To the perfection of mellifluous elocution are added actions and expressions instinct with devotional earnestness , imbuing the exquisite rendering of the ritual with true religious fervour . — "Sketch . " '

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