Diary For The Week.

R . A . 6—St . George's , Freemasons' Hall , W . C . R . A . 29—St . Albaus , Albion , Aldersgate Street R . A . 157—Bedford , Freemasons' Hall . W . C . R . A . 657—Canonbury , Masons' Hall , Masons' Avenue R . A . 753—Prince Frederick William , Lord's Hotol , St . John ' s Wood , at 8 . ( In .

R . A . 766—William Preston , Cannon-street Hotel , E R . A . 147 . ' — North London , Alwyne Castle TUVOIM , St . Paul's Road , Canonbury at 8 . ( Instruction ) R . A . 1601—Ravensbourne , Board of Works Office , Catford M . M . 13—Hiram , Greyhound , Richmond

51—Angel , Three Cups , Colchester 78—Imperial George , Assheton Arms Hotel , Middleton , Lancashire 111—Restoration , Freemasons' Hall , Darlington 116—Royal Lancashire , Swau Hotel Colne 203—Ancient Union , Masonic Hall , Liverpool . ( Instruction ) 208— Three Grand Principles , Masonic Hall , Dewsbury 249—Mariners , Maso lie Hall , Liverpool , at 8 . ( Instruction )

275—Harmony , Masonic Hall , South Parade , Huddjrslioll 276—Good Fellowship , White Hart Hotel , Chelmsford 283—Amity , Swan Hotel , Market-place , Haslingdon 288—Samaritan , Green Man Hotel , Bacup 337—Candour , New Masonic Rooms , Uppermill , Saddleworth 341—Wellington , Cinque Ports Hotel , Rye 344—Faith , Bull's Head Inn , Radcliffe , Lancashire

346—United Brethren , Royal Oak Inn . Clayton-lo-Dale , near Blackburn 348—St . John , Bull ' s Head Inn , Bradshawgate . Bolton 350—Charity . Grapes Inn , Stoneclough , near Manchester 369—Limestone Rock , Masonic Hall , Church-street , Clitheroo 432—Abbey , Newdegate Arms , Nuneaton 449—Cecil , Sun Hotel , Hitchin 456—Foresters , White Hart Hotol , Uttoxetor 462—Bank Terrace , Hargreaves Arms Hotel , Accrington

694—Downshire , Masonic Hall , Liverpool 636—Ogle , Masonic Hall , Morpeth 651—Brecknock , Castle Hotel , Brecon 659—Blagdon , Ridley Arms Hotel , Blythe 784—Wellington , Public Rooms , Park-street , Deal 807—Cabbell , Masonic Hall , Theatre Street , Norwich 904—Phcenix , Ship Hotel , Rotherham 935—Harmony , Freemasons' Hall , Salford 966—St . Edward , Literary Institute , Leek , Stafford

1000—Priory , Middleton Hotel , Southend on Sea 112 o—St . Peter , Masonic Hall , Tiverton , Devon llft ~ S liot ' Private Rooms , St . German's , Cornwall . i , o . JerH 10 r > M"sonic Hall , Southport , Lancashire i il ? T ^ f * > 3 U Greafc Homer-street , Liverpool , at 8 ( Instruction ) } M ~^ erty of Havering , R si-ig Sur , , Romf > rd

J «?— £ shbu * T , Justice Birch Hotel , Hvdo-road , West Gorton , nr Manchester ^—Emulation , ^ sonic Hall , Liverpool if OA n' Union Hotel , Parkgate , Cheshire ifo » oi " •^?? ll ^ n 0 Re ( l Lion Hotel . Hatfield , Herts , at 8 . ( Instruction ) Jfo £ | l \ * ' ° y al 0 ak Hotel - Oheadle iSno S- ^ ' Masonic Hall , Maple-street , Newcastle law— Wallington , King ' s Arms Hotel , Carshalton . ( Instruction )

R . A . 57—Humber , Freemasons' Hall , Hull 5 A - ^ -Liverpool , Masonic Hall , Liverpool 5 "V" * * " —Northampton , Masonic Hall , Abington-streot , Northampton " § ' too VPacord , Freemasons' Hall , Albion Terrace , Southampton "S"T ? J £ ~^ S *' Sussex < Royal Pavilion , Brighton 5 * * o " ,. ~ w ffiIlix ot' st- Ann - Court H ° tel . Buxton R . A . 139 o—Weyside , Masonic Hall , Wokin" - ? Rr 21-Howe , George Hotel , Melton Mowbray m i ' wi o „ F - freemason's Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester K . T . 8—Plains of Mamre , Bull Hotel , Burnley

FRIDAY , 29 th MAY . Emulation Lodge of Improvement , Freemasons' Hall , at 7 . i ! . 5 ? r , Burns . North Pole , 115 Osford-street , W „ at 8 ( Instruc . ) " m ? TT , ' hite Harfc ' King ' s-road , Chelsea , at 7 . 30 . ( Instruction ) nal ~ w . Pllgrira 8 . Surrey Masouic Hall , Camberwell , at 7 . 30 . ( Instruct . ) lm ? TS inia : m Preston , St . Andrew ' s Tavern , George St ., Baker St ., at 8 . ( In ) 780— Kuyal Alfred , Star and Garter , Kew Bridge . ( Instruction )

no , £ ane a " ' Slx Kells « Hammersmith ( Instruction ) 933—Doric , Duke's Head , 79 Whitechapol-road , at 8 . ( Instruction ) J ? 56—Metropolitan , Por ; - ff al Hotel , Fleet-street , R . C at 7 . ( Instruction ) 1158—Belgrave , Jermyn-street , S . W ., at 8 . ( Instruction ) TSor S , oya ! standard > Alwyne Castle , St . Paut's-road , Cauoabury , at 8 . ( Iu . ) ;»?„ H apton ' White Hart ' Lovvei * Clapton , at 7 . 30 . ( Instruction ) JS „ S- * Carnarvon , Ladbroke Hall , Notting Hill , at 8 . ( Instruction ) 1789—Ubique , 79 Ebury Street , Pimlico , S . W * ., at 7 . 30 . ( Instruction )

R . A . —Panmure C . of Improvement , Stirling Castle , Church Street , Camborwol R . A . 70—Pythagorean , Portland Hotel . London-street . Greenwich ( Inst . ) vm ~ P 1 & Kent ' 0 rown and Cushion , London Wall , B . C . ( Instruction ) tm . r . 74—Harcourt , Greyhound Hotel , Richmond

431—Royal Forest , Hark to Bounty Inn , Slaidburn " " 3—CMswoU , Lo " - " g ^ ' Tavern , Station Road , Loughton , at 7 . 30 ( Inst ) i ;„ xr llth 0 rIand of Unity , Castle Hotel , Newcastlo-under-Lymo 652—Holme Valley , Victoria Hotel , Holmflrth 810—Craven , Devonshire Hotel . Skinton

1031-Eccleshill . Freemasons' Hall , Fccleshill liS- M , lrflek 1 ' Assembly Rooms , Bastthorpe , Mirflold iJSo—Gladsmuir , Red Lion , Barnet iQai ~ w 0 mmerc * ' Freemasons' Hall , Leicester rv ^~ , ° } } J > Masonic Rooms , King Street , Manchester . ( Instruction ) Wov ot instruction , Masonic Hall , New-street , Birmingham , at 7 p * 242-Magdalen , Guildhall . Doncaster -K . A . 897—Loyalty , Masonic Buildings , Hall Street , St . Helens

SATURDAY , 30 th MAY

i 2 u r , Committeo ' ° y Masonic Benevolent Institution , Croydon , at 3 , „ . *(* y . Jolly Farmers ' , Southgate Road , N ., 8 . ( Instruction ) n « i w * ve JBells « 165 New Cross-road , S . B ., at 7 . ( Instruction ) S" * " ™ Zetland , Royal Edward , Triangle , Hackney , at 7 . ( Instruction ) I 7 nc Eccleston , Crown and Anchor , 79 Ebury Street , S . W ., at 7 ( Instruction i : r ?~ 0 rpheus , Freemasons' Hall . W . O .

qirT ~ £ u W * ' Hampshire Hog , King Street , Hammersmith , W . ( Instruct . ) S ° Chapter of Improvement , Union , Air-street , Regent-street . W ., at 8 « . A . 820—Lily of Richmond , Greyhound , Richmond , at 8 . ( Instruction ) Vco ~ Peace ' Private Rooms , Meltnam , ^ -Chigwell , Forest Hotel , Chingford ion- Wharncliffe . Rose and Crown Hotel , Penistone laoo—Eastes , Parish Rooms , Bromley , Kent * 17 S—Harmony , Royal Hotel , Wigan . fli .. M . 14—Prince Edward ' s , Station Hotel , Stansfleld , Todmorden

The following dinners were held at the Freemason ' s ¦ i avern during the week ending Saturday , 23 rd May : — Monday—Grand Masters Lodge . Tnesday—May Ball . Wednesday—Novio Magians , Universal Chapter . Thursday—Club of JNobod y ' a Friend , Koyal Caledonian Asylum , United Pilgrims ¦ oiiapter . Saturday—Army Pay Department .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The "Freemason ' s Chronicle , Belvidere "Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , "N " .

" Summer Tours in Scotland , Glasgow to tho Highlands . 'Royal Koute , ' ( vvt Crinan and Caledonian Canals ) , with Timo Tables and Lists of Fares , by David MacBrayne ' s ltoyal Mail Steamers . " David MacBrayne , 119 Hope-streot , Glasgow .

THOSE who have read Mr . William Black ' s novels and Dr . Johnson s "Visit to tho Hebrides , " can form somo idea of the Western Highlands of Scotland , situate iu the Atlantic , and extending from tho southern point of the Mull of Kintyro to the northern extremity of Lewis , a distance little short of two hundred miles . In a

pleasureseeking sense , a much better idea of these romantic islands and the Hig hlands east of them may be gathered from tho little work before us . ° It is all a L-uide-book shonld be , and something moro . Issued by the owner of a line of steamers that have for a quarter of a centnry afforded the public easy access to spots that before then were

soldom visited by strangers , ifc has the fullness and completeness that experience gives . The trips aro varied and numerous , branching in every conceivable direction , embraced in a large scheme . Times , fares , routes , and accommodation are all set forth with clearness . 18 photo lithographs illustrate the text which ia written with a faithfulness

, and a real desire to instruct and amuse not always to be foundin guide books . There is no striving after effect , and yet the descriptions have a charm in themselves which produces the natural desire to go and see the originals , so simply yet naturally depicted . A map accompanies the bookwith the various routes of the steamers traced

, in red . The text explains all about the journeys , and what there is fcobe seen in a manner as pleasant as it is effective . We have no hesitation in saying that any one taking the map and the description together will get a better idea of that par t of Scotland to the west of Thurso in the north , and Glasgow in the sonth , than in any single work that

has ever come under our notice . The book only costs sixpence , and is really worth having for its own sake . Ifc may be had afc the various book stalls , and at tho Glasgow address . Mr . MacRrayne has adopted the title of the "Eoyal Koute , " and has now added another new paddle-steamer , called the " Grenadier , " to his fleet .

This vessel has made her trial trip , and for tho present has taken the place of the Iona on the Glasgow and Ardrishaig station , to bo relieved by the Columba , when she will proceed to the north . This latter vessel is fitted up in the stylo of Pullman ' s cars , and the windows being carried round at the stern

afford a pleasant look-out for the passengers . Separate circular tables are fitted up in the breakfast and dining saloon , and meals aro served fco suit fche convenience of visitors . The cabins are fitted up with every convenience ; a shampooing and hair-dressing establishmentwith every toilet requisite , is provided , and there is a

commo-, dious bath-room , supplied with salt water , for the weary traveller , besides a cloak-room , where hand-bags and small articles maybe left in security . Add to all this a post-office , " where letters , telegrams & caro received , stamped , sorted , and distributed afc every

, , calling place along the route , for transmission to all parts , " and we think ' onr readers will agree with us that nothing bufc money and time are wanted to make a trip in the " Colnmba" one of the pleasurable events of life . No doubt the * ' Grenadier " has been fitted

up wifch fche same regard to comfort , and thafc all that engineering skill and capital can do have been done to make the fleet swift , ploa . sanfc , and effective carriers .

Opening Of The Hotel Metropole.

OPENING OF THE HOTEL METROPOLE .

THIS enormous building , forming one of the stately edifices that have been and are still being bnilt in Northumberland Avenue , Charing Cross , is just about receiving its finishing touches . We shall not attempt to describe the architecture of the hotel , but some conception of its size may be gathered from the fact that it contains six hundred bedrooms , and that the several rooms set apart for dining

will accommodate a thousand persons . The furnishing has been entrusted to Messrs . Maple and Co ., of Tottenham Conrt-road , and apparently all that modern art and money could command has been reqnisitioned . Beauty and utility have been combined in such a way as to please the eye and satisfy the demands of comfort . A formal , or ,

more strictly speaking , a complimentary opening of this public palace took place on Monday last , on which occasion there was a grand military concert at half-past eight in tho evening , supported by the bands ofthe Royal Artillery , the Coldstream Guards , aud the Portsmouth Division of the Royal Marines . Their Royal

Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales were present at the concert , and we are told thab the " long list of patrons and patronesses includes nearly all the members of the Koyal Family , the great ducal houses , and many recognised leaders of aristocratic and fashionable society . " Tickets for the concert were a guinea each , and

were supplied by Lady Bective , 10 Stratford-place , W . We cheerfully givo these particulars because the whole of the money received for tickets is to be handed to the Egyptian War Fund , thns charity was combined with pleasure . This is the reason why Lady Bective took

so active a part in the concert . Visitors bad an opportunity of inspecting the arrangements and appointments of the hotel , which formed no small attraction , we can assure our readers . The hotel will open for bnsiness on the 1 st June .

£ 20 , —TOBACCONISTS CoirirEjrciyo . — An illustrated guide ( 110 pages ) , " How to Open respectably from JE 20 to £ 2000 . " 3 Stamps . H . MYERS & Co ., Cigar and Tobacco Merchants , 109 Euston Road , London . Wholesale only , Telephone No . 7511 .