An Ideal Holiday.

opportunity of visiting the Fishery Exhibition here , and inspecting the sledge and other articles used by Dr . Nansen in his trip towards the north pole . It was here , also , the overland party left for the journey to Vossevangen , and on through Stalhiem to Gudvangen , where they found the " Argonaut " waitiug for them , and all proceeded on to Visnaes , the next stopping place . Merok , at the end of the beautiful Geiranger Fjord , was reached on Thursday ,

and Molde was the next point of call . On Saturday we cast anchor at Naes , and a grand drive through the valley to the celebrated Romsdalshorn and back to Naes brought our journey to an end so far as Norway was concerned . With regret we saw its coast gradually disappear , and after a smooth voyage we arrived safely at Newcastle , where the party bid au revoir to each other not one of them but deploring the most enjoyable trip was at an end .

Mr . Perowne personally accompanied the party , and added in no small measure to the general success . An Amusement Committee was appointed early on the trip , and if the members thereof worked hard they had the satisfaction of knowing their efforts were most successful—they not only appeared to enjoy themselves , but contributed to the amusement of their fellow passengers and won general applause . We should like to reproduce a

few of the snap shots we secured on the journey , in the pages of the FBEEMASON ' CHRONICLE , but feel sure it is much better to advise our readers to go and see for themselves if it is not true that words fail to describe the beauties of the scenery and the general pleasures of the cruise , on the success of which we heartily congratulate the organisers : Dr . Henry S . Lunn and Connop F . S . Perowne .

The needs of the amateur photographer were efficiently cati red for on board by a representative of the well known firm of Fradelle and Young , of Regent Street , and the way in which he manipulated the secrets of the dark room proved him to be well skilled in the science in which his firm has won such repute . The " Argonaut" is just the vessel for a pleasure cruise is of 3 , 254 tons

and 4 , 000 horse power , and has been acquired with the sole object of being used fts a pleasure yacht for such summer Cruises as we took part in , and Mediterranean Cruises in the winter . She has been refitted throughout , her accommodation greatly increased , and in every detail the safety and comfort of her passengers has been studied , and , in the opinion of experts , with the alterations she is the finest cruising yacht afloat .

The " Argonaut , " which was built by the well-known shipbuilding firm of R . and H . Green , of London , was fitted with new boilers and quadruple expansion engines in 1895 . Her length is 332 feet , her breadth 40 feet . The promenade deck , which extends the whole length of the vessel , is unusually spacious , and offers excellent facilities for sports , games ,, and dances ; above the music room is a small upper deck from which an extensive view can be obtained ; the dining saloon is on the main deck , and

all the accommodation is for first-class passengers , of whom upwards of 200 can be carried . The vessel is divided into water-tight compartments , is fitted throughout with electric light , and carries a complement of 120 officers and crew . Owing to the admirable plan on which the hull is constructed the sea-going qualities of the ship are unsurpassed , little or no inconvenience being experienced even in the heaviest weather . The vessel is fitted with three refrigerating compartments , so ensuring a supply of fresh milk , butter ,

fish , poultry , and butcher ' s meat throughout the voyage , while , with the object of providing an adequate supply of pure water for drinking purposes , an automatic filtering apparatus , constructed on the most modern and most approved principles , has been added , and numerous hot and cold sea-water baths are provided both for ladies and gentlemen . A fully qualified medical officer accompanies the Steamer on all her cruises , but happily there was little for him to do on this occasion .

An Historical Hostelry.

AN HISTORICAL HOSTELRY .

THE oldest hotel in the world is the Golden Cross , Ratisbon , rendered famous by the residence of Charles V ., in 1546 ; the oldest hotel in England is the Golden Cross , Charing Cross . The latter dates from the time when the little village of Charing was midway between the City of London and the marshes of Westminster , when the half-way house for coaches and mounted travellers was the Golden Cross Inn , swinging its sign of a golden cross above the Strand highway , in front of one of the nine Gothic crosses erected by Edward I ., to mark the last resting place of the corpse of Queen Eleanor , in 1291 .

In 1643 we find the first historical mention of the Golden Cross Inn , whon a petition was made to the house , by the Puritans , for the removal of the " Sign of tho Cross . " In 1647 the Gothic Charing Cross was also removed , but an excellent reproduction by Mr . E . M . Barry , R . A ., stands in the courtyard of the station opposite .

From this time onward the Golden Cross was the leading London West End Hotel , and Charles Dickens recalls the fact by placing one of the incidents of Mr . Pickwick ' s adventures in front of this house . With a view to keeping the Golden Cross well up to the times , the Proprietors have had it thoroughly remodelled , redecorated , and refurnished , by Messrs . Waring ( of Oxford Street and Sloane Street ) , the well-known decorators , in the most artistic style ; and in its new guise the Hotel is well worthy to rank with the many palatial establishments of which London is proud , it being under the capable management of Bro . J . H . Firmin .

On the ground floor , with an entrance from the Strand as well as from the Hotel itself , is the Buffet , which is the rendezvous of the continental tourist on arrival , and prior to departure . American mixed drinks , Parisian cordials , and German lagers here rank side by side , and the wine list shows a choice selection of tho brands of Alsace , Bordeaux , and Cadiz . The

Restaurant , m order to be quiet and select , is on the first floor , overlooking the panorama of the Station and the Strand . The service may be according to the wishes of the customers , A la carte or table d'hote , and the cuisine is of the highest Parisian excellence . For those desiring a rapid lunch prior to taking train for the continent or on return , a grill room service is maintained in the Cafe on the ground floor .

The Hotel itself enjoys a select clientele built up by generations of family travel , and its size permits of each guest receiving the individual attention of the management and staff instead of , as so frequently occurs in tho mammoth establishments of the day , being treated as a room number only . The establishment was re-oconed on Mondav . 22 nd inst .. when a lump

company met to wish the Proprietors of the Hotel continued prosperity , among those present being several well-known members of the Craft . The Manager gave ample proofs of his ability on that occasion , and we feel sure any Brethren who decide to make his acquaintance will not only appreciate him as a man and a Mason , but will be well satisfied with the fare be is able to place before them .

Increased Holiday Facilities.

INCREASED HOLIDAY FACILITIES .

IT seems to us a gratifying sign of the times that despite the large number of regular excursions run by the different Railway Companies out of London it is found necessary to add to them from time to time , not by stray trips such as was formerly the custom , but by the establishment of regular weekly services—or even more frequent—with special facilities for return at frequent stated intervals . The Midland Company have now added an Isle of

Man trip , for 5 , 8 , 12 , or 15 days , from St . Pancras every Wednesday midnight and Thursday morning at 5-15 ; and another to the Lake District , Buxton , Matlock , Scarborough , & c , leaving St . Pancras every Wednesday during the season , and available for return in 5 , 9 , 13 , or 16 days . We have no doubt these lastest arrangements for the convenience of the travelling public will meet the patronage they so well deserve , and that at no verv

distant date this enterprising Company may see its way to an all round reduction of fares charged . We are firmly of opinion that a sweeping revolution in this direction would ultimately pay , for despite the fact that reduced fares are charged the amount is still prohibitive for the mass of the people who would like to travel with their families to some of the more distant holiday haunts of the country .

Summer Outing Of The Londesborough Lodge.

SUMMER OUTING OF THE LONDESBOROUGH LODGE .

THE Brethren of this Lodge , No . 1681 , following the excellent example of many others , had a summer outing on Wednesday , 10 th inst . This being the first occasion this Lodge had . attempted anything of the kind , the event was looked forward to with great interest by those having charge of the arrangements . The programme of the day consisted of an excursion toj Reading by the Great Western Railway , returning by steam launch via good old Father Thames to Royal Windsor , thence by rail to

town . Starting from Paddington by the 9 a . m . express , on a somewhat dull and showery morning , the Brethren mustered with their sweethearts , wives , and country cousins , all in the best of spirits , in the view of being happy themselves and making others the same , all hoping for a pleasant day , a wish in which many absent Brethren joined , who were unable to be present through illness , absence on holidays , or other causes . The highly esteemed Treasurer

Brother Burlington was unable to be present , through the lamented death of his wife . There was hardly time for introductions and congratulations while gliding swiftly through the royal county of Berks , in two most commodious saloon carriages , the grand old . Castle of Windsor showing in the distance with its usual regal splendour . When Reading was reached , a few minutes ' walk brought the party to Caversbarn Lock , where the " Countess , " steam launch , owned by Taylor and Sons , of Staines , was in waiting .

Without delay , start was made'for Great Marlow , sixteen miles distant , through the most lovely scenery . There an excellent dinner was in readiness , provided by Bro . W . E . Cole , of the Crown Hotel , to which , after the bracing air on the river , ample justice was done . After the regular loyal toasts of the Queen , and the Prince and Princess

of Wales , the health of the ladies and visitors was proposed by Bro . Wetherhelt P . M ., and replied to in a most witty speech by Bro . Wade P . M . of the Dalhousie Lodge , who then proposed the health of the W . M . Bro . C . W . Rayner , which was most heartily received with musical honours . The W . M . made a brief but suitable reply .

Returning to the launch , a run of sixteen miles , all too short , on a lovely summer ' s evening , brought the party to Windsor , where the saloons were waiting to convey the party back to town . The catering on board the launch , by Robinson , of Staines , was absolutely perfect . The company before separating were all of opinion that this had been one of the happiest days of their lives , and they all hoped to be present at the next merry meeting .

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