Summer Outing Of The Confidence Lodge, No 193.

music to many of the company . There being about 150 present it was most wisely arranged by Bros . J . W . Simeons , J . E . Fells , and E . J . Davey that , to make matters comfortable , the company should be divided into two parties . On entering the airy saloon the chair was taken by Bro . J . E . Fells P . M . and Treasurer of the Lodge . The table was artistically

and tastefully decorated with choice flowers , & c . ; reflecting credit on Mr . H . Sloane the chief Steward . The luncheon ( no , we may with " confidence " term it the banquet ) was considerably better than was expected , everything provided being of the highest class , and all bountifully served . The excellent wines were provided by the well known firm of J . Fells , of Tooley Street , and were highly admired by some of the connoisseurs .

After luncheon the worthy chairman rose and , addressing the Ladies , Brethren , and Gentlemen , said he was sure they had not come there that day to hear long speeches , but rather to be happy themselves , and to promote the happiness of everybody else . He therefore called upon the gentlemen to drink the health of the Ladies , which toast was heartily attended to , and this portion of the company made way for their companions .

The tables were cleared and relaid and Bro . Simeons and friends took possession of the saloon , and they having satisfied their appetites , Bro . Simeons said before leaving the table he had much pleasure in proposing the health of the Queen , which toast was most heartily received .

The W . M . then in a brief but humorous speech gave the toast of the Ladies and Visitors , giving them a most hearty welcome and hoping they would continue to have a pleasant day . He was delighted to . see the fair sex looking so charming and smiling . Bro . J . Morris responded .

Bro . S . W . Fells proposed the health of the W . M ., which toast was received with an ovation , as was the Master himself on rising to respond to acknowledge the compliment . Arriving at Hampton Court several of the Brethren and friends paid a visit to our esteemed Bro . John Mayo , at the Castle Hotel , East

Molesey , where they had samples of his excellent beverages . Afterwards the company went for a stroll , and feasted their eyes on the beauties of nature , returning after about an hour and a half to the steamer , where they found high tea awaiting them , and to this ample justice was shown .

During the day an excellent band played some fine selections , also some of the ladies exhibited their talent on the piano . Some cheerful dance music was played , and the opportunity of a dance indulged in by several of the party . Great compliment is due to the Worshipful Master Bro . J . W . Simeons , Bro . J . E . Fells P . M . Treasurer , and Bro . E . J . Davey P . M . Secretary , for their excellent arrangements , and the ability they

displayed in providing such an enjoyable outing . It was a glorious success , and the unanimous verdict was that a most happy day had been spent . A word of praise is also due to Capt . G . Brooks and first mate A . W . Hogg , for the careful manner in which they performed their parts , whilst Mrs . M . Edwards ( better known perhaps under her former name , Mrs . Smith ) , the Stewardess , also looked after the comfort of the company .

Amongst the party we had the pleasure of seeing were Bros . J . W . Simeons W . M . 193 , J . K . Pitt P . G . S . B . Surrey J . Morris 1624 , G . F . Carr 193 , Mrs . Buick , Mrs . Greenhouse , Mrs . Buckman , Bros . H . H . Bateman Star of Burmah Lodge 614 , India , Metcalfe Baillie J . W . 193 , Wilmore , H . C . Parson , Bro . and Mrs . J . H . Bigg , Bro . and Mrs . H . King and daughter , -Mr . and Mrs . R . King , Mrs . Deller , Bros . E . J . Davey P . M . Secretary of the Lodge and daughters , J . .

Fells P . M . Treasurer with Mrs . and Misses Fells , Bro . and Mrs . Pribul and daughters , Bro . and Mrs . R . M . Owen , Bro . and Mrs . Walesby and daughters , Bro . Leopard , Mr . and Mrs . Osborn Scoones , Mr . J . Cutting , Mr . and Mrs . Rawson and family , Mr . Wilmore , Bro . Hudden , Miss Poole , Miss Wade , Mrs . E . H . Harnack , Mrs . F . Smith , Bro . J . Hurran J . W . 1107 , The Misses Biddle , Mr . George Manning , Misses E . and M . Whiteland , J . Wynman , and numerous others .

Books Of The Day.

Books of the Day .

Books , Music , & e . intended for ravi « w ( should ba addressed to the Editor of the Freemason ' s Chronicle , at Fleet Works , New Bar-net . — : o ;—THE RHYMER . By Allan M Aulay ( 6 s ) . —T . Fisher Unwin . IT is a difficult task to write a good biography ; but we are , not sure that it is not even more dimcult to successfully introduce a great

celebrity into a work of fiction . If you succeed , your success is taken as a matter of course ; if you fail , you are mercilessly ridiculed . Robert Burns is still a bone of contention among admirers and detractors alike , and when Mr . ' Allan M'Aulay undertook to make him the hero of a novel he launched upon a perilous venture . We were

therefore particularly gratified to rind how ably the author of " The Rhymer" has accomplished his task . Like many others , we have at times searched a goodly number of volumes in order to ascertain , if possible , the approximate truth regarding the Ayrshire bard and his unfortunate love affairs ; and , so lar as we understand the matter ,

we feel Mr . Allan M'Aulay has drawn an unusually faithful portrait of Robert Burns . Moreover , the heroine Alison is ably portrayed and her love affairs , so long drawn out by untoward circumstances , are narrated with exquisite taste and deep knowledge of the human heart . Her friend , Mrs . Maclehose , the "Clarinda" of Bum ' s correspon-

Books Of The Day.

dence , is at times diverting by reason of her briskness and reidy wit , but is , on the whole , hardly an edifying character . Young ladies who emulate the " corresponding misses " of whom Cowper speaks , would derive profit from this book if only they would read it with sufficient care . Altogether , the author has scored a great success , and Mr . Fisher Uriwin should receive pecuniary proof that thepuolic appreciate the publication of a really good novel .

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY AND HERTZIAN WAVES . By S . R . Bottane . With 35 illustrations ( 3 s ) . —Whittaker and Co . MR . Bottane has provided us with a lucid exposition of a subject exceedingly difficult to expound to non-scientific readers . He has done for the Hertzian Waves what Grant Allen did for the story of the Plants . We cannot be too thankful for such a masterly handbook as

this which Messrs . Whittaker have sent us . Now-a-days we are supposed to know everything . Such a state of things is ' a little hard on us at times ; but our lot is greatly lightened by the labours of such able expositors as Mr . Bottane . We refer our readers to Chapter II , in " Historical Considerations" for a singularly felicitous example of the writer ' s methods . This book is a valuable help to students of wireless telegraphy .

AN EVENING WITH " PUNCH . ' —Being a selection , from the "First Fifty Years of ' Punch , ' " of a few of the pictures , some of the wit , and some of the wisdom , with which the volumes of " Punch " abound . To which are added sundry notes and comments ( 2 s 6 d net ) . —Bradbury , Agnew and Co ., Limited .

THIS volume may be regarded as a foretaste and epitome of still better things to come . It is a delightful compilation , and should be universally welcomed . The specimens of wit and of humorous illustrations are well chosen ; tliey are a choice sample of the wares which will be displayed in " Fifty years of Punch . " it there is a man or a woman in England who does not regard Mr . Punch as a joy for

ever , such must surely be—like the unmusical man of whom Shakespeare speaks—fit for treasons , strategems and spoils . Folk who do not enjoy ' an evening with Punch " are assuredly past praying for . But we must say something further . Perhaps no publication has ever , for so long a period , held the mirror up to nature so successfully , or striven ; so nobly to teach us to see ourselves as others see us . Many

numbers of " Punch " published thirty or even forty years ago have never been forgotten by those who saw and laughed over them on their first appearance , and it is an excellent plan which promises a republication of so large a work . We certainly hope that the public will continue to send in their orders largely and thereby assure a great success to " Fifty years of Punch . ' COMRADES TRUE . By Annie Thomas ( 6 s . )—Chatto and Windus .

THIS should meet unqualified approval from the younger folk ; for it is full of interest and movement . There is lots of love , and plenty of adventure . We have no intention of saying "this is the best novel we have read for some time " for we have read many better ; but it is thoroughly well written . and eminently readable . Old Mr . Ledger , the retired naval oincer who lived in a remarkably hulk-shanty

and maintained a truly maritine disciple in his . domestic affairs , is an original character of merit . The otlier personages of a somewhat complex drama are good at falling in love but even better at jilting one another . They fall in love at first sight , and fall out the following week for very insufficient causes . Moreover , the Imperial Volunteers

are here , and the Boers likewise , so there is ample diversion . 1 he writer has given us many passages which are models of brisk , dear , narrative English , and the dialogue is , as a rule skilfully managed . We recommend this volume to those who are packing a holiday portmanteau .

NEW CENTURY LIIJRARY . ( 2 s net per vol . ) . —Thomas Nelson and Sons . Vol . III . —THE NEWCOMES . By William Makepeace Thackeray . Vol . IV . —THE HISTORY OF HENRY ESMOND , ESQ . By William Makepeace Thackeray . THE New Century Library promises to maintain its excellence . We have previousl y spoken of its merits in warm terms : and the two

volumes before us—two old friends in new dress—are quite equal to their forerunners . Some of us can take Thackeray in very large doses . In the first number of " Cosmopolis" we find a quotation from Matthew Arnold concerning Thackeray : " I would not give up " Esmond " for all Mr . Arnold ' s collected works . " Many men would endorse Mr . Lang ' s opinion ; but we should hardly care to do so with the " Essays in Criticism " in our mind ' s eye . Chacun a son gout . 1

nese aengntrui little volumes occupy so small a space that it will now be possible for every man to possess his own Bodleian . The entire works of Thackeray in this edition would make an exceedingly welcome gift ; for hitherto by far the larger number of editions of the great novelist have been bulky indeed . Personall y , we can only imagine one thing better , and that is a similiar edition of Scott . This , we believe , Messrs . Nelsoh are preparing to issue . If the New Century Library meets its deserts it must score a great success .

THE Midland Railway Company offer an attractive programme for excursionists who may desire to visit any of the holiday resorts served bv their trains . Trips extending over various periods are arranged for the chief towns of the midland and northern counties , the Lake District , Scotland and Ireland , the special feature inaugurated since for

some years , allowing return from Scotland at any time within sixteen days being a concession which is well patronised by visitors to the far side of the Tweed . The district served by the Midland Company is so vast , and the facilities offered for excursionists so varied , that we recommend intending visitors . to consult our advertisement columns as a guide , and afterwards secure a copy of the full programme of the Company for further details ,