Presentation To Bro. A. D. Corry, 2387.

The musical arrangements , under the able direction of Mr . Burgess Brown , were of the very best , the following well-known artistes contributing to the harmony ot the evening : Messrs . S . Hunt , R . T . Wood , Val Richer , and Burgess Brown , the latter presiding at the pianoforte with much ability .

The May Magazines.

The May Magazines .

We'purpose publishing , for the future , in the first issue of the Freemason , month by month , a review of the current numbers of the leading magazines . This month , however , in order to give the publishers of the various magazines a fair chance , we will review in our next issue any of the May magazines not received in time for this week ' s edition . Our readers will find the following for May will well repay perusal .

The Argosy contains an instalment of the serial tale , " Malicious Fortune , " by S . M . During , which was commenced last January , a sensational and startlingly original story , the author of which has completely departed from the stereotyped lines of the ordinary novel . The complete tales , " Roscorrock for the Roscorrocks , " "A Woman of Straw , " " The Punishment , " and "A Priest of Mehadev , " are also interesting . The illustrated articles on " Oxford and its Colleges " and "A Romance of Art-Collecting" are exceptionally good .

The Captain always takes the lead among magazines for boys , and the May number has rarely been surpassed in the variety and excellence of its stories and articles . Of the former "Sir Billy , " " The Great Treasure Lobster , " "The Wolf Boy , " and " Smith's House" are the best , while of the latter " Birdnestincr by photography , " " Tales of the Trenches , " dealing with incidents of the Boer War , are well worthy of special mention . The " Stamp Collector" deals this month with a new idea in stamp albums .

The Cornhlll Magazine , in addition to several chapters of "Count Hannibal , " the intensely interesting serial from the pen of Stanley Weyman , has a complete tale entitled " The High Ranger , " by Ian Maclaren , and some excellent verses by the author of "Father O'FIynn , " entitled "The Killarney Hunt . " " Shakespeare and Patriotism " and " Alms for Oblivion " are scholarly articles by Sidney Lee and Dr . Garnett respectively ; while Basil Horsfold imparts a quantity of useful instruction in his paper on " Agricultural Settlements

in the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies . " "The Conscience of Murderers" presents an interesting psychological problem to the reader j while " A Londoner ' s Log-Book" and the Provincial Letter—from Lichfield this time—are amusing reading . This month ' s instalment of " The Tale of the Great Mutiny" deals with Cawnpore ; and Mr . Layard , in the course of his " Family Budgets , " deals with the lower-middle-class Budget , i . e ., incomes of , £ 150 to . £ 200 a year .

The Gentleman's Magazine has this year entered on a third century of publication , and to our mind merits the dignity its age bestows by its successful efforts in encouraging the study of belles lettres tn an age which is , perhaps , over-fond of fiction of the most sensational type . Interesting memoirs of a brilliant iSth century diplomatist in Baron Malmesbury , and of one of the minor poets of the Restoration epoch in Sir Robert Howard , are sandwiched between an admirable paper by Pauline Roose on " Dreams and Visions of Heaven , "

vouchsafed to , and recorded by , eminent writers and divines ; and an account of an Indian State trial , by Colonel Trevor , C . S . I ., which shows the progress of English ideas of justice in the East . A study of the great tragedienne Rachel , and a " Retrospective Glance at Crime and Criminal Law " are followed by an account of the flirtation between the famous Earl of Chesterfield and Lady Fanny Shirley . In the way of fiction " In the City of Oxford " and "Two Life Sketches " are readable stories .

The Idler , which , as usual , is profusely illustrated , has , besides the continuation of the serial , "The Puppet Crown , " several amusing complete tales , of which " Cavelleria Rusticana , " a story of Western American politics , is deserving of special mention , as is also "The Wicked Concierge . " This month ' s paper of

the series on the " War of Titans for the Commercial Supremacy ot the World " deals with Chinese railways , and Lieut .-Com . J . P . Gillmore , of the U . S . A . Navy , contributes an exciting tale of adventure , entitled " A Prisoner among Fili pinos , " a true incident of the Spanish-American War . The current number is very readable throughout .

Longman ' s Magazine for this month contains the conclusion of the serial tale , " My Lady of Orange , " and a further instalment of M . E . Francis ' interesting story , " Fyander's Widow . " " That 1 " is a complete story of South Devon , rich in local colouring , while "' The Curate of St . High ' s " and " The

Birds Good-bye " are excellent poems . Lovers of Nature will be interested with W . H . Hudson ' s "A Summer ' s End on the Itchen , " and lovers of literary gossip with Andrew Lang's " At the Sign of the Ship . " A fascinating article on " Cardland ; or the Card-playing Age , " further adds to the value of an excellent sixpennyworth .

The Pall Mall Magazine has some illustrations this month of a quality it would be hard to surpass . A new short story , by Eden Philpotts , is commenced in the current number , entitled " Cross Ways , " and other interesting complete stories and poems also appear . One of Mr . Archer's , " Real Conversations , " this time with Mrs . Craigie , or , as she is better known" John

, Oliver Hobbes , " is certain to be appreciated ; while other articles that challenge attention are " Etiquette : Its Uses , Abuses , Changes , and Phases , " by the Countess of Cork and Orrery ; "Romance and Science , " by Leslie Stephen ; " Behind the Scenes at the Royal Academy , " Mr . H . Spielman , and Professor Cole's paper on " Earth's Earliest Inhabitants . "

The Royal Magazine is , as usual , copiously illustrated , and contain some capital fiction this morth , n otably the serial , " The Purple Cloud , " "The Passing of a Shadow , " "The Vicar's Legacy , " and "A Singular Duel . " An article on "King Edward as a Sports man " is of unique interest , while mention must also be made of the illustrated ar tides on " The Art of the Camera "

" Hats Off I " Flying Beasts and Flightless Birds , " and " Paying Off a Warship . " Apropos of the article "Table Golf , " the latest fashionable indoor game , a humorist has suggested to us the hope that the new parlour game will not result in the profanity of the links being introduced within the charmed circle of the home .

Th « Strand Magazine is a really capital number this time . Dr . Conan Doyle ' s " Strange Stories , " Mr . H . G . Wells" -The First Men in the Aljon , " and Captain Drey f us' " My Life on Devil ' s Island , " are of thrilling interest , while the short stories are as good as ever , not forgetting the childrens' story , " Princess Fortuna . " More serious , but just as interesting , are VV . H . Lucy's entertaining view from " Behind the Speaker's Chair , " and the articles on '' The New Star and its Discoverer , " " Some Famous Cricket Balls , " ' •Breaking Wild Horses for the Army , " and " The Government Laboratory . "

The Sunday Strand is another of the successful Newnes' publications . " Voices of the Past " deals with the story of" Joseph , " in the language of modern romance . The Rev . J . H . Jowett , M . A ., has an excellent article on " The Good

The May Magazines.

Shepherd , " while Copenhagen is dealt with this time in " Sunday in Continenta Cities . " This month ' s " Legend of the Apostles " deals with an exciting incident in the life of the Virgin Thekla . The short stories are particularly good and the interesting serial "Tregarthen " is continued . The Wide World Magazine continues to justify its title by articles and tales of adventures from all parts of the world . Sambhur-hunting in Ceylon

is graphically described , and Dr . Conan Doyle commences his narrative of " The Great Boer War , " which alone should send the circulation up . An account of Greek Brigands and their ways is succeeded by descriptions of a hunt after runaway coolies in Borneo , and " A record journey in Savage Africa , " by Major St . Hill Gibbons . Butterfly hunting in California , the habits of the Chinese Boxers , life at Klondike , and seal hunting in Scotland supply the matter for other articles of interest .

Ireland.

Ireland .

IMPOSING MASONIC CEREMONY IN BELFAST . INSTALLATION OF THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY .

An important and imposing function took place on the 29 th ult ., in the Exhibition Hall , Botanic Gardens , Belfast , where a large gathering of brethren assembled in full regalia , wearing the various aprons , collars jewels , and other insignia of the ancient Craft Degree , and of the various offices which they individually represent . The interior of the hall , which for the time being did duty as a Masonic temple , presented a very brilliant appearance , and the decorations were beautiful and appropriate to the

occasion . The centre of the hall was devoted to what is known as the Prov . Grand Lodge proper , furnished with its dais , altar , and requisite pedestals , on which the various articles of symbolic furniture and working tools were properly arranged . The demonstration was organised for the purpose of installing Bro . the Earl of Shaftesbury into the important office of Prov . Grand Master of the Province of Antrim—a position rendered vacant by the resignation of Bro . the Marquis of Hertford .

Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Shaftesbury is a P . M . of Lodge 25 , and of Lodges 7 and 10 , Belfast . He is deservedly popular with the local members of the Craft , who feel it a distinguished honour to be presided over by a scion of a house whose history is so intimately connected with the North of Ireland , and whose grandfather occupied for nearly 27 years the position in which his grandson was installed on the 29 th ult .

In the unavoidable absence of his Grace the Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master , the installation ceremony was performed by Bro . Sir James Creed Meredith , LL . D ., D . G . M ., who was accompanied by tbe following Grand Officers : Bros . R . Keating Clay , G . Treas ., and W . J . Chetwode Crawley , LL . D ., Grand Secretary Lodge of Instruction ( who acted as G . Wardens

in the absence of Bros . Viscount Templeton and Sir John Banks , K . C . B . ); Rev . B . Gibson , M . A ., and Right Rev . the Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore , G . Chaplains j W . G . Battersbv , J . P ., and W . Spence , G . S . of W ., as G . Deacons ; J . M . Lowry , G . D . C . ; W . M'Gee , J . P ., G . Stwd . ; T . R . G . Joze , Mus . Doc , G . Org . ; and H . E . Flavelle , Dep . G . Secretary .

The following representatives of foreign Grand Lodges were present : Bros . Frank H . Wayland , North Dakota ; Wm . M . Batterby , Indian Territory ; Sir H . Cochrane , D . L ., Georgia ; John M'Connell , J . P ., Alabama ; R . L . Tressillian , Frankfurt ; W . Hamilton , Missouri ; and F . C . Crossle , M . D ., British Columbia .

Shortly before one o ' clock a procession was formed by Bro . Hy . J . Hill , Prov . G . D . C , in the following order : Bros . John Harper , Prov . G . I . G . ; Thomas Given , Prov . G . O . ; Thomas J . Stannage , Prov . G . S . B . ; John Tuke , Prov . G . Steward j Samuel J . Pink , Prov . G . S . of VV . ; Thomas W . Leitch , Prov . J . G . D . ; R . M Cormick , Prov . S . G . D . ; Wm . Rankin , Prov . G . Sec . ( Representative of the Grand Lodge of Portugal ); John Kirkwood , Prov . G . Treas . ; Joseph R . Erskine , Prov . J . G . W . ; James H . Stirling , Prov . S . G . W . ; and Robert J . Hilton , J . P ., Deputy Prov . G . M .

The gathering also included several Prov . Grand Officers from neighbouring provinces , including Bros . Sir T . M . Stewart , P . G . M . of Tyrone and Fermanagh ; Thomas MacLoughlin , M . D ., Deputy P . G . M , Londonderry and Donegal , as well as a very representative attendance of prominent local members of the Craft .

The Prov . Grand Lodge having been opened according to ancient custom , The PROV . DEI-. GRAND MASTER announced that the Prov . Grand Master designate was in attendance , stating his titles and credentials . The DEI 1 . GRAND MASTER then directed the Prov . Dep . Grand Master , his Wardens , Deacons , and other officers to form procession and to conduct the Prov . Grand Master designate to the throne .

The procession accordingly left the lodge room , and returned with the Prov . Grand Master designate , and conducted him to the throne . The Prov . Dep . Grand Master having announced him as before , the Dep . Grand Master installed the Prov . Grand Master . After the Prov . Grand Master had taken his seat on the throne and been saluted , the Prov . Dep . Grand Master divested himself of his collar of office , and delivered it to the Prov . Grand Master . The Prov . Grand Sword Bearer , preceded

by the Stewards , deposited his sword before the Prov . Grand Mister . The Prov . Grand Master paused the Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies to proclaim the name of the brother whom he had selected as Dep . Grand Master of the Province , who was Bro . R . J . Hilton . The Prov . Grand Sword Bearer and Prov . Grand Deacons then presented the Prov . Dep . Grand Master designate for installation and investiture , which ceremony was performed by the Prov . Grand Master . Durine the ceremonv the DeD . Grand Master announrprl that he had

received a letter from his Grace the Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master of Ireland , regretting that pressure of business in London prevented him from attending the installation of the Earl of Shaftesbury . After the installation the Earl of SIIAFTESIUIRV said he would like very briefly to thank the brethren of the province who had come there that day to support him at his installation . He should also like to thank Bro . Sir

James Creed Meredith , Deputy Grand Master of Ireland , and the other Grand Lodge Oliicers , for their kindness in coming to instal him on that occasion . He could assure them that so long as he was spared to preside as Provincial Grand Master over the Province of Antrim , he wo uld endeavour to the best of his ability to discharge his duties , so th . it the Craft would be supported in every way .