Reviews.

Reviews .

"FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND , 1 S 99 . "—This neatly-printed and ably-edited annual is in its 27 th year of publication , and is as interesting and useful as ever . The editor is Bro . B . A . Smith , M . A ., LL . M ., who does his work most thoroughly , and only needs to add the total membership of the province to render the little brochure complete . The

strength of this compact province is now three sevens ( 777 ) , or an average of fully 55 members per lodge . The voting strength of the province is in advance of previous years and now stands at 2701 , which is a very excellent total , and the Mark Benevolent votes are now 348 . The portrait for iSgg is that of Bro . the Rev . William Langley , M . A ., one of the respected veterans of the local Craft . The particulars as to each lodge , and all other Masonic bodies are very fully given and well arranged .

" FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF SOMERSET" { "Chronicle" Office , Bath ) . —The annual for 1 S 99 is again edited by Bro . C . L . Fry Edwards , and the Frontis p iece for this year is a portrait of Bro . B . H . Watts , who , as the Editor states in his Preface , "holds high office in all Masonic Degrees , " and certainly is so well known as to render any biography unnecessary . This Directory is always strong in statistics , and thus is all the more useful for reference .

The 26 Lodges have returned a total of 1254 members to December 31 st last , or an average of some 48 per Lodge ; the Charity votes held in the Province being 4320 , which proves how ready the brethren are to respond to the claims made upon them for assisting the needy and destitute . There are nine Mark Ledges and n Royal Arch Chapters in Somerset , about which all needful information is supplied by the Editor . In fact , the Directory gives all particulars that can possibly be looked for or expected in su ch a handy little volume , and is capitally arranged for reference .

" OFFICIAL DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL , iSgg . " —Bro . J . C . R . Crewes is now the Editor of this valuable Calendar for the county of Cornwall , in succession to Bro . W . J . Hughan ( of Torquay ) , who originated and edited it for many years . It is one of the pioneers of the complete Masonic Directory series , and was never so full of details concerning the Province as now . It is in its 28 th year of publication , and is sold at 7 d . each , post free , from the Editor , Truro . There are still tie 30 lodges , the returns for December , 1808 , being an average of CO to each

lodge , which is unusually high , and the largest yet tabulated . The " In Memoriam " page contains the names of several lamented Cornish worthies , especially that of the beloved Bro . E . D . Anderton , so long Prov . Grand Secretary . Fortunately for the Province , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Prov . G . M ., has selected an excellent successor to that able brother in Bro . Bernard F . Edyvean , of Bodmin . The voting strength of the Province has much improved of late years , thanks to the well-directed labours of

Bro . G . B . Pearce , the zealous Secretary of the Cornwall Masonic Charity Association , and now numbers 3706 , and 261 for the Mark Benevolent Fund . There are four girls , two boys , and seven annuitants on the Central Masonic Charities , so that the Province is not doing badly for any outlay that has been made , and suggests that there must have been good management of the votes to secure such a result . The Directory is brimful ol information , and ably edited and arranged .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Suffolk.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SUFFOLK .

CONSECRATION OF ST . EDMUND'S CHAPTER , No . 19 S 3 . The annual meeting of the several Royal Arch Chapters in the Province of Suffolk was held on the 28 th ult . at the Town Hall , Halesworth . The occasion was the more important as the opportunity was taken of consecrating the above lodge . The following were present :

Comps . Charles J . Martyn , G . Supt . ; B . R . Bryant , P . P . G . J . ; N . Tracy , 376 , P . G . Scribe E . ; S . R . Anness , P . Z . 37 6 , P . P . G . H . ; G . P . Price , P . Z . 22 5 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Major H . W . H . Cary Elwes , P . Z . 71 , P . P . G . H . ; J . Holme Pilkington , H . 555 , P . P . G . Org . J . M . Franks , P . Z . 376 , P . G . D . ofC ; F . W . W . Gross , P . Z . 81 , P . G . J . ; R . J . Carthew , J . 81 ; H . J . Wright , M . E . Z . 225 , P . P . G . J . ; W . Armstrong , P . Z . 1008 , P . P . G . J . ; R . S . Joy , 1224 , P . A . G . D . of

C . ; G . Turner , M . E . Z . 37 6 , P . and A . G . S . ; A . E . Smith , M . E . Z . 37 6 , P . P . G . P . S . ; T . Stevenson , 376 ; R . Barker , 37 6 ; John M . Canova , 37 6 ; R . T . B . Colling , 494 ; E . M . U . Adnams , 37 6 ; Henry Rix , H . 71 ; B . S . Bradbeer , P . Z . 71 , P . P . G . S . N . ; E . W . Lynch , P . Z . 555 , P . G . R . ; A . H . Hunt , P . S . 71 j F . Bower , 71 ; G . Abbott , P . Z . 225 , P . P . G . P . S . ; T . E . Key , 376 ; S . G .

Carley , M . E . Z . SSS . P . G . H . ; E . Hills , H . 959 ; A . Cocks , M . E . Z . 959 ; CH White , 37 6 ; C . E . Whitmarsh , 959 ; G . F . Hawkins , 1224 ; H . C . Ranee , J 225 j I . Girling , 225 ; J . Thompson , 225 ; Geo . Gould , 959 , P . G . Janitor ; C Byford , 225 , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . B . Lewcock , 225 ; G . H . Garrett , 376 ; C . H Youngman . 1631 ; and F . C . Havers , P . Z . 804 , P . P . A . G . S .

After the Prov . G . Chapter had been formally opened , under the presidency of the G . Superintendent , the minutes of the previous Prov . G Chapter were read and confirmed . The roll of the officers and chapters was called , and the reports received showed a satisfactory increase of membership during the year .

After the report of the Board of General Purposes had been read and ordered to be entered on the minutes , the Prov . G . Chapter unanimously elected Comp . J . M . Canova , 19 S 3 , to be Treasurer for the province . Comps . H . J . Wright and A . A . Bennett were re-elected Auditors . The Grand Superintendent ( Comp . the Rev . C . J . Martyn ) then appointed and invested his officers as follows .-

Comp . A . E . Smith , 376 , P . P . P . G . S . ... ... Prov . G . H . „ B . S . Bradbeer , 71 , P . P . G . S . N . ... ... Prov . G . J . „ N . Tracy , 376 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ G . P . Price , 225 , P . P . G . S . B . ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ J . M . Canova , 37 6 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . , t C . H . Youngman , P . Z . 1631 ' ... ... Prov . G . Retr .

„ the Rev . J . H . Pilkington , P . Z . 555 ... Prov . G . P . S . „ R . J . Carthew , H . 81 ... ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . „ F . Spashett , M . E . Z . 71 ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . „ G . F . Hawkins , H . 1224 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ H . C . Ranee , J . 225 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . M . Franks , 376 ... ... ... } „ , „„ „ _

„ A . Cocks , Z . 959 ... ... ... j KM . u . ^ , a . „ A . Spalding , 376 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ Geo . Gould , 959 ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor Comp . John Thompson , 225 , superintended the musical arrangements of the service , and presided at the organ . After the closing of the Prov . G . Chapter , the ceremony of consecrating

the St . Edmund s Chapter , No . 1983 , was proceeded with , Comp . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Prin . Soj ., being the Consecrating Officer . After the ceremony of dedication and constitution of the chapter , Comp . h , K . Smith , P . Z . 376 , P . G . H ., was installed M . E . Z ., Comp . M . U . Adnams , H . ; and Comp . G . H . Garrett , J .

Comp . A . Ii . Smith then invested the officers of the St . Edmund ' s Chapter as follows : Comps . R . Barker Stanford , Treas . ; T . Stevenson ,

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Suffolk.

S . E . ; R . F . B . Coling , S . N . ; J . M . Canova , P . S . ; C . H . White , ist A . S . ; H . Jones , 2 nd A . S . ; and T . E . Key , Org . The following is a list of founders in addition to above : Comps . Rev . C . J . Martyn , Grand Supt . ; F . Havers , P . Z . ; B . R . Bryant , P . Z . ; H . C . Monteith , P . Z . ; and N . Tracy , P . Z ., P . G . S . E ., & c .

In the evening a banquet was held at the King ' s Arms Hotel , to which the Provincial Grand Officers and officers and companions of St . Edmund ' s Chapter sat down . After dinner the usual Masonic and other toasts suitable to the occasion were dul y honoured .

Masonic Service At St. Peter's Church, Walworth.

MASONIC SERVICE AT ST . PETER'S CHURCH , WALWORTH .

There was a large gathering of the Craft in South London on Sunday evening last . The crypt made an excellent robing room . The musical arrangements were excellent , Bro . R . Hilton ' s fine bass voice being especially admired . Evensong was finely rendered by Bro . the Rev . A . G . Lennox-Robertson , P . M ., P . Z ., P . D . G . C ., Curate of St . Peter ' s . The first lesson was read by Bro . Dr . G . Milsom , P . P . G . D . C . Bucks , and the second lesson by Bro . Henry Lovegrove , P . G . S . B . An excellent sermon was preached by the Venerable Archdeacon Stevens , P . G . Chap . Bro . P . Nairne , P . G . D ., with many Past Masters and Prov . G . Officers , attended .

Annual Supper Of The Star Chapter Of Instruction, No. 1275.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE STAR CHAPTER OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1275 .

This happy event took place at the Ship Restaurant , Charing-cross , S . W ., on Saturday , the 29 th ult ., under the able presidency of Comp . Thomas Grummant , P . Z ., M . E . Z . 1275 , & c , supported by Comps . Chas . Meierhoff , P . Z . ; Barr , P . Z . j White , H . ; Willcox , P . Z . ; Cureton , P . Z . ; Harper , P . Z . ; Dunn , P . Z . ; Loader , P . Z . ; Dawson , M . E . Z . ; Cass , H . ; Derham , P . Z . ; H . C . Turner , J . ; Patrick , P . Z . ; Frampton , Bruton , Wright , Lightfoot , P . Z . ; R . J . Voisey ,

V . L . ; Hayward , Ellis , P . Z . j Pacy , Sobel , and C . H . Stone , P . Z . After an excellent dinner provided by the manager , E . L . Vallerie , and personally superintended by him , for which he received thanks , the PRKSIDENT gave the loyal and R . A . toasts , and spoke in highly congratulatory terms , of her Majesty ' s auspicious reign and of his Royal Highness the G . Z ., on having completed his 25 th year as ruler in the Craft , which were received most royally .

Comp . R . J . VOISEY , P . Z ., Treas ., and one of the founders of the chapter 11 years ago , next proposed the toast of the evening , " The President , " with whom he had been associated in Freemasonry for nearly a quarter of a century . In the President was combined all that was good of the work in R . A . Masonry ; he was an authority which all recognised , his charity was unbounded , and he had the love and esteem of all with whom he came in contact . He had succeeded to thePreceptor

ship of the chapter of instruction at a very critical time , but had proved himself equal to the occasion , and had obtained a perfect grip of the situation . In a Preceptor should be summoned up a good man , capable of working any ceremonies , a good teacher , genial , and kind hearted towards all , and whatever other qualities were required were possessed by Comp . T . Grummant , in whom there was no guile . There was wanted no greater evidence of his capabilities than to note the prosperity of the Star Chapter of Instruction .

In reply , Comp . T . GRUMMANT thanked the proposer for such flattering remarks , and for its cordial reception by the companions . The honour of presiding at the annual supper was with the M . E . Z . of the mother chapter , and that by the kind suffrages of the companions had fallen to his lot the second tims after a lapse of 13 years . He certainly was much attached to Royal Arch Masonry , and was convinced that much good had been done in the chapter of

instruction . He paid a high tribute of respect to the late Comp . Bum-stead , who laboured so hard at Greenwich . The time came when a few companions ( who regularly attended at Greenwich under so excellent a Preceptor as he was ) thought a chapter of instruction should be founded in Cunberivell , which took place about 11 years ago , and from that time to the present it had proved a

perfect success ; it had an almost unbroken record ; there had only baen one or two blank meetings during the whole of that time . The amount of goad had been proved by the many excellent Principals who had attended it , and were present that evening . Their attendance was most inspiriting , and whatever service he had rendered he should continue to bestow so long as he possessed their kindly feelings , and had their hearty support .

The toasc of " Success to the Star Chapter of Instruction " was next presented by Comp . T . GRUMMANT in words of eulogium on the Scribe E ., who had worked most assiduously in bringing the chapter to its successful issue . There had been a chapter of instruction held in Camberwell some years ago under the late excellent Preceptor , Comp . Poore , but it eventually died out , and was in abeyance for some years . The matter was taken in hand by a few companions ,

however , to found the Star Chapter of Instruction , among whom was Comp . Voisey , the worthy Treasurer , who was so ^ conversant with the splendid ritual , and quite an authority from his large experience in Royal Aich Masonry , and , in fact , to whom to a very great extent the success of the chapter was due . The Stir Chapter of Instruction had nobly supported the Charities too , and he hoped it would long continue in the excellent work with such noble results . " Success to the Star Chapter of Instruction , " coupled with the name o Comp . C . H . Stone ,

P . Z ., S . E . In response , Comp . STONE said he was gratified to hear such very kind words from the worthy President , and he certainly was only too pleased to rendir his best service to what he considered second to none in London . Certainly the chapter had an excellent record , having been founded 11 years , had had weekly meetings except during three months' rucess in the summer , and its average for the past year for 34 convocations was in , which for a chapter of

instruction was , he thought , an excellent record . In benevolence it hid not been behind , for from its funds four LifeSubscriberships in the Masonic Charities had been voted , besides several guineas in other benevolent works . It was to him a labour of love to work with Comps . Grummant , Preceptor , and Voisey , Treas ., his sponsor in Freemasonry , and he could not but mention the yeoman service Comp . J . H . Cureton , P . Z ., had rendered the chapter of instruction ; and so long as he had their kind suffrages nothing would please him better than to continue in the same good work and carry out his duties to their entire satisfaction . The toast of " The Visitors" was duly honoured , and ably replied to by Comp . ELLIS , P . Z ,