Reviews.

Reviews .

"T HE INDIAN MASONIC REVIEW "—printed by Addison and Co ., Mount-road , Madras . The most important among the contents of the August number is the further instilment of " Masonic Knight Templary , " in wh'ch is given the " Information for o « of Auchlos-. in against the possessions of the Temple-lands ; " a sermon preached at Holy Trinitv Church . Bellary , on St . John the Baptist's Day last , by Bro . the Rev . ^ , G- Barry , District G . Chaplain , and an article on " Lodge Returns . " The " Chips , " or ' " Notes , " are well written and there is a full supply of lodge and chapter reports , prominent among the latter being that of the District Grand Chapter of Burm \ , at Rangoon , on the 13 th Jun ? last .

"T HREE EVENINGS WITH THE UNITED WARDS' CLUB OF THE CITY OF L ONDON . " By C . J . Cuthbertson , CC , President , 1 S 95 . London : Printed for Private Circulation . —The contents of this very interesting pamphlet relate to the " Fire Brigade , " " the Guildhall , " and the " Westminster Tobacco Bax . " As regards the first , Bro . Cuthbertson acknowledges his indebtedness for many particulars to a little woik just issued by the Sunday School Union , and entitled "Stories of the Fire Brigade . " But though deriving much of his information from this source , Bro .

Cuthbertson has , nevertheless , succeeded in compiling a very interesting paper , which he read before the members of the United Wards' Club on the ist May last . The paper on the Guildhall comprises an account of a visit paid by the members to the Guildhall , Bro . Cuthbertson acting as cicerone-in-chief , and elucidating the history of the venerable building by the paper which he read on the occasion , and which is here reproduced . The third is also a paper , compiled by our worthy friend , on the famous

Westminster Tobacco Box , which has been in the possesion of the parish for about 1 S 0 years , and which through the courtesy of the Orerseers of St . Margaret and St . John ' s , Westminster , the United Wards' Club wis permitted to inspect in April last , and of which Bro . Cuthbertson has compiled a very readable sketch . The pamphlet containing these three papers is well printed , has several illustrations , and is a most creditable little compilation , which the members of the Club must be delighted to have in their

possession . "B ACON-SHAKESPEARE P AMPHLETS . " Birmingham : Walter Husband , 29 , Sheepcote-street , Birmingham , 1 S 95 . —This is the third of a series of Pamphlets bearing this title , and contains " Notes on the Origin and Construction of the Pamphlets . " As the title of the Pamphlets implies , they constitute an attempt to demonstrate a theory which has again and again been stated to the effect that if Bacon was not actually the author of Shakespeare ' s PUys , the two were associated together in their production .

The notes in this Pamphlet are an attempt to demonstrate . " That both use the same expressions in hundreds of instances , teach the same lessons , reproduce and paraphrase the same authors , make the same errors , even in quoting an author , is readily acknowledged ; yet when one or a dozen men upon different standpoints express their deep conviction that one is but the cover for the other ; that the reforming poet-philosopher sought in a cramped and intolerant age to teach men under the mask of fools , clowns ,

and jesters , gracious lessons of mercy and charity , the simple enunciation of which theory is enough to place it out of court as fantastic and absurd . " Notwithstanding this , the attempt has been again made in these Pamphlets , but whether the reader will consider it has been made with greater success than in previous instances we must leave it to him , after a careful study of the points enunciated in the pages of this No . III ., to decide .

" GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF ENGLAND AND WALES , " SIC , & c . Offices , Mark Masons' Hall , Great Oueen-street , London , W . C—This useful annual , which is published by Bro . George kenning , 16 , Great Oueen-street , London , W . C , contains , as usual , the reports of the proceedings at the Special and Stated Communications of the Mark Grand Lodge held between the ist July , iSg 4 , and the 30 th June , 1 S 95 , together with a statement of accounts , rolls of Grand and Provincial or

District Grand Masters and of representatives , as well as of the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner lodges . The particulars relating to these have been most carefully compiled from official sources , under the personal supervision of Bro . C . F . Matier , the Grand Secretary , and constitute a summary of what has happened during the past year , and of all needful information as to the organisation of the Degree . The work is most valuable , and should be in the possession of all Mark lodges .

"THE CANADIAN CRAFTSMAN "—Published by the Canadian Craftsman Publishing Company of Toronto ( Limited ) , ? S , Bay , Toronto . The July number has some well written "Editorial Notes ; " an article entitled , "Are we Bond or Free . ' " in which Bro . Ross Robertson ' s proposal to protect foreign work from being exemplified in lodges in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada except under very stringent

conditions is condemned ; an interesting account of the " Formation of the First Lodge in Manitoba , " together with a report of the proceedings at the recent annual communication of the Grand Lodge of that Province , and last but not least , a sketch of "Kaiser William I . as a Freemason . " Add to this that there is the usual budget of news , correspondence , and miscellaneous matters , and it will be seen at a glance that the number is exceptionally good .

"THE MASONIC GUIDE . " Birmingham , Alabama . The most important article in the June number is that with which it opens , and in which " Three amendments to the Constitutions " are very carefully considered . These amendments are ( 1 ) Ineligibility of the Grand Master for two successive terms ; ( 2 ) the reduction of the fees for Initiating , Passing , and Raising ; and ( 3 ) the proposed increase of Grand Lodge dues from 50 cents , to one doliar per annum , the additional 50 cents , being set apart towards the founding of a Masonic Home . Our contemporary is in favour of the first-named

opposed to the second , and in favour of the third , but with the proviso that the attempt ] be not made on a scale above Durabilities . " There is also an article by " G . S . M . " on 1 he Bible , " and a number of other contributions , to one of which in particular we have considered it our duty to refer at some length editorially—namsly , the oration utliveredby Bro . Josiah H . Drummond , Past Grand Master , at the 75 th annual convocation of

the Grand Lodge of Maine . We look upon this oration of Bro . Drummond as a most meritorious address , in the course of which he calls attention to some matters j ' great importance , and coming from a brother of such influence and experience as "ro . Drummond , we doubt not the oration was listened to with pleasure by those to whom it was addressed , and will be read with equal pleasure and profit by those who will find it in the printed Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Maine or in this magazine .

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

I he Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was held on Tuesday evening , at Mark Masons ' ' ¦ ill . Great Queen-street . Hro . the Karl of Kuston , Pro G . M ., P ^ -sided . Hros . the . Rev . j . S . Brownrigg , M . A ., P . G . Chan .

, r "v . G . M . of Bucks , acted as Deputy G . M . ; the Karl of Porlarlmgton , S . G . W . ; Frank Richardson , G . Reg ., as J . G . W . P . \ Valhs , G . Treas . ; the Revs . II . F . Oliver , M . A ., and W . Crec ,

, , ' " < ipianis ; K . Loveland Loveland , President ol the General ( . "' ' l ; C . F . Mati . T , G . Sir . ; Dr . James Hal four Cockburn , , ' )( - ; W . K . Chapman , G . Sid . I Jr . ; Major C . W . Carrell , ] , ' <' . D . C . ; Richard Clowes , P . G . O . ; C . F . ' Hogard , P . G . Std . r - ; S . K . Haskett , P . P . S . G . W . Dorset ; William Vincent ,

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

P . A . G . D . C ; Eugene Monteuuis , P . A . G . D . C ; Richard Eve , P . G . O . ; Charles Belton , P . G . O . ; Gordon Miller , P . G . Treas . ; Frederick Bevan , P . G . O . ; James Speller , and others were also present . Grand Lodge having been opened in ample form , Bro . C F . MATIER , G . Sec , read the minutes of thc Quarterly Communication of June 4 th last , and these , on being put to the meeting , were unanimously confirmed .

The following report of the General Board was laid before the brethren , being taken as read—each brother having a copyand it was then ordered to be received and entered on the minutes , on the motion of Bro . LoVELAND LOVELAND , seconded b y Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON .

REPORT OF THE GENERAL BOARD . During the three months ending 30 th June , 1895 , there have been issued Mark certificates , 283 ; total number registered , 34 , 472 . Warrant for one new lodge , 486 , Star of Bethlehem , Bethlehem , Orange Free State , to be attached to the District of Natal . Royal Ark Mariner certificates , 78 ; total number registered , 4501 .

Warrant for one Ark Mariner Lodge—Abbey Lodge to be attached to the Abbey Lodge , No . 225 . H . R . H . the Grand Master has been pleased to re-appoint for a further term of three years R . W . Bro . Col . A . B . Cook as Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex . H . R . H . the Grand Master has been pleased to appoint R . W . Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Onslow , P . G . W ., Provincial Grand Master for Surrey .

The Board have to report that the following warrants have been returned Giconomy , No . 52 , and Finnemore , No . 358 ; Royal Ark Mariner : Finnemore , attached to No . 358 .

FUND OF BENEVOLENCE . The 27 th Annual Festival was held at the Freemasons' Tavern on the loth July , under the presidency of the R . W . Bro . the Lord Skelmersdale , Past Grand Warden , and Provincial Senior Grand Warden of Lancashire . The sum of ^ 2110 was announced as having been paid and promised—a result on which the Board have great pleasure in congratulating the Board of Stewards .

The R . W . Bro . Charles Letch Mason , Provincial Grand Master for West Yorkshire , has most kindly consented to take the chair at the 28 th Annual Festival , which will be held in July , 1896 , and the Grand Secretary will be happy to receive the names of brethren willing to act as Stewards . The Board recommend to Grand Lodge a grant of £ 25 to the widow of a brother of the Henniker Lodge , No . 315 . ( Signed ) R . LOVELAND LOVELAND , President . FRANK RICHARDSON , Vice-President . C . F . MATIER , G . Secretary .

Bro . LOVELAND LOVELAND then moved the confirmation of the grant of £ 25 to the widow of a brother of Henniker Lodge , No . 315 . The brother had subscribed 10 J years to Mark Masonry , but unfortunately he left his widow unprovided for when he died .

Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON seconded the motion , which was then put and carried . On the motion of Bro . LOVELAND LOVELAND , seconded by Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , the report of the General Board vvas then adopted .

Bro . C . K MATIER , G . Sec , announced that Chanty jewels and bars were in his office , and would bc presented to any brother entitled to receive them , on making application after the present meeting . Bro . the Earl of EUSTON , before closing Grand Lodge , said Brethren , —Considering that this is the off-time of thc year , and

that not many persons are in town , I take this opportunity of saying that although there are not a great number of brethren here , I am only too pleased to meet those who are here , for it shows that they take an interest in the Degree . I may also say that we are going on prosperously , which must be very gratifying to all of you . Our receipts last year were exceedingly good in

comparison with what they were the year before . 1 trust that we shall go on and prosper , and that the brethren will give that support to the Mark Degree in the future that they have given to it in the past . You know that 1 personally take a very great interest in the Degree , and that everything that occurs which is

in its favour gives me extreme pleasure . Its best interests are always my first concern , and I experience great delight when 1 see that other brethren evince as much interest in it as you have shown to-night . ( Cheers ) . Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form .

Lodge Returns.

LODGE RETURNS .

Few brethren who have not in their turn been decorated wilh the cross pens know what labour is involved , and what a burden of trouble is laid upon the devoted head of brother Secretary in the preparation of returns . That which is seen of the Secretary ' s labours is quite heavy enough . Preparation of and copying out minutes , the keeping and squaring of

some 50 lodge , dinner , and Charity accounts , the correspondence with members , in addition to the mulliludinous and multifarious duties laid upon him by the W . M . seem to constitute work enough for one man . St ill all this is seen and commended and brother Secretary gits his due meed of / eOSo ? 'f all g ° right . But it is all child's play compared with that which is not seen , and which is only grumblingly acknowledged if it goes all right ,