Reviews.

Reviews .

GEORGE KENNING AND SON ' CATALOGUE OF MASONIC J EWELS , CLOTHING , AND FURNITURE , together with the Charges in the Three Degrees and the Entered Apprentice ' s Song . 1 , 2 , 3 . 4 . Little Britain , E . C , and 195 , 196 , 197 , Aldersgateslreet , E . C , Branches at Liverpool , Manchester , and Glasgow . The firm of Kenning and Son is well known not only in the United Kingdom and its Colonies , but also in the United States and other countries , for the excellence , both in quality and design , of its Masonic iewels and clothing , as well as for its furniture and other appointments of

Jcdge and chapter ; and the handy little pocket catalogue , which has just been issued as a sixth edition , contains all the necessary information as to prices , together with very many ariistic illustrations of the jewels that are most in request among the brethren . Messrs . Kenning and Son ' s business is not restricted to Masonic jewelry and appointments . Thej manufacture the decorations worn by members of all the other societies that exist at home and abroad , such as the Foresters , Odd Fellows , Druids , Buffaloes ,

& c , & c . Moreover , they enjoy a well-merited reputation as naval and military accoutrement-makers , for their theatrical decorations and accessories , for their presentation chains of office , swords of honour , and the like . We , therefore , commend their handy catalogue to the attention of our readers , containing , as it does , all the information about military and civil decorations , & c , as well as about Masonic jewels they can possibly stand in need of .

New Masonic Hall For Devonshire.

NEW MASONIC HALL FOR DEVONSHIRE .

CORNER STONE LAYfNG AT OKEHAMPTON . On Monday , the 27 th ult ., an interesting and unique event in connection with Freemasonry in general , and of the Okehampton Lodge—Obedience , No . 1753—in particular , took place in the ancient borough . It was not only the day for the annual installation gathering , when Bro . Wm . Pollard was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , but as a compliment also to the W . M ., Bro . Rev . Thos . Ward Brown whose year of office expired on that day , it had been arranged that

prior to the installation the corner-stone of the new building should be well and truly laid , " in the absence of the Prov . G . M ., who is discharging his official duties in India as Governor-General of Bombay , by Lord Northcote ' s Deputy , the acting Prov . G . M ., Bro . Major G . C . Davie , P . G . D . Eng . The building will , of course , be completed during Bro . Pollard ' s year of office , and if Lord Northcote is in Eng land during the ensuing year , his lordship as P . G . M . has expressed the pleasure it would give him to consecrate the new Masonic Hall .

Obedience Lodge was founded 22 years ago , and has continued to hold its monthly meetings at the White Hart Hotel ever since on the last Monday in the month . The dedication banquet was held at the hotel on Monday , 26 th August , 1878 , the founders including Bros . Brodie , Pidsley , R . T . Relf , G . W . Gould , J . I . BallA . Paddonand Dr . Waters . The late vicar of Okehampton ( Bro . Rev .

, , C W . Holley ) became the Master in 1879 , and the succeeding W . Ms , have been Bros . G . W . Gould , J . J . Ball , W . Burd , W . Yeo , T . M . Symons , J . R . Sampson , C . J . Futcher , J . Newcombe , S . Sloman , J . Reeldaway , J . Wonnacott , J . C . Pierce , W . H . Rowe , C . Piper , W . P . Moon , J . W . Reed , F . Edwards , G . J . Gibson , Rev . L . Ward Brown , and W . Pollard .

Bro . W . A . Gregory , P . M . 1254 , P . P . G . Treas ., was not one of the founders of the lodge , but soon after its dedication he began to render it most valuable services attending nearly every meeting until a year or so since , and assisting in the various ceremonies . That his valuable help has been appreciated has been shown on more than one occasion by the members .

The ceremony on the 27 th ult . marks the result of many long years of zeal , patient effort , and fixed determination on the part of the members of the lodge . As long ago as 1885 offers were made to purchase the piece of land known as Nathan ' s Plot , Station-road , Okehampton , for the purpose of erecting a hall for Masonic purposes , but it was not until 1896 that these efforts commenced to bear fruitIn that year plans were prepared by Mr . J . Archibald Lucas , F . S . L , of

. Exeter , for the new hall , and a small Committee , consisting of Bros . C . Piper , Edwards , and J . A . Lucas opened negotiations with the Trustees of the Okehampton United Charities , who are owners of the land , for the purpose of procuring Nathan's Plot . The consent of the Charity Commissioners was speedily obtained . The freehold value of the land was mutually fixed at £ S 8 . No further difficultv was anticipated , and the fact of its disposal at this sum by private

treaty was duly notified by advertisement in the usual manner on behalf of the Commissioners . But at this point objection after objection reached the landowners . First of all some one communicated direct with the Charity Commissioner objecting to any disposal at alt . Then the Town Council laid down a street widening line absolutely absorbing the whole of the site , and all this after the comp letion of the negotiations . On Midsummer , 1897 , matters were at a

standstill , but in July of that year Mr . J . A . Lucas was appointed surveyor and architect to the Charity Trust in question , and on his advice this plot of land was offered with the consent of the Commissioners at auction for a 99 years ' lease at a fixed ground rent of £ 2 per annum . The Freemasons became the purchasers at ihis auction at the sum of , £ 165 in addition to the ground rent , and althoug h admitted on all hands to be somewhat a fancy price the brethren of

Lodge Obedience felt that having set their minds 011 this special spot of land ( which is prettily situated and suitable for their purpose and unique as far as Okehampton is concerned ) it was far better tc then purchase it than let it slip for ever . ' 1 ne land having been finally secured , the plans for the building were completed , and the Town Council ' s widening line alone remained to be dealt with but in March , 18 9 8 , Mr . J . A . Lucas , who was also then Borough Surveyor ,

advised that the widening line laid down by the Council in 1 S 97 should be amended , and acting on his advire it was done so as to permit of the present site being utilised for building the hall . The plans were immediately approved by all parlies , including the ground owners—the Charity Trustees , who have throughout acted in a courteous manner towards the brethren . Tenders were invited , and that 01 Mr . John Sleeman , of Kempley-road , Okehampton , was accepted . The

building is ot local stone , with large slated roof , and the whole of thc exterior is plastered in cement . The cost altogether is about ^ 650 to £ 700 . The style of architecture is renaissance . The ejuoins are blocked out , and the orders of architcctureare to be introduced in ihe entrance portico . The internal accommodation comprises a well-proportioned lodge room , with open timbered work roof , and of wnich the ornamentation is perfect . There are also robing and retiring rooms

New Masonic Hall For Devonshire.

and ample lavatory accommodation . The lodge room is top lighted and especial care has been taken by the architect with the heating , ventilation , and lighting , which will be as nearly perfect as possible . The building has been contracted to be completed by May , 1901 . Mr . J . Archibald Lucas , F . S . L , of Guildhall Chambers , Exeter , is the architect . At the ceremony on the above day Bro . G . C . Davie , P . G . D . Eng ., acting Prov . G . Master of Devonshire , was presented with a walnut mallet by the builder , and a silver trowel with ivory handle by the architect , both with suitable inscriptions .

The foundation stone , which is of Belstone granite , and supplied by Messrs . W . Brock and Reddaway , of that parish , bears the following inscription : " Lodge Obedience , 1753 . This corner stone was iaid by Bro . G . C . Davie , Provincial Grand Deacon of England ; Acting Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire , on Installation Day , 27 th August , 1900 . "— "W . Bro . Rev . Thos . Ward-Brown , W . M , ; Bro . W . Pollard , S . W ., W . M . Elect ; Bro . A . Amand . J . W . ; W . Bro . Chas . J . Futcher , P . M ., Treasurer ; W . Bro . Charles Piper , P . M ., P . P . D . G . D . C ; W . Bro . F . Edwards , Sec . ; and Bro . Alfred Bray ( Trustees ) . J . Archibald Lucas , F . S . L , architect ; John Sleeman , builder . "

Among the brethren present were : Bros , the Rev . Richard Peek , 39 , P . G . Chap . Eng .: F . B . Westlake , P . D . G . D . C . Eng ., P . S . G . W . ; Rev . F . Wilberforce Saulez , J . W . 1753 , P . P . G . Chap . ; Rev . R . W . J . Smart , P . M . 489 , P . P . G . Chap . ; Rev . C . Gordon Browne , P . M . 39 , P . G . Chap . ; J . Stocker , P . G . Sec . ; J . B . Glover , P . M . 70 . P . P . G . Sec ; Rev . T . Russell , P . M . 251 and 489 , P . P . G . W . ; P . G . Chap . Oxon ; J . R . Lord , P . P . G . Treas . and P . G . D . C . ; Chas . Piper , P . M . 1753 . P . P . D . G . D . C ; J . C . Pierce , P . M . 1753 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . L . Cocks , P . M . Sun , P . G . D . ; J . Olver , P . M . 1138 , P . P . G . S . B . ; C . Radmore , P . M . 159

, P . P . G . S . B . ; G . Hearder , P . M . 1138 , P . G . Org . ; J . C . Palmer , 372 , P . P . S . G . W . ; S . Cole , P . M . 184 and 1224 , P . P . G . P . ; W . Willoughby , W . M . 1247 , P . P . G . Org . ; Major Joseph Matthews , P . M . 282 , P . P . G . S . Works ; J . Radford , P . M . 66 ^ , P . P . J . G . D . Dorset ; J . Hopton , P . M . 223 , P . P . G . S . B . ; F . Edwards , P . M ., Sec . ' 7531 W . Allsford , P . M . 202 , P . P . G . Treas . ; S . Edwards , P . M . 1753 , P . P . G . Reg . Som . ; H . Skinner , P . M . 282 ; H . E . Russell , P . M . 1973 ; M . Squire , P . M . 251 ; W . Drew , P . M . 209 ; Rev . T . Ward-Brown , W . M . 1753 ; G . J . Gibson ,

I . P . M . 1 753 ; C . J . Futcher , P . M ., Treas . 1753 ; J . C . Hoskin , P . M . 1332 ; J . Wellington , P . M . 1332 ; W . H . Rowe , P . M . 1332 ; J . Banks , P . M . 1332 ; W . J . Hockin , W . M . 1735 ; G . Bennett , P . M . 372 ; E . E . Jackson , W . M . 332 ; A . Hope , P . M . 39 ; W . J . Joint , P . M . 251 ; R . Hooker , W . M . 39 ; T . H . Cranch , W . M . 282 ; F . E . Sach , P . M . 18 9 ; W . Pollard , S . W . 1753 ; A . Amand , J . W . 1753 ; Rev . J . Downie , Chap . 1753 ; T . H . Chamings , Asst . Sec . 1753 ; G . Glanfield , J . D . 1953 ; J . A . Jones , D . C . 1753 ; E . J . Thorburn , Stwd . 1753 ; J . Essery , J . Archibald Lucas , G . N . Roberts , John Rowland , W . H . Hunt , G . Routley , C . Webb , C . R . Smith , A . Hodge , W . Kivell ,

T . Kivell , W . Sanders Bray , W . Partridge , C . Arscott , A . R . Bray , J . Bird German , all of 1 753 ; P . Hannaford , P . M . ; J . Morris , Chap . 282 ; J . Hall , S . D . 282 ; T . J . Edwards , 847 ; Sergt .-Major Hudson , 106 ; Sergt .-Instructor Gubb , 1413 ; J . Marks , S . D . 372 ; G . E . Adams , 1332 ; G . Smale , 106 ; H . W . Michelmore , J . W . 39 ; A . Wright , 489 ; G . Heale , 230 ; J . A . Dennis , 282 ; C . H . Stevenson , 1264 ; A . M . Laurence , P . M . 39 ; J . Snell , 282 ; W . H . Barkell , 156 ; C . F . Green , 282 ; J . Robinson , 1247 ; H . S . Ley , 1847 ; J . Coombe , Tyler 1753 ; W . Wollacott , Tyler 1332 ; and H . Shooter , 112 , Prov . Grand Tyler .

At 2 . 15 the lodge was opened in the church room kindly placed at the disposal of the lodge by the Vicar of Okehampton ( the Rev . F . Wilberforce Saulcz ) . A quarter of an hour later , the acting Provincial Grand Master and his officers were received in due form , and a procession was formed and went to the Town Hall . There the Mayor ( Mr . R . F . Brealy ) , and the following members and officials of public bodies were in waiting : The ex-Mayor ( Mr . T . F . Wood ) , Aldermen T . Jessop and S . Harry , Councillors T . C . Westcott , J . Sleeman , and

J . B . German , the Town Clerk iMr . G . Fulford ) , the Borough Surveyor ( Mr . F . Worden ) , Messrs . S . Newcombe , J . P ., J . Heywood , W . Bird German " , J . Palmer , T . Kennard , J . Grendon , and J . Glass . The combined procession , headed by the Borough mace-bearers , then went to the St . James ' s Chapel where service was conducted by the Vicar . The lessons were read by the Rev . T . Ward Brown , the

sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . C . Gordon Browne , Prov . G . Chaplain , who took for his text the first and second verses of the 120 th Psalm . The hymn sung during the service was that commencing , " O Lord , how joyful 'tis to see , " and at the close of the service the Old Hunrlreth . The organist was Bro . G , Hearder , Prov . CI . Org . At the close of the service , the procession reformed and proceeded to the site of the new Freemasons' Hall .

On arriving at the site , the brethren formed around the foundation stone . Prayer was said by the Prov . U . Chaplain , a hymn sung , and then the architect ( Bro . J , A . Lucas ) , presented a silver trowel to the acting Prov . Grand Master , and requested him to lay the stone , while the builder handed him a walnut mallet .

The ACTING PROV . GRAND MASTER gave a short address , in the course of which he said it was one of the greatest advantages when a lodge was in a position to build for itself a habitation . It showed confidence on the part of thc brethren in their own stability . He could hardly call to mind one lodge in Devonshire as not being within a hall of its own , and he congratulated the Obedience Lodge on the course taken . He hoped the lodge would be long spared to use the hall , and that it would be the centre of good work in the district and enable them to afford examples of not only how Masons but English gentlemen should be able to live .

Bro . C . J . Futcher , P . M . and Treas . 1753 , presented to the acting Provincial Grand Master a bottle containing records , coins , & c , to be p laced in a cavity under the stone . Cement was then laid on the upper face of the lower stone , the acting Prov . Grand Master adjusting the same with trowel ; the corner stone was lowered and the acting Prov . Grand Master proceeded to prove the just position and form of the stone by the plumb rule , level and square , successively delivered to him by the Prov . J . G . W . ( Bro . the Rev . T . Russell ) , the Prov . S . G . W . ( Bro .

F . B . Westlake ) and the W . M . of 1753 ( Bro . the Rev . T . Ward Brown ) . Thc acting P . G . M . gave the stone three knocks with the setting implement delivered to him by the I . P . M . ( Bro . G . J . Gibson ) . The cornucopia with corn and ewers with wine and oil were next handed to the acting P . G . M . by Bros . J . C . Pierce , P . P . A . G . D . C , C Piper , P . P . D . G . D . C , and F . Edwards , P . M . The acting Prov . G . M . strewed the corn and poured the wine and oil on the stone with the

accustomed Masonic ceremonies . Another prayer was said by the Prov . G . Chap lain ; the architect presented plans to the acting P . G . M ., who delivered the same back to the architect with the working tools used in the ceremony . The Benediction was pronounced by Bro . the Rev . F . W . Saulez , Past Prov . Grand Chaplain . The procession reformed in inverted order , the Mayor and those accompanying him returned to the Town Hall , where they were cordially thanked by the

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AMONG THE LEADING BRANDS OP &vkJCHAMPAGNE :MllBlankenhorn's"SPORTSMAN"TRY * v < _ iy 81 ' ENJOYS A REPUTATION OP A QTJARTER-OF-A-CENTTJRY . ' j ^ gf * r ^ -Ll Lo ,, don Of / Jces-18 , CULLUM STREET LONDON , E . C .