Reviews.

Reviews .

LONDON . Ry WALTER BESANT , author of "AH Sorts and Cond'tions of Men , " " Fifty Years Ago , " & c . London : Chatto and Windus , Piccadilly , 1 S 92 . iSs . " London , " bv Walter Besant , is a vcry short title , but it is both comprehensive and suggestive , and a perusal ol this handsomely got-up volume is both satisfying and most instructive . Bro . Besant , P . M . 1159 , also founder and Treasurer of the famous Ouatuor Coronati Lodge , No .

2076 , London , one of the greatest living novelists , has proved in his nesv svork on " London , " just issued by his svell knosvn publishers , Messrs . Chatto and Windus , that lie can svrite history as gracefully and interestinglyas fiction , and has done for the "Great City , " notsvithstanding the volumes upon volumes that have appeared on the subject of late years , a service hitherto much needed but never performed . Si me sumptuous books have appeared in our osvn day

relative to London and Londoners , but they do not bring the I ity , in all its activities and pursuits during past centuries vividly before us , so as to enable us to realise svhat it vvas , side by side , with what it is . All the pictures seem to be afar off , and the sketches feel cold and lifeless , artistic beyond question , but not made homelike and realistic through masterly descripti'ms and scrupulously accurate particulars of old times graphically depicted and illustrated . Bro .

Besant ' s aim has been to exhibit London and its people from age to age , beginning with the period svhen " the Roman legions finally svithdresv and the Britons svere left thoroughly asvakened to the fact that if they could not fight they must perish , " through Saxon and Norman rulers , Plantagenet and Tudor , Stuart and Hanover , dosvn to the end of last century , giving interesting details covering many hundreds of years , respecting our forefathers , " their daily

life in the streets , in the shops , in the churches , and in the houses ; the merchant on the quays and on'Change , the shopkeeper of Cheapside , the priests , and the monks , and the friars , the laughter a . id singing of those svho feast and drink , the ringing of the bells , the river svith its boats and barges , the cheerful sound of pipe and tabor , the stage svith its tumblers and its rope dancers , the ' prentices svith their clubs , and the evening dance in the streets , "

& c , and it is but the barest justice to state the distinguished author has succeeded . Such " instantaneous photographs , hosvever , shosving the streets , the buildings , and the citizens at svork and at play" have never before been attempted , or , at all events , not in a readable , connected , and attractive form . The scores of illustrations and the text are mutually helpful , and enable the reader all the more vividly to see svith the aid of Bro . Besant ' s trained

eyes the sights he sees , the sounds he hears , and the varied experiences he enjoys . He found a rich mine in Riley ' s " Extracts from the City Records" during the 14 th and 15 th centuries , and as regards the Tudor period , " one might as svell be svriting of the city life of this day , so copious vvere the materials" asvaiting his skilful treatment . As respects later times , Bro . Besant has been fortunate enough to come across some valuable tracts , vvhich throw

a Hood of light on the lifc of the City some 250 bgo . We especially like the chapter devoted to the customs svhich characterised the times of George the Second , but , as all the volume is so svell and faithfully svritten , it is not easy or desirable to make any particular selection , and for the same reason vse shall have to leave the excellent illustrations with simply a warm word of commendation . VVe have no hesitation in describing ' •London , " by Walter Besant , as

the best work of the kind extant , deserving of a very large circulation ( vvhich doubtless it will have ) , and one of the books of the season . Fora Christmas presentand Christmas reading it svill indeed be svelcome , and all svill agree , who secure such a prize for themselves , that Mr . Besant has never written a better or more useful volume . ln a svord , Walter Besant ' s " London " has done for the Metropolis svhat Charles Dickens did for Christmas-tide , and , like the " Christmas Carol , " it has come to stay .

Another of Bro . V . P . Freeman ' s excellent reports of the Province of Sussex has just been issued from the press , and svill prove most welcome to the members of that svell organised body . Tsvo meetings are duly detailed , viz , the "Special " of the 5 th February , and the " Annual" of the 27 th October , the latter having been presided over by the M . W . Bro . H . R . H . the Duk ** of LonnaughtandStrathearn , P . G . M ., Prov . G . M . Bro . Treeman , as Prov . G . Sec , furnishes a

great deal of instructive matter , statistical , financial , and get eral in his reports , from svhich sve note that there are 27 lodges svith 1313 members . Though there svere 77 initiations during the year , the net increase is but tsvo . The average per lodge , hosvever , is nearly 50 members . The receipts for the year svere nearly / . ' , and the available balance is nosv over £ 160 . Over £ 260 svere contributed to the central Masonic Charities , and the funds are in a most healthy state .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Cratt flDaeonrv .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Faith Lodge ( No . 141 ) . —This lodge held a meeting at Andeiton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 29 th ult . Amongst those in attendance svere Bros . J . Cockratn Tavlor , W . M . ; Trott , S . W . ; White , J . W . ; W . Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; R . T . Godfrey , S . D . ; Gluckstein , I . G . ; Welch , I . P . M . ; G . Rumball , P . M . ; Capt . Walls , P . M . ; W . 1 . Hakim ,

P . M . ; C . G . Wetzlar , P . M . ; and Langdale , P . M . Amongst the numerous visitors svere Bros . Goflin , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; Body , 72 ; Martin , and H . Wallack . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . K . Chappell svas passed to the Second Degree . 1 lie ballot svas then taken on behalf of Mr . [ as .

Reichenberg , and it being unanimous he svas duly initiated . Bro . A . Whittaker Fawkes , 23 S 1 , svas unanimously balloted for as a joining member . It svas the W . M . ' s first meeting since his installation , and he is to be congratulated upon the manner in svhich he performed the ceremonies of passng and initiation , and carried out the general buiincss ol

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

the lodge . Before the lodge svas closed a notice of motion svas given to increase the annual subscription of the members . Refreshment follosved labour . The W . M . gave the toasts pertinently but briefly . The I . P . M . proposed " The Health of the W . M . " He said that at the last meeting he could not refer to Bro . Taylor's svorking , because the Master had only just bi-en installed , and , therefore , had had no opportunity of shosving

his skill . They had all seen , hosvever , hosv svell the VV . M . had performed tsvo of the Craft ceremonies that evening , and he ( the I . P . M . ) believed that Bro . Taylor svould carry out the raising in the Third Degree equally as svell . This toast having been warmly drunk , the W . M . brielly responded . "The Initiate" follosved . Bro . Reichenberg having replied , the toast of " The

Visitors" came next in order . Bro . Goffin made a most eloquent and exhaustive response as to the svorking and hospitality of the lodge . In the course of his svell-delivered and carefully-svorded speech , he gave the initiate in abstract the principles of the ancient and beautiful charge to the Entered Apprentice , but clothed in his osvn imagery .

Bro . Walls acknosvledged " The Health of the Past Masters ; " Bros . W . Carter , P . M ., and W . Stuart , P . M ., the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary ; " and "The Health of the Officers " svas coupled svith the respected names of Bros . Trolt , White , Godfrey , and Gluckstein . During the proceedings Bros . Sharpley , Langdale , Fasvkes , and others added greatly to the enjoyment of the brethren by their vocalisation .

Lion and Lamb Lodge ( No . 192 ) . —A meeting of the above lodge svas held on I hursday , the 1 st inst ., at the Cannon-street Hotel . Present : Bros . Isaac M . Mower , W . M . ; Fred . Hughes . S . W . ; T . W . Fisher , acting J . W . ; Henry Legge , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Cohu , P . M ., acting Sec . j Robert Sarson , J . D . ; G . R . Hunter ,

I . G .. ; C . Couchman , lyler : G . r . J . Goodes . I . P . M . ; George Kenning , P . M . ; R . J . Dart , Russell Hocknell , and Holmes . Bro Ramm svas a visitor . The minutes of the last meeting svere read and confirmed , and Bro . Holmes svis parsed to the Second Degree . The brethren aftersvards dined together under the gavel of the W . M .

Sphinx Lodge ( No . 1329 ) . —The installation meeting of this highly distinguished South London Lodge svas held at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell Nesv-road , on baiurday , the 19 th ult ., svhen there svere present Bros . Jas . Neave Turney , VV . M . ; Chas . Wilson , P . M ., S . W . ; J . A . Thornhill , J . W . ; Rob . Elgar , Sec . ; C . D . Gross , S . D . ; W . G . Bradley , | . D . ; G . Allen , I . G . ; R . Pitt , Org . ; C Gooding and B . T . Whitehead ,

Stsvds . ; G . Harrison , Tyler ; D . D . Mercer , P . M ., P . G . T . ; R . J . Voisey , P . M . ; J . Hernaman , P . M . ; G . W . Marsden jun ., P . M . ; Percival A . Nairne , P . M ., G . D .: B . R . Bryant , P . M . ; H . P . Grellett , P . M . ; B . Lyon , P . M . ; G . S . Mansell , P . M . ; Dr . E . Webb , P . M . ; W . L . Snell , A . J . Morris , J . W . Selby , H . A . Phillips , R . F . Macdonald , V . M . Mallinson , W . H . Webb , W . Y . Andresvs , W . Barton , E . C . ( ones , VV . E . Allard , VV .

Andrews , W . D . Edwards , C . D . Moore , N . P . Mallinson , F . H . Villanueva , J . C . Reynolds , G . H . Young , E . Hora , K . Burtt , T . Bain , C T . Cockle , W . G . Vaughan , T . Arnold , W . Savage , C E . Head , C . Wheeler , J . J arvis , A . B . Dexter , A . E . Moore , Dr . T . A . Dagg , H . Chabot , and William Allard . The visitors vvere Bros . R . S . Taylor , J . W . 1929 ; T . H . Salmon , 1475 ; T . J . Pope , P . M . 1305 j T . Gay , J . D . 1901 ; A . Rogers ,

21 S 2 ; W . A . Colyer , P . M . 19 ,-j ; J . Loader , P . M . 1 O 22 ; W . J . Cannon , P . M . 1539 ; W . Woolf , J . D . 76 O ; L . C . Shipton , P . M . 1922 ; T . E . Webb , P . M . 503 ; W . R . Russell , P . M . 72 ; G . H . Renton , W . M . 1 S 2 ; J . Addington , P . M . 217 ; E . J . Field , 1362 ; R . J . Vincent , J . W . 1641 ; W . Simmonds , 1922 ; F . Bland , 16 72 j A . Harvey , W . M . 1963 ; J . Nowakowski , 534 ; VV . J . Lee , S . W . 1777 ; H . Ansell , W . M . 1305 ; F . Hilton , P . M . 1622 ; T .

Nettleship , I . G . 1641 ; W . H . Muiley , P . M . 25 O ; A . Andresvs , 534 ; C . H . Stone , S . VV . 507 ; T . Gallosvay , 159 S ; V . T . Murche , P . M . 1963 ; G . Gill , P . M . 1 963 ; I . T . Penney , P . M . 1679 ; J . M . Cottrell , P . M . 15 ; T . Luscombe , W . M . 1818 ; J . Tomkins , P . M . 166 9 ; A . C . Bradley , P . M . 1216 ; | . F . Haden , W . M . elect 766 ; E . Gauntlett , P . M . iyoi ; E . VV . Ellis , I . P . M . 1314 ; Goddard Clarke , 1622 ; W . G . Boswell , S . D . 2417 ; J . Watson

Treas . 1641 ; D . Rose , P . M . 73 ; T . Grummant , P . M . and Sec . 1559 ; VV . G . Sayer , P . M . 1475 ; C . Furger , S . D . 1969 ; VV . Cock , P . M . 1597 ; F . Matthews , P . M . 1766 ; C S . Payne , P . M . 16 99 ; and A . G . Morris . The minutes of the previous meeting svere read and confirmed . Bros . D . Hora and E . Bunt svere passed in a highly complimentary manner . 'The report of the Audit Committee svas received and adopted , svhich shosved a

substantial balance in the hands of thc Treasurer . Bro . C Wilson , S . VV ., W . M . elect , svas presented by Bro . D . D . Mercer . P . G . P ., to the VV . M . to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , svhich svas performed in an exemplary manner in a Board of 32 Installed Masters . The newl yinstalled VV . M . then invested his ollicers in a most commendable and highly effective manner as follosvs : Bros . J . A . Thornhill , S . W . ; C . A . Gross , J . W .: Robt . Elgar

Sec ; J . G . Reynolds , lreas . ; VV . G . Bradley , S . D . ; G . D . Allen , J . D . ; P . A . Nairne , G . D ., U . of C ; H . Chabot , I . G . ; B . T . Whitehead , A . D . C ; C Gooding and H . A . Phillips , Stesvards ; R . Pitt , Org . ; and G . Harrison , Tyler . Ihe addresses svere ably rendered by Bro . J . N . I urney , I . P . M . In complimentary terms the W . M . next presenlcd the I . P . M . svith a jesvel and collar in recognition of faithful and efficient services rendered to the

lodge during the past year . A ballot svas next taken for Mr . Wm . Allard , svhich proving unanimous , he was aftersvards initiated . In the name of the Treasurer , the proposition Ior 10 guineas to be voted to the svidow of a late brother svas unanimously carried , and a petition to the Board of Benevolence svas signed on her behalf . Expressions ot sympathy svere expressed to Bro . Reynolds , Treas ., in his long illness , and Bro . Elgar , Sec , svas

advised to inform him of the good svishes ot the brethren . The business of the lodge ended , thc brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet provided b y Mrs . Venables , the proprietress , in her usual superb style , After svhich the W . M . gave the loyal and Masonic toasts in a truly Masonic spirit . Ihe toast of " The Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , Pro Grand Master ; the Right Hon . the Earl of

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Mount Edgcumbe , Dep . Grand Master ; and the rest of the Grand Officers Present and Past" follosved , the W . M remarking that these excellent officers ably controlled and directed the svork in Masonry . He svas happy to state that tsvo Grand Officers svere present that evening svho svere both members of the Sphinx Lodge . He felt that in recognising the eminent services of Bros . Nairne , G . D

and D . D . Mercer , P . G . P ., Grand Lodge had conferred a great honour on the Sphinx Lodge , and for svhich the brethren highly appreciated that recognition . In reply , Bro . P . Nairne , G . D ., said he rose to discharge thi « honourable duty and thank the brethren for so cordially drinking to the health of the ruling officers . He as a subordinate member , svas delighted that the honour of

Grand Lodge had been conferred upon him , svhich redounded to the credit nf the lodge , the reputation of svhich svas being svidely acknrsv'edged . He most cordially thanked the brethren for u-A kind allusions to himself by the W . M . Bro . D . D . Mercer replied , and said it gave him the greatest possible pleasure to reply for the Past Grand Officers , for no better body of men and Masons ever existed

as svas evidenced by the position of the Craft that day . The present Grand Officers svere carrying on the duties in the same excellent manner . He most heartily thanked the brethren for coupling his name svith the toast . Bro . J . Turney , I . P . M ., then said he had been entrusted to present the next toast—that of "The W . M . " He heartil y congratulated the lodge on having such a Master . They

all knesv his capabilities , Masonic zeal , and reputation , and the government of the lodge could not be in better hands . He svished the W . M . good health and a prosperous year of office . The toast svas drunk most cordially . In reply Bro . Wilson , VV . M ., heartily thanked thc I . P . M . for speaking so kindly and in such flattering terms

of him , and also for his kind svishes . He svould say some five years ago he felt great trepidation svhen first installed into the chair of K . S ., and he must say only about five hours ago svhen installed into the chair of this his mother lodge he had the same feeling come over him as then , but svhen one feels and knosvs he has the love and esteem of the brethren he takes comfort and all feelings of self assertion

fall asvay . He svould say let him not boast svho puts the armour on , but rather he svho puts it off . The brethren svould not find him perfect , but he svould promise to do his very utmost for the svelfare of the Sphinx Lodge . He highly appreciated their kind expressions and most heartily thanked them . The Worshipful Master next gave the toast of "The

Installing Master , Bro . J . N . Turney , remarking that his svorking had not been surpassed in the lodge . He had carried out the duties for the past year in the most exemplary manner , svith great exactness , propriety , and decorum . He had great pleasure in presenting the toast and hoped that the Past Master ' s jesvel svith svhich he had been unanimously voted by the brethren he might continue

to svear for many years and look upon it as a token of their love and esteem . He svished him long life and health . Bro . Turney , in reply , said he svas quite at a loss for adequate svords to respond for such kind expressions that had fallen from the VV . M . He might say that svhen hc was elected to the chair to look forsvard seemed almost oversvhelming , but to look back svas a great pleasure . He

had had such excellent support from all the officers svhich had spurred him onsvards , and had enabled him to discharge his duties so satisfactorily . It had been to him a great honour to fill the position of W . M . of the Sphinx Lodge . The toast of " The Initiate " received at the hands of the W . M . a cordial greeting , svho remarked he had come svell recommended , and impressed upon him the Masonic virtues

svhich , if he cultivated them , svould enable him to walk most successfully through life . Bro . Allard very suitably replied . The Worshipful Master next gave the toast of " Tlie Visitors , " svho remarked there svere 48 present , and thc brethren of the lodge gave them a most hearty welcome . This svas very suitably responded to by Bros . Taylor ,

Field , Harvey , Ansell , and Renton . The toast of "The Past Masters" vvas given and received with great heartiness , and replied to most suitably by Bro . Dr . Webb . The Worshipful Master next gave the toast of "The Ofiicers , " most highly eulogising that of the Secretary , Bro . Elgar , and the Treasurer , Bro . Reynolds , complimenting the rest on their efficient svorking .

In response , Bro Elgar , Secretary , most heartily thanked the brethren for such a cordial reception . He deeply regretted the absence of the Treasurer , and trusted he might speedily recover . He svould endeavour to carry out his duties to the best of his ability . Bro . I . W . Thornhill , S W ., suitably replied .

The Tyler ' s toast closed a most eventful meeeting . A splended programme of music was provided by Bro . R . J . Pitt , Org ., the artistes being Miss Edith Winn , Madame Lena Seymour ( both ladies being loudly encored ) , Messrs . Percy Richards , Robert Grice , J . H . Pitt , violin , and Bro . Gooding . Bro . R . J . Pitt , ably presided at the

piano . Farringdon Without Lodge ( No . 1745 ) -: This very prosperous civic lodge met for the dispatch of business at the Viaduct Hotel , Holborn , on the 2 Sth ult ., svhen there svere present , among others , Bros . Capt . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W , VV . M . ; N . P . Lardner , S . VV . ; HerbertI . W . ; H . I . LardnerP . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ,

, , Treas . ; W . H . Jackson , P . M ., Sec ; C . Bachhofiner , S . D . ; J . M . Murphy , D . C ; E . Brosvn , A . D . C . ; Ne' * - , ** Prosver , M . A ., I . P . M . ; James , Strugnell , P . M . i J * Young , P . M . ; T . Simpson , P . M . ; Ii . Schultz , P . M- » and Dr . Hinton , M . A ., Asst . Org . Amongst the visitors svere Bros . W . 'Thomas , VV . M . ; F . W . Driver , MA ., P . M . ; H . H . Shirley , M . A ., P . M . ; T . O . Harding ,

M . A . ; Rev . P . Ashby , M . A . ; Erskine , Purvis , ami others . The minutes of the previous meeting svere read and coi - firmed . 'The ballot svas then taken for Messrs . G . ' "•• Croke Stoddart , A . Wellesley Smitn , and H . G . Hunt , ami it being unanimous , the lirst two named gentlemen ive ' duly initiated . It svas proposed by the W . M ., and secondcu

by Bro . J . Young , P . M ., and unanimously carried— ' the sum of five guineas be voted to the R . M . B . I ., oer Bro . II . J . Lardner , P . M ., Stesvard , 1 S 93 . " The lodge having a fesv sveeks since , per the Treasurer , presented Bro . J . Strugnell , P . M ., with a handsome souvenir on the occas 1 of his silver wedding , the W . M . formally announced theiia tothemembers . The recipient , in reply to theMaster sou * . **