Told By A Lodge Register.

may look to be recruited . Some , indeed , have already won a place in the lesser constellations of the fraternity , and others , no doubt , are already in the way of following in their footsteps . Tho list contains such well-known names as Feilden , Ffoulke * - ? , Kcnnard , . Martyn , Adair , Monckton , King-Harmau , Arnold , all

which are recognised easily as belonging to brethren who have already achieved distinction among the Alasons of the United Kingdom . In fine , the close of the list is in character with the beginning and the middle , and the initiates are drawn from precisely the same sources—the educated class of

Englandrecruited year by year from all , or almost all , of the different grades of society . There is probably no such lodge Register of its kind in other jurisdictions , anel only one like it in this—that of the Isaac Newton University Lodge of Cambridge , which is * younger than the Apollo by more

than -. 1-0 years , but which is modelled strictly on the same lines . The iulluence of these is great , aud while Apollo lives to direct the fortunes of Oxford Alasonry , and Isaac Newton to direct those of Cambridge , there is no reason to fear there will be anv fallinsr off in the tone and character of our English

Craft , My story as "Told by a Lodge Register" is ended . My friend , who narrated it to mc in thc first instance , and I have not seen each other for some time , but I look to meet him again ,

and then I shall do my best to coax him into relating more othis Alasonic experiences . In the meantime , and with every apology for the many shortcomings of my present effort to reproduce his story , I Avish my readers " * A ' Merry Christinas , " and a longseries of "Happy New Years !" G . B . A .

The Stranger Brother.

The Stranger Brother .

( Tune— "Farmer ' s Boy . " ) T . B . AVHVTI ' IIEAI ' . The sun had set , the night was wet , AVhcn lone , and sad , and poor ,

Depressed and lame , a Alason came Unto an open door ; The lights gleamed bright , and cheered his sight , For above thc entrance high He marked the well-known symbols tell Thc ancient Craft was nigh .

His knocks so true brought to his view The Tyler old and tried , AVho asked his name , Alasonic fame ,

And bade him step inside ; " AVhoever you be , we shall very soon see , If you are an ashlar fair , For the AVardens both , will be nothing loath , To test you upon the Square . "

The AIaster fair , said from his chair , " Your duty , AVardens , do . " Prompt to obey they haste away AVith plumb and level too .

The tools applied , the AVardens cried" This is a case of need , Distress so clear , before us here , May claim a Brother ' s meed . "

The Stranger Brother.

Thc friendly grip , the cheery lip , Soon bailee ! the stranger ' s face ; The festive board his strength restored , And gave him heart of -grace . .

Now that Craftsman ' s breast , as he seeks his rest , Oft breathes a prayer iinbade , And hails the happy day he came that way , To seek a Brother ' s aid .

Messrs. Welford And Sons (Limited).

MESSRS . WELFORD AND SONS ( LIMITED ) .

The inhabitants ot Uic Metropolis aro to bo congratulated on the milk supply thereto , doubtless brought to this stage of perfection by tlio influence and actions o £ such linns as Wclfoi-d and Sons ( Ilimited ); there wc find exceptional advantages offered and care taken for the delivery of milk -perfectly fresh and pure . Their Eome Tarnis , situated at Willesden , and within the Metropolitan area , enable

them to deliver the produce of the same to their numerous patrons three or four times daily , aud to invalids , infants , and persons of delicate digestion , and other cases where tho milk is required to bo taken quite fresh , it is obvious that a supply delivered directly after milking , as in this case , is not only unique , but most necessary . Messrs . Welford have taken numerous prizes , cups , and medals , for the quality of their products , and amongst others the Gold Medal of tlie International liealth Exhibition , for tho quality and purity of their farm produce .

Tho Butter-making , Cream Separating , and manufacture of their Silver Medal Cream Cheese , are carried on daily at their chief office . The whole of the farms , dairies , ccc , together with employes and their families , arc under the superintendence of their medical oflicers , and the sanitary arrangements throughout have been carefully devised and carried out by their sanitary engineer . The herds of goats stationed at the chief oflice and farms show the care taken to provide tho nursery with one of the best articles of diet for infants .

CHRISTMAS FARE . In . anticipation of tho merry season of Yule-tide , so rapidly approaching , tradesmen of all grades arc making their customary displays of " creature comforts , " many of them this year being far superior to any of their predecessors . Poultry and fish , of course , form a most important element in catering for Christmas-tide festivities ; aud the thousands of business men who daily traverse

Broad-street , entering and returning from tho City , will not fail to have noticed thc extensive and magnificent display mado by "liro . John Gow , ear the Liverpoolstreet Railway Terminus . It . is by no means an uncommon sight to witness here a recherche collection of poultry of al ! kinds , as well as fish , such as can scarcely be rivalled in thc market ; but some thing more than ordinary is expected during " thc festive season , and Bro . Gow has not fallen short of the public expectations . There is a profuse exhibition of toothsome turkeys and splendid geese ,

with every other species of game and poultry in season , the excellence of which is only rivalled by tho exceedingly moderate prices quoted . The same remark nppplics to the fish aud barrelled oysters ; ami wc cannot recommend our readers to do better , or study their owu interest more closely , than to visit any of Bro . Gow's establishments , from tlie headquarters near Broad-street ( outside the railway station ) to tho branches in Honey-lane Market , Choapsitlo ; 03 , Theobald ' sroad , Holborn ; and 125 , Brompton-road , S . W .

A FEW WORDS ABOUT MESSRS . G . BOTTERILL AND SONS AND TUE 1 SS 5 TOBACCO CROP . A curious circumstance connected with the good crop of Havana cigars since 1869 is that every fourth year after that date has been exceptionally good , viz . -. 1873 , 1877 , 1881 , and now 1885 . We consider it partially owing to the cycle of moist seasons , but more particularly to the exhaustion of tho soil , which takes , at least , threo years to recoeer itself after a crop of tobacco . Tho intermediate

crops aro fed by the phosphates used , the actual soil not having any virtue iu it . We therefore consider from past experience that connoisseurs may not expect another good crop until 1889 . Laranagas are the best fine light cigars this year . Morales , in fine sizes , aro exceptionally good , but of much richer quality . We havo hatl tho pleasure of testing several brands of Messrs . Botterill and Sons ' Havana cigars of this year ' s growth , and can with confidence recommend them to our numerous readers and all lovers of a really good cigar .

THE NEW PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM . For Christmas Presents and Now Year ' s Gifts are two very handsome photograph albums issued by Messrs . T . J . Smith , Son , and Downes . One!—tho album of " Blossom and Fruit "—has numerous brilliant chromo designs , vory cleverly executed . The other—the " Presentation Song Album " —is also charmingly illustrated . Both are in thc highest style of workmanship , padded in morocco or Russian , and with thc patent expanding clasp . Illustrations and prices will be found on another pago .

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