Reviews.

way . The iS chapters have all fitting and suggestive headings , one of the latest having the title Our Lord Protector , and devoted to Freamasonry . The pages relating to the King as a Craftsman are ably written and unusually correct for such a work , fuller also as to detail than could reasonably be expected in a popular volume , and quite appreciative of the Society over which , as Prince of Wales , his Majesty presided so genially for many years . In it we are told that " The ruling spirit of Freemasons' Hall is the Grand Secretary , Mr .

Edward Letchworth , who strongly resembles the bust of the Duke of Kent on the staircase , " and that there is " a fine Library of some 7000 volumes , and a museum of objects of historical and antiquarian interest" in connection with Freemasons ' Hall . Also that "For the past 160 years the Royal Family of England has honoured Freemasonry by identifying itself with the Craft . ... All the sons of her late Majesty Queen Victoria have occupied a very high position in

the Order , with the single exception of the Duke of Edinburgh . " Wc are also glad to read , what is the truth , but well put , "There is not , in the whole of his Majesty ' s dominions a more loyal or devoted body than the Freemasons of England . " We hope we have said enough to induce many brethren to subscribe for this tasty and opportune volume , which may be ordered from any bookseller for a few shillings .

' The Insurance Register . ( London : Charles and Edwin Layton , 56 , Farring don-street ) . —This Insurance Annual is in its 33 rd year of publication , and is a marvellous compilation , costing only one shilling . It is not only a record of the yearly progress and the present financial position of British Insurance Associations , but contains . a mass of valuable information on insurance subjects generally , which makes the publication one of the best of its kind . In the summations we find that the British Life Offices which reported in igoo had a

revenue account of fully 32 millions , and that tha total assets for the same year amounted to over £ 306 , 000 , 000 . The three American offices doing business in this country are still more prosperous in funds , their total assets being more than half as much as all the British offices put together ( viz . £ 169 , 000 , 000 ) , so that there is evidently plenty of room for the expansion of our own societies . The volume is as useful in its way for amateurs as experts , and is a boon for all who desire reliable information as to insurance organisations of all kinds .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 . The regular meeting of this lodge was held on the Oth instant at Cannon-street llotfl . Present : Bros . A . Fergusson , W . M . ; A . J . Rippin , S . W . ; R . F . Roche , i \ V , ; T . Cohu , P . M ., Treas . ; Jas . Smith , P . M ., Sec ; W . J . Lockett , S . D . ; \ V 1 . Fishleigh , J . D . ; T . Stokes , I . P . M . ; William Baker , P . M ., U . C . ; J . Collins , IG . ; Chatterton , P . M . S 79 , Org . ; F . II . Farr and W . Lloyd , Stwds . ; Robeson , P . M . ; Mower , P . M . ; arid Hughes , P . M . ; Thomson , J . W . Fishleigh , Ellis , Press , Allerton , Purbrook , Dearsley , Robinson , Uilmann , T . E . Fergusson , Mein , Durrant , Bamford , Grimes , Adorns , Prevost , Brough , Bassett , R . W . Jones , Hipwell , Cashman , Hamlett , Preston , and Crawshaw . The visitors were -. Bros . J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . 13 ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; Jones , J . D . 754 ; Jackson , l . G . 1421 ; Poupard , S 7 ; and Lectc 2411 * The minutes of the last regular meeting , as well as the report of ths Au lit

Committee , having been read and confirmed , Bros . Ellis , Press , Dearsley , and Kibinson were duly passed to the Degree of F . C . The ballot wis then taken for Mr . I . M . Preston , and , proving unanimous , he was duly initiated into Freemasonry . Bio . Thomson then very kindly offered to present the lodge with a Chaiity box in inemxy of his late grandfither Beo . Piter Thomson , a Past Master of this l > irn , and a willknown Mason . Messrs . F . E . Stevenson and A . G . Back were proposed for initiatbn at the next meeting .

West Ham Abbey Lodge , No . 2291-MASONIC DINNER AND PRESENTATION . 'I he brethren of the above lodee entertained at dinner their Chaplain , Bro . the Right Rev . the Bishop of Barking , D . D ., P . G . C . of England , on the ioth instant , at the Langthorne Rooms , Stratford , and made him a presentalian on his appointment as Bishop . The dinner was presided over by the W . M ., Bro . W . G . Stone , who had the Bishop sitting at his right hand . Those present included Bros . J . B > ulton , P . M ., Treas . ; F .

C . D . Fenn , P . M ., Sec ; A . Govier , P . M . ; G . W . Kidd , P . M . ; U . Fields , P . M . ; A . Reed , P . M . ; I . Byford , jun ., P . M . ; W . G . Notnnn , P . M . ; C . Mansliild , P . M . ; G . Bush , P . M . ; G . liay , J . P . ; II . Barrow , S . W . ; T . Threlford , J . W . ; W . Maggs , J . J . Richardson , A . Single , E . J . K . Savage , Turner , Spencer , Mjwbray , Retallack , Moloney , Batsford , Phillips , Stollery , J . N . Woodward , Robin , Graves , Watts , Cundy , J . V . Rockley , A . Bothwell , McDowall , Dxksey , and others .

The W . M . proposed the health of their guest . He said thit they all kie . v so-ne months ago their Chaplain was appointed to high honour in the Church , and amongst the many hearty congratulations be had received none were more sincere or given with greater pleasure than those from his brothers in Masonry . Oib : hilf of the m ; mbers of the lodge he had the pleasing duty of presenting ; the Bishop wr . h a smill to ' ren of their esteem . He expressed the hope their Chiplain might be spired a lon . j time to till thc high position to which he had been called . ( Applause . )

Craft Masonry.

The gift was a very handsome album , containing portraits of the members of the lodge . Stamped on the morocco cover was an inscription stating what it was , and the Hy leaf inside bore the following address , beautifully engraved : " The brethren of the West Ham Abbey Lodge , No . 2291 , gladly avail themselves of this opportunity to convey to their Chaplain , Bro . the Right Rev . Thos . Stevens , D . D ., Bishop of Barking ,

Past Grand Chaplain , their hearty congratulations upon the well-deserved honour and dignity which has been bestowed upon him , and give assurance that they rejoice gteatty thereat . The success and happiness in life of one who holds so fast a tenure in their esteem and appreciation will long be a matter of pride and pleasure to them . June ioth , 1901 . "

Bro . Fenn , P . M ., Sec , having read the address , said they all knew the Bishop so well that they were sure he would not regard the gift for its intrinsic value , but for the true spirit in which it was given . When it was known that a public testimonial was to be given to the Bishop he was asked to join the Comm ittee organising it . A desire was expressed that the testimonial should be a fitting one , and one worthy the Bishop's acceptance , and when the speaker told the members of the Iodge of this , they all most willingly consented to their subscriptions being given to the public testimonial . It

would be very gratifying to the Bishop to know that in no single instance was a subscription asked for or a letter written ; ail were given voluntarily . Apart from their subscriptions to the public testimonial fund , the members of the lodge thought they would like to give something to him personally , and this album was the result . After humorously describing his experiences in compiling the album , the speaker maintained that the memory of Thomas Stevens would live when all other memories had died . 1 n presenting the Bishop with that album , they thought it would be a gift he would value

as a means to remember them by , and that when the time came—as in the course of nature it must come—for him to obey a higher call , it would enable those whom he would leave behind to say " these portraits were those who loved our dear one , who honoured him as a divine and as a man , and who respected him as a Mason . " He had not said one half what the brethren felt , and he expressed the hope that they would see the Bishop as often as his duties would permit . Every brother would rejoice to hear of the continued well-being of their Chaplain . ( Loud ap plause ) .

Bro . J . Boulton , P . M ., said their Chaplain had won the goodwill and the esteem of everyone . He hoped he would live long to carry on the good work he had so well and ably carried on in the past . The Bishop , who on rising to respond was loudly cheered , said he could not tell them how greatly he valued their gift . He valued it as not merely the giving of a subscription—anyone could do that—but for the trouble and interest they had taken in compiling it . He thanked them for the good feelings which had prompted them to

make him the present of that book , which he felt sure could not have been arranged without a deal of work and thought . He regarded it not only for its value , but as a work of art . He thought it a most a rtistic work and a wonderful collection of photographs . He would value it for the donors' sake , as wel ! as for its artistic value , and his association with them in so many pleasant gatherings in lodge . He h"ped to keep up his connection with the Abbey Lodge , which he considered was conducted in the true spirit of Freemasonry and of brotherly love—to be happy themselves and to

endeavour to make others happy . Speaking of the gratification it was to know that after 12 years' woik amongst them it had been highly appreciated by everyone , he said he thought the secret of it was that he had always endeavoured to do his duty . When he saw an oppo rtunity of doing anything he simply did it . The great aim in life shou d be to help others , and the greatest happiness to be found was in trying to make others happy . He hoped they would be spared many years to meet together to carry on the good work which had been so well done in the past for the good of others . ( Applause . ) During the evening several of the brethren contributed songs .

The Secretary , Bro . F . C . D . Fenn , P . M ., is to be congratulated upon the complete and happy arrangements he made .

Wear Valley Lodge , No . 1121 . On the 14 th instant the meeting of thc above lodge was visited by the ollieers of Provincial Grand Lodge , at the Masonic Hall , Bishop Auckland . The W . M ., Bro . T . W . Craig , presided , and was supported by the following Past Masters and officers . Bros . R . Walker , I . P . M . ; W . Wilkinson , S . W . ; S . Dickinson , J . W . ; Rev . J . G . Ryles , P . G . Chap . ; Thos . Youngs Tack , P . A . G . D . C ; W . 11 . Underwood , Sec . ; E . W . Sant , S . D . ; C . Johnston , J . D . ; G . E . Waldron , D . of C . ; J . W . Fletcher , Org . ; W . H . WilsonI . G . ; Jos . BowmanTyler ; Thos . BanksP . P . A . G . D . C ;

, , , T . H . Thompson , P . M . ; John Lidster , P . P . A . G . D . C ; Jos . R . Dixon , P . M . ; and Alex . Guthrie , P . M . The provincial officers from other towns were : Bros . R . Hudson , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., P . G . S . ; G . W . Hudson , P . G . Supt . of Wks . N . and E . Yorkshire ; V . J . Anderson , P . G . L . ; T . Harrison , P . S . G . D . ; J . C . Moor , P . P . G . W . ; G . Emerson , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Thos . Wood , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; C . T . J ohhson , P . G . D . of C . ; and J . M . Chisholm , P . P . G . S . The meeting was very numerously attended , and much interest was shown in thc proceedings .

CHRIST'S HOSPITAL . —In the House of Commons on Friday last the Bill to enable St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital to purchase part of the site ot Christ's Hospital was read a second time . MASONIC CHARITY . —The sum of £ 157 103 . which was raised as the result of the recent Masonic Charity banquet has been forwarded by the Hon . Treasurer of th ; fund to thc Secretaiy of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and the total ha ; been divided among Southampton brethren who will be Stewards at the forthcoming Boys ' School Festival , at which the R . W . Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . Master ol

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , is to take the chair . In addition to the Stewards ' lists , which it is hoped will aggregate at least £ 2000 from the whole province , a Pe > - petual Presentalion to the School is to be purchased at a cost of £ 1500 . This will be called the " Beach Presentation , " in compliment to the Prov . G . Master , but the nomination will be vested in the Provincial Grand Lodge Charities Committee . A special meeting of Prov . G . Lodge has been convened for the 22 nd instant ( ta-dav ) at E » stleigh , when a proposition will be made to vote 500 guineas to the Prov . G , Master's list , in addition to the amount necessary to complete the Presentation Purchase Fund .

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