Reviews

BRO . R . C . DRIVER , GRAND JUNIOR DEACON .

THE FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF DURHAM . 1 SS 5-6 . We thank Bro . Hudson , Prov . Grand Sec . Durham , for the copy he has forwarded of his excellent compilation . It seems to us that it contains all the requisite information as to the lodges , Arch chapters , Mark lodges , and other Masonic bodies meeting within the county of Durham

which it is possible or desirable to turnish , and that this information is both well arranged , concise , and accurate . We learn also full particulars of the voting strength of the province , as well as of its local organisation for charitable purposes . It is , in fact , as complete an example of this kind of "Calendar and Directory" as we are acquainted

with , and must have entailed on its compiler a very considerable sacrifice of time and labour . However , Bro . Hudson has done his part so successfully , that we feel sure he will not regret the attention it has required of him . He has laboured hard , though , no doubt , cheerfully enough , to secure success , and we rejoice to say he has secured it .

OFFICIAL DIRECTORY FOR CORNWALL . Edited by Bro . W . J . HUGHAN . Bro . Hughan ' sfourteenth annual compilation has reached us , and maintains its high character , for utility , clearness , and compactness . To the Cornwall brethren it is invaluable as a yearly record of progress and activity , and to Freemasons in general it is one of those aids to a general

knowledge of English Masonic life and work which they who wish to be posted up in Provincial as well as Metropolitan matters cannot dispense with . We note that Mr . Freeman , in " Longman ' s , " in a recent article on the " Abuse of Language , " objects to this antithesis of Provincial and Metropolitan ; but we think his remarks are too fine drawn altogether for our readers . There were in the good Province of

Cornwall at the close of 18 S 4 1507 professedly subscribing members , though of these 37 had been lost by death , and 112 are said to be * 'in arrear , " leaving a net return of 1471 . Can Bro . Hughan explain why in 1 S 77 there were 1567 subscribing members , and only , at the outside , 1507 in 1 SS 4 ? Is there any special cause for such wantof progress in that distinguished province ? Therewereoi initiations in i 884 , and

21 joining members . We are pleased to note the annual balance-sheet of the province . The receipts in their total were £ 317 7 s . 6 d . ; £ 34 were granted to indigent Masons j £ 21 were given to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; the Provincial meeting cost £ 20 ; £ 0 16 s . Sd ., the result of a church collection , was divided between the clergyman and the Cornwall Masonic Annuity Fund ; small

expenses were a little over A 10 , and there is a balance of , £ ipS 13 s . Sd . A list of the subscribers to the Charities will be published later , as the number of votes has been considerably increased under Bro . Truscott ' s able supervision . Cornwall , though a small province , is doing very well indeed . We congratulate Bro . Hughan on his little "labour of love . " There are now 20 recipients of the very useful and thoughtful Cornwall annuities of £ 20 per annum .

FREEMASONRY FROM THE GREAT PYRAMID OF ANCIENT TIMES . By Bro . THOMAS HOLLAND , P . M . 1224 , & c . Privately printed . This work contains the substance of some Masonic lectures delivered by Bro . Holland before his lodge . They are another contribution to the pyramidal theory of Masonic symbolism and teaching . It is very remarkable what a

fascination the Pyramids of Egypt exercize over many minds tc-day . No doubt the great Pyramid may be considered in its reality and outcome one of the wonders of the world , and , abstractedly , we are not surprised that these vast and marvellous buildings , striking and mysterious witnesses of the flight of time and the lapse of ages , should to-day , — as in past epochs , — constitute a "Crux" for us all alike , difficult to

solve , and hard to explain . There have been many Pyramidal theories . The old one of all , that it was built by Cheops , ( whoever Cheops really was ) , and that it was a witness of fire worship , —hence its name in Greek , " Puramis , "—is , we believe , now given up . The Pyramids , especially the great one , have been held to be a mausoleum , a standard measure for corn , the scale of a survey for

astronomical and astrological , purposes , and for initiatory mysteries . Herodotus undoubtedly alludes to its mysteries of initiation , and we are not unfavourable to that view itself , as we think that the erection of the Pyramid hardly squares with any one of the other theories satisfactorily . Bro . Holland goes further than that numerous band of pyramidal students , which has of late years

given us so many interesting volumes on this recondite and difficult subject . He sees in the construction and measurement of the Pyramid , its numerical quantities and its unity and harmony of proportion , both an Hebraic and a Christian witness , partly contemporary and partly prophetical He leans to the idea of still undiscovered recesses and chambers , and of cryptic mysteries yet to be revealed . Egyptologists , we believe , are not adverse altogether from

Reviews

BRO . FREDERICK HASTINGS GOLDNEY , GRAND JUNIOR DEACON . We have much pleasure in presenting to our readers a further contribution to our series of Pen and Ink Sketches of the new Grand Officers , which we hope to continue in future impressions .

the idea that there may be yet undiscovered chambers , though what their use was is still a matter of grave doubt . One of our main difficulties is , that the Pyramids had been open in years bye-gone , so that we are not certain that we have them as left by the Egyptians , and it is probably that in many instances the real entrance is still undiscovered . On the clyth of a passage in Maccabees ,

Bro . Holland seems to think that the prophet Jeremiah , before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians , hid in some secret caves , probably he hints the hidden recesses of the Great Pyramid ( see p . 121 ) , the Ark of the Covenant , the Table of Stone , and the AI tar of Incense It has been held by many that they were still a lerusalem when it was taken by Titus , and carried to Rome

and thrown into the Tiber before its fall . But Bro . Holland also alludes to the Mounds of Tara , in Ireland , and thinks that either there or in the Great Pyramid these relics will be found . No one can deny , who peruses Bro . Holland ' s work , to which he must have given much time and thought , the great ability with which he handles these difficult points . The only fear we have on our minds , the only doubts we

entertain , rest upon the purely imaginative , if interesting , character of the theory . In the verse of the Maccabees , if we understand it aright , this hiding away took place in a cavern of Mount Pisgah , and Bro . Holland transfers it to the Great Pyramid , with some little violence to the Maccabean utterances . We see no objection to these theories ,

they all constitute bye-paths , as it were , to the Great Temple of Truth . And we can say this for Bro . Holland's work , it is clearly and cleverly written , its hypothesis is fresh , and its calculations ingenious ; and certainly it deserves careful perusal at the hands of those who still delight to linger amid the fascinating topics of Oriental mysticism , or the many and prevailing forces of Pyramidal symbolism .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft JftasottviJ . LEBANON LODGE ( No . 1326 ) . —After a vacation of seven months this well-established lodge held its first regular meeting of the summer season at the Railway Hotel , Feltham . Lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . J . J Marsh , P . G . Std . Br . Middx . There were present during the afternoon and evening , Bros . R . H . Thrupp , D . P . G . M Middx ., & c . j J . F . H . Woodward , P . G . Sec . Middx ., & c . j J . W . Baldwin , P . P . G . P . Middx ., P . M ., Chap . j W . H .

Lee , P . G . A . Sec , P . M ., Middx . ; F . Walters , P . P . G . D . Middx ., P . M ., Sec ; Fletcher Knight , S . W . ; W . R . Vassila , J . W . ; J . Lawrence , S . D . ; E . A . Smith . J . D . ; C . A . Baker , l . G . ; W . Walters , D . C . j W . Walters , W . S . ; J . C . Gosling , A . W . S . ; J . A . Wilson , Stwd . ; T . W . Adams , P . M . ; J . Gilbert , P . G . Tyler Middx ., Tyler ; T . G . Mitchell , S . Wheeler , W . Kite , | R . ] . Morley , C . A . Rambert , F . Dunstan , W . J . Babb , G . H .

Eaton , and very many others whose names we were unable to ascertain . Amongst a large number of visitors we noticed Bros . H . Baldwin , P . G . Std . Br . Middx ., W . M . 1945 , & c . j T . Poore , P . M . 720 ; A . Holmes , P . M . 548 ; J . G . Millbourn , S . D . 13 ; A . Leonard , S . D . 720 ; F . Purkiss , J . D . 720 ; II . Grout , 175 , St John ' s ( S . C . ) and others . The minutes of the meeting held on September 20 th ,

1884 , were read and confirmed . The W . M ., in his usual admirable manner , raised Bro . Charles Augustus Rambert to the Third Degree . The veteran Secretary informed the brethren that the exertions of the lodge had been successful in securing the election of Bro . William Prattent as an annuitant . Bro . W . Prattent had desired him to thank all concerned on his behalf for securing his election . His blindness prevented him from coming to the lodge . Bro . F . Walters , P . P . G . D . Middx ., P . M ., Secretary ,

moved , and it was unanimously resolved , 1 hat a vote of thanks be given , and to be entered on the lodge minute book , to Bros . Raymond H . Thrupp and J . F . II . Woodward for the very great help they had given in securing the election of liro . W . Prattent as anannuitant . "_ Bros . J . F . H . Woodward and W . II . Lee were unanimously elected honorary members of the lodge . In addition to thoss on the list , some half-dozen gentlemen's names were given in as candidates for initiation , and to become members of the lodge . Some joining members were proposed .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

BRO . CHARLES HAMMERTON , GRAND SWORD BEARER .

The Secretary , by request of the ever popular W . M ., stated that the Stewards' list of those brethren representing the lodge at the Festivals were as follows : For 18 S 5—Bros . William Robert Vassila , J . W . ; Edwin Gilbert , P . P . G . Steward Middx ., P . M ., Treasurer ; Frederick Walters , P . P . G . D . Middx ., P . M ., Secretary ; James Lawrence , S . D . ; and Henry James Dawe , for the Benevolent

Institution ; Bros . James Alfred Wilson , Steward ; and Samuel Wheeler , for the Girls' School ; Bros . William Robert Vassila , J . W . ; James Clark Goslin , A . W . S . ; John Alfred Wilson , Steward ; Samuel Wheeler , and Henry James Dawe , for the Boys' School — making a total of twelve Stewards representing the lodge in 1 SS 5 . For 1 SS 6 they had Bros . Frederick Walters , P . P . G . D .,

Middx ., P . M ., Sec . ; William Robert Vassila , J . W . ; J . A . Wilson , Stwd . ; G . H . Eaton , and S . Wheeler , for the Benevolent Institution ; and Bro . Frederick Dunstan for the Girls' School—making a total of six Stewards for i 8 S 6 . * The Secretary assured the lodge he anticipated having more than one Steward for the Boys' School in 1 SS 6 . He was very happy to say that for the Benevolent Institution he had

the promise of one Steward for 1 SS 7 , and two for iSSS . There was this feeling in the lodge , that now they had secured Bro . W . Prattent ' s election , year by year Stewards mnst _ be had , by whose exertions a larger sum than an annuity would come to should be raised in this lodge . A notice of motion was given to take from the lodge funds 10 guineas for the Benevolent Institution ; also 7 guineas

to purchase a Past Master's jewel for the W . M . Letters of apology for unavoidable absence were read from several brethren . With " Hearty good wishes " from all present , the lodge was closed . The usual banquet followed , served under Mr . Harris's personal supervision . The usual toasts were given , and with songs and recitations passed a most agreeable reunion . 1

ROYAL COMMEMORATION LODGE ( No . ' 585 ) - —A meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , 6 th inst ., at the Fox and Hounds Hotel , Putney . Present : Bros . Whitley , P . M ., "W . M . ; Pardoe , S . W . ; Collick , J . W . ; Stacey , P . M ., Org . ; Watkins , Treas . ; Robinson , P . M ., Sec ; Williams , P . M ., S . D . ; Strong , J . D . ; Collings , P . M ., D . C ; Wing , acting I . G .: Walkley ,

Tyler ; Boehr , P . M . ; Wing , Colman , Stephens , Wright , Harding , and Howard . Visitors : Bros . Pardoe , Gryce , Gawe , Meed , Nightingale , Foam , and Williams , P . M . ' s . The minutes were read and confirmed , and Bro . Stephens was raised . Bra . Pardoe was installed as W . M ., in a Board of nine installed Masters . The following officers were appointed : Bros . Whitley , P . M ., l . P . M . ; CollicU , S . W . ; Williams , J . W . ; Watkins , Treas . J nooinsuni

, -. m ., oec . ; ocrong , s . u . ; Wing , J . u . ; Harding , I . G . ; Collings , P . M ., D . C ; Blunderfield , W . S . ; Stacey , P . M ., Org . ; and Walkley , P . M ., Tyler . The newly-elected W . M . then very ably initiated Mr . Wm . Windsor . " Hearty good wishes" having been given , the lodge was closed in due form . At the banquet that followed , Bro . Whitley , P . M ., had the lodge jewel presented to him . Bro . Robinson , P . M ., had also the pleasure of receiving a gold watch , subscribed for by the brethren as a mark of esteem .

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON LODGE ( No . 2023 ) . —The first installation meeting after the consecration of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., when the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , V . W . Bro . R . N . Fowler , was installed as W . M . V . W . Bro . F . A . Philbrick occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . R . N . Fowler , S . W . ; Dr . Meadows , J . W . ; W . G . Lemon ,

Treas . ; W . J . Spratling , Sec . ; W . R . McConnell , S . D . ; A . Sanson , J . D . ; John Curnow , l . G . ; H . C . Marbury , M . C . j Ed . Owen , and F . E . Lemon , jun ,, Stwds . ; Chas . Gross , R . F . Pigott , P . P . G . D . C ; C . Gilland , F . Ernest Pocock , A . F . Morton , R . A . Germaine , S . Mullins , F . H . Huckley , G . E . Halsted , Richard Cross , R . G . Larrington , P . Horrocks , W . D . M . Littler , P . J-

Jackson , and Wm . Roase . Visitors : Bros . J . B . Jones , Cecil Stein , H . W . Roberts , S . Haye , J . Dobson , A . Allworth , E . A . Hughes , S . Brooks , H . W . Hennikec Round , A . FDannant , W . Rowley , W . C . Packson , F . Lawrence , S . Pope , R . S . Archbold , A . Cooper , Walter V . Morgan , George Baird , A . Forsyth , J . L . Monckton , Ralph Gooding . P . G . D . ; F . Bennett , F . Aylmer LloydCol . Shadwell H .

, Clerke , Grand Secretary ; F . Godfrey , Thomas Waklcy , William Tern ' s , J . H . Parker Wilson , B . Richardson , and W . Lake ( Freemason ) . The minutes of the lodge were read and confirmed . The W . M . then moved the following resolution : — " That this lodge desires to place on record the expression of its

sincere regret at the decease of one of its first and most promising members , Bro . E . J . Emanuel , LL . B ., and W offer its sympathy and condolence with the bereaved members of his family . " , , The W . M ., in sympathetic and eloquent terms , _ alludca to the lost they had sustained , and the resolution wa 5 ordered to be entered on the minutes of the lodge .