Reviews.

Reviews .

SCOTT'S STANDARD CATALOGUES , No . 5 . The Scott Stamp and Coin Co ., of iS , East Twenty " third-street , New York , U . S . A ., are the publishers of a number of valuable catalogues and works on mcdallics , stamps , & c , and the 17 th edition of their "Copper and Nickel Coins , " now issued , is one of the best of the series . It is sent from their famous establishment post free for two shillings ( 50 cents ) , though it runs to nearly 20 : 1 pp octavo ,

and contains a large number of illustrations ranging over numerous countries , and , moreover , forms a most useful guide , particularly for young or inexperienced collectors . The firm maybe relied upon , and their advice will be found to be most useful . The explanations of contractions and peculiarities connected with the studies of numismatics and philately are valuable . The prices quoted are

generally very fair for ordinary coins and tokens , and for rare and important pieces the sums asked for good specimens would startle some of our English experts for reasonableness considering their state or condition . We are not aware of any publication of the kind that excels this catalogue , either as respects interest or accuracy , and such a mass of information is only possible by the transactions of the linn being quite cosmopolitan in character .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonrp .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Walthamstow Lodge ( No . 2472 ) . —The first business meeting of this lodge since its consecration on the 31 st July was held on Saturday , the 23 rd inst ., at the Masonic Hall of the Chequers Hotel , Walthamstow , the W . M ., Bro . William Shurmur , presiding . The other brethren who attended were Bros . John H . Wildash , acting l . P . M . j Wm . Harris , P . M ., S . W . ; D . H . McGowan ,

P . M ., J . W . ; S . II . Baker , P . M ., Treas . ; Samuel Herbert , Sec ; C . MacColla , S . D . ; William Gower , J . D . ; James Clark , I . G . ; T . XV . Stacey , Org . ; Thos . Franklin , P . M ., and P . Felsenthal , Stwds . ; N . Fortescue , S . Fortescue , Henry H . Finch , A . Oakden , jun ., and Wm . Dunlop Cunningham . Visitors : Bros . Geo . T . Westfield , 2124 ; John R . Carser , 2374 ; Frederick Taylor , 225 C ; | ohn Crossley , 2256 ; D . P . Holderness , P . M . 2374 ; H ,

Massey , 1 C 0 , P . M . 619 and 192 S ; W . Groome , P . M . SCu and 1 SG 2 ; C . IL Bastow , J . D . 2374 ; G . C . Vernon Inkpen , P . M . 3 S and 257 ; Stanley Wildash , 2374 ; C . Thompson , 2192 ; W . Brookman , 2374 ; A . II . Church , J . D . 1375 ; and James Speller , W . M . 2256 , Prov . G . D . Essex . Bro . Marx Gross was Tyler . After the formal opening of the lodge and reading and confirmation of thc minutes of thc consecration meeting

the ballot was taken for Messrs . Nathaniel Fortescue , W . A . Gower , Thomas Wm . Stroud , Joseph Inkpen , Thomas Harris Hunt , Frank Kippin , and Leo Taylor as initiates , and for Bros . Walter Fortescue , Sidney Fortescue , Michael Edward Donovan , Henry IL Finch , Win . Dunlop Cunningham , Amos Oakden , jun ., Frederick Peck , XV . 11 . Fulford , and Wm . E . Knight as joining members of the lodge . Afterwards Messrs . N . Fortescue , W . A . Gower , Joseph

Inkpen , Thos . Harris Hunt , and Leo Taylor were initiated by thc Worshipful Master , the work being admirably performed both by the W . M . and his officers . Bros . William Gower , and N . Fortescue delivered the ancient charge . The election of a ncw Worshipful Master , of the Treasurer , and of the Tyler was the next business on the agenda , but as the hour was late , and closing-time at Walthamstow is 11 p . m . on week-days , the remainder of the programme

was deferred until the November meeting . The brethren , after closing the lodge , speedily adjourned to a very elegant-banquet , which had been prepared for them by Bro . 11 . I " . J . llalbwes , the proprietor of the Chequers , and the serving of which he personally superintended . At the conclusion of the banquet , which was everything that could be desired , and which elicited warm praise from

every brother who partook of it , grace was said . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts weie pioposed and honoured . " The Oueen and the Craft , " " The Most Worshipful Grand Master , " "Thc M . W . Pro Grand Master , the K . W . Dep . Grand Master , " & c , having been drunk , liro . John 11 . Wildash , P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . AL , " and in doing so said it was necessary to

explain to the initiates that this was a customary form in Freemasonry , and he addressed them first because they were thc lirst stones in Masonry , the foundation-stones , and to the members as he had on former occasions said , so hc said then , it was a pleasure indeed to propose the W . M . lt was also a pleasure to the initiates that they had been initiated by such an illustrious brother as liro . William Shurmur . The initiates , he I 101 n . il , would live to sav to

their friends— " 1 was initiated by one of the best Masons ill the Province of Essex . " He knew nothing about any other distiict , but he knew . 1 great deal about that one . I le knew they would say that it ' was not only probable—it was a foregone conclusion * -that the initiates and the members would be able to say thai their W . M . was Grand Treasurer of England . ' 1 bat was probable to occur . II it did not cccur next year , as sure as the sun woultl rise to-inorrow it

would occur the following year . But the brethren of the lodge would agree wilh him that they were under . 1 great obligation to their excellent liro . Shurmur , nut only because he did the work so well , but because he took such a deep interest in Freemasonry . liro . Shurmur was a brother whom they were all pleased to meet ; he was alivajs ready to estend the light hand of fellowship to . Mason : ; anil to every one in Walthamstow .

Bro . W . Shurmur , W . M ., in acknowledging tbe toast , which was very cordially drunk , said he feared he could not adequately express his deep sense of gratitude to Bro . Wildash fur the very complimentary terms in whicli he had proposed the last toast , and to Ihc brethren for their cordial cndoiscment of hisicmarhs . He could not help thinking that as lirst Master of that lodge and Preceptor of the local lodge of instiuction , it would be very unbecoming in

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

him if he were not competent to confer the Degrees of Freemasonry in a very intelligent and impressive manner , and with due regard to the ancient traditional ceremonies . The brethren would believe that he highly appreciated the cordial expression of their kindly good feeling , and he should certainly endeavour to prove himself worthy of those expressions by carrying out the duties of the important oflice to which they had appointed him to the very best of

his skill and ability . He hoped that when he loft the chair in due course he would take with him the goodwill , esteem , and regard of all the brethren . That was his ambition , and he thanked the brethren from the fulness of an overflowing heart . ( After a short pause the W . M . continued ) . He was sure the brethren would excuse him , for " * out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh . " Hi *; valued friend , Bro . Wildash , P . M ., had hinted something about

his being elected to that very great honour—the Grand Treasurership of England ., He could only assure them that if by virtue of the suffrages of the brethren he was elected to that important position , he should endeavour to prove himself in every way worthy of that high office . Bro . W . Shurmur , W . M ., in proposing " The Initiates and the Joining Members , " said the brethren who were pn sent in lodge could not have failed to observe the very

great attention which the initiates paid to the ceremony of their initiation , and to that excellent charge which was delivered so eloquently , so correctly , and in such good taste by the veteran Bros . Fortescue and Gower . The brethren felt sure that the initiates would appreciate the honour conferred on them by their being admitted as members of the ancient Masonic Institution . They were also confident that the initiates would never regret the step they had taken , and

that they would never do anything calculated to make the brethren of the lodge and the visitors regret the part they had taken in the day ' s proceedings . In addition to having initiated five gentlemen they had also received into the fold of the Walthamstow Lodge nine joining members , and lie asked the brethren to unite with him in drinking to those brethren with a very cheery and hearty welcome , wishing them every prosperity and goodwill they could themselves desire .

Bro . W . A . Gower , in replying as one of the initiates , referring to thc ceremony said he considered it very impressive , and he should always remember it and keep it in his mind . He hoped he would be a very good Mason . Bro . N . Fortescue , jun ., said his father and two brothers belonged to the Order , and he hoped to become a better Mason than either of them . Bro . Leo Taylor said he hid most heartily enjoyed the

ceremony of initiation , which he considered the crowning period of his life . His father , who had been dead many years , was a very good Mason , and he promised him hc would make him a Mason . Consequently he ( Bro . Leo Taylor ) had looked forward for a long time past for the happy period when he should be admitted to a participation in the secrets of Masonry . He thanked the W . M . very heartily for the way he had initiated him , and for so kindly

proposing the toast of himself and the other initiates . He also thanke . i all the , brethren for the kindly reception the initiates had had . Bros . Hunt and Inkpen . replied with ; similar expressions of gratification . Bro . Finch , replying as a joining member , said he was glad to become a member of the Walthamstow Lodge because Bro . Shurmur wa .-. W . M ., and so many of the

members were friends of his . If he could help the W . M . in the lodge it would be his best endeavour to do so . Bro . S . Fortescue said he trusted he would make as good a Mason as his brother , but if his brother was better than he , he should not be jealous . 13 ro . W . Shurmur , W . M ., proposed "The Visitors , " and stated that it gave the lodge great pleasure , to entertain so many distinguished brethren , but he could not forget to

mention that Bro . Hallowes , the proprietor of the hall , had certainly done his best both with viands and wine to give them a most hospitable reception . Bro . James Speller , W . M . 225 O , Prov . G . D . Essex , who was called upon by the W . M . to reply first for the visitors , expressed thc great pleasure he had had in witnessing the ceremonial working of thc evening . It was done not only exactly , but expeditiously by the W . M . as the time was

very short . Bro . Holderness , P . M . 2374 , regretted that he had not been at the consecration of the lodge , but that absence , which he apologised for , was owing to his being at that time out of town . He was , however , very proud to be then present , and to iiee the working of such an experienced Mason as Bro . Shurmur . He had had the pleasure of sitting by his side and under his rule at very many lodges , and

it was not the lirst time by a great many that he had had to respond to the toast of " The Visitors . " He supposed he was one of Bro . Shurmur's oldest Masonic associates . Very many years ago , he was one of the members of the same lodge , and he thought he might take credit to himself for having brought a certain amount of pressure and influence to bear upon him to take an interest in Masonry after hc had entered it . To that he ascribed his attainment to

Ihc high position he no . v held in the Craft . But he could assure all who were present that he and Bro . Shurmur were brother in more than Masonic circles . He felt quite as proud of the position Bro . Shurmur had attained to as if he tUro . Holderness ) had attained to it hiinsslf . The Walthamstow Lodge could not have made a better selection of a W . M . 1 and they had had an evidence of it that night , and he congratulated the lodge on having such a brother to

preside over it for the lirst year . He must also congratulate the W . M . on his officers and the members of the lodge generally , for he could s-e that he had under his gavel the nucleus of a most excellent lodge , lie could safely proph-cy that il those who followed Bro . Shurmur in the chair ii . ly attained to half his perfection in the working and in . i'ig of thc lodge , the Walthamstow Lodge would reach a position second to no lodge in Essex . He could not

conclude without congratulating liro . Hallowes on the excellent banquet he liad placed before the brethren . In a suburban hotel he could safely say he had never sat doivn to a better banquet , and in many London hotels only equalled , in most never excelled . That was not an unimportant point , as the comfort of the brethren hv \ much to do with

the prosperity of a lodge . He congratulated the lodge on the success it had attained during the short time it had been in existence . Bro . G . C . Vernon Inkpen , P . M . 3 S and 257 , said that from the steady and excellent way in which liro . Shurmur had carried out the ritual the brethren could not wish for a better W . M . They had also had a good specimen of

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Masters' work in the way that Bros . Gower and Fortescue had given the ancient charge . Bros . W . Brookman , 2374 , and John Crossley , 225 G , also made a brief reply to the toast . Bro . C . Thompson , 21 9 2 , said he had hadthe great pleasure of being * initiated by Bro . Shurmur in another lodge , and he was then his guest at that lodge . A greater honour could not be conferred on anybody , considering the

great estimation in which Bro . Shurmur was held by all who knew him . Seeing the number of esteemed brethren who now belonged to the lodge , he thought he might say the success of the Walthamstow Lodge was assured . Bro . Wildash , I . P . M ., whom Bro . Shurmur included in the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary" as a brother who was one of the principal supporters of the lodge , and on whose exertions it was in a large measure dependent

for its success , was the first to reply to the toast , and he said that the present success of the lodge was more than a reward for any little efforts that had been put forth by the residents of Walthamstow and his Masonic friends to secure that . end . Bro . S . H . Baker , P . M ., Treasurer , said it was a pleasure to render any service to that lodge . The Treasurer and Secretary were indeed gratified to find that from the early

career of the lodge it had received such valuable additions to its strength as the gentlemen who had come into it as initiates , and the brethren who had come in as joining members . The initiates had heard from Iveterans in the Order a testimony to the able way in which Bro . Shurmur had performed the ceremony . The initiates would learn as they progressed that there was something in Freemasonry , and before they left the table they were told that their lives

could not be better employed than in practising its teachings . They were that night only on the threshold , and standing there he hoped they would sustain in the future the interest they had already shown in Masonry . In the Degrees that yet awaited them they would find completeness in the mysteries , and such a store of valuable teachings that would add to the charm they had already experienced . Bro . Samuel Herbert , Secretary , without attempting to

follow the eloquence of the Demosthenes of the lodge , said he would only assure the brethren that he would perform his duties properly , many more of which than he had yet had , he hoped , would be laid upon hiin . Bro . D . H . McGowan , P . M . . J . W ., responded to the toast of " The Officers of the Lodge , " and Bro . Marx Gross having given the Tyler ' s toast , which was heartily drunk , the brethren separated just in time to conform to the licensing laws .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

LEICESTER . Research Lodge ( No . 2429 ) . —The first annual festival and installation meeting of this lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Monday , the 25 th inst ., the following brethren being present : Bros . J . T . Thorp , P . M . 52 } , P . P . S . G . W ., W . M . ; W . M . Williams , P . M . 279 , P . P . G . R .,

S . W . and W . M . elect ; E . Holmes , P . M . 279 , Prov . G . Sec , J . W . ; S . S . Partridge , P . M . 523 and 1560 , P . A . G . D . C . " Eng ., D . P . G . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Staynes , W . M . 20 S 1 , S . D . ; R . Pratt , M . D ., J . D . j Rev . H . S . Biegs , Prov . G . Chap ., Sec . ; F . XV . Billson , LLK ., I . G . j Rev . H . Mason , P . M . 114 G ; XV . Grant , J . J . W . Knowles , G . Neighbour , C . Bennion , W . M . 279 ; and II . Howe ,

P . M . 1391 . Visitors : Bros . Rev . C . II . Wood , P . M . 55 1 * 0 , P . P . G . Sec ; B . A . Smith , P . M . 523 , P . P . J . G . W . ; R . B . Starkey , P . M . 1391 ; T . Charlesworth , P . M . 523 ; S . Knight . P . M . 1391 ; A . Ferguson , W . M . 1391 ; A . Laurence . P . M . 523 ; XV . II . Barrow , Mus . Doc , P . M . 523 ; J . Clifton , S . D . 279 ; M . II . Pearson , J . W . 279 ; W . Ingram , 279 ; A . F . Holland , S . D . 523 ; J . Lulhain ,

523 ; W . A . Lea , 523 ; J . McKobie , 523 ; C . L . Ferneley , J . W . 1130 ; A . Taccy , 20 S 1 ; F . Scale , 1391 ; | . Cunningham , 1391 j G . Gibbons , 1391 ; A . John , J . W . 20 S 1 ; H . G . Marriott , J . W . 202 S ; Fulshaw , 50 ; and others . After the minutes had been confirmed , and two joining members elected , the W . M . elect , Bro . W . M . Williams ,

was presented for installation , the installing officer being the W . M ., Uro . J : T . Thorp . After the completion of the ceremony , the newly-installed VV . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . E . Holmes , S . VV . ; VV . IL Staynes , J . W . j Rev . 11 . J . Mason , Chap . ; J . T . Thorp , P . M ., Sec ; W . Grant , Treas . ; li . Pratt , S . D . ; F . XV . Billson , J . D . ; Rev . H . S . Briggs , I . G . j and J . Tanser ,

Tyler . The Treasurer ' s accounts were then passed and other routine business transacted , after which " Hearty good wishes " were given by the visiting brethren , and the lodge was closed . A conversazione followed , which was largely attended . The printed transactions of the lodge for the past J ear were distributed amongst the brethren , and seemed to be highly

appreciated ; a number of interesting and valuable books on Masonry were exhibited and described by the Secretary , also a variety tof Masonic curios , including old aprons , certificates , jewels , seals , & c , & c . Thc proceedings were enlivened by some excellent music

contributed by Miss Staynes , the talented daughter of the J . W ., Bros . Rev . IL S . Briggs , F . Scale , E . G . Mawbey , Dr . Barrow , and others . Amongst the brethren who sent apologies ( or absence wen- liro . \ V . Kelly , P . P . G . M ., the veteran Mason of thc province , and liiu . W J . Hughan , P . G . D . England .

SOUTHEND . Priory Lodge ( No . 1030 , 1 . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 2 istinst ., at the Middleton Hotel , when there were present Bros . A . Vandervord , Prov . G . S ., W . M . j C . XV . Barnard , S . W . ; F . ] . Cumine , J . VV . ; Rev . T . VV . Heibat , P . P . G . C , Chap . ; A . Lucking , P . M ., I' . G . I ' ., Sec ; E . J . Bowmaker , S . B * ' C . II . Bowmaker , LG . ; G . Ii . Dawson , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D-j

D . C . ; Val Mason , Org , ; j . A . Hobday , VV . M . 160 , and XV . Elam , Stwds . ; A . W . Martin , Prov . G . T ., * ly > > U . ihomas , P . M ., Prov . S . G . D . ; V . I ) . Grayson , I ' - M-i P . P . J . G . D . ; G . | . Glasscock , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; w * E . Bride-land , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; F . J . VVood , G . Kec ° ' K . H . Taylor , j . Pritchard , II . O . Grenf ell , and A . Prevost . Bro . A . Rideal , HOo , was a visitor . , The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read a " confirmed , Bro . A . J . Arthy , P . M . and Sec 1 O 0 , 1 ' J . G . D ., was unanimously elected a joining member .