Reviews.

REVIEWS .

We have the greatest pleasure in transferring to our pages the kindly and paternal review of ICcnmnrfs Oyclqpaaia by our courteous and sympathetic confrere Clifford MacCalla , Editor of that excellent paper the Philadelphia JToi / stone . } "VX 7 "E have the pleasure of introducing to our readers a new and valuable addition to the * ' Masonic literature of the day . * Its author , P . G . C . Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , M . A ., the editor of the London Freemason , and an- occasional correspondent of The

Keystone , has long been favourably known , on both sides of the Atlantic , as a Masonic student , archaeologist and writer , of rare ability and scholarship , and we have no hesitation in saying that the Cyclopedia of Freemasonry that he has just g iven to the world ( which is the result of several years' conscientious labour ) will surely increase his reputation , ancl itself become a standard authority among the Craft . The EncyclopaediasDictionariesand Lexicons of Freemasonry are growing to be

, , numerous , but no one of them is superfluous . The writer of each has written skilfully and intelligently , with the works of his predecessors before him , and has produced in every instance a work of more or less distinctive interest ancl value . The leading authors of these Encyclopaedias are , Bros . Dr . A . G . Mackey , Robert Macoy , and Dr . Rob . Morris , in this country , and Bros , the Rev . George Oliver , Kenneth R . H . Mackenzie ( a nephew of our able Philadelphia Brother , Dr . Shelton Mackenzie , literary editor of the . Press )

and Bro . the Rev . A . F . A , Woodford , editor of the London Freemason , and the Masonic Magazine , abroad . By far the fullest work is Mackey ' s , which is a miracle of industry , and an undoubted authority—indeed , a ' perfect library of Masonic information ; the most compendious work is Bro . Morris ' s ; while Bro . Woodford's is the latest in time , occupies a medium position in size , ancl is the painstaking production of a skilled Masonic scholar . It is especially noticeable for its frequent ancl correct mention of American subjects , including some that were overlooked bBro . Mackey . At the same timeit

y , does generous justice to this now venerable aud always able Brother , in the following language , winch we take from its preface : "I can , and ought to , speciady mention Mackey ' s invaluable work—one of the most remarkable-Masonic compilations ever achieved : the more so , as I IiaA'e followed on his ' lines / though ! have ' always mentioned when I agree ivith him , ancl above all when I venture to disagree with him . . . . No ' Masonic Cyclopaedia is henceforth possible which does not work on his

foundation . " This is a deserved tribute to- Bro . Mackey , and a creditable and failstatement from Bro . Woodford ; but while the latter thus modestl y disclaims originality , to a certain extent , as to plan and matter , he nevertheless has ' given to the Masonic work ! a book of positive merit , which will , we cannot doubt , find a ready sale in all English-speaking countries . " ' .

: We will indicate some of its distinctive features . It is unusually accurate iu its facts , ancl in information is abreast with the latest discoveries of Masonic archaeologists and writers . It is conservative , not radical in tone . It has no rubbish in its pages , such as frequent or long accounts of extinct secret societies that had no connection with Freemasonry , or numerous details regarding modern hi gh or side degrees . It espouses no Masonic heresiesbut boldl themIt ives frequent hical notice of

, y exposes . # g biograp famous American Freemasons , living as well ' as dead , including Bros . A . G . Mackey , Stephen Girard , George Washington , Benjamin Franklin , C . W . Moore , Rob . Morris . Dr . Elisha Kent Kane , the Arctic hero , ancl others in America , ancl Bros . W . J . Hughan , D . Murray Lyon , ancl many others in Great Britain . It is especially liberal m its notices of American subjects . For example ( in a matter which we fraternally