Provincial .

Bro . Wildgoose proposed the health of the Worshipful Master , and said that probably this duty had been assigned to him in consequence of his having in the first place introduced Bro . Yates to the Lodge , also from the fact that he had initiated him into Freemasonry . He had known their newly-installed

W . M . for many years previous to that period , and was assured that anything he undertook would be done properly , for he was not a luke-warm or halfhearted man , but one who was prepared to perform the duties of his high and exalted position . He sincerely hoped he would have good candidates , even if few , for he advocated good men rather than numbers .

Bro . Yates W . M . responded , saying he thanked Bro . Wildgoose and the Brethren for the enthusiastic reception of his name . Although he thought the proposer of the toast had been rather flattering towards him , yet he could assure all present that he would endeavour to perform the work _ as satisfactorily as it had been done by those who had preceeded him . In giving a detailed account of his experiences in Freemasonry , he said his career had

been short , and his progress surprising . The period of his initiation into its circle would for ever remain as a red-letter-day of his life , for he had made many firm friends , and had gained in every way from his association with them . Tha Brethren had conferred upon him a very high honour , they had raised him to a high pinnacle of fame , and had made him a proud Mason .

He was eagerly looking forward to work , and not only intended to try and perform the ceremonial which was already in front of him , but sincerely hoped more would come . The Brethren had overwhelmed him with congatulations , and he thanked them individually and collectively , again assuring them he would endeavour to do his duty as long as he remained in office .

In . the unavoidable absence of Bro . Warburton Charity Representative the toast of the Masonio Charities was proposed by Bro . E . Alf . Hepworth P . M ., who commenced his vicarious duty by . thanking the Brethren for their handsome contribution of £ 3 , which had been mainly devoted to the purchase of Christmas presents for children of deceased Brethren , who were in Masonic Institutions , and on whose behalf letters of thanks were now read . During the year a sum of nearly s 6200 had been disbursed in subscriptions to the

East Lancashire and other funds , and they appeared to have reached the high water mark in the history of the Integrity Lodge . In connection with the Boys Centenary of last June , he said it had been a great success , and the W . M . and Brethren of the Lodge had been publicly thanked in Provincial Grand Lodge for the initiative they took in inviting Bro . McLeod Secretary of the Institution to meet the Masters and prominent members of other Lodges in that building .

The toast of the Visiting Brethren was proposed by Bro . Soholfield , that of the . Installing Master by Bro . J . M . Sinclair P . M . P . P . G . D ., and that of the I . P . M . and Past Masters of the Lodge by Bro . Robt . Race J . W . The latter , in reverting to the work of the I . P . M ., said that when Bro . Walmsley looked back upon his year of office it must be with feelings of pleasure , for although weighed down with the responsibilities of business ,

both municipal and private , he had successfully carried out the duties of the Lodge , and the Brethren must feel grateful to "fiim that he had been Worshipful Master . As Secretary he could not have worked with a more amiable , patient and tackful Officer , and the I . P . M . was to be congratulated in every way . Many of those who had orginally formed the Lodge of

Integrity had long since passed through the close tiled door of the Grand Lodge above , but they still had left in their midst a glorious phalanx of Past Masters , whose names he mentioned . In conclusion ho regretted the sickness and calamaties which had overtaken Bros . Williams , Blarney , and Warburton , and sincerely hoped they would long be spared to the Lodge and its members .

Among the Visitors we noticed Bros . Jas . McLaren P . M . 62 P . P . S . G . W ., Wm . Brookes P . M . 1009 P . P . G . S . D ., W . H . Brown P . M . 221 P . P . G . S . D ., Col . J . H . Clark P . M . 2322 P . P . G . S . D ., Chas . G . Hilton P . M . 1009 , W . W . Briggs P . M . 1534 , 1 . B . E . Birkett W . M . 1375 , H . Sharp S . W . 54 , Bev . F . H , Mentha S . W . 1357 , A . 0 . Kellett J . W . 2654 , J . B . Broadhead I . G . 1231 , B . D , Beever I . G . 1009 , and others .

LODGE OF SYMPATHY , No . 483 . THE W . M . Bro . A . 3 . Walklin presided at a meeting of this Lodge , held at the Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , on Wednesday , llth ult ., when he was supported by his Officers and a large number of Past Masters and members . . There was business in all three degrees , and the Master amply proved his proficiency for his position by performing all the ceremonies . Bro . J . T . Foster was raised to'the sublime degree , and was invested as a Master Mason . Bros . George Arthur Oldland and James George Brown were passed to the

degree of Craftsman , and Mr . Thomas Arthur Frost having been duly balloted for and approved , was initiated into the privileges of the Order . Bros . Bobert Matthews and George A . Bennett , both of the Freedom Lodge , No . 77 , were accepted as joining members . "Upon the proposition of Bro . A . J . Walklin W . M ., Bro . Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Lodge . This concluded the business of the evening , and the company subsequently dined together .

Among the visitors present on the occasion were Bros . J . A . Whitfield P . M . 77 , B . Horton 1472 , Hawkins 860 , Vogler 1614 , & o . The members of the Lodge of Instruction attached to this Lodge had a treat at their meeting on Monday , 23 rd ult ., held at the Star Hotel , Gravesend , when the Preceptor Bro . H . Forss worked one of the sectisns in an admirable manner , although he was greatly handicapped by having to answer most of

the questions . The Brethren were greatly edified and interested . Previous to the lecture the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed by Bro . Ernest Ingman , assisted by Bros . J . A . Gillett as S . W ., T . A . Mummery as J . W ., J . Hewison and J . W . Sweet as Deacons , and W . Buckland as I . G . The manner in which all concerned carried out the ritual was highly creditable to themselves and Bro . Forss .

WILTSHIRE LODGE OF FIDELITY , No . 663 . THE annual meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Devizes , on Tuesday , 17 th ult ., when Bro . T . Bendell J . W . was installed ' as W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . W . 3 . Baldwin W . M ., assisted by Bro . T . G . Hopkins P . M .

The new W . M . appointed and invested his Officers as follow : Bros . D . Owen S . W ., H . Ash J . W ., F . S . Hancock P . M . Treasurer , T . 0 . Hopkins P . M . Secretary , W . H . C . Sudweeks S . D ., G . T . Smith J . D ., H . J . Johnson P . M . D . O ., H . B . Coles Organist , M . K . Sloper I . G ., H . Courteon , and A , J . Bandell Stewards , and W . G . Pike Tyler . After the Lodge was closed the Brethren adjourned to the annual banquet , at the Bear'Hotel , and spent a very pleasant evening .

Provincial .

CHINE LODGE , No . 1884 . THE installation meeting was held at the Masonio Hall , Shanklin , on Thursday , 26 th ult . ; ' when there was a crowded attendance ol members of the Lodge and visiting Brethren from other parts of the Island and the mainland , both at the business meeting and at the banquet , which was afterwards served in the Lodge banqueting room . The ceremony of installing Bro . B . B . Russell S . W . as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year was most impressively performed by the retiring Worshipful Master Bro . H . W . Daws .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

SHURMUR CHAPTER , No . 2374 . A CONVOCATION was held on Thursday , 26 th ult ., at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , Essex , when Comp . William Gower M . E . Z . presided for the first time after his installation . He was supported by Comps . S . O . Kaufman H ., C . H . Bestow J ., George Graveley P . G . D . C . P . Z ., Dr . H , McGowan P . Z ., James Clark S . E ., Percy Trickett S . N . acting as P . S ., M . Bleick and John Hamilton Assistants , James Haskins Organist , Wm . T . Legg D . G ., J- J- bowman , J . C . Francis , F . Inch , T . Welham , W . G . Beaumont , W . H . Graveley , W . Fortescue .

Visitors : W . W . West , of the Philbrick ; W . H . Aston , of the Denmark ; and Orlton Cooper , of the Gallery Chapters . Telegrams and letters were received from several Companions regretting absence . The Chapter was regularly opened by the Principals , and the Companions were admitted . The minutes of the convocation held 22 nd September were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken and proved unanimous in favour of Bro . Thomas Maynard , of the Shurmur Lodge , being a candidate

for exaltation . Bro . Maynard being present was admitted and duly exalted to the supreme degree . The beautiful and interesting ceremony was admirably carried out by all concerned , and the lectures were delivered as follow : the Historical by Comp . Bestow , the Symbolical by Comp . Kaufman , and the Mystical by Comp . Gower , all of which were rendered most perfectly and met with the hearty appreciation of those present . Comp . Maynard was duly invested , and took his seat as a member of the Chapter .

The Chapter was then closed , but before the Companions adjourned Comp . George Graveley delivered an ancient closing charge which is rarely given , and therefore the more appreciated . The Companions subsequently dined together , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

All books , & c , intended for re-slew should be addressed to the Editor , Freemason ' s Chronicle , New Barnet . —* ° •—Origin and Antiquity of Freemasonry , and its analogy to the Eschatology of the Ancient Egyptians , as witnessed by the " Book of the Dead , " and the Great Pyramid of Ghizeh , the First Masonic Temple in the World . By Albert Churchward , M . D ., M . B . C . P ., M . E . C . S ., F . G . S ., P . M ., P . Z ., 18 ° , & c . London : Sir Joseph Oauston and Sons , Limited , 1898 .

We have received a copy of this work , which we can cordially recommend for perusal by our readers . The book is dedicated " to all my Brother Masons , in whatever Clime and whatever Creed , that believe in and acknowledge the One Great Architect of the Universe . " The author contends that the information contained in the book is right and true , it having been obtained from existing facts , which can be proved by any person devoting his attention to

the subject . There is no doubt that the discovery and translation of the Egyptian "Book of the Dead" has revealed much of the eschatology of that ancient people , which is analogous with many Masonic rites and ceremonies , while the investigation of Dr . Le Plongeon at Uxmal , in Mexico , opens a wide field for the Speculative Mason . The description of the Great Pyramid of Ghizeh— " the first Masonic Temple in the World " —is most interesting , especially to Royal Arch Masons . Dr . Churchward writes with conviction ,

and though we agree with him that no doubt much has been lost which we shall never recover , still the discoveries that are continually being brought to light may at any time remove the clouds of antiquity which envelop so many of our ceremonies . There is one little slip at p . 72 , as to the traditional place of the First Lodge , which is only referred to in order to correct the later editions that will doubtless be issued . The book is beautifully produced by Sir Joseph Causton and Sons .

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

Miss Ellen Terry is filling up the time that will elapse before she joins Sir Henry Irving at the Lyceum again in April with a tour among the suburban Theatres . It commenced on 30 th ult ., at the Crouch End Opera House , where Miss Terry drew crowded houses , and every night had a most enthusiastic reception . On Monday next she begins a week's engagement at

the Grand Theatre , Croydon ; thence she goes , on 13 th Feb ., to tho Shakespeare Theatre , Clapham ; and the remaining dates , a week's performance being given at each place , are : 27 th Feb . the Crystal Palace , four nights and two matinees ; 6 th March the Grand Theatre , Fulham ; 13 th March the Grand , Islington ; and 20 th March the Crown Theatre , Peckham .

Garrick , —Owing to the continued success of " The Three Musketeers " at this Theatre Brother Brickwell finds it impossible to produce Dr . Conan Doyle ' s new three-act play at the time specified . Dr . Doyle is therefore allowing Bro . Brickwell to send it on tour prior to its production in the autumn . The tour will start the first week in April .

Oxford . —Six years ago the Oxford Music Hall , m a renovated and convenient form , opened its doors to thii public . Holding the distinction of being the second music hall to be stE . rted in London , the Oxford has a reputation to live up to . Its situation is handy , its programme light and varied . Mr . Joe Elvin and his troupe are just concluding an engagement

and the current company comprises Mr . Chirgwin , Mr . Harry Tate , Mr . James Norrie , Mr . Leo Dryden , Miss Lily Langtry , the Abdullah Arabs , and other popular artistes . Last evening , in celebration of the sixth anniversary , an extra programme was given , in which many of the most successful performers in London appeared .