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Books Of The Day.
Books of the Day .
Boobs , Music , & o . intended for review , should be addressed to the Editor of th Freemason ' s Chronicle , at Fleet Works , New Barnet .
The Atlantic Ferry . Its Ships , Men , and working . By Arthur J . Maginnis , M . I . C . E . With numerous illustrations , diagrams , and plans . Third edition , revised and enlarged ( 7 s 6 d ) . — Whittaker and Co .
THE story of the crossing of the Atlantic is an important one in the history of human progress . Perhaps there is hardly another subject in the whole range of our national history that so well shows what can be accomplished by enterprise and perseverance . We have a masterly book in the "Atlantic Ferry , " and we do not often find a work covering an equal amount of ground so well
executed from all standpoints . As the writer remarks at the outset , it is only about sixty years since the sailing clippers were the predominant craft crossing the great Atlantic highway . The first chapter , dealing with the early steamers and their runs across the " herring pond" will probably most interest readers who are not of a mechanical turn of mind ; but the subsequent chapters , describing the construction and comparative merits of the many
famous " liners , " are of most value to the class of readers for whom the " Atlantic Ferry" was written . The illustrations are so many and so clear that they form a valuable series of pictures , and they are deserving of warm praise from all interested in the records of these floating palaces . We need hardly remind our readers that this is one of a class of books for which Messrs . Whittaker are deservedly famous . We hope this new edition may have the circulation which it merits .
A Millionaire of Yesterday . By E . Phillips Oppenheim . Illustrated by Stanley L . Wood ( 3 s 6 d ) . —Ward , Lock and Co ., Limited . THE man who does not enjoy a story from the pen of Mr . E . Phillips Oppenheim is past praying for . The book before us is as fluent and masterly a piece of writing , as we expected to find it ,
although , on the whole , we do not think it so uniformly entertaining as " Mysterious Mr . Sabin . " Trent is hardly an original character , nor is DaSouza quite so firmly sketched as Mr . Sabin ; but the story has many merits , and should enjoy a great sale . There are some passages of good descriptive writing , too , as may be seen by anyone who is not running as he reads . The weaknesses of Monty are
skilfully revealed , and the transformations in the character of Trent would have been too difficult a subject for the many who wield a less facile pen than Mr . Oppenheim . We have been trying to decide wherein this writer's great strength lies , but somehow the answer has eluded us . It is not to be found in the narrative itself , or in the characters , if regarded as original creations ; but rather , as we suppose , in a general happiness of treatment which makes the men
fit the scene of their actions . Mr . Oppenheim , , for instance , can hardly spin so good a " yarn" as Mr . Guy Boothby , nor has he , so far as we are aware , created so great a phenomenon as the " Pharos " of his rival ; yet we do not hesitate to say that , of the two men , Mr . Oppenheim is the greater writer . Messrs . Ward , Lock and Co . must have some exceedingly sagacious " readers , " for they have recently issued volume after volume of prose-fiction certainly of a very high order .
New Century Library ( 2 s net per vol ) . —T . Nelson and Sons . The Works of CHARLES DICKENS . —Vol . vi ., Barnaby Rudge . Vol . vii ., Dombey and Son . Vol . viii ., David Copperfield . NEED we introduce these three old friends with any formal phraseology ? We may rather take a leaf from the book of an
Irish critic , who said that everybody reads these volumes , and the people who do not are ashamed to own it . No doubt the " Pickwick Papers " and " The old curiosity Shop " are even greater favourites with the many ; but we could hardly name another three of Dickens's works so well calculated to show his discernment of character and versatile abilities . Moreovereach of the volumes before us contains
, at least one of Dickens ' s wonderful . eccentrics ; for in "Barnaby Rudge " we meet Mr . Tappertit , who divides his attention between his slim legs and the fair Miggs ; in "Dombey and Son" with Captain Cuttle , his hook , and his perennial advice to overhaul the book ; and in " David Copperfield " with the worthy Peggotty and his residence The of
unique . peculiar merits this edition—the beauty of the typography and the wonderful small compass in which so much is compressed—have been pointed out by us , on several former occasions . Those who do not secure copies of Messrs . Nelson ' s "New Century Library" are certainly missing a good opportunity .
Cycling- in the Alps . With some notes on the chief passes . By C . L . Freeston , with twenty-four full page drawings by A . R . Quinton ( 5 s ) . —Grant Richards . CYCLISTS have reason to be gratified by the increasing attention bestowed upon them , b y our publishers . If they stray from the right path they will soon have only themselves to blame . Mr . Freeston has probably had more experience in C ycling literature than any other authorand has here
, given us an exceedingly useful book . He has spared no pains in arranging his material to the best advantage , and we can otter no better advice to the cyclist who intends taking a Swiss tour than to allow Mr . Freeston to be his guide . Moreover , there is good descriptive writing in " Cycling in the Alps " and so many excellent , prose-vignettes of villages and of mountain scenery that he who cycles not at all , nor ever punctures tyre , may pass a pleasant hour in turning its pages . Mr . Freeston has succeeded in
Books Of The Day.
making us fall in love with his subject , and we can well believe that the ride from the Upper Engadine to the Lecco end of Lake Como is one long , delightful dream . We wish we could speak equally well of the illustrations , but think they might have been better . We trust the book will sell so largely that the publisher will be tempted to issue others of a similar character .
, The Humours of a Hydro . By Dagney Major . Second edition ( is ) . —Skeffington and Son . THIS little book cannot be described as a boon and a blessing to men . The only " humour " we can discover in it reminds us at times of Southev—perhaps the poorest jester who ever put pen to paper . If it be true that the : prosj > erity of a jest lies in the ear of
the hearer we can only express our surprise that a second edition of this fun has been called for . For while we can quite understand that a few folk bought in expectation of being amused we cannot believe that a single adult has found what he sought . We are the more sorrv to express this opinion because the subject has great possibilities for humourous treatment , and we feel that the writer
has lost a good opportunity . As it is , no critic of any acumen would admit that " humourous" literature can be written on the principles here exemplified . " The Heavy-eyed man , " with his oft repeated "Eh ? What ? " the Puffy man with his " very good that , eh ?" , and the Feline man seeking for the eternal hair , are in truth but a sorry trio of entertainers . Dagney Major must try again ; and if he is successful we shall most cordially welcome his next book .
BOOKS RECEIVED . History of the Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s Chapel ) , No . i . Embracing an account of the rise and progress of Freemasonry in Scotland . By David Murray Lyon , Secretary to the Grand Lodge of Scotland , Corresponding member of . the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland , M . M . Ayr St . Paul , P . M . Ayr St . James . Tercentenary Edition . —Gresham Publishing Co .
The Settlement after the war in South Africa . By M . J . Farrelly , LL . D . ( 10 s net ) . —Macmillan and Co . The Chase of the Ruby . By Richard Marsh ( 3 s 6 d ) . — Skeffington and Son . Philip Winwood . A sketch of the domestic' history of an
American Captain in the war of Independence ; embracing events that occurred between and during the years 176 3 and 17 S 6 , in New York and London : written by his enemy in war , Herbert Russell , Lieutenant in the Loyalist forces . Presented anew by Robert Neilson Stephens . Illustrated by E . W . D . Hamilton ( 6 s ) . —Chatto and Windus .
New Century Library ( 2 s net per vol . ) . —T . Nelson and Sons . The Works of WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY . —Vol . vi ., The Book of Snobs , Christmas Books , and Sketches and Travels in London . China of To-day or The Yellow Peril . Illustrating the principal places , incidents , and persons connected with the crisis in China . Edited by Commander Charles N . Robinson , R . N . ( 5 s ) . —George Newnes , Limited .
Khaki in South Africa . An album of pictures and photographs illustrating the chief events of the war under Lord Roberts , with a chronological history ( 5 s ) . —George Newnes Limited .
On Tuesday next Bro . Charles Wyndham will produce a new play by Henry Arthur Jones , at his theatre in Charing Cross Road .
www After a lapse of many years , Bro . L . DaCosta P . M . 1349 has consented to work the Fifteen Sections at the Israel
Lodge of Instruction , No . 205 , at the Rising Sun , Globe Road , Bethnal Green , on Sunday , 28 th inst , at 6 p . m . prompt . This is practically „ the opening night of the season , and it is hoped there will be a specially strong attendance as a consequence . * * »
We are pleased to hear that Bro . D . Murray Lyon ' s services to Scottish Freemasonry have been recognised in a substantial manner , he having been granted as a retiring allowance his full salary of £ 600 a year as Grand Secretary of that Jurisdiction . Our worthy Brother is in his
eip-htvsecond year , and we trust will live for many years yet to enjoy his well deserved retirement . He has filled the office , of Grand Secretary for twenty-four years , and under his management the affairs of the Scottish Grand Lodge have prospered greatly . That thev are now in a vprv flnnn ' sfimrr
condition is shown by the fact that when he was appointed in 1877 there was a debt against Grand Lodge of A 20 , 000 , which has been converted into a credit balance of ^ 80 , 000 . Bro . Murray Lyon is a recognised authoritv on all m ^ tt ^ rc
connected with Freemasonry , and he is the author of a history of the Craft of Scotland . The candidates for the vacant office are Bro . David Reid Grand Treasurer , Bro . Allan Mackenzie , Edinburgh ; and Bro . MacNaught Campbell , Glasgow .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Books Of The Day.
Books of the Day .
Boobs , Music , & o . intended for review , should be addressed to the Editor of th Freemason ' s Chronicle , at Fleet Works , New Barnet .
The Atlantic Ferry . Its Ships , Men , and working . By Arthur J . Maginnis , M . I . C . E . With numerous illustrations , diagrams , and plans . Third edition , revised and enlarged ( 7 s 6 d ) . — Whittaker and Co .
THE story of the crossing of the Atlantic is an important one in the history of human progress . Perhaps there is hardly another subject in the whole range of our national history that so well shows what can be accomplished by enterprise and perseverance . We have a masterly book in the "Atlantic Ferry , " and we do not often find a work covering an equal amount of ground so well
executed from all standpoints . As the writer remarks at the outset , it is only about sixty years since the sailing clippers were the predominant craft crossing the great Atlantic highway . The first chapter , dealing with the early steamers and their runs across the " herring pond" will probably most interest readers who are not of a mechanical turn of mind ; but the subsequent chapters , describing the construction and comparative merits of the many
famous " liners , " are of most value to the class of readers for whom the " Atlantic Ferry" was written . The illustrations are so many and so clear that they form a valuable series of pictures , and they are deserving of warm praise from all interested in the records of these floating palaces . We need hardly remind our readers that this is one of a class of books for which Messrs . Whittaker are deservedly famous . We hope this new edition may have the circulation which it merits .
A Millionaire of Yesterday . By E . Phillips Oppenheim . Illustrated by Stanley L . Wood ( 3 s 6 d ) . —Ward , Lock and Co ., Limited . THE man who does not enjoy a story from the pen of Mr . E . Phillips Oppenheim is past praying for . The book before us is as fluent and masterly a piece of writing , as we expected to find it ,
although , on the whole , we do not think it so uniformly entertaining as " Mysterious Mr . Sabin . " Trent is hardly an original character , nor is DaSouza quite so firmly sketched as Mr . Sabin ; but the story has many merits , and should enjoy a great sale . There are some passages of good descriptive writing , too , as may be seen by anyone who is not running as he reads . The weaknesses of Monty are
skilfully revealed , and the transformations in the character of Trent would have been too difficult a subject for the many who wield a less facile pen than Mr . Oppenheim . We have been trying to decide wherein this writer's great strength lies , but somehow the answer has eluded us . It is not to be found in the narrative itself , or in the characters , if regarded as original creations ; but rather , as we suppose , in a general happiness of treatment which makes the men
fit the scene of their actions . Mr . Oppenheim , , for instance , can hardly spin so good a " yarn" as Mr . Guy Boothby , nor has he , so far as we are aware , created so great a phenomenon as the " Pharos " of his rival ; yet we do not hesitate to say that , of the two men , Mr . Oppenheim is the greater writer . Messrs . Ward , Lock and Co . must have some exceedingly sagacious " readers , " for they have recently issued volume after volume of prose-fiction certainly of a very high order .
New Century Library ( 2 s net per vol ) . —T . Nelson and Sons . The Works of CHARLES DICKENS . —Vol . vi ., Barnaby Rudge . Vol . vii ., Dombey and Son . Vol . viii ., David Copperfield . NEED we introduce these three old friends with any formal phraseology ? We may rather take a leaf from the book of an
Irish critic , who said that everybody reads these volumes , and the people who do not are ashamed to own it . No doubt the " Pickwick Papers " and " The old curiosity Shop " are even greater favourites with the many ; but we could hardly name another three of Dickens's works so well calculated to show his discernment of character and versatile abilities . Moreovereach of the volumes before us contains
, at least one of Dickens ' s wonderful . eccentrics ; for in "Barnaby Rudge " we meet Mr . Tappertit , who divides his attention between his slim legs and the fair Miggs ; in "Dombey and Son" with Captain Cuttle , his hook , and his perennial advice to overhaul the book ; and in " David Copperfield " with the worthy Peggotty and his residence The of
unique . peculiar merits this edition—the beauty of the typography and the wonderful small compass in which so much is compressed—have been pointed out by us , on several former occasions . Those who do not secure copies of Messrs . Nelson ' s "New Century Library" are certainly missing a good opportunity .
Cycling- in the Alps . With some notes on the chief passes . By C . L . Freeston , with twenty-four full page drawings by A . R . Quinton ( 5 s ) . —Grant Richards . CYCLISTS have reason to be gratified by the increasing attention bestowed upon them , b y our publishers . If they stray from the right path they will soon have only themselves to blame . Mr . Freeston has probably had more experience in C ycling literature than any other authorand has here
, given us an exceedingly useful book . He has spared no pains in arranging his material to the best advantage , and we can otter no better advice to the cyclist who intends taking a Swiss tour than to allow Mr . Freeston to be his guide . Moreover , there is good descriptive writing in " Cycling in the Alps " and so many excellent , prose-vignettes of villages and of mountain scenery that he who cycles not at all , nor ever punctures tyre , may pass a pleasant hour in turning its pages . Mr . Freeston has succeeded in
Books Of The Day.
making us fall in love with his subject , and we can well believe that the ride from the Upper Engadine to the Lecco end of Lake Como is one long , delightful dream . We wish we could speak equally well of the illustrations , but think they might have been better . We trust the book will sell so largely that the publisher will be tempted to issue others of a similar character .
, The Humours of a Hydro . By Dagney Major . Second edition ( is ) . —Skeffington and Son . THIS little book cannot be described as a boon and a blessing to men . The only " humour " we can discover in it reminds us at times of Southev—perhaps the poorest jester who ever put pen to paper . If it be true that the : prosj > erity of a jest lies in the ear of
the hearer we can only express our surprise that a second edition of this fun has been called for . For while we can quite understand that a few folk bought in expectation of being amused we cannot believe that a single adult has found what he sought . We are the more sorrv to express this opinion because the subject has great possibilities for humourous treatment , and we feel that the writer
has lost a good opportunity . As it is , no critic of any acumen would admit that " humourous" literature can be written on the principles here exemplified . " The Heavy-eyed man , " with his oft repeated "Eh ? What ? " the Puffy man with his " very good that , eh ?" , and the Feline man seeking for the eternal hair , are in truth but a sorry trio of entertainers . Dagney Major must try again ; and if he is successful we shall most cordially welcome his next book .
BOOKS RECEIVED . History of the Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s Chapel ) , No . i . Embracing an account of the rise and progress of Freemasonry in Scotland . By David Murray Lyon , Secretary to the Grand Lodge of Scotland , Corresponding member of . the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland , M . M . Ayr St . Paul , P . M . Ayr St . James . Tercentenary Edition . —Gresham Publishing Co .
The Settlement after the war in South Africa . By M . J . Farrelly , LL . D . ( 10 s net ) . —Macmillan and Co . The Chase of the Ruby . By Richard Marsh ( 3 s 6 d ) . — Skeffington and Son . Philip Winwood . A sketch of the domestic' history of an
American Captain in the war of Independence ; embracing events that occurred between and during the years 176 3 and 17 S 6 , in New York and London : written by his enemy in war , Herbert Russell , Lieutenant in the Loyalist forces . Presented anew by Robert Neilson Stephens . Illustrated by E . W . D . Hamilton ( 6 s ) . —Chatto and Windus .
New Century Library ( 2 s net per vol . ) . —T . Nelson and Sons . The Works of WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY . —Vol . vi ., The Book of Snobs , Christmas Books , and Sketches and Travels in London . China of To-day or The Yellow Peril . Illustrating the principal places , incidents , and persons connected with the crisis in China . Edited by Commander Charles N . Robinson , R . N . ( 5 s ) . —George Newnes , Limited .
Khaki in South Africa . An album of pictures and photographs illustrating the chief events of the war under Lord Roberts , with a chronological history ( 5 s ) . —George Newnes Limited .
On Tuesday next Bro . Charles Wyndham will produce a new play by Henry Arthur Jones , at his theatre in Charing Cross Road .
www After a lapse of many years , Bro . L . DaCosta P . M . 1349 has consented to work the Fifteen Sections at the Israel
Lodge of Instruction , No . 205 , at the Rising Sun , Globe Road , Bethnal Green , on Sunday , 28 th inst , at 6 p . m . prompt . This is practically „ the opening night of the season , and it is hoped there will be a specially strong attendance as a consequence . * * »
We are pleased to hear that Bro . D . Murray Lyon ' s services to Scottish Freemasonry have been recognised in a substantial manner , he having been granted as a retiring allowance his full salary of £ 600 a year as Grand Secretary of that Jurisdiction . Our worthy Brother is in his
eip-htvsecond year , and we trust will live for many years yet to enjoy his well deserved retirement . He has filled the office , of Grand Secretary for twenty-four years , and under his management the affairs of the Scottish Grand Lodge have prospered greatly . That thev are now in a vprv flnnn ' sfimrr
condition is shown by the fact that when he was appointed in 1877 there was a debt against Grand Lodge of A 20 , 000 , which has been converted into a credit balance of ^ 80 , 000 . Bro . Murray Lyon is a recognised authoritv on all m ^ tt ^ rc
connected with Freemasonry , and he is the author of a history of the Craft of Scotland . The candidates for the vacant office are Bro . David Reid Grand Treasurer , Bro . Allan Mackenzie , Edinburgh ; and Bro . MacNaught Campbell , Glasgow .