Magazines Of The Month.

should consider that his " vocation" may not be as interesting to his readers as to himself . We like to read about parsons , but not to the exclusion of other classes . However , Dr . Davies this month does what it was only natural so capable a writer should have done . He is not wholly parsonic this month , in spite of his vocation . Accordingly we find his present contribution a most genial one , one

that we are persuaded will be read with a great deal of pleasure . " Two Strings to one Beau " is a clerical experience , very amusingly written , and there is , likewise , " An Italian Novel , " well worth reading . The poetry , as we have again and again remarked , is so admirable , that we wish we had space to transcribe more of it . As it is , we must content ourselves with quoting the following , being No . VII , of " Dreams of a German Jew . "

In dreams have I been weeping ; I dreamt that thou wert dead . Invoke , and still the tear-drops , Down from my cheeks were shed . . In dreams have I been weeping , That thou forsookest me ; I woke , and still was weeping—Yea , weeping bitterly .

In dreams have I been weeping ; To me thou still wert good . I woke , and yet for ever , Streams on the tearful flood . Baily , as is invariably the case , contains an excellent series of papers . Among other contributions we have noted chapter XX . of

" Frank Raleigh of Watercombe , " and Mr . Frederick Gale ' s admirably written reminiscences of "Tom Spring's Back Parlour , " in which we have apparently a life-like picture of that illustrious worthy of the P . R . " A run in the Woldshire Country in December 1872 , " and " A Day in a Punt , " together with " My Last Day ' s Sport in Africa , "

are excellent reading . " Our Van , " if a little less racy than usual , is full of lively writing , notes , and anecdotes . There is , in one part , a kindly reference to the "Old Sbekarry , " a well "known sporting writer , the early termination of whose career will be a source of regret to every true lover of sport .

The St . James's has a goodly programme . The early chapters of Mrs . Townshend Mayer ' s serial , " Sir Hubert ' s Marriage , " are the opening contribution , and there are further chapters of Henry Kingsley ' s romance , "The Grange Garden . " Mr . John C . Paget asks the pertinent question , " Can we support Turkey ? " His answer appears to be to the effect that Turkey , sooner or later , will crumble

to pieces . The old story of the sick man of the days of Czar Nicholas reappears , and his suggestion about our appropriating Egypt appears to bo the only consolation Mr . Paget has to offer for abandoning a consistent course of policy as regards the irrepressible Eastern question . Mr . Gibbs ' s poem , " The Battle of the Standard , " is as attractive as ever , and the editor ' s " Olla Podrida" smart and genial .

The story of the " Siege of Stralsund , by J . B . de Liefde , is still in progress in the Leisure Hour . Besides this we have noted " Natural History Anecdotes , " "The National Melodies of Ireland , " " Port Royal , " by the Rev . Fred . Arnold , and No . V . of " Caricatures and Caricaturists , " in which is sketched , with illustrations , the career of George Cruikshank . There is a good assortment of appropriate reading in Sunday at Home .

Once a Week includes several excellent contributions , "Jack Hamilton ' s Luck , " " Grace ' s Lovers , " and the notes of " The Casnal Observer . " There are several illustrations , in respect of merit considerably in advance of our previous experience , yet not quite np to our idea of what illustrations should be in so well-known a periodical as this .

Grand Lodge Of Northumberland.

GRAND LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND .

r pHE annual gathering of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Free and JL Accepted Masons belonging to the province of Northumberland , was held in the ancient town of Hexham , under the banner of the Northern Counties Lodge , 406 . The brethren . assembled in goodly numbers in the Town Hall , which was very beautifully decorated for the occasion by a rich assortment of green and hothouse plants , ferns ,

& c , which were kindly lent by Mr . Ralph Robson , of Hexham , and the massive , elegant new furniture of the new Albert Edward Lodge gavo to the spacious hall an imposing and impressive appearance . The assembly was presided over by the Right Hon . Earl Percy , M . P ., the Right Worshipful Provincicl Grand Master of Northumberland . The S . W . chair was occupied by Bro . T . B . Winter P . G . S . W ., and

the J . W . chair by Bro . A . Potter P . G . J . W . The minutes of the previous Lodge having been read and received , the various reports for the past year were read and received , from which it transpired that the Ancient Order was prospering within the province . The proceedings of the day were rendered highly interesting by the cousecration of a new Lodge in the town of Hexham , called the Albert

Edward Lodge , No . 1557 . The solemn and impressing ceremony was dnly performed , with all the accustomed rites and usages , by the Provincial Grand Master and his officers . The Lodge having been duly consecrated , Bro . George White , of Dilston Villa , was dnly installed into the chair of K . S ., as the first Worshipful Master of tho Albert Edward Lodge . The business having been transacted , the Lodge was

closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was served up in first rate stylo by Messrs . Bell and Bolam , of the Crown Hotel , Clayton Street , Newcnstle , in the Corn Market . The banqueting hall was also beautifully decorated . Tho chair was occupied by the Right Hon . Earl Percy P . G . M ., and tho vice-chnirs by Bro . B . J . Thompson and Bro . C . Jam ' s W . M . Tyne Lodge . Upwards of 200 brethren partook of a recherche repast .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of The North And East Ridings.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF THE NORTH AND EAST RIDINGS .

FROM "THE HULL PACKET . " THE annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons in the above Ridings was held on Wednesday , at Hull , when there was a ' arge and distinguished assemblage of the members of the Craft . Many years have elapsed since Hnll was last selected as the place of meeting for the Prov . Grand Lodge ; and on its becoming known that the invitation of the W . M ., officers and brethren of the Minerva

Lodge , No . 250 , to pay another visit to this town had been accepted , great interest was manifested in the event . Every arrangement necessary to accord to the R . W . the Prov . Grand Master and his officers a fitting and hearty welcome was carried out with spirit ; and the compliments passed on Wednesday by the Earl of Zetland on the cordiality with which the Prov . Grand Lodge had been received

in Hull , must have been eminently satisfactory to all who bad taken part in the planning and carrying into effect the general arrangements for the meeting . The Mayor ( Bro . Charles Wells P . P . G . J . W . ) , with his wonted urbanity and kindness , placed the banqueting-room of the Town Hall at the disposal of the Craft , neither of the ordinary Lodge-rooms in the town being sufficiently large to accommodate the

numbers that were expected . The whole of the apartments at the Town Hall were thrown open for the purposes of the meeting , and at two o ' clock the general body of the brethren assembled in the Council Chamber , those holding present and past grand rank proceeding to the robing-room adjoining . The brethren , having partaken of the hospitality of the Mayor , proceeded to tako up their

positions in Grand Lodge , the interior of the banqueting-hall having been superbly fitted up for the occasion as a Lodge-room . Shortly before half-past two o ' clock a flourish of trumpets in the vestibule announced the approach of tho R . W . Prov . Grand Blaster , the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Zetland , who was accompanied by a long procession of present and past Provincial Officers , amongst whom we

observed : —Bro . J . March Prov . G . S . W ., Bro . J . H . Bennet Prov . G . J . W ., Bro . W . Valentine Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro . R . W . Hollon Prov . Grand Treasurer , Bro . M . C . Peck Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . J . Fearne Holden Prov . G . S . D ., Bro . J . Hudson Prov . G . S . W ., Bro . W . Petchell Prov . G . S . B ., Bro . T . Oates Prov . G . O ., Bro . J . Ward Prov . Grand Pursuivant , Brothers T . Marshall , W . K . Brown , J . W .

Bennet , and W . H . Wellsted Prov . Grand Stewards , Bro . T . Crier Prov . Grand Tyler . A large number of past Provincial Officers were also present . Nearly all the Lodges in the province were represented , brethren attending from Scarborough , Driffield , Hornsea , Richmond . Whitby , Middlesbro ' , Redcar , Selby , Howden , Cleveland , Beverley , York , Bridlington , Filey , Malton , & c . It is computed that about 400

brethren in all were present at the imposing ceremony . The R . W . having taken his place , the Prov . Grand Lodge was opened in duo form , ami the Earl of Zetland was saluted with grand Honour . " . Letters of apology were read from Bros . Sir Harcourt JJohuston and Sir James Neave . who had been prevented from attending on the occasion . The Prov . Grand Secretary ( Bi'o . M .. C . Peck ) then read the minutes of

the last Prov . Grand Lodge , and the Board of Benevolence meeting , from the latter of which it was learnt that tho office of Prov . Grand Steward to the Masonic Charities , held up to the time of his death by the late Bro . James "Walker , had been conferred upon Bro . John Thompson , of Hull ; and the Board recommended the sum of £ 30 to be handed over to Mrs . Walker , in acknowledgment of the services

rendered by her late husband . Bro . Charles Wells said ho had great pleasure in supporting the recommendation of the Board with reference to their late Bro . Walker . He had had the opportunity , personally , of witnessing tho indefatigable exertions used by him for the benefit of tho Craft , and those truly benevolent objects which were his peculiar care and study . Other references

having been made to the late Bro . Walker ' s assiduity and zeal on behalf of the Masonic Charities having been made , tho minutes were confirmed . The appointment of Provincial Officers for the ensuing year was then made , the brethren being invested with their collars by the Earl of * Zetland , and dnly installed into their respective chairs : —Prov . Grand Senior Warden , Bro . Thomas

Smurthwaite , of York , Prov . Grand Junior Warden Bro . W . H . Porritt , of Bridlington Quay , Prov . Grand Chaplain Bro . the Rev . — Wade , of York , Prov . Grand Registrar Bro . Thos . Sissons of the " Kiugston " Lodge , Hull , Prov . Grand Treasurer Bro . R . W . Hollon , of York ( re-elected ) , Prov . Grand Secretary Bro . M . C . Peck , of Hull ( re-elected ) , Prov . Senior Deacon Bro . W . II . Dclemere , of

the Denison Lodge , Scarborough , Prov . Junior Deacon Bro . John Brooke W . M . of tho " Miuerva" Lodge , Hull , Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies , Bro . T . C . Davidson of tho "Marwood" Lodge , Redcar , Prov . Grand Sword Bearer Bro . John Thompson of tho "Minerva" Lodge , Hull , Prov . Grand Snpt . of Works , Bro . John Kemp of the " Constitution" Tindgc , Beverley , Prov . Grand On / ai ist

Brother Johnson , of "Marwood" Lodge , Redcar , Prov . (' ¦ and Pursuivant , Bro . John Ward , of York , Prov . Grand Tyler , i-. m . I'lios . Crier of Hull . After the transaction of other Lodge business tho R . W . Prov . Grand Master , before closing tho Lodge , said he was not aware that there was any matter of business or other subject of particular interest by allusion to which it was necessary for

him to detain them . At the last meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge he had the pleasure of iutimating that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had accepted the office of M . W . Grand Master of England ; and ho need hardly remind them that since then his Royal Highness had been duly installed into that exalted position ( applause ) . All who were present at that Grand Lodge must have

witnessed a sppprr . flp which would L 2 deeply rooted in their memories , and in it they " -v- ' v . v .-j seen r . mplo evidence of the loyalty uf Freemasons in this uo-ntry ( renewod Jipp ' nnso ) . In this Province they had much canse for congratulation . They were now as ^ nili'pd in a town which had been designated as one of the strongholds of free , masonry in the country for mau , _ ""irs—were additions whore being constantly made to the Craft ; and he was inf . 'ime I that Hieve * tis a