Books Of The Day.

The Rev . Knight Dale , a moderate but zealous High Churchman , is a strong contrast to his curate , the Rev . M . B . Jones ; the spiritually minded and the carnally minded are met indeed ! A further contrast in character is shown in the persons of the Rector ' s sister and other ladies of the story ; and the interest of the narrative is well sustained by the recital of the many minor annoyances inflicted up in

the new , hard-working Rector in his endeavours to reform a sleepy church and congregation . We' recommend . this book to young folk interested in the controversies of the day ; for Mr . Sugden , although his opinions are obvious enough , can insinuate them without bitterness . " A Twentieth Century Parson " is tastefully bound and well printed .

The Belle of Toorak . By E . W . Hornung ( 3 s 6 d ) . —Grant Richards . FOR a well written story concerning the land of the eucalyptus and the kangaroo commend us to Mr . Hornung . So far as memory serves he has but one serious rival—Rolf Boldrewood . But the author of " Robber ) ' under Arms " generally asks us to devote a week

to him ; Mr . Hornung can usually be read in a few hours . Which , of these two is the greater artist we cannot say ; but there is not a " dry" page in the " Belle of Toorak , " nor an incident that is clumsily narrated . In tone and characterisation it has reminded us of " Irralie ' s Bushranger " by the same writer . Moya is a young lady of somewhat complex character , easily offended , not always

rational , but eminently lovable withal . Rigden , too , is by no means transparent ; but he shares in common with Moya a fitness for the slight drama here enacted . For slight it is . The plot deals with little save the adventures of Moya , who quarrels with her lover for his share in the shielding of an outlaw , has some choice escapades

of her own during the search by the police , discovers , as so many do , that she has misjudged her man , and finally quits the stage in that manner so much approved by writers and readers . The " Belle of Toorak " will provide excellent entertainment to such as be weary of well doing , and seek their solace in a quiet read .

A Son of the State . By W . Pett Ridge ( 6 s ) . —Methuen and Co . THERE is merit in almost everything written by Mr . Pett Ridge . He has recently contributed very many short stories to our leading magazines , and his success is we believe largely due to the fact that he has made one aspect of life his peculiar study . Of that

aspect of life , that type of character , Bobbie Lancaster , the hero of this book , is a fair representative . As a curiosity he is , in the earlier chapters , almost as good as the " artful dodger " of " Oliver Twist " ; later , as a well meaning youth , desirous of getting on in life , he is a pattern to be held up to others . Darker , more mysterious characters , such as Bat Miller , add considerably to the effect of a

story by no means lacking in power ; whilst the effusive Trixie , so aloof at times and at times so confiding , is an admirable study of a type of girl frequently met with in such families as that of Miss Bell . Bobbie Lancaster's adventures in the hands of his well-wishers , as a " son of the state , " are exceedingly well told , and Mr . Pett

Ridge deserves warm commendation for the adroitness with which he has handled topics not always inherently interesting . There is that in this book which reminds us of Dickens and of Mr . W . W . Jacobs , and we are sure Mr . Pett Ridge will acknowledge that this is high praise . We are equally sure it is well merited .

Erg-o Amicitise and other Poems . By the Rev . C . W . H . Kenrick .- —Skeffington and Son . THIS tastefully printed little volume has reminded us of the famous remark in the " Spectator , " " much might be said on both sides . " We always do our best to utter honest criticism , for the praise of those who praise everything is worth little ; and we must

say that—as we have hinted—there is room here for both commendation and censure . Mr . Kenrick deeply appreciates things which are lovely and of good report , and his sentiments are for the most part such as all men should wish to share , . but we cannot see that he evinces much skill in his endeavours to express ' his sentiments in verse . In the poem " Ergo Amicitise "

we find evidence that the writer has read both Scott and Byron diligently ; but he has hardly found octosyllabic metre a metre to be written with "fatal facility . " There are traces of a gift for lyric expression in the shorter poems , such as " Florence , " " The South Downs , " and " On the coast , " but these stray swallows hardly

make a summer . Mr . Kenrick is a better observer than metrist , and we are sure that a volume of prose-fancies or travel sketches from his pen would merit our praise . Perhaps the best effort in this book is that in the form of a Shakespearian Sonnet , entitled " Written near Guildford . "

/¦ •The Masonic Illustrated is the title of a monthly journal for Freemasons started by Messrs . Spencer and Co ., the well known firm of Masonic furnishers , and which appears likely to win support among the members of the Craft for whom it caters . The great advances made in recent years in the art of photographic printing have been taken advantage of by the promoters to put before the Craft a profusely illustrated Tournal . anrl if thpv ror ,

only find material to continue as they have started success should attend -their efforts . As the " Illustrated " is to appear monthly it would have been better half its present size , as being more convenient for binding , and as giving better opportunity for effective display of the -many portraits with which it is embellished . We greet our new contemporary with all good wishes , and trust we may work side b y side for many years to come .

BOOKS RECEIVED .

The 'Conscience of Coralie . B y F . Frankfort Moore . With eight illustrations b y F . H . Townsend ( 6 s ) . —C . Arthur Pearson , Limited . '

Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

ST . JOHN LODGE .

rjTHE Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire has ex-X tended its borders to Coventry . On Tuesday afternoon a new Lodge , No . 2811 , was consecrated there , at St . Mary ' s Hall , . by Brother Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary of

England . He was assisted by Bros . G . H . C . Hughes Prov . •G . S . W . as S . W ., E . 'A . Eades Prov . G . J . W . as . J . W ., Rev . Canon Beaumont , M . A ., P . P . G . Chaplain as Chaplain , E . Luxmore Marshall P . G . D . D . C . of England as D . C ., F . G . Swinden Prov . Grand Secretary as Secretary , and E . L . Field Prov . G . Pursuivant as I . G .

Bro . T . Webb Fowler P . P . G . S . D . P . M . 254 was the WM . designate , S . Bettmann S . W . designate , and FI . Maddocks ' J . W . designate . The ceremonv was characterised by all the impressiveness associated with the Craft , and an able Oration setting forth the nature and principles of the Institution was delivered by the Chaplain .

The list of founders of the Lodge includes many Brethren of prominence in the Craft , and this , together with its splendid send-off , augurs well for the future success of the Lodge .

The annual meeting of the Lodge of Sympathy , No . 483 , was ' held at the Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , on Wednesday , when Bro . William Spencer Bowen was installed as Master for the year . Our report of the proceedings will appear next week .

* * * The future meetings of the Confidence Lodge of Instruction , No . 193 , will be held at the Flercules Tavern , 119 Leadenhall Street , E . C ., on Weidnesday evenings . The

return of the Lodge to its old quarters will no doubt call up many recollections of the past in the minds of its ' members . We have spent many pleasant hours at its assemblies there , when the house was the home of our worthy Brother 1 " . J . Maidwell .

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