A Visit To The West End.

A VISIT TO THE WEST END .

NOW that the season has fairly set in , and the brethren of our various Lodges havo settled down , like veterans , to the work of the campaign , it may not be nninteresting to give a passing allusion to Some of the resorts unto which the members of tho mystic tie repair , either for labour or refreshment , in various districts of tho metropolis . There are some which are known as tho "homes" almost of certain

Lodges , where , year after year , the samo faces and tho same fraternal greetings are to be met with , tho only changes being when initiates are brought within tho pale of the Craft , to supply tho ranks of those who , from a variety of causes , havo " fallen out . " Wo are prompted to this introductory notice , of which we may hope to give more before the season closes , by agreeable recollections of hearty

Lodge , Chapter and Rose Croix assemblies we have attended at Limmer ' s Hotel , in George-street , Hanover-square , over which Bro . T . Benskin presides so amiably and with such business-like tact and ability . We have been there , and still would go , when the Masonio pen was silent , - in a professional sense , but when the Grand old hall resounded with the clank of arms , and royalty has deigned to

preside over festivities , surrounded by all the glorious " pomp and cironmstance" of military merry making . We remember the cordial interchange of sentiment between the regiments of Hussars and Lancers and Highlanders , the sturdy cheers of the Black Watch , and the equally happy gatherings of the Fusiliers and Infantry , which havo made the walls of Limmer's ring during the past season ,

and before our troubles in Egypt began ; whilst many a more subdued , though equally pleasant reunion , has been witnessed in this luxurious West-end establishment which will live in the memories of the Royal Military College , the Marlborough , Cornish , Phoenix , Oxford , Falstaff , and other olubs—the Royal Institute of British Architects ( over whom onr esteemed Bro . Horace Jones , City Architect , so well

presided ) , of the Royal Military College , the Army Pay Department , the Defence of Lucknow Presidency , and the Household Brigade Cricket Club , and many other associations , who , when their work was ended for the time , have assembled here and found a place to spend a happy evening . The fame of all these gatherings has gone abroad , and we understand that more than one of our West-end

Lodges have thought of making Limmer s more than an occasional bouse of call . The Bayard Lodge has tested the capacities of this luxurious establishment , and Rose Croix Chapters have there also found their needs administered in truly Masonio fashion by Bro . Benskin , and his able staff of assistants . Nor do we know of a more central and suitable trysting place for the many brethren who dwell

in this aristocratic quarter . As many of our readers are aware , the hotel occupies a bold and commanding position , at the corner of George . street , Hanover-square and Conduit-street , and presents at once a warm , dry and luxurious aspect . On entering the hall the visitor is struck by tbe massive and elegant surroundings , with its ornamented foliage , p lants and exotics , tastefully displayed within the

alcoves and around the pillars supporting tho roof , whilst immediately on the right aro the offices , flanked by a neatly and comfortably furnished smoking-room , which bears the aspect of simple luxury and ease . Around the tables are seats and lounges of the most approved pattern , whilst the best magazines , periodicals and papers of the day are in abundant supply , with the addition of books for reference on all

matters interesting to visitors . Opening from the corridor is the banquet . hall , a spacious and magnificent apartment , capable of seating comfortably 150 guests at dinner . Corresponding with the hall , the roof is supported by pillars , the ceiling is richly and chastely embellished , the light being furnished in the daytime by an elaborately decorated dome , and in the evening by massive gaseliers , fitted with

the most approved appliances , while all the necessary apparatus for ventilation and a free current of air through the saloon have been carefully studied . The walls are beautifully decorated , and in keeping with the rest of the fittings , and the coup dceil , when the hall is brilliantly lighted , suggests the acme of luxuriance aDd elegance . Adjoining are all the requisite offices and lavatories ,

The plan adopted by Bro . Benskin has evidently been the outcome of large experience in the all-important matters of comfort and convenience . Proceeding over the tesselated pavement to the broad open staircase , the visitor is conducted to the general coffee-room , which overlooks Conduit-street and its approaches , the bay windows being filled with choice plants , which give to them a cool and

refreshing aspect . The room itself is lofty and well decorated , the ceiling being embellished with figure-work of a light and elegant design . The tables are placed & la Russe , and are adorned with vases and epergnes of flowers and ferns , whilst piotures and mirrors add to tho completeness and comfort of the apartment . On this floor are other private sitting-rooms , all admirably appointed , and presenting a homely

appearance , combined with every accessible comfort , with pianos and lounges e « suite . Ascending to the second floor , another suite of rooms , which communicate with each other , forms a most admirable and nnique arrangement for such purposes as the Craft require , and which we expect soon to see more extensively utilised in that way . On this floor are also the well-appointed bed-rooms and

retiringrooms , with baths , lavatories and other conveniences , of the most modern style , while above these again are other suites of apart , ments , in unison with the general interior economy of this admirablydesigned and well-conducted hotel . There are electric bells all over the house , so as to reduce the labour of the servants to a minimum , and prevent delays that are often vexatious , whilst by means of telephones communication cau be readily secured

with any part of the City . It is no matter for surprise that , in a locality so proverbially matrimonial , wedding parties shonld frequently be given at Limmer's , and many havo been the nuptial rejoicings there during the past season . When so many Lodges are casting ahout for a suitable meeting place in which to spend their hours of work and recreation , it would be well to pay a visit to Bro . Benskin , whose courtesy and urbanity are so well known , and we anticipate that in the session which has just opened , the

A Visit To The West End.

voice of Masonry will be even more frequently heard here than in the past . We cannot conclude without congratulating Bro . Benskin upon tho vast improvements he has effected since his occupancy , which has extended over tho last eighteen months , and it will bo the universal verdict of all who visit Limmer ' s , that it now forms one of the most recherche and admirably-appointed hotels at tho West-end

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

AH Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 23 Great Queen Street , W . C . — : o : — The Phynodderree , and other Legends of the Isle of Man . By EDWAED CARLOW . London : J . Dean and Son , Fleet-street , E . C .

FEW but Manxmen would comprehend at first sight the meaning of this strange-sounding title , nor by any stretch of the imagination could the ordinary reader attaoh a fairy-like interpretation to it . But it is in the nature of young people to be enquiring , and they will only have to turn the leaves of this pretty volume to find suoh a charminnbanquet of fairy love as they little anticipated . With a oharminw

touch of tenderness , the author dedicates his work " to the dear fairies of my own home , Sarah Frances , Frances Elizabeth , and Alice Mary presumably his daughters ; and he has evidently laid himself out to " entertain as well as to instruct the youthful mind . There are , however , chapters which appeal to the more matured sense and taste , and the style and diction is such as at once commends itself to

thoughtful and intelligent minds . In many parts of the kingdom ifc is well known that there exists—we will not call it superstition—a certain vague belief in fairies , or elfins , or pixies ; we may call them what we please , but their antics and orgies are handed down from generation to generation , until they become surrounded with a sort of fanciful mystery whioh is essentially hereditary . Oar

author assures us thafc this proclivity is nowhere more pre . dominant , or retains a greater hold than upon the people of the Isle of Man ; and in the volume before ns he produces much that ia , to a majority of readers , quaint and original , mixed np with information of the deepest interest concerning the beantifnl little island , " somewhere in the Irish Sea . " It appears that the cat minus its tail

is not the only wonderful phenomenon peculiar to the Isle of Man ; for the legends and tales related by its denizens vie almost with those of the Arabian Nights in their poetry , humour and intricacy . We are assured that those who care to inquire into the habits and customs of the Manx cottagers will see mnch that will reward their curiosity ; and it is not by merely casually visiting this island , on a

summer holiday , and keepiug in the beaten track of sightseers , that any perfect idea of these manners and customs will be obtained . We must branch off to the high road , and out of the recesses of mountain districts to glean these weird stories which hover about the hearth of the humbler and uneducated classes—legends that have been handed down from father to son for generations , and which will never be effaced

no matter how rapid the march of ' education and refinement . To rescue these from oblivion has been the special forte and fancy of the author of this work , and he certainly has succeeded in collecting a great number , and presenting them to his readers in the most agreeable and entertaining fashion . No doubt the perusal of these tales will reward the aim of the writer by inducing many to become personally

acquainted with the scenes so cleverly depicted , and to learn more for themselves of the habits of that thoroughly industrious race who dwell mid ocean , off our north-western coasts . The tale of fairy love which opens the volume , and the others which follow— "Tom Kewley and the Lannanshee ; or the fairy cup of Kirk Mallow ; " " King Olive the Second and tbe Great Sword Macabnin ; " and " Tbe Buggaue's

Vow—a Legend of St . Trinion ' s Church , " are all replete , with thafc charming simplicity of style and piquancy of incident which mnstarrest and rivet the attention , especially of young readers , and enable them to wile away many a pleasant hour , in wholesome relaxation , during the long winter evenings which are now so rapidly coming upon ns . We will not spoil the appetites of onr little friends—aud the children

of larger growth , too , for thafc matter—by even shadowing forth a hint as to the plots revealed in these quaint stories and re . miuiscences , handed down through long-forgotten days ; but need simply say thafc they abound with interest and enter , tainment , and , whether in the drawing-room or the nursery , they will form matter for a vast amount of pleasant

occupation . The book is beautifully got-up , and embellished in a sty le for which this eminent publishing firm is noted ; arul it will form an ornament on the library or drawing-room table . We heartily commend this handsome volume , so full of entertaining matter , simply though forcibly written , to the attention of parents who aim at

placing within the reach of their children really pure and entertaining matter , without any admixture of the pernicious stuff contained iu many modern " fairy books , " and wish for the author as great success in the matter of circulation as he has achieved in his admirable compilation .

Bro . Seymour Smith annouuees that his annual benefit , concert will take place at the South Place Institute , South-place , Moorgote-street , E . C , two minutes walk from Moorgate-street , Broadstreet , and Liverpool-street Railway Stations . On the occasion he will be assisted by Mdme . Worrell , Miss Matilda Roby , Mis 3 Helen Heath , Miss Meta Russell ( pupil of Bro . Seymour Smith ) , and Mdme .

Raymond ; Bros . Lester , Arthur Thompson , C . A . White , Gr . "• Carter , and Chaplin Henry . Amongst the instrumentalists will be Mdme . Harry Bvett , Miss Evelyn Seymour Smith ( pup il of Mdme-Harry Brett ) , and Mr . Michael Watson , pianoforte ; concertina , Mr-Richard Blagrove ; cornet , Mr . W . Morrow . Tickets may be pr ° " cured of Bro . Seymour Smith , 153 Gordon-road , Nunhead . D ° open at 1 o'olock . Commence at 7 . 30 .