Books Of The Day.

Books of the Day .

Books , Music , So . intended for review , should be addressed to the Editor of the Freemason ' s Chronicle , at Fleet Works , New Barnefc . — : o : — New Century Library . Vol . V . —The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit . —By Charles Dickens ( 2 s net ) . —Thomas Nelson and Sons . SUCH a beautifully printed and bound miniature of a great English classic is worthy , like the cake of soap held by the nice little boy in the Ingoldsby Legends , of presentation to the Pope himself . We have on former

occasions expressed our entire approval of the New Century Library now being issued by Messrs . Nelson . Can it be necessary to recapitulate the sovereign merits of Martin Chuzzlewit ? Even among the other novels of Dickens it would be difficult to name one containing quite so large a gallery of immortal portraits . Mr . Pecksniff , " soi-disant " architect and moralist ; his daughters , Mercy and Charity ; Mr . Thomas Pinch , Organist ; the irresistible

Mark Tapl- 'y , who considers mirth to be meritorious only when present in face of appalling disasters ; the immortal , yet exceedingly " mortal '' Mrs . Gamp ; Mr . Bailey Junior and Mr . Sweedlepipe ; the visionary Mrs . Harris and that dreadful scoundrel , Jonas , —all these characters live in our memories as realities indeed . This edition of the works of Charles Dickens is a boon to such as have but scanty room for books . It possesses , in many respects , the maximum of merit . It occupies the minimum of space .

Dover as a Sea-Angling Centre ( Illustrated ) . By Deputy-Surgeon-Gen . C . T . Pa « ke . Edited by Miss N . Hill . —Goulden ' s Library , Dover . THE author of this useful book has done his work exceedingly well . In the first place , it is matter of common knowledge that ho thoroughly understands his subject . The novice may take it for granted that what Deputy-Surgeon-Gen . Paske does not know concerning sea-angling is hardly worth learning . Secondly , it is very evident that he has exercised great care

in the writing of those pages ; he tells us a great deal in very few words . These chapters first appeared in " The Standard , " a Dover newspaper , and we were not surprised to learn that the author was absolutely compelled to put them into a volume by " request of friends" though not , we are glad to know " by hunger . " The remarks on fishing from the pier seem to us particularly praiseworthy , and the most enthusiastic devotee of the sport of

sea-fishing cannot complain that the author has handled his subject halfheartedly . The illustrations are decidedly good ; the best is perhaps that which represents "Dover Bay by Moonlight , " although "Bocks at foot of Shakespeare Cliff" runs it very close . This book would have convinced . Master Izaak Walton that the sport of sea-angling is as enticing to a " complete angler " as catching roach in the Lea .

Arden Massiter . By Dr . William Barry ( 6 s ) . —T . Fisher Unwin . DB . BABEY is a writer of many sympathies and moods . His wide culturs and discursive tastes are brought into full play in this narrative of the deede and opinions of " Arden Massiter . " The scene is largely at Rome , and the knowledge displayed by the writer concerning certain phases of past life in that city -is beyond all question and above all praise . We remember but few recent utterances upon things Roman which will compare favourably with

this book ; perhaps those of Frederic Harrison , Zola , and F . Marion Crawford would complete the list . A critic has pointed out that in " Arden Massiter " there is no moral . We agree with that dictum , and think the book gains by the omission . Arden is an Englishman of high birth , but a socialist . In London he becomes acquainted with Tiberio Sforza , an Anarchist ; in Italy he meets him again , and , unfortunately for his own happiness as for that of others , he introduces Tiberio at Roccaforte , where he is himself a guest .

Many events , tragic and otherwise , follow each other speedily ; Tiberio falls in love with Costanza , who is already the object of Arden ' s affections , and abducts her . Don Gaetano , the son of the house , is killed by Tiberio when the final fracas comes to pass ; and the volume closes with Costanza ' s forvid words that explain , none too precisely , why she can never become the wife of Arden Massiter . There is much powerful writing in this volume , and the descriptions of natural sights and sounds are as faithful as those of

Wordsworth , as richly coloured as those of Dante Gabri . 1 Eossetti , as subtly delineated as those of D'Annunzio . " There are lovely hanging mists of rain , shot through in places by the floating and uncertain sun , but even where they touch the white houses I feel that the lines are distinct , not magically shaded as in our northern landscapes . " This is good and perfect workmanship such as Dan Chaucer would have approved . We wish such careful writings were more frequently to be met with .

'' A 439 . " Being the autobiography of a Piano . By twenty-five Musical Scribes ( 6 s ) . —Sands and Co . OF the " making of books " there is indeed no end I King Solomon held strong views upon this subject three thousand years ago ; we think " A 439 " would have staggered him indeed . The autobiography of a pianoforte written by twenty-five musical scribes is certainly a novelty in literature . ; but this book was produced for so excellent an object that , were it much less cleverly

conceived or executed , we , at least , would utter no adverse criticism . As it Is , much of this volume is eminently original , particularly the portions treating of the pianoforte itself , and ' a very amusing hour may be spent in turning its pages . Light is thrown upon the ways of the needy musician , the foibles and jealousies of the rising professional artist or artiste , and the mysterious

machinations of the concert promoter . We were struck b y the remarkable similarity of style evinced in several sections of this book ; nothing less than the direct assertion , given at the begii ning , would have convinced us that " A 439 " was the work of many minds . We heartily wish that the Incorporated Society of Musicians' Orphanage will receive a substantial sum from the profits on this volume .

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The Freemason ' s Chronicle , A Weekly Record of Masonic Intelligence . Published every Saturday , price 8 d . 13 s 6 d per : annum , post free . Scale of Charges for Advertisements . Page £ 10 10 0 Births , Marriages , and Deaths Is per line . General Advertisements , Trade Announcements , < £ c , narrow column , 6 s per inch . News column Advertisements Is per line . Special terms for a series of insertions or particular positions on application ,

Foundation Stone Laying.

FOUNDATION STONE LAYING .

TTIHE foundation stone of a new church , at Norris Bank , J _ Heaton Norris , was laid on Saturday , 26 th ult ., by the Earl of Latham Prov . G . Master West Lancashire , with Masonic honours , in the presence of a large number of members of the Craft belonging to the Province and adjacent districts .

The cost of the church is estimated at £ 5 , 000 and of this the Committee has £ 3 , 000 in hand .

Picnic To Ashbourn.

PICNIC TO ASHBOURN .

ON Wednesday , 30 th ult ., the Phoenix Lodge of St . Ann , No . 1235 , Buxton , held a most enjoyable picnic . The party left Buxton by the 8 . 50 a . m . train , arriving at Ashbourn at 9 . 44 . Here conveyances were waiting , and after a pleasant drive to the Ashbourn Hall Hotel , where light refreshments were provided , the party journeyed to Alton , which was reached about noon . Luncheon was served at the Shrewsbury Hotel , and afterwards a very enjoyable time was spent at the Towers .

After exploring the many beauties of the deli ghtful gardens , the party once more entered the carriages , a charming drive by the way of Far lev . Wootton , and Ellaston bringing them back again to Ashbourn . At the Hall Hotel a sumptuous dinner put on in the

host ' s incomparable style was served in a spacious dining room . This was most heartily enjoyed after the long drive , and after spending a short time in the beautiful grounds , the party returned to Buxton by the 9 . 17 p . m . train . Throughout the day was beautifully fine , and the picnic was in every way a decided success .

ON Friday next , 22 nd inst ., Miss Kate Phillips , the popular actress , will give a Musical and Dramatic Matinee at the Queen ' s Gate Hall , South Kensington . Messrs . H . Irving , Brandram , Denham , Price , Claude Baatock , Miss Dorothea Baird , Miss Mary Collette , Mrs . Fletcher Elmes , Madame R . Vidler , and other popular artistes will appear . A new Comedietta entitled " Robert , " by Mrs . Charles Collette ( wife of Bro . Charlie Collette ) will be produced , in which the principal parts will be sustained by Miss Kate Phillips and Miss Mary Collette .

THE new station at Nottingham , the joint property of the Great Northern and Great Central Railways , will for the future be known as the Victoria Station .

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