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of flowers aro tastefully dispersed , tho whole forming a conp d ' a : il such as tho habitues of the Cannon Tavern would hardly havo thought possible six months ago . But , bright and glowing as tho house is at night , there are halls of more dazzling light iu Loudon , and it is by no means for tho sake of attractive appearance only thafc discriminating customers flock in and out of its doors " daily , from twelve to

threo o ' clock . " Equally , if not more inviting in daylight than latci on , wo find that by tlio alterations effected we have a lofty and wellventilated saloon , on whoso spacious tables can bo served up a varied and excellent menu , promptitude and economy being tho two very necessary and acceptable maxims observed . Everything is " as clean as a new pin , " and the attendance , under tho personal

supervision of Bro . King , is all that conld possibly bo desired . Tho cooking apparatus is quite away from tlio hnu : heoti bar , so that there is no unpleasant sense of tbo nearness of culinary operations , whilst by the introduction of patent swing scats , iu lieu of the old-fashioned chairs and stools—which wero constantly being knocked over each other—not oalv is greater comfort afforded to diners during their

gastronomic deliberations , but being easily turned back to tho wall thoy are compactly stowed away beneath the tables boyoud tho risk of breaking the shins of customers at a timo when attendance is moro numerous and shifting . You can speak conscientiously of tho excellence of tlio viands and tho wines purveyed by Bros . Smith and King , for be it known I purposely dropped in unawares tho other clay and

witnessed for myself an ordinary example of tho way in which thoy cater for thoir patrons . Taking stock from a designedly obscure corner , I should say that at least from 150 to 200 gentlemen made requisition upon tho cuisine between tho hours quoted on the bill of faro , and all appeared to bo highly delighted with tho place , the hosts , and the manner in which their requirements had boon

administered to . Dropping iu on one or two occasions since , I havo noticed tho same faces , men who aro evidently on terms of intimacy with tho proprietors and their staff—a fact which proves conclusively that thoy regard the place as " all k ' rect . " In thoso days of competition ono is not obliged to curry favour , or oven put up ¦ with small inconveniences : if tho customer is not suited ho moves

to more congenial regions , and seldom returns to old quarters which have not turned oat to his entire satisfaction . There is no fear of Buch a contretemps at the Cannon , under its present management . Whilst congratulating Bros . Smith and King upon tho vast improvement they havo effected at this busy corner within the past six months , wo may express a hope that they may go on ancl prosper in

a manner commensurate with their efforts to deserve success . Every appliance is at hand for supplying , on any scale that may bo desired , banquets , dejeuners , race hampers , and indeed the whole minutnc of the catering business is here present in tho most unique and complete form . In conclusion , let mo say that for tho three great essentials of a dining bar , —cleanliness , excellence , and economy , —commend mo

to Bros . Smith and King ' s , directly opposite the Cannon . street railway station . Whilst on the subject of "dining out , " perhaps you will bo able to find a corner in which I may mention another worthy brother of ours , wcll-kuowii , 1 should say , to everybody who has visited the Crystal Palace—I refer , of course , to Bro . F . J . Sawyer . Chancing the other

clay to be on my " way for a sea-blow at Southend , I arrived at Fenchurch Street -station "just in time to bo too late , " and as a means of beguiling bail' an hour or so before the departure of tho next train , I looked into what I had hitherto known as tho " Station" restaurant , ancl could not resist expressing my surprise at the marvellous transformation that had taken place since my last visit , —a few weeks

previously . 1 had recollected the place as in perfect unison with the locality in which it is situated—dingy , dull , aud smoke-begrimed . The joints and general window display had caught the contagion of tho universal smokiness which hangs over this locality , where merchants in every department of shipping , commerce , and agriculture are for ever jostling each other in this throbbing artery of the

great City . In a word , the place rose in my memory as a " dowdy " one j and there is no other word I can command sufficiently expressive to convey to my readers its gloomy aud forsaken aspect . By whom the restaurant was now kept , or who had been bold enough to expend such skill ancl taste npon a remodelling of the interior I had no idea . But , happening casually to take up the bill of faro , and prepossessed

with the charmingly clean and pretty appearance of the dining-room , methought I'd appease the gentle admonitions cf nature by indulging in a frugal meal . Passing through tho luncheon-bar , with its mirrors set in arcades of virgin cork , under a massive archway of the same material , I found myself in a spacious dining-room , capable of seating comfortably , I should say , 150 persons . I songlit iu vain amongst

tho happy-looking company assembled at the respective tables for a face that I knew , so determined to proceed farther , and by descending a spiral staircase came into the grill-room , a commodious apartment , with handsome bar , and set out with tables , over which pretty young ladies were affably doing the honours to tho infinite satisfaction of a numerous party . Following suit , I was promptly supplied with a

splendid steak , which—knowing that the chef will not seo this , aud become vain in consequence—was done " to a turn . " Nothing requires greater art than to cook a steak ; and 1 was immensely struck with tho idea that tho chef nt the "Station" restaurant knows precisely how to do it . After discussing a very excellent meal—at the cost of which I liinst confess I was most agreeably astounded—I had leisure

to survey the salon , and wondered , as I dare say many others have wondered too , at the existence of so elegant ancl spacious a grill-room in a neighbourhood where elbow-room is scarcely to bo obtained for lovo or money . And yet hero we are , in the very heart of tho City , possessing a salle de mamjvr as light , airy , and comfortable as any that could bo found afc the West-cud . T / iciv is ample room to dine at

least lf > U persons ; and , although the room is partially underground , yet there is no oppressiveness , no sUitluiess , no unpleasant odour , notwithstanding that in the corner roars aa enormous lire , ami hisses a wide-spreading grill . Ail around tho room aro mirrors , with fantastic and pretty byrderings of cork , and the aspect of a wellarranged bar , presided over by engaging youug ladies , gives to the

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place a most attractive appearance . Having macie theso mental notes and finished my lunch , I asked the inevitable question , "How much ? " "What havo you had , sir ? " was the anticipated interrogation , to which I rejoined , " Rump steak , two vegetables , bread and cheese . " " Ono and a penny , please sir , " said tho twinkling little waitress , and believe me I had to take a second

glance afc the menu before I could be brought to understand that my attendant had not very much understated her duos . However , ifc was correct , and tho fact speaks so plainly for itself thafc I need scarcely enlarge upon that phenomenon . Strolling upstairs into tho cooler upper atmosphere of the dining-room , which is sumptuously seated , I soon found myself behind a fragrant havannah , and through its enriing

wreaths I beheld the cheery' visage of my esteemed friend , Bro . Sawyer . Tho recognition was mutual , and after learning from him that ho had shifted his venue from Sydenham to Fenohurch Street , I could do no less than offer him . my sincere congratulations upon the alteration and improvement ho had effected in this wellknown City restaurant . My friend instantly replied , with a smile , that

ho bad " hardly begun yet , " adding that he intended to effect still further amendments and extensions in order to meet the increasing trade he thought sure to follow . I had known Bro . Sawyor when his father was afc the London , and at Pirn ' s , in tho Poultry , and the experience ho gained there he carried with him most successfully to tho Crystal Palace Buffet , over which ha presided with such

ability and satisfaction for upwards of seven years . Thero yet remains a few finishing touches to be put on the interior adornments , which aro already of a chasto aud elegant description , and when completed we shall have to go far before we find a restaurant which in all its desirable features—central locality , ease , comfort , and luxury , at accessible prices—are so well combined as afc Bro . Sawyer ' s .

All I can say , I left my friend with a hearty shake of tho hand , with the most enjoyable impression of my first visit to the " Station " restaurant under Bro . Sawyer ' s presidency , though I suspect that merry twinkle in his eye would have been slightly dimmed had he any suspicion that I was aboufc to put my " experiences " of his place into

print . With the utmost confidence I would recommend all who aro passing Fenohurch Street Station to look in at the adjoining restaurant , where they will find in Bro . Sawyer ' s management everything that tho heart can desire , in tho way of excellence of menu at surprisingly moderate tariff .

St. Cuthbert's Lodge Of Mark Masters.

ST . CUTHBERT'S LODGE OF MARK MASTERS .

Iu is annual meeting of tho members of thia Lodge waa held at the Freemasons' Hall , Berwick-on-Twced , on tho evening of the 9 th instant , wheu thero was a large attendance of tho brethren , who was joined by visitors from other Lodges in the district . Tho Lodge having been opened iu form , and some preliminary business disposed of , the ceremony of installing'the VV . M . for tho ensuing year was proceeded with . Bro . the Rev . E . L . Marrctt

P . f . G . U . P . P . J . G . W . P . M . 135 , J . P ., vicar of Lesbury , was the installing Officer , and the manner in which ho conducted tho installation of Bro . C . Hopper elicited the admiration of all the brethren present . The W . M . having received tho salutations of the brethren , invested his Officers as follow : —Bros . J . A . Forbes I . P . M ., Ii . Weatherhead S . W ., J . J . Oswald J . W ., R . Thompson M . O .

, G . F . Steven S . O ., J . Carr J . O ., J . Marshall Secretary , G . Moor Treasurer , li . Craik S . D ., J . Moor J . D ., H . Heron E . M ., J . Wallace Organist , A . L . Miller I . G ., F . Turnbull Tyler . On the motion of Bro , A . L . Miller , seconded by Bro . Captain Forbes , an enthusiastic vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Marretfc for his services as installing

Officer . In tho evening the brethren dined together at the King's Arms Hotel , where an excellent repast was provided . Tho W . M . presided , and Bro . 11 . Weatherhead S . W . was in the vice chair . After dinner , the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and the proceed , ings were characterised by the utmost harmony and good feeling .

We have perused with interest a concise little pamphlet , giving a short account of the Masonic Charities , compiled for the use of tho brethren of Lodges 414 and 1101 , of Reading , by Bro . Charles Oades , the W . M . of JS ' o . 414 . The object of the brochure is to give in terse and intelligent manner an answer to the enquiry frequently asked , especially by tho younger brethren : — " What are the Masonic

Charities ? Where are they situated ? For whose benefit were they founded ? " To those several points tho compiler has furnished , in succinct language , all the salient features of our various Charitable Institutions , and the object he has in view , viz ., that of endeavouring to make tho brethren feel more fully the duty of contributing to those benevolent institution for the relief of the aged and distressed ,

tor the support of tho widows , aud for tho education and rearing of tho orphans is one eminently to be commended by the Craft . If only such instances of individual exertion wore more common , the vagueness which exists in tho minds of many as to tho extent aud character of our Institutions would bo dissipated , and tho result would bo a substantial addition to the means placed at the disposal of the executive to meet tho cases which press so urgently upon their attention .

1 £ OM . O * . VA . V ' OixTitEXT . urn PILLS arc Use beat , cnonpost , and the most popular remedies nt nil seasons , an I under all circumstances they may bo used ¦ . villi safely iiii ' ' with certainty of doing good . Eruptions , rallies , and all descriptions of skiu diseases , sores , ulcerations , and burns are presently wiielitud and ultimately cured hy these healing , soothing , and purifying

meill-I'Mnuiits . Tho Ointment rubbed upon the abdomen checks all tendency to hvitiition in tha bowels , and averts diavrhuia . aud other disorders of tho ;¦ . ! . (¦ sliuos frequently prevailing through the summer and fruit seasons . Heat lumps , blotches , pimples , iuflummations of tho skm , muscular paias , neuralgic aToctions and enlarged glands can be effectively overcome by using Hollovvay ' s remedies according to the instructions accompanying every packet .