Books Of The Day.

Books of the Day .

Books , Music , & c . intended for review , should be addressed to the Editor of the Freemason ' s Chronicle , at Fleet Works , New Barnet . Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket Book , for the year 1900 . Published for the benefit of the Charity Fund , under the authority of the United Grand Lodge of England ( 2 s ) . —George Kenning . THE new edition of this popular Masonic guide has duly appeared , but we fear its usefulness is somewhat discounted , as usual , by its lack of

accuracy in certain details . Published as it is under the authority of Grand Lodge , there ought to be some means of securing reliability in the information it - affords , and although we expect the Calendar Committee of Grand Lodge would seek to shift responsibility on the Lodge Secretaries , for any inaccuracies in the list of Lodges and days of meeting , were they brought to task on the subject , we are yet of opinion something might be done by an official notification from the authorities , which should have the effect of rendering the compilation more up to date . Surely we are not the only ones

who discover these errors , yet alterations remain unnoticed year after year in this " official" guide . The book is produced with the same care on the part of the printer and publisher as has marked Bro . Kenning's previous issues , and he is not to be blamed if the copy with which he is supplied is not wholly correct ; indeed , we can sympathise with him in the matter , for , as usually happens in such cases , the mistakes are popularly regarded as " printer's errors , " rather than faults of the compilation Committee , and are probably wholly beyond hii power of remedy .

Wimborne Minster and Christchurch Priory . —A short history ot their foundation and description of their buildings . By the Rev . Thomas Perkins , M . A ., F . R . A . S ., Rector of Tumworth , Dorset . With illustrations from photographs by the author . —George Bell and Sons . To write the guide book that did duty for our ancestors was a task to which few men of ability stooped . It was beneath their dignity . But the guide book of to-day is a great improvement on the old order of things . Such

books as the late Mr . Grant Allen ' s "Venice , " and " Wimborne and Christchurch" by the Rev . Thomas Perkins , are interesting as essays in topography , even to those readers who do not purpose visiting the localities described . We , however , have been to Christchurch and have found it pleasant to refresh our memory by the help of the volume before us . This series , uniform with the now famous "Cathedral" series , has been highly spoken of in critical circles . We wish to add our meed of praise by insisting

upon the singular beauty of many of the illustrations . These are mostly from photographs ; and practical men who know how difficult it is to photograph successfully in crypts and aisles and transepts will see how ably these difficulties have been surmounted . We have often heard it said that the biography of any man is interesting if sufficiently well written . These little volumes issued by Messrs . Bell show very convincingly that the same may be said of places as of persons . To those " ordered south " for the benefit of their health we can recommend a walk from Sopley down

the Valley of the Avon to Christchurch , and with this book in their pockets they will be in a position to apprehend intelligently the many interesting antiquities of the spot . So far as we can judge the ' chapters on Wimborne Minster are in no way inferior to those on Christchurch , and we trust Mr . Perkins' duties at Tumworth may leave him leisure for the preparation of other works of a similar nature . DeQuincey , doubtless , would have classed this book with the literature of knowledge rather than with the literature of power ; but a little knowledge , as Pope says , is a dangerous thing , and we are glad to have more of it .

Soldier Rigdale . How he sailed in the "Mayflower" and how he served Miles Standish . By Beulah Marie Dix , author of Hugh Gwyeth : a Roundhead Cavalier . With illustrations b y Reginald B . Birch . — Macmillan and Co ., Ltd . IF memory serves us rightly the little band of Puritans who sailed in the " Mayflower" to find fresh woods and pastures new in a far country had among them no Boswell . In consequence , excepting what they may learn

from Neal or Marsden , many persons form their impressions of these worthies from the beautiful and realistic sketches in Longfellow ' s " Courtship of Miles Standish , " or from such books as that before us . Wa may say at once that we feel grateful to Miss Dix for such a well written volume as " Soldier Rigdale . " One merit we would particularly dwell upon : Miss Dix has in a large measure the essential faculty of the true prose dramatist . She keeps herself in the back ground . Though probably feeling strongly tempted to say

somewhat concerning her views on the conduct of the Plymouth settlers , she has , we think wisely , refrained from doing so . We need hardly say how greatly her book gains by this decision , particularly from the standpoint of the literary artist . Miss Dix might have given a sermon on the bad behaviour of both Puritan and Indian in their dealings with each other ; instead , she has given us a graceful narrative of more than ordinary interest . We do not remember a dull page in this book . The death of Goodman Rigdale , the

duel in the dell , the adventures of Miles among the wigwams , the planting of the corn , the visits of the Indians to the settlement , all is told with admirable ability . We will confess to having experienced a shade of disappointment when we found John Alden so different from the John Alden of Longfellow , and Priscilla so seldom , though so skilfully , brought forward . But Miles

Rigdale is so human , and his love for the " Captain " so strong and sincere , that for his sake we willingly pardon any deficiencies—when we discover them . " Soldier Ridgale " should give pleasure to many , for Miss Dix is master of a breezy and stimulating style . She knows , too , how much may be left in the inkstand . We wish some other writers practised this wise economy with as happy results .

Britain and the Boers . Who is responsible for the war in South Africa ? By Lewis Appleton , F . R . H . S ., author of Reminiscences of the Franco-German War ; Memoirs of Henry Richard , M . P . ; Foreign policy of Europe , & c , & c . ( 2 s 6 d ) . —Simpkin , Marshall and Co ., Limited . THIS is an opportune volume . Mr . Lewis Appleton has rendered the public a signal service . He has—if he will allow us to say so—undertaken to hew wood and draw water for the many , and has surely earned their gratitude

by the manner in which he had accomplished his task . Such tasks are , in truth , generally thankless enough . The writer can at best please but one half of his readers , and is , indeed , singularly fortunate if he can do so much . As a pamphlet , Mr . Appleton's work is an able piece of special pleading ; as a guide to those who seek a royal road to a knowledge of the subject it is woll compiled . In face o £ the official witholding of documents ; in face of the gratuitous assumptions of the newspapers , and the somewhat vague represen-

Books Of The Day.

tations of many of our public speakers , it is with great difficulty we oan form any comprehensive views upon the subject of Britain and the Boers . On the whole , we think Mr . Appleton has done more for us at this juncture than any other writer . From much reliable and unreliable matter he has sifted out the really essential details . He promises , in an early sentence , to assist us in forming an adequate judgment as to our responsibility , or otherwise , for this deplorable war . His book is a great assistance in forming such a

judgment . He touches , briefly , but efficiently , upon the affairs of 1881 and the subsequent declaration of policy ; and then , coming almost immediately to the many events of the last twelve months , he lays before us a masterly summary of the several negotiations which have had such unfortunate results . His remarks upon the refusal of the British proposals by the South African

Republic , the ultimatum to Her Majesty's Government and its inevitable rejection , are pertinent and perspicuous , and he has certainly shown , by his extracts from the speeches of Ministers , that his opinions are in no way contrary to those held in official circles . We recommend this book to all who desire a succinct account of the very perplexing proceedings " Briton versus Boer . " ^*

Licensed Victuallers' Year Book for 1900 ( Is ) . —Licensed Victuallers ' Gazette and Hotel Courier Office . The present is the twenty-eight year of publication of this well known annual , and contains a mass of useful information for Hotel and Tavern keepers , and others interested in the trade . The aim of the compilers has been to constitute in it all that a Licensed Victualler or a Sportsman could require as an everyday book of reference ; and it deals largely with all things appertaining to both , besides useful articles of service to all classes .

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Just published , Crown 8 vo ., Cloth , 5 s . MILITARY LODGES . The Apron and the Sword , or Freemasonry under Arms ; being an account of Lodges in Regiments and Ships of War , and of famous soldiers and sailors ( of all countries ) , who have belonged to the Society , together with biographies of distinguished Military and Naval Brethren , and anecdotes showing the influence of Masonry in warfare . By Robert Freke Gould ( late 31 st Foot , barrister-at-law ) Past Senior Grand Deacon of England , P . M . Nos . 92 and 2076 London , 153 Gibraltar , 570 Shanghai , and 743 1 st Batt . Bast Surrey Regiment , & c . Author of " The History of Freemasonry , " and other Works . Gale and Polden , Ltd ., 2 Amen Corner , London ; and Alderihot .

Books Received.

BOOKS RECEIVED .

Missionary travels and researches in South Africa , including a sketch of sixteen years' residence in the interior of Africa . By David Livingstone , with portrait and full-page illustrations ( 2 s ) . —Ward , Lock and

Co ., Limited . Journal of Researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage of H . M . S . " Beagle " round the world . By Charles Darwin , M . A ., F . R . S ., with a biographical introduction ( 2 s ) . — Ward , Lock and Co ., Limited .

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SPIERS » P < fflh STORES ( No Tickets Required ) , QUEEN VICTORIA STREET , E . G ., Opposite St . Paul's Station ( L . C . & D . Rly . ) . PRICE BOOK ( 1 , 000 pages ) , illustrated , free on application . FREE DELIVERY IN SUBURBS by our ovOn Vans . Liheral terms * for Country Orders . FOR FULL DETAILS SEE PRICE BOOK .