Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
THE COMING SCHOOLS ELECTIONS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Si , " and Brother , — You have been so kind previously as to allow our V . W . Bro . Woodford to appeal for votes in the Freemason , that I trespass on 3 'our space to-day to say that , for various reasons , I am most anxious to obtain as manv Girls' and
Boys' votes as possible in April , and shall esteem it a great favourand personal obligation if any subscribers , assuming they have no special case to support , will kindly send me their votes . I am , dear Sir and W . Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , WM . DAWES , The Hermitage , Rye , P . AL , & c . Alarch 25 , 1 SS 2 .
UNCLAIMED DIVIDENDS ON GOVERNMENT STOCK .
lo thc Editor ofthe ' •brecmason . " Dear Sir , — A return just presented to Parliament shows that on the 4 th January last thc " Dividends due and not demanded" amounted to no less than _ CStX , 90 ij 12 s . Od ., of which the greater portion was advanced to the Government
for National Debt purposes . With nearly 250 , 000 Stockholders , immense sums become unclaimed , owing to death , absence beyond seas , & c . After thc lapse of ten years these funds are transferred to thc Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt till claimants appear ; then , on a claimant appearing , the Bank
advettises : ( 1 ) Amount and denomination of Stock . ( 2 ) Name , address , and description of original Stockholder . ( 3 ) Date when Stock or Dividends became unclaimed . ( 4 ) Name , address , and description of claimant , with a
notification that unless some other claimant appears within three months from the date of the notice , the Stock and dividends unclaimed will bc rc-transferrcd from the National Debt Commissioners . I venture to think that the Bank of England authorities should not wait till claimants appear before issuing the notice above indicated , but should notify in the leading
newspapers the fact of the transfer to the National Debt Commissioners al the date of the transfer . Alany persons arc interested without their knowledge in these unclaimed funds , simply from want of publicity . The return is an annual one , and might be made of real value to the public by giving in a schedule similar information to that now only published when claimants appear . 1 am , sir , your obedient servant ,
EDWARD PRESTON . ( Author of " Unclaimed Aloney . " ) 1 , Great College-street , Westminster , Alarch 28 th , 1 S 82 .
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
ORIGIN OF ENGLISH HISTORY . By CHARLES ELTON Bernard Quaritch , 15 , Piccadilly . This is one of the most interesting books which we have read for some time , and which we commend to the notice of our literary readers and all Alasonic Students everywhere . It is a very original and striking work . Indeed , in many respects we hardly know its counterpart for scholarly
exactness and yet exhaustive research . Indeed , as regards the history and ethnology of our country , about which so much has been said and of which so much still lingers in the realm of " Aluthos " and prehistoric haziness , we are not aware of any saferor bettercompanion . Alr . Charles Elton divides his work into twelve chapters , which he follows up with some most valuable extracts from ancient authors ,
a handy chronological list of Greek and Latin writers , and valuable old maps , of which the names are the following : ( 1 ) Spain , from the Latin Ptolemy printed at Rome in ' 4 < JS ; ( 2 ) The World of the Ancients , from the same ; u ) Eastern Europe , from the Latin Ptolemy printed at Strassburg in 1523 ; ( 4 ) Northern Europe , from the Historia de Gentibus Septentrionalibus of Olaus Matrnus printed at
"asel m 15 G 7 ; ( 5 ) Gaul , from the Latin Ptolemy of 147 S ; ( j >) Ihe British Isles , from the same ; ( 7 ) South-eastern J'ntain , from the Tabula Peutingeriana ; ( b' ) Germany , lrom the Latin Ptolemy of 147 S ; ( ej ) The Isle of Thanet , lrom Dugdale ' s Alonasticon , edition of 1655-73 ; ( 10 ) The l- 'ntisli Isles , from the Latin Ptolemy of 1525 . Mr . Elton introduces us , very agreeably , and successfully we think , to
,,. p scattered fragments which have reached us of the I ravels of Pythias" in thc fourth century , is . a , on )™ ose authority as an eye witness , later writers seem implicitl y to have relied . One curious fact pointed out by Air . •' -iton is , that now it is clear Gildas and Bede , or Boeda , u'd not derive their authority from indigenous and national , l ) ut rather extern and classical sources . Air . Elton , wc think
{ I ? s v'ery successfully collected into one continuous article "e hints and points of classical and part classical writers , and gives us an extremely interesting and effective ond reliable account of the early races of this country , whatever their true original nationality may have been . j > 'r . Elton seems to doubt the reality of Hengist , le "eving him to be a name , and is somewhat hesitating J ™ f . ° Arthur , "who thrust the heathen from the Roman V -1 H , and shook him through the north . " He seems , howth ' <'< t 0 adm > t his historical existence , though he adds that "e scene of his doubtful exploits is variously laid in ^ acrleon , in the Vale of Somerset , in the Lowlands of Gotland , and thc Cambrian Hills . " Mr . Elton is , however ,
Reviews.
of opinion that it seems to be true that he engaged in a war with the Princes of thc Angles in Northumbria , but his glory is due to the Breton romances , which were amplified in Wales , and afterwards adopted at the Court of the Plantagenets as thc foundation of the epoch of chivalry . " Air . Elton gives a very interesting account of the Druids , to whose possible Hermetic connexion he passingly alludes ,
and is very full indeed on the Roman occupation and civilization . Indeed , so striking is his transition from Picts , and Celts , and from dubious tribes and Romans , on to Saxons and Danes , and to Saxons again , that the reader is carried on by the vivid interest of the story which seems never to tire . Air . Elton opens out a new feature
in the curious custom of junior right and his full evolution of Borough English . Indeed , his work supplies matter of thought and patient study for all real students of English History , and the great result of all may be summed up , wc think , after all , in Professor Stubb's words , the history of our people is that of an English , not a Celtic one .
HISTOIRE DE LA FRANC MACONNERIE . This is a French translation of our old friend , Bro . Findel , by Bro . G . Tandel , and published at Paris some years back , in two handsome and well-printeej volumes . It is to bc found , we believe , at the Librairie Internationale , 15 , Boulevard Alontmartre , Paris , and to some of our readers who do understand French and do not understand German , thc information may be worth having . It has a preface ol Bro . Findel , and seems very well done .
MANUEL DE LA AIACONERIA . Alalaga , Spain . This is a Spanish history of Freemasonry in connection with the Scottish Rite , by Andres Cassard , in two large thick volumes of Coo pages each . It is , in fact , a manual to all the Degrees , and gives not only an account of them and their decorations , & c , but their ceremonial , which we
venture to think a highly objectionable proceeding . Indeed , such a work should only be in thc library of a Supreme G . Council . We are among those who think that , just now , all these manuals are a deliberate departure from the customs and understanding of Freemasonry , whether under a Craft Grand Lodge or a Supreme Grand Council .
PROVINCIAL AIASONIC CALENDARS . PROVINCE OK GLOUCESTER , 1 SS 2 . —Published by authority of R . W . Prov . G . Alaster , and the Prov . G . Lodge . Compiled by Bro . Col . IT . BASEVI , Past D . D . G . M . Punjab , and Past Provincial G . Registrar , Gloucester . Printed by John Bellows . 1 SS 2 . PROVINCE OK LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND , 1 SS 2 .
—Published by authority of the R . W . P . G . Alaster and the Prov . G . Lodge . Compiled by Bro . SAMUEL S . PARTRIDGE , Prov . G . Secretary . PROVINCE OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE , 1 SS 2 . —Published under the sanction and by the authority of the D . P . Grand Alaster . Compiled by Bro . C G . WRAGG , P . G . S . Nottingham . Bros . Norris and Cokayne , the Poultry . 1 SS 2 .
PROVINCE OF OXFORDSHIRE AND NEIGDIIOURIIOOD , 1 SS 2 . —With the consent and under thc immediate patronage of H . R . H . Prince Leopold , Dukeof Albani ' , K . G ., & c , & c . Oxford . Bro . W . R . Bowden , 50 , High-street . SOUTH AUSTRALIA , 1 SS 2 . —Carefully compiled by Bro . PHILIP SANSOM , S . W . No . 423 , E . C . Adelaide . Printed by J . H . Sherring and Co ., 27 , Ctirric-strcet . 1 SS 2 .
One of the most gratif y ing evidences of the increasing interest taken , not outside the ranks of the Craft but by Alasons themselves , in thc progress of Alasonic events , will be found in the increasing number of Provincial calendars , and the increasing care exhibited in their compilation . Formerly it was thc exception for a province to sanction and supporta calendar , now it seems to be a
wellestablished rule . We have already noticed several that have appeared in the course of the present year ; and here we have before us a batch of five , all of necessity possessing certain features in common , yet each showing some special characteristics of its own . The work in each case has been well done ; the information , so far as it is possible to test it , appears to be accurate , while , with one exception ,
full particulars are furnished respecting our Institutions . But let us take the several calendars separately , so that we may apportion to each its fair quantum of praise . The Gloucestershire Calendar is the work of Bro . Colonel Basevi , this being the fourth year of ils publication . The Calendar proper has the alternate p h ages left vacant for recording memoranda . The list of lodges ,
chapters , & c , with their respective olhcers , follow , and then full details respecting the chief Alasonic Charitable Institutions , and the part played by the province in supporting them , together with similar particulars respecting the Masonic Charity Association of the province , established in 1 S 7 C . The tables containing this part of the information are most elaborate , and the only point to be regretted is that the
Chanty Committee of Provincial Urand Lodge would appear to have found it necessary to appeal for more general support of the local association . This , of course , has nothing to do with the excellence of Col . Basevi ' s work . The list of lodges in the adjoining provinces of Berks , Bristol , Monmouthshire , Warwickshire , & c , must be very useful to our Gloucestershire brethren . In line , the greatest
praise is due to Col . Basevi , not only for the class of information he has collated , but for the clearness and method of his arrangement . The Leicestershire and Rutland Calendar is the result of Bro . Samuel S . Partridge's labours , and is published for thc tenth year in succession . The Calendar in this case also has vacant pages in which to insert "
engagements , " and there is a carefully-prepared tabular statement , in which are shown the votes possessed by the different Alasonic bodies and brethren for our Central Charities . There is also a table showing lhe sum contributed to the same charities by the province during the past live yeair . The character and arrangement of the contents leave nothing lo be desired .
T he Nottinghamshire Calendar , for which we arc indebted to the exertions of Bro . C . G . Wragg , Provincial Grand Secretary , is excellent , so far as the arrangement of its contents is concerned , and the fulness and clearness of its information . We trust , however , lhat in future years some space will be found for the insertion of some particulars respecting thc great Masonic Charities , and the extent to which they are upheld in the province . Wc offer this
Reviews.
suggestion because we should like to see all our Provincial Calendars as uniform in essentials as possible . Oxfordshire and neighbourhood may congratulate itself on having its calendar in the hands of so able an editor as Bro . W . R . Bowden . Bro . Bowden proposes in future issues to give certain additional information , but though this will make his publication more interesting , it will not
enhance its usefulness for practical purposes . Al ! necessary particulars are given respecting Grand , Provincial Grand , and Subordinate Lodges , Chapters , & c , and also of those lodges in London which are on terms of close relationship with the Apollo University , iS : c . Some particulars are also given of the Charities , but nothing is said of Oxfordshire in connection with them . Here there is room for Bro . Bowden
to increase his claims on the gratitude of Oxfordshire by adding in future years such tables as are to be found in Gloucestershire , Leicestershire and Rutland . Bro . Sansom deserves grest credit for his " South Australian Guide for 1 SS 2 . " This is the first year of publication , and knowing as we do from experience how great is the labour involved in completing a work of this
kind , we can only hope that Bro . Sansoin ' s efforts will bc sufficiently appreciated by our South Australian brethren , and that he will see his way to continue the guide for some years to come . The lodges , & c , of all the Constitutions are enumerated , and their days of meeting are tabulated at pp . ( 1 ( 1-7 , in a manner which leaves nothing to be desired .
I here is a careful article on "Thc advantages of Lodges of Instruction , " and a table showing the numerical strength of Alasonry in the colony . Wc must ask Bro . Sansom to excuse us for suggesting that his table of "Remarkable Occurrences" will be all thc better for a little revision . It only needs this to place his calendar on a level with others that have come under our notice .
CATALOGUES . Robson and Kcrslake ' s Catalogue , No . 14 , 43 & anbournestteet , Leicester-square , has some rare and beautifully bound books in it , and , among others , No . 207 , price 15 s ., a copy in half morocco , Paris , 17 ( 5 7 , of " Les Plus Secrets Alysteres des Hauls Grades dc la Maconnerie Devoile , ou le Vrai Rose Croix , " eX . -c .
No . 107 . Pickering and Co ., (>( i , Haymarket , London , S . W . Among a very interesting collection of scarce works and books occur the following books on Freemasonry : " Calcott ' s , W ., Disquisition , " & c , i / Oy , Svo ., large and thick paper ; " Calendrierof thc Grand Orient of France , " 1 S 14 , umo ., calf , gilt ; "The Sufferings of John Coustos" 1746
, calf , gilt , Svo ., with portrait and plates of torture ; " Hutchinson's , ( W . ) , Spirit of Alasonry , " & c , Lordon : Printed for | . Wilkie , 1775 , Svo . ; "The Institutes of Alasonry , " Liverpool : Johnston , 17 SS , crown Svo ., board ; " Lo Secret des Franc Alacons T ' rahi , " and " Le Secret des Alopses Revele , " Amsterdam , 1745 , 121110 .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .
THE FREEMASON STRIPPED NAKED , & c . Can any Alasonic book collector give me some information about this publication ? 1 picked up accidentally the other day , bound up with several other non-AIasom ' c tracts , a copy of this work , " printed and published by J . Bailey , Chancery-lane , " without a date , and price "one shilling . " Its peculiarity consists in this , that it has a coloured
illustration , entitled , " The interior of a Alasonic Lodge , with the ceremony of making a Mason , " and also a special preface , or introduction , which begins as follows : " The author of the following treatise is a German , born near Berlin , & c , and who professes to have found in his friend ' s library a pamphlet called ' Alasonry Dissected . ' He afterwards went
to Paris , where he became a member of a lodge , and then returned to England with a French certificate , and visited a Alodern lodge , where , showing my certificate , they received me gladly . " He adds , " I next visited an Irish lodge , ( calling themselves the most ancient Alasons ) , and which is the subject of the following-sheets , " & c . The work on the title-page is said lo be " By W O V n , a
member of a lodge in England . " In a copy of the same work , which at the time was issued at Dublin , and printed and published by Thomas Wilkinson , equally without a date , but which contains a much larger preface , addressed to the R . W . Company of Faithful Irish Alasters ot Number 1 , and which at the end has a statement similar to the one in Bailey ' s publication , but abbreviated . Kloss states that in 1761 J Isaac Fell , London , published this work , under the open name of Charles Warren , Esq ., late Grand Alaster of
a regularly constituted lodge in the city of Corke , and that in August , 17 O 9 , in Vol . 37 of the Gentleman ' s Magazine , attention is called to it . In the preface of Wilkinson ' s edition the writer alludes to " A Alaster Key to Freemasonry , which , I presume , is the same as "Hiiam , or thc Grand Alaster Key , " which latter appeared in London in 17 G 4 . It would be interesting to know if other copies of this work exist , with similar variations and illustrations . I call B .-o . Gould ' s special attention to one or two points in the preface of the Irish edition . AIASONIC STUDENT .
Bro . thc Lord Mayor presided nt the nnnnal meeting of the St . John ' s Hospital fur Diseases of the Skin , which was held at the Alansion House on the 24 th ult . The report stated that the hospital was founded in 1 SO 3 , and since then 31 , 330 individuals had been attended within its doors . Of that number , 2772 were admitted last year , 6 4 being in-patients and 270 S out-patients , who attended 21 , 706 times . The average stay of each in-patient
was 47 days . Altogether ifioy medicated , galvanic , and other baths had been administered . The practice of the medical officers attached fo the hospital was open to the medical profession without restriction . Thc Board of Alanagement and the medical staff were exerting themselves in every way to make lhe institution worthy of the
metropolis . In 1 SS 1 it received £ 6 j 10 s . from the Hospital Sunday Fund and ^ . 44 7 s . yd . from that raised on Hospital Saturday . Eighty Courts of the Order of Foresters anil 55 lodges of Odd Fellows subscribed to the Hospital , as did the Great Western Railway employes . The receipts last year were £ 1212 , and the expenses £ 1210 . On the motion of Bro . Alajor Alercicr , the report was adopted .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
THE COMING SCHOOLS ELECTIONS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Si , " and Brother , — You have been so kind previously as to allow our V . W . Bro . Woodford to appeal for votes in the Freemason , that I trespass on 3 'our space to-day to say that , for various reasons , I am most anxious to obtain as manv Girls' and
Boys' votes as possible in April , and shall esteem it a great favourand personal obligation if any subscribers , assuming they have no special case to support , will kindly send me their votes . I am , dear Sir and W . Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , WM . DAWES , The Hermitage , Rye , P . AL , & c . Alarch 25 , 1 SS 2 .
UNCLAIMED DIVIDENDS ON GOVERNMENT STOCK .
lo thc Editor ofthe ' •brecmason . " Dear Sir , — A return just presented to Parliament shows that on the 4 th January last thc " Dividends due and not demanded" amounted to no less than _ CStX , 90 ij 12 s . Od ., of which the greater portion was advanced to the Government
for National Debt purposes . With nearly 250 , 000 Stockholders , immense sums become unclaimed , owing to death , absence beyond seas , & c . After thc lapse of ten years these funds are transferred to thc Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt till claimants appear ; then , on a claimant appearing , the Bank
advettises : ( 1 ) Amount and denomination of Stock . ( 2 ) Name , address , and description of original Stockholder . ( 3 ) Date when Stock or Dividends became unclaimed . ( 4 ) Name , address , and description of claimant , with a
notification that unless some other claimant appears within three months from the date of the notice , the Stock and dividends unclaimed will bc rc-transferrcd from the National Debt Commissioners . I venture to think that the Bank of England authorities should not wait till claimants appear before issuing the notice above indicated , but should notify in the leading
newspapers the fact of the transfer to the National Debt Commissioners al the date of the transfer . Alany persons arc interested without their knowledge in these unclaimed funds , simply from want of publicity . The return is an annual one , and might be made of real value to the public by giving in a schedule similar information to that now only published when claimants appear . 1 am , sir , your obedient servant ,
EDWARD PRESTON . ( Author of " Unclaimed Aloney . " ) 1 , Great College-street , Westminster , Alarch 28 th , 1 S 82 .
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
ORIGIN OF ENGLISH HISTORY . By CHARLES ELTON Bernard Quaritch , 15 , Piccadilly . This is one of the most interesting books which we have read for some time , and which we commend to the notice of our literary readers and all Alasonic Students everywhere . It is a very original and striking work . Indeed , in many respects we hardly know its counterpart for scholarly
exactness and yet exhaustive research . Indeed , as regards the history and ethnology of our country , about which so much has been said and of which so much still lingers in the realm of " Aluthos " and prehistoric haziness , we are not aware of any saferor bettercompanion . Alr . Charles Elton divides his work into twelve chapters , which he follows up with some most valuable extracts from ancient authors ,
a handy chronological list of Greek and Latin writers , and valuable old maps , of which the names are the following : ( 1 ) Spain , from the Latin Ptolemy printed at Rome in ' 4 < JS ; ( 2 ) The World of the Ancients , from the same ; u ) Eastern Europe , from the Latin Ptolemy printed at Strassburg in 1523 ; ( 4 ) Northern Europe , from the Historia de Gentibus Septentrionalibus of Olaus Matrnus printed at
"asel m 15 G 7 ; ( 5 ) Gaul , from the Latin Ptolemy of 147 S ; ( j >) Ihe British Isles , from the same ; ( 7 ) South-eastern J'ntain , from the Tabula Peutingeriana ; ( b' ) Germany , lrom the Latin Ptolemy of 147 S ; ( ej ) The Isle of Thanet , lrom Dugdale ' s Alonasticon , edition of 1655-73 ; ( 10 ) The l- 'ntisli Isles , from the Latin Ptolemy of 1525 . Mr . Elton introduces us , very agreeably , and successfully we think , to
,,. p scattered fragments which have reached us of the I ravels of Pythias" in thc fourth century , is . a , on )™ ose authority as an eye witness , later writers seem implicitl y to have relied . One curious fact pointed out by Air . •' -iton is , that now it is clear Gildas and Bede , or Boeda , u'd not derive their authority from indigenous and national , l ) ut rather extern and classical sources . Air . Elton , wc think
{ I ? s v'ery successfully collected into one continuous article "e hints and points of classical and part classical writers , and gives us an extremely interesting and effective ond reliable account of the early races of this country , whatever their true original nationality may have been . j > 'r . Elton seems to doubt the reality of Hengist , le "eving him to be a name , and is somewhat hesitating J ™ f . ° Arthur , "who thrust the heathen from the Roman V -1 H , and shook him through the north . " He seems , howth ' <'< t 0 adm > t his historical existence , though he adds that "e scene of his doubtful exploits is variously laid in ^ acrleon , in the Vale of Somerset , in the Lowlands of Gotland , and thc Cambrian Hills . " Mr . Elton is , however ,
Reviews.
of opinion that it seems to be true that he engaged in a war with the Princes of thc Angles in Northumbria , but his glory is due to the Breton romances , which were amplified in Wales , and afterwards adopted at the Court of the Plantagenets as thc foundation of the epoch of chivalry . " Air . Elton gives a very interesting account of the Druids , to whose possible Hermetic connexion he passingly alludes ,
and is very full indeed on the Roman occupation and civilization . Indeed , so striking is his transition from Picts , and Celts , and from dubious tribes and Romans , on to Saxons and Danes , and to Saxons again , that the reader is carried on by the vivid interest of the story which seems never to tire . Air . Elton opens out a new feature
in the curious custom of junior right and his full evolution of Borough English . Indeed , his work supplies matter of thought and patient study for all real students of English History , and the great result of all may be summed up , wc think , after all , in Professor Stubb's words , the history of our people is that of an English , not a Celtic one .
HISTOIRE DE LA FRANC MACONNERIE . This is a French translation of our old friend , Bro . Findel , by Bro . G . Tandel , and published at Paris some years back , in two handsome and well-printeej volumes . It is to bc found , we believe , at the Librairie Internationale , 15 , Boulevard Alontmartre , Paris , and to some of our readers who do understand French and do not understand German , thc information may be worth having . It has a preface ol Bro . Findel , and seems very well done .
MANUEL DE LA AIACONERIA . Alalaga , Spain . This is a Spanish history of Freemasonry in connection with the Scottish Rite , by Andres Cassard , in two large thick volumes of Coo pages each . It is , in fact , a manual to all the Degrees , and gives not only an account of them and their decorations , & c , but their ceremonial , which we
venture to think a highly objectionable proceeding . Indeed , such a work should only be in thc library of a Supreme G . Council . We are among those who think that , just now , all these manuals are a deliberate departure from the customs and understanding of Freemasonry , whether under a Craft Grand Lodge or a Supreme Grand Council .
PROVINCIAL AIASONIC CALENDARS . PROVINCE OK GLOUCESTER , 1 SS 2 . —Published by authority of R . W . Prov . G . Alaster , and the Prov . G . Lodge . Compiled by Bro . Col . IT . BASEVI , Past D . D . G . M . Punjab , and Past Provincial G . Registrar , Gloucester . Printed by John Bellows . 1 SS 2 . PROVINCE OK LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND , 1 SS 2 .
—Published by authority of the R . W . P . G . Alaster and the Prov . G . Lodge . Compiled by Bro . SAMUEL S . PARTRIDGE , Prov . G . Secretary . PROVINCE OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE , 1 SS 2 . —Published under the sanction and by the authority of the D . P . Grand Alaster . Compiled by Bro . C G . WRAGG , P . G . S . Nottingham . Bros . Norris and Cokayne , the Poultry . 1 SS 2 .
PROVINCE OF OXFORDSHIRE AND NEIGDIIOURIIOOD , 1 SS 2 . —With the consent and under thc immediate patronage of H . R . H . Prince Leopold , Dukeof Albani ' , K . G ., & c , & c . Oxford . Bro . W . R . Bowden , 50 , High-street . SOUTH AUSTRALIA , 1 SS 2 . —Carefully compiled by Bro . PHILIP SANSOM , S . W . No . 423 , E . C . Adelaide . Printed by J . H . Sherring and Co ., 27 , Ctirric-strcet . 1 SS 2 .
One of the most gratif y ing evidences of the increasing interest taken , not outside the ranks of the Craft but by Alasons themselves , in thc progress of Alasonic events , will be found in the increasing number of Provincial calendars , and the increasing care exhibited in their compilation . Formerly it was thc exception for a province to sanction and supporta calendar , now it seems to be a
wellestablished rule . We have already noticed several that have appeared in the course of the present year ; and here we have before us a batch of five , all of necessity possessing certain features in common , yet each showing some special characteristics of its own . The work in each case has been well done ; the information , so far as it is possible to test it , appears to be accurate , while , with one exception ,
full particulars are furnished respecting our Institutions . But let us take the several calendars separately , so that we may apportion to each its fair quantum of praise . The Gloucestershire Calendar is the work of Bro . Colonel Basevi , this being the fourth year of ils publication . The Calendar proper has the alternate p h ages left vacant for recording memoranda . The list of lodges ,
chapters , & c , with their respective olhcers , follow , and then full details respecting the chief Alasonic Charitable Institutions , and the part played by the province in supporting them , together with similar particulars respecting the Masonic Charity Association of the province , established in 1 S 7 C . The tables containing this part of the information are most elaborate , and the only point to be regretted is that the
Chanty Committee of Provincial Urand Lodge would appear to have found it necessary to appeal for more general support of the local association . This , of course , has nothing to do with the excellence of Col . Basevi ' s work . The list of lodges in the adjoining provinces of Berks , Bristol , Monmouthshire , Warwickshire , & c , must be very useful to our Gloucestershire brethren . In line , the greatest
praise is due to Col . Basevi , not only for the class of information he has collated , but for the clearness and method of his arrangement . The Leicestershire and Rutland Calendar is the result of Bro . Samuel S . Partridge's labours , and is published for thc tenth year in succession . The Calendar in this case also has vacant pages in which to insert "
engagements , " and there is a carefully-prepared tabular statement , in which are shown the votes possessed by the different Alasonic bodies and brethren for our Central Charities . There is also a table showing lhe sum contributed to the same charities by the province during the past live yeair . The character and arrangement of the contents leave nothing lo be desired .
T he Nottinghamshire Calendar , for which we arc indebted to the exertions of Bro . C . G . Wragg , Provincial Grand Secretary , is excellent , so far as the arrangement of its contents is concerned , and the fulness and clearness of its information . We trust , however , lhat in future years some space will be found for the insertion of some particulars respecting thc great Masonic Charities , and the extent to which they are upheld in the province . Wc offer this
Reviews.
suggestion because we should like to see all our Provincial Calendars as uniform in essentials as possible . Oxfordshire and neighbourhood may congratulate itself on having its calendar in the hands of so able an editor as Bro . W . R . Bowden . Bro . Bowden proposes in future issues to give certain additional information , but though this will make his publication more interesting , it will not
enhance its usefulness for practical purposes . Al ! necessary particulars are given respecting Grand , Provincial Grand , and Subordinate Lodges , Chapters , & c , and also of those lodges in London which are on terms of close relationship with the Apollo University , iS : c . Some particulars are also given of the Charities , but nothing is said of Oxfordshire in connection with them . Here there is room for Bro . Bowden
to increase his claims on the gratitude of Oxfordshire by adding in future years such tables as are to be found in Gloucestershire , Leicestershire and Rutland . Bro . Sansom deserves grest credit for his " South Australian Guide for 1 SS 2 . " This is the first year of publication , and knowing as we do from experience how great is the labour involved in completing a work of this
kind , we can only hope that Bro . Sansoin ' s efforts will bc sufficiently appreciated by our South Australian brethren , and that he will see his way to continue the guide for some years to come . The lodges , & c , of all the Constitutions are enumerated , and their days of meeting are tabulated at pp . ( 1 ( 1-7 , in a manner which leaves nothing to be desired .
I here is a careful article on "Thc advantages of Lodges of Instruction , " and a table showing the numerical strength of Alasonry in the colony . Wc must ask Bro . Sansom to excuse us for suggesting that his table of "Remarkable Occurrences" will be all thc better for a little revision . It only needs this to place his calendar on a level with others that have come under our notice .
CATALOGUES . Robson and Kcrslake ' s Catalogue , No . 14 , 43 & anbournestteet , Leicester-square , has some rare and beautifully bound books in it , and , among others , No . 207 , price 15 s ., a copy in half morocco , Paris , 17 ( 5 7 , of " Les Plus Secrets Alysteres des Hauls Grades dc la Maconnerie Devoile , ou le Vrai Rose Croix , " eX . -c .
No . 107 . Pickering and Co ., (>( i , Haymarket , London , S . W . Among a very interesting collection of scarce works and books occur the following books on Freemasonry : " Calcott ' s , W ., Disquisition , " & c , i / Oy , Svo ., large and thick paper ; " Calendrierof thc Grand Orient of France , " 1 S 14 , umo ., calf , gilt ; "The Sufferings of John Coustos" 1746
, calf , gilt , Svo ., with portrait and plates of torture ; " Hutchinson's , ( W . ) , Spirit of Alasonry , " & c , Lordon : Printed for | . Wilkie , 1775 , Svo . ; "The Institutes of Alasonry , " Liverpool : Johnston , 17 SS , crown Svo ., board ; " Lo Secret des Franc Alacons T ' rahi , " and " Le Secret des Alopses Revele , " Amsterdam , 1745 , 121110 .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .
THE FREEMASON STRIPPED NAKED , & c . Can any Alasonic book collector give me some information about this publication ? 1 picked up accidentally the other day , bound up with several other non-AIasom ' c tracts , a copy of this work , " printed and published by J . Bailey , Chancery-lane , " without a date , and price "one shilling . " Its peculiarity consists in this , that it has a coloured
illustration , entitled , " The interior of a Alasonic Lodge , with the ceremony of making a Mason , " and also a special preface , or introduction , which begins as follows : " The author of the following treatise is a German , born near Berlin , & c , and who professes to have found in his friend ' s library a pamphlet called ' Alasonry Dissected . ' He afterwards went
to Paris , where he became a member of a lodge , and then returned to England with a French certificate , and visited a Alodern lodge , where , showing my certificate , they received me gladly . " He adds , " I next visited an Irish lodge , ( calling themselves the most ancient Alasons ) , and which is the subject of the following-sheets , " & c . The work on the title-page is said lo be " By W O V n , a
member of a lodge in England . " In a copy of the same work , which at the time was issued at Dublin , and printed and published by Thomas Wilkinson , equally without a date , but which contains a much larger preface , addressed to the R . W . Company of Faithful Irish Alasters ot Number 1 , and which at the end has a statement similar to the one in Bailey ' s publication , but abbreviated . Kloss states that in 1761 J Isaac Fell , London , published this work , under the open name of Charles Warren , Esq ., late Grand Alaster of
a regularly constituted lodge in the city of Corke , and that in August , 17 O 9 , in Vol . 37 of the Gentleman ' s Magazine , attention is called to it . In the preface of Wilkinson ' s edition the writer alludes to " A Alaster Key to Freemasonry , which , I presume , is the same as "Hiiam , or thc Grand Alaster Key , " which latter appeared in London in 17 G 4 . It would be interesting to know if other copies of this work exist , with similar variations and illustrations . I call B .-o . Gould ' s special attention to one or two points in the preface of the Irish edition . AIASONIC STUDENT .
Bro . thc Lord Mayor presided nt the nnnnal meeting of the St . John ' s Hospital fur Diseases of the Skin , which was held at the Alansion House on the 24 th ult . The report stated that the hospital was founded in 1 SO 3 , and since then 31 , 330 individuals had been attended within its doors . Of that number , 2772 were admitted last year , 6 4 being in-patients and 270 S out-patients , who attended 21 , 706 times . The average stay of each in-patient
was 47 days . Altogether ifioy medicated , galvanic , and other baths had been administered . The practice of the medical officers attached fo the hospital was open to the medical profession without restriction . Thc Board of Alanagement and the medical staff were exerting themselves in every way to make lhe institution worthy of the
metropolis . In 1 SS 1 it received £ 6 j 10 s . from the Hospital Sunday Fund and ^ . 44 7 s . yd . from that raised on Hospital Saturday . Eighty Courts of the Order of Foresters anil 55 lodges of Odd Fellows subscribed to the Hospital , as did the Great Western Railway employes . The receipts last year were £ 1212 , and the expenses £ 1210 . On the motion of Bro . Alajor Alercicr , the report was adopted .