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attempting it . However , she had faith in her own pluck and power of endurance , as well as in her husband ' s ability to protect her -, and this faith it was which carried her safely through some very ugly adventures back to that " Home in Cyprus " she has described in a former volume . The route followed by the tourists may briefly be described . The party , which originally included Dr . Johnstone , took steamer for Beyrout , where they were

reinforced by Mrs . Bertram . Continuing their journey by sea to Tripoli , and thence to Alexandretta or Scanderoon , they obtained , after some difficulty , the necessary mounts , and made inland for Aleppo . Sriking due north for Killis , they described a kind of rough semi-circle , via Aintab , Katur Ilissar , Pullanick , and Jami Keuy to Missis , on the river Pyramus . Thence to Aijana , whence they continued the journey to Tarsus , where Dr . "Johnstone and Mr . Bertram

left them , and Captain and Mrs . Scott-Stevenson , except as to the necessary guide and zeptiehs , completed thc rest of the tour aione . The route from Tarsus lay north to Kaisariyeh—the ancient Cresarea—and then by a devious road via Urgub , Nem Shehr , Nigdeh , Kiz Hissar , Eregli , and Karabunar , to the holy city of Koniah , anciently Iconium . From Koniah the adventurous pair travelled southwards to Karaman and then for Killindryeh ,

orChelindreh , on the coast , a short , but as it happened , somewhat roughish sea-trip to Kyrenia , completing the tour . This much is clearly enough delineated in the very excellent map , by Lieut . Kitchener , R . E ., of the journey with which the volume is furnished . But , as may be supposed , the bare particulars above given afford no insight whatever into thc dangers and difficulties , or the pleasurable excitement experienced by the travellers in the course of their journey .

I ' or these the reader must look to the admirable , yet unpretentious , narrative ot the author , who , sensible traveller that she is , is careful to record in sufficient detail all that is likely to interest her readers . Cities and towns , with their present and past associations and condition , the habits and customs of the people , their daily routine of life , their sympathies and antipathies to the foreigner , their mode of government or misgovernment , the products and resources , actual and

potential , of the country , all these arc placed before us in due order and in a narrative which is as easy and graceful in style as to all appearances it is truthful . Of course , in the narrow limits of a review , it is impossible to do more than advance a few arguments in favour of one ' s judgment , and these arguments invariably take the form of references to , or quotations from the most important or most interesting passages . But there is so

much that is important and interesting in the sense of being novel in the course of Mrs . Scott-Stevenson's story , and its tenour is so agreeably even from beginning to end , that we are somewhat in a difficulty in making a selection . Wc have marked several parsages , but they are so numerous , and would occupy so much of our space if we quoted the half of them , that we must fain content ourselves with a selection haphazard . Thus , of the Jews '

quarter in Aleppo , the author remarks : — " 'This was , to mc , rather an interesting , and more than rather a curious , sight . All the ladies were standing about or walking in thc open space of ground outside the gate . We were much struck with their beauty , and I was fairly astonished at their wonderful complexions . Un fortunate ! y , the sweet illusion did not last ; for a nearer inspection showed it was all rouge . I certainly have never seen so much paint in my life as I saw that evening . Old hags of

sixty were reddened , blackened , and whitened , and even had blue cha'k lines on their temple ? to represent veins ; whilst little dots of four and six had rouge on their downy little cheeks ! At a distance lhe women looked lovely . Indeed , I saw some young girls who were quite beautifulthc dark shadows under thc eyes giving them a brilliance that was almost unnatural , yet strangely fascinating . But again thc dream was dispelled ; this time by Mr .

Boscawen , who demonstrated how unpleasant it may be to know too much of men , or , in this case , of women and their manners , for hc entirely took the poetry from this vision of lair maidens , by assuring me that nearly all of them wore wigs . It appears that a Jewess is never allowed to show her hair except to her husband , and so , to save trouble , thev have it shaved off . " Historically , Chapter IX ., whicli is devoted to " A Day

in Tarsus , " is one of the most interesting . It is certainly one of the most famous cities of Asia Minor . The reader will call to mind at once its Biblical associations ; but how many cities are there with whose history arc connected such names as that of Sardanapalus , King of Assyria , itssupposed founder , who , according to the legend , is said to have built it in a single day ; of Xerxes and Alexander the Great , the latter of whom nearly died of a fever caused by

bathinp in the Cydnus ; ani of Frederick Barbarossa , whose death is attributed to the coldness of this same river ? But these are not all . It is not known when Tarsus was made a Roman Colony , but Fomiicy made Cilieia , of which it was thc capital , a Roman province . Julius C . xsar spent some time in it . Here it was that Marc Antony had his first interview with Cleopatra , when the all-too-fascinating ICgyptian queen " appeared sailing down the river in a

gilded galley , with purple sails and oars of silver . ' Augustus Ca ; sar made it a free city ; Hadrian rebuilt it ; Justinian surrounded the city with fortifications and constructed a canal through it ; the celebrated Haroun-al-Raschid conquered it ; his son , El Mamoun , who was so famous for his learning , died and was buried there , S . -53 , A . P . —though the place of his burial is unknown ; and , finally , it became

subject to thc Turks after the reign of Bayazid II . In addition , we are told , " lt was the same centre of commerce in the eastern basin [ of the Mediterranean , as Marseilles was in the western . It possessed one of lhe three great universities of the world . Strabo ranks it before Athens and Alexandria . Thc imperial family of Rome used to select tutors for their sons from here . " Now , however , owing to the encroachments of the sea , it is an inland

town . More interesting still is the account contained in Chapter XXII . of the visit to thc College of the Mevledi dervishes at Koniah , and the mosque adjoining , erected to the founder of the sect . What they saw in the mosque must have been , as it is described , most magnificent . Thus , at the top of the mosque , " are three steps of solid silver leading to a kind of

table or altar , which is covered with a most miscellaneous heap of riches—gold and silver cloths , rich embroidery , carved pieces of wood , mother-of-pearl caskets , cases inlaid with precious stones , gold and silver and ivory scimitars , engraved goblets and lamps—altogether a blaze of jewels and reflecting lights , a glow of colour , and a mass of richness that positively dazzles the beholder . In barbaric

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magnificence it is unrivalled . The costliness and fineness of texture of such objects , the superb workmanship of many of the articles , make the whole group an ensemble of splendour which can hardly be surpassed . Above hang two Venetian chandeliers , with coloured flowers and leaves between thc branches , thc glittering colours being in harmony with the magnificence below . " On leaving this they were conducted to the kitchen , where the

dervishes gave them a specimen of their dancing , instead of in the regular dancing-chamber of the mosque , the author being the first woman that had been allowed to set her foot in that part of the College . Well may Mrs . Scott-Stevenson exclaim towards the close of thc chapter , "Surely , the Turks can hardly be called fanatical after this experience of them in their most fanatical city ! " It must not be supposed that the journey was all smooth

sailing . At Kaisariyeh , the people—not the authoritiesshowed themselves unmistakably ill-disposed , a fact to be accounted for by the bulk of the population being Armenians , who are sharp and over-reaching , and dislike Englishmen . As evidencing the first two of these characteristics , the tourists were told of the legend that the devil once visited this city , and "walked about the bazaar , delighted with the bustle and prosperity , and expressed himself highly gratified with his visit . Suddenly he put

his hand to his head , and found his fez had been stolen , * on further search his purse was gone ; and when he went to put on his shoes he found that they , too , had disappeared . 'Thereupon , he declared that the Armenians were too much even for him , and decamped by the fiist araba hc coultl find . " But worse happened at times than a mere cold , inhospitable reception . Once an attempt was made to beguile them into a dangerous country , where robbers and cut-throats hid in numbers . Another time the araba on

which they were travelling came to grief , thc driver was nearly killed , and the author was reduced to a state of utter exhaustion . Then she was toppled into a rapid stream , and narrowly escaped falling into onc that would have swept her away instantly . Another time Captain Scott-Stevenson felt it his duty to thrash an impudent scoundrel ofa muleteer , who , mistaking his forbearance for cowardice ,

presumed upon using foul language . However , their difficulties and dangers were endured with the best grace possible , and the strength of the captain and the pluck of hi" wife carried them safely through one of the most arduous , yet interesting , journeys of which wc have read an account . And having said this wc take leave of Mrs . Scott-Stevenson and her story of " Our Ride Through Asia Minor . "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

A MASONIC ALMANACK OR POCKET BOOK . I possess a German "Almanack oder Taschen Buch , " apparently of date 1777 , though the figures arc unfortunately rubbed out . It has no printer ' s name , bi ; t is issued " mit Genehmigung der Obern , " pulling you in mind of the Jesuit formula , " Pcrmissu Superiorum , " and is intended solely "for the Lodges . " It containsan

interesting account of the death of the well-known " I ' reiherr Von Hund , " thc names of sixteen nations of German Princes and Rulers , a list of Masonic works , thc names of the Scottish lodges and their Masters , and also of the German Craft lodges , some Masonic songs with music , and one or

two interesting German addresses , as well as some neat engravings of Masonic medals . One , however , of the main reasons why I allude lo it is the reference it has ( none Freemasons' Calendar of 1775 , from which it professes to take a long history of Freemasonry . I wish , therefore , to know if I can procure a copy of thc 1775 Freemasons ' Calendar . MASONIC STUDENT .

INIGO JONES . In the " Calendar of State Papers" from 1 G 1 *) to 1623 ( p . 17 . ' ) , there appears a letter , August 16 , IGJO , from Inigo Jones , Surveyor , and Thos . Baldwin , Comptroller of the Works to the Commissioners of Buildings . The abstract of the letter as given , is to this effect , that" many Masons employed on the Banquetting House .

Whitehall , have run away , and others will do so unless there be some punishment inflicted . Give the names of thc ringleaders . " This letter is dated from the Ofi ' cc of Works , Scotland Yard . Cannot this passage be verified by some student , and the names given ? lias it occurred to anyone carefully to go through the rest of the " Calendar of State Papers " in respect of " Masons " or " Freemasons ' : " MASONIC STUDENT .

The Toast Song Of The York Lodge (T.I.).

THE TOAST SONG OF THE YORK LODGE ( T . I . ) .

Discovered in an arnicat pericranium formerly in thc possession ofthe Dean and Chapter of York Cathedral . Wc drink tn the toast , the Lodge we love most , Success to Old York—Now two , three , six ,

Whose Masters can work * , and Brethren of York , All love , heart and soul , what ' s Masonic . The Masons of York , are true-blooded stock , And hail from the time of Prince Edwin . Who everyone knows , our history shows Enroll'd all his Masons as Craftsmen .

In York Minster Crypt , they learnt the true grip Where Athelston gave them their charter ; And ne'er was ashamed , to hear himself named Their Patron , their Friend , and their Father . York Masons soon spread , in England ' s homesteads

Taught lieedmen Masonic progression , Till th' days of Queen Bess—who sent Lords t'inqucst What on earth could possess th' York Masons . The Lords were soon taught to knock and report , And aprons put on , as true Masons ; They told that loved Oueen— " there ' s ' nought that was

mean " To be understood amongst Masons . " Now Brethren serene , we'll drink to our Queen ; The Royal Grand Master of Masons ; Lord Zetland and all , who ' re duly installed ; And th' good Old York Lodge of Freemasons .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

I Craft i-flasonro .

ROYAL JUBILEE LODGE ( No . 7 : ) .-On Monday afternoon the annual meeting of the members of the above ancient'lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , for the purpose of installing the W . M . elect and transacting other important business . The lodge wa- * , opened in due form at three o ' clock by the W . M ., when the following P . M . ' s were present , viz ., Bros . F . Dunn , T . limes , W . Carr , J . Dann , and C . Roads ; and among the

members were Bros . G . Ford , J . Hartley , W . Richardson , W . Kussaell J Simmen-ls , W . Lloyd , W . Abrahams . h " . *„ J- G - \ . V ; I 5 »'* gis , J . Braund , E . Williams , W . Whiffen , W . Stokes , D . Craddock , W . Morris - , E . Boyton , A . M . Hiscock , F . G . Rooney . I . Tear , XV Haswell , E . R . Williams , W . Murrell , E . N . Lcwcock R Brown J . YarJIcy , G . Horton , J . Reid , A . Tear , and N . J . Craddock . Among the visitors were Bros . ] . Hammond

, P . P . G . D . Middx . ; E . AL Lott , P . P . J W -4 ; 17 G 6 and 10 : 9 ; II . Francis , P . P . 1 . 1 ) . Surrey , S W . Farthing , 55 ; XV . Woodwaid Wellington , 54-, ; C . X' . Jones , knock IL Rand , 720 ; T . Riddle " , and j . Dixon , 172 . S ; R . \ 01 sey , 1 G 41 ; A . Bellis , i ,, i ; II . Wildev Wright , S . W . , 827 ; H . Allen , | . D . 26 , ¦ A . Reid ! 12 S 7 ; W . C . Davey , J . D . 1512 " ; B . Hayne , 27 ; C . Wise and J . liirnbull , Southern Star Lod're J

; . Brock , 975 ; J . M . Gnslingham , 1790 ; 11 . 11 . Lloyd , 75 ;; K . l-oster , ! . * . * i ;\ V . Bennett , 177 ; F . Jovcy , XX' . C . Barnard , 1 S 15 ; T . Carrington , C . Portridgc , and [ . 1 . Brinton , J . D . 1320 ; T . Bcddlo and J . Rand , 720 . The minutes of the preceding lodge meeting were read and confirmed , after which Bros . F . G . Craddock , T . S . E . Townsend , and Morris Vidal Portman . 1727 , were raised to thc Sublime Degree of Master Masons . The latter

brother is about proceeding abroad , where he will fill an important diplomatic position , hence the reason of his bcin " raised in this lodge . Afterwards Bro . j . W . Hartley was passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft " , and Messrs . John Robert Cottrell , G . Dorton , and W . Haswell were initiated , having been unanimously balloted for . 'The manner in which the W . M ., Bio . Darch , performed these workings deserves much praise . 'The lime occupied , owinrr to the

great care bestowed , was considerable . The installation then commenced , which was performed by Bro . Nunn , P . M ., for the thirty-fifth time . liro . Nunn , P . M ., was initiated in this lodge in lhe year 1 S 47 , and from that time down to the present hc lias devoted the utmost care and attention to the interests of the lodge , and no doubt , owing to hu exertions , the lodge has not only attained , but maintains its present proud position . It would be 1 work

. of supererogation , under the circumstances , if were to detain our readers by attempting to enter into details associated therewith . Bro . L . Dodson , P . M ., D . C , has been a member of the lodge for upwards of twenty years , and for a long series of years has , as Monday evening , directed the ceremonies with tact and ability . Thc installation wa ,, therefore , instructive , solemn , and impressive , and those who were favouied to lake part

therein will cherish the remembrance thereof for many years to come we are confident . At the conclusion of the ceremony lhe ncwly-installed Master , Bro . F . Thurston , proceed to invest his ollicers for the ensuing year , which ceremony was performed throughout in a most graceful manner . Thc investiture fell on the following brethren : Bros . A Darch . I . P . M . ; I . M . Bate-, S ;\ V . ; E . Walker , J . W . ; I . Salter , S . D . ; N . Turner , J . D . ; G . F . Jenkins . I . G .

C . Dodson P . M D . C ; A , J . CON , A . D . C , * II . Webb P . M ., W . S . ; W . J . Morgan , A W . S . ; Fox , Org . ; H . Webb , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Nunn , P . M ., Sec . The labours of the evening did not come to an end before eight o ' clock ; when the lodge was closed in due form . The brethren then adjourned to an adjoining-room , in which a banquet , for which this hotel is celebrated , awaited them . At the conclusion of the recherche repast , the

usual loyal , patriotic , and Masonic toasts were given and pledged , the W . M . prefacing each with some judicious and apposite remarks . " The Oueen and the Craft " was followed by the National Anthem , being rendered by Bro . J . Tear in an efficient manner . " The Health of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " evoked a Jubilee fire ; "The Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro G . M . ; the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M . ; and the rest of the Grantl Officers , Present and

Past , being also honoured right loyally . Bro . A . Darch , I . P . M ., then proposed " The Health of thc W . M . " He remarked that their W . M . elect , who had been unanimously chosen , and for whom each member of the lodge entertained the highest possible esteem , possessed every essential quality to enable him to fill the chair with honour to himself and advantage to the lodge ; it , therefore , affoided him ( thc speaker ) a great amount of pleasure to nronosr .

his health . They were fully aware that their W . M . had been most attentive to the duties which had already devolved upon him j in addition , they had all experienced hi-, aptitude for business , and also flic interest he felt in ail that appertained to their Order . He was not afraid of labour , and would enforce that upon his officers—if need be—for their attendance to their respective duties . He had commenced his onerous duties under favourable

auspices . 'I hey had had a year of prosperity—hc might add an unusual one—and 11 ost sincerely did he hope that there would be a continuation thereof . 'They all , no doubt , hoped the same thing , but the events of the future , no one could look into ; a most merciful provision . Passing over many other matters they all knew that everything depended on the Master of a lodge as the motive power . 'They would find that quality in their Master . His amiable

qualities would go far towards making his year of office a p leasing one . They were , one and all , glad to see him where he was , inasmuch as they deemed him worthy to fill such an exalted position . The W . M ., in acknowledging the compliment , said that he knew full well thai in all sincerity they had pledged his health , and for whicli he heartily thanked them . Perhaps they would pardon a little egotism when hc remarked that he felt proud lo fill the position he

at that moment occupied among them . Only six years had elapsed since his initiation in their midst . A question was then put to him— " Do you intend going forward ? " to which he replied in thc affirmative . He had gone forward . He had made up his mind what to do—if possible—and the result was patent lo them at that moment . Perhaps some would inquire , " Why do you mention this ? " His answer was , to endeavour to incite the younger brethren around him to do likewise . There had been abundant opportunities