Royal College Of Music.

not well be submitted to the Craft in a formal and official manner ; but as it stems only right and proper that the brethren in general should become acquainted in some form with His Royal Highness' sentiments and wishes on the subject , I now enclose unofficially a copy of the above mentioned letter for your information and that of your

brethren , and I need only add that I will be happy to take charge of any subscriptions which lodges , chapters or individual Masons may feel inclined to contribute towards so excellent an object . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , SHADWELL H . CLERKE , Colonel , G . S .

Cornish And Devonion Watering Places!

CORNISH AND DEVONION WATERING PLACES !

It may seem strange , when the tourist season is already so far advanced , that we shomld direct attention to any particular district in Her Majesty ' s dominions with a view to recommending its great attractions . With a large number of people the holidays are either at an end already or on the point of ending . Others are away in the far north

grouse-shooting or deer-stalking , while others prefer trampingoverthe stubbles with visions of partridge fi jating before their eyes , reminding one of the immortal Winkle . Then there is always a formidable contingent of travellers who would consider they had done some grievous and well-nigh unpardorable sin if they d d not betake themselves and their belongings to some fashionable resort abroad . Happily the number of those who have the courage to believe

that beautiful scenery is not confined to other European countries , and that such scenery as they may prefer is to be found in some part or other of the United Kingdom , easily accessible by one or other of our railways , is increasing every year . And verily they who have the courage of these opinions are well rewarded . Let them go where they

will , north , east , south , or west , and they will find England as well favoured in respect of climate and scenery as France , Italy , Germany or Spain ; and whether they be invalids , or sturdy excursionists bent on mountaineering or other healthtul exercise , they will still be able to get the change and relaxation from labour which all need so much at some

period of the year . We have been induced to make these reflections through a visit recentl y paid to the West of England , not so much for the sake of pleasure , though pleasureUnalloyed was one of the principal results we achieved , as to fulfil a Masonic duty . Moreover , it occurred to us , with our knowledge of the country , that now was the very time to make our experiences known to our readers , s eing that this is just the

season to enjoy the beauties of Devon and Cornwall , and where , by reason of their more southern , as well as from their western , situation , the heat of a summer sun is less tolerable than it is in other country districts . Moreover , there is no part of England which can boast of so many and such varied attractions as are to be met with in the two great Western counties . Those in delicate health will find nomoresuitable resorts than Torquay and Penzance . Those

who need or prefer a bracing air will find it at llfracombe or Newquay , while they who prefer an inland resort will be somewhat embarrassed in making a choice , so numerous are the localties open to them . Lastly , what is more to our purpose , the present arrangements of the Great Western Railway Company are so admirable that , remote as this district is from London , it is the work of only a few hours to get there . The train service is frequent and punctual , and

the fares very moderate . Moreover , tourist tickets , for two months , are issued any day between now and the 31 st October , and are renewable , under certain conditions , up to , but not beyond , the 3 ist December . By these tickets travellers can break their journey at certain stations indicated in the Company's time-tables and tourist programmes , so that , having regard to the length of time for which they are or may be made available , holders of them may make a

complete circuit of the district , and visit not one , but a majori y of the places of interest to be found in it . We have said already that in no part of England are there so many pleasure resorts offering such varied attractions or promising such a variety of recommendations . Taking them along the southern coast , we find , going from east to west , Exmouth , Dawlish , Teignmouth , Torquay , Dartmouth , Fowey , Falmouth , Penzance ; and of these Torquay has a world wide reputation for the mildness

of its climate , sheltered as it is by the hills that encircle it from all the less hospitable winds , while enjoying to the fullest extent possible the softer breezes that blow from south and west . Then along this part of the southern c oast , how rich it is in associations as well as sights that are not to be seen elsewhere . Within easy walking distance of Dawlish is Haldon , a fine plain about Soo feet above the sea level , wherein may be obtained one of the

finest and most extensive views in the county . Teignmouth , which , next to Torqnay , is the largest watering place in Devon offers excel ' ent facilities for boating and sea fishing , while its sea bathing is admirable . From it can be made excursions by rail to Newton Abbot , and thence northward to Bovey Tracey and Lustleigh Cleave to Moretonhampstead . Near Torquay , which enjoys the name of " Oueen of the Western Places , " are Kent ' s

Cavern , Batticombe Bay , and Anstey's Cove , while at Paignton , a few miles off , and lying in the wide swoop of Torbay are the remains ot an Episcopal palace once occupied by Miles Coverdale , Bishup of lixeter , and translator of the Bible . It was in Torbay that Dutch VVilliam landed tu upset the throne of his beloved father-in-law , James II . Dartmouth is more like a Rhenish than an English town , and the river from which it is named , at the

entrance of whiijh it stands has been called the English Rhi e . Falmouth has one of the most capaeious harbours in the world , and the scenery around it is very beautiful . Who has not heard of the famed Kynance Cove Rocks of serpentine marble , standing in a plain of golden sand . Well , these rocks are within easy reach of Falmouth , whence also an excursion may be made to the Lizard . Penzance , overlooking Mounts Bay , with its

romantic and uniquely-pictUresque St . Michael s Mount , is one of the most delightful wjtering-places in Cornwall , or , indeed , in the West of England , and the tourist's time will be well occupied in visiting such spots as Lamorna Cove , Castle Trcvn , the Logan Ruck , Porthcurno Cove , and Tol-Pedn-Penwitn . Turn we now our attention to the northern coasts of these famous counties . A short run by rail across the peninsula which forms the extreme end of Cornwall takes us to St .

Cornish And Devonion Watering Places!

Ives , where is to be seen every variety of scenery , the views being grand and extensive , comprising as they do hills and vales , coast and sea , cliffs and gorge , sands and beach . Two miles from here are Carbis Bay and Hawke's Point , while by train to Lelant and thence by ferryboat across Hayle Estuary , is reached the town of that name , near which are the Hayle Towans , or sand hills , ranging from 100 to 300 feet in height . These hills are composed mainly of shells

and continually on the increase , so that Phillack Church is almost overwhelmed ; while at St . Gwithian is to be seen another church which is partially buried in the sand . Other excursions in the neighbourhood embrace those to the Eagle's Nest , the Giant ' s Anvil , and the 1 win Logan Rocks , the Horse ' s Back , the Tower of Babel , Gurnard ' s Head , and the Steeple Rock , so called from its resemblance to a church steeple . Continuing our journey northwards we

come to Perran , famous for its beach , Newquay , with its bold and imposing cliffs , and noble headland , whence visits should be paid to Porth , St . Columb Major and Minor , Holywell , be . Mawgan , and Bedruthen Steps . Further up the coast Tintagel with its King Arthur's Castle takes us back to the legendary history of Britain , of which Cornwall engrosses a very considerable part , and we conjure up visions of the brave Arthur and his gallant Knights of the Table

Round , battling with the barbarian invader . From Bude which has admirable bathing , to Barnstaple , we come upon the picturesque town of Clovelley , with its quaint little pier of the reign of Richard II ., with the Hobby Drive and Gallantry Bower , a precipice of some 3 S 0 feef . ; within easy distance , Westward Ho ! with its marvellous pebble ridge , Braunton sands , covering a buried forest , Northam and Burrough Court . Other well-known resorts on this part

of the coast will be found at llfracombe , Lynton , Minshead , Watchet , the principle features of the first resembling the Lantern Hill crowned with the remains of the Chapel of St . Nicholas , Capstone Hill and Parade , the noted " Torro Walks , " White Pebble and Arragonite Bays , & c , file . In short it is hard to say which are the most attractive , the

watering places on the northern coast of Devon and Cornwall , or those on the South . One thing is certain , that whichever route the tourist may select , the pleasure he will derive will be very great ; and thanks to the facilities afforded by the Great Western Company , without any of those drawbacks which usually attend the railway pass enger .

Egyptian History.

EGYPTIAN HISTORY .

The history of Egypt , although we have long lists of consecutive Pharaohs , and though some portions of it stand out with surprising clearness , is broken by serious gaps which have not yet been bridged over . It is true that there is a papyrus composed about 1300 B . C ., of which so much is decipherable as to show that it is a carefully compiled chronicle of the country from the supposed creation

of the world—according to Egyptian notions—up to that date ; but it is so torn and worn as to be historically almost useless . We learn , however , from other sources , much about a succession of ancient dynasties , during the earliest of which wars were carried on with Bedouin in the east and Libyans in the west , and much devotion was shown in the construction of monuments and tombs . These wars were presently waged with the assistance of conscript negroes

brought down the Nile in large transport ships . I hen come blanks in which national calamities are marked by cessation in the building of temples and in the engraving of contemporary history , for the Egyptian never liked to chronicle events unfavourable to himself . Then the Theban dynasty arose , and Egypt arose with it . Former defeats were avenged , more temples and pyramids were built , agriculture was revived , and order re-established . This

period was broken by the arrival ot the famous Shepherd Kings , but whence they came no one can readily determine . We know , however , that in the main they accepted the civilization which they found . After several hundred years they were expelled , a papyrus in the British Museum telling us how this was done . Then Egypt had a fresh Theban revival . We find her turning the tables on other countries , and from having been invaded becoming

an invader . Her galleys were to be seen in the Mediterranean and Red Seas , the horse was introduced with the war chariot , Asiatic slaves were employed on Government works , and Central Asia was conquered after campaigns begun by the famous battle of Megiddo , fought by Thothmes III . in Palestine . This is a singularly interesting period in Egyptian history , as it brings before us contemporaneous allusions to Damascus , Hamath , an " Og , "

King of Bashan , and many original names of cities of Canaan two centuries and a half before the time of Joshua , lo quote from Mr . Birch : " The arm of Egypt leached to Nineveh . Babel brought tribute and homage . * * * In the hymns or poems to Thothmes , Phoenicia and the islands of the Mediterranean are mentioned . " Then comes another eclipse in Egyptian history , with religious revolution , in which , under Amenophis IV ., the worship of the Disk was introduced and the old gods were vigorously

assailed . Their honour , however , was soon restored , for this effort to stamp out popular polytheism and abolish all worship except that of the sun produced a reform which lasted only . one generation . Presently fresh invasions came from the East , whereby the conquests of Thothmes were lost . These were , nevertheless , once more regained , and indeed extended into Europe , by Rameses II ., or the Great , known to the Greeks as Sesostris , who is believed to be the Pharaoh who fiist mightly oppressed the children ot Israel . — Good Words ,

Scottish Freemasonry In Queensland.

SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY IN QUEENSLAND .

The annual joint installation of the Right Worshipful Masters and Officers ot the Metropolitan Lodges , tuuk pace in the Masonic Hall , Brisbane , on Friday , 23 rd June ( lor St . John ' s Day ) . The R . W . the District Grand Master of Queensland , U 10 . the Hon . John Douglas , C . A 1 . G ., was the Installing Uificer ; assisted by Bro . Thomas Mylne , 415

W . P . Dep . District Grand Master j with W . P . Master J . hn G . W . Barnes , 455 , W . D . Grand Senior Warden , as Director of the Ceremonies ; and Bro . W . G . Mayers , 453 , as Organist . The lodges having been opened by the retiring Masters , the following were installed : Silver ,-russ , No . 504 . —Bros . John Smith , Right Worship ful Master : W . Edds . P . M . ; A . Trueman , D . M . ; G .

Scottish Freemasonry In Queensland.

Sweatman , S . M . ; R . W . Leftwich , S . W . ; C . Kertland , J-W . j J . T . Elson , Treasurer ; F . Weinthal , Secretary ; j . Ramsay , Chaplain ; H . Rogers , S . D . ; G . J . Smith , J . D . ; F . VV . Faithful , Organist ; J . V . Francis , Steward j N . Smith , I . G . ; and R . A . Rankin , sen ., Tyler . St . Andrew , No . 435 . —Bros . S . Grimes , Right Worshipful Master ; B . I . Chapman , P . M . ; R . Picking , D . M . j Irwin Little . S . M . j G . S . Hammond , S . W . j

J . L . M'Kellar , J . W . j J . Dunbar , Treasurer ; E . S . Costin , Secretary ; R . W . Leltwich , S . D . ; W . E . Adams , J . D . j J . Bailey , I . G . ; and R . A . Rankin , sen ., Tyler . Athole and Melville , No . 455 . —Bros . Nicolaus Joseph Kessels , Right Woishipful Master ; S . Maxwell , P . M . j W . Aitchison , D . M . ; S . Thompson , S . M . ; H . M'Cleer , S . VV . ; R . E . Jarman , J . W . ; L . M'Kinnon , Treasurer ; J . Cochrane , Secretary ; Rev . E . Griffith , Chaplain ; A . Midson

, S . D . ; M'Clay , J . D . ; W . G . Mayers , Org . ; T . Fraser and A . Wilson , Stewards ; G . A . Patullo , I . G . J and R . A . Rankin , sen ., Tyler . At the conclusion of the ceremonial a banquet was held Bro . John Smith , R . W . M . 504 , in the chair , supported by the R . W . the D . G . Master , Bro . the Hon . John Douglas , C . M . G . j the VV . Past Dep . D . G . Master , Bro . Thomas Mylne , 435 ; i > ub . D . G . Master , W . Bro . Walter Scott

455 5 D . Grand Senior Warden , W . Bro . John G . W . Barnes , 455 j D . G . Sec , W . Bro . John M . Brydon , 455 j R . W . Bro . Nicolaus J . Kessels , 455 j VV . Bros . Chapman 435 J Forrester , 435 ; Edds , 504 ; Maxwell , 455 ; and other brethren , numbering upwards of ninety The toast of " The Queen-Empress , " proposed by the CHAIRMAN , was received with acclamation . The K . VV . DISTRICT GRAND MASTER proposed the toast of

"H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Pation of Scottish Freemasonry and the Craft , " and , in doing so , said that the toast was always received with enthusiasm when proposed . At a Masonic banquet especially so , on account of His Royal Highness being at the head ot the Scotch and Irish Constitutions as Patron , and of the English , as Grand Master . To the latter position His Royal Highness had been recently installed for another term . The toast was enthusiastically received with Scotch

Masonic honours . W . Bro . IHOMAS MYLNE , in proposing the toast of . "The Grand Master Mason of Scotland , M . W . Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Mar and Kellie , " referred to his recent elevation to the post- of Grand Master Mason of Scotland , and predicted for him a flourishing term of office , on account 01 his known Masonic activity . The toast met with a most cordial reception , and was duly honouied . W . Bro . WALTER SCOTT was then entrusted with the

gavel to propose the' toast of " The D . G . Masters S . C . and E . G ., and P . G . Master I . C . " ln doing so he teferred to the good feeling existing between the three Constitutions , each trying to outdo the others in wholesome rivalry in advancing the interests of Freemasonry . This toast was heartily received and suitably responded to .

The rest of the usual Masonic toasts ' were well received and accorded " Scutch honours . " A number of brethren gained encores for the capital rendering of national and other songs , with which the toasts were interspersed , and the gathering may be considered as one of the most successful of its kind yet held in Queensland . The cuisine was simply perfect , Bro . Whitehouse , of Ipswich , in fact , excelled himself .

Royal Sea-Bathing Infirmary.

ROYAL SEA-BATHING INFIRMARY .

THE ERASMUS WILSON WING . The appearance of the noble pile of buildings which will henceiortn be known as the " Erasmus Wilson Wing , " has by this time become familiar to the residents and visitors uf Margate ; built of red brick set off by terra cotta , it presents a very warm and rich " ensemble , " while it is

arranged throughout with the latest provisions that science can provide in order to fit it for its purpose . 'The building ' is but one storey high , the rooms being vaulted , and of about 15 ft . pitch j above the whole range of buildings is a promenade which is reached by two flights of steps j here the patients can enjoy the sea air and the extensive view to their hearts' content , in fine weather , while in wet or cold

weather the glass corridors or cloisters , which are to be found on every side , give them protection , while not excluding the fresh sea air . There are two large day-rooms and four dormitories , each of which will accommodate 16 beds —64 in all , bringing up the number of beds to over 250 . These walls are all double walled—an inner wall of glazed bricks providing against damp and excessive heat or cold as

the season may need , and the bricks being glazed it will enable the rooms to be disinfected and cleaned whenever necessity may arrive without new papering and painting being necessary . To the west these wards have a fine view towards Westgate and of the new recreation ground , which has recently been laid out outside the infirmary , and which is about to be protected by a sea-wall . At the south end of

the wing is the new swimming bath , supplied by a gas engine in the basement , where bathing may be indulged in throughout the year in all weathers j this also is lined with glazed bricks and will hold about 15 , 000 gallons of water , about eignt dressing uoxes being provided . This bath is so fitted that the bath may be coveied with boarding and the room used as an entertainment room . Facing the

Canterbuiy-road is the gem ot tne whole wing—the chapel . It would be difficult to convey an idea ot this " Miniature Catnedral , " where everything is so complete and where everything tends to rest tlie eye and instruct the mind of the weary autfeiers who will fruin time to tune frequent it . llie wiiuie ut the walls and root aie handsomel y decorated with portraits of the twelve aposiles , and BarnabasPaul .

, & c . ; every window is filled with some ot Messrs . Clayton and Bed ' s best stained glass . The apse is live-lighted , the glass ne . e representing the five cardinal virtues ; at the west end is a live light window , in which the glass represents the four evangelists and our blessed Saviour , ihe windows on the nurtu and south side art all in one sale , yet with ever-varying ireshness , recording the numerous

miraces ol healing performed by Christ . 1 he stained glass is said to have cost over ^ 2 uuo , and the whole wing upwaids ol £ 30 , ooo ; but as Bro . air Erasmus has managed the whole affair Himself , the exact cost is not , and prubaoly never will be , ascertainable . Un the north side are the vestry and the orjjaii chamber ; not the least interesting and remarkable feature in this bijou church is the musical instru-