Correspondence.

second Mr . Elias Owen furnishes a most readable account of sundry "Churchyard Games in Wales ; " while in the third Mr . Hugh M . Young describes the " Discovery of sn Ancient Burial-place and a Symbol-bearing Slab at Easterton of Roseisle . " Each of these articles is illustrated , and the reader , therefore , will be the better enabled to discover and appreciate their merits . The rest of the number is devoted to "Illustrated

Motes , " " Notices of New Publications , " and "Antiquarian News , Items , and Comments . " In these also will be found an abundance of interesting and instructive matter . We notice that the Cambrian Archrcological Association , of which Bro . Lord Halsbury is the new President , has been invited by the Royal Institution of Cornwall to hold its annual meeting at Launceston this month .

"T HE WINDSOR MAGAZINE" for August contains full particulars of M . Andree's proposed expedition to the North Pole by means of a balloon , and should be read by all who are interested in Polar research : — " M . Andree proposes to start , with two others , ;„ the early ' summer of 1 S 96 . He will take the balloon as far as the Norsk Islands , where a large shed will be erected in which the balloon will be filled with gas , * here he will await a favourable wind to start into the unknown . The car will contain a dark room for photography and well-protected sleeping accommodation for the three travellers .

The roof of the rooms will be boarded to form the floor of the upper story , which will have a balustrade , and serve as a promenade . Photography being an important feature , 3000 plates will be taken , though these will not ba developed till they arrive home again . The balloon will be _ provisioned for four months , and it will also carry canvas boats , ¦¦ ledge , tent , life-saving apparatus in case of any mishap , scientific instruments , an

electric battery , also an electric cooking-stove . The explorers hope that a favourable wind will carry them right across the Pole . M . Andres has already experimented in the matter of steering a balloon , and has so far succeeded that he can divert its course to the extent of over 27 degrees from the direction the wind is taking . This may be an immense advantage to him . " M . Andree , we may add , hopes with a favourable wind to reach the Pole in 10 hours !!!

"T HE GUIDE TO SOUTH AFRICA . "—For the use of Tourists , Sportsmen , Invalids , and Settlers , with coloured maps , plans , and diagrams . Compiled annually by A . Samber Brown and G . Gordon Brown , for the Castle Mail Packets Company , Limited , 1 , 2 , 3 > and 4 > Fenchurch-street . E . C ., Sampson , Low , Marston & Co ., Limited , St . Dunstan ' s House , Fetter-lane , Fleet-street , E . G ., and J . C . Juta & Co ., Cape Town , Port Elizabeth , and Johannesburg , 1 S 95 . —The purpose of this compilation , as briefly set lorth in the preface , is to furnish a Guide that shall be generally useful to all who are

ever likel y to visit South Africa , whether as Tourists , Sportsmen , Invalids , or with the ultimate idea of becoming Settlers , nor is there the slightest doubt as to the Messrs . Brown having taken the utmost pains in order to ensure the sufficiency and accuracy of their information . As a rule it is only in Blue Books and Reports of Royal and other Commissions that we expect to find such an enormous mass of truly valuable detail , compiled with _ infinite care , so concisely and explicitly set forth , and so methodically arranged , as is to be found in this volume . Thanks , however , to the enterprise

of the Castle Mail Packets Company , and the ability shown by the Editors , Ihis guide to South Africa is a very marvel of elaborate production . A brief sketch of the contents will show this . Part I . is devoted to " General Information . " Under this head are grouped together , in addition to an Index of some 24 pages , a Table of Distances and Fares by Sea , and a Condensed Table of Inland Routes , firstly , indispensable information on all such subjects as the Voyage , Clothing , Coinage , & c , Accommodation and Hotel Tariffs , Postal and Telegraph Rates , Rent , Education ,

Railway Systems and Regulations , Passenger Coaches , and Transport Waggons . Then follow particulars as to " Climate and Topography , " South Africa generally being dealt with as a health resort , after which are given the climatic conditions which concern the several Countries or States comprised within its borders . These are followed by a series of " Meteorological Statistics " , * " Physical Features and Natural Capabilities of the Soil "; "The Geological Formation of South Africa" ; "Rivers "; "Hail Storms " ; and " Openings for Emigrants in Trade , Mining , Farming , and other

Industries . " Next we find amply described in detail the "Area , Population , and Resources" of the several South African States , with all necessary information as to Imports and Exports , Customs Duties , & c . ; Immigration ; the Acquisition of Land , Irrigation , Fruit , Cereals , Cape Wines , Timber and Forests , Live Stock , Fisheries , Mining , Mineral Springs , Industries , Sport ; and last but not least a well condensed history of South Africa . In Part IL , after a full description has been given of Cape Town and its Suburbs , are traced out no less than 22 Routes wliich may be

traversed by intending visitors , the description of each Route containing all necessary particulars respecting the towns , & c , which are contained within the section delineated , the climate , _ * hotels , the aspects of the country , and all matters of historic interest . But our description is very far from being exhausted , seeing that the matters dealt with in the letter-press have the great advantage of being illustrated by a series of 12 Maps , of which one is a " General Map of South Africa with Key to Sectional Maps ; " the second is a " Climatological Map" of the country ; the four that follow show the Rainfall and the Physical , Geological , and EHinoeraDhical features : while the ramainino * civ are Spctinnal . To still further

enhance the value of the publication there is added a list of works relating to South Africa , issued b y the Castle Mail , Packets Company , and a List of Atlases . Having jjiven this description of the contents , it is hardly necessary for us to say more . We have already spoken in terms of commendation of the able manner in which the Editors have discharged themselves of their responsibilities ; yet it may serve to strengthen the iaith of intending readers in the Guide if we add that a list is furnished "of a few of the hooks" relating to the country , which the Editors consider are likely to be of interest , and which have been ransacked for the purpose of bringing together the information which is contained in this publication .

Consecration Of The West Essex Lodge,

CONSECRATION OF THE WEST ESSEX LODGE ,

No . 2561 . The Provincial Grand Master of Essex , the Right Hon . the Earl of Warwick , visited Buckhurst Hill on Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., for the pur-P'se of consecrating the West Essex Lodge , No . 2561 , which is designed as

« place oi meeting for the hunting men of the district of Epping Forest , "' s lordshi p arrived at Buckhurst Hill Station from Easton Lodge , his Essex *«¦ at four p . m ., accompanied by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . F . A . Philbrick , y-C , G . Reg . ; Bros . T . J . Railing , Prov . G . Sec ; R . Clowes , P . G . . " *•• Br . ; and other distinguished brethrenand was received bv the W . M .

, Agnate , Bro . the Rev . Thos . Lloyd , P . M . 2342 , P . P . G . Chap ., and Lord "unj-arvan , Prov . G . M . Somerset , and conducted to the Masonic Hill j * 'ached to the Roebuck Hotel , which is to be the meeting place of the

0 iw ceremony ° * consecration was at once proceeded with , the Prov . Tli I con uct n '' w'th 'he dignity and grace which characterise him . ne brethren who assisted were Bros . John J . C . Turner , P . P . S . G . W ., as w -1 F . S . Guy , Prov . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; Rev . F . ' Haslock , Prov . G . na P- as Chap . ; T . J . Railing , Prov . G . Sec , as Sec . ; Albert Lucking , rov * G . D . C , as D . C . ; and Harold Francis , Prov . J . G . D ., as I . G . ¦ n the course of a thoucrhtful oration , tha PROV . G . CHAI > . said Masoni-v

ear , ^ . & ° ne hand in hand with reli gion , and had done more than any other lovo ^ Svstem to band together men of widely differing opinions in mutual fh D ' and rcs ect A Pu-V 0 v * Giand Master having solemnly constituted the lodge , Bro . F . ' > lbrick , Q . C ., D . P . G . M ., proceeded to instill Bra . the Rev . Thomas

Consecration Of The West Essex Lodge,

Lloyd as first Master of the lodge in his usual impressive manner , and Bro . Dr . Dring , P . M . 231 S , P . P . S . G . D ., having been asked to act as I . P . M . ior the coming year , and been duly invested , the first officers were invested as follows : Bros . Col . Lockwood , M . P ., W . M . 2504 , S . W . ; Robert Woodhouse , J . W . , * S . Chisenhale Marsh , Treas . ; E . A . Ball . Sec . ; Egerton Glyn , S . D . ; Howell J . J . Price , J . D . ; H . H . Francis , I . G . ; P .

S . Lee , D . C . ; and John Ives , Tyler . Bro . Col . Lockwood having been elected to represent the Iodge on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee , votes of thanks were passed , on the motion of the W . M ., to the P . G . M . and those officers who had assisted him , and to Lord Dungarvan and the Ven . Archdeacon of Essex ( the Rev . T . Stevens ) for gracing the occasion by their presence . An elegant dinner was subsequently served by Bro . Smith , the host of the Roebuck .

Provincial :Grand Lodge Of Devonshire

PROVINCIAL : GRAND LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE

Bro . Lord Ebrington , the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire , held the Provincial Grand Lodge on Wednesday , the 31 st ult ., at Barnstaple , under the banner of Loyal Lodge , No . 251 . The local lodge gave a hearty welcome to those attending the Provincial meeting . There were nearly 300

brethren present . The Prov . Grand Lodge was held in the new parish room , which had been prepared and decorated for the occasion . The Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lord Ebrington , occupied the throne , and those present included Bro . the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P .

The Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Major G . C . Davie , P . A . G . D . C . of England , presented a satisfactory report , which , on the motion of Bros . DAVIE and BREWER , was adopted . It was resolved that in future the reports be printed in time to be in the hands of brethren attending the Prov . Grand Lodge .

Bro . W . Allsford , P . M ., Prov . G . Treas ., presented his accounts , which showed a balance in hand at the commencement of the year of £ 255 ios . 7 d ., which brought the total receipts far the year up to £ 662 7 s . id . The expenditurehad been ^ 400 163 . id ., leaving a balance in hand of £ 281 12 s . 4 d . The report was adopted .

The report of the Fortescue Annuity Fund was read by Bro . C . M . Clapp , ii 2 , who , it was stated , had been elected Secretary in place of Bro . F . Pollard . During the past year two additional annuitants had been elected to the fund , and £ 136 163 . iod . had been placed on deposit , leaving a balance in hand of £ 37 101 . id ., as against ^ 40 Ss . 2 d . last year . Another election would occur in October for an additional annuitant .

Bro . J . Gover presented the report of the Committee on Petitions . During the year the Committee had been successful in paying all the votes they were indebted to other provinces . For the first time for many years , they were not only clear , but had a good balance , which would enable them at the next election to elect one of the aged brethren , who had that day been

adopted . At the same time , the Committee wished to remind the lodges that , as a province , they were receiving amounts from the great Charities very much in excess of the subscriptions . Various grants having been made , the report was adopted . The Prov . Grand Master , appointed and invested the idllow ' ing as his

Prov . Grand Lodge Officers , namely * . Bro . Major G . C . Davie , P . M . 251 , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . Prov . Dep . G . M . „ Hon . Sir Stafford H . Northcote , CD ., M . P ., P . M . 112 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . .. Capt . O . uin . R . N ., P . M . o < u ... ... Prov . LG . W .

„ Rev . E . C Atherton , W . M . 32 S ... ... ) D „ „ , „ Rev . Preb . Smith , P . M . 1332 ... j I rov . G . Chaps . „ F . W . Odicke ; P . M . 39 ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . A . Roberts , P . M . 251 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ J . Brewer , P . M . 251 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec .

„ G . Hawker , P . M . 189 ... ... ... * ) D c „ p , I ! E . W . Locke , P . M . 444 j Prov . S . G . Ds . „ J . J . O . Evans , P . M . 303 ... ... \ p . „ H . R . Gover , P . M . 1 135 ... , , j Prov . J . G . Ds . „ G . Hooper , P . M . i 486 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W

„ J . R . Lord , P . M . 1247 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . Cole , P . M . 710 ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ J . W . Atherton , P . M . 248 ... ... ^ „ G . Pollard , P . M . 489 ... ... .. A Prov . A . G . D . Cs . „ H . J . Barter , P . M . 1247 ... ... J

„ R . Carter , P . M . 1212 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B , „ F . Orchard , P . M . 230 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br , „ J . T . Gardner , P . M . 1135 ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, Robert Harper , 251 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ H . W . Pcigelly , P . M . 1099 ... ... Prov . G . Purst .

„ W . Britton , P . M . 372 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst „ A . W . Spinney , P . iM . 105 ... ... "* ¦ „ H . Roberts , P . M . 159 ... ... ... | „ F . Karslake , P . M . 282 ... ... ... " ~ Ct , „ E . Chappie , P . M . 797 ... ... __ [ Prov . G . Stwd * -.

„ J . laylor , P . M . 1042 ... ... ... | „ W , Lavers , P . M . 1255 ... ... .. J „ H . Shooter , 112 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . On the motion of Bro . S . J ONES , seconded by Bro . W . A . ROBERTS , Bro . F . W . QuickC , P . M . 39 , was elected as P . G . Treas . for the ensuing year . Bro . OUICKE replied .

On the motion of Bro . J . BRKWER , seconded b y Bro . R . LORD , Bros . E . J . Fulford and J . Stocker were appointed Auditori , and Bro . Wniteley Wis nominated for election on the Board of Management for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . In the evening the banquet was h-. ld at the Forte-cue Hotel , Bro . Viscount Ebrington presiding .

Till ! Fiusr International Co-operative Congress will be held in the rooms of th ; Society of Arts , Adelphi , Strand , on Monday , the irjth instant , under the presidency ut Earl Grey . When the business part of the congress is over , the delegates will attend thu National Co-operative Festival at the Crystal Palace .