Literary And Antiquarian Notes.

Literary and Antiquarian Notes .

George Smith has written another book entitled "Gipsy Life . " Thc matter and illustrations have already appeared in tbe Graphic and Illustrated ^ London News . He is persevering in bis philanthropic mission for the improvement of the gipsies , as be lias already been doing for thc population of our canals . The book is well got up , and

the sketches are interesting , and should enlist our sympathies with the poor people for whom thc self-denying author is striving . He is almost isolated and unaided in bis labour of love , and deserves all thc help we can give him . The sale of his books is one of his few sources of help , and those who can spare thrce-and-sixpence cannot bestow it in a much better way than in buying a volume of bis work .

In Railway , a monthly journal of pure literature , wc find , under thc heading of " Newspaper Romances , " a series of brilliant sketches in prose fiction , from the charming pen of " L'Allegro , " a story-teller gifted with the power of clothing cvery-day occurrences with all the fascination of fiction . ' " By the Waters of Babylon , " the romance contributed to the June number of Railway , is an " ower-truc talc" of London life , placed before the reader with consummate ability .

" Strephon , " whose artistic account of "Pilgrimages in the Peak , " recently attracted thc favourable attention of the reading public , has in the press , we bear , a further work dealing with the almost unsurpassed beauties of the hills and dales of Derbyshire . His skill as a literary landscape painter , combined with an intense love for his native country , will , we doubt not , secure for the forthcoming volume , which is , by the way , to be called " Undiscovered Derbyshire , " a hearty welcome .

The Athenccnm states that the Hon . Mrs . Hardcastle is preparing for tbe press a life of her father , the late Lord Campbell . 'The work , which will fill two volumes , will contain selections from Lord Campbell ' s autobiography , as well as from bis journals and letters . Mr . Murray will publish the book . Several works are promised by the same

publisher . " India in 1 SS 0 " is the name of a book by Sir Richard Temple . Lady Eastlakc is busy with a sketch of Mrs . Grote ' s life . Dr . Smiles is writing , under the title of "Duty , " a companion volume to "Self Help" and other popular works of his of the same class . The Dean of Westminster is preparing a series of essays on ecclesiastical subjects , which will be called "Christian Institutions . "

A permanent art gallery has been proposed for Birmingham . An engineering firm , Messrs . Tangye Brothers , have offered £ 5000 for the purchase of works of art if the Town Council will provide a permanent art gallery . Thev also promise a second £ 5000 if a similar sum is subscribed by others .

There will be an exhibition of ecclesiastical art at Leicester during tbe forthcoming Church Congress , opening on September 27 th , and closing on October 2 nd . An important feature of the exhibition will be a loan collection of ancient church plate , medircval silversmiths' work-, cmbroidery , and similar objects , towards which some wellknown collectors will contribute .

The Printers' Exhibition has been recently the attraction at tlieAgricultur . il Hall , Islington , the building being filled with an immense variety of printing machines , many of novel invention , motive-power engines of all kinds , driven by steam , hot air , and gas , with other machinery and material used by printers , bookbinders , & c . —more than a hundred machines being exhibited in motion . The Lord Mayor of Dublin is one of the exhibitors , nnd amongst the

active patrons of tbe Show were the Lord Mayor of London and the Lords Provost of Edinburgh and Glasgow , who are all connected with the printing trade . Two of the most interesting' exhibits were Hooker's 'Type-Composer ( worked by electricity ) , shown by Messrs . W . nnd G . Clowes , and an ingenious machine for printing , perforating , and tying up of railway tickets exhibited by Messrs . Waterlow and Sons .

Thc memoir of Francis Deak , the Hungarian statesman , which was lately published bv Messrs . Macmillan and Co ., with a preface by Mr . Grant-Duff , is from tbe pen of Miss Florence Arnold Forster . Mr . Clements Markham promises a book on a subject hehas made peculiarly his own , "A Popular Account of the Introduction of Peruvian Bark into British India and Ceylon , " and will give particulars of thc progress and extent of its cultivation .

According to the Academy , Mrs . Nicoll , of thc China Inland Mission , has recently gone to Chungking , in Western China , being the first Englishwoman who has entered thc province of Szecbuen . Miss Wilson and Miss Faussctt , of the same mission , have also lately started from Wuchang , in Central China , on a boat journey of 1000 miles up the river Han on their way to Hanchung , in the remote province of Shcnsi , in thc north-west .

Lady doctors seem to be prospering in the East . We recently recorded the success of one in China ; and wc now read in the Times of India that Miss Dora White , a graduate of the Madras Medical College , and the Resident Medical Subordinate of flic Military Female Orphan Asylum , has successfully treated the Mabarani of Cutch . Miss White's services obtained the special thanks of the Maharani ' s family .

Mr . Ruskin is " weeding his library , il appears , for Messrs . Puttick and Simpson , of Leicester-square , are offering for sale by auction this week a number of books , "having the autograph of John Ruskin , and notes of bis reasons for removing them from his library . " 'The notes are very characteristic . One book goes "because its

owner lias never read it . " Another because there is " no hope of reading now . " So , again , . 1 book of old Italian legends is parted with because " life is too short for legends now ; ' * and the "National Gallery of Pictures by thc Great Masters" is banished fiom the Brantwood shelvesa'i "an old schoolbook of the stupidest—done with at last I "

, Bro . Sheriff Woolloton will preside at the dis tnbution of prizes at Aske's Hatcham Schools , on Tues day next .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

ERRATA . —In thc leader on thc Boys' School Festival in our last issue , after Lodge 17 ( 57 , should read "Bro . C . E . Williams , £ 147 , " and Bros . G . !•' . Barr and C . F . Barbara should have been returned as Stewards for 1766 .

Thc Excelsior Lodge of Mark Master Masons , No . 226 , contributed tlic sum of ttii guineas to the list of Bro . J . Smyth at the Mark Benevolent Fund Festival on Wednesday , thc 7 th inst . Thc Fleming Lodge of Mark Masters , No . 2 rt = 5 ,

is to be consecrated at Newark-on-1 rent , on Monday , August 9 th , by Bro . F . W . Binckes , Grand Secretary , & c . It will be the first lodge in Nottinghamshire enrolled on thc books of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters of England . Bro . Henry George , P . G . I . G . Lincolnshire , is the W . M . designate .

Thc St . Michael ' s Lodge of Instruction , No . 2 i 1 , has removed to Messrs . Kingston and Fromm ' s , The Moorgatii , 2 S , Finsbury Pavement , where they meet every Thursday evening at eight o'clock . It is notified that Commander Cameron , R . N ., C . B ., tbe distinguished African explorer , has joined tbe Board of Directors of the Liberia Coffee Company , Limited , London .

A large gathering of hands of Hope from all parts of England filled the Crystal Palace on 'Tuesday last . Delightful weather favoured the sports and processions in tbe grounds , and the concert of 5000 voices within the building was a great success . According to thc official return the total number of visitors was 61 , 532 .

I he Court of the Carpenters Company have voted the sum of ten guineas to the Building Fund of the Convalescent Home for Poor Children , St . Leonard ' s-on-Sea . The Clothworkers' Company have made a grant of thirty guineas in aid of the funds of the Hospital for Consumption at Ventnor , and £ 100 to the Mansion House " Atalanta " Fund .

Wc regret lo announce the death of Mr . Tom Taylor , the well-known dramatic author and art critic , which took place at his house at Clapham last Monday . Mr . 'Taylor , who had not long been ill , was in the sixtythird year of bis age .

A Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey will be held at the Greyhound Hotel , Sutton , on Saturday , July 24 th , at one o'clock in the afternoon precisely . 'The R . W . P . G . M . requests tbe attendance of the brethren at Divine service at the parish church at 2 . 15 p . m ., when a sermon will be preached by the VV . the Prov . Grand Chaplain . The banquet will take place at 3 . 30 precisely .

Lieutenant E . T . Rose , iotli Hussars , who acted as special equerry to tbe Prince of Wales during bis Indian tcur , has been appointed additional equerry to his Royal Highness . We understand a marriage is arranged between Lady Beatrice Pelham Clinton , eldest daughter of tin : late Duke of Newcastle , and Mr . Cecil Lister-Kay .. ' , second son of the late Mr . Lister and Lady Caroline Ltsler-Kaye , and only brother of Sir John Lister-Kayo , Bart .

Last week upwards of r ? i > , i > i : i > animals were exported from the various ports in Ireland , principally to England . 'This is the highest number for any week during the present year . Under thc presidency of Bro . Raton Henry de Worms , M . P ., the annua ) meeting of the Anglo-Jewish Association was held on Sunday morning last , for the election of the council , tbe adoption of revised laws , and for other business .

The directors of thc Crystal Palace Company propose holding an international exhibition next year of wool and woollen manufactures , and the allied industries of hair , feathers , and of other teguments , and have placed the management in the hands of Bro . P . L . Simmonds .

Bro . Alderman l ' owler , M . P ., has joined the board of tbe London and Lancashire Life Assurance Company . A meeting of thc Metropolitan Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees will be held on Monday , tbe intb

inst ., at four o'clock p . m ., at the Masonic Rooms , 2 , Red Lion-square , where candidates , duly elected , will be admitted into thc Masonic Degrees of I he Grand High Priest , St . Lawrence tbe Martyr , tbe Red Cross of Babylon , and the Knights of Constantinople .

Our readers will regret lo learn that our Venerable Bro . Col . Peard , D . P . G . M . of Cornwall , Prov . G . Mark Master , and Provincial Prior of Knights 'Templar , is lying dangerously ill at Fowey , speechless and paralysed . We understand that his friends , on his behalf , have notified In the heads of thc various Degrees that the gallant officer wishes to resign all his Masonic offices .

A Provincial Grand Lodge of Hertfordshire will beheld at thc Red Lion Hotel , Hatfield , on Friday , thc 2 ; rd inst ., at 2 . 30 piccistly . 'The brethren will proceed to Hatfield Church , whore a sermon will be preached by Bro . the Rev . VV . II . VV . Caseley , Prov . G . Chap . 'The banquet will take place ill the National School Room at live o ' clock precisely .

TRURO CATHEDRAL . —The Lord Mayor has consented to open a fund at Hie Mansion House to aid the erection of tbe new Cathedral at 'Truro . 'The fabric will cost £ 100 , 000 to £ 120 , 000 . Above £ . \ 0 . 000 has been raised . His lordship states that in the City be lias already received most generous promises of support from leading firms , and be has opened an account at the Bank id ' England in connection with the fund at the Mansion House .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Thc Prince and Princess of Wales on Wednesday evening dined with the Earl and Countess of Rosslyn at their residence in Carlton Gardens . THE SMALLEST NEWSPAPER . —England is the country of large newspapers , but Canada is entitled to the credit of producing thc smallest newspaper in the world . It is ! called tbe Madnc Star , and is published weekly , its

size being royal ( 141110 ., thc page being 3 m . by 2 Mn . The subscription is 50 cents annually , and its motto is , appropriately , "Twinkle , twinkle , little star . " The first of its four pages is devoted to foreign news , tbe second to mining notes , thc third and fourth to local news . We have not learned whether the size was imposed upon thc proprietor by necessity or the result of his own free choice . —The Frin tors' Register .

The Metropolitan and Royal Savoy Lodges , Nos . 1507 and 1 744 , have united for the annual summer festival , which will be beldatSkindle's Hotel , Maidenhead Bridge , ' on Wednesday , tbe 2 SU 1 inst . An influential committee of each lodge has been formed , presided over by Bros . Scales and Douglr . ss , thc W . M . respectively . If tbe

weather prove propitious , we are surcthe brethren will have a happy meeting . Arrangements have been made by the 'Treasurer to both lodges , P . M . Willing , with the Great Western Railway , who have acted with great liberality , the general details being in thc hands of the veteran Bro . P . M . Stiles , tbe able Secretary of both lodges .

A testimonial was presented to Mr . John Wills , whose name is well known in the horticultural world , at a dinner at thc St . James's Hall Restaurant , on Monday , the 5 th inst . 'The president of thc evening was Sir Philip Cunliffe Owen , C . 15 ., the vice chair being occupied

by Mr . William Bull . Thc testimonial comprised a chronometer watch for Mr . Wills , a diamond ring for Mrs . Wills , and . 1 beautiful clock nnd side pieces for the household . "The Health of the Chairman " was proposed by Mr . VV . Bull , and Mr . Bull ' s health was proposed by Mr . Shirley Hihbcrd .

Ixxi ' . K CIRCLE COMPLETION- RAILWAY . —Thc Select Committee of the House of Commons have passed the preamble of tbe bill for the construction of the Inner Circle Completion Railway between Aldgate and Mansion I louse Stations , and have granted powers to enable thc two companies to underpin or burrow beneath the houses and streets , giving- compensation only in those cases where thc

basements of the premises are interfered with . 'The Committee , however , recommend that these powers of burrowing should be cautiously exercised , and that if possible an agreement be entered into with the City authorities and the Board of Works for the purpose of making a new street from the south-east corner of Mark-lane to the west side of Trinitysquare , and also for the widening of King William-street , Easlclicap , Little 'Tower-street , and Great Tower-street .

1 lie Lord and Lad y Mayoress gave a ball on Wednesday night at the Mansion House , at which were present the Mayors of the several towns of the United Kingdom , who all wore the chain and badge of their office . 'These varied much , some being . 1 mere medallion attached to a double-linked chain , some abuge jewel , with the arms of the town in high relief , while in one instance the effigy

of a dove replaced both , 'The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress received their guests in tbe ante-room , and dancing began to tbe strains of Sibold ' s City of London Band about ten o ' clock to a pretty selection of dance-music , the waltzes being " Mem Rove , " ' Gaiete , " "Beautiful Ferns , "_ " Berceuse , " " Aulrifois , " and '_ ' Violeltes . " _ 'The Caledonians were twice . lanced , in addition to the ordinary

programme . 'The l . ' . dy Mayoress wore a neb dress of white satin , the tunic bordered with lace and pink lirnche , a feather as a coronet , and . 1 profusion of diamonds . The master : ; of the ceremonies were all either in uniform or Court drer . r ,, and there were several Artillery and oilier officers present , who made the ball-room all the more brilliant by their uniforms . Dancing was kept up with

spirit 111 the Egyptian 1 kill until four o ' clock , and at twelve supper was served in tbe suite of rooms above , famous for Grinling Gibbon ' s old carvings . Anion : ; the guests , who numbeied about Soo , were Sir VV . Harcourt , Mr . Joseph Chamberlain , M . Challemel-l . acour , Mr . Lowell , and many of the Corporation of 'Truro ( Sir F . Truscott ' s native town ) . The Warren Royal Arch Chapter , No . 533 , wil

lie consecrated on Wednesday , August the 4 II 1 , at the Masonic Hall . Congleton , by Comp . thc Right lion . Lord De Tably , R . W . ' P . G . Sept . The officers designate are Comps . Dr . Belles , M . E . Z . ; Andreas E . Cokaync , II . ; and Dr . Gosling , J . Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free

and Accepted Masons , containing the Charges , Regulations , E . A . S ; ing , ecc . A copy should be in the possession of every brother . It may be obtained for 2 s . ; u : the office of tile Freemason , or will be sent post-free to any part of the United Kingdom 0 : 1 receipt of twenty-live penny stamps . Address , Publisher , in ; , Fleet-street , —fAnvr . I

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the Wee ! : ending Friday , July 23 , \?? , o . The Editor will be glad to receive notice from Secretarie ,-, of Craft Lodge . ; , Royal Arch Chapters , Mark Lodge ., Encampment . , , Conclaves , Sec , of mi } ' change in p lace , ( lay , or month of meeting .

SATURDAY , JULY 17 . Lodge II . 5 , Lewis , King ' s Arm : ; Ilo' .., Worn ! Green . , , 1 " / - ' ¦< , Lebanon . Lion Hot ., Hampton . ,, i . ; - 'i , Sp i-. inx , S .. M . II ., Camberwell . ( "hap . llu . ' ,, Royal Middle ; ex , Mitre I lot .. Hampton Court . Marl : :: ' ; , Beacon dieli ! . Cheqm ri . Waltliamsluw .

I / ,:,.:: ; : ; < ,: ¦ ¦ 1 : < ST ,: ;' : ' ! O > :. Maru . hr--, ti r , 17 . London-: ! :., Fitzroy-sq ., at !\ Star , Marquis ol' Granby , New Cross-rd ., at 7 . Percy , Jolly Farmers , Soiithgafe-rd ., N ., at S . Kivlcston , King's Head . Ebury Bridge , Pimlico . Sphinx , Stirling' Castle , Camberwell . Alexandra Palace , Masonic Club , Loughborough , at 7 . 30 .