Reviews.

REVIEWS .

II . OXFORDSHIRE . FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF OXFORDSHIRE . Bro . W . R . Bowden , of High-street , Oxford , is both the editor and publisher of this handy Masonic guide to the Province of Oxfordshire . In fact , he is the printer also . The numerous details are arranged on the same system as the issue of iSSS , and beyond question ,

the province has never before been so well catered for in this respect as now . The io lodges exhibit a fair average of membership , the numbers of the several lodges , as given , making a total of 543 , the number in last return being- 5 62 . It is pleasant to find that the province is keeping pace in its contributions , year by year , with its advance in numbers , the total for the three central Masonic

Charities being £ 4345 19 s . ( 3 d ., from 1875 to iSSS inclusive , the year 18 SS being far ahead of all previous efforts . The lists of brethren holding votes , and all Masonic Bodies are duly tabled under each Institution , with the beneficiares from the province , the Mark Grand Lodge Funds also carefully noted . The statistical information is valuable and ably arranged . The personnel of the province , however , is the charm to outsiders , the famous membership of the

Apollo University Lodge being widely known and appreciated , and so also of several of the other lodges , offshoots in London and elsewhere receiving due attention . Then again , thc roll of the officers of Provincial Grand Lodge from an early date to the last appointments , involving much labour and research , cannot fail to be warmly appreciated . Brethren who would like to obtain or read the calendar for themselves can secure copies from the publisher for is . 6 d . each , post free .

12 . ESSEX . ESSEX FREEMASONS' CALENDAR . Bro . T . J . Railing , Prov . G . Sec , is now in his fifth year as editor of this very useful publication , indispensable for the members of his province , and ably arranged withal . The cost is is . per copy , in cloth , so the expense is but trifling , although the information is varied and exhaustive . Among the " Events of the Year 1 SS 8 " it is noted " The

R . W . P . G . M . elected Member for Colchester , " so that Bro . Lord Brooke is connected with the province Masonically and politically . In the Freemason for May 12 th , i 88 S , we referred to the admirable " Masonic Notes , " which form a " multum in parvo " series of instructions for Masters and Secretaries of lodges , who , if they duly attend thereto , will save their esteemed Prov . Grand

Secretary a deal of labour and annoyance by delays and misunderstandings , & c . There are 28 lodges in the province , so that ere long the 30 will be reached , and thus entitle the members to extra provincial privileges . The senior lodge dates from 1735 , and two are of the past year . There are six Royal Arch chapters , presided over by Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar , who is also the Dep . P . G . M . of the Province . For ihe Mark , Essex is united with

several other counties under the title of Prov . Grand Lodge of East Anglia , Bro . Lord Henniker , P . G . M ., being the Prov . G . M . The Charities are well represented , full particulars being given , and the capital summary exhibits a total of 352 S votes . It will be seen that the province , for its size , is exceptionally well situated in this respect . We have only to add that we trust Bro . Railing is cheered in his labours by the hearty support of the brethren of his province .

13 . KENT . FREEMASONS' MANUAL AND OFFICIAL DIRECTORY . The Freemasons' Manual and Official Directory of the Provincial Grand Lodge and Prov . Grand Chapter of Kent is now in ils 12 th year of publication , and is even more vigorous than ever , which is saying a good deal . It is published by authority , and as it includes full particulars

of the Prov . Grand Matk Lodge , the Prov . Priory of Kent and Surrey , and the A . and A . Rite , it will be seen that this admirable Calendar and Directory , edited by the Masonic veteran , Bro . T . S . Warne , of Rochester , is a complete guide to Freemasonry in Kent , in relation to all the Degrees . In the Freemason for April 21 st , 1 S 8 S , will be found our review of the eleventh issue , which maybe

said to hx the character , style , and arrangement for the future , no improvement being possible . All we can speak of nov is at Ihe varying contents from year to year , financial , numerical , and personal . It may well be imagined that with the officers , P . M . 's , & c , & c , & c , of 57 lodges , 20 R . A . Chapters , 19 Mark Lodges { an increase cf one ) , four K . T . Preceptories , four Rose Croix Chapters ,

& c , together with financial statements , by-laws of Prov . G . Lodge and" Prov . G . Chapter , and much else , Bro . Warne has had his work cut out to compress so much matter into some 1 S 0 pages . The printer , Bro . ] . D . Terson , has ably seconded his efforts , the result being a most successful guide for the Kentish Ciaft , not surpassed by any province , and justly the pride of its painstaking

editor . There are now 3302 subscribing members in the province , showing an increase on all previous years , and the total of votes run to the enormous number of 9 S 0 S , including those officially credited to the lodges and chapters , the private votes being 6447 out of that large number . This list has been carefully compiled by Bro . Terson , who also shows a list of benefiuares from the province ,

amounting to 1 SS 0 per annum in value ; so that , after all , the province gets some return for its generous support of our Institutions . The only new feature is a sketch of the "Senior Provincial Grand Lodge , " by Bro . W . J . Husjhan , who has often assisted his friend , the editor , in such a happy manner . No . 20 , Chatham , dates from 28 th March , 1723 ,

and though not originally held in the Province of Kent , •but for some time was domiciled in Lone " ) n , it has been so located from 1750 , or possibly earlier , and hence is the oldest country lodge on the roll . We hope this feature will be continued until all the old lodges have thus been duly described , and it would be well if other provincial editors fclloweI such an excellent example .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

S 37 ] COLONIAL CURIOSITIES . The ceremony referred to by Bro . W . F . Lamonby of the installation of Bro . Capt . A . Clarke is not unique . In my "History of Freemasonry in Sussex , " page 51 , is the following : " The annual meeting for 1867 was held at the Pavilion Rooms on the 30 th September , the following distinguished visitors being present , viz ., Bros . Hall , Prov .

G . M . of Cambridgeshire ; Dobie , Prov . G . M . of Surrey ; E . Fraser , G . D . ; T . Fenn , Grand Dir . of C . ; Pugh , Asst . G . Purst . ; J . Llewellyn Evans , President of the Board of General Purposes ; W . Gray Clarke , G . Sec . ; J . Hopwood , President of the Colonial Board ; and H . Slight , P . G . D . Before the transaction of the regular business , the installation of the Hon . Walter John Lord

Pelham was performed by Bro . E . J . Furner ; prior , however , to the ceremony being performed it was found necessary that his lordship , who had never presided over a lodge , should pass through the ceremony of installation as the W . M . of a lodge . This was performed by Bro . Pocock

in another room , assisted by several W . M . 's and P . M . 's , after which his lordship was conducted into the Prov . G . Lodge , where he was installed as Prov . Grand Master , " & c . Is not Bro . Lamonby under the impression that it is the ceremony of passing the chair formerly necessary before exaltation in the Royal Arch ? THOS . FRANCIS .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft -piasotirg * RANELAGH LODGE ( No . S 34 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the gth inst ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly , when there were present Bros . J . G . Doncaster , W . M . ; W . J . Coplestone , S . W . ; Edwin Lucas , J . W .: H . Purdue , P . M ., Sec . ; F . Craggs , S . D . ; H . F . Williams , J . D . ; W . W . Williams , D . of C . ; A .

Williams , I . G . : F . J . Oliver , P . M ., Org . ; E . Newland and Hans Scharien , Stewards ; A . Walkley , P . M ., Tyler ; J . Sims , P . M . ; C . Barker , P . M . ; H . Shaw , P . M . ; G . Read , P . M . ; W . J . Bowles , T . Jobson , H . Stokes , H . J . Inderwick , F . D . Herbert , W . G . Boyes , C . J . Chambers , M . R . Rice , H . Pinn , J . Banks , W . E . Purdue , Edward Lucas , E . D . Richards , H . Spencer , J . C . Morgan , A . J .

Hardwick , R . Gerbert , H . S . May , R . Shaw , E . Curtis , E . Perritt , A . Abrahams , H . Hewitt , S . M . Segar , H . R . Spooner , J . R . Ward , jun ., R . S . Cartwright , D . Pritchard , W . lceton , J . F . Cliburn , C . Southwood , R . Philips , W . Iredale , and C . Heinemann . Visitors : Bros . W . G . Coat , 1275 , H . E . Coffin , P . M . 167 ; Goodchild , P . M . 704 ; H . W . Coplestone , 704 ; A . Barfield , G . Treas . ; R . E . Cursons , 16 S 1 ; J . Gracie , 87 ; H . Donnelly , 749 ; A .

A . Nottingham , 2206 ; W . Hillier , 1366 ; R . P . Nash , 1963 ; G . Hill , 1540 ; W . Jones , W . M . 511 ; and J . Jones , 1624 . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The Auditor ' s report was read , and the balance-sheet was presented , which proved satisfactory . A letter from Bro . A . C . Bean was read , thanking the lodge for the honour it had conferred upon

him by electing him an honorary member . Bro . F . Herbert was passed to the Degree of F . C . Bro . Doncaster then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Jas . Sims , P . M ., and Bro . H . Shaw , P . M ., acting as D . C , presented Bro . VV J . Coplestone as W . M . elect for the ensuing year . Bro . Coplestone having been installed as W . M ., appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . E . Lucas , S . W .

F . Craggs , J . W . ; H . Purdue , P . M ., Sec ; H . F . Williams , S . D . ; A . Williams , J . D . ; W . W . Williams , I . G . ; F . J . Oliver , P . M ., Org . ; E . Newland , D . C . ; H . Scharien and C . J . Chambers , Stewards ; and Walkley , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . G . Butt , Treas . elect , was unavoidably absent through illness . The W . M . presented a valuable P . M . 's jewel , which had

been voted by the lodge , to Bro . J . G . Doncaster on his retirement from office with a few well-chosen remarks . Bro . James Sims gave the addresses in that distinct and incisive style for which he is so well-known . Mr . Hiimmerman was then initiated , the ceremony being performed in a manner that augurs well for the lodge during Bro . Coplestone ' s year of office . Bro . Sims proposed , and Bro . Purdue

seconded , that Bro . Asher Barfield , P . M . and G . Treas . of England , be elected a honorary member of the lodge , which was carried unanimously ; and Bro . Barfield briefly thanked the brethren . "Hearty good wishes" were given , the lodge was closed , and all adjourned to the Victoria Hall , where a sumptuous banquet was spread in Messrs . Spiers and

Pond ' s recherche style , to which full justice was done . The repast being concluded , the toasts of "The Oueen and the Craft , " and " H . R . H . the Prince of WalesrM . W . G . M ., " were given and responded to with full musical honours . The W . M . then gave "The Pro G . M ., the Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Oflicers , " which was also duly responded to by the brethren .

Bro . A . Barfield replied that he was very pleased to be present as one of the Grand Officers ; he was specially proud of the position he held in the Craft , particularly as the "Grand Treasurership" was thc only Grand office the members of the Craft in general had the power of bestowing ; it gave him also great pleasure to be associated with such a distinguished body as the Grand Officers , and he could assure the brethren that the duties of Grand Lodge

were of no light character or responsibility , that all the members of Grand Lodge were imbued with one idea , which was to perform their respective duties in Freemasonry in the best possible manner . For himself he hoped to devote his energy in the future as he had done in the past , having had proof that his former services were appreciated by his election to the office he held by so large a number of the brethren .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Bro . Doncaster , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " stating that he had known him for a long time as a hard-working and painstaking member of the Ranelagh Lodge , having during his career passed through nearly all the subordinate offices , and he felt sure that as W . M . he was fully capable of carrying out the duties of that high office into which he had been installed

that evening , a honour which he truly deserved . He had already given proof of his proficiency by the manner in which he had invested his officers and performed the initiation ceremony , which had no doubt impressed the candidate with a full sense of the importance of Freemasonry , and the solemn duties in which for the first time he was engaged . He therefore proposed the health of Bro .

Coplestone and a successful year of office , which was drunk with all the honours . The Worshipful Master thanked the brethren for the enthusiastic manner in which the toast had been given and responded to , and duly felt the responsibility and dignity of the office which had been conferred upon him , he hoped to be able to carry out the work of the lodge with credit to

himself and to the satisfaction of the members . He had also to thank the I . P . M . for the kindly remarks he had made , which he thought he scarcely merited ; he assured him that his earnest desire was to promote the welfare of the lodge by every means in his power . The Worshipful Master proposed " The Health of the Initiate , " accompanying it with a few encouraging words of welcome to the Ranelagh Lodge , to which Bro .

Hiimmerman replied that he was gratified by his admission into so ancient and honourable an Institution as Freemasonry , and he hoped by patience and perseverance to be able to show himself a worthy member , and trusted that he might at some future time arrive at the proud position of a W . M . The ceremony of that evening had made such an impression on his mind that he was not likely to forget such an eventful hour .

TheWorshipful Master gave the toastof "The Immediate Past Master " in feeling terms . He felt that his career in the Craft had been very much smoothed by the valuable assistance he had always received from Bro . Doncaster and the example he had set during his year had stimulated him ( the W . M . ) to imitate him as far as lay in his power , and that when his term had expired he hoped that he

might deserve such a valuable jewel as he had the honour of presenting to the I . P . M . on that auspicious occasion . Bro . Doncaster , in reply , assured the W . M . and the brethren that he had always been animated by a desire to do the best he possibly could as W . M . for the comfort and well-being of the lodge ; that he felt flattered by the high encomiums passed upon him , as also by the earnest manner

in which his services had been appreciated ; and he hoped that he might be able to render assistance and instruction to brother who desired it . The possession of so valuable a token of their esteem and regard would always call to his mind the ; kindly and generous feelings of the lodge towards him as their I . P . M . " The Health of the Installing Master" was then

proposed by the W . M ., who stated that it was his desire that Bro . Sims should fulfil that office on that occasion , to which Bro . Doncaster had readily given his assent , and he was very grateful to him for his services in that capacity , as he was quite certain that , although the ceremony was frequently performed as well , it had never been done better , and the appeal it had made to his mind would never be erased from

his memory . Bro . Sims , replying to the toast , said that since his return to this country he had always been ready and willing to assist the lodge in any capacity in which his help might be desired , and the proceedings that evening were truly gratifying to him . The W . M . proposed "The Visitors , " whom , he said , he

was always pleased to welcome to the lodge . Bro . Coffin , P . M ., replied that , having worked with the W . M . in Freemasonry for a long time and being personally related to him , he was overjoyed to be present with him on his attainment to the summit of his ambition , and trusted that he might be spared many years to reap the fruit of his labour .

Other visitors also replied . " The Past Masters" followed , in giving which thc Worshipful Master said that in looking round upon such a goodly array of Past Masters he felt that it was a very proud moment of his life to be placed in the honourable position he was , supported by so worthy and numerous a body of brethren who had passed through the ordeal which

he was undergoing , that he looked on the P . M . ' s as the backbone of the lodge , Bro . A . Barfield , in reply , stated that he came as a visitor that evening , and he was agreeably surprised when he was elected an honorary member ; it gave him great delight to be on the roll of P . M . 's in so large and flourishing a lodge as the Ranelagh , and he hoped to be frequently

present among them . Bro . George Read , P . M ., also thanked the W . M . and the lodge for the kind manner in which he had always been treated , and having for so many years been connected with the Ranelagh Lodge of Instruction , he was very proud to be reckoned among the P . M . ' s of the mother lodge . Bro . Barker , P . M ., also replied in a few words .

The Worshipful Master gave "The Treasurer and Secretary , " regretting that Bro . Geo . Butt , P . M . and Treas ., was absent , under medical advice ; he could only say that he believed that both those officers were the right men in the right place in the lodge . Bro . H . Purdue , Sec , replied , and said that it was p leasing to him to hear the encouraging remarks of the W . M . J

and he assured the brethren that his heart was in his work , although at times his head seemed a little out of it ; he acknowledged that like human beings in general he had shortcomings , but if he had been guilty of any errors in the past , he hoped to amend in the future . in reply to the toast of "The Officers , " Bro . E . Lucas , S . W ., said that there was in existence amongst the officers

such an " esprit de corps" as made him confident that they would support the W . M . with that zeal and ability that he hoped the lodge would ever find among its officers . For himself he thanked the W . M . for the honour conferred upon him , and it would be his pride and pleasure to assist

in the ruling and governing as well as the working . The other officers replied in similar terms in rotation . Bro . Sims , P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . Melect of the Hammersmith Lodge , " in a short but pi'M speech . Bro . A . Williams replied , thanking the Iodg -e iot then