Notes On Art, &C.

NOTES ON ART , & c .

A Congress of Librarian" ! might do some good acrerss the Atlantic , where iu the classified intlex of one library Aristophan , 's' " Frog .- " has b .-ea placed under the hea 1 of ' * iiepliles . " Tw \> Birds of Paradise , from new Guinea , are now in thc Paris Jardin el'Acclimatatiem , the first living specimens ever brought to France . These birds are very rarely s . curerl alive , as they are specially shy and difficult

to approacn . ¦ V fresh Artie Expedition will be undertaken by Sir Alien Young in thc "Pandora" next spring . He will probnbly try the Spitzbergen route , as Smith ' s Sound has been now so fully explored . Anent Artie research , Professor Nordensklold h . s decided on his route through the Polar regions next year . Thc Professor will leave

Svvetl : n in July , ho . ring to reach Nova Zembla in the beginning of August anrl the Yenisei shortly afterwards , will thence rouiitl the most northern point of Asia , called Tschieljuskin , anil will arrive in Behring ' s Straits about the enel of September . He will then skirt China anil India , and return home by tlie Suez Canal anil the Mediterranean . The Swedish expeelition will sad in a specially constructed

steamer provisioned fur two years , and will consist of a crew of twenty-two men , vvitli a tloctor and scientific staff . A beautiful white Alabaster Pieta has been unearthed at the Parish Church of Breadsall , near Derby , now being restored . The Pieta apparently belongs to the fifteenth century , anil is probably of continental

workmanship , while it is supposed to have been hidden away from thc Puritans . It is about two feet six inches high , and bears traces of colouring and gilding , hut unfortunately in the excava'ion the sculpture was slightly injured , part of the face of the Christ and the head and hands of the Virgin being damaged . Thc Pieta is , however , to be restored , and lacetl in the church .

p A new Government Filter has been invented which will reduce strong tea anti infusions of logvvooel to clear tasteless water . Major Crease is the inventor , and the filter was shown at the recent soiree at Guy's Hospital . Railway * travelling in France is decidedly snfer

than in our own country , to judge from recent statistics . Thus between the years 1872-3 only one person was killed out of every 4 :, 258 , 270 travellers on the French lines , and one p rsoii injured in 1 , 024 , 3 ( 10 , while during the same perio 1 in Engl me ! one traveller was killed in 12 , 000 , 000 anrl one injured eif every 33 6 , 001 ' .

Mdme . Christine Nilsson left England on Wednesday te > fulfil a three mou'lia' engagement at Moscow and St . Pete rshurg . On Monday she sang in one of M-. Kuhe ' s grant ! concerts at Brighton . —Matlmc . Adelina Patti has been staying in Loudon , pending thc series of concerts for which she is engagcel in the " provinces . " From England she goes to Milan , and , it is

rumoured , will pass the winter 111 Italy . —Mdme . Annelta Essipeff , the charming Russian pianist , istakinga holielay at Venice , and intends paying us a visit , cither in the winter of this year or the spring of the next ; so that , what with Rubinstein , Billow , tec , wc shall have enough to do with foreign pianisiic virtuosos for a goad time to come . The Famous German Tragedian , Devrient , has

died at Frankfort . " Hamlet" has been translated into Portuguese by the King of Portugal , who , however , publishes his work anonymously . The translation is said to be very well deine Despite announcments to the contrary , Mr . Delane , whose- health we are glad to say is greatly improved , is still acting as eeliior of rhe Times . He will continue to do so till he can devolve his authority upon a

successor who has been prepared hy him to exercise it — Alhenwum . The Academy states that Messrs . C . Kegan Paul and Co . have purchased the publishing business of Messrs . Henry S . King and Co ., of 6 s , Cornhill , and 1 , Paternoster-square . The new firm will carry on business at the latter address , Messrs . King ' s Bank and Indian Agency remain ' ng in Cornhill .

St . Margaret s Westminster . — " A very interesting fact has come to light which corroborates Stow's statement that the great chancel of St . Margaret ' s was built by the Abbots of Westminster . ' Upon the string which crosses thc east wall the well-known rebus of Abbot Islip has been found . He jr .-is elected on October 27 , rjoo , and diet ! on May 12 , 1532 . The churchwardens' accounts for

the years 149 G-1502 mention purchase of rag-stone , Caen stone , Ryegate stone , ami free-stone , and also payments to masons , carpenters , and joiners . Sir Thomas Billing ( Lord Chief Justice ) and his wife built the south ailse , and it was thc place of thc lady's interment on March 14 , 1499 . At the second bay from the east in this aisle , the lower eloor of the staircase and the iloorway which opened to a

rood loft , stretching from one wall to the other , are still visible . In the north aisle there is a sejuare sepulchural recess , with traces of figures of angels in distemper colour , and tlic indents of two Miiall brasses . Tlic image of St . Margaret has been found decapitated anel broken in pieces ; the reibcs were painted red and green and covered with a beautiful gold pattern of conventional foliage . There is a

notice of gilding her cross-staff in 1515 . Some Jacobean texts remain on the east wall , and two apertures for light on either side of the place of the high altar . This noble anti , intleed national church , 130 ft . long and 65 ft . in breadth , deserves , and will repay , the cost which may be expended on its restoration .

Messrs . Remington have just issued a small volume of poetry bearing the felicitous title of " Pictures in Vcrsi , " the matter , however , to be in keeping , should be exceptionally good , for though the title be happy it is ambitious , and is suggestive of no common powers of description .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

\ Ve learn that overtures have been made to Bro . VV . Sma lpeice , of the Emulation Lotlge of Instruction , with a view of his bec-m ' mg Preceptor to thc London Masonic Club Lodge of Instrii tion . In the event of Bro . Sma'lpcice ace- pting the oilice , which we confidently expect he will , his election wid ta < c place oa Montlay next , when we

have no d rubt a large number of brethren will attend to support so eminent an Instructor . Bros . C Hogg , and J . E . Shand will we are . ertain be again electetl respectively , Treasurer anel Secretary . The loelge meets at the London Masonic Club , ICI , Queen Victoria-street , anel will open at 6 o ' ekrek p . m . We shall give a rep . rt of the meeting in

our next . MASONIC LIBERALITY . — At the last ordinary meeting of the Harmonic Lodge , No . 210 , held at the Atlelphi Hotel , Liverpool , Bro . D . S . Davies , W . M ., in the chair , a sum of £ 20 was unatiiniou-. lv ve ted from the funds

of the lodge in aid ofthe noble national effort to relieve the every-day necessities of our perishing feho-. v creatures in India . This gift is all the more creditable to the " Harmonic , " as it is not so very long ago that vt les amounting to upwards of £ 100 were made by thc brethren in aid ol our own noble Masonic charities .

K ILBURN L ODGE No . 1608 . —The Installa

tion meeting ef this lodge will take place on Monday next at the Queen ' s Arms Hotel , Kilburn . Lodge will be opened at half-past 3 precisely . A full report of thc proceedings will appear in our next . Mr . Thorn , whose name was well-known in connection with a previous publication , is about to bring out another , entitled " 'Ihe County and Borough

Magistrates' List and Official Register , " which will comprise all Justices of the Peace for every County and Borough in England and Wales , with their Professional and Business Avocations , and the appointments and Offices they hold in each different county or borough ; also , all the County and Borough Officials ( Legal and Civil ) , and a complete Parliamentary Directory—about twenty thousand names

in all . The publishers arc to be Messrs . Buttervvovth , of London , Her Afajesty ' s Law Publishers . —The Athena-urn The consecration of the Sub-Urban Lodge , Ne \ 1702 , took place on Friday , the 19 th inst , Bro . J . Tickle , P . M . 1196 , was installed W . M ., and Bros . C . E . Havvksley and A . F . Roberts were invested S . W . and J . W .

A full report will be given in our next . The place of meeting of the St . James ' s Lodge of Instruction has been changed from the New Tanners ' Arms , Grange-road . Bcrmonilsey , to the Gregorian Arms , 9 ( 1 , Jamaica-road , where it will meet in future on Friday evenings .

The ie , sections will be worked in the Tredegar Lodge of Instruction , No . 1625 , held at Bro . A . Yates , Royal Hotel , Mile End-road , on the second Monday in November ( 12 th proximo ) . The W . M . on that occasion will he Bro . T . J . Barnes , P . M ., P . Z ., & c . We are desired to state that the rjj sections will be worked in thc Percy Loelge of Instruction , meeting at No . 113 , Southgate-road , N ., on Saturday next , the 27 th inst .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASONS . —The County Palatine of Lancaster Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons will be held in the Freemasons' Hall , Church Institute , Bolton , on Monday the 22 nd inst ., at half-past two o'clock . Bro . thc Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , R . W . Prov . G . M . M . M ., will preside . At the conclusion erf the business there will be a banquet , Bro . Lord Skelmersdale in the chair .

MANCHESTER . —For the information of the fraternity in Manchester , the publisher begs to state that the Freemason may now be obtained at 47 , Bridge-st ., Manchester , on Saturday morning at 8 o ' clock . We learn that a marriage is arranged between the Rirjht Hon . the Lore ! Mayor , ( Bro . Sir Thomas White )

and Miss Florence Simpson . The Members of the Masonic Foot Ball Club play their next match this day ( Saturelay ) , with the St . Phillips Rovers at Battersea Park , an account of which we shall give next week . LIVERPOOL AND THE INDIAN FAMINE FUND .

—The contribution from Liverpool to the Indian Famine Relief Fund now amount to the magnificent sum of £ 30 , 000 . Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepteel Masons , containing the Charges , Regulations , E . A . Sonar , Sec . A copy should be in the possession of every brother . It . may be obtained for 2 s . at the

office of the Freemason , or will be sent post free to any part of the United Kingdom on receipt of twenty-five penny stamps . Address , Publisher , 19 8 , 5 Fleet-street , London . —ADVT , ERRATUM . —Tn the report of the Consecration of the New Finsbury Park Lodge , " Crampton , " J . D ., was erroneously printed " Frampton . "

MASONIC SONGS . —A selection of Masonic Songs set to popular airs , written by Bro . E . P . Philpots , M . D ., F . R . G . S ., is now ready , forming a handsome volume , bound in cloth , wilh gilt edges , 3 s . Sent post free from the office of this paper on receipt of stamps or post-office orelcr value 3 s . 2 d . —Anvr . Hon OWAV ' S Pi LLLS . —At the changes ol seasons many persons

feel oppressed without knowing why they arc so ; they are aware something within them is wrong , though they cannot detect the defective organ . A few doses of these powerfully purifying and eminently ccoling pills will restore reguaiity to every part ofthe system , will cast out al ! impurities lurking in the frame , and will

thoroughly expel the last traces of disorder , however hidden the disease may be , however obscure its cause . With Holloway ' s medicine relief is insured without risk ,- erroneous action is rectified without disturbing natural regularity ; and health is reinstated , and with it the cheerful feelings which unmistakcably tell thc lecenlinvalid that arlvvithinis right again , —ADVT ,

Masonic And General Tidings.

The consecration or resuscitation ofthe Hartismere Lodge took pi ice on Wednesday last . The ceremony was performed by Lord Skelmersdale , R . W ., Deputy Grand Master , assisteel hy Lord Donoughmore , P . S . G . W ., and Bro . John I-Iervev , Grand Secretary . Lord Henniker was installed first W . M . A full report will appear in our next .

NEW SOUTH WALES . —The brethren who have experienced so much elifficulty in procuring thc Freemason in this distant colony , will be pleascel to learn that owing to arrangements maele with Messrs . T . J . Jones and Son , "The Four Masonic Publications" may now be obtained at their offices , No . 330 , George street , Sydney , on the arrival of thc mail .

LIVERPOOL . —In answer to the numerous letters that the publisher has received from brethren in Liverpool , we beg to state that the Fnemason is to be ohtaineel in Liverpool on Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock , at the Office , 1 , Monumc : t-place ; at thc Masonic Hall , Hoper-tret-t ; and at thc Laneling Stage .

Lord and Lad y Donoughmore have left Milfore ! Lake , Highclere for town . The Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon is entertaining , at his seat , Hi ghclere Castle , mar Newbury , a eirele of visitois , including Lord Lyons , the Right Hon . George Sclater-Booth , M . P ., and Mrs . Booth , Mr . Robert

Heibtrt , Mr . Sheffield , Mr . Jekyl , tec . A Special Performance of Handel ' s "Messiah , " in support of the Indian Famine Fund , is announced lo take place on the 29 th inst ., at the Surrey Chapel , Blackfriars , under the pationage of the Lord Mayor , Mr . Watney , M . P ., Mr . Morgan Howard , Q . C , Sir J . Lawrence , M . P ., and other gentlemen of influence .

Bro . P . L . Simmonds has been requested by the Royal Commission for the Paris Exhibition to prepare for the British and French ca talogues introductions to all he classes , showing the progress of the nation in arts , ndustry , and manufactures , in the ten years since the last

ans Exhibition . —City Press . OLYMPIC THEATRE . —For the convenience of families resieling a distance from town , Bro . Henry Neville announces a morning performance of Mr . VVilkie Collins ' s new drama , " The Moonstone , " for Saturelay week thc 27 th inst .

The annual banquet of the Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction , No . 79 will be held at the Portland Hotel , London-street , Greenwich , on Wednesday , 24 th October , when Bro . J . R . Dussec , P . M . 79 , will preside . On Tuesday the subject of the return , for the third time , of Sir John Bennett as Alderman forthe Ward of Cheap , was taken into consideration at a meeting ol

the Court of Aldermen , held in the Guildhall , the Lord Mayor in the chair . After great discussion the recorder read the resolutions to which the Court had come after considering the matter . The Court held to its former opinion—that Sir John Bennett was and still continued to be not a fit and proper person for the office , and determined to adjourn for a week , and then to take into

consideration thc election of a fit and proper person to fill the vacancy . Upon leaving the court Sir John Bennett was loudly cheered . We are informed that the Lord Mayor of London , accompanied by the Sheriffs , will pay a visit to Brighton , as the guest of the Mayor of Brighton , and that early next week there will be a public reception of General

Grant , who will be entertained at a banquet in thc Pavilion by the Mayor , Corporation , and inhabitants of tlie borough . It was agreed at a special meeting of the Glasgow Corporation , on Thursday , that the freedom of the city should be conferred on Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Hartington R . W . G . M ., Derbyshire , on his visit to Scotland next month .

ABBOTT TESTIMONIAL FUND . — At the meeting of the Executive Committee of this fund , held at the Cannon-st . Hotel , it was unanimously resolved that the fund be finally closed on Saturday , December ist . To those of our readers who recognised the efficient services , uniform courtesy , and marked attention of Bro . George Abbott , during the many years he discharged his duties

as station master of the Cannon-street Terminus ; we commend this notice , and ask all intending contributors to forward , at their earliest convenience , the amount they desire to subscribe to Messrs . Glynn , Mills , and Co ., 67 , Lombaiel-street , E . C . The list of contributions has already reached the sum of £ 300 .

The following reports unavoidably stand over , ' : Amherst Lodge , 1223 ; Era Lodge , 1423 ; Lodge of Truth , 1458 ; Francis Burdett Lodge , 1503 ; Metropolitan Lodge , 1507 ; Morecambe Lodge , 1561 ; Carnarvon Lod i ' 5 / 2 ! Ecclestons Lod ge , 1624 ; Beaconsfield Lodge , 1662 ; Industry Chapter , 186 ; Fidelity Chapter , 248 ; William de la More Encampment .

Now binding , will be ready on the 24 th inst ., post free , 2 s . id . The Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar Diary and Pocket Book for 1878 . It contains lists of Lodges , Chapters , Encampments , Conclaves and Grand Councils , with the names of Officers in England , Scotland ,

Ireland , and all parts of the World . Single copies ordered by letter may be paid for by stamps ; orders for more than one to be accompanied by Post Office Order , payable at the Chief Office , London . Address Publisher , 198 , Fleet Street , London . ( Advt . )

Safety Of Cleopatra's Needle.

SAFETY OF CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE .

( LLOYD ' S TELEGRAM . ) FERROL , OCT . 18 . The Fitzmaurice , steamer , from Middlesburg for Valencia , fell in with and recovered at sea the Cleopatra s Needle , 90 miles north of Ferrol .