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ARUCH COMPLETUM . By Dr . ALEXANDER KOIIXT . Toinus Tertius III . Vienna , iSSr . This third part of a lexicon rela'ing to words found in thc Targums Talmud and the Midraschim , is a very valuable aid to Hebrew studentsand is most admirably printed

, and edited by tie Chief Rabbi of Funfkirchen , Dr . Alex . Kohnt . We lhavc previously mentioned it in our pages , and we are glad again to notice it for those of our readers who study the Hebrew language , or who take part in the interesting researches relative to the Talmud , & c .

THK MONTHLY PACKET FOR iSS :. Two Volumes . Walter Smith , 34 , King-street , Covent Garden . This admirable magazine for the elder-young * , if we may coin an expression , edited by the well-known authoress , Miss Yonge , comes before us , in two neat volume *** , full of interesting matter and effective stories . The authoress , bringing back to our minds pleasant memories of the " Black and White Ribeaumont , " one of her most

charming novels , reproduces a very interesting and graceful "Chapter of Pearls , " though , perhaps as "laudaiores temporis actii , " we rather prefer the nld , * r work , than which no more striking , realistic , or touching has b . en given us by any modern writers , or even by the cv .-rmoving pen of that rea ly writer , the authoress . Wc commend " The Monthly Packet" 10 several young friends of ours .

BIBLIOTHF-OV RABBIN ICA . By AUG . 'WUNS-CHE . Fourteenth Part . Leipsic : Otto Schulzc . 1 SS 1 . The fourteenth part of this most interesting and valuable Hebrew commentary on " Lamentations " is now before us , and most worthy of note and study it is . Wc mention it for Ihe information of all who read German , and are anxious to master the old Rabbinical Commentaries on the Sacred Text .

HOLY IllUi . F ., Willi COMMENTARY . NEW TESTA VI FN l " . John Murray , Albermarlc-strcet . This is the third volume of the New Testament portion of what is commonly called thc " Speakers' Commentary , " edited by Canon F . C . Cook . Many of our readers are R'cllacquaintedwith thisvaluableaid to exposition , both in respect of thc Canonical Scriptures of the Old and of thc New

'lestament , though from various reasons , which skilled Masons will easily understand , we cannot do more , legitimately or with propriety , than mention the appearance of this well edited and valuable work . Il would be impossible for us to go further , than a mere scholastic or technical discussion of tho subject matter of tlie commentary , and even that effort , would be attended with difficulty , in that scripture exegesis is so much mixed up with scripture teaching , that

we might lind ourselves involved in a learned controversy , about which tonics have been written , before we realized where we were or whither wo were going . Reverencing the Scriptures as we do in our lodges , as the Great Light of Freemasonry , we can , however , never bc in the wrorg in calling friendly . -. ttenlion to laborious and skilful endeavours to elucidati their meaning or remove apparent dilliculties towards their understanding and realization .

OUR TRIP TO NORWAY : A SIN WEEKS' FISHING 'IOUR WITH LADIES . By SYDNEY PF . ICI .. London : Printed b y Koworth and Co ., 17 and 19 , Newtonstreet , High Holborn , 1 SS 1 . We arc not , as a rule , greatl y impressed with the narratives that arc often published of i-hort holiday trips . For the most part thc information they contain is very

meagre . What likelihood is there of its being otherwise : How can even thc most observant writer hope to learn what is worth reproducing in bo ik lorm in the space cf halfa-dozen , or even a dozen weeks , especially when a considerable part of the time is spent in the mere journeying from place to place ? One day ' s experiences are pretty much those of another ; nor is it possible to make a

readable story out of such dry details as hiring horses and carrioles , catching trains , finding quarters and lunching , dining , and supping , even where , as in this instance , a little tame , uneventful fishing is super-added . Mr . Peel lias recognized this . In his preface he remarks that thc " chronicle of so ordinary an event" as this six weeks ' tout in Norway "demands , perhaps an explanation , if not an

apology . Fortunately , in this instance , thc explanation or apology is forthcoming . The part of Norway that was to be visited was out of the beaten track ; tho patty was a mixed one , consisting of two ladies and three gentlemen ; and it was not easy to obtain information as to the country to be travelled . Consequently Mr . Peel ' s little book , if neither exciting nor even particularly interesting , is not

without its value ; and intending visitors to this part of Norway , whether fishermen or simple travellers , will obtain many useful hints about expenditure , equipment , the inns or" stations , " as they are called , that should be sought out and made much of , and those , like thc one at Discth , which should he patronised only in the direst necessity . These are the redeeming features in a book that is otherwise dull and tedious reading .

HIE BEDFORDIAN SYSTEM OF ASTRONOMY . Being New Theories of the Universe , explaining how Sun , Moon , Stars , Comets , & : c ., arc formed , Sic . By J AMES BEDFORD , Ph . D . Third Edition ; with Appendix . Price , One Shilling . London : II . Vickers , 317 , Strand , W . C . 1 SS 1 . In these pages there is , as may lie imagined , much

controversial matter , which it is , therefore , outside thc scope ot our duty to deal with . It comes not within our province or inclination to discuss the merits of different astronomical theories . The road by which even a moderate knowledge of this beautiful science may bc acquired is a sufficiently bard one to travel without allowing the study of conflicting systems to make it still more intricate . It is consequently ,

from no want of respect lor Bro . Dr . Bedford and his theories , that we abstain from passing any opinion on them . That they have exercis .-d an appreciable influence in the world of science must be manifest . They were first propounded in 1 S 54 , and such has been the demand for tjic treatise that the present is the third edition . Moreover , among the notable authorities " who have he l ped to

sup-Pprt this system of astronomy' * are set clown the names of Sir Geo . Airy , lately Astronomer Royal ; Professor Adams , Professor Hall , of the Washington Ob-crvatory , U . S . A . ; Mr . R . A . Proctor , Professor Reynolds , Pro ' essor Schaparelli , & c . As to the nature of the Bedfordian theories , we must content ourselves with briefly describing them . In one of them he lays it down that there is a re-

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lation or connection between comets and meteorites , and that both move in orbits . According to others , comets revolve round comets , there are comctic systems , thc earth was once a comet , and our solar system in its infancy a comctic system , while our sun is still a comet to observers in other worlds , its tail being what is commonlv known as the " milky way . " It may be imagined that such theories as these found no

favour for a long time ; but twelve years after they were propounded , Schaparelli , an Italian astronomer , would seem to have verilied Bro . Bedford's discoveries a- ; to the revolution of comets round comets , and the existence of cometic systems . Since then Mr . Norman Lockyer , writing in his work 011 astronomy as to tho . connection between comets and meteorites , has placed on record his belief that the hint of such a connection is one of the " greatest discoveries

of late years in the science of astronomy . Another hint or predi . tion made by Dr . Bedford , in 1 S 51 , namely , that Mars , and even Venus and Mercury , will be found to have moons , has been a ' so verilied by Professor Hall , of Washington , . S . V , at least , as regards the first-named planet . From this brief sketch it will lie clear that the Bedfordian

system has not been thoughtlessly conceived , and that several of his most important theories have * met with the the approval of many recognised experts . The treatise is well vvorth reading , though the subject is necessarily a complex ine . Still Bro . Bedford has done his best to make his meaning clear , and , in our judgment , he has fairly well succeeded .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

FRATRES PONTIFICES . It may interest Bro . Gould to know that in Henriot ' s " Histoire des Ordres Rehgieux , " Brussels , 1 S 3 S , a purel y Roman Catholic work , the l-ratrcs Pontittces , or Freres Pontifcs , are said to have been a quasi-monastic religious

order , which lasted for a short time , but did a vast amount of pious work in repairing and restoring bridges . I may add that a careful perusal of Mr . Henriot ' s work docs not , however , convince me that he is either trustworthy in bis history , or correct in his statements , lie is far too much of a paitizan to be a reliable historian . MASONIC STUDENT .

MACIUNS . I note that in tiie glossary to tbe life uf Edwaid Ihe Confessor , published under the authority of thc Master of the Rolls , edited by Mr . Luard , thc date of the MS . being 1345 , or thereabouts , thc words Maciuns or Macuns are used for Masons . The word Franc is used for a Freeman , Meistrc for Master , and the word Gardein

seems to be in use , no doubt also used as Gardtani . Maistrie and Mestrie stem employed Io mean mastery , skill , authority , as pur Maistrie of right , or by authority . It appears to me that Franc-Macon may therefore , a tcr all , be good Norman French , and mean a Freeman Macon , and hence I ' rcc-Mason . So far , however , no early use of Franc-Macon has been discovered . MASONIC STUDENT *

SI " . ROOK'S HILL LODGE . With respect to the two lodges mentioned in the article "Masonic History and Historians , " the senior one , constituted in 17 * 14 , meeting at the Dolphin , Chichester , according to Secretary Grey-Clarke ceased working in or about 1757 . The one at St . Rook ' s Hill , near Chichester , was ceased in 1754 . I here was , doubtless , a tradition still

lingering with the Freemasons of Chichester at that period , when thc latter was constituted in 1730 , of some annual ceremony which took place in Faster week ; 1 am now investigating thc subject . I am of opinion that the hill was in Saxon times , and perhaps for a long time afterwards , used as a mcct-liill , and 1 believe the citizens at a remote pcricd used to march in procession to St . Rook ' s Hill to meet the Bishop on his return from Parliament . 1 * . F .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft iVtasonvn .

GRAND STEWARDS' LODGE . — The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., P . M ., presided in the unavoidable absence through illness of the W . M . There was a large attendance of members of the lodge and visitors , the list comprising * the names , of Bros . William Bristow , S . W . ; John A . Rucker , Treasurer ; Fredk . Hockley , Sec ; T . II .

Edmonds . S . D . ; | ohn Noyes , J . IJ . ; \ V . A . Hicham ** , D . C . ; Francis C . Church , I . G . Past Masters John W . Stedwell , Edward Baxter , C . H . Waters , J . F . Walsh , Fredk . Binckes , F . S . Knyvett , W . Smithctt , John P . Probert , R . L . Spice , Charles Martin , John Thomas Wimpcri * ** , T . P . lircascy , F . Farnan , Grifliths , Smith , II . Mackintosh , Dr . Alfred Meadows , W . Surr , and W . J . Crump . Visitors : Bros . Colwin , Henry Pink , Alex .

Lordwick Irvine , 171 , 200 , 121 G ; W . C . Pulleyn , 4 < . * >; P . dc Lande Long , P . G . D . ; T . W . Cat malt , 230 5 ' <• Warwick Jordan , G . Drysdale , W . M . 222 ; C Mansfield , W . M . 21 ; A . W . Duret , W . M . 17 GS ; W . G . Sogan , G . S ., S . D . 91 ; E . LetcW-orth . G . S ., 197 ; Aug . C . Wheeler , P . M . 14 ; John Bellerby , G . S . ; Samuel Crew , 1 S 6 ; Raymond H . Thrupp , P . M ., P . G . S ., 255 ; Hugh M . Gordon , W . M . 1203 ; / Eneas | . Mclntyre , Q . C , G . Reg . ; Maxman ,

Spurrell , 55 , P . P . G . W . Kent , 615 ; A 11 red Itristow , P . G . S ., 14 ; Albert Scott , W . M . 1593 ; G . W . Arm . strong , P . M . 1593 ; Edw . M . Roe , I . P . M . 1593 ; E . J . Heale , S ; C . E . Keyser , W . M . 404 ; George C . Pulsford , Sec . 1593 ; W . J . Smith , 1503 ; James B . Wing , P . M . 171 ; Kobert Grcsley Halt , W M . 4 ; Thomas Dinwiddy , 1 ; Thos . Fenn . P . G . D . ; Charles A . Muiton , P . G . D . ; A . S . Wildy , WM . 23 ; Lewis II . Isaacs , P . M . 973 ;

Brooke Lambert , P . M . 1393 ; C . D . L-iveless , W . M . 1593 ; George Carrington , 159-, ; J . G . Mi ler , P . M . . 1593 ; and II . Massey , P . M . G 19 , W . M . 192 S ( Freemason ) . The minutes having been confirmed , and thc report of the Audit Committee adopted , Bro . Fdward Baxter , P . M ., presented to Bro . Richardson Bro . William Bristow , S . W . and VV . M . elect , for installation . Bro . Richardson then installed Bro . Bristow as Master of the lodge in a Board of soma fifty Past Masters . Thc following brethren wcre

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

appointed to ' office . * Bros . Jordan , S . W . ( Bro . Charles Waters was invested in his absence ) ; T . H . Ecmand *** , I . W . ; J . A . Rucker , P . G . D ., Treas . ; Hockley , Sec . ; Noyes , S . D . ; Mimton , J . D . ; A . A . Richards , I . G . ; Grillit ' ns Smith , M . C ; Francis Farnan ,.. Steward ; and Rawles , Tyler . After thr delivery of the addr SPCS by Bro . Frank Richardson , Bros . W . J . Crump and O . A . Colvin were elect , d

joining members of the lodge , Bro . Grcsley Hall , 4 , was proposed as a joining member , and Bro . Dr . Macintosh otiercd himself as Steward for thc Girls' School Festival in May . 'the lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a superb banquet in the Crown Room . The usual toasts followed . In giving "The Health of thc Pro Grand Master , & c" the W . M . said lhat several of the Grand

Oflicers » cre present , and the Grand Officers . were thc lights in Masonry . Among them he mi ght mention Bro . Mclntyre , Hro . Rucker , Bro . . Mutton , aud Bro . Long . It was a great boon to this lodge to have such brethren present . He had been reminded both on his right and left that time «* a- rapidly going on , and that many words would not be acceptable , and , therefore * , he would not prolong what he had to say ot their merits and the work they

had done . Sufficient for him to sav that they were so well known to ail the brethren of the Craft , and thc work they had done was world-known , and he had only to mention their names to receive fiom the brethren the utmost cordial reception . Bro . Ai . J . Mclntyre , Q . C , G . R ., in responding , said , Ihe Grand Stewards' Lodge he had known as long as he had been a member of the Cralt , and as soon as he was able to attend one of their public meetings

where they gave instruction to the Craft of England , he was present , and he learned a very great deal from them . When he determined if he could to make himself a master of the ritual of Masonry , he was told , and he found it to bc perfectly true , that the ritual of the Craft was carried out in the purest manner in the Grand Stewards' Lodge ; and it was no wonder it was so , os none but distinguished Masons came there as

the Grand Stewards of England . He was delighted that evening lo see a Past Grand Steward and a Past Grand Officer perform the ceremony of installation . lt showed that he was well grounded in his woik , and certainl y that his sojourn in the Grand Stewards' Lodge had not allowed his Masoniy to get ru-ty , or that he should deviate from the old tracks so well marked out . I le congratulated thc judge on having so many distinguished Masons wearing thc red

collar , but he felt confident that , while bretliren looked forward to the distinction that gave them , they would become good members of the Craft in the private lodges to which they belonged , and would do good work in Masonry . The W . M . had distinguished himself elsewhere , and as Master of this lodge would perforin his duty in a manner quite equal to his predecessors ; that the old working uf the Grand Stewards' Lodge would not go down while he was

Master . At the same time , pel haps he might say younger bretliren conic on determined to keep up the old working which had been seen that evening , and which was a very good token of the way in which the Grand Oflicers worked cm at occasions . Bvo . Mclntyre thin commended the lodge for the excellent repast set before the brethren , liro . F . Binckes , P . G . S ., and P . M ., proposed "The W . M . " He need scarcely say that the

Master of the Grand Stewards Lodge was rarely expected to be an untried or inexperienced brother , and certainl y thc occupant of the chair that evening was one who had had a very fair share of experience for many years past . Bro . Bristow was initiated seventeen or eighteen years ago in the Tuscan Lodge , by Bro . Frank Richardson , who had had the honour of installing him that evening , and in the year 1 S 71 lie occupied the chair in the Tuscan Lodge , and he

( Bro . Binckes ) well recollected the pleasure he had in being present and aiditv . ; on lhat occasion . I'hey all welcomed Bro . Bristow in his advent to thc supreme power of W . M . of the Grand Stewards' Lodge . It was a very large advance to make , a proud position for any one to occupyin lact that of the first commoner in the Order , liro . Bristow thoroughly and entirely realised the importance ot * the position , and would prove himself completely ellicient

in the discharge of the responsible duties which devolved upon bim . To him ( Bro . Binckes ) it was a source of great gratification to sec such a galaxy of brethren to do honour to Bro . Bristow . lie did not wish to indulge in terms of empty compliment and idle eulogy ; it was perfectly unnc-cessarry , for thc W . M . 's deeds spoke for themselves . There might bc some brethren present to whom Bro , Bristow was more

intimately known than to him ( Bro . Binckes ) , but there was no one who more heartil y wished him God speed , and every happiness and prosperity during his year of olfice . With reference to hisexcellence and his merits , he wouldsay si testimonium rcjtijris tire umspiee , because they knew to whom they were indebted for many of those visitors of distinctinction who now honoured their board . The W . M ., in reply aaid he did not know how to express himself , but

when thc brethren elected him to ( ill this distinguished position , which had been filled by many brethren of eminence before , Fe felt thc importance of the trust committed to his bands . He did not know how sufficiently to thank the brethren of thc lodge for thc honour they had done him in so electing bim . He need only say this , that during his year of ollice he would do his utmost to carry out the duties of his high and importance ollice . High and

important it was . There were matters connected with this lodgc _ that required very careful and quiet consideration . Time was when the lodge was not what it was now , and the time might come when it would be greater still ; but that depended on the Grand Stewards themselves , eighteen of whose lodges wcre in the Cra t . If they joined it it did not require him to say what the lodge would become . After

again thanking the brethren , the W . M . read a letter from Bro . Sir | . li . Monckton , apologising for his inability to attend , lie was sire every one regretted Bro . Moncltton ' s absence . The W . M . proposed " The Visitors , " of whom there was a highly distinguished body present . He mide special reference to the brethren of the Royal Naval College at Greenwich , between which and its chapter and this

lodge there was a close connection , he ( the W . M . ) having been selected for the First Principal's chair of tlie Royal Naval College Chapter . Among the members of that lodge and chapter were Bros . Fenn , Murton , Rucker , Loveless , Rowe , Isaacs , Dinwiddy , Spurrell , Bristow , Irvine , and Lyon . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . D ., in rebpondinj , expressed the -great gratification he and all the