Military Lodges.*

which brethren who have won fame as sailors , soldiers , statesmen , lawyers , & c , & c , are the prominent figures , and of anecdotes in the pages of this volume there is a fund that will or should go a long way towards satisfying the most exigent of

readers . There are , indeed , few subjects that lend themselves so naturally to the popularisation of a book as those that in any way relate to the military art , and as Bro . GOULD has been

fortunate in thc selection of his subject , so , too , has he been successful ' in his treatment of it . He has told us well nigh all there is lo tell about military lodges , ancl in such a manner , and

with such infinite variety of personal story , as to appeal to every class of Masonic reader . The opening chapter treats of the Legend of the Craft , and takes us well on to thc close of the 17 th century , the military

element being , of necessity , conspicuous in the treatment . In the course of the second chapter will be found particulars relating to military Grand Masters , ancl about Grand Officers who won distinction as naval and military Commanders The

chapter that follows is wholly given up to matters that exemplify the influence which Masonry has exercised in warfare both by sea and land ; while in the next chapter will be found such information as Bro . GOULD

has , after an infinite expenditure of pains and labour , has been successful in unearthing about the Masonic services of British officers of flag and field rank in the Navy and Army , both of former and the present days . Chapter V . treats of this

class of lodge , their origin , customs , and numbers , their gradual change into stationary lodges , and the decay generally , of military lodges ; while Chapter VI . is restricted to Masonry in India and sets forth the special difficulties which it has had , and ,

though in a lesser degree , still has to contend with in our Eastern Empire . Of the two remaining chapters , lhe earlier treats of military Masonry in France , Prussia , Holland , Sweden , Russia , and other countries , with the exception of Masonry

in the United States , which is briefly but very ably described in the concluding chapter . In the earlier of these mention is made of NAPOLEON and his Marshals , FREDERICK THE GREAT , and other notable Imperial and Royal personages and

their officers , and the interest they are held or known to have taken in the work of our lodges ; while in the portion devoted to the United Stales , naval and military men from General GEORGE

WASHINGTON to General SCHAFTER and Admiral SCHLEY , who have clone service to their country , and , at the same time , been members of the Craft , are introduced and particulars , where obtainable , given of their work in Masonry .

We realise that the foregoing is at best but a mere sketch in outline of the contents of this most readable volume . But our main purpose is to bring it home to our readers that Bro . GOULD ' S " Military Lodges" is not only valuable for thc light it

throws upon that particular class of lodge , but is likewise one of the most interesting books that has ever been written about any branch or section of our Society . Nothing can be better than the easy and graceful style in whicii it is written , nor

knowing as we do , how scrupulously careful is the author in advancing any statement , do we think any serious fault of omission or commission will be discoverable in its pages . We may add that , thanks to thc printer and publisher , the book

leaves nothing to be desired as regards excellence of appearance ancl get-up , and that the price of the volume is only five shillings , so that the work " is one that ought to command a

lars * e sale , especially at the present time , when there are so many of our brethren labouring with all the professional skill and ardour they possess to maintain the honour of the British Flag .

Freemasonry In Oxfordshire.

FREEMASONRY IN OXFORDSHIRE .

The Province of Oxfordshire is a remarkable one in some important respects , for although as an organised bod y it only dates from 1705 ; when Sir John McN . Hayes , Bart ., was the first Prov . G . Master , yet a lodge was constituted in the City of

Oxford so far back as 1729 , and the "Lodge of Alfred in thc University" was warranted in 17 69 . The latter continued on the roll for some 20 years' later , and in 1772 a medal was struck for the use of the members . It is Bro . Marvin ' s No . CCCCL ., and the size of a crown , being also of silver . The only one I

Freemasonry In Oxfordshire.

have met with was obtained at an auction for me on behalf of the " Apollo University Lodge , " and is now one of their special treasures , with the complete minutes of the meetings . Obverse—Bust of King Alfred , with the legend Dominus Illuminatio Mea . Reverse—Legend Sit

Lux et Lux Fait , enclosing the arms of the University . An illustration appears of this scarce piece in the " History of Freemasonry in Oxfordshire , " by Bro . E . L . Hawkins , M . A . ( 1882 ) , with many valuable particulars of the local Craft from earliest times , and copies may still be had for a trifle , so there is no need for me to refer to the extinct lodges .

Ihe senior on thc existing roll is the "Alfred Lodge , " No . 340 , which was the first chartered by the United Grand I . odge of England in 1814 , Bro . John Ireland , P . M . of thc "Constitution" ( of A . D . 1771 origin , but collapsed in I'jS' )) , being the first W . M .

Through the efforts of the "Alfred , the present " Apollo Lmiversity Lodge , " now No . 357 , was warranted in 181 S . The first W . M . was Bro . John Ireland , P . M . aforesaid , who also served in that capacity 1820-1 . This lodge has had a vcry remarkable career , as evidenced

by the interesting information to be found in Bro . Hawkins ' brochure , and particularly in the " By-Laws , to which is added a"History of the Lodge , a List of the Members , & c , " the sixth edition of which is before mc , edited by Bros , the Rev . II . A . Pickard , M . A . ; F . P . Morrell , M . A . ; ' R . E . Baynes , M . A . ; P . Colville Smith , M . A . ; and G . J . Wilson , M . A . ( 18 97 ) .

H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales , Grand Master , was W . M . in 18 73 , and the lamented H . R . H . Prince Leopold ( Duke of Albany ) in 18 7 6 . Since the inauguration of the Iodge to 1 S 97 , four Grand Masters ( Great Britain and Ireland ) , two Pro Grand Masters , four D . G . Masters , 37 Prov . Grand Masters ,

one Grand Treasurer , 17 Grand Deacons , and other Grand Officers have been members . In this charming souvenir of the lodge there is a complete register of all the members from 1819

to 18 97 , with their several titles , offices , & c , arranged in chronological order , and an alphabetical list of such brethren is also appended , with the years of admission , besides other tables involving much labour and research .

It will be fresh in the memory of English Craftsmen that H . R . H . the Duke of Albany was Provincial G . M . of Oxfordshire until his deeply regretted decease . I lis initiation b y his brother , our beloved Grand Master ( who was then W . M . ) , on May 1 st , 18 74 , is a bright record in the annals of the lodge .

A very useful calendar and directory for the province is published annually , the current issue , 1899-1900 , may now be obtained , and has been ably compiled by Bro . P . Colville Smith ,

P . G . D ., Dep . Prov . G . M ., of Cornwall , & c , and Bro . A . Rowley , P . Prov . S . G . W . Oxon , & c . The arrangement of this welcome annual cannot well be improved upon , ancl evidently no pains have been spared to make it accurate and exhaustive .

Tlie work runs to about 140 pages , ancl is brimful of information respecting the Provincial Grand Lodge and the 12 lodges in the county , having a total membership of 711 . An

abstract of lodge returns gives the number of meetings held- in 1896 and 18 97 , * ° - " * - members clear on the books with those in arrears , initiations , joining members , ceremonies worked , and Past Masters .

Under each lodge will be found many facts as to its origin , Roll of Ofiicers , and Past Masters in chronological order . The Earl of Jersey , G . C . M . G ., is the esteemed Prov . G . M ., being the seventh from 1795 ; and thc Grand Superintendent is the Right Hon . Viscount Valentia , having four R . A . chapters under his jurisdiction .

•The Editors have done well in compiling and having printed in this handy volume the names of all the subscribers to the Central Masonic Charities , with their votes , and so for the ( irand Mark Lodge Benevolent Fund . There is so much to interest a lover of the Craft in the Bnok

hercin noted that it is not easy to refrain from writing at length on thc subject , so as to do the authors justice , who have so cheerfully given their time , and admirably clone such excellent work for the lodges and chapters in the Province of Oxfordshire . The brethren generally are to be congratulated on their

wants being so well cared for , and especially in having such a trio of excellent Craftsmen as the two noblemen referred to and Bro . P . Colville Smith , M . A ., as their esteemed Prov . G . Master , D . Prov . G . M ., and Prov . G . Sec . respectively , to see to their interests generally . W . J . HUGHAN .

T . R . H . rHE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES , accompanied by the Duchess of Vck and other members of their family , visited Tilbury , on Wednesday , the 22 nd i . ist ., to inspect the hospital ship Princess of Wales , which has been equipped by the generosity of the Princess and rechristened to bear her name . There was a distinguished company present . The four wards on board the vessel—which sails for the Cape immediitely —< are called after the names of her Royal Highness and daughters .