Reviews.

Reviews .

"DOIDGE ' S WESTERN COUNTIES ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL . "—Our old friend , " Doidge's Almanack , " is now printed and published by Messrs . Hoyten . and Cole , Plymouth , the price remaining at one shilling ( postage 6 d . extra ) as before . The volume for 1900 is certainly a wonderful compilation and an extraordinary shillingsworth , the pages considerably exceeding * 400 , and many of the illustrations are quite little works of art . The large coloured picture ( carefully folded ) reproduced in colours from the original water-colour drawing by C . E . Hannaford of " The Royal Albert Bridge , Saltash , " is quite a gem , and , doubtless , will be removed from the book and

framed by those who appreciate such a faithful souvenir of Brunei ' s masterpiece . The matter generally is both attractive and useful ; there are numerous tales and articles . One article in particular deserves especial mention , viz ., " A Visit to the Marine Laboratory on Plymouth Hoe , " by William Crossing , the illustrations to which help _ much to a proper understanding of the text . Messrs . Simpkin Marshall and Co ., Limited , are the London Agents . We are persuaded that the varied contents of this work , which is a '' Book to Read" and a "Book to refer to , " will secure for ita place in thousands of homes , particularly in the West of England and the Metropolis , where so many Cornishmen and Devonians reside .

"WHITTAKER ' S PEERAGE FOR THE YEAR 1900 , ' DEING A DIRECTORY OF TITLED PERSONS . "—( J . Whittaker and Sons , 112 , Warwick-lane , Paternoster-row , E . C , and of all Booksellers . Price 2 s . Cd . )—This very welcome and extremely useful annual has had its title slightly altered , for the " Windsor Peerage " has been amalgamated with it , and now , for a short name , the work may be known as " Whittaker ' s Peerage . " It is that , however , and much more , for it isa complete Peerage , Baronetage , Knightage , and Companionage all in thc onc volume , besides containing a mass of

information respecting the Sovereign , the Royal Family : character , history , and value of titles , such as the D . S . O ., the V . A ., and the CL , which are aptly described as Orders which " may be said to have Knighthood without Knights . " The arrangement could not possibly be improved upon , as it is consistently throughout the 542 pages ( exclusive of advertisements ) in alphabetical form , so that for facility of reference , conciseness of diction , and clearness of typography , the handsome volume is well nigh

perfect . It may truly be said to take its place , side by side , and as the peer of the widely known " Whittaker ' s Almanack , " and that without any disparagement to either , the one may be accepted as the complement of the other , they being mutually supplemental . For half-a-crovin , then , "Whittaker ' s Peerage" may be obtained from any Bookseller in the country , and has only to be tested to be warmly appreciated . Though comparatively a new publication it has come to stay , and will , to many , become as indispensable as the Almanack .

A Sister's Sacrifice.

A SISTER'S SACRIFICE .

By PROF . F . W . DRIVER , M . A . The weary day has passed , and now , alone , In chambered silence , sacred to my woe , Beneath night ' s friendly shade , no need repress The bitter heart grief others must not know .

Oh , sister dearest I legacy bequeathed Ily sainted mother to my fostering care , Peaceful thou slumb ' rest , happy in a love , Increased and strengthened even by its share . Ne'er must thou know that , in this iiosom here , A pent up sorrow ever is confined , Ne ' er must thou feel that 'twas thy sister ' s love , For love of thee , a loving heart resigned .

A heart which beat responsive to my own , A voice whose accents thrilled within my soul , Whose pleading tones so coldly I repelled , Though deep emotion I could scarce control . I loved the most , when least it did appear ,

Neer loved so much , as when I love denied , Who would have thought , beneath this placid brow , As lake ' s unruffled surface , rushed a tide , Would swiftly bear me , yielding to its sway , To blissful haven , where , in trust secure , Anchored beneath the ship ' s protecting care , My little bark in safety 1 could moor .

But no , it could not be , at Duty's call , Severe the struggle , yet in sight of land , With all its precious freight of Hope on board , Myself I shipwrecked on a barren strand . Oh happy hours gone by , when first I felt

The secret kindlings of Love ' s tender flame , When Hope , long nourished , taught me first to breathe And fondly linger o ' er that murmured name . Sweet day dreams fled , nor ever to return , Another claims the love no longer mine ; Another reigns as mistress in thc soul , Where once this breaking heart had fixed its shrine .

When from thy trembling lips , sweet sister , dear , With mantling cheek , in roseate blushes drest , Eager , and yet reluctantly , thy heart , In -nutt'ring tones , its virgin love contest . Thou couldst not see the anguish that I felt , No look of mine an inward grief betrayed ; Thou couldst not know that , ' twas thy gentle hand A garden fair , a wilderness had made .

That thou , dear child , unconsciously had plucked My heart ' s best blossoms , ne ' er to bloom again ; That , for thy sake , my happiness I lost , To bear alone a weary load of pain . And yet I blame thee not , for couHst thou think

That hopes , long cherished , I for thee destroy ; That , nerved by Duty , with unflinching hand , From my own lips I dash the cup of joy . How freely would thy generous nature yield Th .- treasure , dearer than all else beside ; How i-uiildst thou mask in smiles a new-born care , And strive , vain task , a secret grief to hide .

No , never shalt thou feel the bitter pang ; By Heaven's help , my burden I will bear ; Affection , selfish but in this alone , Will ne ' er consent that thou its wei ght should share .

A Sister's Sacrifice.

But one can rule thc empire of the soul , Love's monarchy brooks no divided reign , To thee the precious prize I will resign , Mine be the loss , and thine be all the gain . For thou , sweet sister , as a fragile flower , In all thy loveliness and beauty ' s pride , Too soon alas ! like it , wouldst droop and pine ,

If Love ' s warm sunshine ever were denied . Enough for me , retired in the shade , Afar to view thee , basking in its gleam , Content , if , haply from the fount of light , The gloom is chequered by reflected beam Then thus , the vow religiously I keep ,

Accept the destiny that Fate has willed , Cheered by the thought , the sacrifice I make , A sacred trust has faithfully fulfilled . Oh 1 Mother , guardian angel in thy love , With pitying eyes upon thy child look down , Teach her to feel that she the cross must bear , To win as heavenly meed th' immortal crown

A Distinction With A Difference.

A DISTINCTION WITH A DIFFERENCE .

This phrase is applicable to Freemasonry as expressed in different countries at the present time . Freemasonry in Great Britain ancl its Dependencies is conservative in its' character and holds itself altogether aloof from participation in matters of Church and State . The organisations which bear the Masonic

name do not attempt to exert any influence of a political nature , nor to promote party or sectarian measures . In the United States the same rule holds good . There can be no discussion of political questions or of religious doctrines in the lodge room . J 3 rethren do as they choose when they come to act in party politics or in support of churches and creeds .

But it is not so in some of the countries of continental Europe . In France the Masonic organisation counts as an important factor in political movements . Members of a lodge , meeting in secret , discuss party measures , and then decide to throw their united strength in favour of a certain policy , and for or against certain men who are candidates for official station .

Social questions and the reforms of the day are considered by brethren when they meet within tyled doors , and if they decide to advocate , a measure the whole strength of the organisation is brought to its support . One lodge is in touch with another to such an extent in France that the Fraternity is likely to act

together in promoting a measure of social or political reform . Perhaps such effective combination of strength may sometimes tend to the best results . As a rule , the Masons of France are

intelligent and patriotic men , and oftener than otherwise they plan and act in such a manner as to promote the public welfare , but all the same there is an element of danger in their alliances and exercise of power when the objects arc as here stated .

It is a matter of profound rejoicing that English Freemasonry , as expressed in all lands where the English language is spoken , declares itself so positively ' against any interference with matters which belong to the domain of party politics , and leaves to its members , acting individually , to exercise the duties of

citizenship in accordance with what may be the persona ! thought and judgment of each brother . The Institution as such—the lodge as such—formulates no platform , pronounces itself neither in favour of or against political candidates and measures , but holds itself apart from all such disturbing issues .

Maintaining such a position , Freemasonry has a legitimate influence to exist and a worthy service to render . It fulfils a beneficent mission in bringing men together to walk and work as brethren . It teaches reverence and faith toward God , and

inculcates practical sympathy and helpfulness as between man and his fellow-man . Keeping itself altogether apart from entangling alliances , Freemasonry goes forward in an illumined way which promises tlie best results for truth and for humanity . —Freemasons' Repository .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge Charity , No . 233 . the installation meeting of the above lodge was held on the ujth instant at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , the retiring W . M ., Bro . A . E . Bridgman , being in the chair . He was supported by the W . M . elect , Bro . John Goad , and a number of Past and Present Prov . C . Officers . The installation ceremony was performed by Bros . A . E . Bridgman ; W . Stenlake , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Hoyten , P . P . G . S . B . ; and J . W , Cornish , P . P . G . T . In addition to the above-mentioned , the Board of Installed Masters

uros . « . u . westlake , P . b . U . W ., l ' . U . U . U . U . ling . ; ts . a . jonns , yj , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Pike . 223 , P . P . G . O . ; W . Allsford , P . P . G . T . ; C . H . Tozer , 233 ; Parnell Hannaford , 223 ; J . A . Lavers , 223 ; W . J . Hoare , 223 j J . Angwin , W . M . 230 ; D . M . Brebner , 2258 ; J . Corrick , 159 ; J . Brooks , W . M . 1247 ; W . Budge , 15 S 0 ; and J . Bray , 1212 . . The officers for the ensuing year were invested as follows : Bros . T . Cole , S . W . ; 1 . Stoneman , J . W . ; J . A . Lavers , P . M ., Chap , j J . Hoyten , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; W . Stenlake , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; J . H . Stephens , S . D . ; J . J . Gerry , J . D . ; C . H . Ball , I . G . ; T . Lillicrap , D . of C . ; J . Mumford ,