Notes On Literature, Science, And Art.

stand , is an unwearied botanist , who has been eight years at work on this Manual , and who has travelled upwards of a thousand miles in search of botanical specimens . AA e like the earnestness of such students of the hidden mysteries of nature and science . The introductory address at Surgeons' Hall , Edinburgh , will be delivered by Dr . Sanders , on Monday , Nov . 5 th .

The examinations for Science Certificates of the Committee of Council on Education ( under the Minute of the 2 nd of June , 1 S 59 ) , will take place at the oilie . es of the Science and Art Department South Kensington , commencing on Monday . Xuv . 5 th . The subjects of examination are Practical , Plane , and Descriptive Geometry ; Mechanical and Machine Drawing ; Mechanical and Experimental

Physics ; Chemistry ; Geology ; andMineralogy ; and Natural History . All these are truly Masonic studies ; and we shall be glad to leard that the Craftsmen distinguish tli em . selves at these examinations . The next examination for the degree of Doctor of Medicine , at the University of St . Andrews , Scotland , will commence on Thursday , December 27 th .

Mr . Gerald Mussey , the well-known poet , is lecturing in the provinces . An authorised English ^ translation from the fourth German edition of Dr . George Hartwig's famous book , '•'The Sea audits Living A \ onders , " is just out . Dr . L . Bradley , of Hew York , is said to have invented a plan by which he can transmit by electric telegraph fifteen thousand words j an hour .

The Rev . Joseph AVolff , LL . D ., the celebrated Eastern Missionary , who for fifteen years has been vicar of He Brewers , in Somersetshire and whose autobiography has just been published , is contemplating another missionary expedition ; the scene of his labours to bo Armenia and Tarkand , with other places in Chinese Tartary . The third and concluding- volome of Macknight ' s J ' History of

the Life and Times of Edmund Burke" is on the eve of publication . This volume will contain the history of the Coalition Ministry , tho India Bills , the Impeachment of Warren Hastings , the conduct of Burke with respect to the French Revolution , his final retirement at Beaconsfield , his private life , and his death ; with Sketches of political events of his time .

A cheap edition of My Schools [ and Schoolmasters , by tho late Hugh Miller , has just been issued . Dr . Eoresi , of Florence , in his researches among the Medici records , has discovered that porcelain was manufactured in that City , under the patronage of the Grand-Duke Francis I ., about the years 1 SS 0-90—a century before what had until now been considered

the proper date of the introduction of the manufacture into Europe . Of the few specimens of this Florentine porcelain now to be found , two arc at the South Kensington Museum , one being a double flask covered with an arabesque scroll ; and the other , a large bowl , covered with blue foliage . The manufacture ceased with the life of Francis I ., it not being made for sale , but as an article of

royal luxury . A new work , by Professor Kellaud , is in tho press , entitled Elements of Algebra for the Use of Schools . 11 . D . Blackmore , M . A ., of Exeter College , Oxford , and of the Middle Temple , London , has just produced a poem on The Fate of FraiMin , which is being published in aid of the statue about to

be erected to Sir John in his native town . The singular work , Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation , has just reached an eleventh edition . A now novel has just appeared under the strange title of The Valley „ f a Hundred Fires . We have not seen tho book , but suppose from its title that it will bo a lurid light in the literary

world . A treatise on The Philosoyhy and History of Civilization , by Alexander Alison , will appear in a day or two . A new work b y Professor Phillips , the eminent geologist , is announced for immediate publication , On the Origin and Succession of Life on the Earth .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC MEMS . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Monmouthshire is appointed to bo held at Abergavenny on Friday , tho 10 th of November . Divine service is to take place at St . Mary ' s Church , where a collection will be made on behalf of the Masonic charities .

At the Board of Benevolence on AA edncsday last ten petitioners were relieved with various sums amounting to £ 130 . The Grand Stewards will have a public night for Master Masons on AA ednesday next , when the ceremonies of consecration and installation will be worked , concluding- by a lecture on the Preston and AVcbb workings .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

OLD KIJ - ' S AMIS LODGE ( No 30 ) . —This old and distinguished Lodgo met at the Freemasons' Tavern on Monday , October 22 nd . Bro . Baylis was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in a most able manner by Bro . Marsh , P . M ., assisted by the officers of the lodge . The brethren then proceeded to banquet , and after the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , the health of the AA . M . Bro . Phillips was drunk with the cordial thanks of the lodge for

the kind and urbane manner with which he had presided during the past year . The AA . M ., after returning thanks for the kind and truly Masonic support he had received from the members of the lodge , proposed thehealth of the Past Masters , thankiugjthem for their valuable assistance , especially Bro . Marsh , who had at all times been ready to place his great Masonic talent at the service of the lodge , no doubt frequently at considerable inconvenience to himself . He then invested Bro . Playford with a handsome Past Masters' jewel

, presented by the lodge as a mark of its esteem , for the manner in which he had presided during his year of office . Bro . Playford expressed his great satisfaction in receiving the kind mark of affection and goodwill , which led him to hope that although he felt he had not discharged his duties as a Mason , he had presided in a manner to gain their esteem as a man . The AV . M . proposed the health of the visitors , Bro . Dagg No . 657 , and Bro . Aubrey , the latter

in conjunction with Bro . George Genge ( member of the lodge ) , and Bro . Crew who dropped in late , and stating that he had , only just arrived from Suffolk , delighted the brethren with their harmony . The AV . M . proposed the health of the officers of the lodge , and thanked them for their able support . Bro . Marzetti S . AA ., in returning thanks , assured the AV . M ., that the officers felt it a pleasure , as well as their duty , to render him every assistance which laid in their power , and informed him , that it ivas the intention of the J . W . Bro . Dr . Kay , to serve the office of steward

at the forthcoming Girls' Festival . Bro . Nesbit S . D . to serve for the Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their AAldows , and he ( Bro . Marzetti ) , for the Boy ' s School . NEW CON - COBB hovGii ( No . 1115 ) . —The second meeting for the season of this new and nourishing lodgo was held on Friday , Oct . 19 , at the Koscmary Branch Tavern , Hoxton , and was very numerously attended , not only by the members , but by a large body of visitors , amongst the latter being Bros . Amos , of the Crystal Palace

Lodgo ; Dixon , Old Concord ; Kirby , Fitzroy ; H . Thompson , Dometic ; and several other brethren . Bvo . Ihiiraens , AV . M ., presided ; Bro . Bertram , S . AV . ; Bro . Sumnock , J . AA . ; Bro . Lawrence , S . D . ; and Bro . Levisohn , 3 . 1 ) . Tho lodge having been duly opened and the minifies read , Bros . Gray , Heath , Hart , and Band , candidates to bo passed to the second degree , were questioned as to their proficiency , and having answered satisfactorily , they were severally passed . The lodge then resumed , when Messrs . AVinn ,

Perry , and Cubit were introduced in due form , and solemnly and impressively initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry by Bro . Emnieii . s , the AA ' . M ., iu his well-known excellent manner . Bros . Cameron , of the Temple Lodge and Bossy , of the Lion and Lamb Lodge , were severally admitted as joining members of this lodge . Bro . , 1 . Wild moved that the joining fee to this lodge be increased from two to three guineas , which was seconded bthe AV . M . and carried unanimously . Bro . Estwiektreasurer

y , , intimated his willingness to serve as steward on behalf of his lodge ? t the coming festival of the Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and their Widows to be held in January next . The " \ A . M . said that he had no doubt Bro . Estwiek would be supported by the officers of the lodge and a large majority of the brethren . There being no further business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the new banqueting hall for refreshment . About 65