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Articles/Ads
Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article To Correspondents. Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article REVIEWS Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00904
FREEMASONS who were formerly Students at St . Mark ' s College , Chelsea , are informed that a certain project is in contemplation , and they would oblige by communicating their addresses to Bro . the Rev . J . H . SMITH , Alleyn's School , Dulwich , or write Bro . T . CKOSS , The School , Bessborough Gardens , S . W .
Ad00906
MANCHESTER . —254 , Oxford Road . Eight Doors from Owens College . THE REV . ROBERT HAMMOND COTTON , M . A ., B . Sc , LONDON , RECEIVES STUDENTS POR BOARD , RESIDENCE , AND TUITION .
Ad00905
ATLAS ASSURANCE COMPANY . 92 , CHEAPSIDE , LONDON , E . C . FIRE , LIFE ^ ACCIDENT . Capital—One Million Two Hundred Thousand Pounds . Instituted 180 S , and Empowered by Special Act of Parliament . The Company has been in existence more than 76 Years . Moderate Rates . PromptSettlements . Liberal Conditions . All its Funds are Invested in Great Britain . Transacts Home Business only . No Hypothecation of Funds for Foreign Policy Holders . Ample Reserves apart from Capital . LIFE DEPARTMENT—Whole-World Assurances . Liberal Surrender Values given in Cash or by paid-up Policies . Payment of Claims immediately on proof of death . All * kinds of Life Assurance transacted . ACCIDENTS—Assured Against , whether fatal or causing total or partial disablement , at moderate rates , and with liberal Compensation . PI RE—Policies issued free of expense . LOSSES OCCASIONED BY LIGHTNING will bepaid whether the property be set on lire or not . LOSS OR DAMAGE caused by Explosion of Coal Gas in any building assured will be made good . even Years Policies granted on payment of Six Years * Premiums . Active Agents Wanted . JjAMUEL J . PIPKIN , Secretary .
Ad00907
< £ & ucattcntal , D ULWICH HOUSE SCHOOL , VICTORIA ROAD , UPPER NORWOOD , S . E . ( Within seven minutes' of the Crystal Palace ) . PRINCIPAL : Mr . J . K . BARNES , LONDON UNIVERSITY . ( Late Upper Fifth-Form Master , Bedford Modern School Harpur Foundation . ) RESIDENT STAFF : Classics : Mr . W . P . EVANS , M . A . ( 2 nd Class Classical Tripos , 1877 . ) ( Late Foundation Scholar , Sidney Sussex College , Cambridge . ) English Language and Literature : The PRINCIPAL . Mathematics and Science : P . Z . ROUND , B . A . ( Mathematical Tripos , 1 SS 2 . ) ( Late Scholar St . Katharine ' s College , Cambridge . ) Modern Languages : The PRINCIPAL . VISITING STAFF : Modern Languages : Monsieur EUGENE FASNACHT . Late Senior Modern Language Master , Bedford Modern School . Editor of Macmillan's Foreign Classics . ) Science : Rev . j . G . WOOD , M . A ., F . L . S ., and Prof . C . P . MORRIS , Geology and Phys . Geog . ; and such other qualified and experienced Masters as the requirements of the Pupils may demand . References kindly permitted to Rev . R . B . Poole , B . D ., Bed . Mod . School , Bedford . Alex . Waugh Young , M . A ., Tcttcnhall College , Staffordshire . G . M . Hicks , M . A ., 5 , South-row , Blackheath , S . E . E . F . Ashworth Briggs , M . A ., L . L . M ., 15 , New Street , Daventry . Rev . A . Lloyd , M . A ., Norton Rectory , Bury St . Edmunds . C . L . Peel , Esq ., C . B ., Woodcraft , Cuckfield , Sussex . Major Ed . Green , St . Mary ' s , Bedford . J . D . Rodger , Esq ., College Lawn , Cheltenham . C . P . Mason , B . A ., F . C . P ., Dukesell , Streatham Hill , S . E .
Ad00908
HIGH-CLASS PRIVATE SCHOOL THEOBALD'S PARK , WALTHAM CROSS , LONDON , N . PRINCIPAL : Rev . J . OSWALD JACKSON , Assisted by Five Masters . Limited number of Gentlemen's Sons ; motherly care for delicate pupils ; individual teaching for backward ones ; playground of six acres . First Class Honours gained at last Cambridg-e Local examinations , with Distinction in Mathematics . References kindly permitted to Kev . Dr . Reynolds , Principal of Cheshunt College , Herts . Rav . Charles E . Mayo , M . A ., Nottingham , fair Thomas Chambers , M . P ., Recorder of London . K ' . cnard j oiler , Esq ., Solicitor ; Leicester . George Kenning- , Esq ., Little Britain .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following reports , & c , stand over for want of space : CRAFT LODGES—Old Fortitude and Cumberland , 13 ; Y'ork , 236 ; Furness , gcj 5 ; Howe and Charnwood , 1007 ; Koyal Forest of Dean , 10 G 7 ; Hartismere , 16 ( 13 ; Kirkdale , 173 G ; Albert Y'ictor , 1773 ; St . Botolph , 2020 .
ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER—Methuen , 1533 . LODGE OF INSTRUCTION—YVanderers , 1604 . De La Pole Conclave Red Cross of Rome and Constantine . Prov . Grand Mark Lodge of Dorset . Red Apron Lodges , by Bro . E . L . Hawkins . Corres . —Temperance Lodges— " Omnia Explorati . " „ J . Ramsden Riley .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " Jewish Chronicle , " " Hull Packet , " " Broad Arrow , " " Sunday " Times , " " Royal Cornwall Gazette , " , ( Citizen , " " Time , " " Die Bauhiitte , " ' " Court Circular , " " Public Ledger , " " City Diar } -, " "Cork Examiner , " '' Victorian Freemason , "" l'ricyclins Journal . " " Liberal Freemason , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , "" Shields ' Daily News , " " Keystone , " " New York Dispatch . "
Ar00909
SATURDAY , DECEMBER 6 , 1884 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion , ]
GRAND TREASURERSHIP . _ To the Editor of " The Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I notice in your last impression a letter , signed "Sky Blue , " in which it is stated that a private meeting of Grand Officers had taken place to select a Grand Treasurer to be nominated on YVednesday . I have every reason to believe that " Sky Blue " has been incorrectly informed .
as certainly a large portion of Present and Past Grand Officers know nothing of the matter . If there is any such secret and irresponsible "caucus" of Grand Officers , nothing can be more repugnant to the feelings of the great majority , I feel sure , of so distinguished a body of brethren , and the sooner it is put a stop to the better . There are , of course , numerous canards floating about , but I hope , as I believe , that your correspondent has been misinformed . —Yours fraternally ,
A PAST GRAND OFFICER
ST . ANNE'S SCHOOLS . Dear Bro . Kenning , Can any worthy and kindly brother help me to a few votes in these Schools at the approaching election ? Such votes are very difficult to obtain , and a friend of mine is working anxiously for a good case . The name of the case is Frederick Langford Osborne . —Yours fraternally , A . F . A . WOODFORD .
MASONIC MENDICANCY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am very pleased 'to ' . see this subject being ventilated . My conviction is that Bro . J . E . Mason is quite correct in saying these so-called " tramps make a living out of what ought to be applied to deserving objects . " I recently held the office of Treasurer and Almoner to the
Forest Lodge , No . 1852 , and my three years' experience fully convinced me of the necessity of adopting some organized system to put a check on these impostors . We have some genuine cases I admit , but they are extremely rare . We abound most with applicants who are common vagrants , and some of whom disguise their appearance to repeat their visits . We have also cases where the applicants are , I regret to say , members of the
Fraternity . But if we take the trouble to make enquiries we find they are altogether unworthy of our Charity . I dont know what views Bro . Stevens has on the subject , but I would like to suggest a system which occurred to me —as likely to meet the case . First , every Almoner in the Craft under the Grand Lodge of England be furnished with a quantity of printed forms , on which he should make his returns , viz ., the date , name and address of each
applicant , number of lodge , amount of relief if any , also make any remarks as to his description and age . Whether he has a certificate , and if not , give his reason . His reply to questions , where he is journeying from and to ? The object of his destination , & c . These forms should be forwarded to head quarters , and a general weekly list or register compiled and issued to each Almoner , thus enabling him to trace an applicant's name and
prove whether his statement was correct or not . It would also assist the Almoner in finding out whether any member of his lodge was in destitute circumstances , or if the certificate of a deceased brother was being unlawfully used . It appears to me to be very desirable for Grand Lodge to take the matter up and charge every Craft lodge its share of the working expenses , this amount to be paid out of the Benevolent Fund of each lodge . I have no hesitation in saying we should find at the end
of the year the claims upon this fund , and including these working expenses , would be less than previous years , and we should have the satisfaction of giving a greater , if not a complete check to these impostors , or whatever they may be termed . My suggestion is not of sufficient magnitude to deal effectually with foreign applicants , still we should be able to trace them from town to town and eventually form a very fair opinion of them also . —Yours fraternally , THOS . FISHER , I . P . M . 1405 . Mansfield , November 26 th .
£ SO to £ BOO . —Tobacconists . —A pamphlet ( 80 pages ) How to commence from ^ 20 ; three stamps . H . Myers & Co ., 109 , Euston-rd ,, London , Sample cigars 6 , J , 4 ,-1 / ., 14 stamps , [ ADVT . I
Reviews
REVIEWS
THE MAGAZINES . If it be true that Christmas comes but once a year , it comes this year of grace and light betimes , with its Christmas numbers and its Christmas books . YVe are almost overcome by their number , their effectiveness , and their pleasantness .
" Harper ' s Magazine and Christmas Number " is indeed a most remarkable issue . To say nothing of "Christmas Past and Present , " "A Few Days more Driving , " "Nature ' s Final Story , " "The Elevator , " "Farmer YVorrall's Case , " "A Capillary Crime , " " A Dead Man's Face , " will , with its realism and power , attract and startle many readers .
"The English Illustrated Magazine " is a very sterling production . "Gainsborough , aiid the Illustrative Specimens of his YVonderous Portraiture , " " Clovelly , " " Calvados , " " Our Mission to Abyssinia , " "A Christmas in the Kyber Pass , " " The Path of Duty , " " Iron and Steel Making in South YVales , " all will please and affect . " That Terrible Man " is becoming most sensational and moving .
"The Christmas number of " All the Year Round" is "In Luck at Last , " by Bro . YY'alter Besant , which we recommend all our readers to peruse . " Longman ' s Christmas Number " contains some interesting tales . "The Two Robbers , " "Sarah Walker , " " Psychical Research , " " Even with this , " " The Lone Glen , " " Royal Love , " " Esme Von Lindershein , " all are well worth reading .
The Graphic Christmas Number . " Gorgeous in illustration and interesting in letterpress , this remarkable issue of 5 60 , 000 copies , and which began last January , will find countless ready and grateful readers . We do not think , we confess , that it is quite so effective or entertaining as previously , but all things become trite and familiar by " the using , " and there is a charm in novelty which repetition dims , and reiteration mars . We once again call
attention to the shocking ( to our taste ) and really annoying system of intermingling advertisements with the letterpress from one end to the other . No doubt such an arrangement pays , but it is , in our humble opinion , sadly derogatory to the dignity of the Graphic , and woefully deteriorative of high art , and most annoying to the intent and admiring reader . Is it not muitifying when you are in the midst of a pathetic passage , and turn over the leaves
hastily to find your eye arrested by " Eno's Fruit Salt , " " Allen and Hanbury's Cod Liver Oil , " " Beecham ' s Pills , " " YVilson ' s Extra Toast , " " YVilton's Sweet Amatilla , " " Pears' Soap , " " Perry Davis's Vegetable Pain Killer , " and " Beetham ' s Glycerine and Cucumber" ? We are quite sure that such an arrangement does no good to the advertisers , and if all the advertisements had been together under elegant headings , they would be more Iikelv to be
read . YVe think it a pity that such a charming Christmas paper should be in the slightest measure weakened in its force and reality by the affectation and bad form of the hour . There are two sides to the question , but we speak as we think , and as we write , " currente calamo . " YVe confess we think it a pity that these Christmas numbers come out so long before Christmas , Then " sheen " seems to be faded , their glory to have
evaporated , their newness and freshness altogether in the " sere and yellow leaf" when Christmas festivities recur to happy and united family circles , when the yule log is brought in and the Christmas tree is lighted amid the shouts and genial contentment of old and young . But such are the laws imperious of custom . So great the demands and arbitrary code of the trade , that unless Christmas tide was thus anticipated and fore-announced , vain would be the efforts
of writers and illustrators alike . Such are the world and life , and thus it is a remakable fact in itself how the great world of society has appropriated Christmas , and adapted it to the wants , claims , and sympathies of our yearly existence and our earthly " weird . " We are nevertheless a little sorry , we confess , old-fashioned perhaps as we be , that even before December has begun the Christmas books are on our tables , in a reality and profusion alike unprecedented and marvellous .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
461 ] THE BATTLE OF THE GRADES . If Bro . Hunter be correct in his conclusions as set out in his " History of the Lodge of Journeymen" ( S . C . ) , the monograde theory has received its "quietus . " He states that two Grades were given distinctly in that lodge from the date of its " swarm " from the Lodge of Edinburgh , Mary ' s Chapel , for receiving which the entrant paid , £ 12
Scots , or £ 1 in the first case , and for the latter £ 24 , or £ 2 English money . That when they were " passed " to the second , or Fellow Craft , as they had been "entered" into the first , they generally took out a " Mark . " That the Masters , or " Mrs , " as he finds it expressed , were , no doubt , distinct from the Fellows ; but that they were employers of labour , and that he does not trace any ceremony or any
further payment . Thus Bro . Hunter clearly brings out , according to his views andi words , j a bi-gradal theory . This view , I am given to understand , is the one taken " inter alia" by Bros . Gould and ( Speth , who have very carefully studied the subject . I would just say , as a very interested party in the discussion , that I am net at all satisfied by this way of settling a positive fact by negative
evidence , or rather , in default of actual evidence , deciding the question dogmatically on what , after all , is a mere subjective view of the case , and rests entirely on the inner consciousness and personal appreciation of certain " scintilla" of evidence of some esteemed and able students . All that can be fairly said so far , as it seem to me , is " non proven . " In my humble opinion , we are hardly yet ¦ " on " the real evidence of THE THIRD DEGREE .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00904
FREEMASONS who were formerly Students at St . Mark ' s College , Chelsea , are informed that a certain project is in contemplation , and they would oblige by communicating their addresses to Bro . the Rev . J . H . SMITH , Alleyn's School , Dulwich , or write Bro . T . CKOSS , The School , Bessborough Gardens , S . W .
Ad00906
MANCHESTER . —254 , Oxford Road . Eight Doors from Owens College . THE REV . ROBERT HAMMOND COTTON , M . A ., B . Sc , LONDON , RECEIVES STUDENTS POR BOARD , RESIDENCE , AND TUITION .
Ad00905
ATLAS ASSURANCE COMPANY . 92 , CHEAPSIDE , LONDON , E . C . FIRE , LIFE ^ ACCIDENT . Capital—One Million Two Hundred Thousand Pounds . Instituted 180 S , and Empowered by Special Act of Parliament . The Company has been in existence more than 76 Years . Moderate Rates . PromptSettlements . Liberal Conditions . All its Funds are Invested in Great Britain . Transacts Home Business only . No Hypothecation of Funds for Foreign Policy Holders . Ample Reserves apart from Capital . LIFE DEPARTMENT—Whole-World Assurances . Liberal Surrender Values given in Cash or by paid-up Policies . Payment of Claims immediately on proof of death . All * kinds of Life Assurance transacted . ACCIDENTS—Assured Against , whether fatal or causing total or partial disablement , at moderate rates , and with liberal Compensation . PI RE—Policies issued free of expense . LOSSES OCCASIONED BY LIGHTNING will bepaid whether the property be set on lire or not . LOSS OR DAMAGE caused by Explosion of Coal Gas in any building assured will be made good . even Years Policies granted on payment of Six Years * Premiums . Active Agents Wanted . JjAMUEL J . PIPKIN , Secretary .
Ad00907
< £ & ucattcntal , D ULWICH HOUSE SCHOOL , VICTORIA ROAD , UPPER NORWOOD , S . E . ( Within seven minutes' of the Crystal Palace ) . PRINCIPAL : Mr . J . K . BARNES , LONDON UNIVERSITY . ( Late Upper Fifth-Form Master , Bedford Modern School Harpur Foundation . ) RESIDENT STAFF : Classics : Mr . W . P . EVANS , M . A . ( 2 nd Class Classical Tripos , 1877 . ) ( Late Foundation Scholar , Sidney Sussex College , Cambridge . ) English Language and Literature : The PRINCIPAL . Mathematics and Science : P . Z . ROUND , B . A . ( Mathematical Tripos , 1 SS 2 . ) ( Late Scholar St . Katharine ' s College , Cambridge . ) Modern Languages : The PRINCIPAL . VISITING STAFF : Modern Languages : Monsieur EUGENE FASNACHT . Late Senior Modern Language Master , Bedford Modern School . Editor of Macmillan's Foreign Classics . ) Science : Rev . j . G . WOOD , M . A ., F . L . S ., and Prof . C . P . MORRIS , Geology and Phys . Geog . ; and such other qualified and experienced Masters as the requirements of the Pupils may demand . References kindly permitted to Rev . R . B . Poole , B . D ., Bed . Mod . School , Bedford . Alex . Waugh Young , M . A ., Tcttcnhall College , Staffordshire . G . M . Hicks , M . A ., 5 , South-row , Blackheath , S . E . E . F . Ashworth Briggs , M . A ., L . L . M ., 15 , New Street , Daventry . Rev . A . Lloyd , M . A ., Norton Rectory , Bury St . Edmunds . C . L . Peel , Esq ., C . B ., Woodcraft , Cuckfield , Sussex . Major Ed . Green , St . Mary ' s , Bedford . J . D . Rodger , Esq ., College Lawn , Cheltenham . C . P . Mason , B . A ., F . C . P ., Dukesell , Streatham Hill , S . E .
Ad00908
HIGH-CLASS PRIVATE SCHOOL THEOBALD'S PARK , WALTHAM CROSS , LONDON , N . PRINCIPAL : Rev . J . OSWALD JACKSON , Assisted by Five Masters . Limited number of Gentlemen's Sons ; motherly care for delicate pupils ; individual teaching for backward ones ; playground of six acres . First Class Honours gained at last Cambridg-e Local examinations , with Distinction in Mathematics . References kindly permitted to Kev . Dr . Reynolds , Principal of Cheshunt College , Herts . Rav . Charles E . Mayo , M . A ., Nottingham , fair Thomas Chambers , M . P ., Recorder of London . K ' . cnard j oiler , Esq ., Solicitor ; Leicester . George Kenning- , Esq ., Little Britain .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following reports , & c , stand over for want of space : CRAFT LODGES—Old Fortitude and Cumberland , 13 ; Y'ork , 236 ; Furness , gcj 5 ; Howe and Charnwood , 1007 ; Koyal Forest of Dean , 10 G 7 ; Hartismere , 16 ( 13 ; Kirkdale , 173 G ; Albert Y'ictor , 1773 ; St . Botolph , 2020 .
ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER—Methuen , 1533 . LODGE OF INSTRUCTION—YVanderers , 1604 . De La Pole Conclave Red Cross of Rome and Constantine . Prov . Grand Mark Lodge of Dorset . Red Apron Lodges , by Bro . E . L . Hawkins . Corres . —Temperance Lodges— " Omnia Explorati . " „ J . Ramsden Riley .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " Jewish Chronicle , " " Hull Packet , " " Broad Arrow , " " Sunday " Times , " " Royal Cornwall Gazette , " , ( Citizen , " " Time , " " Die Bauhiitte , " ' " Court Circular , " " Public Ledger , " " City Diar } -, " "Cork Examiner , " '' Victorian Freemason , "" l'ricyclins Journal . " " Liberal Freemason , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , "" Shields ' Daily News , " " Keystone , " " New York Dispatch . "
Ar00909
SATURDAY , DECEMBER 6 , 1884 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion , ]
GRAND TREASURERSHIP . _ To the Editor of " The Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I notice in your last impression a letter , signed "Sky Blue , " in which it is stated that a private meeting of Grand Officers had taken place to select a Grand Treasurer to be nominated on YVednesday . I have every reason to believe that " Sky Blue " has been incorrectly informed .
as certainly a large portion of Present and Past Grand Officers know nothing of the matter . If there is any such secret and irresponsible "caucus" of Grand Officers , nothing can be more repugnant to the feelings of the great majority , I feel sure , of so distinguished a body of brethren , and the sooner it is put a stop to the better . There are , of course , numerous canards floating about , but I hope , as I believe , that your correspondent has been misinformed . —Yours fraternally ,
A PAST GRAND OFFICER
ST . ANNE'S SCHOOLS . Dear Bro . Kenning , Can any worthy and kindly brother help me to a few votes in these Schools at the approaching election ? Such votes are very difficult to obtain , and a friend of mine is working anxiously for a good case . The name of the case is Frederick Langford Osborne . —Yours fraternally , A . F . A . WOODFORD .
MASONIC MENDICANCY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am very pleased 'to ' . see this subject being ventilated . My conviction is that Bro . J . E . Mason is quite correct in saying these so-called " tramps make a living out of what ought to be applied to deserving objects . " I recently held the office of Treasurer and Almoner to the
Forest Lodge , No . 1852 , and my three years' experience fully convinced me of the necessity of adopting some organized system to put a check on these impostors . We have some genuine cases I admit , but they are extremely rare . We abound most with applicants who are common vagrants , and some of whom disguise their appearance to repeat their visits . We have also cases where the applicants are , I regret to say , members of the
Fraternity . But if we take the trouble to make enquiries we find they are altogether unworthy of our Charity . I dont know what views Bro . Stevens has on the subject , but I would like to suggest a system which occurred to me —as likely to meet the case . First , every Almoner in the Craft under the Grand Lodge of England be furnished with a quantity of printed forms , on which he should make his returns , viz ., the date , name and address of each
applicant , number of lodge , amount of relief if any , also make any remarks as to his description and age . Whether he has a certificate , and if not , give his reason . His reply to questions , where he is journeying from and to ? The object of his destination , & c . These forms should be forwarded to head quarters , and a general weekly list or register compiled and issued to each Almoner , thus enabling him to trace an applicant's name and
prove whether his statement was correct or not . It would also assist the Almoner in finding out whether any member of his lodge was in destitute circumstances , or if the certificate of a deceased brother was being unlawfully used . It appears to me to be very desirable for Grand Lodge to take the matter up and charge every Craft lodge its share of the working expenses , this amount to be paid out of the Benevolent Fund of each lodge . I have no hesitation in saying we should find at the end
of the year the claims upon this fund , and including these working expenses , would be less than previous years , and we should have the satisfaction of giving a greater , if not a complete check to these impostors , or whatever they may be termed . My suggestion is not of sufficient magnitude to deal effectually with foreign applicants , still we should be able to trace them from town to town and eventually form a very fair opinion of them also . —Yours fraternally , THOS . FISHER , I . P . M . 1405 . Mansfield , November 26 th .
£ SO to £ BOO . —Tobacconists . —A pamphlet ( 80 pages ) How to commence from ^ 20 ; three stamps . H . Myers & Co ., 109 , Euston-rd ,, London , Sample cigars 6 , J , 4 ,-1 / ., 14 stamps , [ ADVT . I
Reviews
REVIEWS
THE MAGAZINES . If it be true that Christmas comes but once a year , it comes this year of grace and light betimes , with its Christmas numbers and its Christmas books . YVe are almost overcome by their number , their effectiveness , and their pleasantness .
" Harper ' s Magazine and Christmas Number " is indeed a most remarkable issue . To say nothing of "Christmas Past and Present , " "A Few Days more Driving , " "Nature ' s Final Story , " "The Elevator , " "Farmer YVorrall's Case , " "A Capillary Crime , " " A Dead Man's Face , " will , with its realism and power , attract and startle many readers .
"The English Illustrated Magazine " is a very sterling production . "Gainsborough , aiid the Illustrative Specimens of his YVonderous Portraiture , " " Clovelly , " " Calvados , " " Our Mission to Abyssinia , " "A Christmas in the Kyber Pass , " " The Path of Duty , " " Iron and Steel Making in South YVales , " all will please and affect . " That Terrible Man " is becoming most sensational and moving .
"The Christmas number of " All the Year Round" is "In Luck at Last , " by Bro . YY'alter Besant , which we recommend all our readers to peruse . " Longman ' s Christmas Number " contains some interesting tales . "The Two Robbers , " "Sarah Walker , " " Psychical Research , " " Even with this , " " The Lone Glen , " " Royal Love , " " Esme Von Lindershein , " all are well worth reading .
The Graphic Christmas Number . " Gorgeous in illustration and interesting in letterpress , this remarkable issue of 5 60 , 000 copies , and which began last January , will find countless ready and grateful readers . We do not think , we confess , that it is quite so effective or entertaining as previously , but all things become trite and familiar by " the using , " and there is a charm in novelty which repetition dims , and reiteration mars . We once again call
attention to the shocking ( to our taste ) and really annoying system of intermingling advertisements with the letterpress from one end to the other . No doubt such an arrangement pays , but it is , in our humble opinion , sadly derogatory to the dignity of the Graphic , and woefully deteriorative of high art , and most annoying to the intent and admiring reader . Is it not muitifying when you are in the midst of a pathetic passage , and turn over the leaves
hastily to find your eye arrested by " Eno's Fruit Salt , " " Allen and Hanbury's Cod Liver Oil , " " Beecham ' s Pills , " " YVilson ' s Extra Toast , " " YVilton's Sweet Amatilla , " " Pears' Soap , " " Perry Davis's Vegetable Pain Killer , " and " Beetham ' s Glycerine and Cucumber" ? We are quite sure that such an arrangement does no good to the advertisers , and if all the advertisements had been together under elegant headings , they would be more Iikelv to be
read . YVe think it a pity that such a charming Christmas paper should be in the slightest measure weakened in its force and reality by the affectation and bad form of the hour . There are two sides to the question , but we speak as we think , and as we write , " currente calamo . " YVe confess we think it a pity that these Christmas numbers come out so long before Christmas , Then " sheen " seems to be faded , their glory to have
evaporated , their newness and freshness altogether in the " sere and yellow leaf" when Christmas festivities recur to happy and united family circles , when the yule log is brought in and the Christmas tree is lighted amid the shouts and genial contentment of old and young . But such are the laws imperious of custom . So great the demands and arbitrary code of the trade , that unless Christmas tide was thus anticipated and fore-announced , vain would be the efforts
of writers and illustrators alike . Such are the world and life , and thus it is a remakable fact in itself how the great world of society has appropriated Christmas , and adapted it to the wants , claims , and sympathies of our yearly existence and our earthly " weird . " We are nevertheless a little sorry , we confess , old-fashioned perhaps as we be , that even before December has begun the Christmas books are on our tables , in a reality and profusion alike unprecedented and marvellous .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
461 ] THE BATTLE OF THE GRADES . If Bro . Hunter be correct in his conclusions as set out in his " History of the Lodge of Journeymen" ( S . C . ) , the monograde theory has received its "quietus . " He states that two Grades were given distinctly in that lodge from the date of its " swarm " from the Lodge of Edinburgh , Mary ' s Chapel , for receiving which the entrant paid , £ 12
Scots , or £ 1 in the first case , and for the latter £ 24 , or £ 2 English money . That when they were " passed " to the second , or Fellow Craft , as they had been "entered" into the first , they generally took out a " Mark . " That the Masters , or " Mrs , " as he finds it expressed , were , no doubt , distinct from the Fellows ; but that they were employers of labour , and that he does not trace any ceremony or any
further payment . Thus Bro . Hunter clearly brings out , according to his views andi words , j a bi-gradal theory . This view , I am given to understand , is the one taken " inter alia" by Bros . Gould and ( Speth , who have very carefully studied the subject . I would just say , as a very interested party in the discussion , that I am net at all satisfied by this way of settling a positive fact by negative
evidence , or rather , in default of actual evidence , deciding the question dogmatically on what , after all , is a mere subjective view of the case , and rests entirely on the inner consciousness and personal appreciation of certain " scintilla" of evidence of some esteemed and able students . All that can be fairly said so far , as it seem to me , is " non proven . " In my humble opinion , we are hardly yet ¦ " on " the real evidence of THE THIRD DEGREE .