The September Magazines.

The September Magazines .

TllO Captain offers to ils young readers a most interesting account of the prkcipal railway stations , illustrated by photographs . The Athletic Cu'ner , edited uy C . B . Fry ; the Stamp Collector , which deals with South African war stamps , and the coming King's head stamps ; "The Field of Fair Renown , "

consisting of essays by "Captain" readers ; the Cycling Corner , the reviews of school magaziniS j and the Captain Club contributions are all of exceptional interest thismonth . In ( ktion all three of the current serials , "Smith ' s House , " ' Sir Billy , " and " jungly Achieves the Impossible , " are conclu led , and there are besides a number of very interesting complete tales .

ThG Century Magazine opens with an illustrated account of the midair dining clubs of New York , apparently an Occidental attempt to return to the Oriental habit of enjoying life on the house-top . " The Crown of the Continent " is the title of an article descriptive of the Sr . Mary's Lake region of Montana , while in "The City of Light" David Gray vividly portrays his impressions of the Pan-American exposition by night . There is an article on the American

landscape painter , Wm . L . Picknell , and another on the art of fighting frost . The fourth of the series of papers on Daniel Webster portrays him as the Defender of the Constitution , while " Louis Philippe in the United States " is a paper of considerable historic value , as also is the one on Edward Burke and the French Revolution . The serial , " D'Ri a nd I , " is concluded , and Bret Harte contributes the opening number of a novelette , entitled " Trent's Trust . " « - There are also a number of complete tales .

The Gentleman ' s Magazine has an excellent notice of the novels of Percy Goldos , the author of the epoch-making play " Electra , " by W . Miller , M . A . There is a scholarly article , with some important historical aspects , by Foster Watson , M . A ., on the education of the early Nonconformists , while Col . Trevor C . S . I ., contributes a paper of great interest contrasting the Hyderabad

of 30 years ago with the Hyderabad of to-day . The most noteworthy of the remaining articles is that of Georgiana Hill , on M . Guizot for so long French Ambassador at the Court of St . James ' s , though those on Elementary Schools in Japan , the Staging of Plays 300 years ago , and "Odds and Ends in Pompeii , " are all well worthy of perusal . The complete tale , " A Wild Irishman ' s Exploit , " is by John K . Leys , and Sylvanus Urban ' s Table Talk is as bright and witty as

ever . The Idler opens with a thrilling account of long-distance balloon-racing between France and Russia , the journey occupying only 36 hours . This is followed by the account of a journey from the Congo to the Nile , by W . Stamp-Cherry . "The Snake ' s Paradise '' is an account of the snake-infested Borougos

islands in the Bay of Bengal , which should prove useful if only as a warning to travellers to give these islands a wide berth . The serial , " The Puppet Cro . vn , " is continued , and there are besides the complete tales , '' The Go lot his fathers , " " Ellaneeii , " " A Bill from Tiffany ' s , " and a charming fairy-tale entitled " The Travels of Prince Weary-heart . "

Macmillan ' s Magazine opens with a further instalment of Princess Puck , " a story which is developing on most unusual lines . The serial is followed by a paper on the jubilee of the formation of the mountain-state of Montenegro . The first part of the account of a trip down the Danubi in a Cinadiaa cam :, is contributed by Algernon Blackwood . "The Land of the Poppy " is continued ,

its superstitions being dealt with in the present number . " Private Pitcher gives a good sketch of the soldier-serva ' nt , and there is an excellent biographical sketch of Admiral Benbow . The English system of government by party is examined in a scholarly paper , while the concluding article deals in an incontrovertible manner with our title-deeds and South Africa .

Pearson ' s Magazine is distinguished by many remarkable features , but notably by a contribution from Emilio Aguinaldo , the famous Filipino insurgent , who describes in graphic English how he was trapped by General Funston , of the United States Army , with a forged letter , supposed to be addressed to Aguinaldo from one of his generals , and sent in company with a troop of soldiers , disguised as Filipinos . Another bright paper is called " Fighting Sand with utilised to

Grass , " and tells how certain grasses of marvellous properties are protect coast-shores from encroaching sand . The grasses bind the sand so effectively that the wind cannot carry it inland . Mr . Marcus Woodward writes on " Ice-Sailing , " describing how yachts arc sailed on ice at speeds of upwards of 100 miles an hour . The article is illustrated with many beautiful photographs . In a paper called " Ivan Ivanovitch , " Mr . W . Barnes Steveni gives a brilliant

character-sketch of the Russian Tommy Atkins . " Bottle Trees , " by Mr . W . Saville Kent , F . Z . S ., is an interesting article on the subject of queer baobab trees of Australia and Africa , which are shaped like bottles , and have many quaint characteristics . "To King Alfred ' s Memory" is a timely paper by Mr . H . C . Shelley , who recalls the great King ' s associations with Winchester , where the

thousandth anniversary of his death is shortly to be celebrated . Fiction is represented by contributions from many well-known writers . The third instalment of Mr . H . G . Well ' s wonderful serial romance , "The Sea Lady , " is found in this number ; Mr . Max Pemberton continues his short stories , called " Zoi , " Mr . Walter Wood writes a pathetic tale of the sea , "The Broken Skipper , " while Mr . Robert Barrand Mr . W . A . Fraser contribute character storie ; ,.

TllO Strand Magazine opens with chapters III . and IV . of Conan Doylt ' s "The Hound of the Baskervilles , " in which we meet with Sherlock Holmes rcdivivus . Thc serial " At Sunwich Port " is continued , and there is a capital complete tale by Robert Barr entitled " The Island Mantrap . " Other complete tales are " Beautiful Mamma , " " Bulls and Bears on Skor Vhean , " and " The Magic Flute , " a story for children . The history of the British Association is related by lohn Mills ; and in " Hands Round the Coast" some interesting

details of the Coast-guard service are given . Under the heading " The Miking of a Speech , " the views on speech-making of Mr . Chamberlain , Sir Henry Fowler , Lord Kimberley , Sir Charles Dilke , Mr . Asquith , Lord Peel , Mr . J . W . Lowther , Earl Spencer , the Bishop of Ripon , and Dr . Clifford are given , illustrated by portraits of the above famous speakers . Other interesting papers are those on "Pulpit Devices , " "The Romance of Portraiture , " "Some Famous Hats , " and Postage-stamp pictures .

The Sunday Strand opens with an illustrated article on the works of the great religious painter Heinrich Hofmann , the reproductions given from the artist ' s masterpieces being exquisite . A new serial by Winifred Graham , " Black Chailotta , " is commenced ; and Mr . C . H . Green , of the C . I . M ., contributes the

first instalment of the account of the sevenfold deliverance of himself and family from the hands of the Boxers in China . " Voices out ofthe Past " deals with the story of Gideon . The serial " Tregarthen " is continued , and there are several complete tales , including one by Carmen Sylva , in which , under the title of " A Child of the Forest , " the Queen of Roumania tells the story of her life .

Temple Bar contains the continuation of S . R . Crockett's serial , " The Firebrand , " and the conclusion of the concurrent serial , " The Secret Orchard . " There are capital papers on Old-age Pensions , the Psychology of Croquet , an

The September Magazines.

entirely novel aspect of Thackeray , viz ., that may be defined as thi genealogical relationship of the characters in his various works , and fox-hunting in the Highlands . There are also several very amusing complete tales , including " Miss Constable ' s Nephew , " " Pede Claudo , " " O . H . M . S ., " "A Pedagogue , " " The Quartet Party , " and " The Sirkar ; " also some very attractive verse .

The Wide World Magazine opens with a further instalment of Conan Doyle ' s "Great Boer War , " being the chapters dealing with Magcrsfoatein , Stormberg , and the first part of the B lttle of Colenso . The opening chapters of Capt . Dreyfus' great book , entitled " Five Years of My Life , " will attract a large number of readers . The complete tales are " The Fatal Prize " and " [ n a

Floating Tomb . " Chief among the tales of travel in the current number are "Through Unknown Abyssinia , " by Capt . Powell-Cotton , of the Northumberland Fusiliers , "Round the Isle of Wight in a Canoe , " and " Three Thousand Miles by Sledge , " being theaccount of Andrew Stone ' s penetration of the northwest passage . Of the remaining papers , " A Village of CI 12 SS Players" is perhaps the most interesting .

New Masonic Hall At Okehampton.

NEW MASONIC HALL AT OKEHAMPTON .

DEDICATION CEREMONY . The interesting double ceremony of the dedication of the new temple of Obedience Lodge , No . 1753 , Okehampton , and the installation of the W . Master for the ensuing year attracted a large gathering of members of the Craft from all parts of the province to the moorland to . vn on the 26 th ult . The lodge was founded in Aigust , 1878 , and has continued to hold its monthly meetings ever since at the Assembly Room of the White Hart

Hotel . For many years past it has been the earnest desiro of the brethren to acquire a building of their own , and when the opportunity presented itself of purchasing the piece of land known as Nathan ' s Plot , at the corner of Station-road , it was seized , and a Building Committee appointed to carry out the project . The new building is of stone construction , in the Renaissance style , with slated roof . Externally , the structure is

plastered , with rubber brick dressings , relieved by moulded work ; while the roof is surmounted by an ornamental turret , and there 13 rather an imposing elevation to Station-road . The accjmnndation comprises robing and retiring rooms , a lodge room , 36 feet by 22 feet , with a height of 18 feet , a lavatory , and the necessary offkes . The entrance lobbies and corridors are furnished with tile floors , and all are provided with swing doors . Thelodge

room has an open roof , with a pitchpine dado , and an ornamental mantel with eagle grate . Tne whole of the woodwork is tinted ivory . The premises are heated by means of open fire-places , gas is laid on throughout , and ventilation is provided in the roof . Muranese glass has been used throughout for the windows . The contractor was Mr . Sleeman , who executed the work in accordance with the designs of Mr . J . A . Lucas ,

F . S . I . Bro . G . C . Davie , P . G . D . Eng ., the acting and Dep . Prov . Grand Master 0 ! Devon , who laid the corner-stone of the bailding last year , performed the dedication ceremony in the absence of the Prov . G . Master , Bro . Lord Northcote , Governor of Bombay . He was assisted by Bros .

F . U . Westlake , P . P . G . W ., P . D . G . D . C . En ? ., acting Prov . S . G . W . ; the Rev . T . Russell , P . M . 251 and 489 , P . P . G . W ., acting Prov . J . G . W . ; the Rev . T . Ward Brown , P . M . 1753 , P . G . Chap . ; j . R . Lord P . M . 1247 , P . P . G . Treas ., Prov . G . D . of C . ; John Stocker , P . M . 39 , A . G . D . C . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec . ; and Hy . Shooter , 39 , Prov . G . Tyler .

Amongst other Present and Past Prov . G . Officers present were Bros . J . C . Pierce , 1753 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; C . Piper , 1753 P . P . D . G . D . C ; R . W . J . Smart , 251 , P . P . G . Chap . ; F . Sanders , 1284 , P . P . G . Treas . ; S . Cole , 184 , P . P . G . Purst . Kent ; Harry Skinner , 282 , P . A . G . D . C ; G . Leach , 70 , P . G .

Stwd . ; F . J . Shapcott , P . P . G . Org . ; E . W . Hellier , 847 , P . J . G . D . ; | . B . Gover , 70 , P . P . G . Sec . ; Major Matthews , 2 S 2 , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; W . Allsford , 202 , P . P . G . Tieas . ; A . Hope , 39 , P . P . G . D . ; J . Gidley , 2125 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Frank Hubber . 12 S 4 , P . G . Stwd . ; H . Banfield , S 47 , P . D . G . D . C . ; and J . Algar , 39 , P . P . G . Supt . of Works .

Other visiting brethren were Bros . W . Drew , 9 ; J . B . Chapman , 282 ; J . Hill , 282 ; J . F . Alford , 954-, W . Scettrino , 472 ; G . Coles , 2 S 2 ; J . C . Hoskin , 1352 ; J . Short , 1254 ; W . Coombe , J . Rowlands , J . Pyke , C W . Pearson , J . T . Foster , W . H . Dawe , J . C . Hole , R . W . Wraight , li . J . Thorburn , W . L . Palmer , W . T . KiveM , W . Sanders Bray , and J . A . Dennis , all of 282 ; T . R . Fry , 1234 ; A . Davis , 1194 ; J . Ewens ,

893 ; A . T . Pearse , 1284 ; F . Newcombe , 39 ; A . Railing , 39 ; H . Voien , 39 ; A . H . Guest , 1254 ; J . Holwill , 153 ; ( . ' . H . Stevenson , 1254 ; E . VV . Toby , 2659 ; H . Webb , 2659 ; H . Hedge , 954 ; H . Ewens , 106 ; J . Rattenbury , 48 9 ;; A . M . Lawrence , 39 ; F . Luxton , 39 ; J . D . Hellier , 1254 ; H . F . Ley , 1847 A . W . Jackson , 1886 ; G . Smale , io 5 ; H . J . Vinden , 39 ; S . Edwards , 53 ; H . J . Davis , S 3 ; F . E . Sach , 189 ; T . Tickle , 39 ; T . J . Edwards , S < 7 ; and J . Railing , 1334 .

I he ceremony began at two 0 clock . After the opening hymn , the Secretary , Bro . F . EDWARDS , in the name of the lodge , asked the acting Provincial Grand Master to dedicate the building . The ceremony was then proceeded with in accordance with the ancient riles of the Order , the musical portion of the service being abl y led by a choir , conducted by Bro . F . J . Shapcott , P . M . 1254 , P . P . G . Org ., assisted by Bro . J . C . Pierce .

The prayers were pronounced by the Prov . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . T . Ward Brown , P . M . 1753 , and the building was declared by the Deputy P . G . M . to be duly and solemnly dedicated to Freemasonry , Virtue , Universal Benevolence , and Friendship . The Grand Oflicers then vacated thc chairs , and were succeeded in them by the W . M . and Wardens of the lodge .

Before the installation ceremony was proceeded with , the W . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the Deputy Prov . Grand Master and the acting oflicers for their kindness in attending and performing the dedication ceremony . He said that for the past 24 years it had been the dearest wish of

the brethren of Lodge Obedience to possess a home of their own , and they were greatly delighted at having reached the consummation of their desire . He trusted that building would be a landmark to FYeemasons , and that in it , and to a larger extent than before outside it , they would enjoy the privileges of disinterested friendship .

The motion was seconded by Bro . T . WARD BROWN , and cordially agreed to . In acknowledging the compliment , Bro . DAVIE said it hid afforded him and the other officers great pleasure to take part in that dedication c ; remony . They were all present 12 months ago to assist in ths laying of tha