Music Of The Day.

folio , and one that improves on acquaintance , containing as it does some tuneful passages . The Gnomes ( ' ) polka has a light and pleasant ring about it , and should take a foremost place in popular favour . Love in Venice ( 8 ) waltz has been before us on a previous occasion , but this by no means detracts from its

merits , which are of no mean order—it is alike lively and tuneful . Valse Militaire ( ° ) should be popular , if only in keeping with the martial spirit of the times , but in addition it has much in its favour , and would give a good account of itself at any time , being a spirited and well arranged composition ; it has been performed with marked favour by the chief military bands , and will no doubt long remain in the foremost rank .

An Eastern fire dance ( ) gives us a tuneful setting whioh ably illustrates the peculiar style of the music of which it is an exponent , and will well repay careful study . Olesia ( ll ) and Valse Norwegienne ( 12 ) are two other interesting studies , each possessing merit in their spheres , and affording ample scope for effective display . Among Dance Albums we have two new candidates for public favour .

Messrs . Gould ' s ( 13 ) premier work in this direction is published at ls , and contains ten lively tunes , from among which it is very difficult to select one for special mention , when all are so good ; the Boston Belle barn dance , and the Across Country gallop perhaps deserve particular recognition , being especially good , but in saying this it must not bo supposed we wish to detract from the merits of the other compositions in the book .

Messrs . Mocatta ' s ( " ) first Dance Album , also published at one shilling , is another production which should please all who are fortunate enough to secure a copy . It contains nine good pieces , including the over popular old English " Sir Roger de Coverley , " three waltzs , a polka , barn dance , set of quadrilles , lancers , and gallop—all of them well up to the mark as regards tuneful and spirited music . A violin part is provided to the Album , at six pence .

Hammond's Music Portfolios , ( 15 ) Nos . 16 and 17 , well sustain the high reputation already achieved by this popular series . The best known composers of waltz music are represented in the two parts before us , and to attempt to praise compositions of such masters as Johann Strauss , Josef Gung'l , F . Wagner , B . H . Prout , May Ostlere , and the others whose work is here collected would be indeed attempting to gild refined gold . The parts , both containing six selections , are published at ls each , and deserve their popularity if only for the fine work they enable the masses to become acquainted with . Violin and cornet accompaniment may be had to each , at 6 d .

De Sweetest Gal Barn Dance . By James Philp ( Edwin Ashdown ) . —A jolly dance tune , moderately easy . Just like the world . Words by Clifton Bingham , music by Herbert E . Crimp ( Keith , Prowse and Co . ) . —A good all round song , set to music well within the compass of amateurs . A Hunting Morning . Words by A . Conan Doyle , music by Ethel Beningfield ( Keith , Prowse and Co . ) . —A rollicking tune , which should win general favour at hunt and other assemblies .

Books Of The Day.

Books of the Day .

THE selection of a suitable book for presentation to the young folks at this season is made all the easier by a glance at the catalogue of Messrs . J . M . Dent and Co ., two of whose recent publications , suitable for Christmas gifts , are before us . One of these , Fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen , ( i ) is a subject that hardly calls for criticism at our hands . Andersen's fairy tales are so well known to our children—young and oldthat it would , as Shakespeare has it , be wasteful and ridiculous excess " to attempt to paint their charms , or add one iota to their reputation ; but it

is not always the fare that is put before us that is so alluring ; the way in which it is dressed is as often as not an equal attraction ; and so it is in this case . Messrs . Dent have selected a popular theme , and have worked it to the greatest advantage , and the result is that one of the most enjoyable books it is possible to select for our young folks is also one of the most attractive of the season . The translation has been undertaken by Mrs . B . Lucas , who explains in fche preface her reason for putting before the English public a new

translation of some of Andersen's Tales , when so many already exist ; an intimate association all her life with both the Danish and English languages placing her in a peculiar position to reproduce as closely as possible the spirit and the style of the original . The illustrations are by Thomas , Charles , and Williom Robinson , and are by no means the least attractive portion of the very pleasing volume—one far more likely to be treasured in the future than some of the ephemeral annuals which often win favour as gift books .

Mrs . Leicester's School , ( i ) written by Charles and Mary Lamb , and illustrated by Winifred Green , would gladden the heart of any of our younger daughters , by whom we can imagine it would be highly prized—and deservedly so . The childish stories are prettily told , and will no doubt interest many of our juvenile friends during the Christmas holidays , while the illustrations are so characteristic , so daintily coloured , and so numerous , as to prove a real attraction to such of the older folk who care to *¦ look over "

the juniors in their recreation and enjoyment . As in the other work of Messrs . Dent's to which we have referred , the aim appears to be to provide a really good book , and then call in the aid of the printer ' s art to make it even more acceptable to public taste ; good paper , clear type , and handsome binding , in addition to the pretty illustrations already spoken of , being particular features in this direction , and all tending towards the realisation of the desire to provide a pleasant souvenir for presentation and other purposes .

Rescue By The Masonic Life-Boat.

RESCUE BY THE MASONIC LIFE-BOAT .

( By Telegram ) . THE schooner "Moonlight , " of St . Ives , was wrecked on the West Burrows Sands on Thursday night , and her crew of four men were compelled to take to the rigging , where they remained six hours .

They were rescued by the Life-boat " Albert Edward stationed at Clacton , and belonging to the Royal National Life-boat Institution . The " Albert Edward " is one of the two Life-boats presented to the Institution by the United Grand Lodge of England in commemoration of the safe return from India of

the Most Worshipful Grand Master H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , who is President of the Institution , and has , we are pleased to say , done good suit and service on more than one occasion this year .

Corrspondence.

CORRSPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writers , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

TEE TBANSVAAL WAR FUNDS . To tho Editor of the FBEEMASON ' CHKONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —It would appear from the reports in the daily papers that at the Grand Mark Lodge on Tuesday last a statement was made that the "Patriotic Fund" did not recognise the claims of the Widows of our Soldiers who had married " without leave . "

Will > ou permit me to say that I hold a letter dated 20 th Nov . 1899 from Mr . W . T . Soulsby , the private Secretary to the Lord Mayor , in which he states : — " The Patrioic Fund helps the widows and orphans of Sailors as well as Soldiers .

The widows and families of Soldiers and Sailors who have married without leave will participate equally with the others . " As considerable misapprehension appears to exist on the point and may prove detrimental to the good cause all are so justly ready to help , I shall be glad if this authoritative announcement may be made known to the Craft through your columns .

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , J . M . MCLEOD . 6 Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 7 th December 1899 .

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BOOKS RECEIVED .

Tom Graham , V . O . A tale of the Afghan war , by William Johnston Illustrated ( 3 s 6 d)—Thomas Nelson and Sons .

WE have had the pleasure of inspecting a very handsome cruet frame which is intended as a Christmas present for the wife of a well'known Brother , as a memento of her husband ' s association with the Craft , and although wo are not at liberty to give the names of the donors or the recipient , we take the opportunity of testifying to the beauty of tbe drsign

and the liberality with which the promoters of the testimonial I ave been treated by our Bro . W . 3 . Carroll , from whose establishment at 17 Beer Lane , Great Tower Street , the gift was purchased , at a price far below what we should have expected for so handsome and massive an article . This reminds us to advise any of our readers who may contemplate making a useful nresent durins the next few davs to nav Bro . Carroll a visit , as the

extent and variety of his stock is really surprising . Perhaps it would not be fair to borrow Dickens ' s title of the " Old Curiosity Shop " for Bro . Carroll ' s establishment , but we very much question if that famous creation of the great novelist could boast anything like so varied an assortment as is to bc found in the piece of " old London " in which Bro . Carroll conducts his business . It is a veritable " rnultum in parvo . "

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