Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed hy our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair pla- > - to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS TO HIS MAJESTY . To the Editor of thc " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , On Saturday evening last at our meeting , I sent to his Majesty telegram of congratulation , and received a reply to same . If it is not too

late I should like you to mention it in your next issue , and oblige . — Yours fraternally , A . E . TURNER , W . M . Park Lodge , 150 , Highbury New Park , N . November 15 th .

1 His Majesty King Edward , " Sandringham . "The Worshipful Master , oflicers , and brethren of the Duke of Cornwall Lodge now assembled at Freemasons' Hall , London , most respectfully beg to offer to your Majesty fraternal congratulations on this anniversary of your Majesty's birthday . "

" Sandringham . " The Worshipful Master Duke of Cornwall Lodge , " Freemasons' Hall , London . " The King thanks you and , through you , the ofiicers and brethren of the Duke of Cornwall Lodge assembled for your kind congratulations . "

Reviews.

Reviews .

Chambers' Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language . "—( H * . and R . Chambers , Ltd . London and Edinburgh . 1901 ) . — This is the third English dictionary prepared and edited by the celebrated lexicographer , the Rev . Thomas Davidson , the last of the trio assuredly being the best , for it is based on the newest authorities , arranged on the most efficient system , rigorously condensed as to definitions ( consistent with clearness , accuracy , and thoroughness ) , and possesses special features of its own , which should ensure

for it a very large circulation . Indeed , nothing but a record sale could possibly meet the heavy cost of this remarkable volume ( containing as it does fully 1200 pages , in double columns , admirably printed , with head lines , definitions most carefully prepared , with the origin of words indicated , & c ) , which is published , in an attractive cloth binding , at 3 s . 6 d . per copy . All the words in literary and conversational English are included , with many others , practically obselete save in the pages of Spencer , Shakespere , Milton ,

and the "Authorised Bible" of 1611 , and wherever and whenever needful , the original and current meanings are duly inserted , with successive variations as to usage . The handsome book is copiously illustrated , and , moreover , has valuable appendices respecting prefixes , suffixes , etymology of names of places , forms of address , words and phrases from Latin , Greek , and modern foreign languages , and other most useful features , which make the work indispensable for " Al ! sorts and conditions of men , " who constantly need a reliable dictionary at their elbow , in a handy form , and well arranged for reference .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

J 1393 — MASONIC VAGRANTS . I am glad to note the remarks of the Editor of the Freemason as to " Masonic Vagrants , " and hope that the Leaderettes on the subject , and the action of the authorities at Retford , wil 1 lead to more care and discrimination as to the treatment of these pests by the younger members of the Craft . Worthy brethren who meet with misfortune have no need to perambulate the country , and beg from "door to door" at the houses of the Fraternity , for there is no lack of resources to meet all such exigencies . The majority of these travelling and most

importunate " brethren" are wholly unworthy of aid , and deserve to be handed over to the police . Of the few who are really in distress and are overtaken by misfortune , the " casual shilling" would be most inadequate , and in many large towns , where there are numerous lodges , the wants of such would secure prompt and most liberal attention , after due enquiry and confirmation of the statements made on asking relief . I think it would be helpful to many if those

brethren who are acting as Almoners for groups of lodges would give us a little of their experience in the columns of the Freemason . One point , however , should be insiited on—and that is that ordinary brethren , and particularly young members , should not contribute aught to those who seek their aid , save through the regular recognised channel , or after advice from competent Craftsmen . W . J . HUGHAN .

The November Magazines.

The November Magazines .

The Idler , besides the continuation of the serial story "The Puppet Crown , " has several capital complete stories and some excellent verse . There is a most instructive biographical sketch of '' Boss" Croker , and a fiith paper of the series on the war of Titans for the Trade Supremacy of the World , the current paper dealing with the topic of Colonial Insurance . " Bound lor Africa " is the title of an illustrated article of great interest .

The Lady ' s Magazine contains the last instalment but one of the serial " The Cat's Paw , " as well as the usual miscellany of complete tales and storyettes . There are interesting papers on H . R . H . the Duchess of Cornwall and York , Woman and the Motor-Car , and A Modern Water-Witch , the last

named being the title of what is claimed to be a veracious account of Miss Clarisse Miles' wonderful successes in finding water by means of the diviningrod . " Fashions in Furs " is the title of an account by a Paris expert of furs , illustrated by pictures of the newest French models . The illustrations are excellent , especially the frontispiece , entitled * ' Echo . " Pearson ' s Magazine opens with the usual " Art of the Age , " in the course of which some beautiful reproductions occur . H . G . "Wells ' s " Sea Lady" is

The November Magazines.

advanced to within one stage of conclusion , Max Pemberton contributes another of the popular adventures of the Lady Zoo , and there are are several other complete tales , of which special mention may be made of W . L . Alden ' s" Conversion of Smithvitch . " Under the title of "Big Game Shooting at Home , " the exploits of the world ' s greatest revolver shot , Mr . Walter Winans , in shooting deer with a revolver from horseback in the park of his English home , are described . There

are interesting articles ' on the sport of motcr-racing , the Royal Globe-trotters , and our new Prince of Wales ; also the first authentic account of some of the remarkable exploits of Major F . R . Burnham , the famous scout . In " With a Camera in the Bush , " one of the best-known egg collectors of Australia describes some of his experiences in searching for rare specimens among the giant trees and dense scrub of the Australian forests .

The Strand Magazine opens with an illustrated interview with Mr . Stanhope Forbes , A . R . A ., the well-known artist . Conan Doyle ' s " Hound of the Baskervilles "is continued , as is also the concurrent serial " At Sunwich Port , " and there are in addition several complete tales of which special mention may be made , of " Battery Fifteen " and " The Giant ' s Hand , " a story'for children . Of the many other interesting articles published this month the most noteworthy are " Military Novelties , " " Things of Most Price in the British Museum , " " Wonders of the Polariscope , " and " Confessions of a Caricaturist , " the one making the confessions being none other than Mr . Harry Furniss .

The Sunday Strand in " Voices out of the Past" deals with the story of Samuel . " Happiness Unlimited " is the title of an illustrated paper describing the children ' s happy evening ' s association . " Legends ofthe Apostles" deals with the martyrdom of St . Philip in Therapolis , the City of Snakes , other articles dealing with the homes and haunts of Robert Louis Stevenson during his youth , and the wonderful Peace pictures of Jan Ten Kate , the photographs of the originals being inserted by permission ol the proprietors of the Dore Gallery . The serial "Tregarthen" is concluded , and there are several interesting complete

Temple Bar opens with the continuation of S ., R . Crockett ' s serial , " The Firebrand . " Of the many very excellent complete tales that succeed mention may be made of " A Hebridean Holiday , " " Marion , " " A June Night in the Kama , " " Love and Photography , " " Barbara ' s Way , " and " In Cologne Cathedral . "

The Wide World Magazine opens with a further instalment of Conan Doyle's " The Great Boer War , " the current chapters dealing with the Colesberg operations and the battle of Spion Kop . Captain Dreyfus' terrible tale , " Five Years of My Life , " is continued , and of the many complete tales of adventure in all parts of the world that are published in the current number the most interesting are perhaps " The Strange Story of Marko Ivankovich , " " Three Women in a Boat , " "A Cycle Ride in Central Africa , " and "The Great Yukon Murder Case . "

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

St . Michael's Lodge , No . 211-PRESENTATION TO THE SECRETARY , BRO . WM . RADCLIFFE , P . M . There was a good attendance of the members of the above lodge at the regular meeting at the Holborn Viaduct Hotel , on the evening of Tuesday , the 12 th instant , when the W . M ., Bro . G . F . Johnson , presided . The visitors present included the following : Bros . Mulvey , P . G . Purst . ; Sturgess , W . M . 538 ; But , 1965 ; Burton , P . M . 167 a j Prior , 1287 ; Warren , W . M . 2090 ; Baddeley , 2530 ; Holland , 615 ; Williams , P . M . 17 G 7 ; Goldstein , P . M . 2265 ; Brett , 1284 ; Carter , 2 S 0 S : Darby , 1767 ;

Jupp , 2 i 57 ; anduoodison , 1997 . The lodge having been opened , and routine business transacted , Mr . Edward Frederick Ashelford was balloted for , and , the ballot proving favourable , initiated , the ceremony of initiation being very impressively performed by the W . M . The lodge was then closed , and an adjournment was made to the banquet , which had been prepared in an adjoining room , at the conclusion of which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

. Bro . Mulvey , P . G . Purst ., replying to the toast of " The Grand Officers , " took the opportunity of complimenting the W . M . on his excellent working in the lodge , and the efficiency with which he discharged the duties of his onerous position . Bro . Berry , I . P . M ., proposed * ' The Health of the W . M . " Bro . G . F . Johnson , W . M ., in reply , thanked the I . P . M . for the terms in which he had proposed the toast , and the officers and brethren for the manner in which they

had received it . He had been W . M . for a few months , but it was a matter of little moment as to who was king for the time being , or who the junior officers were , compared with the question as to how they played their paits . He thanked the visitors and the brethren of the lodge for their support , and expressed regret that circumstances had compelled thc lodge to change their home , and , in conclusion , asked them to drink to the success of the lodge at the Holborn Viaduct Hotel .

The W . M . next proposed "The Health of the Initiate , " to whom he referred as a bosom friend of his own for many years past . Bro . Cooper , P . M ., in responding to the toast of the lodge , at its new home , gave a brief though very interesting resume oi the history of the lodge during the 106 years of its existence . The original warrant was dated September nth , 1795 , in which the lodge was numlered 290 , signed by the Duke of Atholl , G . M . of the "Ancients . " Singularly enough the lodge was only mentioned on the roll of the " Ancients" by its

nun-iber . The foundi rand lirst Master was Michail Dove , of Wapping , and as ther J was no church or parish of that name in the vicinity , he conjectured that Bro . Dove must have had it named after himself . In 1 S 14 , after the Union , the lodge wjs nunbi rid 36 7 ; at the renumbering in 1 S 32 , 265 ; and 211 at the renu-nberinif in 1 S 63 . The minute book of the lodge had unfortunately been ' o > t prior to 9 th December , 1 S 23 . The lodge met at the Dundee Arms , Wapping , in 1 S 23 , but moved westwards to the Three Tuns in 1825 , and to the Burlington Arms , Burlington-street , in 1 S 27 : to the

Wheatsheaf , Rathbourn-street , Oxford-street , in 1 S 2 S . The first lodge of instructioa was formed in 1 S 29 , and the lodge was moved to the Blue Posts in the sams year , an J to the ffrae Companions , Kensington , in 1 S 32 , to the Two Chairmen in Bcr ' celeysqusre , and the same year to the King ' s Head . ln 1 S 34 , it was moved to the Geor / e and Blue Boar , Holborn , and in iSCa to the Albion . In 1 S 42 , a resolution was passed fning all oflicors , including the I . P . M ., who were 10 minutes late 25 . Cd . In 1 S 48 , an inventory of the furniture and books

was drawn up , but the latter unfottunately were not to be found to-day . In iS 19 a chapter was formed , and in 1 S 10 it was recorded that Bro . Cornford was cnarged £ 1 is . for " arching " him . In 1 S 50 the total number of members was only six , including a joining member . The lodge was not a very large one to-day , but it had much increased since then , so , though it was with a sigh of regret they had l « ft the Albion , yet they had grounds for looking forward with confidence to a prosperous future . The initiate , Bro . Ashelford , having replied to the toast of his health ,

The W . M . rose , and , addiessing Bro . Win . Radcliffe , P . M ., the Secretary , observed that the honour and respect accorded to him by members of the St . Michael ' s Lodge must have been evident to him for many years pat . He had shown he hid the interest of the lodge at heart , for , thoueh he was entitled as Secretary to exe notion from subsciiptions , yet , like the good old Mason he was , he had always paid them . Tne brethren of St . Michael ' s Lodge felt they owed a debt of obligation to him , and fiat

they should manifest some outward sign of their esteem for him . For 19 years he n id occupied the position of Secretary , always discharging the duties in a worthy manner , doing all he c mid not only for the lodge , but for the benefit of the brotherhood general )/ . Before calling upon the brethren to drink his health in bumpers , he would assure him of their hearty good wishes , and express the hope that he would be able to nail his colours to the mast and keep them flying ( or many years . In conclusion , the VV . VI . presented Bro . Radcliffe with an illuminated address on vellum and a very handsome sily .-r tray