Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible far the opinions expressed hy our correspondents , hut we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

THE CORONATION . To the Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , May I , as a humble member of the Craft , suggest that in view of the fact that his Majesty the King has for so long been the head and front of our ancient and honourable Institution , some especial commemorative jewel

should be struck to mark so auspicious an occasion , to be worn by all M . Ms , duly raised on or before that year . This , I think , would form a worthy companion to our late beloved Queen ' s Jubilee jevve ! , the only one a large moiety of our brethren are entitled to wear at present . —Yours frater nally , " S . D . "

"BELOW THE POVERTY LINE . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Sir , Your generous readers have so often helped us in our work amongst the poor and the fallen , that I venture with confidence to bring the present needs of the Mission under their notice .

For 42 years we have been permitted , constantly and increasingly , to assist the needy in their times of want and hunger . At least 104 , 000 persons have been enabled to make a fresh start in life after having sinned and suffered imprisonment . It is stated , on good authority , that over 30 per cent , of the population of London are living below tbe poverty line . It is amongst such we labour , and it is on behalf of such that we plead .

Funds are neede'd for the maintenance of our all-round Mission work , and for providing Christmas dinners , food , firing , and clothing to the destitute . Contributions will be gratefully acknowledged if sent to our bankers , Messrs . Barclay and Co ., Limited , 54 , Lombard-street , E . C , or to—Yours faithful ly ,

WM . WHEATLEY , Superintendent . St . Giles' Christmas Mission , 4 , Ampton-street , Regent-square , W . C , December .

Reviews.

Reviews .

CaBtles and Abbeys of Great Britain and Ireland . —( John Dicks , 313 , Strand , W . C . )—Part 2 is now before us , price sixpence , of this remarkable work , which is being issued monthly . The present number is of a varied and most interesting character , completing Dublin Castle , and giving in full the Tower of London , Melrose Abbey , Glastonbury Abbey , and Chepstow Castle ,

with the first page of the next article devoted to Boyle Abbey . There is a fine plate , quarto size , as the work , of Glastonbury Abbey , by Harry Evans , which is worth much more than the whole of the part costs ; besides which there are several full page illustrations by the same artist , and smaller sketches , the special feature of this part being the article on the Tower of London , with all its smaller Towers .

Doidgo ' S Annual ( Hoyton and Cole , Plymouth ; Simpkins , . Marshall and Co ., London ) . Price , One Shilling . We consider " Doidge ' s Annual" for 1902 , has no superior among any of its thirty-three predecessors , and as a combined almanack , directory , and library of local tales and sketches , it cannot be beaten , and rarely equalled in any other locality ; this is the 34 th issue , being an extraordinary shilling ' s worth , and a great credit to the enterprising printers and

publishers , Messrs . Hoyton and Cole . In addition to the numerous attractions of the buiky volume , of some 450 pages , there is a really good picture of The Barbican , Plymouth ( fit for framing ) , reproduced from the original water-colour drawing by C . G . Hannaford , which is a triumph in fine art colour printing . The artist selected the historic spot where from the steps ( at the left ) the Pilgrim Fathers sailed in the Mayflower , 6 th September , 1620 , for New England . , Copies of this

and the book may be sent to America for 34 cents , post free . There are numerous tales , suitable for the season , as well as an immense amount of information of a useful and entertaining character , those also who volunteered to the front , from Devon and Cornwall , are immortalised in a series of illustrations depicting their return , and enthusiastic receptions throughout the West , and several reproductions are given from photographs of the active service contingents . This year ' s contents , therefore , are even more important and interesting than usual .

Handbook to the Textual Criticism of tho Mow Tostamont . By Dr . Frederic G . Kenyon , Assistant Keeper of MSS . British Museum . ( London , Macmillan and Co ., Ltd . ; A ' cro IV * , The MacmilUn Co ., npi . )—'j his is the best single volume on the subject that we knovof , as it is based on tl e latest researches , opinions , and decisions of scholars of world-wide reputation , supplemented by the author's own careful investigations , who has unrivalled

opportunities for the examination of many of the MSS ., and for the study of all the treatises fust hand . Dr . Kenyon first treats of the function of textual criticis 11 , ilearly defining what the study involves , and particularly its importance in relation to the New Testament , which 'is the mest important branch of the science , and the most complicated . " The next chapter is devoted to the Autographs of the New Testament , in which department Sir E . Maunde Thompson and

the author himself are recognised authorities ; the following two chapters treat of the Uncial and Minuscule Manuscripts , all the chief of which are duly described , and their age and value ably noted , as well as their present locality , when and how reproduced , anil other particulars being given . Chapter V . is on " The Ancient Versions , " and is of a particularly interesting character , became the peculiar readings of the noteworthy MSS . are frequently and most clearly

detailed ; and then the chapter on Patristic Quotations aptly follows . Th : concluding chapters on "Textual Criticism in the Past" and " The Textual Problem" present the study in a most scholarly manner , what has been done , what may be done , and what cannot be done , being set forth in all the thoroughness and complete mastery of detail for which Dr . Kenyon is so distinguished . Sixteen facsimiles of old MSS . add much to the value and interest cl this most instructive volume , and useful indices make the work complete .

OWING 'IO THE great increase in orders for embroidery , Afessrs . George Kenning and Son have been obliged to open FoUK N EW WOKKKOJMS .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1142 ] THE CHRISTMAS OBSERVANCE . ' Bro . Stephen Berry , the esteemed Grand Secretary of Maine ( U . S . A . ) , as the Committee of " Christmas Observance" of the Grand Encampment of Kni ghts Templar , U . S . A ., has just issued the official invites . The Toast is to be " To our most Eminent Grand Master , Henry Bates Stoddard : Plenty , Health , and Peace , with a Merry Christmas Greeting from all his

Knights , from Maine to Oregon , and from the Isles of the Sea . " The Grand Master sends the following response : " Sir Knights : May the God of our Fathers ever keep and protect you , and may we meet in daily conclave in the Asylum above ! " Time fixed is Wednesday , Christmas Day , at noon , " Eastern Standard , " equivalent to Jive p . m . Greenwich . British and Irish Knights are courteously invited to observe this International K . T . Toast . W . J . HUGH AN .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Savile Lodge , No . 1231 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . J . VV . BROADIIEAD . We have often been struck with the fact that it is not in the great centres of population , in the crowded towns or cities , that we find the greatest Masonic activity and enterprise . Where many lodges meet under one roof it is easy , of course , to get together large numbers on special occasions , but when the next nearest lodge is miles away , and yet the numbers assemble , it is an indication that interest of more than ordinary character is being displayed . Instances ot strong Masonic vitality in places

which may be termed remote and comparatively insignificant have many times been illustrated in our columns . It would bean interesting experience for brethren whose only knowledge of Freemasonry has been obtained in , say , a l . nndon lodge , to be brought into close contact with the Masonic fraternity of some far distant manufacturing village or small town on the edge of a moor or in a river valley in the West Riding of Yorkshire . Our impression is that it would not only be an experience but a revelation . Londoners are supposed to barely tolerate their " country cousins , " they themselves being , of course , so vastly superior ; and our provincial friends fancy that such

benignant condescending recognition is especially shown in Masonic matters . Whit truth there is in this we will leave others to determine , but by our own observation and experience we can testify that in many an out-of-the-way nook and corner of West Yorkshire at any rate , may be found active lodges , strong in numbers , enthusiastic in character , and imbued with the true Masonic spirit of openhanded Charity and Christian forbearance . The working , too , will stand comparison with the lodges in the larger centres , and the esprit de corps is beyond praise . It would be easy to name 10 or a dozen instances of this kind in or about the valleys

of Aire and Calder alone . Perhaps , one of the happiest illustrations of these self-contained Masonic societies is to be seen in the small town of EUand . Here isto be found the proverbial hard-headed , shrewd Yorkshire business nun , and here , to ) , may be heard the now rapidly departing Yorkshire dialect . EUand has some prete isbns t J antiquity , to > , and is associated with the Elands , the Siviles , the Grasslands , the lieiumnts and th ; Cliffords , old Yorkshire families going back some o ' . ticin to the 13 th century or earlier . It has a strong Craft lodge and a young but very thriving Mirk loJj :. I ' he Savile ( Craft ) Lodge dates from iSCS . It has its own Masonic rooms , and is in a most healthy and vigorous condition . This wis shown most emphatically on the occasion of

its annual festival , which ' . vas held on I ' hursdiy , the 5 th of this m inth . It wis a very numerous eathering , for the new Worshipful Master , Brj . J . W . Hroidhead , who is managing director ot the large engineering lirm of R . Dempster and Sons , Ltd ., has not only won for himself numerous friends in EUand , but in his business connections his also acquired a wide and extensive Masonic acquaintance . His popularity was indicated by the splendid way in which on this occasion they rallied round hitn . From east and west , from north and south , did they come , and right royally did he welcome and entertain them . The festival of St . John in these country lodges is well kept up and this was no exception . .

The lodge met with commendable punctuality at 3 . 30 p . m . There were present Bros . J . S . Akroyd , W . M . ; John Brook , I . P . M . ; J . Hepworth , S . W . ; J . W . Broadhead , J . W . ; J . Naylor , Treas . ; J . II . Dyson " , Sec . ; R E . Ileaton , Asst . Sec ; F . J . VV . Radcliffe , S . D . ; A . E . Mitchell , J . D . j A . R . Copley , Chap . ; J . H . Hoiroyde , I . G . ; J . Carter , Tyler ; VV . Glossop . S . Lumb , G . MirsJen , II . H . Waller , C . C . Fawthrop , F . Winkworth , R . N . Wailes , anJ J . ProuJe , Stwds . and Asst . Stwds . also Bros . VV . E . Smithies , P . M ., P . P . G . l ) . ; H . Beaumont , P . M ., P . P . G . S . U . ; T . G . Howell , P . M . ; G . Hoyle , M . I ) ., P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; T . Buckland , P . M .,

P . P . G . O . ; T . Ibbetson Walker , P . M ., P . P . G . l ) . ; Squire A . Radcliffe , P . M . ; J . Rhodes , P . M . ; II . Littlewood , P . M . ; A . Graham , IS . Brooke , J . C . Pennington , E . A . ; S . Dyson , P . M . ; A . VV . Law , P . M . ; T . 11 . Tyson , B . Naylor , H . Rickard , E . Ireda ' . c , S . Varley , E . A . ; and A . F . Goodson , E . A . Among the many visitors were Bros . T . B . Farrington , P . M . 755 , P . P . G . l ) . North Wales ; J . Sykes , P . M . 1514 , P . P . G . O . ; Wm . Belton , P . M . 117 , P . P . G . W . Sabp ; J . Niven , P . M . 2 } 2 r , P . P . G . S . U . ; T . Duxbury , P . M . 381 , P . P . G . D . C . Kist Lines . ; Joseph Matthcwman , P . M . IOHJ , P . P . A . G . Sec ; J . E . Williams , P . M . 1 G 3 P . P . G . D . C .

, East Lanes . ; Joseph Jackman , P . M . 131 J , P . P . G . D . ; J . T . Goodill , P . M . 1301 ; P . G . S . ; R . Potter , P . M . 275 , Prov . G . Treas . ; John Barker , P . M . ituj , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . Watson , P . M . fu , P . P . G . S . !! . ; S . lloyle , 1283 ; VV . A . Sutcliffe , 44 S ; VV . Rice Jones , Ci ; J . Willoughby , 1235 ; II . Barker , 1235 ; R . G . Shadb It , Sec . 3 C 2 ; A . Gellison , S . D . 751 ; J . Mackay ; J . liarton , 171 ¦>; K . Uiel , S . W . 2 : iS ; II . Hill , S . D . 221 S ; G . II . llodgsin , 1522 ; G . Howar . h , P . M . 17 , 6 ; J . A . Riley , C . S . 521 ; G . Normanlon , P . M . 1302 ; Clifton Lund , J . D . 750 ; C . E . Rose , W . M . . 11 ¦ >;

A . Scott , I . P . M . 01 j F . Buckley , P . M . fu ; 1 . Cash , P . M . fn ; J . VVukinson , 23 > ¦; Tom ' Clrild , 304 ; W . Farrar , 2 | yi ; | . Nicholson , P . M . 15 ) j ; O . K . Kershaw , m ; A . G . Webster , M . D ., D . C . 11145 ; W . II . Ilei vers , P . M . ' 1514 ; I ) . I ) . Shertelilfe , 141 U W . H . Cooper , P . M . 5 . rj ; ) . O . Williams , if , ;; G . I iirst , W . M . 1 me ; F . F . Bond , M . D ., S . D . 1301 ; T . Greenwood , P . M . 1 , < n ; W . II . I'horpe , P . M . leS ); S . Farnhill , 275 ; N . Alabon , W . M . 2325 ; C . I ' . Wordsworth , J . W . 2325 ; W . J . Pierce , 2325 ; John Hughes , 1313 ; anil E . WestSymes , M . D ., L ' . t > . di .

'Ihe installation ceremony was most beautifully rendered by U ; o . G . II ryle , M . I ) ., P . M ., P . P . G . l ) . Music was at judicious intervals introduced under the dueci in and guidance ol Hro . John Brook , I . P . M ., who presided at the organ . The ' Be thou faithful , " from St . Paul , was sung in liro . liaekUnJ ' . s best style . O 1 the retirement of the brethren , a Board of Installed Misters was finned , \ 1 in mrn ' ier , and tie ceremony was continued . The brctbien being re-ad ; m : ted , Hro . Hi 0 . 1 Ihead wis pro : l limed and received hearty salutati j . n . s Irom all . Bro . W . K . . Sniiihi . s , P . M , P . P . G . l ) ., explained the I . P . M . 's jewel and gave the usual exhortati in to each oHieerui his

investiture . The working tools in the various Degrees were presenv I an I ex . ilii . iM by U " - :. T . Buckland , P . M . ; A . W . Law , P . M . ; and II . lieauuun-, P . Al . I ' he oliicers appointed were Bros . J . Naylor , S . W . ; | . II . Dy . on , J . W . ; K . E . Heaturi , l ' reas . ; F . j . VV . Ridcliffe , Sec ; A . E . Mi e . ml , ' A *> t . Mec . ; ) . 11 . S ( inner , S . D . ; J . H . Hoiroyde , J . D . ; ( . Carter , Ciiap . ; W . Glos-oji , Org . ; S . Lmn ' -i . I ) , ot C . ; G . Mai-sdun , I . G . ; ! L II . Waller , l ') ler ; and C . II . Waller , F . A . Wink vorth , K . N . Wailes , J . Proude , S . W . Smitn , 1 ' . II . I ' ys m , C . lli . lis E . L \ e . hl-e , an . l R . I ) . Kider ,

Sttvds . Bro . Hoyle conelu . lied the insulation Uy in cl > IJ ; en : rcn . L-nn 4 ' or th 1 la . e ses to the W . M ., Wardens , and br . tnreu . liro . A . W . I . i . v WIJ u uniiiiuu-ly el-. Tted Chsnty Representative , and the W . M . was ap-. ) oint :. t Piece , * ir . trie l 5 .. 'irj ot Management was re-elected c , i . ) . ' . : ' , and a resolution was | i . i .-oed to cmcen'rite all chair donations to the Charities uu that ol" the W . M . only . Hro . Bruaumu I , in very kindly-chosen words , presented a Past . Mister ' s jewel to tne ielin ' ng W .. M ., alter wliii . il the lodge was closed .

Ihe banquet which followed was given in the Town Hall , as it was felt to be impossible to comfortably entertain upwards of mo brethren el-jcvliere in Ellind- I nis was beautifully draped for the occasion , and the lloral decorations oi the tables were most lavish and charming .