Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not' hold ourselves responsible { or the opinions expressed by our correspondents hut vie wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits' . " -. e discussion .

ROYAL ALFRED AGED MERCHANT SEAMEN'S INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " ii Dear Sir , At this season of the year when you cheerfully give space to appeals , I beg a kind word for pur aged and destitute British seamen .

. The roving life of the sailor separates him from home and kindred ; out in the solitudes of sea and sky risking his life for his daily bread , yet all the while an unobtrusive factor in welding together our mighty Empire , leaving him in the end more dependent upon the liberality of the public than any other class of our countrymen . Surely it becomes us to lend him a hand when his compass to steer a course is well-nigh broken , his once cheery " all ' s well" but a sad reminiscence , and his " aloft" the solemn hereafter , when the present voyage is ended .

In this , the greatest maritime nation in the world , the only institution wh ich gives , without distinction of rank or ports of service , a home or pension to the British merchant sailor , when ' old and destitute , is the Royal Alfred Merchant . Seamen ' s Institution . . " '•' . 'There " . are now some 250 "human derelicts" on the list of applicants , whose ages range from 65 to 90 years .

.: Thrusands who are able , and no doubt willing , to help , do not know of the existence of this " Poor J ack ' s last Port , " hence this appeal for a kind , helping , and prominent word for the ' Royal Alfred Institution " and " Poor Jack . "—On behalf of the Committee , yours faithfully ,

- -, . J . BAILEY WALKER , - '¦ , ¦¦ ••¦ Secretary . Royal Alfred Aged Merchant Seamen ' s Institution , 58 , Fenchurch- * treet , E . C .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"NAVE ' S INDEX-DIGEST OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES" ( Henry Frowde , Oxford University Press Warehouse , Amen-corner , London , and at Edinburgh , Glasgow , and Belfast ) . This is-amost marvellous compilation of the Scriptures by the Rev . Orville J . Nave , D . D ., LL . D ., and is the extraordinary result of " fourteen years of delightful study of the Word of God , " aided by the wife of the author , and undoubtedly has been so thoroughly done that it is exhaustive and wholly reliable in character , The volume is in large Svo , and runs to over 1600 pages in double columns , and is so printed and arranged as to help the student in every way possible . The Topics and sub- Topics

exceed 20 , 000 in number , and are in large capitals , so that with such distinctive features and a hundred thousand references duly classified , together with the appropriate headings and an Index , - running to over 150 pages , large as the work is , any word or subject , as well as all cross references , are found with the greatest of ease . Even the columns are noted in the Index , so that absolutely there is nothing wanting in this wonderful Book , in the way of information , or reference , or plan of classification . The publisher ,. JVlr . / Henry Frowde , on application , will send a sheet to show the class of work , and its admirable " arrangement , and . copies , may be had from any bookseller of this invaluable volume for 15 s . in cloth , and in various leather bindings .

The Late Bro. William Simpson, R.I., (P.M. "Quatuor Coronati Lodge," London.)

THE LATE BRO . WILLIAM SIMPSON , R . I ., ( P . M . "QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE , " LONDON . )

Bro . Edward Macbean , P . M . of the " Quatuor Coronati Lodge , " No , 2076 , London , delivered an address before the members of his lodge on the 6 th October , 1899 , In Memoriam of his friend and brother , William Simpson , the celebrattd artist , and since then his admirable monograph

has been printed in book form , with a striking likeness of the deceased Craftsman . Bro . Macbean sent a special copy to her Majesty the Queen , and another to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the following replies have been received . We heartily congratulate the Author on his affectionate tribute being so graciously received by Royalty .

[ COPY . ] Privy Purse Office , Buckingham Palace , S . W . The Private Secretary is commanded by the Queen to thank Mr . Edward Macbean for his letter of 6 th inst ., and for the accompanying " Memoir of Mr William Simpson , " which he has kindly presented to her Majesty . 14 th December , 1900 .

;[ COPY . ] Marlborough House , Pall Mall , S . W . Dear Sir , 17 th December , 1900 . I am desired by the Prince of Wales to acknowledge the receipt of youc

letter , and to express his best thanks to you for the Sketch , which you have kindly tent him , of the life of Mr . Simpson ( for whom he had a great regard ) , and which bis Royal Highness has had much pleasure in accepting . I remain , " ¦ Vours truly , •' FRANCIS KNOLLYS .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

United Manners Lodge , No . 30 . ' The last nrccling of the century was . held at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford-street , on . the lSlh inst . In this case the end of the W . M . 's period of ofiice synchronised with the end of . the " century , but neither of these important events appeared to unduly depress the large number of brethren who entered an appearance . The visitors included Bros . H . j . Weston , 1 3 10 , P . P . S . G . W . ; H . P . Hewsnn , S . W . 2427 ; W . II . Dixon , 27 ; P . C Watts , 1817 ; C . J . Poppin , 1 G 24 ; and M . J . Carey , 2170 ( Colombj ) .

The agenda was a lengthy one , and included not only the election of the VV . M ., Treasurer , and Tyler for the ensuing year , but also the initiation of Mr . A . E . Mitchell and the passing of Bro . K . B . Krotzschmar . Bro . George Fagg , P . M ., again demonstrated his acquaintance with the ritual , and performed the two ceremonies in such an exceedingly able manner as tu call forth the marked approval of the visitors from the Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . P . L . Fester , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuingyear , and Bro . T . Smith , P . M ., Treasuicr . Bro . L . G . Reinhardt was duly reelected Tyler . ' .. '" . ''

; ' The business before the lodge having been disposed of , an adjournment was made to one cf the spacious banqueting halls in the restaurant , when ample justice was done to supper . Alter the usual loyal . toasts , a capital impromptu programme was gone through , ncluding items by Bros . Remington , P . M . ; Couldrey , P . M . ; Dixon , Hewson , Robson , T . Smith , P . AL ; Poppin , and Mitchell .

Craft Masonry.

Bank of England Lodge , No . 263 , Thursday , the 13 th instant , was a high day in the annals of the Bank of England Lodge , No . 263 , its members and many interested friends meeting at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , to celebrate the occasion of the granting of the centenary warrant , the lodge having been founded so far back as the year 178 S . The following members and distinguished guests were present : Bros . R . M . Minton Senhouse , W . M . ; A . Leighton , I . P . M . ; S . H . Waterhouse , S . W . ; E . , L .

Keates , J . W .: R . Clay Sudlow , P . M ., Treas . ; H . Pritchard . P . M ., Sec . ; E . R . T . Croxall , S . D . ; J . H . Jenks , I . G . ; J . Sharpe , P . M . ; J . W . Drysdale , P . M . ; 0 . Spearing , A . Oliver , W . E . Boutches , H . P . Blencowe , John Keates , M . S . G . Gambler , L . Barker Bennett , and L . Holland , supported by the following distinguished guests : Bros . Edward Letchworth , G . Sec . ; C . E . Keyser , P . G . D .: John Tower , D . G . D . C . j W . ; Speth , P . A . G . D . C ; J . T . C . Winkfield , P . A . G . D . C ; J .. Morrison McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; W . G . Kentish , P . G . Std . Br . ; Percy Sloper , P . G . Stwd .. ;

J . Russell , P . G . Stwd . ; E . J . Anning , H . P . Bannerman , F . H . Callingham , T . P . Cooper , Clifton Davy , P . M . ; R . Finlayson , W . M . ; Vesey Fitzgerald , Q . C . ; Walter Fell , W . H . Hiilman , D . Hughes , P . M . j R . Hughes , P . M . 14 ; H . T . C . Hunt , W . M .,- W . P . Hill , J . Johnson , G . L . Kennaby , P . M . ; James Kennedy , P . M . ; P . J . Morgan , F . Orchard , P . M . ; Page , 45 ; Wm . Pickford , Q . C , P . M . ; M . T . Piggott , ' P . G . Stwd . ; Pocock , P . M . ; E . W . Prosser , George Rankin , P . M . j M . Roberts , D . N . Samson , and D . D . West , P . M .

The lodge having been opened , minutes read and connrmed of the previous meeting , and the election of W . M ., Treasurer , and Tyler proceeded with , the 2 nd Section of the Second Lecture was worked by the W . M ., who was most ably assisted by ¦ . Bro ' . H . J . Jenks , I . G ., whose brilliant rendering was greatly appreciated by all present . Bro . Henry Pritchard , P . P . G . Treas . Middx ., then proceeded to the event of the evening by reading the centenary warrant granted to the lodge by the M . W . the G . M ., which is as follows :

( Signed ) Albert Edward , G . M . / N . To THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER , WARDENS , OTHER OFFICERS , / \ AND MEMBERS OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND LODGE , NO . 263 , I Seal . I LONDON , and all others whom it may concern .

\ I GREETING , \ v / WHEREAS // appears by the Records of the Grand — Lodge that on the 24 th day of June , 17 SS , a Warrant of Constitution teas granted to certain Brcthern therein named , authorising and empowering them and iliei' regular successors to hold a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at the Guildhall Coffee House , Gresham-street , London , and which was then No . 526 , and named the "Bank of England" Lodge on the

Register of the Grand Lodge of England , which said Warrant was afterwards confirmed by a Warrant of Confirmation dated the 20 th day of November , iSjo . And Whereas in consequence of the Union ofthe Two Grand Lodges on the 27 th day of December , 1813 , the said Lodge became No . 409 on the said Register , Anil Whereas in consequence of the general Alterations in the numbers of Lodges in the years 1 S 32 and 1 S 63 thc said Lodge became and now stands on thc Register as No . 263 meeting at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate , London , under the Title or Denomination of the

BANK OF ENGLAND LODGE And Whereas the Brethren composing the said Lodge are desirous ( when it sit alf have completed ) the Centenary of its existence to bc permitted to wear a Jewel commemorative of such event and havc prayed our sanction for that purpose . NOW KNOW YE that we having taken the subject into our consideration have acceded and in virtue of our prerogative Do hereby give and grant to alland each of the subscribing Members of the said Lodge , being Musti" Masons , permission to

wear in all Masonic Meetings , suspended to the left breast by a Sky Blue Ribbon not exceeding one inch and a half in breadth , a Jewel or Medal of the pattern or device that we have already approved of as a Centenary Jewel . But such Jewel-is to be worn only by those Brethren who are bona-fulc subscribing Members of the said Lodge and for so long only as they shall pay their Regular stipulated Subscription to the funds thereof , and be duly returned as such to thc Grand Lodge of England * ^ Given at Loudon the 3 rd September , A . L . 5000 , A . D . KJOO ,

By Command of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master ,. His Royal Highness the PRINCE OF WALES , K . G ., & c , & c , & c , & c ( Signed ) E . LETCHWORTH , G . S . After an interval in which members and guests were entertained by the strains of the capital band provided by Bro . James Hamilton , the company proceeded to take part in a very recherche banquet . From the commencement of the toasts the mot d ' ordre was " brevity , " so all of the speeches were commendably short .

"The Queen and Craft" and "M . W . G . M" being just given and drunk with acclamation , The W . M ., in giving the toastof "The Pro Grand Master , Earl Amherst ; the Dep . Grand Master , Earl of Warwick ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " coupled with it the name of Bro . Letchworth , G . Sec , and the other Grand Officers present , whom he thanked for devoting the time to attend .

Bro . Letchworth , in responding , said that the Grand Officers did all they could to advance the welfare of the Craft , and congratulated the lodge on this auspicious occasion ; and reverting to the history of the lodge , told how in years past it had met at the old Guildhall coffee-house , the Goose and Gridiron , in St . Paul's Churchyard , and in conclusion , wished the lodge prosperity for another 100 years . The I . P . M ., Bro . Albert Leighton , in proposing "The Health of the W . M . " in flattering terms , remarked that if there was not much work in the lodge , still quality

rather than quantity was what they sought . The W . M ., in response , said that ne could not make his listeners feel the sensations he was actuated by in having the great good fortune and luck in being Master for the centenary year . Although conscious of many shortcomings , there was one point he was satisfied upon—he had fulfilled his promises , i . e ., obeyed all lawful summons , and

had never been absent at the opening of lodge . The lodge had a grand history ot 112 years , and many illustrious men in science , politics , and arts had been amongst its Masters j he knew it would keep up its reputation , and continue to be what they all knew it to be— "the best ledge in London . " He had throughout had the suppoit of the Past Masters , and he then proposed the toast of " The Past Masters , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Sharpe , P . M .

' Bro . Sharpe , P . M ., replied that there were other Past Masters more worthy than he to be called attention to , and thanked all for the hearty way in which they had responded to the toast for the Past Masters . In proposing " The Visitors , " the W . M . said there was no need to read out their names and rank ; with the toast he gave the names of Bros . Vesey Fitzgerald , Pickford , and Piggott , who all three briefly , suitably , and humorously responded .

With regard to the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . M . said the lodge depends on those useful officers , and for many years this lodge had rejoiced in the same Treasurer and Secretary , and it was due to Bro . Sudlow they were there that night ; he had got the warrant granted by putting his shoulder to the wheel , and as Bro . Pritchard had arranged all th : details of the evening , the success of it was due to both those hard-working brethren .

Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , replying , said he was very proud to occupy hid position in the lodge , the fact of being Treasurer of the Bank of England ; Lodge had a very soothing sound , and was suggestive of untold wealth , & c , and as he had not mentioned . the balance in band , its wealth was untold , but in case his hearers should think that by a liltle ingenuity of speech he had been hiding a deficit , he wished to say that as io years past they had an exceedingly good balance . He was delighted as to what the W . M . said regarding Bro . Pritchard , as he recognised thereby his invaluable labours . He begged to thank the W . M . very heartily for the toast as far as regarded himself personally . .

Bro . Henry Pritchard , P . P . G . Treas . Middx ., Sec , said what pleasure it gave him to respond after 13 years of the same duties , and commented on ihe many difficulties which may not be apparent with which a Secretary had to combat . The Treasurer arid Secretary ought always to work in perfect harmony as Bro .. Sudlow and himself did . Although they were not the Bank of England itself , yet hc hoped they had sufficient to make their guests happy .

In toasting "The Officers , " the VV . M . said how excellently they all did their work , and specially mentioned and thanked the I . G ., Bro . J . H . Jenks , who was to be . highly commended for the admirable way in which he worked the lecture . Bro . Sudlow had propesed that he , the W . M ., should do some work , and suggested