The King And The Craft.

THE KING AND THE CRAFT .

WE last week expressed the hope that ere long we should be able to point to an authoritative ruling as to what is right in regard to the reception of the toasts at Masonic meetings during the period of mourning for the late Queen , and what is the correct form in which to honour our new Sovereign .

We had in our mind the possibility of the Deputy Grand Master setting an example to the Craft when he presided at the Festival of the Benevolent Institution on Wednesday , arid we were hot disappointed , as the Earl of Warwick , after

making fitting reference to the memory of the departed Queen , led the way in showing that the proper Masonic course is to honour the different toasts with all cordiality and in customary Masonic form .

His Lordship also set at rest another point which we were surprised to see raised in many quarters—the association , in our first toast , of Loyalty with Freemasonry . We certainly could riot understand the arguments of those who sought to sever the familiar association of Queen and Craft ,

and were deliehted that one so high in authority in Freemasonry should apparently make a special feature of '' showing what is fight in this direction . We have it therefore , oh the very best of authority , that Freemasons are allowed , and

we may add , expected , to give as the first toast the King and the Craft . May His Majesty live long to receive the enthusiasm he so richly deserves in this connection , and always enjoy as warm a corner in the hearts of English Freemasons as is the case at the present moment .

EXCELSIOR ! ANOTHER Craft Festival—another Craft triumph . Such in brief is the verdict vve may pass oh the result of the Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , held on Wednesday , under the presidency of the

Deputy Grand Master of England the Earl of Warwick Prov . G . M . Essex , when a total of £ 25 , 311 19 s was announced as collected through the efforts of the 597 Stewards who were associated with the celebration—the second highest total known in the history of the Institution .

The Chairman ' s Province of Essex was foremost in the good cause , and was well seconded by the other divisions of the country , London in particular—as one speaker remarked —excelling itself . The total amount contributed from the

Province of Essex has since the night of the Festival been raised to a round £ 4 , 000 , which , with the Chairman ' s contribution of fifty guineas , will make the sum from that Province £ 4 , 052 10 s—truly a grand and most gratifying result .

Tffere were no less than twenty-nine three figure lists from London , first in order being that of Bro . W . J . Carroll W . M . of the Upton Lodge , No . 1227—and also a member of the Earl of Warwick Lodge ifi the Province of Essexwho collected £ 525 10 s , the Fellowship Lodge being a good

second , with close on £ 500 . Further details of the celebration will be found elsewhere ; we may here take the opportunity of most heartily congratulating the Chairman , the Stewards ,

the Secretary , and all who worked with them oh the truly marvellous result , for marvellous we regard such a total , in view of the troubles and anxiety the country has lately passed through .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

THE results , of the Cambridge University Local examinations , held in December last , have been received at the Institution , and it is satisfactory to learn ' " Our Boys " have been very successful . There was no failure in the " Senior "

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

and " Junior " sections , and only four in the " Preliminary . " The Boy Coales , who passed so brilliantly in the first class of the " Junior , " was under fifteen years of age . The following are the details : SENIORS . —5 entered . All passed , 3 in Third Class .

JUNIORS . —49 entered . All passed . 1 First Class , 1 st Division with 3 distinctions . 2 First Class , 2 nd Division . 4 Second Class , with 2 distinctions . 8 Third Class , with 2 distinctions .

and 25 other Passes . PRELIMINARY . —35 entered . 31 passed . 2 gaining second class , with 1 distinction .

3 gaming third class , with 1 distinction , and 26 other Passes . TOTAL . —76 Certificates , 23 Honours , 53 Passes , and 9 Distinctions .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

THE results of the December examinations have just been received , and are as follow : CAMBRIDGE LOCAL EXAMINATION . —29 Entered , 28 Passed , 4 Honours . Preliminary Examination . —22 Entered , 21 Passed , 3 Honours .

COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS . —Certificate Examination . —30 Entered , 28 Passed . Junior Forms Examination . —20 Entered , 19 Passed . Total Entries 101 . Total Passes 96 .

The final meeting of the executive working in connection with the candidature of Bro . Capt John Barlow , J . P ., for the Craft Grand Treasurership , will be held at the Holborn Restaurant , on Tuesday , 5 th inst , to make necessary

arrangements for the election to be held the following day . The contest promises to be an exciting one , and it is probable a record number of votes will be polled for one or other of the two candidates . * * *

A white apron is a recognised part of a Freemason ' s clothing , and dates back to the remotest antiquity , but it is something new to hear of a Worshipful Master of an English Lodge who orders his Wardens to appear in evening dress , with white gloves and white waistcoats ! We have not yet

heard whether this new order has been obeyed , or what is likely to happen if it is disregarded ; but we hope the Wardens concerned will protest , and see that their Worshipful Master is made to understand he has no authority for suggesting such a regulation , much less enforcing it .

In recognition of his published works on Historical subjects , Bro . Dr . Forshaw has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society , his nomination certificate being signed by the Rev . George Eayrs , of Bradford ; T . W . Hand , Esq ., Chief Librarian of Leeds ; S . Smith , Esq ., Chief

Librarian of Sheffield ; Bro . Emra Holmes , F . R . S . A . I ., of His Majesty ' s Customs , Harwich ; and others . The same day , on the nomination of the Right Hon . Lord Masham , Bro . Dr . Forshaw was elected a Member of the Royal Society

of Arts . This society was founded in 1754 , His Majesty King Edward VII . is the President . Lord Masham was elected a member in 1870 , and received the Albert Medal of the Society in 1886 .

What Induced You To Become A Mason.

WHAT INDUCED YOU TO BECOME A MASON .

THIS question is as old as Masonry itself . When asked of a well-informed Mason the answer is promptly given . He has been taught the true answer , and it embraces in a few words the motives that should prompt all who knock for