Ourselves.

OURSELVES .

CUSTOM ordains that we should address a few personal observations to our readers on the present occasion—the commencement of a new volume of the FBEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , which has now completed the twenty-first year of its existence , and gives promise of increased popularity and utility in the

future , thanks to the many new friends who have gathered around us during the past twelve months . But it is not merely as a matter of form that we to-day tender brief words of greeting to our readers ; we are sincere in wishing them a

prosperous New Year , and we hope we shall be called upon on many similar occasions to perform a like mission . Looking back it seems a very long period since we took a part in the preparation of the first issue of this paper , and very great

changes have taken place since then , but we have the satisfaction of numbering among our present subscribers several who commenced their support at that time , and have continued it ever since , so that we feel confident , when we say that we shall

endeavour to conduct the paper on similar lines in the future as have governed it in the past , that we shall satisfy our older readers , and , we hope , win a large number of new ones , ' all of whom we shall endeavour to keep fully posted in the working of the Craft .

Masonic Charity In The Past Year.

MASONIC CHARITY IN THE PAST YEAR .

nnHE year just closed has been one of continued success for - * - the three central Institutions of English Freemasonry , although the amount received is somewhat short of the previous year , the totals being £ 65 , 012 7 s 8 d and £ 62 , 654 13 s lid for

1894 and 1895 respectively . The difference , however , is more than covered under one heading—that of Perpetual and Life Presentations , which are absent from the returns of 1895 , while they figured for £ 3 , 045 in those of the previous year .

As will be seen from the totals we give below the Benevolent Institution has alone exceeded its total of 1894 , the increase last year being close upon £ 1 , 000 , while the Boys and the Girls have each fallen off , the former about £ 1 , 500 , and the latter £ 1 , 800 .

This is to be accounted for in the case of the Boys when we remember the special efforts made on behalf of that Institution in 1894 , but . in the case of the Girls School it must be set down as a natural fluctuation , rather than evidence of any lack of interest in its welfare on the part of the members of the Craft . The summary of receipts for the years 1894 and 1895 is as follows : —

1894 1895 £ s . d . £ s . d . Boys School - - - 24 , 186 16 8 22 , 696 18 1 Benevolent Institution - - 20 , 782 3 11 21 , 746 15 6 Girls School - - - 20 , 043 7 1 18 , 211 0 4 Board of Benevolence - - 8 , 955 •0 0 8 , 765 0 0 £ 73 , 967 7 8 £ 71 , 419 13 11

Masonic Charity In The Past Year.

We append the usual details of income , as supplied by the Officials of the respective Institutions , together with a summary of the amounts voted at the different meetings of the Board of Benevolence : —

Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . £ s d Donations and Subscriptions - 20 , 508 14 1 Grand Lodge - 150 0 0

Grand Chapter 10 10 0 Dividends and Interest on Gash at Gall - - 1 , 746 12 3 Legacy 20 0 0

Music Pees 88 2 6 Science and Art Department ( Grants earned ) - 32 14 0 Prize Funds - - - - - - - 40 19 0 Sundry Receipts 99 63

£ 22 , 696 18 1 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . £ s d

Donations and Subscriptions - - - - 15 , 779 17 6 Dividends - - 4 , 205 5 5 Grand Lodge 1 , 600 0 0 Grand Chapter - - - - - - 150 0 0 Interest on Cash at Call 11 12 7

£ 21 , 746 15 6

Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . £ s d Donations and Subscriptions - 15 , 727 8 0 Grand Lodge 150 0 0 Grand Chapter 10 10 0

Dividends 2 , 103 15 7 Interest on Deposits : - - - - 12 17 3 Receipts for Musical Instruction - - - 118 6 6 Science and Art Department ( Grant earned ) - 29 18 0 Window Memorials 44 50 Miscellaneous 14 00

£ 18 , 211 0 4

The following table shows the number of cases relieved , and total amount voted , month by month , by the Board of Benevolence : Month Cases relieved £ s d

January - - 34 - 575 0 0 February - - - 45 - - 825 0 0 March - - - - 46 - - 745 0 0 April - - - 42 - 745 0 0

May - - - - 59 - - 890 0 0 June - - - - 30 - - 485 0 0 July - - - - 40 - - 870 0 0 August - - - 20 - - 495 0 0

September - - - 22 - - 500 0 0 October - - - 36 - - 805 0 0 November - - - 50 - - 905 0 0 December - - 43 - 925 0 0

467 £ 8 , 765 0 0