A "Happy New Year."

consistency and constancy ; but somehow OY other there is an impetus given to it even in their case , when the merry-makings of the festive season are in full swing , and the heart swells into abnormal generosity under tho kindly

influences which accompany the opening ff a now year . It is to be hoped that in the year now entered upon this spirit of brotherly solicitude on behalf of our humbler fellows may be kept alive , and that the poor may have " more friends and less need of them . " We have started

afresh , and anticipation is rife as to what will be the outcome of Eig hteen Hundred and Eighty-Three . It is a time when men sit down and apply themselves to the balancing of accounts , the formation of new resolves , the drawing up of new plans for their guidance throughout tho year .

Experience tells ns that many of the good resolutions entered upon with perfect faith on New Year ' s Day " grow small by degrees and beautifully less " as the weeks pass by ; still it is a wholesome tonic after all , and if only adhered to in

some instances , must be productive of good . If the remark applies to society in general , it does so also to ourselves as Masons . The Master who enters upon his New Year , when installed as the ruler of his Lodge , forms his plans , and makes a forecast of the duties which he will be called

upon to fulfil . He will emulate , even if he cannot surpass , the excellences he has observed in his predecessors in office ; he will impress upon his officers and brethren the true beauties of the profession they have espoused , and

which they should seek to adorn . Were there no New Year in our Masonic Lodges , no " ringing out" of old and trusty friends , and heralding the advent of others equally true , though yet untried , the monotony of Masonic life would become unknown . But as one excellent Master

retires with all the honours that his appreciative and grateful brethren can bestow upon him , so another star blossoms in the firmament of the Lodge , and gives promise of new and more vigorous life and enjoyment . We can only express our hope that peace and harmony will

illuminate our Lodges during the coming year , that our numbers may receive a large and welcome , though judicious acquisition , and that the machinery of the Oraft may be well oiled by an ample supply of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . There are yet some pleasant reunions to come ,

in the shape of Charity balls m connection with various Lodges , ere the New Year festivities can be said to be at an end , and we trust they may be eminently successful , so that our Ijstitutions may receive the benefit . But these do not interfere with the ordinary and regular business of

the Lodges , which , after a few days' respite in Christmas week , has been renewed with its wonted activity and usefulness , and we have before us anticipations of many a pleasant gathering on the chequered floor ere the summer recess calls us to vary the programme by jolly—there is

no other adjective sufficiently expressive—excursions into the country . The Boys at Wood Green , and the " bonnie lassies " at Battersea , will be working up for their Midsummer Examinations , and will be filled with visions of displaying , amidst Civic smiles and friendly approbation ,

the results of the splendid education imparted to them at the Schools , and of the careful and efficient training they receive through the considerate kindness of the more fortunate section of the Craft . The " Old Folks , " too , in their quiet way , will be looking forward to the visit of their

best friends , who , in the summer-time , run down to Croydon and exchange with them kindly visits and friendly recognition . In every aspect of the case anticipation is in the foremost place , ancl wc can only express a desire that in all the aspirations formed , either from a studious point

of view in Lodge , or of increased friendliness and goodfellowship amongst those who do not participate in the active work of the Order , there may be a great amount of success realised , leavened with the smallest possible degree of disappointment . For ourselves , whilst again

acknowledging the support which has been accorded to us in the past , we , too , indulge in the anticipation that , as the numbers of the Craft increase , so also may the recognition of our efforts to disseminate thoughts , and to circulate the record of events transpiring in the Craft , be enlarged . Whilst

extending to our readers tho wish which stands at the head of this article , wo trust , by pursuing the steady , consistent course which the CIIKONICXG has followed ever since it was started , and by the

improvements which are contemplated m the various departments of this journal , we may succeed in extending our influence , ancl supplying much information which shall be of value to our Subscribers and to the Craft in general .

Masonic Benevolence In 1882.

MASONIC BENEVOLENCE IN 1882 .

WE congratulate the Craft generally , but especially tho Executive Officers and Secretaries of our Charitable Institutions , on the resnlt of the past year ' s labours . We have become so accustomed of late to extraordinary figures , that it is possible the announcement

wo are about to make may not be received with the usual fervour . But times have not been brilliant lately , and it is not worth while noting that only in one previous year has the aggregate receipts by our Charities been exceeded . In 1880 , the total amounts received for these Institutions was

close on £ 50 , 000 ; in 1882 it reached , in actual figures , the sum of £ 47 , 444 18 s lid , of which the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution must be credited with £ 16 , 595 7 s 7 d j the Girls' School with £ 15 , 969 15 s 8 d , and the Boys ' School with £ 14 , 879 15 s 8 d . As regards " Donations and

Subscriptions , " however , which constitute the fluctuating income of all three , we note that the CHrls' School received £ 13 , 927 8 s 4 d , the Boys' School £ 13 , 614 18 s 8 d , and the Benevolent £ 13 , 351 10 s 9 d , so that the support of the Craft appears to have been impartially distributed among

them . As regards permanent income , the Benevolent heads the list , the Girls' School coming next , and lastly tho Boys' School , the interest on invested monies being comparatively small in the last named Institution , while its grants from Grand Lodge ancl Chapter , like those

received by the Girls' School , are about one-eighth of those received by the Benevolent . Certainly the work done on behalf of our Institutions during the past year is worth studying , if only showing what can be done for

them under circumstances by no means the most favourable for heavy figures . We append a statement in detail of the receipts from all sources of the three Institutions as well as of tbe grants made by the Lodge of Benevolence during the past year .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Donations and subscriptions 13 , 351 10 9

Dividends 1 , 833 9 11 Interest on cash at call - - - ' - - 33 6 11 Grand Lodge 1 , 200 0 0 Grand Chapter 150 0 0 Rent of meadow , and one a-half year - - - - 27 0 0 16 , 595 7 7

Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Donations and subscriptions 13 , 927 8 4 Grand Lodge 150 0 0 Grand Chapter 10 10 0 Dividends 1 , 454 13 11 Purchase case 187 10 0

Mnsicfees 18 G 7 6 Interest 41 14 2 Miscellaneous : — Donation box - - . - - 1 12 0 Advancomont fund - - - - 1 1 0 Books of subscribers - - - - 3 18 0 By sale of old stores - - - - 2 0 9 8 11 9

£ 15 , 969 15 8 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . d Donations and subscriptions 13 , 614 18 8 Dividends 530 0 0 " Hnyshe Devon Presentation" ... - 525 0 0 Mnsio fees 49 7 0 United Grand Lodge - 150 0 0 ., „ Chapter 10 10 0 14 , 879 15 8

Lodge of Benevolence . Cases relieved . Amonnt . £ s A January - - - - 19 - - - 682 0 0 Febrnary - - - - 35 - - - 1 , 065 0 0 March 32 ... 900 0 0 April 33 ... 775 0 0

May 28 ... 910 0 0 •lone - - - - . 26 - .- 610 0 0 •Inly 26 ... 750 0 0 August . - - . . 22 - . . . 735 0 0 September - - - - 18 - . - 570 0 0 October ... 27 610 0 0 November .... 48 - - - 1 , 340 0 0 December 34 - - - 600 0 0 348 9 , 637 0 0