Our Constant Care.

most satisfactory item if considered entirel y by itself , but bearing a very different aspect if we attempt to read between the lines or seek to estimate how far the future is likely to be influenced by the past . We refer

to the fact , as announced by the Secretary of the Boys School , that more than ^ 125 , 000 of the ^ " 134 , announced at the Centenary Festival of the Institution has already been received , leaving a total of /" , OOO to

be collected this year , and virtually taken from the amount , which under ordinary conditions would have gone towards swelling the current year ' s returns on behalf of the three great Institutions of the Craft . We have taken the Festival announcement in this

calculation , but of course the real balance outstanding on the Centenary returns is the difference between the ^ 1 41 , 203 os 1 id to which the total has since risen , and the ^" 125 , 000 already paid in to the

Institutiona difference of . £ 16 , 000 , or as much as would be looked upon as a satisfactory announcement for either of the three Institutions at one of the Anniversary Festivals , and this large sum has to be paid in before

a fair start can be made for the future , very much of it no doubt being due , in a more or less direct way , from Charitable Associations and other sources of regular income for the Institutions , so that what is yet to be

gained for the Boys School Centenary will in all probability virtually come from the three Festival announcements of the year : thus it would seem that

here alone there is a possibility of a deficiency of ^ 5 , 500 on each of the three Festival announcements of the present , as compared with ordinary years .

Our remarks so far have been made on the

assumption that bad times are before us , or rather that the exceptionally good times of 18 98 will be full y felt in 18 99 , but let us hope that the calculations of ourselves , and of the many others who think as we do , will be entirely upset as the year progresses , and that

18 99 will turn out a good ordinary year for the Institutions of the Craft . We should be deli ghted at such a result , and we most earnestly appeal to our readers to assist in bringing it about .

There is yet time in which to raise an ordinaril y satisfactory return for the Benevolent Institution Festival to be held next month , even if such a result has not already been achieved b y the 228 worth y Brethren

working as Stewards on its behalf , while , as we have just urged , there are good materials on which to base a special appeal—this year marking the Jubilee of the Widows Fund , and the list of approved candidates

numbering no less than 126 , with , at the present time , only twenty-three vacancies ; but the need of the moment is for more workers , and we are sure our much respected Brother James Terry , the Secretary of the

Institution , will gladly receive the name of any Brother who will take up a Stewardship for the Old Folks Institution . The money it disburses in annuities is handed direct to the old people benefitted , and there

are , therefore , no questions as to the policy of this or that expenditure , as is the case with the other two funds of English Masonry , where it is often necessary

to incur expenses in order to keep up large establishments , or bring the efficiency of special departments up to what is regarded as the standard of excellence .

But even with these distinctions there is no need for actual rivalry between the different Funds . There should be enough for all three , and were it not for the

special calls made on the Craft last year it is probable the state of affairs at the present moment would not be nearly so critical as it is . We hope for a successful Festival , and shall be glad to find our appeal has led to an addition to the Board of Stewards .

North Wales.

NORTH WALES .

11 HE annnal meeting of this Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Llandudno , on the 21 st ult . Bro . Colonel Hunter ( Plas Coch ) Provincial G . M . M . presided , and there was a good attendance , all the Lodges in the Province being represented .

In addressing the Brethren Colonel Hunter alluded in most feeling terms to the great loss the Order and Masonry generally had sustained by the death of the Earl of Lathom Past Grand Master . It was agreed that the Provincial Grand Lodge of North Wales should express its deep sympathy with the late Past Grand Master ' s family . The following Provincial Officers were appointed for the year * .

Bro . Lieutenant Colonel Gordon-Warren - Deputy J . Lloyd Griffith .... Senior Warden John Williams .... Junior Warden Eev . Thomas Edwards - - ¦ I ™ , , Bev . Pugh Evans .... \ Chaplains Westlake Morgan , B . A ., Mus . Bao . - Master Overseer

J . Bodway ..... Senior Overseer W . A . Foster .... Junior Overseer B . Bellis - - - - - Treasurer Dr . Kenriok Davies , M . B . - - - Begistrar W . D . Henderson - - - - Secretary E . Elbrell ... . . Senior Deacon

J . W . Eendick .... Junior Deacon W . Walton .... Inspector of Works J . Porter ..... Director of Ceremonies Ellis Jones - - - - - Assistant Dir . of Cers . J . G . Hall ..... Sword Bearer

ti . m . Pritchard - - - - 1 01 . a a x . J . Armstrong - - - . - } Standard Bearers E . L . Pugh - - - - Organist W . Lloyd Griffith .... Inner Guard A . Garrison - - - " - Steward J . Vincent ..... Tyler . The banquet was served at the Imperial Hotel .

Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Sussex , speaking at the recent installation meeting of the Stanford Lodge , Hove , said the Province had reason to be proud in having one of her Majesty's sons as Provincial Grand Master . Freemasonry in England engendered loyalty

to the throne , but in many parts of the world Freemasons were viewed with suspicion , and regarded as dangerous intriguers . He knew it was the wish of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught to be oftener among them ; but they all knew the deep interest he took in the welfare of the Province .

The Provincial Officers made the work of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and of himself very light , and in expressing his opinion that no Province was more contented or better governed than that of Sussex , he bore testimony to the excellent work of the Provincial Grand Secretary .

At the Western Hotel , Penzance , on Friday , 16 th ult ., Bro . G . H . Small P . M . P . P . G . T . was entertained at-dinner by the Mount Sinai Lodge , with which he has been connected for 23 years . Bro . J . M . Cornish W . M . presided ,

and proposed the health of the guest , referring in high terms of him as a Brother , a professional man , and a townsman . He presented him , on behalf of the Lodge , with a handsome gold English lever watch and chain , and Masonic seal . An illuminated address was also presented . .

The annual social by the Bayons Lodge , No . 1286 , in aid of the Masonic Charities , was held at Market Rasen on Monday , 26 th ult ., and was well attended .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

THE funeral of Bro . J . G . Ainsworth , who died , after a short illness , on the 22 nd ult ., took place on Sunday , 25 th , at the Borough Cemetery , Newcastle ( Staffs . ) . The deceased had been master of the Friarswood Board School since the formation of the School Board , and was for some years previously head-master under the British School

authorities . He had been long connected with the Sutherland Lodge of Unity , and had filled the Offices of P . P . S . G . W . and of W . M . of the Lodge , besides officiating as Secretary for a number of years . The funeral was attended by about twenty Brethren , a deputation of the School Board , and nearly all the male teachers .