The Proposed Increase In The Girls' School.

THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE GIRLS' SCHOOL .

THERE is little doubt that our Correspondent R . L . IT ., whose letter wo publish elsewhere in our columns , has entered on a very unthankful task in suggesting that the executive of the Girls' School are entering on a serious matter in proposing a further increase in the number of its

pup ils . But , with all our loyalty to the Craft , and with every desire to promote the interests of this , tho oldest of our Institutions , we must not shut our eyes to the fact that if the benefits are made too common there will be an overwhelming increase in the number of applicants for the

receipt of help from our Institutions . As our correspon dent states clearly enongh , the Girls' School , like our other Charities , has made an amazing advance in strength within tho last few years . When the Prince of Wales became our G . Master there were 150 pupils , it is now proposed there

should be 236 . Again , as our correspondent points out , there has been an abnormal expenditure during the same last few years of about £ 20 , 000 , so that in a brief period we are compelling the Craft , to provide for this Institution alone an increase of over what , it was in 1876 something

like 60 per cent . We do not for a moment say the Craft is unequal to this task , but we do advise caution as regards the future . There has been a very remarkable enlargement in the number of Boy Pupils and Old Men and Women beneficiaries , so that we are committing ourselves to an

ever-increasing expenditure , and what is more to the point , committing the next generation of Freemasons to the provision of a sum which , with all the will in the world , it may not be in their power to provide . We consider that

points of this kind are well worthy of the gravest consideration . If our Institutions were stronger in respect of ' permanent funds , Ave should not deem it necessary to offer any remarks .

"That Angel, Knowledge."

" THAT ANGEL , KNOWLEDGE . "

FROM THE KEYSTONE . THE Masonic Craft is no " Paradise of Fools , " for , as our ancient Grand Master , King Solomon , declared , " fools hate knowledge . " When an applicant for the mysteries of Freemasonry petitions for initiation into the Fraternity , he states that he is drawn towards it by a " desire for knowledge . " Tf he states the truth he is not disappointed ; if he does not , he is , and deserves to be . We worship at the Altar of Truth , in the shadow of the tree of knowledge . Freemasons in all ages have been apostles of knowledge . They created one of the noblest of the arts—Architecture , and the liberal

arts and sciences have ever been fostered by them . Intelligence is a pre-reqm ' site for a candidate for Masonry , and once made a Mason , he is , or shonld be , perpetually a seeker for " more Light . " In one of the earliest and most sprightly of Shakespeare ' s comedies — " Love ' s Labour Lost , " which has , throughout , sparkles of wit like a blaze of fireworks , the poet pictures the courtiers of King

Ferdinand of Navarre in pursuit of "that angel , knowledge . " Knowledge «» an angel , —an angel of delight . It lifts man above the brute , Freemasons above the profane , and the angels of heaven above all . The Light that comes from above is the brightest and best , and Masonic Light introduces the initiate to the choicest knowledge of Freemasonry .

The candidate who is made a Mason receives Light , but not all at once . Just as man could not endure the blaze of the midday sun were it suddenly flashed upon him , so the knowledge that Masonic Light personifies is our Fraternity's gradual gift , that comes to the Craftsman as he seeks it . True it is , that he , and only he , that seeketh findeth . It is to be entreatedit is the reward of the seeker .

, , Many brethren will testify that Freemasonry introduced them to a new world , supplied them with fresh and noble incentives to thought an " action , opened to them treasures of learning to which they would have remained strangers had they not been Craftsmen , There js more in Freemasonry than the profane dream of . -To many a brother it has been a ladder of learning .

take the art of architecture , which is indissolnbly connected with " ¦ eemasonry , and who can say how many brethren are led , almost " wares , to regard , admire , familiarize themselves with , and enjoy ' ¦ We are no longer operative Masons , but we are students and admirers of operative Masonry . The art of architecture appeals to the cut ' I " * throngh the e 3 " e to the minr '' Skilfully designed ancl exeed columns , capitals , arches and facades , nlease even the

nncnlbtull ' When ° " e Can identifi - hi " *? ' * with the old and medireval < ers and find in Freemasonry instruction in the present , and a niJ T ' nst , it is not surprising that tho Freemason derives a 1 ^ asnre from an ordinary walk through a large city , or from a visit oth arcll itectnrnl remains of the middle ages , abroad , that few fnrni h P 8 'i ! ° DS h - '" eqtlf * degree . "That angel , knowledge " w } , n ' ?? m with a new sense . Where others stare , he studies ; e otnera ace nothing to admire , he sees a present beauty , a past

history , and a means by which ho gains tho purest and most delightful mental exhilaration . We can agree with tho poet Grey , that " Where ignorance is bliss , ""'is folly to bo wise , " lint where in ignorance bliss ? There is more enjoyment in an hour of ati enlightened man's lifo , than in tho entire period of a savage ' s

existence . Freemasonry is to bo commended for ministering to the happiness of its brethren by increasing their stores of knowledge , stimulating their desire for learning , and enabling them , by moans of freshly awakened senses , to too facts , truths and beauties that they never saw before , or would have seen had it not been for their connection with the Craft . The light dispensed from tho centre to tho

circumference of the Craft by " that angel , knowledge " is tho proudest possession of which Freemasonry can boast . The perfectly rounded character of Masonry is , when one studiously contemplates it truly wonderful . It is not for one , but for many ; not for a ulns , but for all tho hotter classes ; not for persons holding singular opinions , bat for thee having oitholic views ,

agreeing to differ with others , decided , and yet at the same timo tolernnt in their judgments . The founder of Pennsylvania said , " Knowledge is tho treasure , but judgment tho treasurer , of a wise man . " Freemasons , as a rule , aro men of judgment , who know how to use knowledge , without abusing it . One Brother is of a convivial temperament , and finds the Craft meets his desires by the hoarty

social good feeling that prevails among its members . Another is a moralist , and he finds in the elevated symbolic teaching of the Fraternity that which satisfies him . Another craves knowledge , and finds in tho wisdom bequeathed to us by the ages , that is inseparable from Masonry , that which ministers to his intellectual needs .

Another is a student of history , with antiquarian tastes , and what a treasury of delight does the past of Freemasonry open up to him ! How he can read , and study , and investigate , and speculate . Let every one esteem the mystery of Freemasonry at its true value , for surely it has for its presiding genius " that angel , knowledge . "

The General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys met on Saturday afternoon , at Freemasons ' Hall , when there were present Bros . Raynham W . Stewart ( in the chair ) , F . W . Ramsay , M . D ., S . Rosenthal , G . P . Britten , L . Ruf , George Motion , Joyce Murray , Don . M .

Dewar , W . Maple , C . G . Rushworth , John L . Mather , A . J . Duff-Filer , F . Adlard , A . E . Gladwell , C . H . Webb , and F Binckes ( Secretary ) . One petition was placed on

the list of candidates for the October election , and an outfit was granted to a former pupil of the Institution . The following notices of motion were given for tho Quarterly Court next Monday : —

By Bro . J . S . Cumberland" That the day of election for tho Boys' School be altered to Friday instead of Monday , as at present , except when the Friday falls on Good Friday , 'then on Thursday , and that tho rules of the Institution be altered accordingly . "

By Bro . R . W . Stewart" That tho House and Building Committee be authorised to purchase the remaining four plots of land opposite the Institution at Wood Green , comprising neai'ly half an acre , at a price not exceeding £ 650 . "

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 23 Great Queen Street , "W . C . Cassell ' s Concise Cyclopaedia . With numerous Illustrations . Part T , ; and The Life and Work of Bt Paul . By F . W . Farrar , D . D ., Canon of Westminster . Illustrated . Cassell , Petter , Galpin , and Co ., London , Paris , and New York .

AMONG the most recent serial publications of useful and high class literature which are being brought out in cheap form by this eminent firm of publishers must be enumerated Canon Farrar ' s " Life and Work of St . Paul , " and tho " Concise Cyclopaedia , " both of which are fine specimens of typography , while the illustrations are both numerous and well-drawn . The merits of Canon Farrar ' s work aro too generally well known to reqnire any comment from us ; but fche

" Cyclopedia is a new compilation , and to judge from the specimen part before us , bids fair to be a most useful addition to this class of work . Great care appears to have been exercised in the collation oi the materials which are put together concisely and clearly . The information also , so far as wo have tested it , would seem to be thoroughly trustworthy . When complete the work will be of great use for reference .

Ad00303

DANCING .-Bro . . IACQUKS WYNMAN , Professor cf Dancing , gives daily instruction in nil the fashionable Dances to those who aro without previous knowledge . Private lessons at any time , by appointment Families attended . Balls , conducted , nnd first class Hands provided if desired . Assemblies every Monday and Thursday , at Eight o'clock . PROSPECTUS O . Y ACELlCVtlOH . ACADEMY—74 NEWMAN STREET , OXFORD STREET , W .