The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

who have gone before . He may have the Craft of London at his back , but that following lacks the system of organisation which is almost universal in the Provinces , and which secures for a country chairman something special in the way of local enthusiasm . How many Metropolitan Craftsmen

will make a special effort on this occasion simply to support the first magistrate of the City of London ? and what would be the case if a

Provincial dignitary undertook a similar task ? The marked difference that may be expected makes one almost hope for the day when the county of London shall enjoy the honour of a regular

Provincial Orrand Lodge , or series of Provincial Grand Lodges of its own ; perhaps such a change would leftd to an alteration under this and many other heads . Sir Henrv Isaacs must , howevertake things

as he finds them ; there are the hundreds of Metropolitan Lodges which should specially support his Chairmanship , and no doubt they will provide something very handsome towards the total of the year , but we almost despair of their , entering into the spirit of the gathering with anything like the

enthusiasm that would be shown by our country cousins if their particular chief had undertaken the responsibility now assumed by the Lord Mayor of London ,

and as a consequence the total of the subscriptions may be expected to suffer , while the powers of the Charity will be correspondingly curtailed—not because the Chairman is less eligible for the position

than those who have gone before him , but because the section of the Craft with which he is specially associated is not so well organised and self-helping as elsewhere . We do not know what we can suggest

m order to throw a little more local enthusiasm into London Freemasonry , but if the Lord Mayor could see his way to invite a representative of each London Lodge to the Mansion House , there to discuss the matter in its bearing on the particular task he has

in hand , we think perhaps some tangible benefit might result , especially bearing in mind the ability of Sir Henry to discuss business matters , and , if need be , push a bargain . We cannot , of course , say that our

suggestion will be acted upon , but from what we know of this year ' s Chairman for the Benevolent Institution we believe it would be at once adopted if it were considered , by those particularly interested , likely to

achieve the object in view . Briefly summarising the position , the Institution may be heartily congratulated on the fact of having secured a zealous and able Chairman for the year , one whose every effort will be

devoted to securing a grand success , such a success as will , we trust , redound to the credit of the Craft , and place the Institution in a position not only to fully maintain , but perhaps extend its sphere of operations , or make some outside provision for the scores of approved candidates who must be left out

after the annual election to take place in May next . Recurring to the subject of the exceptionally large number of candidates to go to the poll , in comparison with the probable small number of vacancies , we may refer to one or two of the proposals which have been

mentioned as a means ot overcoming the difficulty . First , there is the proposal to reduce the amount of each existing annuity , so as to allow of a greater number being helped without additional outlay .. This

is only put forward to be immediately rejected , as wholly opposed to the feeling of the Craft , which has always leaned towards an increase rather than

a decrease m the individual grants . Indeed , it is only a comparatively few years since that the annuities were raised to their present amount , and it is quite outside the range of possibility to expect any proposal

to reduce them would be supported . No ; relief must not be looked for in this direction . Annuities have been granted of £ 40 per year to Aged Brethren , and £ 32 per year to Widows ; these cannot be reducedthat is to say , cannot so long as the Craft has it in

its power to continue to raise the funds necessary for their sustenance , and we imagine it is not at all likely to propose such a course in order to relieve the existing pressure . Another proposal that has been put forward is , to raise the minimum of age at which candidates shall be allowed to appeal to the Craft . This , doubtless , would be an effectual remedv .

although one cannot help the feeling that present arrangements make the benefits come quite late enough in life for those who are forced to seek them . This proposal has , moreover , morita which

should secure for it the most careful consideration when it becomes absolutely necessary to make a change in existing arrangements , with a view of checking the tremendous increase in the number of candidates as compared with the accommodation

available for their reception . There is yet another suggestion to be considered , and although this can only be properly discussed in association with a proposal to increase the number of existing annuities , it is worthy of consideration at the present time . As

we hope the day is not very far distant when an extension will be decided upon , it may be well to see how far it will meet the case before us , and learn how far it falls in with the views of the Craft . The proposal is that any new annuities to be created shall

be ior half the existing amounts , so as to enable the executive to give something to a larger number of individuals . The "half" annuity system would be similar to the " deferred " system that has been in

vogue for some years past . Vacancies on the full list would be filled from those on " half pay , " in the order of their election , and all new annuitants would have to take their place in regular sequence at the foot of

the list . This method presents a means of relieving the very heavy list of candidates , when the possibility occurs for an extension of the . expenditure of- the

Institution , and , as we have Haiti , it is wuriLjr of consideration , among other proposals , at the proper time . Meanwhile , there is one tangible and practical method by which the members of the Craft can do

much to relieve the difficulties which beset the Benevolent Institution at the present time—by supporting , as far as lies in their power , the Anniversary Festival , to be held on the 26 th of next month , when ,

as we have said , the Lord Mayor of London will preside . The cause for which the appeal is made is a most deserving one , the needs are great , and the field for working almost unbounded . For these

reasons we hope that a very large number of additional supporters will come forward , and not only work themselves , but induce others to do the same , so as to ensure for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution a successful Festival for the present year .

Gossip About Freemasonry; Its History And Traditions.

GOSSIP ABOUT FREEMASONRY ; ITS HISTORY AND TRADITIONS .

A Paper read by Bro . S . Vallentine , P . M . and Z . No . 9 , to the Brethren of the Albion Lodge of Instruction , 2 nd November 1889 .

( Continued from page 11 . )

AT the commencement of the present century a loss irreparable was sustained , by the conflagration , at Dnblin , of records and documents belonging to tbe Irish Grand Lodge ; but perhaps a greater misfortune was that which stands thus recorded : " George Payne , Esq ., —ho

was Graud Master in 1718 and 1720 , —desired every brother to bring to Grand Lodgo any old writings or records concerning Masons and Masonry , in order to show the usages of ancient times , and this year several old copies of the

Gothic Constitutions were produced and collated . " This would appear to be a preliminary step to what , strange to say , followed ; by it a knowledge was obtained as to who

were the possessors of a great , and possibly the greatest , number of Masonic records existent in this country , tho result of which would appear to be thus stated : 1720 , this