The Girls Festival.

Sir John Monckton Past Grand Warden proposed the next toast . Mast probably all—of those present knew tho Earl of Mount-Kdgeuuilie , Masonically , if not personally , and that being so they could but appreciate what he did for the Craft . Sir Johu said he had the pleasure of sitting beside their present chairman when he presided for Bro . Terry at the Jubilee celebration of the Benevolent Institution , at Covent Garden Theatie , and all present on

that occasion could but compliment him on the success that attended his efforts as President . Of the Earl of Mount-Kdgcumbe it might truly b •. said he was always the same , always most particular , moist careful , most " thorough in what he undertook . The words he had heard uttered by one of the Cornish Brethren , that the chairman was thoroughly beloved throughout the Duchy , really expressed tho views of the whole Craft in regard to Low . Mount-Edgcumbe , and it was really presumption on his part to add anything with

the view of increasing the good opiuio'i already entertained by those present . The Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe tendered his thanks for the very cordial reception given to the toast . He could only say that it wa < a great pleasure as well as a great honour to bo associated with the annual Festival of the Girls Institution . He knew most of those before him had done the best they could to make it a success from a financial point of view , and among them he had especially to thank his own Brethren of Cornwall . He hoped the result would prove a grand addition to the funds of the Institution .

The Chairman next submitted the toast of the evening , wishing long continued and ever-increasing success to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . He thought it must be a satisfaction to the Ladies , who by their presence there that evening showed they took an interest in the proceedings of Freemasons , a satisfaction to them to know that tho first thought of their Society—exclusively limited as it was to men—should be of their daughters .

Dr . Ruspini , in 1788 , laid the foundation of the Institution , its first homo being a small house that accommodated fifteen girls . The Deputy Grand Master then reviewed the rise of tho Fund , and the continued enlargements of its sphere of usefulness , making special reference to the part taken by the Princess of Wales in the good work , which found a fitting memorial iu the Alexandra wing , which Her Royal Highness so graciously allowed to he

named after her . The celebration of tho Centenary of the Institution wa . another event worthy of special notice , when tho Prince of Wales presided , and was supported by the King of Sweden and Norway , whoso remarkable speech , in English , on that occasion was tho marvel of many who were then present . At the celebration of the Jubilee of tho Institution , iu 1833 , there were 57 Stewards , who collected ,-61 , 000 ; at the Centenary , iu 18 S 8 , there wore

1475 Stewards , and the amount of their lists was .-feol . OOO—what an evidence was here presented of that he had already referred to—the spread of Freemasonry during the last few years . At tlie present time there were liGa daughters of Freemasons living in the Institution , which might safely be regarded as ono of the very foremost among institutions for girls in this country . Anyone who had the opportunity of visiting the Institution would

see that the 260 odd girls were being brought up as they would like their own daughters to be . While he believed every effort was made to teach them to develop their powers , he felt they were not taught to develop into what the world was now forced to recognise as the " new woman , " but rather to become true English ladies . Tho Chairman next spoke of the position , the local advantages , and the extent of tho Institution ' s property , and mentioned

as an instance of its favourable qualifications as a healthful spot that he believed that during the last fifteen years but three deaths had occurred among tho scholars , despite the large number continually being cared for at the School . He regretted he was unable to attend the distribution of prizes to the pupils the previous Monday , but thoso who were there doubtless appreciated the appearance and the general bearing of the pupils under their

beloved Head Mistress , Miss Davis . If any military Brethren were then present they doubtless envied the precision with which tho pupils went through their calisthenic exercises , and probably regretted thoir own men were not equally efficient . The educational work at the Institution was in every respect up to date , but above all included household duties , one

specially pleasing fact being that the girls made all their own clothes , and so early qualified themselves for usefulness in their future life . All the teachers , with the exception of Miss Davis , had boon trained at the School , which had also supplied Superintendents and others in command at different Institutions throughout the country .

Lord Mount-Edgcumbe next touched upon what may be regarded as a very important point . He said grants for education at home , and not at the Institution , were not yot attempted , but might well be considered . He hoped the success of that night would be satisfactory to all concerned , although he could not expect it to equal that of last year , when the Pro Grand Master presided , and had at his back one of the most important Provinces of English Masonry—that of West Lancashire , which would not allow a comparison in this connection with his own district of Cornwall .

Bro . Henry Smith Deputy Prov . G . M . West Yorkshire Treasurer of the Institution responded . The Chairman had told them all that could be said of the Institution , and he ventured to think his special pleading ou its behalf would induce some of those present to double their interest in its welfare , if not their subscription to the present Festival . He forcibly impressed on those present the necessity of increasing the funded property of the Institution , just as he had advocated in connection with the Boys School and the

Benevolent Institution . He had tho feeling that there were times of depression and adversity to be met , and theso should be provided for as far as possible . Bro . Smith then spoke of the contributions to tlio two Educational Funds from Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , as compared with the sums received by the Benevolo / it Institution , which had a very considerable amount in comparison with what was received by the Boys or tho Girls . He should like to see similar grants made to all three .

Bro . F . R . W . Hedges Secretary of the Institution then announced tile lists , the total number of Stewards being given as : __ 27 , of whom three were Ladies , and 138 represented London Lodges . The total of the contributions was £ 16 , 016 4 s 6 d , of which Loudon contributed . 67 , 231 2 s , and the Provinces . - £ 8 , 785 , 2 s Od . We give full details of the amounts , & c , elsewhere in this

issue . Bro . C . E . Keyser P . G . D . submitted tho next toast—the other Masonic Charities , and success to them . He desired to express , on behalf of all , gratification at the success of the day . Thoy heartily congratulated the Girls Institution on the handsome amount collected by the Stewards , and

the Stewards on the result of their efforts . It had always been a feature with the Charities that they should wish success to the others , and not only success , but continued prosperity . Bro . Keyser spoke of the work being done by the different funds , and the special claims of each on the kindlyconsideration of the Craft .

Bro . J . Morrison McLeod Secretary of the Masonic Institution for Boys responded . He thought that of all the difficult positions lie had ever been in this was the most difficult of all , and yet he could not find fault with the kind Brother who had proposed the toast taking away the bit of fat which was left to him for his speech . He heartily congratulated the sister Institution , the Girls School , and the Stewards on " having reached the noble total of

The Girls Festival.

616 , 0-10 odd . supplemeritin- , ' the grand total of last year of . 618 , 000 . He would say "Very happy Girls Institution " which , in two successive years could have the I ' ro Grand Master and tiie Deputy Grand Master presiding at its Fo .-tivais . He hoped this continued success was a prelude of success to this Institution , and that in future years they would find a return to the level they both desired aud which on behalf of the other Institutions he

wouid say t . iey wished might be the case . He could not say more in making an appeal on behalf of the other Institutions than had been said by Brother Keyser , who in his own position was a most generous supporter of them and woo knew so well from the way he made his donations from the means he was blessed with , and from the active support he gave to and interest he took m the Institutions what the deserts of the Institutions wore . He

( Brother McLeod ) took the opportunity of alluding to a matter which had just been mentioned by his Brother Henry Smith the Treasurer of the Girls School , which many of those present remembered being referred to in that room at Grand Festival—the fact that the Boys School and the Girls School ought to receive a larger measure of support from Grand Lod « e . He repeated it now and he was glad that Hro . Henry Smith had with his

greater power and weight alluded to the subject . He would ask the Brethren below the dais who belonged to the " blue " whether it was not true that Grand Lodge had 6100 . 0 U 0 in hand ? For what purpose they were hoarding it he did not know—he said it without any desire to give offence --with all his heut he said they might do moro for the Institutions . The Boys Institution was doing all it could for the boys ; why should not Grand

Lodge relieve tho general strain on the generosity of tho Craft which year after year was heralded forth with such publicity ? They never knew when the strain would become too great . Nearly sixty years ago an alteration was made in the conduct , of tho funds of the Grand Lodge of England . U p to that time there were only two Institutions , the Girls and the Boys , which received a capitation grant , which was commuted , . 6160 for each Institution .

The Lodges on the Knglish roll had since increased five-fold , and the number of Masons had also increased five-fold . The benefits of the Institutions had been increased , but the amount donated by Grand Lodgo had never been increased . He left it for others stronger than he to raise this question , and he looked with the utmost confidence to the Treasurer of the Boys School to take it under his own wing aud with his greater and larger ability to bring

it forward . He had no fear of the result . He had . to congratulate the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe upon the magnificent result of that day and on presiding over so generous a little province as Cornwall . Their hearts were true , their motto was "Ono and All , " thoy had shown that thoy could respond to the appeals made to them , and the thanks of the Brethren were due to his lordship and to all those who had acted with and supported him .

Bro . Smithson P . G . D . then proposed the health of the Stewards of the day , making special reference to the list brought up by Mrs . Stephens , and tho interest now generally displayed by Ladies in the work of the Masonic Institutions .

Bro . Robert Grey responded . The Stewards had worked hard , and had succeeded in bringing up an amount no Board need be ashamed of . If the result of the work of the Stewards was satisfactory to the noble chairman , and also satisfactory to the Craft , any labour that had been expended in its realisation was more than repaid .

The Chairman concluded by expressing his personal thanks to the Stewards , who , he said , had provided an amount far beyond what he had dared to expect . Tho Brethren then adjourned to the Temple , where the usual concert was given , bringing a most successful gathering to an end .

Royal Arch

ROYAL ARCH

ST . JOHN OF JERUSALEM CHAPTER , No . 203 . ON Tuesday , 7 th inst ., the Companions of this , tho oldest Chapter in the city of Liverpool , held their annual Convocation at the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , when a large and influential gathering took place . The three Principals . Companions J . N . Bakor Z ., Thomas Burrows H ., and W . Naylor J . presided .

The following aro tho Officers for the present year : T . Burrows Z ., W . Naylor H , T . 0 . Fargher J ., J . W . Baker I . P . Z ., R . Armitage P . P . G . R . Treasurer , John Bain S . E ., J . Griffiths S . N ., H . Peers P . S ., J . Jones First Assistant S ., R . J . Widell Second Assistant S ., and Du Chemin Janitor .

Companion Casey afterwards provided dinner in a creditable manner . During tho evening a very handsome P . Z . jewel was presented to the retiring M . E Z . Ccmpanion J . W . Bnker , en behalf of theOhapter , and was suitably acknowledged . Tho music was furnished by an efficient contingent of musical Companions under the direction of Companion W . G . Doran .

The Crystal Palace programme for the season of 1895 has just been issued and , as usual , contains a number of attractive features that should make the season as successful as any of its predecessors . One thousand free concerts and entertainments are provided for during the year , while a representation of " Africa in London , " with an East African Village , and a complete

representation of wild African life , is among the chief permanent features of the year . The weekly firework displays commence on the 23 rd inst ., and will be continued every Thursday , novelties being introduced from time to time . A special programme will be provided for Whit Monday , concluding with a grand firework display .

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