The Boys' Festival .

thousand pounds for the purchase of two Permanent Presentations to the Benevolent Institution has put their charitable principles rather severely to the test . Notwithstanding all this , the reputation of their chief and of the

Province is concerned in the Festival ot next Tuesday , and it is no matter for surprise that , with the tenacity of our hardy northern race , they should rally round the Chairman of the day with all their force , and backed by all

the financial " ammunition" they can possibl y command . Within the last week or two the number of Stewards has been increased by twenty or more , bringing up the total to two hundred and eighty ; and with such a respectable list

we are more than hopeful that the result will be equal to , if not in excess of , any preceding Festival , omitting perhaps that of four years ago , when an exceptional effort was made on behalf of the Preparatory School .

That such may be the case is the desire of all who are interested in the Institution , and who are well aware that the next year will bring exceptionally heavy responsibilities ; moreover , it is most advisable that the deficit

recently spoken of by the Secretary , Bro . Binckes , should be reduced as much as possible . An interesting feature in connection with next Tuesday ' s proceedings was to have been the presentation to Bro . Binckes of a testimonial , which

has been for some months in course of development , in recognition of the unwearying and indefatigable services he has rendered to the Institution during the lengthy period of twenty-nine years . Circumstances havo intervened ,

however , which render it necessary to postpone that interesting event until Saturday , the 25 th instant ( this day fortnight ) , when the annual distribution of prizes and Stewards' visit to the Institution at Wood Green is fixed

to take place . A record of those services could only be told in a compendious volume , and certainly could not be done justice to in the columns of a weekly journal ; therefore we will not attempt even a shadowy outline of

them . Whatever form the testimonial takes , we trust it may be a substantial recognition of the faithful stewardship of one who has done so much to build up the solidity and strength of that Institution , which has been the means of

inestimable blessings to so many a deserving family . Far beyond the intrinsic value of the gift , however , will be the expression of that appreciation and esteem by which it has been prompted , and tbe " Well done , good and faithful

servant , " which will reverberate through the great hall atJWood Green on the 25 th instant , will fall with grateful cadence on the ears of our esteemed and valued Secretary . The meeting of " Old Masonians , " on Tuesday next ,

for the first time in the history of the Festivals , is a feature of congratulation , and it may be hoped that the " innovation" made this year , at the instigation of Bro . Binckes , and supported by the main body of the

Stewards , will become a permanent feature of these Festivals . Quite recently the Most Worshipful Grand Master has signified his intention of conferring in Grand Lodge ( in celebration of the Jubilee year ) Past Grand

rank upon a large number of brethren who have distinguished themselves in Masonic work , and this intimation has set the feelings of Craftsmen throughout the kingdom in a glow . Jubilate will be shouted all the

louder in consequence . These honours will be shared by every Province , with a due proportion for London , so that the number to be " promoted" next week will be a formidable one . It will be accepted as universally

satisfactory that , included in the " honourable mentions " are the Secretaries of our three Institutions , Bros . Fredk . Binckes , James Terry , and F . R . W . Hedges , all of whom are eminently deserving of this mark of Royal favour .

Although we are not absolutely behind the scenes , we have heard it whispered that in cases where Past Grand rank is conferred upon individuals it is customary not to charge the regular fees of honour , but we have heard

it stated amongst those who are already apprised of ths coming event that they will scarcely consider themselves full purple flesh and blood until they have paid their fees of honour . As there are over a hundred Grand Officers

¦ who will have the dignity conferred npon them next week , suppose that , in the munificence of their generosit y aud ebullition of gratitude and goodwill , the equivalent of those fees were devoted to the establishment of a special fund for the benefit of the three Masonic Charities . It

would only be an exemplification of the " conscience money " principle which so often cheers , as doubtless it surprises , Chancellors of the Exchequer , and would form the nucleus of a very substantial " Consolation Fund , "

The Boys' Festival .

like the John Hervey and others , by which unsuccessful candidates at the various elections might receive some little solace in their disappointments . This is but a suggestion ,

but seeing how similar benefits are provided by other Institutions , wo see no reason why it should not be tried in our own , provided , of course , our assumption is correct , that the fortunate ones receiving honours are desirous of

fully " qualifying " by payment of the regular and ordinary fees . In conclusion , we may again express the hope that the Stewards and Brethren who will congregate at the Crystal Palace on Tuesday next may spend a very pleasant

time of it , and that Brother Binckes may be enabled to announce such a result as shall show that the interest of the brethren in the Boys' Institution , and their practical

exertions in its behalf , have in no way diminished , in spite of all the demands that havo been made upon them during this exceptional year .

Brethren , and more especially those who propose coming up from the Provinces , will be glad to be informed that special arrangements are being made for their comfort and accommodation , while remaining in town for the two great

events of Monday and Tuesday next . We have often had occasion to refer to the elegance and completeness—and , by no means a slight feature of recommendation , economyafforded at tho Holborn Restaurant , which , being within

gunshot of Freemasons' Hall , has been increasingly of late years made the resort of brethren attending Grand Lodge , and other important occasions , in the very heart of the Masonic centre . The Holborn Restaurant has for years been

under the tongue of good report , not only for the luxurious refinement of its interior and the tact and ability with which it is managed , but where ordinary " creature comforts " can be obtained amidst palatial surroundings at

merely ordinary tariff it is no wonder that visitors flock there in greater numbers every year , and carry away glowing impressions of the manner in which luxury and economy can be so judiciously combined in the great

metropolis . We publish elsewhere the " menu" prepared for Monday next , and are informed that a very large number of Masons intend repairing thither on returning from the Commemoration Gathering at the Albert Hall . Similar

remarks apply to Freemasons' Tavern , adjoining the Hall , where there will be a table d'hote dinner at separate tables , in the Great Hall from half-past five until eight o ' clock . There is scarcely any necessity to remind the brethren of

the superior accommodation of which they have such frequent experience at Freemasons' Tavern , nor of the excellence of the cuisine invariably dispensed by those famous caterers Messrs . Spiers and Pond . On the maxim

that " good wine needs no bush , " there will be numbers of visitors only too eager to renew their acquaintanceship with the " old quarters , " after their appetites have been whetted by a journey to and from Kensington .

We observe , too , that the management of the Imperial Hotel , Holborn Viaduct , are laying themselves out for special receptions of visitors on the eventful day , and here again experience has taught many that the imposing corner

pile , overlooking the ancient church of St . Sepulchre , and Newgate , affords every comfort and luxury , at a tariff which can be graduated according to the means and desires of its guests . One cannot put all his eggs into one basket ,

and , seeing the vast number of brethren who will flock into town for the big event , it is absurd to imagine they can all be accommodated at the same establishment . We especially

recommend the three named , and assure our readers that , whatever their gastronomic tastes , they will be abundantly satisfied with the bills of fai'e which are to be set before

them on that occasion . Visitors are shrewd enough to know for themselves the difference between taking their meals in a well-appointed , ventilated salon , with all the accessories of cleanliness , excellence of viands and

" drinks , " and agreeable society , and sitting in a stuffy chop-house , or so-called " restaurant , " where , though the conditions are painfully the reverse , the waiter makes no reduction in his bill , which is as high as—or higherthan ^—

those of first-class hotels . In all probability a great majority of those who attend the Albert Hall Commemoration will remain over the next day , to witness the Festival

of the Boys' School at the Crystal Palace , in which case they will know tho very beat and cheapest places to which they may repair before they start on their journey to Sydenham .