Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Sweden , and amid surrounding circumstances of great distinction , the magnificent sum of . £ 50 , 500

was announced as the collection of the day . It became at once the agreeable duty of those having the management of the School to take active steps in the execution of such works as should increase the

usefulness and efficiency of the "Institution , and at the same time be a lasting memorial of the splendid liberality of the Craft . The result was before them . The handsome hall in which they stood , with the new school-rooms and dormitories adjacent , had

been constructed under the architectural superintendence of Bro . Henry Arthur Hunt , assisted by Bro . Ralph Clutton , who , both members of the House Committee , had generously given their valuable services . The various buildings forming the

Institution , comprehending as they did a junior school , an infirmary , and a swimming bath , all detached from the main building , which was devoted to the senior school , and from one another , were now—for the

purposes of education , of health , and of recreationas perfect as it was deemed possible to render them , and they ventured to think that they formed , not only an appropriate and a useful school , but a happy and a healthy home for the 300 children to be

maintained and educated therein , under a head governess , a matron , and a staff of most satisfactory excellence . It only remained for him , in the name of the committee , and , indeed , of the whole body of govornors ,

extending as they did throughout the length and breadth of the land , to thank his Eoyal Highness most sincerely for his attendance , and her Eoyal Highness their grand patroness , for so graciously accompanying him , and to ask the Prince to complete the good work he commenced in 1888 by inaugurating and declaring open their Centenary Hall .

H . E . H the M . W . Grand Master replied that he had not forgotten that four years ago he presided at the Centenary Festival of the Institution held at the Eoyal Albert Hall , which was as large a gathering as any Masonic assemblage which had ever taken place , and was honoured by the presence of His Majesty the

King ot Sweden and Norway . He believed the sum of £ 50 , 500 , which was subscribed on that occasion , was tho largest amount on record as received at any charity dinner . He was glad to know the results had been so good , and that not only the new hall , but dormitories and a swimming bath had been

provided for the 300 children m the School . He could only congratulate the ladies and gentlemen before him on the result , and assured them it had given the Princess , his daughters , and himself the greatest pleasure to take part in the ceremony of that day . The Prince of Wales then formally declared the Centenary Hall open .

The Earl of Lathom announced that H . E . H . the Princess of Wales had graciously permitted the building to be named after her , and it will henceforth bo known as the " Alexandra Hall . " The Eight Eev . Bishop Barry ( in charge of the diocese ) offered up prayer , the whole body of visitors present joining , after which the children sang a hymn , accompanied by the hand , " Oh ! God , our Help in ages past . "

Miss Davis , the head mistress , and Miss Buck , had the honour of being presented to T . E . H . the Prince and Princess of Wales , the Prince graciously shaking hands with each lady . The Eoyal party then retired .

the children giving " God bless the Prince of Wales . " The singing of the children throughout was marked by great precision and intelligence . A large and enthusiastic crowd in the streets greeted the Eoyal party on their arrival and departure .

The recent alterations and additions consist of—1 . A new wing , containing class-rooms , dormitories , governess's sitting-room .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

2 . Alterations to parts of the existing building . 3 . The Centenary Hall . 4 . Warming and ventilating the whole of the buildings , now and old . Tho new wint ? contains : —

Lecture theatre , 28 x 36 , with large bay for platform . Six class rooms , 30 x 20 . Governess ' s sitting-room and book-rooms .

Large staircases and conveniences . One dormitory , 28 x 36 , and five dormitories , 35 x 20 . four lavatories fitted with hot baths , washing basins , and W . C .

All tho rooms are about 14 feet high , except tho lecture theatre , which is 18 feet high . Two objects have been kept prominently in view . 1 st . To provide fire-proof staircases at each end of every corridor ; and 2 nd , To admit the children to the bath-rooms without going across the corridors .

Of the warming and ventilation and the construction of the staircases we will speak hereafter . The alteration of existing buildings consist , after the removal of some old latrines and other buildings , of a new kitchen , 40 X 21 , with open roof ( in close proximity of tho

dining-room ) , with scullery , larders , store , and receivingroom . House dining-room . Tho conversion of the old dining-room into a music-room , fitted up with 24 glass cubicles . Tho Alexandra Hall , formerly used as class-room , recreation-room , & c , into a dining hall . Tho old kitclien

is now the cooking school . One of the old dormitories has been lengthened , and new lavatories aud bath-rooms erected in juxtaposition . Some of the old class-rooms

have been converted into needlework-room , library , cloakrooms , & c . Small staircases have been removed , and larger and additional ones erected , so that every dormitory should have two staircases for escape in case of fire .

Before we leavo this part of the building , we must not omit to say that the kitchen fittings—both gas and steam and open range—have been carried out by Messrs . Wilson and Son , of King William-street , Strand . By the conversion of the Alexandra Hall into a

diningroom , a new hall became a necessity , particularly as the Alexandra Hall was inadequate for meetings of the whole school for calisthenic exercises and general meetings . It was therefore determined that the design for the new

buildings should contain a largo hall , partly to commemorate the Centenary of the School , and a memorial to Chevalier Ruspini , the founder in 1788 , and to serve as a hall for calisthenic exerciser , recreations and meetings of friends and children on prize and other days .

The Centenary Hall is 104 i ' eeb long and 40 feet wide , and rises to a height of 50 feet to tho highosfc point of the ceiling . It is lighted by threa windows at the end and seven on each side ; the sills of the windows are ' 22 feet from the grouud , at which point a string course runs .

Completely round the hall , below the string , the walls are arcaded , and a wall is bnilt between the extreme points of the buttresses , thus leaving seven deep recessed alcoves on

both sides of the hall ; as these alcoves would have been too high , floors have been inserted and tbe buttresses perforated , thus forming a gallery and ambulatory round the hall .

The roof the hall takes tho fcrm of two coves and an elliptical centre , the construction being of iron , from a design by Mr . H . G . Huxley , C . E ., and when it was visible seemed a marvel of lightness ; it is now cased with an enriched fibrous plaster ceiling , with wooden ribs .

The floor is of oak , of Ebner's patent , whereby comparatively thin wood is dovetailed on to the concrete by a mastic preparation . The walls of the hall , to a length of 12 feet , together with the alcoves , are lined with teak panelling , and the projecting balconettes of the several

openings in the gallery has a most pleasing and rich effect . The Minstrels' Gallery at one end of the hall contains a finely carved Royal Coat-of-Arms , this , together with shields around the hall , are illuminated in colour . The

teak wall framings have been executed by Mr . Thos . Gibbons , of Dunmovv , Essex . The whole of the windows are filled with stained glass , executed by Mr . Ed . Frampton , of 110 Backingham-palace-road , and are all gifts from various Lodges .

The architecture may be said to be in the transition period between the late Tudor and Elizabethan . The front contains a fine statue of Chevalier Ruspini , executed by Mr . E . Eoscoe Mullins .