Mark Benevolent Fund.

Dungarvan , Lord rortarhngton , uol . A . J 5 . ( Jook , Dr . Balfour Cockburn , Dr . Turtle Pigott , R . Clowes , C . F . Matier , and Bro . Tamburini . The Earl of Euston , responding to the toast of tbe Pro G . M ., ilc , said it was always a pleasure to the Grand Officers when their health was received ia the kind and

fraternal manner in which the toasfc had been received that evening . It showed that the Brethren had confidence in them . They wero placed in a position of authority , and the Brethren might trust them to do their best for the good and prosperity of the Order . He could assure

them again that where their services were required every one of the Grand Officers standing up with him would be ready to go . The present Grand Officers he would answer for , the past he had had experience of . For three years as Depufcy Grand Master , and two years as

Pro Grand Master he had never found one fail him . He then proposed the health of the Chairman , the Earl of Yarborough , who had not gone long into Masonry , bufc who had proved by his work that he would go on and

bo nofc an ornamental , but a valuable head m Masonry . He was Provincial Grand Master for Lincolnshire . He would couple with the toast the name of the Countess of Yarborough , aud long might they both live and mighfc happiness attend them .

The Earl of Yarborough , in reply , said when he was invited to take the chair at this dinner he accepted the invitation wifch some hesitation , nofc from any want of interest in the Institution , bnt he felt there were Masons of longer standing than himself who could have filled the

chair wifch greater credit and distinction . He had been supported throughout by fche Brethren , more especially by his own Province of Lincolnshire , and he was sure ifc never fell to fche lot of any Provincial Grand Master to be better supported by his Province . He would take

this opportunity of expressing his thanks to those Brethren who had come up from Lincolnshire to support him at this Festival . He would now propose the toasfc of fche evening , the Mark Benevolent Fund , but ifc was necessary for him to say only a very few words upon

the toast , because the fact of so many Ladies and Brethren attending was a proof of the interest taken in fche Institution . Putting ifc shortly , there were three distinct funds—one for giving annuities to necessitous Brethren and their Widows—to the men £ 26 a year ,

aud fco the women £ 21 . Another division of the Fund was for educating children , and a third for granting assistance . Tho amount received afc these annual Festivals was divided between these three branches . He could nofc say what the amount would be this year ,

he had some idea it might not be very encouraging , and he did not propose to reveal it . Lasfc year , when Col . Money presided , thero was a considerable increase on former years , and ifc was hardly to be expected they would to-night realise so largo a sum , particularly from

his own Province , as in tho Eastern counties agricultural depression hacl made considerable havoc . There wor , e other causes likely to affect the Institution . However , he hoped the sum would be a creditable one ,

and a proof of the interest taken by Mark Masons in this Fund throughout England . Bro . C . F . Matier Grand Secretary then announced tho subscriptions brought in by 164 Stewards , including thirteen Lady Stewards . The total amount was £ 1 , 894 .

Viscount Dungarvan proposed tho Ladies , and hoped thoy were satisfied with tho hospitality they had received . Lord Portarliugtou acknowledged the toast , and said the Ladies would be glad to come again ; they wanted to know all about the pretty clothes the Brethren were

wearing . The Earl of Yarborough proposed the Stewards , informing the Brethren that nothing could have been better organised than the dinner . Dr . Stewart Brown responded . On behalf of the

Ladies he might say they were extremely pleased to be Stewards at this Festival , and to subscribe to fche Fund , because they knew that as far as the educational branch went the money was paid directly for the education of

children under their mother ' s wings . He was pleased to think that the Board of Stewards was so numerous . They regretted the subscriptions were not larger , but the Stewards had done their best . Dr . Cannichael , from America , responded to fche toast

Mark Benevolent Fund.

of the Visitors , which was proposed by the Earl of Euston . From the bottom of his heart he thanked the Brethren for the very warm and kind reception they had given him . He had learned from his short stay in London

that Brotherly Love among English Masons was a reality and nofc a sham . Also he learned to-night , thafc relief among English Masons , and especially among Mark Masons , was very greatly honoured . They had had a

proof of the power for good in distributing Charity in a wide and proper way—thafc Mark Masonry had been in the past , and that it would be in a still greater degree in the future , a medium of assisting the distressed . In

America they did not come near tho British in the good work of Philanthropic Benevolence . He hoped he might tell his American Brethren what the Mark Masters of England had done in Charity .

A charming concert under the direction of Bro . Fred Bevan Grand Organist followed .

Further particulars are now obtainable , says the " Manchester Courier , " as fco the proposed Lodge in London for Lancashire men . In the first place the

name will be changed from " The Red Rose of Lancaster " to tho " Lancastrian , " in consequence of the prior existence of a Lodge bearing the same name as that selected . Secondly , a number of prominent Lancashire

men have expressed their intention of becoming founders in addition to Lord Lathom . They include Mr . Tomlinson , M . P ., Mr . R . J . Railton , Mr . J . R . Railton , Mr . Gain ( the late town Clerk of Blackburn and present

Secretary of the National Telephone Company ) , and Mr . Joseph Lawrence ( the Managing Director of the Linotype Company ) . A meeting was to be held on Tuesday , the 10 th , for the nomination of Officers . Thus the Lodge

may be considered fairly established . o o o On Sunday , 24 th ult ., a special service for the Craffc was held at Bromley Parish Church in aid of the City of London Hospital for Diseases of the Chest . Many

visitors were unable to find standing room , so crowded was the old edifice , says the " East ; London Advertiser . " Archdeacon Sinclair preached an effective sermon , and every Lodge in the district was represented . The vicar

of the parish , the Rev . J . Parry , M . A ., who succeeded the late Prebendary How , was the author of the idea , he being a newly-initiated Mason .

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LONDON , CHATHAM , * DOVER RAILWAY . SHORTEST and MOST DIRECT ROUTE to RAMSGATE , MARGATE , Broadstairs , Westgate-on-Soa , Birchingtou-on-Sea , Herno Bay , and Whitstable , by CHEAP FAST TRAINS , daily ( except Sunday ) . A B I A i Sat . only , a . m . a . m . a . m . | p . m . p . m . Leave Victoria 9 45 10 10 11 30 ( 5 15 2 5 Leavo Holborn Viaduct ... 9 40 10 2 , 1125 : 540 2 0 Leave St . Paul's 9 42 10 5 j 11281 5 43 2 3 A To Herne Bay , Westgate , Margate , Broadstairs , and Ramsgate . B To Whitstable and Birchington . FARES : To Birchington , Westgate , Margate , Broadstairs , and Ramsgate : — Single—1 cl ., 10 s . ; 3 cl ., 5 s . | Return—1 cl ., 15 s . ; 3 cl ., Ss . FAISES : To Whitstable and Herne Bay : — Single—1 cl ., 10 s . ; 3 cl ., 5 s . | Return—1 cl ., 14 s . ; 3 cl ., 7 s . Return Tickets are available for the Return journey on tho same or following day , by any Train except the Granville Express , by which Excess Fares will be charged ; and those issued on Friday or Saturday are available on the following Monday .

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CHEAP TRIP EVERY SUNDAY , to RAMSGATE , MARGATE , BROADSTAIRS , HERNE BAY , BIRCHINGTON , WHITSTABLE , CANTERBURY , DEAL , and DOVER , and back the same evening . Leave Holborn Viaduct , St . Paul ' s , and Victoria Stations at 8 . 0 a . m . Fares for the double journey , Third class , 4 s . ; First class , 8 s .

Ad00804

A CHEAP EXCURSION every MONDAY from LONDON to the SEASIDE , leaving Holborn Viaduct at 8 . 25 a . m ., Victoria 8 . 30 , St . Paul ' s ( City Station , Queen Victoria Street ) 8 . 23 a . m . Fares there and back ( third class ) , to Whitstable and Herne Bay , 3 s . ; to Margate , Broadstairs , Ramsgate , Canterbury , Deal , and Dover , 4 s . Returning came day only by Special Train . ' '