The Craft And The Jubilee.

THE CRAFT AND THE JUBILEE .

WE give below copy of a letter issued from the Grand Lodge of England , in which H . E . H . the Prince of Wales announces to the Graft the way in which he proposes to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty ' s reign .

The letter explains itself , and it is accordingly unnecessary for us to enter into details , but we cannot omit a passing reference to the spirit of true benevolence that marks the Grand Master ' s project .

Experience has shown that admission to such gatherings as the one arranged for the 14 th June at the Albert Hall is eagerly sought by members of the Graft , and accordingly the charge of one guinea for each ticket becomes the means of

raising a large sum for whatever purpose it may be devoted to , while it is in no sense a tax upon the Graft , inasmuch as it is quite optional as to whether a Lodge takes tickets or not . As a matter of fact it may be expected that the five tickets

allotted to each Lodge will be eagerly taken up , and a handsome sum will , as a result , be available for disposal in the' cause of Charity . On this occasion tbe Grand Master has decided to devote

half the proceeds to the three great Charities of the Craft , and the other half to the Prince of Wales Hospital Fund , which is thus assured a handsome addition to the already large amounts contributed in ono direction and another by the Masons of England .

Now that the Hospital Fund is , in a manner of speaking , officially before the Craft , wa may briefly summarise the desires of our Grand Master in this direction . The Prince of Wales ' s

wish is to raise such a sum as shall assure a permanent income of £ 100 , 000 per annum , to be devoted to the Hospitals of the metropolis , and to do this it is of course very much desired that individuals and public bodies should promise

annual subscriptions , as failing them it would be necessary to capitalise at least three millions of money in order to produce the hoped for income . Happily the Prince ' s appeal has been warmly responded to , but much yet remains to be done , so

that the , anticipated contribution from the Albert Hall Fund will be very acceptable , especially if , as is most likely to be the case , it is supplemented by separate contributions from those Lodges that have not yet subscribed anything to the Eund .

If we may make a suggestion we would propose that those Lodges where there is a great demand for the five allotted tickets should put all or some of them up to auction , and contribute the difference between their cost and the sum

realised direct to the ^ Hospital Fund . This proposal may not meet the hearty approval of some of our more circumspect Brethren , but all is fair in love , and it seems to us that a sale of the tickets to the highest bidder is probably the best

possible means of deciding who shall enjoy the privilege of attending . We well know that many more will be anxious to take part in the unique celebration than can possibly be accommodated , and why not take advantage of this fact and

The Craft And The Jubilee.

utilise it on behalf of the project the Grand Master of England takes so much interest in ? [ COPY ] United Grand Lodge of England , Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen St ., London , W . C . 3 rd May 1897 .

WOBSHIPFUL MASTEP ., —I have received the commands of the Most Worshipful Grand Master to acquaint you that , with the view of enabling the Members of the Craft to give expression to their feelings of loyalty and devotion towards Her Majesty the Queen , on the approaching Celebration of her long and glorious

reign , His Eoyal Highness the Grand Master has graciously consented to preside over a great representative Meeting of English Freemasons to be held at the Royal Albert Hall , on Monday , the 14 th June , at four o ' clock , when a loyal and dutiful address of congratulation to Her Majesty on the auspicious event will be proposed .

It has been decided that , following the precedent of the celebration of Her Majesty ' s Jubilee in 1887 , the fee for the ticket of admission shall be one guinea , one half of the sum so raised going to the three Masonic Charities , and the other half to that truly Masonic object , " The Prince of Wales' Hospital Fund . "

As the accommodation in the Eoyal Albert Hall will not permit more than five Brethren being present from each Lodge , it is requested that you will inform me , before the 20 bh May instant , what number of tickets , not exceeding that number , you will require for the members of your Lodge , accompanied by a remittance of one guinea for each .

In the event of any Lodges desiring to be furnished with more than five tickets , it would be advisable if such Lodges-were to state what extra number they may wish for , so that in case there should be a surplus by reason of any Lodges not requiring their full number , such surplus may be distributed " pro rata . "

I am further authorised to announce to you that the Most Worshipful Grand Master has approved of a special Jewel being worn by every Freemason being a subscribing member of a Lodge under the Grand Lodge of England on the 20 th June 1897 , when Her Majesty will complete the 60 th year of her accession to the Throne of these realms .

In conclusion I am to state that the Most Worshipful Grand Master is of opinion that the address of congratulation to be voted to Her Majesty at this Meeting in London , should be considered as emanating form the entire body of English

Freemasons , and Chat local addresses will therefore be unnecessary and inexpedient . I remain , Worshipful Master , Yours fraternally , E . LETCHWORTH , Grand Secretary .

The Boys Festival.

THE BOYS FESTIVAL .

THE first meeting of the Board of Stewards for the ninetyninth Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys was held yesterday ( Friday ) , when it was decided to hold the Festival at the Hotel Cecil , Strand , the

date fixed being the 30 th June next , when the Right Hon . Lord Henry Cavendish Bentinek , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master for Cumberland and Westmorland will preside . The Officers of the Board of Stewards were elected , and other preliminary business disposed of .

The visit of Stewards , distribution of prizes to the pupils , & c , is arranged for the day proceeding the Festival—Tuesday , 29 th June . Lady Henry Cavendish Bentinek has kindly promised to be present , and distribute the different awards .