Irish Charity.

IRISH CHARITY .

THE annual athletic sports took place on Saturday afternoon , 24 th ult ., at the Masonic Orphan Boys School , Richview , Clonskeagh , in splendid weather and in the presence of the largest assemblage of spectators which has

ever patronised these reunions . The physical drill displays were greatly admired , and the proficiency of the boys reflected much credit on their instructor . The prizes were distributed by Lady Meredith , wife of the Deputy G . M .

Bro . Oliver Fry Honorary Secretary of the School said they were deeply indebted to Lady Meredith for her presence there that day , and for the interest she had displayed in the School , and her presence was all the more gratifying on that

occasion as she was accompanied by the Deputy Grand Master Sir James Creed Meredith , who , they hoped , would long live as one of the heads of the Order , and to enjoy the title recently bestowed upon him .

The Deputy Grand Master , who was received with prolonged cheers , expressed his sincere thanks for the kind way they had received his wife and himself . He would like to say a few words on a subject of much importance to the School . The members of the Order had been called upon in

the last few months to provide funds for greater School accommodation . A few months ago the Brethren were asked to contribute £ 5 , 000 . There was yet a year and a half to run of the time to make up the amount , and they had already

received a promised subscription amounting to £ 4 , 243 . Having alluded to the successes of pupils of the School the speaker thanked Bro . Moore , the Head Master ; Mrs . Moore , the Matron ;¦ and Bro . Hamilton , the principal Assistant Master ; for the way in which they discharged their duties .

Birkbeck Building Society.

BIRKBECK BUILDING SOCIETY .

THE forty-eighth Annual Meeting of this Society was held last week , at the offices , 29 and 30 Southampton Buildings , Chancery Lane . The Report adopted states that during the financial year just closed the gross receipts have amounted to £ 17 , 857 , 629 , exceeding by more than one and a quarter million the gross receipts of all the Incorporated Building Societies in England and Wales , numbering 2 , 297 , as shown by the chief Registrar ' s Return , presented to Parliament on the 4 th April last .

The sum received on account of subscriptions during the year is £ 263 , 653 , and the amount withdrawn £ 218 , 280 , thus showing an increase of £ 45 , 373 for the year , and bringing up the total due to Investors to £ 934 , 269 . The amount of deposits received during the same period is £ 15 , 593 , 154 , and the sum withdrawn £ 14 , 933 , 292 , being an increase of £ 659 , 862 for the year ; the total increase of subscriptions and deposits together is therefore £ 705 , 393 . The total sum now standing to the credit of shareholders and depositors exceeds eleven millions—the exact figures beiDg £ 11 , 051 , 925—the highest on record .

The Investments , including £ 825 , 026 cash at Bankers , have been increased by nearly three-quarters of a million ( £ 740 , 144 ) , and the total now stands at . eleven and a half millions . Of this amount , upwards of two and a half millions ( £ 2 , 738 , 027 ) are inscribed in the Books of tbe Governor and Company of the Bank of England ; whilst the sum invested in Consols and other British Government Securities is £ 1 , 687 , 300 . The Balance of Assets in excess of liabilities is £ 466 , 893 , the whole of which is invested in Consols .

There has been a large accession of members during the year , numbering 3 . 12 S . In the Banking Department 2 , 241 Current Accounts and 7 , 072 Deposit Accounts have been opened , making altogether 12 , 441 new Accounts , being an average of 1 , 036 per month . The Register of Shareholders now contains the names of 14 , 626 members , and in addition there are 19 , 867 Current Accounts , and 54 , 579 Deposit Accounts , thus bringing up the total of members and Depositors to 89 , 072 , being the largest number on record . The shares in existence at the close of the year numbered 74 , 512 , —also the largest number yet attained .

Since its establishment the Society has returned to the Shareholders and Depositors over two hundred million pounds sterling ( £ 209 , 824 , 380 ) , the whole amount having been repaid upon demand . Tbe amount advanced to Borrowers has been £ 3 , 863 , 335 , the amount of Interest and Bonus paid to Investors and Depositors is upwards of three millions sterling , the exact figures being £ 3 , 598 , 633 and the Invested Funds now exceed eleven and a half millions sterling ( £ 11 , 518 , 810 ) .

THE famous art publishers , Messrs . Raphael Tuck and Sons , Limited , have removed into the handsome new premises erected by the firm , Raphael House , Moorfields ( adjoining Moorgate Street Station ) . The inaugural ceremony took place on the 6 th inst ., when the revered founder of the business , Mr . Raphael Tuck , who is verging on eighty years of age , opened the building in person , and received some 1 , 200 friends of the firm from all parts of the United Kingdom , the Continent , the United States of America ,

and the Colonies . Needless to say the artistic proclivities of the firm have been freely exercised in the designing and decoration of the new premises , as an illustrated descriptive pamphlet issued in commemoration of the opening amply demonstrates . We congratulate the firm on the reputation they have gained during the eighteen years they occupied their old premises , and hope that the same good fortune may attend them in their new home . As " only the best is good enough " will continue to be the settled policy in Raphae House there is every prospect that such may be the case .

THE new volume of "Cassell ' s Magazine , " commenced with the June part , promises to be as good as any of the many which have preceded it in the career of this popular monthly . A new serialstory by Guy Boothby , " A Maker of Nation ' s , " commenced in June , is continued this month ; o ' ther features of the part being six complete stories , continuations of interesting papers , and a profusion of photographic and other illustrations .

New Corridor Trains On The Midland Railway.

NEW CORRIDOR TRAINS ON THE MIDLAND RAILWAY .

THIS is an age of luxurious travel . Every year sees some fresh development in the rolling stock on the trunk lines competing for the immense traffic which daily increases from the south and west of England to Edinburgh , Glasgow and other Scottish centres . The Midland—always to the front as pioneers in all movements which tend to the well-being and comfort of its numerous patrons—is again making sweeping changes in the class of

carriage which has done duty between St , Pancras and the north . ' They have just placed on the road four new trains composed of corridor coaches of the latest type , replete with every comfort , artistic in design , and furnished throughout in the most liberal and ornate manner . The first of these new trains leaves St . Pancras for Edinburgh at 10 . 35 a . m ., the afternoon 2 . 10 express running direct from London to Glasgow . The trains from the north leave Edinburgh at 10 . 5 a . m ., and Glasgow 1 . 30 p . m . respectively . Judged

from the exterior , the new stock resembles very much the type of carriage which the Company are now running on their most important trains . For sometime the shops at Derby had been turniug out coaches with raised roofs , which give the carriages an imposing look , aud provide more air space than was formerly to be obtained in a compartment built on the old plan . In consequence of this enlargement more window space has been made possible , and consequently the passenger reaps the buiiefio of greater light and freer air

—both very desirable adjuncts to comfort on a long journey . The new corridor carriages are built on two different plaus . Those intended for dining purposes have the passage through the centre , in the others the corridor runs down the side . They are alt uniform in height , with clerestory roofthe covered gangway between each carriage permitting of a promenade from end to end of the train . The framework is composed of oak , with mahogany panellings . The first-class corridor carriage is divided into compartments

holding four persons , two on each side ; whilst the third-class is so arranged that six people may be easily accommodated . Tho interior furnishings for both are all that artistic skill can accomplish . The first is tastefully trimmed in blue cloth with walnut gold lining , and gilded Lincrusta Walton ceiling . The upholstering of the third , if not quite so sumptuous , is none the less comfortable . The seating is covered with a pretty figured pattern in moquette repp , with mahogany cabinet fittings and plain Lincrusta Walton ceiling . The lighting arrangement is gas , with lamps running down the corridor

gangway , as well as inside each compartment . The passage is lined with a thick through tiled pattern of linoleum , and the floors of each compartment are fitted with the same material . Immediately under the hat rack photographs of the Company ' s chief holiday resorts have been let in , and these add greatly to the finish and completeness of the whole . The carriages contain lavatory accommodation at either end . Electric bells are fitted throughout , which connect with the attendant ; and if necessary tables can be fixed to permit of dining , apart from the carriages built for this special purpose .

The dining coaches , as already mentioned , have the passage running down the centre . That for first-class passengers is arranged in compartments to seat four persons , two on each side of the gangway . The interior furnishings are elaborate and costly . The seats , upholstered in red morocco or buffalo hide , are built low to ensure comfort , and so arranged that they can be pulled forward to make them take the form of a lounge chair . This is a capital idea , and one that v / ill be appreciated after dining . By this

arrangement the passenger will have no difficulty in composing himself for " forty winks . " The framework for the first-class is composed of figured Italian burnished walnut wood , with carved panels and gold mountings , and the ceiling is Lincrusta Walton , with gilt relief figure work . The red morocco , combined with the rich colour of the walnut wood , and the white and gold for the roof , furnish pretty and artistic contrasts . Tho cosiness of each compartment is assured by doorways composed of carved woodwork and

plate-glass . The " third diner " is arranged for two seats on one side of the train and one down the other , i . e ., six in each compartment , and coincides very much with the superior class just described . The only distinction is in the matter of upholstering , and perhaps a shade less room . No fault , however , can be found with the space set apart for each individual . All the carriages from end to end contain plenty of air space , and the lighting and heating arrangements are of the most modern description . Automatic

vacuum passenger communication has been established right through the train In cold weather Messrs . Johnson and Clayton ' s system of hot water heating will be used . It is estimated that the weight of each train will be fully 200 tons , irrespective of the engine . The kitchen , for cooking purposes , comes in the centre of the cars , and is fitted with tbe latest culinary appliances . It

contains large gas stove , with hot-water boilers , & c . The pantry is arranged in different compartments for knives and forks , silver , wines and spirits , plates , and other articles required to complete the composition of either luncheon or dinner . The new stock has been built in the Company ' s works , under the supervision of Mr . Clayton , the superintendent of the carriage department , who has been ably assisted in this work by Mr . T . P . Osborne .

From the foregoing particulars it will be gathered that the Company have spared neither pains nor expense to ensure a comfortable journey to the traveller who patronises the " middle course " to the north ; and strengthen , if such be necessary , the proud claim of the Company to the " Most Interesting Route " between England and Scotland . What they do for him in the way of feeding deserves more than passing mention .

Shaftesbury . —The fascinating " Belle of New York" celebrated her fifth century of consecutive performances on Tuesday , and still looks as young and as fresh as ever . Our American cousins have no cause to complain of lack . of appreciation , and it really seems to be a question as to who will be tired first . A few changes have taken place in the company , but we have still Miss Edna May to charm us with her quaint style , Miss Ella Snyder , Mr . Frank Lawton , with new bone solo , and Mr . J . E . Sullivan . Among tbe new comers are Mdlle . Proto , Merri Osborne , and Miss Hattie Moore , all of whom are pleasant acquisitions .

Bro . Charles Wyndham announces his last appearance at the Criterion Theatre , with which he has been associated for nearly a quarter of a century , for 21 st inst ., upon which occasion the appropriate comedy " Rosemary" — " that ' s for remembrance " —will be specially revived , and the entire proceeds will be devoted , to charitable purposes , " in grateful recognition of public favour during so long a period . " The booking has been enormous , and there

is no question of the result . Lord Rothschild has sent £ 50 for a box , several stalls have been secured at five guineas apiece , and other large amounts have been offered for dress circle seats . All the artistes have given their services , and the entire proceeds , free from any deductions , will be handed to the Prince of Wales' Hospital Fund . Would not the occasion be a fitting time to announce our respected Brother as Sir Charles Wyndham ?