The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

MUCH has been said during the last few months as to the ultimate effect of the grand success of last year , in connection with the Centenary of this Institution , on the other Masonic Charities . As we have remarked on more than one occasion , it is

almost certain the splendid result announced by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master , at the time of the Centenary Festival , will have a most detrimental effect on the returns of both the Benevolent

Institution and the Boys' School for some time , but it is doubtful if either of them will suffer to so great an extent as the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Girls ' may itself be expected to do at its coming Festival .

True , it may be argued that after so splendid an achievement as that of last year the Girls' School can afford to wait for subscriptions and other financial sumoort . but on the other hand it must be

remembered that the immediate outcome of that success was a considerable extension of the work of the Institution , with an annual increase of the responsibility far beyond what could , be realised from any

surplus likely to remain of the Centenary donations . The Craft is immediately about to reap one of the advantages accruing from the Centenary donations , and this will nerhans act as an incentive to manv to

do more than they had previously intended , especially as it will show that something practical has resulted from last year ' s success , while at the same time it

must be at once apparent that the suggested extension will entail increased annual expenditure . The proposal is to admit an additional 20 girls at the

Election in April , the alterations and enlargement of the Junior School ( the first part of the Scheme adopted for celebrating the Centenary of the Institution ) being completed , and thus allowing of their reception . There is little doubt but that this proposal

will be agreed to , m which case the number of children receiving the benefits of the Institution will become 264 , as compared with 100 in December 1872 . It is only necessary to compare these figures , -and remember it is but a period of 16 years between the

two dates , to form a clear understanding of the rapid growth of this Institution , and the heavy responsibilities which have been assumed by the Masons of

the present generation . So far the Draft has nobly responded , year after year , to the appeals which are annually made for funds wherewith to carry on this great work , and we hope the day is far distant when any serious diminution will take place in the returns .

As we have already said , it is expected the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Girls will feel the full force of last year's success when it comes to celebrate its Festival this year . Of course it would be absurd to

estimate the result of the 101 st anniversary in comparison with that of the 100 th , but we may go further back and consider it in association with totals of

The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

previous years . Even if we do this , we anticipate that the Festival of the present year will compare most unfavourably , and that too in face of the large

increase which is proposed , and which there is every reason to believe will be carried out . We cannot , however , press brethren to take an excessive interest

in the Girls' School Festival of the present year , because so many worked for it last , and it is . but fair that the first attention should now be given to

the other Charities ; all we desire to do is to put the facts of the case before our readers , show them what is being done , and leave them to do as much as lies

in their power to maintain and advance the work in hand . It must be evident to all that 264 children cannot be maintained , clothed , and educated in the iurare oi estivai

merely on me reputation a grand r held in celebration of the Centenary of the Institution , more especially as the greater part of the special

increase of that celebration has already been devoted to extensions and improvements of the Institution itself . There are few of us but have had exnerience

of what alterations and improvements mean . It is one thing for an estimate to be made of the probable cost , and quite another , as a rule , to pay for it ,

while it is already anticipated that the sum originally set down for the proposed improvements will be

insufficient to settle their cost . This will entail a further drain on the surplus of last year , so that , one wav and another , there will be little left over n , nd — — ¦ - »

. . --j 7 - —— ____ above what may be described as current expenditure . Accordingly , the future must take care of itself , and

m this respect the present year is as much concerned as any of its successors . On this basis , then , we ask : the Craftsmen of England , to weigh in their minds ' il . . ? 1 •1-L— - * T— .. i : I .- ! — 1 1 1 A- J . 1- - nV' 1-. '»' oi ine uriris

_ me possi unity leniung a neipmg nana DO School without entrenching too far on what is recognised as the fair share of the companion Charity

—the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys . It is we are sure quite unnecessary for us to make , any lengthy remarks as to the way in which the work of the Girls' School is carried out . We do not claim

for its management that it is perfection itself , but we have past results to point to , and these justify us in saying that the system in vogue is as nearly perfect as it could be , and we believe this feeling of

satisfaction has no little share in securing for the Charity the , wide-spread and generous support it has hitherto enjoyed . While speaking on this point we have . a

matter to refer to which we know will meet •the , approval of our readers , and all friends of the Institu- tion , while it will afford special and increasing evidence of the truth of our present remarks . The result of

the Cambridge Local Jiixammation for 1888-9 has just been made known , and , as usual , the pupils sent

up to that examination from the Koyal Masonic Institution for Girls have nobly acquitted themselves . Out of 20 examined 18 passed , three of them with

honours . The total results of the present year in connection with this Institution may indeed be described as excellent , for out of the total of 204