The Coming Boys' Festival.

THE COMING BOYS' FESTIVAL .

OUR readers are reminded that the Eighty-fifth Anniversary Festival in aid of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , at Wood Green , will be held on Wednesday , the 20 th inst ., at the Crystal Palace , under the presidency of Bro . the Right Hon . Viscount Holmesdale , R . W . Prov .

Grand Master of Kent . This will be unquestionably the Festival of the year , and consequently no apology is needed for bringing it once more under the special notice of the brethren , seeing that we are on the eve of a gathering which is looked forward to with more than ordinary

interest , not merel y in London , but throughout the Provinces . It will be recollected that in consequence of the great demand upon the resources of the Institution , it was decided some time ago to inaugurate a Preparatory School , and this movement ha ^ been taken up by the Craft with

a spirit such as could scarcely have been anticipated . But now , as the strain upon the executive of the Festival will be exceptionally severe , and to make everything as clear as possible , we may briefly recapitulate the instructions which have been issued to those whose intention it is to be

present , and which , if followed out in the spirit which invariably characterises an assemblage of Masons , cannot fail to reduce the labour and anxiety of the executive to a minimum , but will tend materially to secure the thorough and complete enjoyment of all present . We

are of opinion that the Board of Stewards displayed trne wisdom in selecting the Crystal Palace for the great Festival of the year , in preference to the other localities suggested . There are many obvious reasons why the gathering should not take place at the Institution , at Wood

Green , itself , inasmuch as many of the brethren would have to go considerably out of their way to reach the spot , and disadvantages respecting culinary and other arrangements presented whieh at once induced the Board to vote almost unanimousl y against the proposal . A much larger

number of the Stewards were in favour of Brighton , though the unwisdom of holding what has always been a moveable Festival at the same place in three successive years , was apparent , and thus that proposal was also finally abandoned . The two other localitiesindicated were the Crystal Palace and

St . James ' s Hall , and it was in the choice between these places that the greatest amount of contention arose . But although there may be much to be said in favour of the luxurious establishment in Piccadilly , it must be admitted that on a hot June evening , such as we have of late

experienced , the idea of a banquet indoors is rather a serious one , and one might well be pardoned for expressing a preference for such semi-open air advantages as the Palace at Sydenham affords . So the Board evidently thought , for on the final voting 114 ruled in favour of the Crystal

Palace against 86 for St . James's Hall . It has been mentioned that the large saloon , with the adjacent ante-rooms and corridors , will accommodate 680 persons , and we fully antici pate that there will be very few vacant chairs on the occasion . The grand saloons and summer dining rooms

situated in the railway corridor , leading from the station of the London , Brighton , and South Coast Railway , with ladies' toilette and withdrawing rooms above , the whole overlooking the Palace grounds , will be exclusively reserved for the Festival , and every arrangement , down to the minutest detail , has been made to secure the thorough

The Coming Boys' Festival.

enjoyment and pleasure of those who shall be present . Ample regulations have been laid down for the guidance of Stewards and their friends , as to the tables at which they are to sit , so that there may be not the slightest chance of any hitch or confusion to mar the general

comfort . The Stewards , ladies , and brethren will meet in the enclosed corridor and balcony adjoining , and on the arrival of the Chairman , he will be received by the Officers of the Board , Special Stewards , and members of the

House Committee of the Institution , who will all enter the banquet room together , immediately the company have been seated by the Stewards to whom that duty has been entrusted . As this Festival is not in a strict

sense a Masonic one—inasmuch as ladies and non-Masons will be privileged to attend—although ostensibly and in reality held for a Masonic purpose , it is specially commanded that no Masonic clothing nor jewel shall be worn , a regulation which will of course be rigidly obeyed .

After the banquet light refreshments will be served throughout the evening , and with the attractions of the Handel Festival , combined with the ordinary means of recreation and enjoyment ever found in the Palace and its grounds , which are now in the height of their summer beauty , there

will be an abundance of resources at hand for variety and spending a completely pleasant day . We need scarcely here remind our brethren of the vast claims which the Institution has upon the liberality of the Craft , for by this time a majority of the lists have been made up , and we

trustfully anticipate that 'Brother Binckes will have the pleasurable duty of notifying the receipt of a substantial amount There are so many reasons that have been often descanted upon in these columns why a strenuous effort

should be made this year to uphold the hands of the executive that we expect a wholesome spirit has been put on by the Stewards who will be in their places on Wednesday next , and we trust that in looking forward to a rich , and abundant harvest of benevolence in favour of the Institution , nobody will be disappointed .

The Approaching Recess.

THE APPROACHING RECESS .

WHEN the "leafy month of June" sets in , and all those who have the time and means at their disposal are prone to quit for a season the oppressive City for the fresh fields and pastures new of the country , we look naturally for a corresponding cessation of the work

in our Lodges , and visions rise up of summer banquets and cosy pic-nic parties in which the gentle sex are enabled to sip some of the " mysteries and privileges of the Order . " Many of our Metropolitan Lodges have already

been prorogued for the recess , and have thus early laid the foundation for their summer arrangements , cozened into activity , no doubt , by the brilliant weather we have experienced during the past few weeks . However

assiduous and loyal to the cause upon which they have set their hearts our brethren may be , it is not in flesh and blood to submit to the oppressive and " stuffy " influences

of an indoor meeting , in the tropical season of the year , when bright skies , luxuriant meadows and refreshing breezes put in their competitive charms ; and it is no matter for surprise that on these delig htful summer even-