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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
bright and joyous one . The fickle goddess who has lately been sending us one day a glimpse of sunshine , and the next a scowl of wind aud snow , broke into the most benignant smiles ; and if Bro . Hedges had made a special contract with the clerk of the weather , that erratic individual could scarcely have been more propitious . It was the first day of reat spring weather , and as the sun shone gloriously
over tho meadows which surround our noble Masonic pile whilst the company of invited guests were arriving in groups aud dispersing themselves about the extensive grounds , the scene was picturesque and beautiful in the extreme . Our two hundred little girls , in their neat blue dresses and white pinafores , were tho objects of loving regard as they stood in clusters , modestly awaiting the signal for their
assembling in tho large hall . Stewards wore as fussy as you please , evincing quite a fatherly interest in tho little charges whom , perhaps , they had some interest in gotting elected ; whilst the ladies wero no less eagor to show their solicitude for the comfort of tho little ones who had been gathered under the friendly wing of onr excellent Institution . The gates had been thrown open at half-past three o ' clock , and for upwards of an hour there was quite a prooession of visitors
through this pretty suburban retreat ; until wo should say between three and four hundred ladies and gentlemen , who had been fortunate enough to secure tickets , had congregated within the building . Some little time was occupied , of course , in an inspection of the interior of tho Institution ; and many were tho exclamations of surprise and pleasure we heard from the lady visitors as to tho exquisite cleanliness of the place , and the care which is evidently taken with the girls to train them in habits of tidinoss and order . We havo often heard the
remark , by those who do not thoroughly understand tho system practised at tho School , that these recipients of Masonic bonefits are brought up " like littlo ladies . " Whether such an observation emanates from a begrudging or envious spirit we do not know ; but let any fastidious person who has but a vague idea of the School pay a visit and see for himself or herself . Whilst
giving them the very best education possible , and placing within their reach advantages which they could not possibly have secured , very likely , if they had not been so circumstanced as to need the help of tho Craft , tho greatest care is taken to make them expert in needlowork and in all the domestic duties of the house ; so that when a girl loaves this establishment , at the age of sixteen , she is by
no means the dainty , mittoned boarding-school miss that some would paint her , but a woll-edncated , accomplished girl , oapable equally of playing a sonata from Beethoven , cooking a dinner , or making a shirt . It is not so much onr duty on this occasion , however , to point out the practical advantages of this magnificent home—which must be
well known by this timo to every member of the Craft—as it is to describe the merry-makings which set the place alive from basement to roof ou Monday afternoon . In tho first place , there was a general mustering of friends in the Assembly Hall , in tbe centre of which there was an enclosed hexagon formed by the pianofortes on which the pupils wore to givo ovidonco of their skill and training ;
and on either side of this wore seats for tho visitors , who filed in rapidly , nntil the spacious and handsome apartment was completely filled . In a line with tho dais the girls ocoupied the seats allotted to them , and no one could fail to be struck with pleasure at tho healthy , happy-looking littlo company as they awaited with agreeable anticipation beaming on their countenances the commencement of tho
programme . The younger children occupied seats in tho gallery , and wero evidently as anxious to participate iu the ceremonies of tho afternoon as were tho seniors with whom they were exchanging smiling glances . Precisely at four o ' clock there was a rustle amongst the "busy fans" of the lady guests as Bro . Lieut .-Colonel Creaton , W . Grand Treasurer of England , and Treasurer and Trustee of tho
Institution , stopped on to the dais and was hailed with applause as the president of the day . lie was supported by several members of the House Committee , including Bros . Henry A . Dubois , Edward Letchworth , Edmund C . Mather , John A . Rucker , Griffiths Smith , and Alfred H . Tattershall ; ltev . W . A . Mills Ellison Hon . Chaplain ,
Major Williams , F . 11 . W . Hodges Secretary , Jabez Hogg P . G . D ., the Baron de Ferrieres , C . Bnrke D . G . M . of Jamaica , J . Terry Secretary R . M . B . I ., J . H . Sonthwood , aud Edward Cox . The children having sung a chant from Psalm cl ., the audience resumed their seats , and the subjoined programme was gone through with unfaltering precision , eliciting unbounded expressions of appreciation : —
Dnet— " Hallelujah Chorus "—Handel—24 hands . Anthom— " God is a Spirit "—Sterndale Bennett . Trio ( Little Girls )— "Airs Suisses "—36 hands . Recitation— " Tho Spider aud tho Fly "—Mary Howitfc—Alico Vf Cecil and Mary A . Johnson . Solo ( Littlo Girls)— " Batti ! Batti !"—Mozart—12 hands .
Eecitation— " John Gilpin "—Cowper—Colina Sharp . Duet ( Little Girls )— " Don Giovanni "—Mozart— 24 hands . Recitation—" Athalie , Acto It ., Swine VII . "—llacine—Annie Patti son , Eiiza Beveridgo , and Frances E . Gardner . Solo— "Andante and Minuet "—Mozart—12 hands . Recitation— " Tho May Quean "—Tennyson—Edwina R . Jones .
Soio— " Pollacca Brillanto "—Weber—12 hands . Recitation— " Liobosprobo" —Frances E . Gardner . Duct— " Symphonie XV . "—Haydn—24 hands . Recitation— "Antony ' s Oration over Cecsar ' s Body " —Shakspeave—Edith M . Nash . Solo— "Fantaisic in F . Sharp Minor "—Mendelssohn—Melora F Goodridgc .
Tho mnsical selections were given with an evenness and precision that gave evidence of mos-, judicious and efficient training , and , althongh some of the pieces wore by no means easy , they were manipulated in a manner tlu . t must have proved a treat to tho lovers of really good classical musi ; who were present . Equally interesting were the recitatious , as exemplifying the intelligent apprehension of the pupils , and where all vva , so excellent and pleasing it would be invidious to siDgle out any for especial praise . Each girl as she
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
topped forward to take her part in tho entertainment was warmly applauded , and the whole of the items on the programme were rendered in a manner such as evidently gave the ntmost satis , faction . The novelty of the day , and which , we believe , is pecaliar to these events , was the performance on six pianos at one time , by two and three little pairs of hands at each . The effect was exquisitely
sweet , and the precision with which the pieces wero played was most remarkable . Lieut .-Col . Creaton then rose and said : —After the excellent entertainment we havo just had , I cannot allow the opportunity to pass without thanking Miss Davis , to whom we owe so much . It ia entirely to her exertions that the efficiency of this School , and the
high state of perfection it has reached , is due ; and I ask you to join me in thanking Miss Davis for her able exertions . I trust that her most valuable services will be secured to U 3 for many years to come . The Chairman ' s observations were rocoived with loud applause . The prizes were then distributed amongst the successful candidates by Lieut .-Col . Creaton , who addressed a few suitable words of
encouragement and advice to each . Heading the list for geaeral proficiency , carrying away the gold medal and several valuable prizes , was fair-haired little Frances Elizabeth Gardner , of Stocktonon-Tees , who was warmly applauded as she appeared timo after time and received her awards of merit . The silver medal for good conduct
and one or two other pnzes were taken by Dora Cressy Bowles , and the prizes for proficiency were taken by Ellen Cates , of London , Alice Thornbury , Lotitia Whalley , of Louth , and Helena Meacock , of Birkenhead . These were the special prizes given annually by Bro . William Winn . The following were the awards : —
Prizes given annually by tho Institution : — For Passing Cambridge Examination . —Class II .: Honours : — Frances Elizabeth Gardner . Class III .: Honours : —Ellen A . Cates , Alico M . Thornbury , Lotitia D . Whalley , Dora C . Bowles , and Helena Meacock . For passing satisfactorily : —Elizabeth Roberts , Annia Pattison , Catherine Emery , Eliza Beveridge , Edith M . Nash , Beatrice
M . Wray , and Dora M . Jennings . Music : —Melora F . Goodridge , Agnes Barron , Ethel Hinson , Lilly Bellamy , and Violet H . Lang ( among the littlo Girls ) . French ( Recitation ) : —Annie M . Pattison . Calisthenics and Deportment : —Dora C . Bowles . Drawing : —Beatrice M . Wray , Dora C . Bowles , Charlotte White , and Bessie L . Morris . General Usefulness : —Eliza Johnson and Louisa M . Taylor .
Needlework : —Florence Faithful and Ellen Harryman . Machine Work : — Mary Annie Hartness and Kate Briggs . Order and Attention : — Florence Hill and Edith Potts ( among tho little Girls ) . Class II . —Margaret W . Allison , General Proficiency ; Ethel Ida Seaton , Perseverance ; Laura Stransom , Good Conduct . Class III . —Edith E . Daly , General Proficiency ; Fanny G . Osborne
General Improvement ; Mabel Saufovd , Perseverance . Class IV . —Mary A . Johnson , General Proficiency ; Mary S . Norrish , Perseverance ; Alice Boyd and Annie Scott , Writing , Class V . — Lucretia Wilton , General Improvement ; Matilda Hothersall , Perseverance . Class VI . —Evoline E . Pclham , Perseverance . By Bro . Joshua Nunn , for Fancy Work : —Edith M . Patten .
By Bro . tbe Rev . Dr . P . H . Ernest Brotte , for French : —Eliza Boveridgo . By Mrs . Crick , for Elocution : —Edith Mary Nash , Edwina Russell Jones , and Colina Sharp . By Bro . John M . Clabon , for Religions Knowledge , as distinguished at the Cambridge Examination : —Frances Elizabeth Gardner . By Bro . John M . Clabon for Good Conduct : —Elizabeth Roberts and Florence M . Hart .
By Bro . Collard Montrie , for Music : —Graco Colvill . By Bro . Louis Hirsch , for German : —Frances Elizabeth Gardner . By Mrs . Hirsch , for Music : —Louisa Christine Oates . The St . James "Tates Memorial Prize" ( per St . James Lodge No . 482 ) , for Proficiency in Domestic Duties ( Cookery ) : —Mary A . Chapman . From the Supreme Council of tho 33 rd Degree , for Good Conduct : —Edith M . Patten .
By Bro . John Faulkner , for Zoology , as distinguished at the Cambridge Examination ; and Three Guineas given by the Lodge of Prudent Brethren , in memory of the late Bro . John Boyd , a member of the House Committee : —Frances Elizabeth Gardner . By Bro . Charles White , for Proficiency ( Lower First Class ) s—Fanny Ashby and Alice M . Newboult .
After tho distribution of the prizes , the Chairman said , —I havo had very great pleasure in distributing these awards to the children who have earned them so well . I congratulate them very sincerely , and I trust that those who have not received prizes to-day may exert themselves , and endeavour to do better next year . At all events , the successful candidates who havo como before me to-day are the
recipients of well-deserved merit . The next thing on the programme is ( looking at the programme ) " tea and coffee , " ( which was the signal for loud and continued laughter ) . Before we leave this room , I must remark that for some timo past our Matron , Miss Jarwood , has not been enjoying very good health , but I am happy to say she is now much better . I am also glad to mention , in this great assembly , tho
vast benefit which arises from the management of Miss Jarwood in the establishment . She has been here a good number of years , and has done wonders . I hope and trust she will remain here many years longer , and with these few observations , I bid you a very goodbye . The Hon . Chaplain then said , —As an unworthy brother , nnd holding office in connection with this Institution , I cannot allow this
meeting to disperse without asking you to join with me in thanking Lieut .-Col . Creaton for his kindness in coming here to distribute tho prizes , which he has done in a very satisfactory way to all concerned . I am very g id , indeed , to have the opportunity to welcome him here on this occi aion , inasmuch as I remember I had the privilege of officiating a ;* Chaplain when ho laid the foundation stono of this new wing . On i nother occasion wo hope to have the presence of that
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
bright and joyous one . The fickle goddess who has lately been sending us one day a glimpse of sunshine , and the next a scowl of wind aud snow , broke into the most benignant smiles ; and if Bro . Hedges had made a special contract with the clerk of the weather , that erratic individual could scarcely have been more propitious . It was the first day of reat spring weather , and as the sun shone gloriously
over tho meadows which surround our noble Masonic pile whilst the company of invited guests were arriving in groups aud dispersing themselves about the extensive grounds , the scene was picturesque and beautiful in the extreme . Our two hundred little girls , in their neat blue dresses and white pinafores , were tho objects of loving regard as they stood in clusters , modestly awaiting the signal for their
assembling in tho large hall . Stewards wore as fussy as you please , evincing quite a fatherly interest in tho little charges whom , perhaps , they had some interest in gotting elected ; whilst the ladies wero no less eagor to show their solicitude for the comfort of tho little ones who had been gathered under the friendly wing of onr excellent Institution . The gates had been thrown open at half-past three o ' clock , and for upwards of an hour there was quite a prooession of visitors
through this pretty suburban retreat ; until wo should say between three and four hundred ladies and gentlemen , who had been fortunate enough to secure tickets , had congregated within the building . Some little time was occupied , of course , in an inspection of the interior of tho Institution ; and many were tho exclamations of surprise and pleasure we heard from the lady visitors as to tho exquisite cleanliness of the place , and the care which is evidently taken with the girls to train them in habits of tidinoss and order . We havo often heard the
remark , by those who do not thoroughly understand tho system practised at tho School , that these recipients of Masonic bonefits are brought up " like littlo ladies . " Whether such an observation emanates from a begrudging or envious spirit we do not know ; but let any fastidious person who has but a vague idea of the School pay a visit and see for himself or herself . Whilst
giving them the very best education possible , and placing within their reach advantages which they could not possibly have secured , very likely , if they had not been so circumstanced as to need the help of tho Craft , tho greatest care is taken to make them expert in needlowork and in all the domestic duties of the house ; so that when a girl loaves this establishment , at the age of sixteen , she is by
no means the dainty , mittoned boarding-school miss that some would paint her , but a woll-edncated , accomplished girl , oapable equally of playing a sonata from Beethoven , cooking a dinner , or making a shirt . It is not so much onr duty on this occasion , however , to point out the practical advantages of this magnificent home—which must be
well known by this timo to every member of the Craft—as it is to describe the merry-makings which set the place alive from basement to roof ou Monday afternoon . In tho first place , there was a general mustering of friends in the Assembly Hall , in tbe centre of which there was an enclosed hexagon formed by the pianofortes on which the pupils wore to givo ovidonco of their skill and training ;
and on either side of this wore seats for tho visitors , who filed in rapidly , nntil the spacious and handsome apartment was completely filled . In a line with tho dais the girls ocoupied the seats allotted to them , and no one could fail to be struck with pleasure at tho healthy , happy-looking littlo company as they awaited with agreeable anticipation beaming on their countenances the commencement of tho
programme . The younger children occupied seats in tho gallery , and wero evidently as anxious to participate iu the ceremonies of tho afternoon as were tho seniors with whom they were exchanging smiling glances . Precisely at four o ' clock there was a rustle amongst the "busy fans" of the lady guests as Bro . Lieut .-Colonel Creaton , W . Grand Treasurer of England , and Treasurer and Trustee of tho
Institution , stopped on to the dais and was hailed with applause as the president of the day . lie was supported by several members of the House Committee , including Bros . Henry A . Dubois , Edward Letchworth , Edmund C . Mather , John A . Rucker , Griffiths Smith , and Alfred H . Tattershall ; ltev . W . A . Mills Ellison Hon . Chaplain ,
Major Williams , F . 11 . W . Hodges Secretary , Jabez Hogg P . G . D ., the Baron de Ferrieres , C . Bnrke D . G . M . of Jamaica , J . Terry Secretary R . M . B . I ., J . H . Sonthwood , aud Edward Cox . The children having sung a chant from Psalm cl ., the audience resumed their seats , and the subjoined programme was gone through with unfaltering precision , eliciting unbounded expressions of appreciation : —
Dnet— " Hallelujah Chorus "—Handel—24 hands . Anthom— " God is a Spirit "—Sterndale Bennett . Trio ( Little Girls )— "Airs Suisses "—36 hands . Recitation— " Tho Spider aud tho Fly "—Mary Howitfc—Alico Vf Cecil and Mary A . Johnson . Solo ( Littlo Girls)— " Batti ! Batti !"—Mozart—12 hands .
Eecitation— " John Gilpin "—Cowper—Colina Sharp . Duet ( Little Girls )— " Don Giovanni "—Mozart— 24 hands . Recitation—" Athalie , Acto It ., Swine VII . "—llacine—Annie Patti son , Eiiza Beveridgo , and Frances E . Gardner . Solo— "Andante and Minuet "—Mozart—12 hands . Recitation— " Tho May Quean "—Tennyson—Edwina R . Jones .
Soio— " Pollacca Brillanto "—Weber—12 hands . Recitation— " Liobosprobo" —Frances E . Gardner . Duct— " Symphonie XV . "—Haydn—24 hands . Recitation— "Antony ' s Oration over Cecsar ' s Body " —Shakspeave—Edith M . Nash . Solo— "Fantaisic in F . Sharp Minor "—Mendelssohn—Melora F Goodridgc .
Tho mnsical selections were given with an evenness and precision that gave evidence of mos-, judicious and efficient training , and , althongh some of the pieces wore by no means easy , they were manipulated in a manner tlu . t must have proved a treat to tho lovers of really good classical musi ; who were present . Equally interesting were the recitatious , as exemplifying the intelligent apprehension of the pupils , and where all vva , so excellent and pleasing it would be invidious to siDgle out any for especial praise . Each girl as she
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
topped forward to take her part in tho entertainment was warmly applauded , and the whole of the items on the programme were rendered in a manner such as evidently gave the ntmost satis , faction . The novelty of the day , and which , we believe , is pecaliar to these events , was the performance on six pianos at one time , by two and three little pairs of hands at each . The effect was exquisitely
sweet , and the precision with which the pieces wero played was most remarkable . Lieut .-Col . Creaton then rose and said : —After the excellent entertainment we havo just had , I cannot allow the opportunity to pass without thanking Miss Davis , to whom we owe so much . It ia entirely to her exertions that the efficiency of this School , and the
high state of perfection it has reached , is due ; and I ask you to join me in thanking Miss Davis for her able exertions . I trust that her most valuable services will be secured to U 3 for many years to come . The Chairman ' s observations were rocoived with loud applause . The prizes were then distributed amongst the successful candidates by Lieut .-Col . Creaton , who addressed a few suitable words of
encouragement and advice to each . Heading the list for geaeral proficiency , carrying away the gold medal and several valuable prizes , was fair-haired little Frances Elizabeth Gardner , of Stocktonon-Tees , who was warmly applauded as she appeared timo after time and received her awards of merit . The silver medal for good conduct
and one or two other pnzes were taken by Dora Cressy Bowles , and the prizes for proficiency were taken by Ellen Cates , of London , Alice Thornbury , Lotitia Whalley , of Louth , and Helena Meacock , of Birkenhead . These were the special prizes given annually by Bro . William Winn . The following were the awards : —
Prizes given annually by tho Institution : — For Passing Cambridge Examination . —Class II .: Honours : — Frances Elizabeth Gardner . Class III .: Honours : —Ellen A . Cates , Alico M . Thornbury , Lotitia D . Whalley , Dora C . Bowles , and Helena Meacock . For passing satisfactorily : —Elizabeth Roberts , Annia Pattison , Catherine Emery , Eliza Beveridge , Edith M . Nash , Beatrice
M . Wray , and Dora M . Jennings . Music : —Melora F . Goodridge , Agnes Barron , Ethel Hinson , Lilly Bellamy , and Violet H . Lang ( among the littlo Girls ) . French ( Recitation ) : —Annie M . Pattison . Calisthenics and Deportment : —Dora C . Bowles . Drawing : —Beatrice M . Wray , Dora C . Bowles , Charlotte White , and Bessie L . Morris . General Usefulness : —Eliza Johnson and Louisa M . Taylor .
Needlework : —Florence Faithful and Ellen Harryman . Machine Work : — Mary Annie Hartness and Kate Briggs . Order and Attention : — Florence Hill and Edith Potts ( among tho little Girls ) . Class II . —Margaret W . Allison , General Proficiency ; Ethel Ida Seaton , Perseverance ; Laura Stransom , Good Conduct . Class III . —Edith E . Daly , General Proficiency ; Fanny G . Osborne
General Improvement ; Mabel Saufovd , Perseverance . Class IV . —Mary A . Johnson , General Proficiency ; Mary S . Norrish , Perseverance ; Alice Boyd and Annie Scott , Writing , Class V . — Lucretia Wilton , General Improvement ; Matilda Hothersall , Perseverance . Class VI . —Evoline E . Pclham , Perseverance . By Bro . Joshua Nunn , for Fancy Work : —Edith M . Patten .
By Bro . tbe Rev . Dr . P . H . Ernest Brotte , for French : —Eliza Boveridgo . By Mrs . Crick , for Elocution : —Edith Mary Nash , Edwina Russell Jones , and Colina Sharp . By Bro . John M . Clabon , for Religions Knowledge , as distinguished at the Cambridge Examination : —Frances Elizabeth Gardner . By Bro . John M . Clabon for Good Conduct : —Elizabeth Roberts and Florence M . Hart .
By Bro . Collard Montrie , for Music : —Graco Colvill . By Bro . Louis Hirsch , for German : —Frances Elizabeth Gardner . By Mrs . Hirsch , for Music : —Louisa Christine Oates . The St . James "Tates Memorial Prize" ( per St . James Lodge No . 482 ) , for Proficiency in Domestic Duties ( Cookery ) : —Mary A . Chapman . From the Supreme Council of tho 33 rd Degree , for Good Conduct : —Edith M . Patten .
By Bro . John Faulkner , for Zoology , as distinguished at the Cambridge Examination ; and Three Guineas given by the Lodge of Prudent Brethren , in memory of the late Bro . John Boyd , a member of the House Committee : —Frances Elizabeth Gardner . By Bro . Charles White , for Proficiency ( Lower First Class ) s—Fanny Ashby and Alice M . Newboult .
After tho distribution of the prizes , the Chairman said , —I havo had very great pleasure in distributing these awards to the children who have earned them so well . I congratulate them very sincerely , and I trust that those who have not received prizes to-day may exert themselves , and endeavour to do better next year . At all events , the successful candidates who havo como before me to-day are the
recipients of well-deserved merit . The next thing on the programme is ( looking at the programme ) " tea and coffee , " ( which was the signal for loud and continued laughter ) . Before we leave this room , I must remark that for some timo past our Matron , Miss Jarwood , has not been enjoying very good health , but I am happy to say she is now much better . I am also glad to mention , in this great assembly , tho
vast benefit which arises from the management of Miss Jarwood in the establishment . She has been here a good number of years , and has done wonders . I hope and trust she will remain here many years longer , and with these few observations , I bid you a very goodbye . The Hon . Chaplain then said , —As an unworthy brother , nnd holding office in connection with this Institution , I cannot allow this
meeting to disperse without asking you to join with me in thanking Lieut .-Col . Creaton for his kindness in coming here to distribute tho prizes , which he has done in a very satisfactory way to all concerned . I am very g id , indeed , to have the opportunity to welcome him here on this occi aion , inasmuch as I remember I had the privilege of officiating a ;* Chaplain when ho laid the foundation stono of this new wing . On i nother occasion wo hope to have the presence of that