The Benevolent Festival.

THE BENEVOLENT FESTIVAL .

WE are looking forward with agreeable anticipation to the result of the Anniversary Festival of the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , to be held on Wednesday , under the most distinguished presidency of H . E . H . the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn , and hope that in our next issue

it may be our pleasurable duty to record a successful gathering and , above all , an exceptionally large amount of donations on behalf of this most useful Charitable Institution , the claims of which are best demonstrated by the mere recital of the

one fact that an amount exceeding £ 16 , 300 is being annually distributed in Annuities among 472 Aged Masons or their Widows , in such substantial portions as £ 40 for each of the Brethren ( 200 in number ) and £ 32 for each of the Widows

( of whom 242 are on the' books-of the Institution ) . In addition some thirty other old ladies are receiving the half of their late husband ' s annuity , in accordance with the custom of the Fund .

In these days , when huge sums are being raised on account of particular appeals—the Indian Famine Fund and the numerous special matters arranged in connection with the Queen ' s Commemoration in particular—the claims of such a

Fund as the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution are very apt to be slighted in some quarters , and hence it is there must be a certain amount of anxiety among those who are virtually pledged to continue the good work of this

particular Fund of Masonic benevolence , for it must be at once conceded that the regular provision of upwards of £ 16 , 000 per annum for Annuities alone , apart from the necessary working expenses , is no light matter . It was in

view of this that we last week spoke disparagingly of the proposal made at the St . Michael ' s Lodge , to start a Masonic Fund in support of the Prince of Wales Hospital scheme—not , as we then explained , that we were greedy ,

and wished thafc the benevolence of Freemasonry be confined to its special funds , but because we believe there is a limit to the benevolent capabilities of the Craft , and ifc is not true charity to help outsiders and leave those within

our ranks virtually stranded in the hour of their adversity . But apart from all this , fche question is not one of mere sentiment , for the Craft has virtually assumed an amount oi responsibility in this "direction—fche £ 16 , 000 odd required for

these Annuities being a case in point , while , as our readers are aware , there are two ofcher Funds to support , whose yearly claims are equally imperative , and equally dependent on the liberality of fche Masonic Brotherhood .

Ifc is very satisfactory to know that the Institution has this year enlisted the sympathy of one of the highesfc in the land—H . E . H . the Duke of Connaught and Srathearnwhose services to the cause of Freemasonry long since won

him the honorary distinction oi Past Grand Master of England , while he exercises further power as Provincial Grand Masfcer of Sussex and District Grand Master of Bombay , two divisions of the Craft in which he enjoys

The Benevolent Festival.

great popularity , although we think we may fairlysay that throughout the Order , both as a member of the Eoyal Family and as a Freemason , the Duke is universally admired and respected .

The popularity of His Eoyal Highness is manifest on this occasion , in the number of Ladies and Brethren who have undertaken to support him , by acting as Stewards for the Festival over which he will preside , and , as we

intimate at the outset of these remarks , there is fair reason to anticipate a successful outcome as the result of the efforts put forth in connection with this event . That there is very great need for a special success is evident

when we mention thafc in addition to the large number of Annuitants already elected to the benefits of the Fund there are considerably over 100 approved candidates for the next election , only a very small proportion of whom can

be admitted , unless the result of nexfc Wednesday ' s Festival enables the Committee to recommend an extension of the work of the Institution , by the creation of additional

Annuities . We sincerely hope such a course may be possible , as a recognition of the kindly assistance rendered by the distinguished member of the Eoyal Family who will preside .

Derbyshire.

DERBYSHIRE .

A LABGELY attended and interesting function took place at the Masonic Hall , Derby , on Tuesday evening , when a new Mark Lodge , the Woodiwiss , No . 503 , named out of compliment to the Grand Master of the recently constituted

Province of Derbyshire ( Bro . Abraham Woodiwiss ) , was consecrated . The ceremony was performed by the Pro Grand Masfcer of England the Earl of Euston , assisted by several Officers of Grand Lodge .

Subsequently the Grand Secretary of England Bro . C . F . Matier installed Bro . W . H . Marsden as the firsfc Master of the new Lodge . The latter appointed Bro . Dr . F . Iliffe as the first

Senior Warden , and Bro . Sir Thomas Eoe as the first Junior Warden . Among other Officers appointed were : —Bro . J . Cutting M . O ., William Hart Secretary , Edgar Home P . P . J . G . W . Treasurer .

After the proceedings the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire was held , Bro . A . Woodiwiss P . G . M . occupying the chair . The reports of fche various Worshipful Masters respecting the condition of Mark Masonry in Derbyshire were presented , and regarded as satisfactory .

CHESTER COLLEGE CLUB .. npHE ^ Manchester Branch of the Chester College Club hold a Smoking JL Concert at the Crown Hotel , Manchester , on Saturday , 6 th inst . The Principal of tho College , Bev . J . D . Best , M . A ., presided , and was supported by Messrs . H . Bentley , H . Littlewood , and T . Arden . A good muster of Cesfcrians cordially received his opening remarks , which were of an interesting and reminiscent nature . An excellent

programme was given by members and friends . Mr . Haughton ' s rendering of " Mona " was highly appreciated , as were the songs of Messrs . Travis , Lunt , Chorlton , Shaw , and Deakin . The humorous part of the programme was in the hands of Messrs . W . H . Price , C . B . Kiley , and E . Roberts . The latter gentleman favoured the company , by request , with his recitation , " Setting a hen , " which was thoroughly enjoyed .

Mr . H . Litlewood proposed a vote of thanks to the Reverend Chairman , which was carried with musical honours . Mr . J . E . Pelfcener ( local Secretary ) proposed the toast of the Visitors , fco which Mr . R . Lunt replied . Mr . Theo . Arden ( general Secretary ) presided at the piano . Many of the above gentlemen are members of tho Craft .