Annual Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Terry P . G . S . B ., J . M . McLeod Secretary Boys' School , Re- * . H . A . Hebb , Headmaster Boys' School , Col . Keyser , C . B ., George E . Lake D . P . G . M . Herts , W . Lascelles Southwell P . P . G . M . Shropshire , A . Cockerill P . G . T . Norths and Hunts , Rev . P . Royston , R . Willoughby , E .

M . Money , F . Mead , R . Clowes , C . F . Matier , Gordon Miller , Dr . Knight , Hardman , Kirkland , Margetts , Major Bishop , Colonel F . E . Bennett , Alfred Green , W . Radcliffe , Faulkner , Massey , Preston , Wright , 0 . Cooper , and several Officers of the various Provincial Lodges whose names we could not gather .

A detachment of officers and mon of the Honourable Artillery Company , representing the Fitzroy Lodge , formed an interesting feature as they wore their Masonic clothing over their uniform . The company numbered over 300 . The toast of the Queen and the Cra t havim *; been duly

honoured , the Chairman proposed the health of the M . W . the Grand Master , Grand Patron and President of the Institution . In so doing he said that H . R . H . was always ready to lend assistance to all and every Masonic affair . It is needless to say the toast was drunk with enthusiasm .

In proposing the Grand Officers Present and Past , the Chairman said that the Craft ought to thank them for their great services rendered to the cause of Freemasonry . They had all done good service at a time when the Craft did not flourish as it does at present . Lord Dungarvan ,

who succeeded Lord Carnarvon as Provincial Grand Master of Somerset , replying in the unavoidable absence of Bro . T . W . Tew Prov . Grand Master W . Yorks ., said that

the Provinces were proud and happy to support so noble an Institution and such an excellent Chairman , and he hoped before the evening had terminated that they would be able to congratulate each other upon a substantia ]

success . Sir John B . Monckton P . G . W . proposed the health of the Earl of Euston , who had come so gallantly forward to take the chair on this occasion . He had been worthily

supported by his Province , and had no doubt so contributed greatly to the success of the evening . Lord Euston was always ready to come forward in any good Masonic work ; he was generally respected and Masonically loved .

The Chairman , who was received with prolonged applause , in responding said ho deeply felt the far too flattering remarks of Bro . Monckton , but he was always ready to help whore he could do any good . He knew that his Province would come forward to support him with

their usual generosity , though thoy had but a small number of Lodges , yet they had always rendered good service to each of the Charities . He thanked them heartily for their kind reception , and hoped he mi ght long be spared to work for the cause he had so much at heart .

In proposing the toast of the evening , the noble Chairman said that while he did not wish to make odious comparisons he could not forget that the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls was the oldest Masonic Charit y , and that they were celebrating that evening the One Hundred

and Fifth Anniversary . It was established in 1788 , when only 15 girls were admitted , and now they had accommodation for two hundred and sixty-three , who were supported solely by the voluntary assistance of the brethren . He thought they might congratulate each other on the great

power of the Order when they were able to achieve such grand results . The Institution was thoroughly well conducted , and he considered the Board of Management had behaved in an admirable manner during the recent epidemic at the Schools . The medical officers were

enabled to keep it within limits , and only one fatal case had occurred , and that was from diphtheria and not scarlet fever . He again thanked the brethren from east , west , north , and south , for their kind support , not only this

year but for the five years that had elapsed since the Jnbilee , when an enormous sum was subscribed . He concluded by urging them never to forget the girls , who were not so able to fight the battle of life as the boys .

Bro . Henry Smith Deputy Provincial Grand Master of West Yorks Treasurer of tbe Institution responded . He said that the average amounts subscribed for the last four years was £ 8 , 745 , whilst the amount required was least £ 12 , 000 , so that they had a considerable sum to make up . The unfortunate outbreak of scarlet fever in the school

necessitated a very large outlay in preventative measures alone , and the Committee had felt it their duty to form a temporary convalescent home at St . Margaret ' s , near Dover , with very beneficial results , so there was now every

Annual Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

prospect of the mischief being stamped ont . But these extraordinary expenses must * be met , and he waa sure tho brethren would take care that the funds were forthcoming when the special needs were known . With reference to the education of the children tho high standard of

excellence was maintained , in proof of which he might mention that in the Cambridge Local Examinations all the candidates passed , nine of them taking honours . In tho

College of Preceptors Examinations there were forty-five candidates , all of whom wero successful , while there were equally satisfactory reports in connection with the science and art classes .

. Bro . F . R . W . Hedges the Secretary then read the subscription lists , which amounted to the large sum of £ 14 , 011 3 s 6 d . London with its 154 Stewards contributed no less than £ 6 , 218 8 s Od , and the Provinces with 240 Stewards provided £ 7 , 792 15 s 6 d . The Chairman ' s

Province of Norths and Hunts , although only boasting of thirteen Lodges , had managed to obtain 21 Stewards , who brought up a thousand guineas , of which amount the Earl of Euston had given fifty guineas . Thia welcome announcement was received with tremendous cheering .

Bro . J . M . McLeod , in acknowledging the toast of the other Masonic Charities , complimented the Institution on having obtained such admirable Stewards who had secured such a splendid flow of Masonic generosity , and he trusted when the time came for him to plead for the Boys' School the

brethren would not forget that that Institution was the poorest of all . His committee were a . zealous democratic body , and the work they had done was good , and had given satisfaction , as was proved by the generous support of the brethren for the last four or five years . He might state

that their only sure income was £ 1000 per annum , and he should not rest satisfied until that had been very largely increased . He would remind the brethren that their Annual Festival would take place in June , when Lord Brooke would preside .

Sir John Monckton , ' who replied for the Stewards , in the absence of Bro . T . W . Tew , mentioned as an incentive for every brother to do a little that the Tyler of a Lodge with which he was connected had by his own endeavours collected the large sum of £ 122 .

The company then adjourned to the Temple , where a capital concert , under the direction of Bro . Frederick Bevan , was given , the artistes being Mdlle Antoinette Trebelli , Madame Isabel George , Miss Ethel Bevan , Miss Behuke ( reciter ) , Bros . Chas . Chilley , W . Norcross , Wm . Forington , and the Meister Glee Singers .

We man mention that the dinner was ably managed by Bro . Mantell , manager to Messrs . Spiers and Pond at Freemasons' Tavern .

Masonic Sonnets.—No. 51.

MASONIC SONNETS . —No . 51 .

Br BRO . CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D ., 295 , 1214 , 2417 ( E . G . ) , 24 , 761 ( S . C . ) — : o : —

BROTHER WILLIAM CLAYE 267 . Oar ranks have lost a Mason , true and good , One who possessed Dot ostentations pride , And yet , withal , who graosd onr Brotherhood With all those virtues whioh shall long abide .

It is not well to grieve a Brother dead , For in Grand Lodge on High he now doth dwell ; Yet , still , a melancholy gloom will spread , And still with grief onr throbbing bosoms swell . Unto its parent earth his dust returns ,

Unto his God his soul has ta ' en its flight , And tho' the one filleth with earthly mourns , The other gives celestial delight . 'Tis ever thus—a balm we aye shall find To all those pangs that dim with'gloom the mind . Winder Honse , Bradford . 15 th May 1893 .

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