Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund.

ing her AVUI welcome her momentary return as it deserves to be welcomed ; while those who havo not had that same privilege will be the move eager to sec a lady who iu her day was among tho brightest lights of tho English stage . Besides these , there are concerts without number , by Bros .

Lehmeyer , Wuhelm Ganz P . G . O ., and Augustus Tamplui ; entertainments by Bro . George Buckland , Bro . Chaplin Henry , Bro . Seymour-Smith ; vocal and instrumental music by the Pupils' Band and Choir of tho Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; entertainments by the Royal Poland Street

and Aquarium Handbell Ringers ; a series of amusements and a surprise Aquarium by Bro . Cromer jun . ; a Drawing room entertainment by Dr . Lynn ; magic lantern entertainments by Bro . Middlefon . Professor Faber ' s Talking Machine will exhibit its powers of conversation ; a

reception will bo given—by the kind permission or Bro . Professor Millar—by Bro . General Tom Thumb , Commodore Knott , Miss Nellie Millar , and party , and there will bo a Fine Art Gallery open under tbo superintendence of Bro . John Constable , as well as a special Stall furnished by

Mr . Bland with a great variety of conjuring tricks , suitable for juveniles and adults . Thoso , howovcr , who wish for a complete list ^ of the different entertainments which will be provided must turn to the Supplement we publish this week , and there tbev will find tho needful information .

One name , however , we have passed over—that of the brilliant mistress of song , Mdlle . Zare Thalberg , who has kindl y consented to sing during the gathering . As to tbe stalls , we understand they will be furnished with ah infinite variety of attractive articles , while the " fun of the fair " will

no doubt be continuous and hearty . The Bazaar Committee is a strong one , and with Bros . J . Constable as Chairman , Dick Radclyffe for Manager , Rev . C . J . Martyn Treasurer , S . Rosenthal President , and G . H . Stephens Vice President , of Stewards , James Stevens Director of Hall aud Stall

arrangements , R . G . Thomas , manager of New Sadler ' s Theatre , Director of Entertainments , and W . W . Morgan jun . as Secretary , will , we do not for a moment hesitate to say , be in a position , when all is over , to give an eminently satisfactory account of its arduous labours .

But a description of the approaching series of entertainments , withont some explanation of the objects for which they are given would be necessarily incomplete . We have , however , so recentl y explained these objects , that a mere recapitulation of them must suffice on the present occasion .

Indeed , they are sufficiently explained by the title to the Fund , which clearl y demonstrates that its promoters aro resolved , not on establishing , as many feared would bo the case , a Fourth Masonic Charitable Institution , but a supplement to two of thoso already in existence , namely ,

tho Boys' and Girls' Schools . Lord Rosslyn , when ho presided at last year ' s Festival of the Boys' School , threw out a very practical suggestion to the effect that , while the educationand treatment of the Boys were , to thebest of his judgment , most creditable to the executive and tbe educational

staff , a certain something was needed in order to complete the good work being done . Many of the pupils on leaving school are friendless , and without the means of turning tho education they havo received to account ; and his Lordship expressed bis belief that it would be well if there were somo

fnnd provided , out of which meritorious pupils so circumstanced could be assisted . Hence this Fund , the objects of which have now been clearl y defined to be ( 1 ) " To assist Boys and Girls leaving the Masonic Schools in procuring situations , & c . ; " ( 2 ) " To advance small amounts to aid

m the purchase of tools , outfits , & c , and assist in obtaining apprenticeshi ps , & c . " After providing for the administration of the Fund , which is to be vested in " the hands of a Committee to be formed from tho existing Committees of the Scholastic Institutions , " with power to add to their

number , as well as for an annual Report and Audit , the Interim Committee , appointed to make the necessary arran gements for carrying out the objects of tho Fund , express their confident belief that it " will not necessitate a fourth Charity ; on the contrary , it is to serve as a

supplementary Fund to be dispensed by the Committee . " There can now , therefore , be not the slightest doubt it is intended to be altogether subsidiary , and that it will onl y take cognisance of , and deal with , cases of deserving pupils who ,

on leaving school , find themselves friendless and without the means to procure situations . Yet there would appear to be those who , in the teeth of this statement , believe a ? nrml y as ever that it is in contemplation to establish a lourth Charit y . However , it is not worth while to pat eir opinions in the scale against the statements made by

Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund.

i Committee which includes the Deputy Grand Master of England , the Past Grand Master of Scotland , the R . fgi . i Hon . Lord Brooke , M . P ., tho Prov . Grand Master of Berks and Bucks , and other prominent brethron . The latter arc in a position to know what aro tho purposes for which it . is

intended tho Fund should bo established ; while tho former , with nothing but their own vague opinions to guide thorn , aro taking upon themselves the very unusual , and at the same time most ungraceful , part of calling in question statements made public with all the authority which belongs to

gentlemen occupying some of the highest positions attainable in tho Craft . Wo leave to theso critics the somewhat difficult task of reconciling their opposition in its present form with the usages of society . It is one thing to misapprehend a person ' s meming and intention , but it is

an unpardonable sin to think of rejecting a statement ns clear as language can possibly define it . It is not too late , however , for this unwise opposition to be withdrawn , and wc arc sure none will moro readily forgot it was ever olio red than those who have laboured most assiduously in the

attempt to establish this Fund , and who are consequently tho vory people whose purpose and motives have been so unreasonably called in question . We havo now explained for tho second or third timo the objects of tho Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund .

We have drawn attention to tho distinguished and influential patronage it is receiving in all directions , and wo have enumerated , as far as space would permit or circumstances may have rendered expedient , the principal entertainments which are hold out to the brethren and tho ladies who may

assist at the Bazaar and Fancy Fair of next week in furtherance of the proposed scheme . It may bo somo will object that Fancy Fairs and Bazaars savour too strongly of the vanities of life . We shall not complain . Wo should have been prepared for something in the way of

opposition , if it had been proposed to give a series of lectures on abstruse scientific subjects , an elaborate dinner , or a concert of vocal and instrumental music . It is the accompaniment of every project which is started . This , however , we will say—that we do not know of a better or more popular

kind of entertainment for a purpose of this description than a Bazaar and Fancy Fair , singly or combined . Whenever it is proposed to adopt some pleasant plan for bringing people together with a view to promoting somo charitable object a Bazaar or Fair is almost immediatel y suggested .

Every one directly or indirectly interested in its success can take part in it . Tbo fair dames and damsels in charge of stalls have rare opportunities of dispensing their wares and persuasive smiles , and if there is ever any slight hesitation in purchasing the former , there is no resisting

tbe eloquence of the latter . Music , too—wo have more than once heard—hath charms to soothe the savage breast , and there is so much of this promised us in connection with this particular Fete that , if any one in returning home from his visit to Freemasons' Tavern , has even tlio

slightest savagery left in his composition ho ought to be heartily ashamed of himself . In short , the arrangements , as far as it is possible to judge from the general terms of the programme set forth , seem calculated to afford pleasure to every possible variety of taste . And , given fine weather

such as is usually hoped for , if not reckoned on , at this season of the year , the Bazaar and Fair in aid of the Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund should prove a success among Masonic successes , and these we all know have been both many and considerable . Wo close these

remarks witb the expression of our heartiest good wishes for tbe success of the entertainments of next week at Freemasons' Hall . May all who havo even in the slightest degree

contributed towards starting this Fund find their reward in the warm approval of their fellows , as well as in the delightful consciousness of having rendered service to the cause of Masonic Charity !

Meeting Of The Lodge Of Benevolence.

MEETING OF THE LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

fjpHE June Meeting of the Lodgo of Benevolence was held on Wecl-- * - nesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall , Bros . Joshua Sunn P . G . S . B . Senior Vice President ; , S . Rawson P . Disfc . G . M . for China , C . A . C'ifcfcebriino P . G . P . and IV . IL Penymauoccnpyhigthe respective President ' s chairs . Recommendations to the amount of £ 135 made

at tho May meeting wero confirmed at the opening of the Lodge . Ont of thirty-three now cases twenty-eight wero relieved , with n total sum of £ 870 . Five cases were deferred , on account of not being complete .