Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

THE Seventy-ninth Anniversary Festival of this Institution was hold on Wednesday , the 27 th inst ., at the Alexandra Palace , nnderthe presidency of the E . W . Bro . W . W . B . Beach M . P ., Prov . G . M . of Hants and the Isle of Wight . After dinner , grace was sung , and the chairman proceeded to propose the toasts . In introducing that of the Queen , he said loyalty is a plant of ancient growth , and has attained deep root in the breast of all Englishmen . Under the

sway of a Sovereign , wo enjoy moro freedom than tho people under any other government in any part of the world , and Her Majesty has endeared herself to all . The toast having been duly honoured , and the National Anthem sung , there followed the toast of the Prince of Wales , who , the Chairman said , had no light duty to perform . Very many important matters are entrusted to him , and he never fails to

support this useful institution . We are specially indebted to him as Master of our Order , and also as President of our Institntion . The toast having heen enthusiastically received , the Chairman proposed that of the Riant Hon . the Ear ! of Carnarvon Pro G . M ., Lord Skolmersdalo D . G . M , the Provincial Grand Masters , and Present and Past Grand Officers . In doing so , he said , he naturally

took a great interest in the Masonio career of our Pro G . M ., because he had had the pleasure , a good many years since , of initiating him into Freemasonry . Ho hnd since amply justified the expectations then entertained of him . In his absence , he could fully rely upon Lord Skelsmersdale , who , although Provincial Grand Master of a very large Province , was ever ready

when Freemasonry called upon him . He would couple with the toast the name of Bro . Raynham Stewart , a brother whom we have known for many a long year , and hope to see among ns for many years to come . Bro . Raynham Stewart , in reply , said he had been called upon unexpectedly to acknowledge the honour conferred upon our second chief . He was extremely prond to hear from the

Chairman that he was the means of initiating him into our Order . We have many good officers among us , one of the foremost of whom was our Chairman of to-dav . Wo have a worthy and energetic Secretary , who delights in introducing innovations , and one innovation has clone good , as it has brought tho ladies among ns . The Grand Officers were always proud to encoiifaso anything to benefit the Masonic

Charities . Bro . Benett Stanford M . P . then rose . Their energetic and indefatigable Secretary bad placed in his hands the proposition of the next toast . It was ono that pave him ns great pleasure to propose as he was sure it would all present to drink , it being the health of the Chairman . He had had the pleasure of knowing Bro . Beach for some years , in more than one position . He had never heard the inauguration

ceremony of a Lodge better performed than had been done by their Chairman . Ho was in every respect the most cordial English gentle , man any one could wish to meet . When he saw that Bro . Beach was to preside on the present occasion , ho at once made up his mind to be present , and it gave him the greatest pleasure to see such an influential meetinj ? of ladies and gentlemen . He concluded by calling

upon them to drink to the health of their worthy Chairman . Bro . Beach offered his sincere thanks for the kind manner in which the toast of his health had been received . It gave him the greatest pleasure to be present , and to see so many to support the Charity . If he might be allowed , ho would give them a few words with respect to himself . When he was initiated , the W . M . of his Lodge , the

Apollo , inquired , who would serve as Steward for the Royal Masonio Institution for Boys . He asked a brother at his side what tho Boys ' Institution was , and on receiving his answer , sprang to his feet , and said he would serve . He was then convinced that the Boys' School was a noble Institution , and from that time made up his mind to do a little for so good a Charity . From that moment he had never relaxed in his efforts on behalf of onr Institutions . He must now ask them to

drink a tcast which he was snre would go home to their hearts . The Institution , for the benefit of which we meet to-day , was one of considerable antiquity . It hnd been largely increased by the liberality of the Freemasons , in 1860 . There were then 70 boys educated in the Institution , now they accommodated 180 . This number entailed no li ^ ht expense on the funds of the Institution . He was quite aware that there

had been complaints as to the cost of the education of the boys , but he would point to one fact in answer to this , viz ., that in 1866 the average cost per boy was £ 47 16 s 4 d , while in 1876 it was only £ 43 18 s lOJd . Dnring that time there had been a considerable increase in the price of provisions , & c . He was sure there was no undue

expenditure incurred by the management . The education given was not of one kind . The boys received a thoroughly sound classical , as well as commercial , education . Throughout the world there were many buildings , magnificent in design and proportion , bat none of thern wero of snch intrinsic merit as the one at Wood Green . There

were carried out the principles inculcated among ns . May the Institution flourish . He regretted that through the ill-hoalth of their Treasurer he was unable to attend , but in Bro . PIncknett ' s absence he would conple with the toast the name of Bro . Capt . Wordsworth , who briefly replied thereto . The next toast , the Chairman said , was rather a comprehensive one . We are deeply indebted to all who take

upon themselves to promote the benefits of the Institution . Ho had great pleasure in calling upon them to drink the health of the Vice Patrons , Vice Presidents , and others connected with the Institution , and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Chancellor , who returned his sincere thanks . He had been connected for many years with the House Committee of this glorious Institution . On behalf of

the House Committee , he begged to thank the Chairman most heartily for what he had done , and hoped that in the consideration of all present they had done their dnty , as he was sure they wonld ever continue to do . Bro , Binckes , the Secretary , then announced the subscriptions received , which , he stated , amounted to upwards of £ 12 , 856 , with 23 lists to come in . We give tho various amounts , with corrections to time of going to press , in another column . Bro . Beach

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

then proposed the health of Bro . Binckes , to whose exertions he said was principally due tho success of the day . Bro . Binckes assured thoso pvesont that he felt m re than honoured . He hoped they wonld all go away satisfied with what had been done . The highest award he could receive was their approval . Bro . Hyde Pollen proposed " the other Masonic Charities , " to which Bro . Terry replied , and Bro .

Beach prop ; sed special thanks to the Stewards . This having been acknowledged , the company adjourned to the concert-room , where tea and coffee ivas obtainable . The remaining portion of the songs were here given , most ably , and called forth several encores—in fact , the musical arrangements throughout were all that could be desired .

Prize Day At The School.

PRIZE DAY AT THE SCHOOL .

The annual distribution of prizes and visit of Stewards to the In . stitntion took place on Monday last , under the presidency of the Right Hon . the Earl of Dononghmore . The popularity of these gatherings is now ao well established that nothing is ever wanting but fine weather to make the afternoon a most agreeable one . The programme provided for the amusement of the guests was a lengthy one , com .

prising several part songs , the farce " To Paris and back for £ 5 , " the French play " l'Ours ot le Pacha , " and the burlesque tragic opera , " Bombastes Furioso . " The whole of the performances were carried out in a most creditable manner , the acting of the boys being especially good . Between the intervals the various prizes , presented by the Institution , as also by the Honse Committee , were handed to

the pupils by the chairman , after which the special prizes , presented by private donors , were distributed . The silver medal for good conduct , presented by the Institution , was awarded to Edward Thomas Sage ; the Canonbury gold medal , presented by Bro . Edward Cox , Vice . Patron , to Frank Lewis Scurr ; and the silver watch and chain for general good conduct , presented by the Supreme Council 33 ° , to a

pupil on leaving the Institution , to Edwin Pawley . The programme being thus brought to a close , the chairman rose . He thought ha should only be speaking the thoughts of all present in saying they had spent a most agreeable and very instructive afternoon . The performances they had witnessed had passed off excellently . He had listened to the plays aud songs with great pleasure , aud was sure ,

from the applause that had been given , all present had enjoyed them . Judging from the variety of subjects for which prizes were given by the Institution , he felt sure the boys were receiving a good useful education . The general excellence of the scholars , as shown by the returns from the various Examinations , spoke highly for the boys , and also for tho care and discrimination of those app anted to instruct them . At

the recent Examination at South Kensington , of 41 boys who went up , 39 passed in Mathematics , 10 in Physical Geography , and other subjects were alike satisfactory . To the boys he would say , * ' work , but do not become bookworms . " Boys who enjoy out-door amusement get a zest for work , and vice versa . To those who had not been successful in obtaining prizes , he would say , do not be

disheartened—try again . He made these remarks on the supposition , which he felt was true , that there was not a lazy boy in the School . He concluded by wishing prosperity to the Institution . Refreshment was provided for the visitors , after whioh the Chairman proposed the health of the Queen , Patroness of the Institution , followed by that of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales the President , and with this he

coupled the health of the Vice-Presidents , Trustees , & o . of the School , aud called upou Bro . Capt . Wordsworth to reply . This he did , and proposed the health of the Chairman , who , in response , again referred to the pleasure he had experienced in visiting the School . The present was the first Masonio meeting he had attended at which ladies were present ; be considered it a great improvement .

He then proposed the health of the Head M ister , Dr . Morris , who thanked all for the kind way in which the toast had been received . He could only repeat his words of last year , that so long as he was with them , he would do all in his power to keep up the prestige of the School . Bro . Raynham Stewart had great pleasure in prcposing the health of their energetic Secretary , Bro . Binckes , who , in

acknowledging the toast , said he had always endeavoured to labour for the good of the Institution ; no one could be so proud of its position as he was . Their Chairman had referred to the present being the first occasion on which he had been among ladies at a Masonio meeting . If he would visit them at the Alexandra Palace he would witness

a much larger gathering , of both brethren and ladies . He had the credit of introducing novelties , and he hoped they would prove to be for the good of the Institution . Some of our more energetic brethren afterwards started some races among the boys , which were well patronised , and after a very pleasant meeting the visitors returned to town .

We append the List of Patrons and Stewards , with the several amounts collected or subscribed . Where no amount is inserted the list had not been received up to the time of our going to press . Amount . £ a d

PRESIDENT , R . W . Bro . Right Hon . The Earl of Donoughmore , P . G . W . 42 1 0 HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT .

V . W . Bro . ^ Eneas J . Mclntyre , Q . C ., G . Reg .- - . 52 10 0 ACTING VICE-PRESIDENT . W . Bro . Thomas Meggy , V . Pat . of Institution , P . G . Steward , P . M . No . 21 , & c 42 0 0