Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

ANNUAL FESTIVAL AT BRIGHTON . The Eighty-fourth Anniversary Festival of this Institution was held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Wednesday , 28 th ult ., the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor ( R . W . Bro . Sir John Whittaker Ellis , Bart ., Grand Junior Warden , P . G . S ., and W . M . No . 1 ) in the chair . At the table on the dais the President had on his right hand the Lady Mayoress , Sir W . W . Burrell ,

Bart ., M . P .. Provincial Grand Master , Sussex ; the Mayor of Brighton ( W . H . Mallet , Esq . ) , and the . Mayoress . Col . Shadwcll H . Gierke , Grand Secretary , P . ro . W . T . Marriott , O . C ., M . P ., W . Bro . J . Wordsworth , V . P . ( President of the Board of Stewards ) , and Mrs . Wordsworth , W . Bro . J . M . Case , P . G . D ., and Mrs . Case , Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , Bro . J .

Edmerston , Bro . John S . Scott ( Deputy Prov . G . Master , Sussex ) , and Mrs . Scott ; while on his left were W . Bro . George Plucknett , P . G . D . ( Treasurer and Vice-President of the Institution ) , W . Bro . Horace B . Marshall , C . C . ( Acting President of the Board of Stewards ) , Bro . Dr . labez Hogg , W . Bri ) . Matthew Clarke , P . G . D ., Baron de Ferrieres ,

VV . Bro . John Messent , G . S . B ., W . Bro . C . W . Thompson , Hon . Treasurer , W . Bro . E . C . Davies , P . G . S ., Bro . Rev . Dr . Morris , Head

Master of the School , with whom were Mrs . and Miss Morns , and Bro H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary . , Among the very numerous com pany were also Bros . D . M . Dewar , Adlard , Grabham , Terry , Hedges , W Ash , N . Green , H . Smith , F . Laxton , J . A . Wilson , W . Parker , W

Johnson , Noah Martin , J . E . Wright , S . Rosenthal , Sir John Bennett , J . H . Cohen and Mrs . Cohen , Geo . Kenning , W . R . Wood and Mrs . Wood . Wyndham Burrell , G . P . Festa , F . W . Otter , C . R . Burrell , Bros . Carrick , McCarogher , Noakes , Kidd , Dixon , C . C . Reed , G . Smith , J . L . Mather , Edgar Bovvver , C . F . Matier , and others .

The LORD MAYOR said that the first toast he should propose in that magnificent banquetting hall would be "The Health of Her Majesty the Oueen . " The Oueen was the centre of all honour , and she was also an emblem of all the virtues that adorned humanity . ( Hear , hear . ) The Freemasons throughout the world held that they were banded together for

the object of encouraging truth , honour , and good will towards each other , and to live in brotherhood and love together . He was sure that these were facts which the Queen would admire , and that she would ever feel that if all her subjects were guided by the same objects as the Freemasons , she would be indeed a happy Oueen over a happy people .

In proposing "The Health of the Prince of W a'es , the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England , " the LORD MAYOR said that coupled with this toast would also be that of " Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , and the other members of the Royal Family . " Speaking in this great assembly of Freemasons , he need hardly vouch for the qualities which

adorned H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ; he followed in the iootsteps of his predecessors , the Royal Dukes of the Royal house . He had become the head of the Freemasons of England ( the Chairman ) , and he believed that his hearers would all agree that there had never been a M . W . G . M . who had taken so keen an interest in the welfare of the Craft than H . R . H . had done .

It was not to be forgotten that upon a very recent occasion , when the life of Her Majesty was threatened , that an address , voted by the Grand Lodge , was taken iip and presented to Her Majesty by H . R . H . as the Most Worshipful Grand Master , and this , he thought , was acknowledged to bean

honour which had never before been accorded . The other members of the Royal Family he knew lived in the heart of every Englishman who loved his country ; and he would not detain them , but at once propose "The Health of the M . W . Master , the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . "

The MAYOR oi' BRIGHTON said that the circular of Bro . Binckes had sent a strange train of thought across his mind . Bro . Binckes had reminded them that the first Anniversary Festival of the Institution was presided over by the Chief Magistrate of the City of London , Bro . Sir William Cubitt , and it was a strange coincidence that they met to-day under the Lord Mayor of London ; and that since the speaker's father was Mayor of

Brighton no Lord Mayor had attended a banquet of the Mayor of Brighton . After a lapse of years they were again under the presidency of the Lord Mayor of London and he ( the Mayor of Brighton ) , had to congratulate them on the man they had secured , who belonged to No . 1 lodge of which Bro . Cubitt had been the Master . The speaker concluded by a reference to the honour which had recently been bestowed by Her Majesty on the Lord

Mayor , and to the splendid entertainment which his lordship had given to the Provincial Mayors , and finally proposed his health . The LORD MAYOR , in reply , said that the most difficult task of all was to reply for one ' s own health . It was a great mistake to suppose that all that happened of advantage , and sometimes of disadvantage , to our fellowmen arose from their own acts . He feared that they were too often the

sport of fortune and the creatures of circumstances ; but , on the other hand , he believed that an honest desire to fulfil the duties which their fellow-countrymen had placed upon them was an ambition worthy of every Englishman in every part of the country ; and he believed that in this country , whenever a man was found to exert himself in that post in which he had been placed , he received more than his due meed of praise and more gratitude than he

was entitled to . For his own part , he had struggled to do what he could in the interests of those who had placed him in the several positions he had occupied . He would admit thathe wasproud to have his name associated with the former Lord Mayor and Junior Grand Warden , Sir William Cubitt , a man who they knew had an extraordinary simplicity of character , a warmth of heart , and intensity of purpose that made him revered and loved by those

with whom he was associated . His lordship added that he seemed to wish that it weremore in his power to aid and advance the interests of Freemasonry , and for this reason , that he believed there was no body of men who more sincerely served and advanced the interests of the ladies than the Freemasons . He was there not to champion the Craft , but to champion the interests of the ladies in assuring them , and creating a confidence in their minds , that in urging their brothers , their sons , their husbands to

become Freemasons they would be laying wider and deeper and broader the foundations of society . In proposing "The Health of the Grand Officers , " Bro . MARRIOTT , Q . C . M . P ., said he did not know how many provinces were represented there ; but in mentioning the name of Bro . Burrall , the Provincial Grand Master for Sussex to respond to this toast , he would only make one remark , and that was that if the other provinces had as good a Grand Master as Sussex , they were exceedingly fortunate . lie was known to all of them , and esteemed

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

by all , and he trusted that Bro . Burrall would continue to be their Grand Master for many years . Sir WALTER BURRELL having briefly responded , the LORD MAYOR rose to propose the principal toast of the evening . The LORD MAYOR : Ladies and brethren , —I have now to propose to you a toast for which I must ask your indulgence for a few moments . It is

" Prosperity to the Masonic Institution for Boys . " ( Hear , hear . ) Now it is a very important thing in this country that these societies should not onl y be continued but that they should prosper . Now I have quoted before , but I do not think within Masonic walls , a saying of the late Prime Minister Lord Beaconsfield . ( Hear , hear . ) Speaking many years ago in the Guildhall of London , he said this : Undivided ( I am not going to introduce politics

into this speech , what he said was this ) individuals form communities but it is institutions that make a nation ' . Now if you consider these few words for a few moments you will see how much is comprised in them , and you will perceive how applicable they are to the present meeting ; it is quite true that we form a community , it is quite true that we may be comparatively acquainted with each other , but in order to

help each other , in oider to stand shoulder to shoulder , in order to be a compact bod }' , we must not be in community , we must be an Institution founded for the purpose of aiding ' and assisting each other . And this Masonic Institution for Boys grows out of institutions of the Craft to advance the interests of those who are associated with them . Now , I have appealed to the ladies before ; I appeal

to the ladies again . Is there any possible object that . can be more moving to their hearts and to their souls than that the little children who are left in unfortunate circumstances , by reason of the death of their parents , or by reason of some misfortune that hasovertaken them ; can there bean } ' object more dear to their heaits and souls than that these children should have fatherly and motherly care spread over them by this Institution ? Ladies

and brethren , I say that that ought to stir the heart of every Freemason , and it is by that means that great ends are attained . It is not by great sums which are given by those who are prosperous , it is by all acting together , and giving what they can afford , and if I stand to plead for this Institution that is what I ask of my fellow Freemasons . But it would be useless that all the Stewards of the day—that this great meeting should be held—if when

these funds were obtained they were not wisely dispensed . I suppose there are few here who have not visited the Institntion at Wood Green . Among all the buildings J have seen—nay , I will put it in comparison with the Merchant Taylors , to which I belong—this great Institution will bear comparison with that or any other great institution . But , brethren , I , fortunately or unfortunately , take a practical view of these things . ' You may have a

fine building , but what . will that help the children if that budding has been constructed at too great a cost ? or if , when you have the building , you do not supply an education to these children which shall be useful and advantageous to them in their future life . The rooms are large and lofty , as they should be for sanitary purposes ; but all the arrangements are carried out upon the most economical principle , so that the greatest number of children

shall be admitted with the 'east expense compatible with efficiency . Now there is another point which is essential in dealing with a school , and that is that the staff should be of a suitable character ; but above all , that you should have a Head Master who should have sufficient learning to make your school respected , but who should have a kind and sympathetic-mind to teach the children not that which would gain high honours in a university ,

but suitable for the paths of life m which they shall have to tread . Now , I remember very well a conversation with my friend , if you will allow me to call him so , the late Prime Minister , and after our conversation he said this to me , " If at any time you think there is anything I can do you have only to ask me . " Now I fell that was a great compliment , but I thought also it was a very extraordinary thing for the Prime Minister to say ; and 1

said so ; but he replied " No , I am accustomed to deal with men , and I am sure that . I am safe in my observation . " I wish to apply that to the present occasion . I have had the pleasure of sittingnext to Dr . Morris , the Head Master . I have had the opportunity of conversing with Dr . Morris and of seeing his pupils , and of seeing what they could do ; and I have had a description of the education which you give these children ; and

I say , coupling my observation of the School , of your Head Master , and of the curriculum , the School deserves support , because of the practical utilitarianism of the School . Now , I hope I shall not be misunderstood when I impress upon you the importance of institutions of this character . I wish , in the second place , to show that the administration of the money you have subscribed that it has been well laid out , and 1 wish to illustrate to you , as

fc . r as I can , that the education which is being given to these children will enable them to win their living in the world , in the life which they have yet to live ; and if I can impress this upon you I have done my work effectually . I have heard the past history of this Institution ; I want not the past history , I want its future supported , and I want you to know that you are supporting an Institution ot high interest to the young race that is growing up , and that it cannot be supported unless you come forward liberally , and that the

£ 8000 which is requisite will be forthcoming , because it has been found here , as in all schools , that a lower and an upper school are necessary . You must separate the big from the small boys , or you clog the progress of the elder ones . I do not think that I can say anything more . But I shall ask to respond Bro . Plucknett , | Vice-President , and partner of the late Bro . Cubitt , and as Bro . Plucknett was intimatel y acquainted with Bro . Cubitt , we shall have a grand response on this occasion .

Bro . PLUCKNETT , in responding , said that the Lord Mayor had so completely described the position of the School that it was quite unnecessary for him to occupy the time with any further remarks . He had simply to express on behalf of the Institution the gratitude they felt for the large attendance of those who laboured to carry out the objects of the Charity . They were very anxious that the meeting should know that the funds necessary for carrying on the work were raised , but that , beyond that , that the Committee

were desirous to obtain further funds to enable them to extend the Institution . They could not express themselves sufficiently thankful for the presence of the Lord Mayor on that occasion , and , he might add , for having their meeting' graced with the Lady Mayoress also . He was quite sure that the presence of the Lady Mayoress was appreciated by the ladies and by the gentlemen also . He begged to offer to the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress the best thanks of the Institution .

Bro . BINCKES said that as the Lord Mayor was compelled to leave in a few minutes , but was anxious , before leaving , to hear the results produced by their 266 Stewards , he would proceed to read the list , but before doing so he must add that these results included a sum of £ 26 5 s from the Lady Mayoress and £ 10 10 s . from the Lord Mayor . Bro . BINCKES then read out the totals of the Steward's lists , as follow i