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Miss Nettie Atkinson , violinist j The Dilettante Quartette ; Bro . James A ' Brown , alto ; Bro . Edward Dalzell , tenor ; Bro . Fred . Bevan , Baritone and Bro . Robert Hilton , basso . At the pianoforte : Bros . William Davies and Charles E . Tinney . Bro . Morley , 2501 , was toastmaster .

Analysis Of The Returns.

ANALYSIS OF THE RETURNS .

Whether we take them on their own merits or by comparison with those of former years , we shall find the Returns for the Festival on Wednesday in every way to be commended . The great point , however , to be considered is that a very substantial increase has been made on the proceeds of the Festival in 1894 , when , including the amount of £ 1260 paid for a Perpetual Presentation to the Male Fund of the Institution , a total of upwards of £ 13 , 000 was ultimately

reached , the Board of Stewards who succeded in raising that amount being 299 . On Wednesday the Board mustered in all 323 ladies , lewises , and brethren , and the sum total of their lists was £ 14 , 1 T 3 6 s . —all the genuine outcome of the canvass by the brethren who undertook the duty of Stewards for the occasion . Be it our present task to see how the labour of accomplishing this task was distributed between town and country , and how and to what extent some brethren were more successful in the performance of theirduties than others .

LONDON was represented by 171 Stewards , of whom 11 were ladies and five Lewises , and the amount they had the satisfaction of compiling was £ 7220 6 s . The number of Masonic bodies which assisted in the good work was 113 lodges , one lodge of instruction , and five Royal Arch chapters , one of the lodges being represented by two and one by five Stewards , while the number of Unattached—exclusive of the ladies and Lewises already specified—was

30 . Those having the satisfaction [ of returning amounts varying from £ 100 and upwards are as follows : Bro . James O'Dea , who acted for the Perfect Ashlar Lodge , No . 1178 , and had the supreme satisfaction of heading the list with the very acceptable sum of £ 190 . Not far behind him will be found Bro . W . _ H . Barney , of the Borough of Greenwich Lodge , No . 2332 , with £ 183 15 s . Standing next in order of priority is the redoubtable Secretary of the Institution , Bro . James Terry , whoas often happens , acted entirely upon his own account , and

, compiled the goodly list of £ 179 . Standing next on the list is Bro . A . S . Hatchett lones , hailing from the 2 nd Middlesex Artillery Lodge , No . 2484 , who , though the body he represented has not yet ccmpleted the second year of its existence , was able to raise the sum of £ 173 5 s . St . John's Lodge , No . 1306 , with Bro . William Harper in charge of its interests , compiled the total of £ 171 18 s ., and was followed by the Woodgrange Lodge , Ho . 2409 , whose active Steward was Bro . A . R . Trew its first W . M . Bro . Trew , with four other members to assist him , succeeding in

obtaining £ 170 . Bro . J . W . Dixon , representing the Derby Allcroft Lodge , No . 2166 , has £ 159 is . 6 d . to his credit , and Bro . W . E . Wigmore , Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , . £ 157 ios . We then find a group of three—Bio . ] . D . Webb , Farringdon Without Lodge , No . 1745 , with £ 136 10 s . ; Bro . Robert Fielder , of the West Ham Abbey Lodge , No . 2231 , with £ 135 , and Bro . W . G . Cannon , of the Surrey Lodge , No . 1539 , with £ 130 . As regards the last of this group it is a pleasure to record that this is the second time Bro . Cannon has taken a

conspicuous part in our Festival proceedings , the previous occasion having been at the Boys' School Festival of last year , when he represented the Dagmar Lodge , No . 2262 , Wraysbury , Bucks , and took up a list of £ 115 103 . What , however , is chiefly remarkable in connection with Bro . Cannon's lists is that they are family compilations , Bro . and Mrs . Cannon , with seven male and five lady Cannons being the contributors to Wednesday's list ; while in June last , the family was represented to the extent of 13 only . We feel sure that Bro .

Terry must have been delighted at being peppered with such useful cannonballs as were discharged at him on this occasion , and we trust that for the sake of our Institutions , as well as for the renown of the Cannon family , many future Festival lists may contain equally strong evidence of the good-will and generosity of the latter . Bro . Captain W . Lurcott , of the Clerkenweli Lodge , No . 1364 , was close up with Bro . Cannon with a total of £ 128 as ., and he is followed by Bro . Wellcome , of the Columbian Lodge , No . 2397 , with £ 120 15 s . The next in

order were Bro . Francis Gosnay , who was Steward for the Adelphi Lodge , No . 1670 , and compiled £ 115 ios ., and Bro . M . J . Pocklington , Finsbury Park Ledge , No . 1288 , with a list of £ 115 4 s ., and then Bro . S . J . Latham , Yarborough Lodge , No 554 , with £ 110 15 s . 6 d . and Bro . Edwin Fox , of the Lodge of Felicity , No . 58 , with £ 10833 . Bro . Herbert Sprake , representing the Highbury Lodge , No . 2 ig 2 ; headed the next gioup with a total of £ 105 103 . ; Bro . T . R . Cass , Blackheath Lodge , No . 1320 , and H . Fonseca , City of Westminster Lodge , No . 1563 , being

level with £ 105 , while Bro . Geo . R . Lambert , who was Steward for Bro . Terry ' s mother lodge—United Strength , No . 228 -handed in £ 104 7 s . 6 d ., Bro . W . S , Penley , Asaph Lodge , £ 10 3 15 s ., and Bro . R . Pain Watkden , Highgate Lodge , £ 101 15 s . 6 d . These 23 brethren whom we have enumerated deserve the greatest credit tor the energy and success with which they discharged their duties .

Among other brethren who have acquitted themselves well are Bro . E . Stratton Gerrish , whose list was £ 7 6 5 s . ; Bro . S . Vickers , Lodge of Justice , No . 147 , who has £ 80 16 s . to his credit ; Bro . John W . Simeon , Confidence Lodge , No . 193 , with £ 71 18 s . 6 d . ; Bro . j . H . Hawkins , Fitzroy Lodge , No . 569 , £ 85 is . ; Bro . A . H . Bevan , Friends-in-Council , No . 1383 , £ 92 17 s . ; and Bro . C . C . Paine , Tyssen-Amherst Lodge , No . 2242 , £ 82 8 s . 6 d .

Having glanced through the Returns from the Metropolitan district and noted the most important lists , we turn our attention to

THE PROVINCES , which , taken as a whole , were represented by 152 Stewards , and contributed a total of Donations and Subscriptions amounting to £ 6893 . Here , while there is a trifling reduction in the number of absentees , there is to counter balance it a slight reduction in the number of Stewards as compared with 18 94 . Last year 28 Provinces and an outlying Station sent up 162 Stewards , this year there are 20 Provinces with two outlying stations , which are represented , as we have

just said , by 152 brethren , the difference in the two totals amounting , however , to upwards of £ icoo . The following 17 Provinces took no part in the Festival of Wednesday , namely : C AMBRIDGESHIRE ( six lodges ) , which was represented at all three Festivals in 1894 , the sum of its contributions being £ 239 , while in 18 93 it raised £ 290 17 s ., and in 1892 , £ 326 8 s ., for the Jubilee Festival of this Institution . LHESHIKE ( 46 lodges ) is very naturally reserving itself for the Boys' School

Festival in July , when Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton has undertaken to preside as Chairman . Moreover , two years since it established a Benevolent Institution , for which it raised a capital of some £ 3000 , and it has , too , an Educational Institution , which has been in existence for upwards of 30 years . It would , therefore , be exceedingly unjust to measure the extent of its zeal for the Central Masonic Charities by the extent of its contributions to their funds in 1893 and 1894 , and if we desire

to know what it does in their behalf on sundry occasions we must turn to 1891 , when it raised £ 134 ios . for the Girls' School and £ 1050 for the memorable Boys ' School Festival at Brighton , under the presidency of the Pro Grand Master , and the work it accomplished in 1892 , when it gave £ 1988 ios . to the Institution at its J ubilee , £ 117 12 s . to the Girls' School Festival , and £ 62 8 s . to that of the Boys ' School , the total for the year being £ 2168 ios . CORNWALL ( 30 lodges ) is in a similar position to Cheshire . Its Provincial Grand Master , Bro . the Earl of Mount

Analysis Of The Returns.

Edgcumbe , D . G . M . of England , has arranged to occupy the chair at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls in May , when it will direct all its efforts towards supporting his lordship ' s efforts in behalf of that Charity . But ever and again it contributes liberally of its means , as will be seen from the Returns published during the last few years and previously . In 1890 , it distributed £ 380 is . among the three Institutions ; in 1891 , it figured in the lists of the Benevolent Institution and Boys' School for £ 289 15 s ., while in 1892 , when its

Prov . Grand Master occupied the chair at the Jubilee of this Institution , it had the satisfaction of raising £ 776 15 s . In 18 93 , it returned by the hands of Bro . Gilbert B . Pearce as its sole representative at the Boys' School Festival , the sum of £ 225 15 s ., while last year it gave £ 131 5 s - to the Girls' Institution , and £ 110 5 s to that of the Boys , or together £ 24 1 ios . DEVONSHIRE ( 52 lodges ) , ' considering the number of its lodges , might with advantage to itself take a more frequent and prominent part in these Anniversary gatherings . Last year , for instance , it raised

£ 26 5 s . for the Boys' School , and £ 109 7 s . for the sister Institution at Battersea Rise , or together , £ 135 12 s . ; in 18 93 , the sum of £ 181 2 s . was divided between " Our Boys" and the Benevolent Institution , the former having the good fortune to secure out of it £ 154 7 s . ; and in 1892 , it contributed £ 807 18 s . 6 d . towards the Jubilee of this Institution , £ 68 5 s . for the Girls' Festival , and £ 47 ss . for that of the Boys , or altogether £ 923 8 s . 6 d . But these are by no means as big Returns as we should like to see from one of our strongest Provinces .

HEREFORDSHIRE , with its small contingent of five lodges , is a mere pigmy b y comparison with the Province we have just mentioned , but it is not well , for its own sake , that it should be so often amongst the absentees . It has a Charity Association , through which it contributes from time to time to our Institutions , but it is only at long intervals that we find it included in the Returns , and then only for very modest amounts . LINCOLNSHIRE ( 24 lodges ) has been resting on its oars for the last two years , having raised only £ 21 for the Boys' School in

18 94 , and a small amount for the Girls' School in 1893 . In 1892 , however , it contributed £ 660 5 s . to the Jubilee of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and £ 481 to the funds of the Boys' School the preceding year , so that there is reason to hope that before the present year has run its course , it will do something to uphold the prestige it has latterly acquired as a generous supporter of our Charities . MONMOUTHSHIRE ( 10 lodges ) generally reserves its support for one Institution , in the course of the year , each one receiving its due attention

in turn . Thus the Girls' School was assisted last year with the good round sum of £ 2 97 us . 6 d ., while in 18 93 the " Old People " were the favoured Charity and received £ 272 8 s . 6 d . In 1892 , the Boys' School had its turn with £ 316 18 s ., there being only a modest £ 21 contributed to the Benevolent Jubilee , and in 1891 £ 325 is . was raised for the latter . We may assume , therefore , that this year the contributions for Monmouthshire will find their way info the Treasury of the Boys ' School . NORFOLK ( 17 lodges ) raised £ 134 13 s . for the Boys' School in 18 94 , and

£ 78 15 s . for the sister School in 1893 , but in 1892 it did good service to the Old People by raising £ 406 5 s . for their jubilee , and in 1891 it contributed £ 225 5 s . to " Our Boys . " NORTHUMBERLAND { 25 lodges ) has been content with minor contributions since 18 91 , when it raised £ 1364 4 s . for the Boys' School , the Benevolent Jubilee in 1892 having been supported to the extent of £ 105 , while the same Institution received £ 94 ios . in 1893 , and the Boys' School £ 80 ios . last year . SOUTH WALES , EASTERN DIVISION ,

( 19 lodges ) very generously contributed £ 350 to the Boys' School last year , and to the Girls' School £ 315 in 1893 , while , in 18 92 , it favoured the Benevolent Jubilee with £ 180 , and the Boys' School with £ 321 15 s . 6 d ., the amount raised in 18 91 having been £ 479 15 s ., out of which the R . M . B . L was fortunate enough to obtain £ 380 . SOUTH WALES , WESTERN DIVISION ( IO lodges ) is a much smaller province than its neighbour , but it raised £ 154 12 s . per Bro . W . J . L . S . Stradling , D . P . G . M ., for the Old People in 1894 ; £ 177 19 s .

for the Girls' School in 1893 , and for the Boys' School £ 161 is . 6 d . in 1892 , there being also a supplementary subscription of £ 32 us . to the Benevolent jubilee in the last-named year . WILTSHIRE ( II lodges ) was represented at the Benevolent and Boys' Festivals in 18 94 , the former being benefited to the extent of £ 175 14 s . 6 d ., and the latter to that of £ 120 4 s . In 1893 the Schools were supported , the Girls ' receiving £ 185 17 s ., and the sister School £ 11053 ., while in 1892 , out of £ 530195 . which was raised for the Three Charities , trie Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution received at its Jubilee Anniversary no less than £ 483 14 s . In 1891 , the sum ° f £ 357 5 s - 6 d . was contributed to the Boys' School . Last year , WORCESTERSHIRE ( 13 lodges ) took part , but on a modest scale , in all three Festivals , the Benevolent obtaining £ 130 os . 6 d ., the Girls' School £ 10 10 s ., andthe Boys' School £ 52 ios . In 18 93 , the sum of £ 308 3 s . was raised for the Schools , of which the Boys' had the satisfaction of taking £ 245 3 s ., while , in 1892 , all three were benefited , the amount distributed being £ 498 5 s ., of which the Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution obtained £ 245 12 s ., or nearly half , and the rest was shared between the Schools . YORKSHIRE ( N . andE . ) , wnichhas 32 lodgesonitsroll , raised £ 44 i 15 s , for the ] three Institutions in 18 94 , of which the Boys' School secured £ 301 19 s ., while in 18 93 and 1892 it gave £ 424 4 * . and £ 733 4 s . respectively , the large sum of £ 717 9 s . beirgin respect of the Benevolent Jubilee in the latter year . GUERNSEY AND ALDERNEV tfive lodges ) , constituted as a Province under Bro . J . Balfour Cockburn , P . G . M ., raised over £ 240 for the Benevolent Jubilee in 1892 and in

1893 £ 57 15 s . for the same Institution , and £ 31 ios . for the Girls' School , while last year Bro . Cockburn was Steward . at the Benevolent and Girls' School Festivals , the sum of £ ios . ios . being given by him on each occasion . J ERSEY ( seven lodges ) , raised £ 26 3 for the Boys' School Institution in 1893 and £ 63 for the Benevolent Jubilee in 1892 ; while the ISLE OF MAN ( nine lodges ) figured in the Girls' School Returns last year for £ 46 4 s ., in those of the Boys' School the year previous for

£ 31 ios ., and in 18 92 at the Benevolent Jubilee for £ 52 ios ., and at the Girls ' School Festival for £ 46 2 s . These 17 absentee Provinces muster amongst them 323 lodges , or rather more than one-fourth of the total number of country lodges , as stated in Grand Lodge Calendar . We now pass to the represented Provinces , and taking them , as usual , in their alphabetical order we notice that one of the six lodges on the roll of

BEDFORDSHIRE —the St . Andrew ' s , No . 803 , Biggleswade—sent up a Steward in the person of Bro . W . Chaundler , whose list amounted to £ 43 is . In 1894 , it showed to advantage at all three Festivals , the sum total of its contributions being £ 238 gs ., of which £ 102 ios . was subscribed to the R . M . B . L , £ 42 is . to the Girls '

School , and £ 92 iSs . to the Boys' School . In 1893 , the sum of £ 183 173 . 6 d . was divided amongst the three , while in 1892 , the Benevolent and Girls' School had £ 152 5 s . apportioned between them . Thus , this small Province has been only once an absentee at the last 10 Festivals , and we sincerely hope that the progress it has made will be maintained , if not improved upon , during the present year .

BERKSHIRE had five out of its 15 lodges represented on Wednesday , the Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope , No . 574 , Newbury , having for its Steward Bro . C . E . Keyser , who will also be found among the Hertfordshire brethren as doing duty for the lodge at Hoddesdon , which bears his name . The total of the five lists is £ 440 8 s ., of which £ 134 is . was raised by Bro . Keyserand £ 173 by

, Er ) . Kedge , of the A ' . ot Lodge , 2460 . Last year it distributed £ 583 133 . 6 U among ihe three Charities , the Benevolent faring best with £ 247 13 s ., the Girls ' beini ; a good second with £ 207 8 s . 6 d ., and the Boys' School receiving the balance of £ 130 12 s . In 18 93 its total was still higher— £ 724 7 s . —and in 1892 , when it subscribed £ 661 9 s . 6 d . for the Benevolent Jubilee , higher still , the full amount being £ 954 us . fid . In 1891 , when it began its career as a separate Province ,