Analysis Of Returns.

Honour Judge Masterman , Unattached , supplemented this with £ 36 15 s ., the sum of the two lists being £ 230 15 s ., and as an Unattached Steward in the person of Bro . J . H . Bradwell raised £ 78 gs . for the Benevolent Institution in February , the year ' s aggregate is £ 309 4 s . In 18 9 6 the two Schools received between them £ 395 6 s ., of which £ 232 4 s . was obtained by " Our Girls " and £ 163 2 s . by " Our

Boys , " while in 1 S 92 the Benevolent and this Institution were supported , the former to the extent of £ 107123 6 d ., and the latter with £ 166 19 s . In 1894 it was absent from all three Festivals , but in 1893 the Girls' School received £ 131 5 s ., and in 1892 £ 241 5 s . 6 d . was subscribed for the Schools , the Girls' School receiving only £ 37 16 s . 6 d . and this Institution the rest .

Two of the 20 lodges in NORTH WALES were represented by Bro . S . F . Clement , and the veteran Bro . C . K . Benson , who on this occasion served his 13 th Stewardship for " Our Boys , " was Unattached , the total of his list being £ 26 5 s ., while Bro . Clement's donations , & c , were , included elsewhere . In May Bros . Benson and Porter raised between them £ 6853 ,

while in February Bro . Benson and another raised £ 52 ios ., so that the year has yielded in all £ 147 . This is less than half the sum raised in 1896 , when £ 597 15 s . 6 d . was distributed among the three Institutions , the Boys' School , vvhich obtained £ 178 12 s . 6 d ., being the most highly favoured . In 1895 the total vvas £ 302 Ss ., of which this Institution obtained £ 186 18 s ., and the other

Institutions the balance divided equally between them . In 1894 , 1 S 93 , and 1892 the year ' s totals were far higher , reaching £ 400 17 s . 6 * 3 . in 189 ^; £ 474 183 . in 18 93 ; and £ 495 12 s . in 1892 . It would be well if a few other of our North Wales brethren would take a leaf out of Bro . Benson's book , and work as hard and as systematically as he does for our Charities .

Six of the 12 lodges on the roll of OXFORDSHIRE were represented at Wednesday ' s meeting , the sum of their lists reaching thc goodly total of £ 183 18 s . 6 d . In February the subscriptions to the Benevolent Institution were £ 240 15 s . 6 d ., while in May there vvas raised £ 51 7 s . 6 d . for the

Girls' School , so that during 18 97 this small Province has distributed among our Institutions £ 476 is . 6 d ., or not far short of an average of £ 40 per lodge . In 1896 the total was £ 351 Ss . 6 d . ; in 1 S 95 , £ 3 82 18 s . 6 d . ; in 1894 , £ 312 is . ; in 18 93 , £ 440 6 s . 6 d . ; and in 1892 , £ 661 19 s . 6 d ., of vvhich £ 428 7 s . vvas subscribed towards the Benevolent Jubilee .

The Province of S HROPSHIRE , which also musters 12 lodges , has been represented at all three Festivals during the present year . In February the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Sir O . Wakeman , Bart ., and his Deputy , Bro . R . G . Venables , figured together for £ 31 10 s . In May the representatives of two lodges and the Dep . P . G . M . compiled a total of £ 176 8 s ., and on Wednesday the Prov . G . Master and Bro , Salisbury , as Stewards

for the Salopian Lodge , No . 262 , Shrewsbury , returned in all £ 78 153 . 5 Bro . Salisbury's list being for £ 63 . Thus the total for 1897 is £ 286 133 ., which compares favourably with that of 1896 , amounting to £ 263 ns ., but is substantially less than that of 1895 , when the sum raised , including £ 193 3 s . to this Institution , reached £ 391 13 s . The Province did but little during the years 1894 and 18 93 , but in 1892 it subscribed in all £ 615 163 . 6 d ., of which £ 456 is . was in respect of the Jubilee , and in 1891 the total stood at £ 455 gs . 6 d .

Of the 26 lodges in SOMERSETSHIRE two took part in Wednesday's celebration , their representatives together coin , piling a total of £ 97 . This is the only Festival at which the Province has been represented during the present year , while in 1896 it subscribed only £ 3 6 15 s . to the Girls' School and £ 87 3 s . to this Institution , or together £ 123 18 s . These are small amounts for such a Province , even though it backed up Bro . Viscount

Dungarvan , its P . G . M ., as Chairman at the Old People ' s Festival in 18 95 , and raised for it under his auspices £ 1657 17 s . 6 d ., while the smaller sums c . intributcd to the Schools augmented the year's total to £ 1745 3 s . 7 d . In 1892 thc amount raised , including £ 613 ios . for the Benevolent Jubilee , was £ 841 15 s ., while in 1888 , thanks principally to the exertions of the late Bro . Stothert , at the time G . Std . B ., it raised close upon £ 1000 for the Girls' Centenary . We would suggest that tiese later—or , in point of time , those earlier—figures harmonise better with the prestige and influence of the Province .

STAFFORDSHIRE has acquitted itself well during the current year . In February Bro . M . Barker , as Steward for the Province with its 32 lodges , raised £ 115 ios . for the Benevolent Institution , and in May five Stewards , of whom four acted for three lodges , compiled £ 225 5 s . On Wednesday the three Stewards , of whom Bro . A . Dewsbury lepiesentfed Lodge and Chapter No . 539 , and Bro . F . Gnosillthe lodge only , while

Comp . E . H . Clarke was Steward for the Abbey Chapter , No . 624 , Burton-on-Trent £ 278 ios . In 18 9 6 the arrount was £ 604 us ., and in 18 9 6 , £ 692 13 s . 6 d . ; in 18 94 and 1893 it was £ 428 8 s . and £ 424 7 s . 6 d . respectively , while , as regards the two preceding years , the difference was only fractional , the year 1892 yielding £ 762 2 s , and the year 1891 £ 7 61 15 s . 6 d . These Returns average not very far short of £ 600 a year for the seven years we have referred to .

At the last moment SUFFOLK transferred itself from the absentee to the represented Provinces , and will be found contributing £ 31 ios . In February it raised £ 173 14 s . for the Institution , and £ 22 7 10 s . for the Girls' School last month , the total for the year then standing at £ 401 4 s . Last year it raised in all £ 647 is ., of which the Institution received £ 388 ios .,

and the other two the balance between them . In 1895 , the total was £ 851 13 s . 6 d ., of whi h over three-fourths fell to the share of the Old People , and in 18 94 , £ 809 5 s . In 1893 , the smaller sum of £ 533 gs . 6 d . was divided among the three , but this is to be explained by the heavy total , amounting to £ 1419 4 s . of the previous year , when the Benevolent Institution celebrated its Jubilee , and Suffolk supported it to the extent of £ 1291 14 s .

Of the 41 lodges on the roll of SURREY , eight sent up Stewards , and as there were a lady and a brother Unattached , the number of representati * es was nine , who among them compiled the excellent total of £ 324 19 s ., the principal list being that of Bro . Hugh Taylor , of Lome Lodge , No . 1347 , Sutton , tor £ 82 8 s . In February six lodges , a chapter , and two

Unattached Stewards compiled a total of £ 325 12 s ., the principal item being the £ 101 16 s . 6 d . of Comp . Floo d , Dorking Chapter , No . 1149 ; while in May 11 lodges , a chapter , and one Unattached brother raised £ 622 7 s . 6 d ., Bro . G . L . Berry , Molesey Lodf * .,, No . 273 . being responsible for £ 115 ios ., Bro . J . Ellinger , Frederick West Lodge , No . 2222 , East Molesey , for £ 91 73 ., and Bro . W . B . Hayward , the George Price L idge , No . 2096 , Croydon , for £ 81 183 . These three

Returns together amount ( o £ 1272 183 . 6 d . Last ytar the total was £ 106843 . ; in 18 95 : £ 1043 ios . ; in 18 94 , when the late Bro . Colonel Money presided at the Benevolent Festival and his Province assisted him to the extent of £ 139023 ., it was £ 1673 4 s . 61 ; in 1893 , £ 913 3 s . 6 d . ; and in 1892 , when the Benevolent Jubilee was celebrated , £ 2817 ios . 6 d . Our Surrey brethren must be very proud of such fig ures as these .

Analysis Of Returns.

After the splendid performance of SUSSEX in February last , when its Prov . G . Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and Strathearne , presided as Chairman at the Benevolent Festival , and his Province seconded his Royal Highness's efforts by subscribing £ 1263 23 . 61 , we have not expected that it would take a very active part in the celebrations of the School

Festivals . However , in May seven of its 31 lodges vvere represented and amongst them compiled £ 205 93 . 6 d ., while on Wednesday , one lodge and two Unattached Stewards raised £ 29 12 s . 6 d ., placing the year's total to £ 1498 4 s . 6 d . In previous years the Province has invariabl y shown to considerable advantage . Last year it raised £ 1052 ; in 1895 , 1894 and 1893 the contributions vvere fairly

, level , amounting to £ 1254 gs . 6 d . ; £ 1277 10 s ., and £ 1234 16 s . respectively . In 1892 it did some exceedingly heavy work , subscribing in all £ 2227 45 ., of which £ 1155 6 s . was in respect of the Benevolent Jubilee , and £ 1026 5 s . in support of the Duke of Connaught ' s Chairmanship at the Girls' Festival . In 1891 it raised £ 1347 2 s ., of which £ 731 17 s . 6 d . was on behalf of this Institution .

WARWICKSHIRE has latterly been very regular in its attendance at our Festivals . Thus , in February , 16 Stewards acting for four of its 31 lodges returned amongst them £ 235 15 s ., and in May , nine Stewards from three of the lodges raised £ 210 . On Wednesday , two lodges were represented , the number of Stewards being four , and the sum of their lists £ 47 5 s ., the total for the whole year being £ 493 . This is considerably

less than the sum raised in 1 S 96 , when the Province subscribed in all £ 981 13 s ., of which close upon one-half fell to the share of this Institution , while in i 8 g 5 it amounted to £ 1155 , including £ 525 paid for a Life Presentation to " Our Boys ., ' In 18 94 , the sum raised was £ 637 16 s . 3 d . ; in 1 S 93 , £ 530 7 s . 6 d . ; and in 1 S 92 , including £ 2186 subscribed to the Benevolent Jubilee , £ 2410 4 s . The Province of

WORCESTERSHIRE has acquitted itself splendidly during the present year . In February it raised £ 504 for the Benevolent Institution ; in May , £ 199 ios . for the Girl ' s School ; and on Wednesday , £ 50 Ss . for this Institution , the total for 1897 thus amounting

to £ 753 ' 8 s . In 1836 it was about £ 100 less , the actual amount being £ 653 2 s . ; in 1 S 95 , £ 558 ; in 1894 , £ 193 os . 6 d . ; in 1893 , £ 30833 . ; and in i 8 g 2 , £ 49 8 15 s . The present year has , therefore , been the most productive of the six we have enumerated , if not of the whole series of years , in which the Province has assisted our Institutions .

As regards WEST YORKSHIRE , its support of our Institutions is so loyal and regular , that there b little need lo say more than that the number of its representatives , inclusive of seven ladies , was 27 , and the sum they raised £ 350 . In February it raised

£ 608 15 s . for the Old People , and in May £ 420 for thc Girls' School , the total contributed during the year being £ 137 8 15 s ., which is considerably below the average , owing , no doubt , to its having started an Educational and Benevolent Association of its own . In i 8 g 6 it raised £ 2107 103 . ; in 1895 , £ 1716 8 s . ; and in 1894 , when Bro . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., presided at the Boys' School Festival , £ 6697 5 s ., of which £ 4559 15 s . went into the coffers of this Institution .

THE ISLE or MAN has a roll of nine lodges , and from time to time contributes towards the maintenance of our Institutions . In 1892 it raised X-98 13 s . for the Benevolent and Girls' Institutions , and in 18 95 . C 53 ns . for the Schools . On Wednesday two of its lodges vvere represented by three brethren , whose lists amounted to £ 52 15 s .

FOREIGN STATIONS , The amout received from this source is . C 47 5 s ., and our only regret is that the total is not larger .

CONCLUDING REMARKS . There is nothing lo add except the expression of a hope that \ Ve have not wounded the susceptibilities of any of our readers ill the remarks we have made . We bear in mind that it rests with the members of the Craft to give or not to give , as it pleases them 1 the support of the three Central Institutions being purely voluntary .

Distribution Of Prizes.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES .

On Tuesday last , the day preceding the 99 th anniversary festival of the " Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , the distribution of prizes obtained for excellence in different branches of study by pupils of the School was performed at the Schoolhouse , Wood Green , b y Lady Henry Cavendish Bentinck , whose husband , Lord Henry Cavendish Bentinck , Prov . Grand Master for Cumberland and Westmorland , was to preside at the festival .

A finer day for a successful fete could not have smiled on the proceedings , and the arrangements which had been made left nothing to be desired . The visitors had been invited to be in their places by a quarter to three o ' clock in the afternoon , and as if with a desire to make everything as perfect as possible the great majority of the numerous visitors had taken their places in the fine hall of the Institution by that time .

The Chairman of the Festival , with Lady Henry Cavendish Bentinck , who were accompanied from London by Bro . J . Morrison McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Secretary of the Institution , arrived at three o ' clock , and were met at the entrance hall of the building by the Treasurer of the Institution , Bro . C . E . Keyser , P . G . D . ; the Chairman of the Board of Management , Bro . Richard live , P . G . T ., the Vice-Chairman ; the Head Master , Bro . the Rev . H . A . Hebb , M . A . ; and the Matron , this lady presenting a handsome bouquet to Lady Henry Cavendish Bentinck .

Among the company present were Bros . C . C . Nicols ( Sierra Leone ) , P . M . 2506 , & c . ; R . V . Vassar-Smith , Patron ; Stanley J . Attenborough , Patron ; Dr . W . H . Kempster , V . P . ; E . M . Money , V . P . ; VV . Stevenson , R . D . Cummings , Bjard of Management ; Francis Gosnay and Mrs . Gosnay ; Bro . William Short , Mrs . D . P . Cama , Bros . James Stephens , Geo-ge Motion , John Glass , Major Woodall , P . G . T . ; J . W . Burgess , and W . F . Lamonby .

Immediately on the arrival of Lord and Lady Cavendish Bentinck , the proceedings commenced , Bro . Richard Eve taking the chair . Interrupted by many salvoes of applause , Bro . EVE welcomed the visitors on behalf ol the Briard of Management , and explained that the education il portion , of Ihe Institution had had a most successful year in every department . The musical examiner , Dr . ILM , Lott , Mas . Doc , P . C . O . - g ., had given a

most glowing account of the progress ol the pupils in music ; and the Syndicate at Cambridge University , the examinations under which had been th irough , and extended over a vast number of subjects , had reported mr > st favourably . The Board of Management , some long time ago , desired lo import physical exercises into the curriculum , and the boys were now able ' 0 go through these exercises with great credit . The whole of the education