Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The annual New Year ' s Entertainment to the annuitants resident in the Institution at Croydon , was given on Wednesday last , and notwithstanding the great success of all the entertainments of former years , a programme was arranged which put previous New Years' celebrations , at

the same place , in the shade . The weather was very inclement , the rain falling fast and furious , but it canbardly be said that it was unfortunate that it did so , as it considerably enhanced the warmth of the hospitality which greeted the brethren and ladies who journeyed to Croydon to assist in making the old people once more happy for a few hours .

On entering the building the xisitors were met by Bro . Terry ( Secretary ) , Bro . Norris ( Warden ) , and Miss Norris ( Matron ) , and welcomed with the best wishes for the New Year in the hall , which was decorated with elegant cards , tastefully arranged on the walls , and interspersed with branches of holly . Everywhere was to be seen an indication that the day was to be a happy one , and glorious fires were

in thc grates to keep out thc ^ damp . and cold . No time was lost in beginning the enjoyments of the day , for as soon as the company had assembled the bell was rung to summon the old brethren and ladies from their different residences to partake of the liberal fare which had been provided for them in the hall , which , by the way , although of sufficient dimensions in former times for the requirements of the

Institution , affords , at the present time , totally inadequate accommodation for such entertainments as arc given twice a year . The hall where the dinner took place was profusely adorned with seasonable symbols , the arrangement of which had occupied the attention of Bro . Terry and assistants for the best part of two elays . The three large tables , which were placed on as many sides of the room ,

were loaded with good things , and every available seat was soon occupied . The arrangements were excellent , for although there was no room to spare , every inmate of the Institution was studiously attended to . The visiting brethren volunteered their services to look after the annuitants and thc lady visitors , and , with an admirable corps of waiters , ltft no one any occasion for complaining of

neglect . Dr . Strong , Honorary Surgeon to the Institution , took the chair , having on his right Bro . Norris , the Warden of the Institution , and on his left Mrs . Terry . Bro . Terry occupied the Vice-Chair . The visitors present were : —Bros . Dr . Strong , 'James Terry , G . S . Recknell . R . F . Cheesewright , George Everett ,

and Mrs . Everett , H . Massey , Miss Annie Massey , Master H . W . Massey , W . H . Main , Mrs . Notson , Mr . J . E . Terry , George Knill , W . H . Wallington , A . H . Tattershall , C . J . Perceval , F . R . W . Hedges , ( Secretary to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ) , Mrs . Hedges , Bro . Joseph Stock , Mrs . Stock , Mr . Aug . A . Perceval , Bro . John Newton , Mrs . Newton , Bro . Charles Daniel , Mr . Thomas S . Oborn , Bro .

B iwyer , Mrs . Bowycr , Bro . Thomas Cubitt , Mrs . W . Culmer , Bro . R . H . Halford , Mrs . Halford , Bro . Richard Piercy , Mrs . Piercy , Thomas Goode , Bro . Edwin Legge , Mrs . Legge , C . H . Webb , Mrs . Hilliard , Mrs . Oborn , Bro . J . Tickell , Mrs . Tickell , Mis . Strong , Mrs . Tciry , Miss Terry , Miss Jessie Terry , Bro . G . J . Hilliard , Sirs . Wallington , Miss Wallington , Bio . W . W . Morgan , Mrs . Morgan , and Bro . C . Stewart .

A Christmas card of thc prettiest pattern and choicest workmanship , was provided for every one , and after dinner each female annuitant was presented with a packet of tea , and every male annuitant with a packet of tobacco , the gift of Bro . W . Hale . Bro . Perceval also presented every male annuitant with a handsome snuff-box , and every female annuitant , with a

scented packet . Dr . Strong proposed the three usual toasts , " The Gu .-en , " " The Founders of the Feast , " and " Bro . Norris , the Warden of the Institution . " In proposing " The Founders of the Feast , " he said that the entertainment was not provided at Ihe expense of the funds of the Institution , but by a few brethren and hdies who took a great interest in

the welfare of the annuitants , and were never tired of doing something , which would promote their happiness . These brethren and ladies were always pleased to see their aged friends happy , and came down to Cioydon , periodically , to assist in making them so . In giving " The Health of Bro . Norris , " he said that this toast would be as pleasing to all

the visitors as well as to the residents 'in thc Institution , as Bro . Norris looked carefully after their welfare . Bro . Norris , who was the oldest Mason in England , was within a week or two of eighty-nine years of age . Bro . Nonis was very proud of being the Warden of the Institution . He was ably assisted by his daughter , Miss Norris , who had been appointed Matron , and in such entertainments as the present she took a very

important part , seeing to the dinner , the cooking , and the arrangements for refreshments and tea . In this way a Very heavy burden necessarily fell upon Miss Norris , but the duties she had to discharge were performed most efficiently . The residents in the Institution would testify how solicitous she was for their welfare , and no one was more qualified than he ( Dr . Strong ) , to give testimony to her unremitting care and attention to those who were sick or infirm .

Bro . Terry here announced that he had received a telegram from Bro . J . L . Hime , of Manchester , who , with some other brethren there , had contributed one-sixth to the expenses of the entertainment , trusting that the entertainment was being enjoyed and wishing every one a '' Happy New Year . " Bro . Terry said he had sent a telegram in reply , thanking Bro . Hime and the Manchester brethren , and wishing them also a " Happy New Year . " Bro . Norris , in reply to the toast proposed by Dr . Strong , said it would not surprise the company if he said

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

he felt completely overwhelmed by the compliments which had been paid to himself and dau ghter . He hailed the compliment to his daughter with peculiar satisfaction , and as to himself , the less he said , perhaps , the better . Brevity was said to be the soul of wit , and he should , therefore , say very little . He most heartily returned thanks for the compliment paid to him and his daughter

and most earnestly wished every one a Happy Nevy Year , and that every succeeding year might be happier than its predecessor . The company then retired , and those brethren who had been busy attending to the wants of the diners then partook of dinner . Bro . C J . Perceval proposed " The Royal Masonic

Benevolent Institution , " to which Bro . Terry , in replying said that happily the brethren never liked to meet at their social gatherings without remembering this toast . No doubt they had all seen in that morning ' s newspapers the grand success that had attended all the Masoni ; Institutions in the year 1878 . In the year 1877 these Institutions totalled up £ 42 , 300 ; but in the year which had just

passed , despite all the failures , the dreadful calamities which had overtaken the country , and the fearful depression of trade , the three Institutions had totalled more than £ 40 , 000 . Of that sum tbe Benevolent Institution for the second time had the honour of taking the lead , totalling the amount of £ 14 , 880 . The Girls' School was regaining its old position , which it

unfortunately lost , of being at the head of thc poll ; this , last year , stood second on the list , with £ 12 , 866 . The Boys ' School , for the first time during the past sixteen years , stood at the fag-end of the list with £ 12 , 5 66 , less by £ 300 than the Girls ' . Looking at these figures it appeared that although there had been gieat disasters in trade , the Freemasons of England had not been affected by them , and ,

therefore , they might be congratulated upon having a greater amount of success than other branches of the community . As regarded the Benevolent Institution , while he desired most heartily to see the Girls' and Boys' Schools progressing , it should never be his fault if thc Benevolent Institution die ! not retain its present proud positionnot for his own sake , but for thc sake of thc

Institution . He looked upon the matter in this light ' ,: —The Girls' School was established ninty-one years ago ; the Boys' School was established eighty-one years ago . These were established by the old Masons , and the old Masons worked to support them . This continueel for a long period , and it was not till 1842 , or thirty-six years ago , that the poor old pci pie were worthy of any

recognition at all . Since the establishment of the Benevolent Institution it had grown , notwithstanding the opposition of the then Grand Master , the Duke of Sussex , and the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Zeilanri , who would only allow the Institution to have a festival once in three years . It had , however , been able to hold its own and to show itself worthy of the brethren ' s confidence . He could only siv

that since he bad had the honour of being the Secretary of thc Benevolent Institution he had hael the pleasure of having around him , as he had now , a number of representative men—men coming up from their lodges , from different localities , entertaining different opinions—yet all agreed in one thing , that thc Benevolent Institution was worthy of their support , and worthy of introducing to these

social gatherings those ladies they had now with them . Thanking Bro . Perceval very much for proposing this toast , he hoped and trusted , that as years went by , they might be enabled to see this Institution go on and prosper ; and pre-eminently as it had taken a position in , and highly as it was thought of by the Craft , yet that , like the electric light , it might only be in its infancy , and instead of

having one year £ 16 , 000 , and another year £ 14 , , in years to come it might add a nought to those figures , and cause surprise among the outside world at where the Masons got their money from . If health anel strength were continued to him he would never flag in his efforts to uphold the Institution . If he could not get help for the Institution he should still be pleased to get it for the Girls' and the Boys '

Schools . He was now looking forward to the festival of this Institution , and already he had attained 210 Stewards for that festival . That number was twenty-one in excess of the number he had this day last year when he first summoned a meeting of the Board of Stewards . If each of those 21 Stewards brought up £ 50 he would have a

thousand guineas . He looked forward to a bri ght future in 1879 . Co ' - Starkie would take the chair at the festival , and Col . Starkie was Grand Master of a province which had 8 9 lodges and 37 chapters , or nearly 130 collective Masonic bodies . Thc Board of Stewards numbered some 50 or 60 brethren from that province , and he thought it likely he should be able to say he had never had such a list announced

as they would hear at the next festival on tile I 2 lh of February . He hoped Bro . Hedges would be successful in obtaining an equally prominent chairman for his festival in May . No doubt he had his eye upon some distinguished brother , for he was ambitious . The late Secretary obtained the Prince of Wales j perhaps the present Secretary would obtain the Duke of Connaught . At all events he hoped

Bro . Hedges would be successful and get a better festival even than he had yet had . He was worthy of it . His friends had made him Secretary , and it was their bounden duty to support him . He would be thrown on his own resources in 1880 , but never mind that ; he had good friends round him for 1879 . He hoped also that Bro . Binckes would have a bumper festival for the Boys' School . Bro . Terry then made a strong appeal for support for the

Benevolent Institution , and concluded by again thanking the brethren for remembering the toast . Afterwards the company paid visits to the abodes of the aged brethren and widows , and then partook of tea . In the evening a delightful Drawing-Room Entertainment was given by the celebrated Pickwick Histrionic Club , of which the following is the programme : —Pianoforte Selection Mr . G , S . Graham ; "Nine Points of the Law , " J oseph

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

Ironside , Mr . E . Johnson ; Cunningame ( an Attorney ) , Mr G . J . King ; Rodomont Rollingstone ( a gentleman s large ) , Mr . Dupree ; John Britton , Mr . E . Baker ; Mr : Smylic , Miss Lizzie Henderson ; Katie Mapleson ( he niece ) , Miss Fanny Perfitt . After which Mr . G . S . Graham presented his Musics Olio , introducing : —Descriptive Song , " The Fisher

man's Daughter , " Anon ; Buffo Song , . " The Britis Lion , " Anon ; Organophonic Piccolo Song , " II Trovatore , ' Verdi ( with natural whistle accompaniment ) ; Buffo Sonr " The Adventures of Little Mr . Binks , " Walker ; and "Th Muddle Puddle Porter . " The performance concluded with the Comic Dram ? written by Mr . J . B . Buckstone , entitled " A Rough Dia

mond " : —Lord Plato , Mr . E . Johnson ; Sir William Ever green , Mr . Dupree ; Captain Augustus Blenheim , Mr . F Baker ; Cousin Joe , Mr . G . J . King ; Lady Plato , Mis Fanny Perfitt ; Margery , Miss Lizzie Henderson . When the performances were concluded , vores of thanks were passed to Bro . Terry , and also to the Pickwick Histrionic Club , on whose behalf Bro . E . Johnson replied , ani

expressed the pleasure it gave his company , and himsel particularly as an old Mason and supporter of the Insti tution , to do anything they could on its behalf . Speakin ,: for himself he looked upon it as a duty . The visitors thc ; shook hands individually with all the annuitants , wishin ; them " A Happy New Year , " and returned to town ii the special saloon carriage , kindly provided for the partv , by the South Eastern Railway Company .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The first meeting of the Board of Stewards for the festival of 1879 was held on Thursday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall . There were present : —Bros . J . L . Mather , P . M ., 1471 ; Charles Dairy , W . M ., 141 ; Thos . Cubitt , William Stephens , George Newman , J . B .

Dodson , George Jcffery , 7 ; H . H . Smith , 25 Chapter ; W . Norris , S . D . Sir Hugh Myddclton ; R . R . Davis , P . M ., 25 6 ; j . Tanner , P . M . 1707 ; Dick Radclyffe , J . W . 742 ; W . Henry Farnfield , P . M . and Sec . 907 j Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , D . M . No . 2 ; P . G . C ., Joseph Clever , P . M . 12 , P . M . 171 , P . Z . 12 ; W . Maple , P . M . 6 57 ; George-Blythe , 134 8 ; Joseph Driscoll , 30 ; C . P . Mills , 898 ; H .

Massey ( Freemason ); H . C . Levander , and James Terry ( Secretary ) . Bro . Terry , said before a Chairman of the Board of Stewards was selected , he had to inform the brethren that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., had appointed Wednesday , the E 2 lh of February , for the next festival of the Institution . He had also to inform thc brethren that Lieut .-Gen .

Le Gendre N . btarkie , Prov . G . M . for East Lancashire , had consented lo be Chairman of that festival . In aceoidance with the usual custom he ( Bro . Terry ) had sent round notices to all the lodges and chapters under the English constitution , with the exception of those in the colonies , and he had received responses from 209 , which had agreed to send Stewards for the festival ; that number was an

increase of twenty over the number he had that day last year . He thought this seemed to augur well for the success of the festival , and considering all present circumstances—the depression of trade—it was a great achievement for the Institution . On the motion of Bro . William Stephens , seconded by Bro . Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P ., Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford

Past Grand Chaplain , was elected Chairman of Board of Stewards , and therefore took his scat as Chairman of the meeting , and thanked the brethren for the compliment paid to him . On the motion of Bro . J , L , Mather , seconded by Bro . George Newman , Bro . Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P ., was elected Treasurer , and on the motion of Bro . W . Stephens ,

seconded by Bro . J . L . Mather , Bro . Terry was elected as Honorary Secretary . Bro . Terry said he hoped when the festival came round they would be able to say it was the most successful festival the Institution had ever had . The price of tickets and other usual preliminaries were then arranged .

Bros . Tanner , W . Stephens , W . H . Farnfield , Charles Dairy , and H . H . Smith , were chosen as Musical Committee . The toast list and the arrangements to be conformed to by the Stewards were then read over . The Stewards' fee having been arranged to be two guineas , Bro . Terry read a letter from a brother of

Woodbridge , Suffolk , suggesting that if a country Steward found that he was unable to attend at the festival , he should , on giving notice of such inability a fortnight before the festival , be charged only a guinea and a-hal £ instead of , two guineas . The proposition was then put to the

meeting and negatived . Some minor details were then settled , and the meeting was adjourned till the 25 th inst ., at four o ' clock . At the conclusion of the above meeting the Musical Committce assembled and proceeded to make arrangements foi the music to be performed at the festival .

STOKES ON MEMORY . —Some very interesting and valuable proofs of the extent to which the memory may be strengthened by skilful training are given by Bro . Stokes , at the Royal Polytechnic Institution , and it is to be hoped his untiring efforts made for many years to assist teachers and students will be productive of great good to the public . This system is based upon the association of ideas , and is suited for classical studies , and for every phase of thought .

Bro . Henry Garrod announces the termination of his partnership with the firm of Postons and Garrod . He will for the future carry on his Wine and Spirit business at 44 , Eastcheap .