New Year's Entertainment By The Benevolent Institution.

little world . Miss Norris was very delighted with the way the loast had been accepted . She also acknowledged the great services of Dr . Strong , who had administered to the comforts of the annuitants so many years . She had been Matron of the Institution many years , and she hoped to be spared yet many years to be Mr-tron . That was the wish also of all the annuitants in the building . Bro . J AMES TERRY , Sec , acknowledging the toast of " Success to the

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " which was proposed by Bro . Dr . Strong , said that during the 26 years these annual dinners had taken place he had , happily , not been absent from one of them for any cause whatever , and he hoped that the next 26 years might be as happy as their predecessors . It was a great thing to know that the Institution during the past year had prospered immensely . The company might have read in the

daily papers on Tuesday the great amount collected by the Masonic Institutions during the year 1 S 99 . The Girls' School had received £ 26 . 266 ; the Boys' School , starting as it did with a bad announcement at its Festival of £ 9000 odd , had , with the arrears of the Centenary Festival since collected , reached a total of £ 26 , 400 . The Benevolent Institution , which was the youngest of the three , was able to surpass the other two , and , wilh the

exception of its jubilee year in 1 S 92 , had collected the highest sum ever got in one year by this Institution , viz ., £ 28 , 600 . Altogether the Craft had by its generosity produced no less a sum than between £ 81 , 000 and £ 82 , 000 in the year 1 S 99 in support of the three Institutions . ( Hear , hear . ) Such a sum might well be the pride , the wonder , the envy , of the Secretaries of the other Institutions , who were able to see how the Masonic Institutions

not only touched the hearts , but reached the pockets of the Craft . 1 he coming year , he hoped , would be as successful . The number of Stewards he had for the forthcoming festival of the Benevolent Institution were 57 more than he had on the first Wednesday in 1899 , which meant , if all went right , an increase of over £ 2000 . He hoped it would result for the benefit of the Institution , especially as it had so large a number of candidates

seeking admission , and such a few vacancies . That day week when the last candidates could be considered by the Committee there would be a list of 116 candidates seeking election and only 20 vacancies for them . He trusted the Institution would have some large additions to its invested capital and to its income that the Committee might take on more annuitants . Last

year they took on five additional men and three widows , which involved an increase in the outlay by £ 300 . But he believed that if the results were what he hoped they would be that they would take on more . That , however was for the Committee to suggest ; it must not be taken that it was his suggestion . ( Cheers . )

Bro . WHADCOAT proposed " The Chairman , " and said all the company would leave the room with great displeasure if they did not thank Dr . Strong for presiding , and also for his attention to the inmates of the Institution for a third of a century ; he had acted as physician to the Institution , and had

kept the inmates well and hearty , as a rule . The vacancies were , therefore , smaller , than—not unkindly to say—they should be . However , it was necessary that we should die at some time , but we lived as long as possibl , and he was glad to say the inmates ot the Benevolent Institution had had the benefit cf the advice and assistance of Dr . Strong gratuitously .

Dr . STRONG replied , and said he first came to the Benevolent Institution at Croydon in 1 S 61 ; therefore they would know he was not a chicken . Nevertheless , he was game , and he liked still to come there and preside at these dinners , as he had done for 25 years . He hoped they would all meet for many years ) et .

The annuitants and lady visitors then left the table , and the brethren who had been ministering to them dined together after a short interval , Bro . T . Hastings Miller presiding . A few toasts were also proposed at the end of this repast . Bro . TERRY , again replying to the toast of "The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " said he did not wish to recapitulate the facts mentioned

by him in the previous part of the afternoon ; but he thought it was a source of congratulation to everyone under the roof of that Institution that there was such a grand result last year . No doubt there would be a very severe contest for the election next May with 116 candidates and only 20 vacancies . It was not like the elections for the Boys' and the Girls' Schools . Those Institutions had each two elections every year ; but the Benevolent Institution

had but one , and , therefore , there was great anxiety in the minds of poor , old people as to what they should do until the next election came round . Therefore , he trusted the Festival of that Institution for 1900 would be one of the most successful ( not including of course 1 S 92 ) . With respect to the exertion to be made , the brethren might rely upon it that nothing would be wanting on his part to conduce to the success of the Festival . He had

already mentioned the fact about the larger number of Stewards , and a good result might be looked for on that account . Lord Addington was admirably supported by his province and its lodges . The Institution had progressed in the last 30 years very marvellously . When he was elected one of its officers it was paying in annuities £ 30003 year ; it was now paying £ 16 , 800 . Thirty years ago the men were paid £ 26 a year and the widows £ 25 ;

these were now increased—the men ' s to £ 40 each , the widows to £ 32 , irrespective of age . Another boon was mat , whereas the widow of a deceased annuitant had half his annuity for three years , or until she was elected , she now had it for five years or until elected . Thc building at Croydon had not been enlarged , but the Institution was doing a great work . There was scarcely a town in the provinces , especially in the

north of England where there was not one of its annuitants . West Yorkshire was coming out nobly at the forthcoming Festival with J 30 or 40 Stewards , and West Yoikshire Stewards always meant to give a bumping hand to whatever Institution they supporlcd . The internal arrangements of the office were of a most amicable nature . The oflice had a head , but they were all heads there ; they did not know the difference between chiefs

and subordinates ; they all did the best they could . For 35 years he had done all he could for the interests of the Institution , and neither time nor money , nor anything else which was at his disposal did he spare . He had to thank the Committee for their renewed confidence—they had been exceedingly kind and gracious to himself at the Festivals ; but he could

assure them that as long as health and strength were spared to him he should continue to use his best efforts for the Institution . When he felt not competent through increasing years not to do so his resignation would be p laced in the hands of the Committee , that the Institution mi g ht not suffer . He hoped all who were present might meet again next year in health and strength . ( Hear , hear . )

Bro . WHADCOAT , the new House Committee-man , responded to a toast specially proposed to him by Bro . Terry , and Bro . J , G . STEVENS replied to the toast Of " The Officers of the Institution . "

New Year's Entertainment By The Benevolent Institution.

In the evening the annuitants and visitors were enterta ned with a programme of music , provided by Bro . H . W . Schartau , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., in which the artistes were Miss Annie ' McBride , Miss Jeannie Allester , Mr . Wm . Fell , Miss Grace Dormaine and Mr . John Josey ( humorous duologues ) , Mr . Stanley Gibson ( solos on concertina , piccolo , & c ) , and Mr . Charles Frood ( humorous sketches ) . Mr . Herbert Cooke presided at the piano .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN LANE , P . A . G . D . C . A sensation was caused in Torquay on Saturday morning last by the sudden death of Bro . ] ohn Lane in the office of Mr . W . B . Hamlyn , solicitor . Bro . Lane called to see Mr . Hamlyn about 20 minutes past 11 , and hurried up the stairs to the clerk ' s room in his usual manner . Finding Mr . Hamlyn was engaged , he remained standing in conversation with Mr . F . E . Willis , the manning clerk , for several minutes . Then , without the slightest warning , he fell to the floor . At

first Mr . Willis thought he was merely picking up something he had dropped , but a moment later the deathly pallor that had come over his face showed that something serious was the matter . Mr . Willis ran into the adjoining office , where Mr . Hamlyn was engaged with Mr . J . F . Rockhey , and called him to see Bro . Lane . In the meantime Mr . J . W . Glanfield , articled clerk , who was also in the room , had gone to Bro . Lane's assistance , and was supporting him in his arms . But deceased showed no sign of life from the moment he fell . Mr . Rockhey hurried to the

across Town Hall to fetch Mr . Stanley Lane , the son , but he was home with a cold , and the Town Clerk , Mr . Hex , went over to render any assistance possible . Messengers were sent for doctors and to deceased ' s house . Dr . Karkeek happened to be passing and was called in . He confirmed the belief that Bro Lane was dead . Shortly after the widow and sons arrived , and then the police removed the body to Bannercross , where deceased had resided a good many years . The news of the sad occurrence spread through the town , and many were the of

expressions regret at the loss of a valuable life . It is supposed that death was due to heart disease , rendered acute by the exertion of running up the stairs . Bro . Lane was highly regarded in Torquay as a shrewd and able man of affairs , but it was as a Freemason that he was best known . His Masonic career has been a remarkable one , both officially and in literature . Though initiated not farther back than 1 S 7 S in the Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 , Torquay , his name has been known of late years far and wide as the statistician of the Society . His progress in ollice

was rapid , as he reached the chair of his lodge in 1 S 82 , and was First Principal of the St . John ' s Royal Arch Chapter as soon afterwards as it was possible . He was first M . E . Z . of the new Jordan Chapter , No . 1402 , and Past Prov . Grand Third Principal . As a founder , and first Master of the Jordan Mark Lodge , No . 319 , in 188 3 , he became a zealous member of that Degree , his services being acknowledged by a Wardenship in the province and a Past G . Overseership in the Mark Grand Lodge . As a Past Preceptor of the Royal Sussex Preceptory of Knihts and Past Officer

g Templar , Prov . G . , and Past M . W . S . of the Coryton and Rougemont Rose Croix Chapter , Exeter , his valuable aid to these Degrees obtained him therankof aG . Officerin the Knights Templar . and the 30 ° in , the Ancient and Accepted Rite . The local and central Masonic Charities were warmly supported by him , as a Vice-Patron , and his interest in their welfare led him to good committee work on their behalf . As the result of many years' labour he brought out a colossal work entitled " Masonic Records . " The first edition was published in 18 7 and the second in 18

S , 95 . The work placed him in the front rank of Masonic investigatorsand students . The Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , permitted the second edition to be dedicated to him , and in open Grand Lodge Bro . Lane was appointed to the past rank of Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies , and subsequently to the corresponding office in Grand Chapter in 1895 . The Grand Lodge also presented to him a complete set of Masonic clothing as a ' Past Grand Officer in Craft and Royal Arch in appreciation of his gift to the Society of the copyright of his great volumewhich gives an account of over

, 4000 lodges from 1717 to 18 94 . His second work was on the Lists of Lodges and was published in 188 9 , being dedicated to "his dear and highly-esteemed friend , the R . W . Bro . W . J . Hughan , who wrote the introduction to his ' Magnum Opus . '" His third important work was on Centenary Warrants and Jewels . This was published in 1891 . He was also the author of papers read before the celebrated Quatu-jr Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , London , of which he was elected a member in 1 SS 7 . Bro . Lane will be greatly missed , as in his own particular province , he has no successor .

The funeral took place in Torquay Cemetery , on Wednesday , the 3 rd inst at which mournful function Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . S . G . D . of England , attended as a representative of the Grand Secretary and staff of Freemasons' Hall , the V . W . Bro . E . Letchworth not being able to be present . Bro . Hughan also sent a wreath ( which was accorded a special place amongst the many forwardedfrom

, far and near ) on behalf of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , London of which Bro . Lane had long been a member . The local lodges assembled at the Masonic Temple , and went in procession , with his own lodge , the Jordan , No . 1402 , The address at the grave was delivered by Bro . John Taylor , P . M . and Sec . 1402 and had the merit of being brief and appropriate . ¦ ' '

BRO . FREDERICK OTTO SAMUEL FISHER , P 11 . D . With Bro . Frederick Otto Samuel Fisher , Ph . D ., one of the oldest Hungarian residents in London has just passed away , in the 74 'h year of his age Bro . Dr . Fisher was amongst the Magyar exiles after the failure of the Hungarian War of Independence of 1848-9 . The son of a prosperous wine grower of Budu and of Anna Fisher ( Fischer )—well known for her philanthropy and public spirit Bro . Dr . Fisher was educated in the Jura ( France ) and at Heidelberg . Scarcely had he finished his university career than—in spite of the terrorism of Matternich

—the embers of the Hungarian revolutionary spirit burst into flames kindled by the burning eloquence of Kossuth and the magnetic personality of such men as the heroic Batthyanyi and Generals Bern Klapka , Perczel , and Dan / . ancs . Dr . Fisher passed through the fearful period ot the revolution , and , after the Russian invasion and the capitulation of Komarom , escaped to England . In London , in the early ' 50 ' s he was wellknown fi in forei

a - gure gn circles , and the intimate associate of such men as Mazzini , Louis Blanc , Ledru Rollin , and others . Devoting himself first to journalism , Dr . Fisher afterwards became a naturalised British subject , and much respected in the city for his large-heartei generosity . In 1878 he returned for a time to his native city , after an exile of 30 years . With him disappears an interesting personality of the remarkable nationality movement of the 19 th century .

THE ANNUAL MASONIC FESTIVAL in connection with the Richmond Lodge , No . 123 , was celebrated on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Newbeggin . Bro . M . R . Lamonby was installed Worshipful Master , and the ceremony was performed by Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Bolton . Afterwards a banquet was held at the Black Lion Hotel in Finkle-street .