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«¦ " ' ¦ all—no certain income—and depends entirely on the voluntary efforts and liberal support of the brethren annually . The freehold property may be estimated as

representing , we think , about ^ 650 , 000 in value . The ordinary expenses of the institution may be estimated at £ 5 , 400 , iu round numbers annually , but there are as a general rule ,

extraordinary expenses , which may be estimated at £ 750 more , making in all £ 6 , 100 . There can be no doubt , however , that these expenses must somewhat increase , as the numbers

of the School increase , and our own belief long has been , that , the School , if its present healthy and improving " status" continue , will before many years have passed away , owing to the

wants of our numerous fraternity , have to provide for not less than 300 boys j indeed there is no reason why the School should not eventually take a very high position as an educational

Constitution in the country . Recently a new Master has been elected , and we shall all , as Freemasons , earnestly hope , that , the School under his " r 6 gime , " will go on and

prosper . There can be no doubt , we are glad to think , that our ever-ready and large-hearted brethren will continue , as heretofore , liberally to support this

very useful and needful Institution . The two Benevolent Funds are lastly adverted to by Bro . Watson The Male Fund has , £ 23 , 700 invested in Government stocks .

The expenses and annuities amount , in round numbers , to £ 3 , 500 , and as , therefore , its fixed income is in round numbers £ 700 a year , nearly £ 3 , 300 are required annually to keep this excellent Institution in working order .

In all probability , before very long , the number of annuitants will have to be increased , and the amount of annuities , to meet the increased rise in prices of all kinds , and we have

not the slightest tear , but that such increased expenditure will be at once provided for by the members of our kindly brotherhood . The Female Fund it seems has £ 14 , 200

invested , which gives it a fixed income of a little over £ 300 a year . Its expenses amount to £ 2 , 186 15 s . 5 < 1 . annually , so that £ 2 , 300 have annually to be raised from the lodges and brethren .

The asylum at Croydon represents about e @ 5 , ooo in value . Bro . Watson shews very conclusively , we think , that , our Charitable j Institutions are

very economically conducted , and bear a very favourable comparison with like associations . He points out , that , the whole freehold and funded property of the Order in these four

charities , may be estimated at 4149 , 91 a , which sum has been raised from the munificence of our brethren , in excess of the amount required for their annual maintenace .

It is well known that the contributions received last year for the three charities reached the very noble sum of £ 21 , 000 , but as Bro . Watson

truly says , " we have so far only reached probably the ' minimum' of relief , not the ' maximum . '"

Whenweremember that the annual grantsfrom Lodge of Benevolence amount to not less than £ 2 , 800 annually , aad the very large sum which

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is voted from our provincial and private lodge s , we see what a constant claim there is on our Masonic Charity , and we may feel proud of that good old English Craft of ours , which so un

ostentationally exemplifies , what ever has been , and we trust ever will remain , the distinguish '! ng character of a Freemason ' s heart—Charity .

We feel persuaded that 1874 will witness a actable proof , once again , of the neverchanging sympathies , and undiminished benevolence of our great and prosperous Order .

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

In the foregoing article we have called attention to our great Masonic Charities generally , and we have now great pleasure in reporting to

our readers the result of the first Anniversary meeting this year , namely of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , on Wednesday , the 28 th ultimo .

The gathering , which seems to have been most numerous and enthusiastic , and brilliant in the extreme—from the large attendance of our fair sisters , ever foremost in all works of

beneficence and usefulness—was presided over by Lord Waveney , P . G . M . for Suffolk , and who made a thoroughly efficient Chairman . We refer our readers to the detailed report of the

proceedings and speeches on the occasion . We beg to congratulate the Order generally , on the remarkable result of this most interesting anniversary of so valued and important an institution .

Bro . Terry announced—and his few simple words—suggest countless , topics of thought and satisfaction that the lists then handed in amounted to ££ 5 , 063 12 s ., with thirteen

lists yet to come in . We shall not be far wrong probably in assuming then , that the whole amount will eventually be nearer £ 6 , 000 than £ 3 , 000 .

And even , if the amount announced , is not very largely increased by the subsequent lists , it is , it appears , the largest sura yet subscribed at any anniversary of the institution , except the

one presided over by our illustrious and R . W . P . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . This , then , is a good beginning , and reflects the highest credit on the liberal efforts and

actual benevolence of our brethren , and we trust , that at the Boys' School anniversary , to be holden March nth , and at the Girls' School anniversary , to be celebrated May 13 th , we may have

happily to chronicle the same continued interest and the same unflagging energy , as have characterised this very successful gathering of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

The Grand Lodges Of Canada And Quebec.

THE GRAND LODGES OF CANADA AND QUEBEC .

By a communication from Montreal , it would seem ( and we are very happy to report the fact ) , that the differences between these two bodies are in a fair way of being healed . A joint

committee of 14 , 7 from each Grand Lodge will , we are informed , shortly assemble , and all matters in dispute will be submitted entirely to their arbitrament and decision . Let us hope that this Court of Masonic Arbitration , will be entirely successful .

Weekly Summary.

WEEKLY SUMMARY .

Her Majesty is still at Osborne . General Count Peroffski arrived at Osborne , from St . Petersburg , being the bearer of an

autograph letter from the Emperor of Russia to the Queen , announcing the celebration of the marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh to the Grand Duchess Marie of Russia .

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchessof Edinburgh returned to St . Petersburgh on Monday , the 26 th January , from Zarsko Seloe , to take part in a succession of public festivities , and were to go to Moscow this week , for the same purpose .

The General Elections have begun , and in about a fortnight will be concluded . Some 242 members have been elected . News from the Gold Coast has arrived , by

which it seems , that the King of the Ashantees had sent an embassy of peace , but Sir G . Wolseley ' s reply was to the effect , that he would treat with the King in person , at Coomassie .

It is reported semi-officially that Dr . Livingstone died of dysentery on his journey , and necrologies have been written of him with that charitable rapidity , which sometimes distinguishes our good English Press .

The news may be true , but as his death has been reported before , it requires distinct confirmation , the more so , as at a large meeting of the Geographical Society , Dr . Kirk doubted the fact , and stated that he had heard the same story

at Zanzibar months ago . Let us hope that there is still some mistake , and that the kind-hearted traveller is as yet in the land of the living . Mr . Hawkins has concluded his able address , on the Castro case , and the Lord Chief Justice

has commenced his charge to the jury . It is said , that , it is to last ten days , but probably this week will see the end of this terribly protracted trial . The censure of the judges on Dr . Kenealy ' s recklessness of speech , and above all ,

disrespect to the judicial bench , will be approved of by every educated Englishman . Mr . Jean Luie is again remanded . Mr . Whalley has been examined on his behalf , and

" Castro " is to be called—what good such examinations can do Jean Luie , is a secret known only to Mr . Lewis . Sir Thomas Henry seems to be exceedingly astonished .

Mr . Guildford Onslow , who has made himself conspicuous in this unhappy case , has not been able to retain his seat for Guildford , but is replaced by a gentleman of the same name , " Denzil Onslow . "

Abroad there is positively nothing of importance received . The Carlists seem successful in the north , and to be becoming very strong there . We have to record the deaths of Lord

Colonsay , of Lord St . John , of Sir Walter Palk Carew , of Mr . Levy , director of the Association for Promoting the General Welfare of the Blind , and of an old retired officer , Major Dennis Dunn .

Reviews.

Reviews .

" Keystone Masonic Almanack . " We have received this useful little publication for 1874 , forwarded by our excellent Bro . Clifford Mc Calla , of Philadelphia . We were very glad to receive it , as we always

hail any little matter which serves to connect us with our brethren in America , and to make us feel that the spirit of Masonry can pass over " dividing waters" and distant lands , and unite in fraternal interest and sympathy , American and English Freemasons .

The little volume is well got up , and contains a great deal of useful information . We would venture to suggest , that , another year , the advertisements should be relegated to the end of the little pamphlet , and nothing but what is purely Masonic should appear in the pages ofthe Calendar .