Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The Quarterly Court of Subscribers to this Institution was held on Thursday ^ Freemasons' Tavern , Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , M . P ., P . G . W ., Treasurer of the Institution , in the chair . Among other brethren present were Bros . Henry Smith , P . G . D . ; E . M . Money , H . A . Hunt , Frank Richardson , C . E . Keyser , Sir John B . Monckton , A . C . Spaull , J . H . Matthews , Richard Eve , W . Russell , J . S .

Peirce , J . A . Farnfield , R . Wylie , J . W . Burgess , H . A . Tobias , W . T . Brown , D . D . Mercer , W . A . Scurrah , James Stephens , T . H . Gardiner , George Everett , Sir f . D . Harris , W . G . Kentish , Herbert Green , W . F . Smithson , A . F . Robbins , C . H . Webb , Col . A . T . Perkins , Walter Martin , James Terry , J . M . McLeod , W . Shurmur , R . Berridge , and F . R . W . Hedges .

After the minutes had been confirmed a letter from the Home Secretary was read by Bro . HEDGES , acknowledging , on behalf of her Majesty , the address of congratulation voted by the Institution on the completion of the Queen's 60 years of her reign , and , on the motion of Bro . F . RICHARDSON , seconded by Bro . Sir J . B . MONCKTON , it was ordered that the letter be entered on the minutes . Bro . Sir JoiiN B . MONCKTON , P . G . W ., Patron , then brought forward the following motion :

"That this Court accept the sum of 1100 guineas from W . Bro . George Heaton , P . M . 258 , P . P . G . D . West Yorkshire , for the purchase of a perpetual presentation of one girl to the School , to be called the ' George Heaton West Yorkshire Presentation , ' the right of such presentation being vested in the said George Heaton for his life , and in the event of his wife Mary Heaton surviving him , in her , for her life , and afterwards in the Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire for the time being ( or the temporary Masonic representative of such

Provincial Grand Master ) acting upon the recommendation of the Worshipful Master for the time being of the Amphibious Lodge , No . 258 , and in the event of the lodge ceasing to exist on his own responsibility . " In doing so , he said much argument was not needed either by those who were in favour of the motion or by those who were opposed to it , as those who were in opposition to him were actuated by the same feeling which actuated him , viz ., a desire to benefit the Institution ; they were of one mind in that respect . The

question was whether or no the motion , if carried , would be a benefit to the Institution . There were three classes , or divisions , of people to be considered in the work they did for the Girls' School , as the Boys' School had ; first , the Institution itself ; secondly , the voters , governors , and subscribers ; and , lastly , the children of Masons—he did not mean so much the children in the Institution , because they were comprised in that word , but Masonic children , born or unborn , who might at some time need the benefits of that great .

School . The question , he took it , at the present time was only one of figures—the broad question was whether presentations were or were not to be ; they had not for years prevailed , and there was no regulation against them , and , if at any time upon notice the Court should think that perpetual presentations were undesirable it was a matter for future discussion . That was not so now ; the point was whether the sum now offered might fairly and reasonably be accepted . Some years ago 1000 guineas was considered enough for a

perpetual presentation to this and the other Institutions ; his own Province of Kent bought one in the centenary year of the Girls' School , and probably West Yorkshire had one or more at the same price . However , circum stances in the money market alter and money was not so valuable . Instead of getting a presentation for 1000 guineas the price increased , and now 1100 guineas was offered , a sum which he thought it not unreasonable to predict would in the course of years be again increased . They all knew that figures might be made

to prove anything , and some one might say in his view another set of figures might prevail . He would tell them why , as fair and reasonable men , he thought that motion should be carried . He knew the several items of objection that had been taken . Many letters had been written by brethren on the subject , and there was one from Bro . W . P . Brown , who took a prominent part in all benevolent matters , objecting to the acceptance of 1100 guineas . Another objector was Bro . W . Russell , Prov . Grand Treasurer of Kent , who held that the existing number

of children in the school might be injured if the motion was carried . He ( Bro . Sir J . B . Monckton ) , on thinking it out , arrived at an exactly opposite conclusion . In the first place , the child who was now the subject of a perpetual presentation , in no way interfered with the number ordered to go into the School by an election . A presentation child would not take off one from the list that the Committee Court were entitled to elect . That Court decided what the number to be elected should be . On April 27 th , 1889 , they ordered that 20 vacancies be declared ,

making 257 in the School . There was no occasion at all to fear that a child presented , or a number of children to be presented , would keep out others . A child presented must be a duly qualified candidate , the same as elected children . He did not know whether it was essential to insert "duly qualified" in his motion ; but if the Court should think so , he should ask leave to insert them . He would suppose the case of a girl of such interest in her province as likely to be presented under that resolution if it should be carried . If she was so presented , she

cleared the way for another girl to be elected . If not so presented , it would act against the general body of Governors , because she would be opposing the other ; by being presented she cleared the way and made a path for herself without prejudicing the other children . As regarded the figures , a child who was presented should not be reckoned at such a high figure as Bro . W . P . Brown reckoned the cost ; Bro . Brown took the simple but fallacious process of dividing the money expended by the number of children and giving as

the result the cost as so much per head . That could not be right . One Court might be so liberal as to put up a building five times as palatial as the one they now had , and it would be wrong to take the interest of that money as part of the cost that was presented . It must be looked at fairly between the Institution and the child herself and it must be calculated what a child would fairly cost by

coming into the Institution . On the Finance Committee they were perfect dragons at figures and they had worked it out . They computed that each child cost £ " 30 9 s . nd . A very simple answer to the argument of Bro . Brown was that the interest of , 61155 in India three per cent ., which was now at 109 , was ^ 31 15 s rjd ., so that there was a small margin in favour of the Institution . Bro . T . H . GARDINER seconded the motion

Bro . W . RUSSELL , Pruv . G . Treas . Kent , advised the brethren not to vote for the motion . They were asked to enter into a bargain which would be absolutely detrimental to the interests of the Institution , and if they looked at Ihe figuies thty would see they would be giving- 22 per cent , for a sovereign . Another point was the position and dignity of the Institution . Why should the other Institutions for a similar benefit get 100 guineas more . The Boys' School actually turned away 1200 guineas . Some , said the cost of the Boys was over £ 50 a head ; some said it cost £ 40 per head in the Girls' School ; he calculated

it was . C 45 . A presentation girl cost just the same as an elected girl . Presentation girls did affect the irumber of elected girls . Bro . Monckton contemplated . £ 3 1 15 s . as the annual produce of . 61155 India Threes . That was a loss of £ i \ a year on the presentation girl . He hoped the Court would not enter into such a bargain . The India Threes were terminable at par in 1918 , and w / . ere would the Institution be then with 10 per cent , less of capital and to put up with a much less return on investment . It was essential that a strong grip should be kept on the glamour of the ^ 1155 ; the magnetism of the sum was irresistible . Bro . W . P . BKOWN supported Bro , Russell , and

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Bro . HEDGES then read Bro . Brown's letter . Bro . RICHARD EVE , P . G . T ., moved , as an amendment to Bro . Monckton's motion , " That the further consideration of the proposition be deferred for the present until the managing body of the three Institutions shall have appointed a committee of three from each body to consider whether any perpetual presentation should be granted , and , if so , on what terms , and such report shall be presented

to this Court . " He submitted that Bro . Monckton was wrong in not taking the cost of the building into consideration in estimating the cost of each girl . Suppose 100 George Heatons bought presentations of ^ 1155 each , and that the presentation girls did not keep out elected girls , the School would have to be enlarged to admit another 100 girl- - . Although the Institution would have received another £ 115 , 500 , the cost of the increased building would reduce the amount .

Bro . I ' KANK RICHARDSON , P . G . D ., seconded the amendment , which , after some discussion , was carried unanimously . On the motion of Bro . A . C . SPAULL , seconded by Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , the following motions were carried : " That the following be adopted as new laws : " 40 A . Any Masonic Charitable Association ( whose rules must first have been

duly registered in the books of the Institution ) , upon payment of donations amounting to 50 guineas , shall have the privilege of nominating one of its Executive Officers as a Life Subscriber with one vote at each election of Girls , and for every further completed sum of 50 guineas , he shall receive an additional vote , or in lieu thereof the Association may nominate a second Executive Officer for the like privileges .

" 38 A . A subscriber of half-a-guinea shall have one vote at the next ensuing election . " The Court afterwards elected 15 girls into the School , from a list of 26 approved candidates . The following are the unsuccessful candidates . The successful will be found in our advertisement columns .

Name . Votes . Stephenson , Victoria Florence ... 2 S 73 Brown , Annie Mabel 25 G 1 Orr , Ethel May 2522 Pa » e , Gladys Leonora 1555 Deans , Frances Clara 10 S 0 Tremktt , Violet Lou ' se 951

Name . Votes . Fisk , Lucy Cana S 7 S Stickland , Gwynedd Mary 877 O'Neill , Elizabeth SoS Scholes , Alberta { last ) 199 Jacobs , Josephine Charlotte ... 142

Reviews.

Reviews .

"AN ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE OF OLD AND RARE BOOKS " ( Pickering and Chatto , 6 G , Haymarket , London ) . —This remarkable Bibliography , Part II . Civil War to Gardening , contains quite a number of scarce books on Freemasonry , as well as many of general interest in the collection of the well-known firm of Pickering and Co . Doubtless a copy would be sent , on application from genuine book buyers , on enclosing two stamps for postage , but , if so , the favour will be on the side of the recipient , the illustrations alone being of considerable value , and the series , if to be completed , bids fair to be the best of its kind ever published . The present part , dealing as it does with such an artistic humourist as George Cruikshank , it will be readily understood that it is in no way inferior to its predecessor .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Villiers Lodge , No . 1194 .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . W . VINCENT , G . STD . BR . There was a record attendance of brethren at the installation meeting of this lodge , held at the Mitre Hotel , Hampton Court , on , Saturday , the 2 nd instant . The past year had been a very successful one under Bro . Leon A . Francis , W . M ., who installed as his successor Bro . C . Dodd , the W . M . elect . The members present included Bros . L . A . Francis , W . M . ; C . Dodd , S . W . ; W . A . Clark , ! . W . ; W . Vincent , G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; W . Dodd , P . P . G . D ., Sec ; A . Harris , S . D . ; A . Davis , J . D . ; W . Tomes , I . G . j E . Monson , P . P . G . S . ot W ., D . C ; L . G . Cook , Stwd . ; G . J .

Thomas , P . P . G . S . of W . j J . F . Collinson , P . M . ; J . Adams , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W .: R . T . Pearce , P . M . ; E . J . Mills . P . M . ; T . A . Woodbridge , P . M . ; G . S . Peachey , P . M . ; and others . Visitors : Bros . Capt . E . M . Money , P . A . G . D . C . ; H . H . Room , P . G . S . B ., P . G . Sec . ; C . A . W . Giles , 1563 ; H . Miller , S . W . 23 G 2 ; C . Hunt , S 6 i ; E . Apclt , P . M . 1 S 6 ; H . Bond , P . P . G . D . C . Kent ; W . F . Cheesman , P . M . 234 G ; H . J . Gregory , W . M . 3 ; A . Schneider , Treas . 2318 ; 3 . Lucas , P . M . 2395 ; M . F . Harris , G 5 ; D . Saines , D . C . 2540 ; H . Parker , P . P . G . Org . ; J . H . Stevenson , I . G . 214 S ; H . Thomson Lyon , W . M . 2563 ; J . A . Murdoch , 10 S 7 ; and W . W . Lee , P . M .

Lodge having been opened , and the minutes confirmed , Bros . B . H . Griffiths , F . M . Putley , and W . E . Davis , were raised to the Third Degree , and the traditional history given . The W . M . then referred to the presentation they were about to mike to Bro . W . Vincent , G . Std . Br . This was one of the greatest events in the history of their lodge , and he felt some reflected glory that it had occurred during his year . Bro . Room had kindly undertaken to make the presentation , and he would now ask him to do so . Bro . H . H . Room , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec ., said he confessed to a feeling of pride at having been asked to perform this gratifying duty , although he was a little

surprised at having been selected for so important a function . He was sure they might have found a much more eminent brother , holding a higher rank in the Craft to have come ( jown and done honour to their worthy brother . At the same time he was very grateful at having been asked to make the presentation , in the name of the brethren of this lodge , of the gift for which they had b ; en goad enough to subscribe . There was no doubt that the members were particularly proud and pleased at having the honour of grand office conferred upon one of the most eminent of their number . That the honour was well bestowed they were

all agreed . It might be of interest if he gave thsm some details of Bro . Vincent ' s work for Freemasonry in general as well as for the Villiers Lodge . Having given a history of Bro . Vincent ' s lengthy and varied Masonic career ( which has previously appeared in our columns ) , Bro . Room said he was very proud at the last meeting of Grand Lodge to see a member of a lodge in Middlesex carrying the standard . It was not so much whether a brother was at the top or the bottom of the list of officers of Grand Lodgi as that he had been selected to fill Grand ollice , and this was the great point to bear in mind . He liked to impress this in provincial lodges , for a Prov . Grand Master wis in a

similar position to the M . W . G . M . in regard to appointments . Brethren were sometimes a little disappointed , whereas they had no real reason to be so , as they must bear in mind that they had been raised from the rank and file and the mere fact of this selection was sufficient honour in itself . He always divided the Grand Officers into three classes . Brethren of distinction selected to fill the highest posts , thereby reflecting lustre on the Craft , for the tone of Grand Lodge had been greatly raised for some years by the careful selection of brethren of eminence . The second-class consisted of brethren who possessed particular abilities , technical , or professional , and were willing to give them gratuitously .

lie alluded to such brethren as Bros . Philbrick , l ' enn , Sir J . Monckton , Littler , Loveland Loveland , and many others . The third class was one in which he hoped he might be classed—and he was sure Bro . Vincent could—brethren who , by zjalous and hard work , had devoted much time to teaching others , improving the tone of their lodges , and otherwise doing good work , which had been recognised by the M . W . G . M ., and who had been added to the long list of those who had received Grand Lodge honours . They

must feel that this particularly applied to Bro . W . Vincent , whose appointment was a recognition of his eminent services to Freemasonry . He would remind the brethren present that they were all animated with the true Masonic spirit , and in the words of the installation ceremony— " They were of too generous a nature to envy him his preferment . " It was his great pride and pleasure to invest Bro . Vincent with their handsome 1 present , and was sure it would be fully appreciated . If there was one thing which would