Royal Masonic Institution For Giri.S.

nronoser of this toast this evening , when commercial matters are not quite as we would wish them to be , perhaus we have more anxiety than we ordinarily have . The first of our festivals was celebrated in February last with an enormous success , on which we all congratulated my good friend and brother who stands on my mmediate right , and all connected with that Institution ,

most heartily . You have celebrated another success this evening , not perhaps so far in its amount as that which wasl celebrated in February , but still a magnificent amount , and which reflects honour upon the Craft . Well now , you know there is another anniversary festival to take place in June . ( Great laughter . ) Well , now , brethren , why this laughter ? I am endeavouring to treat serious whdo meet

a serious question in a way : y you me with smiles and laughter ? I say there is a third anniversary to be celebrated at the end of June ; and there are three degrees of comparison , as is very well known to any one who has learned his English grammar . I did not know how these three degrees would be compared until the result was announced this evening ; but 1

consider this evening has been very good ; last February was better - but do let me indulge in an earnest hope that June next may be very much the best . It is not for me to say which Institution is mote or less deserving of your support . I have always said , and I do not hesitate to repeat myself this evening , that I believe the whole of our Institutions deserve the very best support that

Freemasons can render ; and we stand on one common platform—we are doing all we can , I know , to rival each other in the amount of support we get , and I , for one , shall be a very disappointed man if I am not able to announce at the Alexandra Palace on the 27 th June , a larger amount than has been announced up to this present moment by the other Institutions . Now , never

mind what has been said about the Boys' School ; we are doing the best we possibly can to maintain in that Institution the largest number that we can accommodate . The question of increased accommodation is before the Craft . It is for you to judge , for you to decide , and for you to determine . All we ask is , give us the means , and we will do everything in our power to answer your requirements

and your requisitions . Without your support we can do nothing . But while , I am sure , it would lie idle for me to lake up any portion of your time this evening in speaking of the magnificent results you have achieved for this Institution , 1 hope for a larger number of brethren to rally round the Boys' School ; and let us say from year to year as we have in the past , we have not to lament over a

decreased amount of subscriptions , but still keep ahead of the other institutions , and thereby induce on their part an increased rivalry , and so do good to all our Institutions . There is only one observation I have to make : Our excellent and good friend , Bro . Philbriek , in proposing this toast said that last year we achieved £ 20 , 000 . Our Bro . Philbriek made a very great mistake , because the amount

was very nearly £ 40 , 000—at all events , it exceeded £ 39 , 000 ; and , therefore , I think the credit should not be withheld from the Craft , all the credit due to it for this most magnificent and liberal support . But , bear in mind , brethren , lhat what you have done in the past is nothing to what you will be called upon to do in the future . The Order you know is increasing to an enormous extent ; the

demands are increasing in a relative proportion ; we must open our doors ; extend our benefits ; and give more liberal accommodation to those you force upon us as the rccpients of our benefits . , Bro . James Terry , in response to loud and repeated calls said , I am sure you will not require from me any lengthened remHrks at all , after those you have had the pleasure

of listening to from my good friend , Bro . Binckes ; but permit me , in the absence of Bro . L ittle , simply in his name , to thank this great gathering for all they have done on behalf of the Girls' School on this occasion , and I truly wish that he were present and had the power , as I am sure he has the will , to express to you his unmitigated feelings of gratitude to the Board of Stewards ,

and to the noble lord who presides , for everything that has been done on the present occasion . For myself my lord , speaking for that which is past , I can but thank very many who are now present fcr having in February last given to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution the largest amount that that Institution ever had the

honour of recording , viz ., £ 12 , 866 . ( Cheers . ) My lord , 1 ? an only hope that what has been stated to-night by Bro . Binckes , that we have three degrees of comparison , the positive , comparative , and superlative , may prove the case with respect to the results to our three Institutions , that large as has been the increase in the subscriptions to the

oenevo ent Institution , large as has been the amount to ine Girl ; . School , Bro . Binckes in June next may have the nonour and gratification of announcing an amount in tiF i ? j what he had last year as Bro - Lilt , e and myseit nad to our Institutions . I thank you for giving me me

opportunity of speaking in Bro . Little ' s absence , and I mank my lord also for having granted myself the privii , Tn u . u ea - mff as thc Se « etary of the youngest Institution which is doing the largest amount of work of either M the three . ( Great chcerinir . 1

suhmi ' itin y . ! ' '' l ' "P csed "The Stewards , " and in ttedl . n ~ ^ t 0 aSt com Plim < -nted those brethren on the evening . a-rangements for the success of the responded ' Th 0 ' ' Preside "' ° f the Board of Stewards , . t , K ? . - £ -- . - Stewards had endeavcurcd to carrv on

accepted ofZ . T ? t 0 ok u P tnemselves when they 0 the bretWn ' fw ' * ^ done so t 0 the satisfaction - ° r , and in 2 , ? WaS the best reward thty could hope *¦¦>< that hev hT " * heyhad more than " secured the Lord Snffi 1 / Pr ° P 0 Sed t 0 - ' ¦ ' - • • - ¦ elves . i . hfch Dr WoodnT " The Health of the Ladies ' " *> Woodman responded , and the brethren then

Royal Masonic Institution For Giri.S.

joined the ladies in the Temple , where a charming concert was given by the following distinguished artists : —Bros . Baxter , Carter , Montem Smith , and Chaplin Henry ; Miss Florence Lavender , Madame Thaddeus Wells , Miss Kate Baxter , and Bro . Theodore Distin . The musical arrangements were under the direction of

Bro . Theodore Distin , whom we have to congratulate on the success of his pupil , Miss Lavender , the young lady obtaining encores in "Robert , toi que j ' aime , " and " The last Rose of Summer . " Bro . F . H . Cozens presided at the pianoforte . Bro . Harker was Toast Master at the banquet .

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

The Quarterl y Communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland was held on Monday , the 7 th inst ., in the Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh . The throne was occupied by Bro . Henry Inglis of Torsonce , Depute Grand Master , who was supported by Bros , the Rev . Dr . Gray , Grand

Chaplain ; Lord Inverurie , Captain Harriot , Provincial Grand Master of Wigtown and Kirkcudbrig ht ,-- F . A . Barrow , Depute Provincial Grand Master , Glasgow A . Hay , Grand Jeweller ; Daniel Robertson , Grand Bible-bearer ; Muller , Grand Director of Music , & c . The

"Wardens' chairs were occupied by Wm . Maim , G . P . S . W ., and W . Hay , Grand Architect , Acting J . W . Among those in the hall were Bros . Monro , R . W . M ., Lodge Commercial ; Stobo , R . W . M ., Lodge Plantation- Jas . Thomson , R . W . M . No . 102 ; M'Naught , R . W . M . No .

$ 56 j W . H . Bickerton , Provincial Grand Secretary ; J . Wallace , Halkett , Wheeler , Glasgow , & c . After the lodge had been opened it was intimated that presents had been received from Grand Lodges of Virginia , Connecticut , and Missouri , and a vote of thanks was awarded to

these bodies . Petitions in favour of the following new lodges were considered and granted : — St . Andrew , Campbeltown , near Fort-George ; Leucophibia , Whithorn , Grenville , Canada ; Robert Burns , Christchurch , Canterbury , N . Z . ; Eureka , Christianstadt ; St . Croix , Danish West

India Isles ; Rosslyn St . Clair , Roslin ; and Piince ' s , Glasgow . The following Provincial Grand Masters were appointed : —The Hon . Frederick Whittaker , New Zealand , North Island ; Bros . Connor , South Australia ; and Provost Forrest , of Hamilton , Lanarkshire ,

Middle Ward . Bro . Walker , P . G . M ., was appointed representative to the Grand Lodge of West Virginia . The report of the special Committee appointed to regulate the duties of Grand Secretary and Cashier was next taken up . The Committee then recommended that the appointment of Bro . Kinnear as cashier should be

confirmed at a salary of £ 200 a year . After some discussion the report was adopted . A petition and appeal was submitted by Bro . Robert Steven of Lodge St . Vincent , Sandyford , *^ ° - . 5 . 53- Glasgow , who had been suspended from all Masonic privileges for five years by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow .

Bro . Law ( Springburn ) read a statement in reference to the dispute , in which Bro . Steven stated he had been the originator of this lodge , and the cause of his suspension was the opposition he made to the filing of the bye-laws , which he alleged were designed to deter the majority

ofthe members from entering the lodge . At a meeting of the lodge where Bro . Barrow acted as Provincial Grand Master he stated that they had come to the resolution to confirm the bylaws . When Bro . Steven heard this statement he craved admission to retire , and in doing so

protested against the proceedings . At the word protest Bro . Barrow ordered the Wardens to put him out . This the Wardens were reluctant to do , and when he again asked permission to retire . Bro . Barrow suspended him from membership . Several ofthe members ofthe Provincial Lodge

went to the support of their Master , and some disturbance arose . The whole affair did not last two minutes , and the appellant asserted that he was not in any way responsible for any unseemly or "unmasonic " conduct .

Bro . Barrow , on behalf of tbe Provincial Grand Lodge , made an explanation of what steps had been adopted to ascertain whether the bye-laws had been carried by a majotity of the members of Lodge St . Vincent . The deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge had made a

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

very careful examination into the whole subject before they formed their opinion that the majority had approved of the bye-laws . When he ( Bro . Barrow ) announced the decision Bro . Steven rosejand menaced him in such a manner that he was really afraid . ( Laughter ) . Thu

course followed by the Provincial Grand Lodge had been perfectively justifiable , and they did no more than was necessary to maintain the dignity of their position . He denied however that he had been personally interested in what had been done , and declared that the sentence passed on

Bro . Steven of suspension for five years had been given unanimousl y by the Provincial Grand Lodge . (• ' No , no . " ) Bro . Stevens was heard in support of his appeal , and asked that the Grand Lodge should

give him every consideration . The decision of suspension for five years he asserted was most atrocious , and was passed on him for asserting his own ri ghts , which could not possibly be construed into un-Masonic conduct .

Bro . James Wallace ( Glasgow ) moved that the decision of the Grand Lodge of Glasgow be rescinded . If Bro . Stevens was required to apologise for his conduct he thought that apology should be made to the Grand Lodge . As far as he was aware the appellant had been tried and

condemned without a hearing . Bro . D . Robertson seconded the motion , This suspension , he thought , was merely a piece of great favouritism , and the appellant was a victim . He was of opinion that the case should not only be dealt with justly , but mercifully .

Bro . Halkett ( Glasgow ) knew the whole of the facts ofthe case , and considered the decision of the Provincial Grand Lodge was just and reasonable . He therefore moved that it should be confirmed .

Bro . Thomson ( 102 ) seconded the motion . After some discussion it was unanimously resolved to rescind the decision of the Provincial Grand Lodge . A petition , memorial , and appeal were next heard from a number of members of Lodge

Clydesdale against a decision of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow . The complaint of the brethren in this lodge was in regard to the last election of office-bearers . Between the date of nomination and the day of election it was al'eged that a number of members were

affiliated into the lodge for the purpose of influencing the election . Those who objected to the office-bearers chosen appealed , and the Provincial Grand Lodge ruled that those who had been affiliated between the day of nomination and the election were not entitled to vote .

Thereupon a new election was ordered , to which a number of members objected , and protested and appealed . The facts of the case having been submitted to Grand Lodge , and representatives on both sides heard , it was resolved by a small majority

to confirm the decision of Provincial Grand Lodge , and declare the present office-bearers of Lodge Clydesdale duly elected . The remainder of the business consisted principally of amendments in regard to a number of the Grand Lodge laws .

With the return of spring , onr hospitals begin to look gay with flowers , and , according to the Lancet , there is scarcely a ward to be found which is not decorated with its quota of primroses and hyacinths . Do those who so thoughtfully send these beautiful things from the bri ght country into thc sick wards of our dusky town ever think how their presents are displayed ? The " putting up " of

flowers is an art that hospital nurses are often little skilled in , and between a lack of talent or cf time , and a want of suitable vessels , the flowers are often not shown to the best advantage . Wallflowers tightly jammed into a halfpint mug scarcely look their best , and a common washingbasin is hardly a suitable vessel for the display of primroses . But what is to be done if no proper flower-vases are to be had ? No Hospital committee would feel justified

in fpending money on such trifles , and no ore seems ever to think of making such a present , which would be most acceptable to a hospital . In the present day when the fashion in table decorations changes every season , one would suppose that disused and obsolete flower-stands are to be found in almost every glass 01 china closet , and we feel sure that we have only to make this little want of our hospitals known tn ensure its being speedily satisfied .

1 'he Queen has been pleased to appoint the Earl of Powis to be Lord-Lieutenant of the county of Montgomery in the room of the late Lord Sudely .