Original Correspondence.

much greater return would have occurred . I think , too , it ought to be stated that in the local advantages , the worthy example has been followed of the neighbouring province of Cheshire whose Educational Association has long been doing an excellent work . I am happy to be able to add

that North Wales and Shropshire this year inaugurated successfully an association in emulation of her neigbours ' efforts in both these directions—central and local . Yours fraternally , J . BODENIIIIM , Treasurer .

THE INSTALLATION PICTURE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , Allow me to join Bro . Hughan in claiming grace for Bro . Harty in his arduous undertaking . If any brother will just glance at a little sketch history the Art Union of London , just issued , he will find that

their t' . vo engravings oi Wellington and Nelson , after the Westminster wall-paintings , took , /! " re years each ; knowing this , surely no brother will urge Bro . Harty to a haste , which may perhaps prove detrimental to the success of the picture , and therefore the best interests of the subscribers . Faithfully and fraternally yours , WH . I . IAM TEHHS .

The Lancashire Freemasons And The Prince Of Wales.

THE LANCASHIRE FREEMASONS AND THE PRINCE OF WALES .

After the ceremony of installingto the office of Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Unanimity , in the province of West Lancashire , Bro . Wm . Harrison , F . S . A ., of Samlesbury Hall , one of the Grand Officers for East Lancashire , said that some

time ago he had the pleasure of offering for the acceptance of that lodge a portrait of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England . They did him the honour of accepting that offtr , and now he appcarerl to make the formal presentation complete . They would have had the portrait long ago but for the difficulties which they had encountered in

not having a really good room of their own to meet in . He had the greatest possible pleasure in presenting the portrait of their Most Worshipful Grand Master , as he was on the memorable occasion in London , when he was installed , an installation which no one who was present would ever forget . They were now living in the golden days of Freemasonry , when they had the benefit of a

Prince of the blood royal ruling over them , and that Prince the future King of England . It was true that some old Masons might remember that in former times ttiei e was a Prince ol the blood ruling over the destinies of Freemasonry in the person of the Duke of Sussex , but though a Prince of the blood he was not the future King of England . They , however , now had the future

monarch of these realms at their head , and they felt the benefit of having such a ruler in the amount ot prosperity they had attained as Freemasons . He mentioned this because most of the older Masons had not the advantage of such countenance , and he hoped they would really exult in the fact of their living in such halcyon days . He hoped the presentation of that portrait would lead to some of the

brethren putting their heads together , and striving to get a Masonic Hall in the town of Preston . He did not see why it could not be done . He was perfectly sure that if Bros . Fryer , Johnston , and Nevett would consult on the subject , and get three good trusty men and brethren from each of the other lodges in Preston , the thing could be effectually done . He believed that great province of

East Lancashire was the second on the list of all England . East Lancashire stood at the very lop of the list with 87 lodges , whilst West Lancashire had 74 lodges . They had as many lodges in one of the provinces of Lancashire as there were together in the great county of York , North , East , and West Ridings . That was a fact of which Lancashire men might well feel proud , and he was

certainly piuud to be able to say it . Uniting West and East Lancashire , and comparing them with the number of lodges in Great Britain , the colonies , and in foreign countries , he found that those two provinces numbered one-ninth of the whole . The time could not be far distant when , as regarded both West and East Lancashire , there would have to be another division , and the provinces

called North-East and East , or North-West and West , for there were 30 lodges in the neighbourhood of Liverpool alone , whereas in Bristol , where they had the Earl of Limerick at their head , they had had only eight lodges , and the number had dwindled down to three . Considering

the 8 7 and 74 lodges in East and West Lancashire , the time could not be far distant when there would have to be another separation ; and looking to the future in that respect , he thought they would see the necessity for taking steps to erect a Masonic Hall in Preston . He knew what it was to wait for Provincial

Grand rank . It took him sixteen years to become a Provincial Grand Officer , and twenty-three years before he attained the position he now held as Grand Senior Warden for the Province oE East Lancashire . If they hail to wait so long in attaining such provincial offices , they must all appreciate the dignity and importance of the orFc ; s held in the Grand Lodge of England , over which His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was the Most Worshipful

Grand Master . He had the greatest possible pleasure in presenting the portrait of His Royal Highness to the Lodge of Unanimity , 113 . The portrait represents the Prince of Wales in Masonic costume , with all the jewels appertaining to his office in the Grand Lodge , painted in oil . The frame is surmounted by His Keyal Highncss ' s p lumes , andfuither addorned by Masonic emblems . The whole is enclosed in an elaborate oak case .

The Lancashire Freemasons And The Prince Of Wales.

Bro . Colonel Birchall , Senior Grand Deacon of England , P . M . of 11 3 , said he had the grateful duty of accepting Bro . Harrison ' s very handsome , liberal , and appropriate present in the name of the officers and members of the Lodge . He regretted with Bro . Harrison that that handsome and truly Masonic decoration could not be placed on the walls oE a hall specially devoted to Masonic purposes .

He did think that in a large and important town like Preston , possessing four lodges , as well as other Masonic Orders , if they put their shoulders to the wheel they might raise a . proper Masonic hall and institution . They had often heard of tbe great want of public spirit which there was in Preston . He would nor . call it want of spirit , but rather a sluggishness in putting a thing in motion ,

because he believed that when a movement was fairly launched by influential parties , there was no town in which any great and important work was more liberally and effectually carried on than in Preston . They had bad numerous instances of it in the large sums which had been raised for public institutions , and in other ways . If interested parties and

judicious managers were to take the matter in hand they might raise funds for a Masonic hall . He considered it a disgrace when he saw that other towns not so large as Preston could boast of a Masonic hall , whilst Preston had none . Lancaster , which was a much smaller place than Preston , and not containing the same number of lodges , had a very nice , not a very large , but still an exclusively

Masonic hall . He was reading the Freemason on Saturday , and was very much struck with the fact that at a very small place in the remote and distant county of Cornwall—Redruth—they had just laid the foundation stone , and were engaged in building a Masonic hall . In these small towns Masons had succeeded in making themselves a home , and if the Masons of Preston were

united and combined they could succeed in raising a structure worthy of the Craft , and of the large , important , and respectable character of the members of the Order in that town . His duty now was to accept , which he was sure they all did with the utmost pleasure , the portrait of their Most Worshipful Master , and also to retrrn their cordial and heartfelt thanks to Bro . Harrison for his

judicious liberality . He was sure that that liberality sprung from the hearty interest IK took in the Order , and of the Craft . He trusted they would more often have the pleasure of meeting him . He only regretted that the portrait of His Royal Highness did not hang in a hall more exclusively devoted to Masonic purposes , and where it could remain uncovered , and always be accessible for

the inspection of the brethren . However , as it was , he hoped that on all Masonic occasions they would never fail to have it open . It would be a great pleasure to him if he found that Bro . Harrison's commencement was followed by other liberal and influential brethren . Bro . II . Johnston moved that a record be entered upon the books of the lodge conveying the thanks of the officers

and members of Lodge Unanimity , No . 113 , to Bro . Wm . Harrison . Prov . Senior Grand Warden for East Lancashire , for his gift of a portrait of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of the Order , His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales . The proposition was seconded by Bro . Ncvctt and agreed to .

Bro . Harrison , reverting to the subject of a Masonic hall , said that if they were determined to proceed in the matter he would take up 100 shares of £ 5 each . At the succeeding banquet the newly-installed Master , Bro . Cottam , proposed "The Health of the Queen . " In all assemblages of Englishmen , and particularly of Freemasons , the toast was heartily received , and he now

submitted it with double force , because Her Majesty had just been proclaimed Empress of India . In proposing other toasts , the Worshipful Master said they all knew and esteemed H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and he grew in favour with the people daily . The Princess of Wales was beloved by every one ; she hatl engrafted her

kindly nature into their hearts . Long might they continue to live and enjoy that esteem . In the accession of the Prince of Wales as their Grand Master , Masonry had received a grand and glorious impetus , and His Royal Highness ' s Grand Officers had been wisely and judiciously selected .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this institution was held on Saturday last in the Board-room , Freemasons' Hall . Bro . John Symonds presided . The other brethren present were Jesse Turner , John Boyd , William Mason , Robt . B . Webster , George Bolton , Henry

Bartletl , W . F . Collard Moutiic , George M . E . Snow , G . J . Row , S . Rosenthal , C . F . Mal ' ur , F . Adlard , , | . G . Chancellor , William Roebuck , H . Massey ( Freemason ) , J . W . M . Doscll , the Rev . S . Morris , A . Durraut , John W . Dennison , W . Hyde Pullen , George Free , Charles Ilorsley , William Lane , George J . Palmer , H . C . Lcvandcr , and F . Binckes , ( Secretaiy ) .

On Bro . Binckes reading the minutes ol the last meeting of the Committee it was observed that there had been a misunderstanding as to the conclusion come to on the office of Collector of the institution . Bro . Binckes had recorded as the committee ' s decision that the office of Collector was abolished . This was not so : the office of

Collector as a separate office was abolished ; but the Secretary having expressed his willingness to undertake the collection of all subscriptions he was to be the Collector , the offices of Secretary and Collector being combined in him . Bio . Symonds pointed out to the committee that it had been shown that the Secretary really had received the greater pait of the subscriptions during the year . The

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

minutes were then altered in accordance with the actual circumstances . Seven petitions for as many boys to be placed on the list for election in April were then read and passed , and in the course of the reading the Chairman suggested that there should be some modification of the requirements of the certificate as to the candidate ' s capacity to read . He

thought the form of the requirements should be assimilated to those of the School Board code . At present , when candidates were provincial candidates , the committee were never quite sure that the certificate granted by the clergyman or schoolmaster of the neighbourhood was accurate . Bro . George Snow gave notice of his intention to move

at the next Quarterly Court , 011 Monday , the 15 th inst ., that the buildings surrounding the playground at the Institution at VVood Green be raised one storey , for the purpose of providing thereon sleeping accommodation lor 50 boys extra to those at present in the school . He also gave notice of motion for the same Court , " That at the October election we proceed to elect 50 boys for admission to our school extra to those now in the building . " He said that the

boys now educated there cost £ 90 per annum . ( Laughter . ) Bro . Binckes : No , no . Bro . Snow said that must be so , if they had received £ 15 , 000 last year and had 18 9 boys in the school . It was explained to Bro . Snow that the £ 1 , 5 , 000 had not been spent . Bro . Snow , however , insisted that his figures were correct , and his deduction a proper one . Bro . A . Durrant afterwards said that he should at next

committee meeting move , in conformity with Rule 70 , that jt ' 20 he granted to one of the ex-pupils who had just left the school and proceeded to the university , for the purpose of enabling him to carry on his university education . Bio . Binckes said that in the case of a lad from the institution obtaining a situation and asking for a grant , it was usual to obtain from his employers a certificate of his

good conduct before the grant was" made ; and he apprehended that it would be requisite in this case to obtain some certificate of the necessity for the grant . The Chairman remarked that it would be desirable to follow the usual course ; and perhaps in the present instance

a letter should be laid before the committee stating the circumstances . The committee would then deal with it , and the letter would be preserved to show the circumstances under which the grant was made . Bro . Durrant saitl he would be prepared with the requisite letter .

I he subject then dropped . Bro . Binckes next said that as the committee were now about to settle a list of candidates for next election he might observe that at the last election there were fortytwo unsuccessful candidates . Of these there were two now disqualified on account of their having attained eleven years of age . This left forty ; and there had been since

t ' ue last election eleven petitioners placed on the list . Today there had been absolutely seven more , making the whole number fifty-eight . It was then arranged that there should be ten vacancies , and ten vacancies were thereupon declared for the April election . Bro . Binckes afterwards informed the committee that the

total amount of subscriptions and donations actually received by this institution during the last year was £ 13 , 231 4 s . lod . The receipts from other sources amounted to £ 2128 os . fid . The total amount was therefore £ 15 , 359 ' . 4 d . £ 400 was still outstanding on the Stewards' lists of the last festival . The balance in hand

was £ 2554 14 s . 9 d . on the 5 th January . £ 5000 was invested . Kent House had been purchased during the last year ; the money had been paid for it , and all the costs of improvements in it had been discharged . ( Cheers . ) The committee adjourned , after passing a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

Twelfth. Night Entertainment At The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls..

TWELFTH . NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT AT THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS ..

Twelfth Night was celebrated here 011 Friday , the 5 th inst ., in lieu of Saturday , for the general convenience of the visitors , as well as of those in and about the school The bad weather made no difference in the number of

visitors , the same ladies and brethren defying the elements , who have so often exhibited this courage on other similar occasions . Among those who attended were Bros . Col . Burdett , Joshua Nunn and Mrs . Nunn , Benj . Head , Louis and Mrs . Hirsch , , | . A . Hucker , W . Ruckcr , A . H . Tattershall , R . B . Webster , W . F . C . Moutrie antl Miss Moutrie , Thos . Kingston and Mrs . Kingston , Edward Cox

and Mrs . Cox , H . Massey ( Freemason ) , Mrs . and two Misses Massey , H . Levy , Thomas Massa and Mrs Massa , Major Fmncy £ | ohu George Marsh , John Boyd , J . Faulkner , 11 . W . Little ( Secretary ) and Mrs . Little , Mrs . Binckes aud two Misses Binckes , William Lane and Mrs . Lane , Mrs . Pejrpcr , H . Muggeriilge and two MissesMuggeridge , Thomas W . White , H . A . Dubois , Herbert

Dicketts and two Masters Dickelts , and F . J . Cox . The company began to ariive at four o ' clock , at which time the building was lighted up , and presented a most cheerful and pleasing appearance . The different apartments , including the school-room , the dining-hall , the exercise-room , tbe matron's , head governess ' s , and committee rooms , with the long halls and

passages leading thereto , were gracefully decorated , and had on them an abundance of coloured festoons , and here and there the Christmas emblems of " Welcome , " " A I lappy New Year , ' and " A Merry Christmas . " All these decorations had been designed and executed by the little girls , numbering in all 34 , who had not gone home to their friends and relatives to spend their Christmas holi-