Masonic Female Orphan School, Dublin.

The Grand Master having taken his seat on the throne , ihe pupils of the school , followed by the pupils of the boys ' hool , entered the room , and occupied thc seats provided cl them in front of the platform . The M . W . Grand Master having been saluted accord-•a to ancient custom , two verses of the tooth psalm were

ijjDr . Elrington , Q . C , hon . sec , having read the report , His Grace the Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master , who , on rising , was received with loud and prolonged applause , ;([ : Ladies and Brethren , —From the report which we have just heard we may congratulate ourselves upon the success vvhich has attended the Female Masonic Orphan

School . From the report we hear that at no time has the institution been in a more prosperous state than it is at the present moment , and that the number of pupils that it is enabled to support has of late years been increased by a very great amount . Among the cheering results vvhich we may look to with satisfaction it is most gratifying to know that in no one case has any pupil brought

disgrace upon the institution ( cheers ) , also that the situations in which they are placed on leaving school are such as are suitable for persons in the better and more educate ! classes . Of all th » enormous and important benefits which the brotherhood of Freemasonry has conferred upon mankind there is none more useful or more interesting than that by which it is enabled to support the orphans of its

members , and to give them an education and a teaching which shall show them those high seicial and moral duties of which Freemasonry is the earnest and incessant exponent . Ladies and brethren , on behalf of those children who have already benefited by this institution , and on behalf of those who , we hope , in future will also have the advantage of benefiting by it , I thank you for your

presence here to-night , and for the interest you have shown in the objects of the institution . ( Applause . ) The Right Hon . the Lord Mayor then moved the following resolution : — " That the report now read be adopted , printed , and circulated , and that the thanks of this meeting are due to the members of Ihe several committees of the institution , and also to the medical officers of the

school , for the zealous and efficient manner in vvhich they have discharged thc duties devolving upon them , and for the lively interest they take in everything conducive to the prosperity and progress of the pupils of the Masonic Female Orphan School . " He said—It affords mc no ordinary p leasure to propose the resolution vvhich his just been handed to me . The marked care bestowed on these little

orphans is the strongest proof of the efficient manner the committee and medical officers have discharged their duties and looked after their welfare . What greater evidence could be produced of the reality of our motto , "Love and good will" to all men , than the brotherly succour to these little ones leftalonc in the world . The gratification I feel , is enhanced to a great extent by the opportunity affordedme of

aeldressing ye ur Grace as Grand Master of our Order in Ireland , who , from your elevateel position , have ever laboured to promote peace , love , and harmony in this country . I firmly hope your Grace may be long spared to represent her Gracious Majesty , and to continue your unceasing efforts to further the prosperity of Ireland . ( Applause . )

The Right Hon the Vice-Chancellor seconded the resolution , which was adopted . The female pupils performed the following pianoforte music : —Duet , A . M . Copeland , P . Shegog , " Grand Caprice Hongrois , " Ketterer ; solo , G . Harle , " Les Couriers , " Bitter ; solo , G . Gill , " Pasquinade , " Gottschale ; duet , K . Baker and M . Burdge , " Chanson Napolitane , " Forbes ;

solo , Miss Williams ( pupil teacher ) , " Fantasia , Irish Airs , " Thalberg . The National Anthem was then sung , the solo parts being rendered by the female pupils . The procession having been reformed , the Grand Master was conducted to . the dais in the Glass Building , where the distribution of prizes by Lady Georgiana Ilamilton

took place . At the conclusion of the distribution of prizes , an address to Bro . Samuel B . Oldham from the Committee of th e Boys' School , was read by Bro . George Hill Major , and a similar address to Bro . Oldham from the Committee of the Girls' School vyas read by Dr . J . F . Elrington . An address from the pupils of the Girls' School was also presented to Bro . Oldham .

Deputy Grand Master B . W . Shekleton , on behalf of the governors of the school , tendered their thanks to his Grace the puke of Abercorn for attending on that occasion . His Grace the Duke of Abercorn briefly acknowledged the compliment . . ^' greater number of the visitors remained for a considerable time , to enjoy the promenade and the fine music of the band of the Lancers .

THE MASONIC BALL IN LIVERPOOL . —The success attending the recent Annual Masonic Ball in Liverpool , m aid of the funds of West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , has only once been exceeded , and then under very exceptional circumstances , when the attractions of Royal decorations and increased dancing space were added to the claims of the charity . For the

unprece dented success which has crowned the annual festive gathering of the fraternity in 1876 the " lion ' s share" of the credit is due to Bro . Henry Nelson , P . M . 67 , and 1505 , the Honorary Secretary for the ball , who spared neither pains nor expense in making the result so creditable to the Masons of Liverpool , and so helpful to the noble institution which is the boast and pride of the Province of West

Lancashire . At the final meeting of the committee , Bro . Nelson handed over the handsome sum of £ 251 18 s ., as the contribution resulting for the ball in aid of the " West r-ancashire , " and he well-deserved the hearty recognition wmch h , s labours received at the hands of the committee , as it well merits the applause of the . brethren outside the rele of the committee .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The 88 th anniversary festival of this Institution was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Tavern . The festival was a decided success , for the brethren mustered "in large numbers , and the subscription list was enormous . About rjoo brethren sat down to a banquet ,

headed by Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., Deputy Lieutenant , and provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire . He was supported by the following brethren : —Rev . C . J . Martyn , S . Tomkins , J . A . Rucker , Percy Leith , Dr . Jabez Hogg , Robert Grey , Joshua Nunn , E . P .

Albert , T . Cubitt , S . Foxall , Colonel Burdett , Colonel Adair , John Hervey , Colonel Creaton , Benjamin Head , W . E . Gumbleton , Hyde Pullen , A . J . DufT Filer , John Johnasson , W . Winn , J . G . Chancellor , T . W . Tew , Isaac Booth , W . Paas , W . Peters , A . H . Tattershall ,

R . J . Boyall , C . F . Howard , H . C . Levander , Griffiths Smith , Priestley Churchill Edwards , Peter Matthews , Dr . Barringer , C . A . Cottebune , H . C . Tombs , A . Schmitt , George Kenning , Hormusjee Jamsetjee Rustomjee , T . W .. White , James Terry , Herbert Dicketts ,

E . Haigh , John Boyd , W . Hilton , W . T . Howe , Charles Horsley , J . T . Moss , Joseph Smith , and Charles Atkins . About 200 ladies were also present . After the banquet had been partaken of , grace was sung by the musical brethren and a choir of

boys , and the toasts were then proposed . In giving the toast of "The Queen , " the Chairman said Her Majesty was the daughter of an illustrious Mason . Three of her Royal sons were members of the Craft , and had already distinguished themselves in the country to which

they belonged . The Queen had an additional claim on the affections of her subjects , especially Freemasons , as she was the patroness of one of the most charitable institutions of the Order . Her bright example in her public life as well as in her social and domestic position had been the

best examples to her subjects . The Chairman next gave "The M . W . G . M the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the other members of the Royal Family . " He said the Prince of Wales was patron and President of the Institution , the Princess of Wales

was patroness , and the other members of the Royal Family supported it . It had been the good fortune of English Freemasonry for nearly a century to be in the closest alliance with the Royal House of Brunswick , and the fact that so illustrious and beloved a Prince as the Heir

Apparent to these realms was their Head Master strengthened that alliance he hoped into a bond that would never be broken . They were then on the very eve of the Prince ' s return from the East to his native land . To-morrow he would be greeted by millions of his countrymen with

enthusiasm . As Masons , let them hail his return with joy , with loyalty , and affection . The Chairman then gave " The Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , " and spoke in high terms of his distinction as a University man , as a Freemason , and a statesman . He

occupied a distinguished position now , and was ever to the front either in politics or Masonry . The Chairman next gave " Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers . " Lord Skelrrersdale , he said , was well known , not onlv in his own province and in the north , but

also in the south of England , with the Masons of which localities he had become acquainted by his working and readiness to preside on all occasions when his services were required . He coupled the name of Bro . Colonel Burdett with the toast .

Colonel Burd ° tt , Prov . G . M . for Middlesex , responded . He said he had so often had to respond to this toast that he believed he had nothing more to say . But , although he had little to say , it gave him great pleasure again to stand up and respond for tbe Grand Officers . With respect to those brethren , he was sure

every brother would appreciate the services of every officer that had been appointed . No one had ever been able to find fault with them . He did not wish to take up more time than was necessary , but he thought he should be veryremiss indeed if he did not ^ take this opportunity of expressing his high appreciation and approba-

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

tion of the way in which the chair had been filled that evening . ( Great cheering . ) He was sure when he mentioned that subject it would be received in the most enthusiastic manner . There was no brother more ready to support the charities in every possible way than Sir Henry

Edwards , their present chairtmn . ( Hear , hear . ) He ( Bro . Col . Burdett ) was fortunate in being able to be present at the Girls' School to support Sir Henry Edwards on the previous Monday when he distributed the prizes ; and he hoped he should have many more opportunities of

supporting him . He was very much pleased on that occasion with every thing he saw there ; indeed , he might say he was as much pleased as ever he had bsen in his life . There had hardly been any institution which had gained so much appreciation , and he was very glad of it , for it

was deserving of everything good that could be thought of or done for it . In now mentioning the subject of the Girls' School , he had the greatest pleasure in introducing to the notice of the brethren the " Chairman of the evening , " Sir Henry Edwards , and he trusted the brethren would honour the toast most enthusiastically .

The toast having been duly honoured . The Chairman said that until he rose to propose the last toast he had not had the least idea that his friend and Bro . Col . Burdett was about to follow him , and he could only tell him thisthat what he had said of him had been very kind ,

and to him he felt greatly obliged . He then said—Brethren , it is now my pleasing duty to ask you to drink " Prosperity to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . " Masonic education means the moral , social , ani intellectual development of our orphan girls , and is well

worthy of the Craft ' s deepest interest and most anxious consideration . For a considerable time the executive of this festival was in hopes to have been enabled to announce that H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught would kindly preside , but in consequence of a strong doubt being expressed that

H . R . H . would not be in England on this day , other arrangements had to be made . We greatly regret his unavoidable absence , for we know with what tact and ability he would have fulfilled the duties of this chair . This is the first occasion upon which I have occupied the chair at

Freemasons Hall at a gathering of the Craft , and the province of West Yorkshire cannot but feel highly gratified by the circumstance that I should have been solicited to accept the presidency for this day . The history of this Institution has in past years been so often and forcibly placed

before the Craft by my distinguished predecessors in this chair , that it is unnecessary for me to dilate at any great length , or to say much , on the wisdom of Freemasons in founding this school at St . John ' s Hill , Battersea Rise . The benevolence of the brethren on previous

occasions has always met the requirements of their day . But the progress which the Craft has since made , and the condition of the brethren as regards numbers and wealth has so completely changed , even within the last fifty years , that the capabilities of the original school

house have long ago been outstripped by the increasing demands of applicants for admission to the benefits of this charity . At the last quarterly general court , out of a list of forty three candidates , eleven girls were elected . I understand that it will now require at least

£ 8 , 479 to provide for the yearly maintenance of the buildings and for the education of over 200 girls . I doubt not , whatever , this sum will be forthcoming , and thateven in these difficultand expensive times you will feel that you have not done your duty as benevolent Craftsmen if your efforts

fall below the requirements of the institution . The funded property is represented by £ 36 , 500 invested in consols , and , in my opinion , this is a most gratifying financial feature , and , in addition , between £ 29 and , £ 30 , 000 has been expended upon the grounds and buildings at St . John ' s Hill . Brethren , you may well be proud

of the results hitherto achieved b y former liberality and pecuniary efforts , and may point to the fart that this is the 88 th anniversary festival , that since the foundation of the charity 1 , 062 girls have been maintained , clothed , and educated within the school walls , and that at the present time 152 girls are domiciled in the institution , receiving the benefits ofthe charity , and as soon