Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

Bro . BINCKES then read the following extract from the Citizen of a report of proceedings which took place in the Court of Common Council on this subject : — " The Local Government and Taxation Committee reported as follows : — ' We have considered the clauses of the Charitable Trusts Acts Amendment Bill which has been introduced into the House of Lords by thc Lord Chancellor . They are of so alarming a character that we

thought it right at once to bring the contents of the Bill to the notice of ' all the principal Charities in this country , and for that purpose we directed ^ the Town Clerk to address the Town Clerks of all municipal boroughs in England ! and Wales , and also the clerks of all urban sanitary authorities , in the hope that strong opposition will be raised all over the country to the Bill , by which the Charity Commissioners may call for a transfer of all charitable property , both real

and personal , to the official trustees of charitable funds , and by which the Charity Commissioners might , nothwithstanding any Acts of Parliament or any orders of the High Court of Justice , frame practically without appeal any new schemes for Charities , so that all existing' foundations might beset aside and the endowments applied to other purposes which to the Charity Commissioners might seem expedient , notwithstanding the foundation or the wishes of

the trustees , and persons of the locality interested in the Charity , and this might happen even in the life-time of the founder ; for no Charity that is twenty years old is exempted from the operation of the Bill . A meeting of the London Charities was convened at Christ ' s Hospital for the 2 nd inst ., which we requested our Chairman and Mr . Solicitor to attend , and they report to us that an energetic resistance to the Bill has already been organised as the

result of that meeting , and a Committee formed to oppose the further progress of the Bill . It seems to us that our honourable Court should at once present a petition against the Bill , and we have directed Mr . Acting Remembrancer to prepare a petition , and we recommend that he should be instructed lo wait upon a Lord in Parliament to present the octition accordingly . '—Mr . Lawley moved the adoption of the report , and said that the Bill sought to obtain the

control of at least £ 100 , 000 , 000 . At present , if an alteration was desired in the arrangements of any Charity , application could be made to the Charity Commissioners , who would draw up a scheme , which , if agreed to , became law . Under the new Bill , the trustees would not even be asked their consent , and contributors to a fund would have no voice in its distribution , if it was more than twenty years since they had subscribed . In fact , they came down at once , in one

fell swoop , upon all the Charities in England and Wales , and would even touch the Bridge House Estates . It was clear it must be vigorously opposed . ( Cheers . )—Mr . Deputy McGeorge asked that , the report might be printed . He had been at the Clothworkcrs' Hall the previous evening , and heard Mr . Seymour Fitzgerald speak on the question , who said that there was no part of the country where the mismanagement of the Charities was so rampant as in

the City . He ( Mr . Deputy McGeorge ) was persuaded that for a long period the Charities of the City had been well and faithfully administered . ( Applause . )—The Town Clerk stated that he had already received replies from all parts of the country , warmly thanking the Corporation for the action they were taking . ( Applause . )—The report was adopted , and a petition , which had been prepared by the Acting Remembrancer against the Bill , was ordered to be sealed .

It was also ordered that the report should be printed ancl circulated amongst the members , and the Committee were instructed to prosecute the petition . " Bro . BINCKES said he had asked the Treasurer of the Institution , Bro . George Plucknett , to attend at thc Committee , and that brother was now in attendance , and would make a statement . Bro . PLUCKNETT said his attention had been called to this particular subject in connection with another charity .

In fact it was a subject which interested all charities in the kingdom . Under this Bill all power as to the disposal ol the funds of charities would be taken away and vested in the Charity Commissioners , who would have absolute power over all the charities in the kingdom . The bill , he understood , would be brought in in consequence of some proceedings in Chancery with regard to some Kensington estates , and the Court decided that the Charity

Commissioners had no power to bring in a claim . To prevent anything of the kind occurring again this Bill was brought in . The Corporation of the City of London were taking an active part in reference to the matter , and had sent out petitions against the Bill to be sent to all the charities in the kingdom . He understood that twenty-five boxer , had been sent out . With regard to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys they were affected by the Hill , and it was

important that they should join in a strong petition against the hill . It was then determined to petition against the Bill , and Bro . Plucknett was authorised to take such steps as might be necessary . Bro . BINCKES afterwards informed the Committee that , in reference to the subject of requiring more stringent

questions to be answered by petitioners for placing boys on the list of candidates for thc Institution , he had framed such questions . He then read a proof , and this draft was subsequently approved . The fist of nominations for the House and Audit Committee , for the ensuing year was then given in , and the requisite number only being proposed , the Chairman declared those brethren to constitute those Committees for thc year . The Committee then adjourned .

Boys' School Festival.

BOYS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL .

The following circular has been issued by Bro . BINCKES to the Stewards : . ' " ¦ At'tlie first meeting of the Board of Stewards held on Monday , 2 nd inst ., amongst the most important subject of consideration was the locality at which the festival should

bike place . D 7 "avinH' discussed the accommodation at the Crystal ' alace , and at the Alexandra Palace , with provision on the same terms as in former years—a proposal was made and favourably considered : 'That the festival be held at thc Koyal Pavilion , Brighton . '

" In the course of the discussion it was ascertained that 'he cost to each individual , supposing Brighton to be selected , would not exceed the cost at either the Crystal or Alexandra Palace .

Boys' School Festival.

" The London and Brighton Railway Company will provide special trains to leave London Bridge or Victoria for Brighton , and to leave Brighton for London Bridge or Victoria , at suitable hours , calling at Croydon in each case , and completing thc journey in one hour and a half . " " 1 he question must be decided at thc meeting of the Board of Stewards on the 16 th inst . Be good enough

therefore to be particular , in the event of yourbeing unable to attend , in returning the enclosed form so that the opinions of the Board as a whole may be fairly ascertained . It is hoped that whatever the decision may be , the minority will cheerfully concur with thc majority , and that all will unite in an effort to render the festival in every respect a success . "

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of this Institution took place on Wednesday last , at three o ' clock , a goodly number being present—Bro . Col . Creaton in the chair . The usual routine business was transacted . The report was read and approved of , suggesting thc election of ten additional candidates .

The architect's tender for £ 1000 for the new buildings at Croydon was accepted . A petition against the new " Charitable Trusts Bill " was approved of , and ordered to be signed by the Chairman . Bro . TERRY announced that if the report was adopted at thc Quarterly Court , there would be £ 11 , 000 to be paid in annuities henceforth . This fact is very noteworthy , and constitutes a fresh claim for the R . M . B . Institution on the support and sympathy of thc Craft .

The London Masonic Charity Association.

THE LONDON MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .

A Committee meeting of this Association took place on Monday last at 1 , Clifford ' s Inn , the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford in the chair , when several new members were elected and notices of others given . The candidates were selected for the May election—ten in number , six males and four

females . We understand that after the May election there will be a general meeting of the Association at Freemasons ' Tavern , and a festive gathering will also take place , when the work and objects of the Association will be full y and clearly stated , to remove doubts and confute most mistaken theories in respect of this much needed and very useful Association .

Was Shakespeare A Freemason?

WAS SHAKESPEARE A FREEMASON ?

Thc passages contained in the writings of our great dramatist bearing on or alluding to Freemasonry are neither few nor far between , ancl though not prepared to say William Shakespeare was a Freemason , the passages quoted below leave no doubt that the author possessed very special Masonic knowledge . The hidden meanings , veiled teachings , and symbolic illustrations will be sufficiently well understood by the

initiated . It would be as easy to prove that Shakespeare , " who played m _ ny parts , " was a doctor , soldier , sailor , or gravedigger—indeed he has been trotted out in all characters , from a philosopher to a rascal , from a Pagan to a Jewall deserving high commendation , and so much can be taken for granted , that he was intimately acquainted with , and , moreover , learned in thc traditions , forms , and ceremonies which we are accustomed to associate with the brotherhood .

lt does not follow because wc read in " Love ' s Labour Lost : " "I will visit thee at the lodge , " that thc great master must have been a Freemason , because thes . e words were spoken by Armado to Jaquenta , and while we are willing to admit a Freemasons' loelge might have been intended or thought of , it must be borne in mind the | evidence is wanting to show that women were admitted in those days any more than in our own . Armado had other

intentions perhaps in visiting the lodge than the study of the liberal arts , but Armado resents this interpretation " to enquire too curiously . " A similar passage occurs in "Titus Andronicus . " Saturninus , alluding to his brother Bassianus , says : " He and his lady both are at the lodge . " Benedick , in " Much Ado about Nothing , " alludes to " The Lodge in a Warren ; " again , in "Thc Merry Wives of Windsor , " Justice

Shallow thus accuses Sir John _ alstaff— " Knight , you have beaten my men , killed my deer , and broken open my lodge ; " and in the same ' play Mistress Quickly issues her directions . " The several chairs of orde ~ look you scour , " is b y no means an unfair interpretation that she meant the chairs of the Master and Wardens of the lodge . In "Tamingof the Shrew , " Biondello , in u conversation with Vicentio , makes use of the expression " My old

Worshipful Master , " and scattered through other plays we hnd , " Worthy Masters , " " Potent Masters , " " Good Masters , " "Elder Masters of known honour , " and so on . The allusion " Warden ' s Pies , " in the '' Winter ' s Tale , " is suggestive of pleasant intimacy with the Junior Warden , if not during work , at any rate in his call from labour to refreshment . Chaplains are rather hardly dealt with in "Henry VIII . " as "Teachers of divers and dangerous

opinions which are heresies . " The only reference to a " treasurer" is to be found in " Antony and Cleopatra ; " but we find in "Henry VIII . "a "Master ' s Secretary , " and an allusion to those " who play scribe " in " Titus Andronicus . " Deacons , Masters of Ceremonies , and Organists do not appear to have earned for themselves the privilege of having their names enshrined in any plav . We find ,

however , in" Pericles , " mention made of" A Sojourner , " andin "Henry VIII . " we find " Pursuivants , " while in "Twelfth Night , " "King Lear , " Sic , we discover a "Steward . " In "Timonof Athens" we not only find a Steward , but also a passage which can only refer to Inner Guards : " Employed to guard sure their Masters . " The Tyler must of course be heard of—we read in Othello , Montano says : " Guard th * ' door without . "

" > 011 have made good work , you and your apron men . " Of the lamb-kin and working " tools , Sic , more anon . — Sydney Freemason .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . RICHARD ROBERTS . Genuine regret has been felt in Masonic and other circles in Liverpool at the news of the death of Bro . Richard Roberts , a much esteemed Past Master of the Bootle Lodge , No . 1473 , and also a member of the Liverpool Lodge , No . ' 1547 . He was one of the partners in thc firm of " Messrs John Duncan and Son , wholesale fishmongers , Great Charlotte-street , Liverpool , and both in his business and

. Masonic sphere he bore a high reputation as a man of honour and intelligence . Bro . ' Roberts never seemed to be weary in well-doing , and his zeal in the cause of the Masonic Charities more than once conduced to their advantage . He had for some time been in bad health , but his death came in the nature of a surprise to all who knew him . The funeral of Bro . Roberts took place towards the end of last week from his late residence at Waterloo , near

Liverpool , the place of interment being Anfield Cemetery , where there was a very large concourse of mourners and sympathising friends . A strong deputation from the lodges attended—viz ., from No . 1473 : Bros . Councillor J . " P M'Arthur , W . M . ; Councillor S . E . Ibbs , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; Councillor W . H . Clemmey , P . M . ; Richard Brown , P . G . Treasurer ; R . E . Mitton , Job Clarke , J . Pennington , Durandu J . GreenbalesW . BlakeLamb

, , , , Howe , Piatt , Scott , Councillor Harold Wyatt , P . M . ; R Harley , J . P . Bryan , Humphreys , Dr . Sprakeling , H . M . Molyneux , P . M . ; R . Hough , Hall , and others . From No . 1547 : Bros . J . A . Forrest , P . M . ; R . Warriner , P . M . ; J . H . Parker , P . M . ; S . Haynes , P . M . ; C . J . Caddock ' W . Ladyman , S . Butterworth , Jonathan Parry , J . Marries , and J . Tweedie . Also from other lodges : Bros . W . L

Lawson , 3 O- , ; \ V . Uverend , 724 ; J . W . Kellett , 721 ; and R . Stirzaker , 1620 . Immediatel y following with the chief mourners were Mr . John Duncan and Bro . John Duncan , jun ., and among the general public we noticed Mr . C . J . Henstock , Superintendent Sibbald , Superintendent Hancox , Bro . Superintendent Little , and others . The church was crowded , the service being impressively read by Bro . the Rev . Dr . Hyde , Chaplain 10 S 6 .

BRO . SAMUEL JAMES SCARNETT CARMAN . It is with feelings of regret we have to announce the sudden death of Bro . S . J . S . Carman , of Walpole Lodge , Norwich , No . 1500 , which took place on Tuesday , the 3 rd inst ., from heart disease . Bro . Carman was originally initiated in the Perseverance Lodge , Norwich , No . 213 , and was in office in that lod ge when the Walpole Lodge was founded in 1 S 74 . He was one of the petitioners and

one of the founders of the Walpole Lodge , and upon the appointment of officers was madeTreasurer , which office he retained at the time of his decease . He was about sixty years of age , but for several years past had been afflicted with the disease _ of which he died . He was one of the principal clerks in the Norwich Union Fire Office , and was at the office till the hour of closing the day before his death . His was a genial disposition and a kind heart .

He had ever an anxiety in the welfare of his lodge , and an ardent love for Masonry at large . He was a very regular attendant at all meetings of his lodge , and his death is regretted by the Masons of Norwich generally . At the meeting of the lodge held on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., a report of which will be found in another column , a vote of condolence with his bereaved family was recorded . Ihe funeral of Bro . Carman took place on Friday , the 6 th

inst ., at the Rosary Cemetery , Norwich , when , in addition to the family mourners , a large number of his brethren and friends were present at the ceremony . He was borne to his final resting place by the following Past Masters and brethren of his lodge : Bro . George Brittain , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., the first Master of the Walpole Lodge ; Thomas Lord , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; Thos . Isley , P . M ., P . G . D . of C ; T . J . Mackley , P . M ., P . P . G . A . D . of C ; D .

Mannings , I . P . M ., P . G . S . B . ; J . Harper , S . W . ; Geo . B . Jay , J . W . ; T . W . Wolveridge , who each wore a sprig of acacia in bloom , which , at the conclusion of thc ceremony , they threw into the grave . There were also present Bros . W . H . Stevens , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; F . B . Ouinton , P . M . 213 , 1500 , 1 S 0 S , P . P . G . A . D . C , P . G . R . ; A . Bullard , W . M . ; M . J . Bailey , l . G . j R . H . Gissing , Secretary ; J . Weycr , P . G . Steward ; J . Hoborough , E .

Ellis , B . G . Woodhouse , R . G . Burton , C . E . Stevens , Everett Howard , J . J . Hosken , R . W . Tidnam , W . W . Warner , C . W . Bacon , A . W . Mann , and John Cox . Among the brethren from other lodges were Bros . S . N . Berry , P . M . S 07 , P . G . S . of W . ; H . Thouless , P . M . 93 , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . B . Coates , 213 ; A . J . N . Chamberlin , 213 ; and R . J . Perowne . There were also present Mr . Alderman W . Hewlett , Mr . Alderman S . Newman , Mr . I . Knights , iVfr . W . F . Dunn , Mr .

J . Valentine Cox , and Mr . Self , members of the Philharmonic Club , of which the deceased was a member . There wjere also several of the clerks from the Norwich Union Fire Office . A most impressive service was given by Bro . the Rev . IIobson , and which being concluded , the brethren left thc ground with saddened hearts at the loss of one so beloved . Much sympathy is expressed and felt with Bro . Samuel J . Carman , the deceased's son , who is S . D . of the Walpole Lodge .

Their Royal Hi g hnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales will honour the Treasurer of St . Bartholomew's Hospital by their presence at a conversazione , to be given on Friday , thc 27 th inst . The Licensed Victuallers' annual excursion is fixed to be held at Brighton on July 13 th , the railway company anel the Town Council of i-righton having again repeated the inducements which they have afforded on

previous . The total receipts of the Royal Naval and Military Bazaar , held at Cannon-street last week , amounted to over £ 3300 . This sum will be devoted to thc benefit of the Aldershot Soldiers' Home ( North Camp and Gros . enorroad ) , and the Chatham Soldiers' and Seamen ' s Institute . The annual dinner of the officers of the loth

Hussars will take place at Willis ' s Rooms on lime the 2 nd , when the Prince of Wales , colonel , will preside . Ax ANCIKNT BIJSLK . —A Bible containing the Old Testament only , and _ npposcd to be the first book printed with moveable types , w ..-: sold in London a short time ago for £ 79 . 0 . It was printed by Gutenberg at Metz in 1452 .