Royal. Masonic Institution For Boys.

menced , and all of the seventy boys were brought under one management . It was in 1863 that it was determined to provide fuller accommodation , . not only for those who were educated by the Institution ; but

for an increased number , seeing that the applications were greatly on the increase . Thefoundation-stoneof thencw building was laid in that year , viz ., in 186 3 , and in 1865 the structure wascomnleted . In years of later

date the boys who were educated , clothed , and maintained , were increased in number from seventy to 115 , and at the last Quarterly Court in January of the present year , the number was further increased to 125 .

( Cheers . ) In addition to this number there were three boys in the Institution under purchase by perpetual rights , and

sixteen boys were also admitted by payment of one hundred and fifty guineas . So that there are at present 144 boys enjoying the benefit of education at the Roval

Masonic Institution for Boys . I may mention that since the infant efforts of our brethren in 1798 tlie large number up to the present time , of 1198 boys have enjoyed the blessings of education at the hands of

this Institution ( cheers ) . At the election in April next there are 6 9 candidates of whom 19 will be elected . The school enjoys great popularity among the Craft , as is evidenced by tlie numerous applications there are for

admittance . During the last eleven years , I may inform the brethren , the Craft has subscribed £ 90 , 000 towards this Institution , which , I need not say from a position of great obscurity and want of means has

been raised to one of the best educational institutions that we have . I understand that a most admirable and suitable building has been erected , that the general convenience of tlie boys in every way has

been studied ; and it is important that I should state that at the age at which boys arc usually admitted is eight years , and that they receive the advantages of the Institution up to fifteen-and-a-half . It is to be

extended to sixteen . I mentioned to the Secretary the question of scholarships , and I cannot , but , from my own experience at the University , equally impress upon those present , and who take an interest in these

schools foresee the greatest advantage which would be bestowed upon the scholars if it were in any way possible to allow boys when they leave these schools to gain certain distinctions in money which would

enable them to continue their education in the higher educational institutions—the Universities —( hear , hear ) - —without being obliged to break it off and to take to everyday life , and mingle in commercial affairs .

The money that is required for the demyships at Cambridge , in the Universities under the present system is not very large and if you were enabled to offer to the cleverest boy at these schools the means

to go to the University , I think you would be conferring the greatest benefit upon him ; and we should reap our reward by seeing the crowning efforts of education which was begun years ago , and at the same time be

conferring a national benefit . It is well also that I should bring before this meeting that this Institution differs from the other Masonic Institutions , viz ., the Girl ' s , and the Aged Freemasons , in this , that it

possesses no funded property , but is entirely , with the exception of the grant which it receives from Grand Lodge , dependent upon the individual efforts of the brethren

every year . I need not say that this Institution enjoys the confidence of the Craft ; most of those present know its working better than 1 do . We all know the energy of the Secretary , and the care

Royal. Masonic Institution For Boys.

and attention which the Board bestow on it . We have seen this evening two admirable examples of the result of that assistance which we have been enabled to afford to deserving cases , in extending to them

that which fits them to commence and continue the struggle of life . Brethren , I feel that I may have but imperfectly preferred tlie claim of the Institution , but I feel that you know the benefit which this

Institution generally is giving to the Craft , not only in the metropolis but in the provinces . I speak for the province to which I belong—Lincolnshire—from which there arc many brethren I sec sitting round

me ( hear , hear ) . I have received the greatest kindness from the Officers of that province . We have sent up many boys , and I believe we have on every occasion been most satisfied with the care and attention which

have been paid them , and with the education they have received . Brethren , I will not detain you any longer , but will give you from the very bottom of my heart my

good wishes for the prosperity of the Boys ' School , and I have to couple with the toast the name of our brother , George Plucknett , the Treasurer , ( cheers ) .

The toast having been drunk , Lord Leigh called for " one cheer more for the two lads who had won prizes , " which was duly given . Bro . G . Plucknett : My Lord Duke and

brethren , I beg on tlie part of the Institution to thank you for the cordial manner in which you , my lord have proposed , and you , brethren , have responded to the toast of " Prosperity to the Institution , " and for the

honour that you have done me in associating my name with that toast . I regret very much that the brother who would have responded to this is no longer with us . I le was so intimately connected with this Institution

and others of a similar character , he was so well-known to the Craft in general , that his loss cannot but be sincerely felt . However , brethren , it is my duty to express to you gratitude of the Institution for your good

wishes . The Institution is doing its work effectively and well ; it has the most careful superintendence ; but I may add that it is capable of doing more good than it has ; and the Craft I am sure will never be

satisfied until they have filled those beds which are vacant at the present time , There is no reason to think it can be otherwise , because you have a most able Committee , an indefatigable and enthusiastic

Secretary , and they all do their utmost to make the Institution , as I believe it will be , one of the most perfect of its kind . I

assure you as far as my humble services go they will be devoted to render all the assistance in my power to make the Institution perfect .

Bro . Binckes here read the Stewards ' lists . £ s . d . Antiquity 10 10 o The Oueen ... ... ... 10 10 o

B . B . Cabbell ( 47 donations ) ... 10 10 o Grand Stewards ... . . . 120 15 o Fidelity 18 18 o No . 4 ... ... ... ... 32 6 o

5 64 1 o 6 21 o o 7 54 12 o 8 15 15 o 9 50 8 o

u 25 14 6 12 54 12 o 14 12 12 o 18 63 o o 21 56 14 o 21 ... 21 o o 22 19 ' 9 o

Royal. Masonic Institution For Boys.

25 54 1 6 — 10 10 o 28 50 7 o 29 27 6 o 33 52 10 o

34 10 10 o 55 7 o 7 o 60 ... ... ... ... 6 9 6 o 65 44 7 o

66 15 r 5 o 73 80 18 o 145 21 o o 162 18 18 o

J 79 •33 10 o 180 58 16 o 181 47 15 6 197 36 11 o 198 10 10 o

74 17 o 231 43 1 * o 259 70 7 o 435 225 o o 524 24 3 o

548 3 t 10 o 657 203 14 o 7 ^ 5 42 o o 766 33 12 o 871 17 17 o

907 36 15 o 957 32 11 o 1185 65 2 o 1288 23 2 o 1381 87 3 o

ij' ^ 3 in V o Berks and Bucks 26 5 o Dr . Clark ... ... ... 65 to o Cheshire ... ... ... 52 xo o Williams and Brown ... ... 279 o o

Cornwall ... ... ... 100 5 o Whitehaven ... ... ... 52 10 o Derbyshire ... ... ... 42 o o Do . ... 37 5 o Do . 48 16 6

Durham , Bro . Humphrey ... 315 o o Dorset , Bro . Luff ... ... 146 4 o Channel Islands ... ... 42 o o Hampshire and I . of Wight ... 63 o o 2 nd Std ., J . R . Stebbing , ^ ioios . 70 7 o

Hampshire ... ... ... 80 17 o Hertfordshire ... ... ... 9 6 7 o East Lancashire , T . Burton ... 536 o o W . Lancashire ... ... ... 23 12 6 Lincolnshire ... ... ... 5210 o

Steward ... ... ... ... S $ t o Grimsby ... ... ... 48 15 10 Sutcliffe , Lincolnshire 63 o o Leicestershire ... ... ... 56 / 3 o 182 Middlesex 70 7 o

Octavius Pearson ... ... 15 15 o Oxon ... ... ... ... 52 10 o Do 32 3 o

Do 21 o o Somersetshire ... ... ... 126 o o Do 43 1 o Warwickshire ... ... ... 600 o o

Surrey ... ... ... ... nn o Do 78 15 o Do 10 10 o Do 10 10 o Do . ... 52 9 6

West Yorkshire ... ... 236 6 o Do 700 o o Burmah ... ... ... ... 21 10 o 1372 66 17 o

Bro . Binckes continued , there are a large number of lists not yet to hand , on many of which I know there are sums of money of considerable amount . The

announcement of the totals will be as follows ; but before I give you them I may be allowed to say , some of the lists may not quite realize the expectations of our good friends

who have we hope a very successful festival to take place in May . We meet this evening with a great success , and I feel confident that this is the turning point in the fortunes