Answers To Correspondents.

Answers to Correspondents .

— - > T . C . J . —Your object being a very praiseworthy one , yon cannot do better than make an appeal to tlie Craft for aid . Judging from experience , however , we think your chief reliance must he placed in the support of energetic brethren in your own province and neighbourhood .

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* We are sorry that pressure of matter obliges us to defer the continuation of Bro . Emra Holme ' s tale , aud other interesting communications .

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CljcJrcemirs0it, SATURDAY , MAY 15 , 1869 .

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TUB FKRRMASOS is published ou Saturday Mornings in timo for the early trains . The price of T ; iis FRHB- \ I , \ SON is Twopence por week ; quarterly subscription ( including postage ) 3 s . 3 d . Annual Subscription , 12 s . Subscriptions payable in advance . All communications , letters , _ c , to bo addressed to the EDITOR , 3 _ ., Little Britain , E . _ . The Kditor will paycareful attention to all MSS . entrusted to him , but cannot undertake to return thorn unless accompanied by postage stamps .

The Paths Of Virtue And Science.

THE PATHS OF VIRTUE AND SCIENCE .

IT is a trite saying that the familiar sinks into the unheeded ; hence it is thafc words pregnant with meaning , and full of the grandest significance , become , through the force of mere repetition , a monotone , a formalism , and a sham .

All of us are more or less impressed with this truth , which is the child of experience ; we can each bear testimony to its pernicious effects in

the history of the human heart , which ever yearns after something new and strange , forgetting the potentiality which resides in the accumulated wisdom of asres .

It is not our province to define the nature of that virtue which all true Freemasons should cultivate * it is not for us to describe the transcendent lustre of that moral light which is the good man ' s guardian and guide ¦ but in the

belief that tho primitive work of Freemasonry is greatly overlooked by the brethren at the present day , we will briefly consider the paths of science in which all Freemasons arc invited and expected to tread . AVe are told by a great poet

that * ' the proper study of mankind is man , " but in thus acquiring a generic knowledge of our kind , let us not sink the individual in the species , but analyze our own hearts and learn the mysteries of our own being . Now , this is

precisely the science of which we take less heed than of any other—ifc being the tendency of men ' s minds in the present generation to ignore all self knowledge , and to cast themselves blindly upon the stream of events , guided by tho floating

straws which indicate tlie current ; or , in other words , by thc fantasies of the passing moment . Was Burke right when he said , " Thc age of chivalry is over , " and must we indeed resign ourselves to the gradual ciraccment of all that is

pure and noble , because the song of the troubadour has ceased , and the knightly lance is for ever laid * in rest ? " No ! The records of departed greatness still remain , and the glories of those mediicval centuries still haunt thc souls of

the world ' s unacknowledged legislators . It is , unquestionabl y , tho mission of Freemasonry , to nourish those lofty conceptions which havo given birth to the imperishable sentiments of honour , of virtue , and of true religion : it is

her mission to reveal to her children the wonders of that psychological science , whose operations , though unseen , aro as marvellous as tho greatest triumphs of the natural sciences . It is for her

to interpose the rock of eternal truth to the torrent of rationalism , of positivism , and of infidelity . No greater barrier can be erected against the

The Paths Of Virtue And Science.

inroads of materialistic philosophy than an institution like Freemasonry , which appeals to every human sympathy , brightens every human hope , and is identified with the cause of our common humanity ; while , at the same time , it

points with steady finger to the source of all lig ht and power . It is true that the teachings of the Order are often misinterpreted , and oftener , through familiarity , lose their original importance * but it is time that Freemasons

awoke to the necessity of studying the whole system of the Craft , not merely as an abstract symbolism , but as a tangible reality—not as a vulgar mystery , but as a mirror in which to read their own hearts , and as a volume iu which to

seek the solution of those doubts and difficultieJ which beset every earnest thinker . To do this , we must ponder well the language of Freemasonry , and thoroughly comprehend its

signification . The wealth of wisdom couched in its every phrase will then become apparent , like the revelation of a new and radiant world * and unless we thus follow our celestial guide , we cannot be said to walk in the paths of virtue and science .

Past Masters As Preceptors.

PAST MASTERS AS PRECEPTORS .

TIIE importance of the subject induces us again to urge upon all who value the well-being of the Craft how desirable ifc will be to strengthen the hands of those brethren who are labouring to effect an uniform system of working the Craft

ceremonies . All old ' Masons , when appealed to , acknowledge the evils arising out of the present varying modes , but few seem inclined to help when a practicable remedy is suggested . If brethren who coincide with Bro . Stevens' views

ou the subject of " Past Masters as Preceptors , " will signify their adhesion , by letter or otherwise , as speedily as possible , they will aid the good

work and encourage those who may be able to attend the proposed Conference in the discussion of suitable remedial measures . Nothing will be accomplished without effort , earnestness , and perseverance .

The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

Tho eighty-first Anniversary Festival of this Institution was held on AVednesday evening at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , Liucoln ' s-Inn-fields . The Right Hon . the Lord Leigh , Right AVorshipful Provincial Grand Master for AVarwickshire , in the chair .

On the I < rnlar previous it was arranged that his Lordship should visit the School at Battcrsea-rise , that day being appointed for the annual visit of the Stewards . His Lordship , however , waa unable to be present , and his place was taken by Bro . Benjamin Head , P . G . D ., and V . P . of the Institution . This

yearly visit , which , although called " the Stewards ' visit to the Institution , " is really open to the whole Craft and the ladies of their families , is the most delightful of all the Masonic entertainments . Being held in that month of the year which is suggestive of youth and joyousness , aud especially of feminine

youth and joyousness , it does not compel the visitors to stay within doors , but gives them the opportunity of walking iu the lovely grounds ( which are part of the provision for the children ' s health ) and enjoying a sight of herbiage and foliage so agreeable at all times to the London slave . Therefore , whenever

the year , in its rolling , brings about the time for the Stewards'visit to the Girls' School , the attendance of visitors is sure to bo large ; and although the programme admits of very little change , however numerous may be the people who attend for tlie first time , the old faces are found there year after year , entering with the same zest into the entertainments

provided , as if to them it were a perfect novelty . The reason for this , no doubt , is that , having seen the building from the laying of its fust stone , and contributed largely towards the attainment of its present proportions , they look on it with just pride as a child of their own , which grows nearer to perfection every day .

The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

The company assembled on that day numbered nearly 300 , amongst whom were Bros . Benjn . Head , John M . Clabon , John Udall , H . Empson , AV . Paas , Raynham W . Stewart , AV . Farnfield , Wm . AVinn , Geo . Cox , Edw . Cox , J . G . Chancellor , Dr . Barringer , A . J . Pritchard , Charles Lacy , John Hart ,

AV . M . ( No 813 ) ; James W . Avery , P . M . ( No . 619 ); F . Binckes , E . H . Patten , P . G . S . B . ; H . Muggeridge , W . H . Warr , A . H . Hewitt , H . J . Thompson , James Terry , P . M . ( No . 223 ); S . C . Hadley , W . M . ( No . 55 ); H . Dicketts , AV . M . ( No . 25 ); AV . Young , P . G . S . B . ; Joshua Nunn , G . S . B . ; Frank Elmore ,

F . H . Ebsworth , Rev . C . AVoodward , Chaplain ; George King , W . M . ( No . 172 ) ; F . AA ^ alters , P . M . ( No . 73 ) ; J . H . AVynne . P . M . ( No . 101 ); C . Marshall , P . M . ( No . 22 ) ; Alfred Pratt , P . M . ( No . 22 ) ; H . Thompson ( No . 177 ) ; Chas . G . Thompson ( No . 1158 , 117 ) ; aud Massey , AV . M ., Beadon Lodge .

The programme for the day was divided into five or six parts , and commenced with some pianoforte playing and part songs by thirty of the pupils . To these succeeded recitations by six of the little girls—E . Hutchinson , E . Henty , A . AVinter , A . M .

Dickens , F . Redgrave , and E . Redgrave , —and Lord Leigh afterwards distributed the following prizes to the fortunate winners : —Bro . AVilliam Paas ' s gold medal aud Bro . AV . AVimi ' s Canonbury prize of three guineas , for general proficiency , to Edith G . Collis ; the Institution silver medal and Bro . W . AVinn's

Canterbury prize of two guineas , for good conduct , to Ada Fanny Triggs ; the Institution ' s prize , for passing in honours at the Cambridge Examination , and for passing at the same Examination , to E . G . Collis , A . F . Triggs , E . Redgrave , E . L . AViuter , J . A . Rumblow , and E . G . Baxter ; for French , to

llorence Redgrave and Eliza Hutchinson ; for music , to M . A . J . Stevens and M . Burditt ; for writing and map drawing , to E . H . Stopher ; for general usefulness , to F . M . Feast and E . H . Banks ; for order and neatness , to E . S . Woolnough ; for needlework , to E . Henderson and A . A . Smith ;

aud for general proficiency , to Kate Tappolet , Eliza Clarke , and Lucy Caparn . Brother John M . Clabon's prize was awarded to H . A . M . Jordan and O . L . Dickens . A prize , the gift of Henry F . Bowker , Esq ., for religious knowledgeas distinguished at the Cambridge examination ,

was given to Emily Redgrave aud E . G . Collis ; and Bro . P . H . E . Brette's , for French , to Ada Fanny Triggs . Other prizes for dictation were given by Bro . Raynham AV . Stewart , to M . S . Gillard , M . F . AVood , if . Thorpe , and C . B . Fletcher ; by Mrs . Peckett , for music , to E . Redgrave ; by Mrs . Brette , for music , to £ . S . Saunders ; by Mrs . Crick , for

elocution , to A . M . Dickens and A . G . AVinter ; by Bro . Joseph Starkey , for drawing , to E . G . Collis ; and by AV . Maitland , Esq ., for calisthenics , to Ellen B . Henty . The company then sat down to a meat tea , provided by the committee . The girls afterwards went through their calisthenie exo . cises , aud dancing terminated the proceedings .

The festival took placo under favourable auspices on AVednesday last , when there were present , amongst others : Bros . John Hervey , Grand Sec . ; Johu Emmens , Past Grand Purst . ; Peter Matthews , Hon . Dentist to the Institution , and P . M . and Treas . of the Fitzroy Lodge ; Robt . , 7 . Chappell , J . D . No . 7 ;

Major Gen . Gore Munbee , St . Kew Lodge , 1 , 222 ; Moore , 1 , 155 ; Bolton , 160 ; AV . Holland ; John Udall ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , Past Grand Chaplain ; Stephen Blair ; F . Binckes . Secretary of Boys' School ; Rev J . Huyshe ; II . Empson ; Samuel Tomkins ; Rev . C . AVoodward ; Fenn ;

Geo . Cox , P . G . Deacon ; Bradford ; G . AV . K . Potter ; R . J . Spiers ; D . Jacobs , P . M ., 27 ; R . J . Chappell , J . D . 7 ; John Hart , AV . M .. 813 ; Benj . Head ; W . H . AVarr ; AV . Paas ; R . M . Stewart , AV . M ., 12 ; Chas . Coote , P . M ., 205 ; Hyde Pullen ; Dr . Barringer , P . M ., 154 , Surgeon to the Institution ; L .

C . Hall , 10 ; Dr . F . E . AVilkinson , P . M ., 181 ; F . H . Ebsworth , AV . M ., 1 , 178 ; James Ellis , L . Hirsch , 861 ; AV . Billington , 871 ; C . Paw-Icy , 33 ; J . Swain , 55 ; Driver ; Thomas Meggy , Fitzroy Lodge ; E . II . Patten , Sec . of the Institution ; Crossley ; R . AV . Little , P . M ., Rose of Denmark ; Geo .

Keunmg , of TUB FREEMASON ; Buss , PM ., 27 ; C . Jacques , Southern Star , 1 , 153 ; Pendlebury , P . M ., 1 , 050 ; Henry Muggeridge , P . M ., & c . ; Harper ; Boyce , P . M ., 813 ; Crabb , 813 ; Captain Field , P . M ., 509 ; J . Stevens , Domatic Lodge , 177 ; Dr . O'Connor ; Massey , AV . M ., Beadon ; F .

AValters , P . M . of several lodges ; farnfield , P . M . and Sec . of Constitutional Lodge ; G . Bolton , 147 , P . M . ; N . AViugfield , 109 ; II . Thompson , 177 ; W . Massey , AV . M Beadon ; and Chas . E . Thompson , 1 , 158 and 177 . The cloth having been drawn , grace , " For these

and all the mercies given , was sung by the professional singers , who were led by Bro . Ganz . The PRESIDENT proposed the health of Her Majesty the Queen , he said : Brethren , the first toast I have to propose is always most enthusiastically received on all public occasions in this