The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

country , I therefore give you with all sincerity " The Health of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , and long life to her . " The Queen is loved by all her subjects , and I am quite sure by none more so than the Freemasons . She is a good Queen , and although she is uot a supporter of the Girls' School ,

she is a liberal contributor to the Boys' Institution . The National Anthem followed , the solo parts being sung by Madame Liebhart . The next toast ou the list was that of " Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the other members ofthe Roval Family . " The

President said the Prince of Wales appeared to take great interest in the charitable Institutions , and he hoped he would follow in the footsteps of his illustrious parent . He believed no subject had seen so much of the world as His Royal Highness . He had lately visited the Sultan of Egypt , where he had been

received in a most magnifiecnt manner ( hear , hear , ) and which they as Masons were glad to hear , because it tended to promote that fraternity of feeling which should exist between nations . ( Hear , hear . ) It was well-known that his brother-in-law was a Mason , and it had been whispered—he did

not know how true it was —that His Royal Highness was a Mason , but if he was he would come forward and support the charities as his royal predecessors had done . This , as well as the former toast , was received with applause . Duet , Miss Fanny Holland and Miss

Fairman" I know a Bank . " The CHAIRMAN said he had pleasure , very great pleasure , iu proposing the next toast . It was first in regard to the Masonic toasts iu the list , and it was one he was sure would meet with hearty approval at their hands . It was no less a toast than

that ofthe " Health of the Right Hon the Earl of - Zetland , M . AV . Grand Master oi"Masons . " Lord Zetland had nowruled over them for more thau a quarter of a century , and during that time Freemasonry , and especially the charities , had flourished iu a remarkable degree . He was glad to hear the subscriptions

to the Zetland Commemoration were likely to amount to a large sum , and that his lordship had expressed a wish like a true Mason , that it should be devoted to some charitable object The other day he visited the Girls' School , and while speaking to the matron he mentioned the name ot Lord Zetland

and she said she hoped he might live to be Grand Master over the Freemasons for many years ; aud that , he was sure , was the wish of every brother present . ( Hear , hear . ) He gave them with great pleasure " The Health of the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Zetland , Patron and President of the Institution .

( Loud cheers . ) The toast was enthusiastically responded to . The PRESIDENT proposed " The Right AVorshipful the Deputy Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , and the rest of the Grand Officers , past and present . " The Rev . J . R . SIMPSON returned thanks on behalf of the Grand Oilicers past and present . He said he

never had more pleasure in attending a Masonic gathering than ho had on this occasion He alluded to the Zetland Commemoration Fund , and said he hoped it would amount to a very large sum . The Rev J . HUVSIIB proposed the health of the Chairman of the day , tho Rt . Hon . Lord Leigh , with thanks for his attendance .

The NOBLE CHAIRMAN returned thanks for the too flattering manner in which his Right AVorshipful Brother had spoken of him . He also thanked the brethren for the cordial manner in which they had received him . Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to promote Freemasonry —( hear , hear)—to its

fullest extent ; aud therefore he had , in conjunction with tho brethren ofthe Province of AVarwickshire , undertaken to preside over thc meeting that day . He then proceeded to the next toast , which was , " Success to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and tho healths of the Treasurer , Bro . S .

Tomkins , and Bro . Bcnj . Bond Campbell , the late Treasurer for thirty years . " He said thoy were very properly proud of their charitable institutions , and the Girls' School , whose anniversary they were met that day to celebrate , was most deserving of the support of every member ofthe Craft . About nine

years ago , at the request of their able , courteous , and energetic Secretary , Bro . E . II . Patten , he had presided at their anniversary festival , and therefore he felt some reluctance again to take the chair this year , as he was afraid that the brethren of his own province would consider he was coming before them

too often in asking them to again support him . He had filled the chair successivel y at the festivals for the three Masonic Institutions , and he thought lo come again would be taxing their pockets too much ; but when he remembered they had several AVarwickshire children in the school who cost the

Charity not less than £ 200 per year , and the Province of AVarwickshire did not contribute more thau a fourth of that sum , he could not refuse to again come forward and take the chair , if by his doing so he could in any way promote the interests of that fre . it institution . He was glad to see so largo a ody of Warwickshire brethren present , as it bore

The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

testimony to him , as Provincial Grand Master , that he had not taken a false step . He would not then go into details as to the history of the school ; but for the information of the brethren and the ladies who might not be aware of it , he would say that the school was established iu 1788—81 years ago , —

aud that it was supported by voluntary subscriptions , with the exception of about £ 150 annually voted by the Grand Lodge , and during the time it had been established , children had beeu clothed and educated , and where they had uo friends they were provided with situations suitable to their rank .

Where they had friends they returned to them . The school was first established at St . George ' s Fields , but it had since been removed to a more airy and healthy situation , and yesterday he visited the school and when he saw the children ' s happy rosy faces there gathered together , it gave him peculiar

satisfaction . In company with his esteemed friend Bro . Patten , the Secretary , he visited the school , and he could not help saying he never visited any public institution with more sincere pleasure . He heard the girls sing , play on the piano , and recite pieces , and beyond that , he saw them go through

their drill under the direction of their skilled aud esteemed mistress , Miss Davis ( loud cheers ) , in a manner which would do credit even to the famed City of London Rifle Volunteers ( looking at the members of the Hon . Artillery Company , who , besides the regalia ofthe Craft appeared in the uniform

ofthe regiment ) . There were in the school 106 children , of whom 100 were placed there by election , and six by purchase . They were all clothed , educated , and trained in the performance of useful and domestic duties , and he could bear his testimony to the excellent manner in which the School was

conducted by Miss Forward aud the excellent mistress , Miss Davis , and he hoped they would long retain their services for the benefit of the Institution . He gave them with great sincerity , ** Success to the Royal Masouic Institution for Girls , " coupled with the names of Bros . ' Cabbell and Tomkins .

( The toast was admirably received . ) Bro . TOMKINS returned thanks , and expressed his deep interest iu the Institution . Bro . PATTEN , the Secretary of the Institution , and P . G . S . B ., then proceeded to read the list of subscri ptions , and at the mention of the larger sums there

was much applause . Thefolloiving aretheprincipal itemsquoted : —Major-General Alunbee , 7 / . 10 s . ; JohnDonkin , 17 / . Is . ; Major John Machen , D . f . G . M ., AVarwickshire , 117 / . 12 s ., including Lord Leigh ; Cooke , 22 / . ; J . Collins ( same province ); 41 . 4 s . ; Oxford , 113 / . 19 s . ; Old King's

Arms , 16 / . 16 s . ; Jacob ' s Egyptian , 71 / . ; Universal bodge , 6 a / . 10 s . ; a P . M . of the Bedford Lodge , ¦ 17 / . 5 s . ; Perseverance , 47 / . 5 s . ; Leigh Lodge , 15 / . 15 s . ; Gihon Lodge , 75 / . 12 s . ; John Hart , New Concord , 81 * 2 , 30 / . ; Robert Burns , 40 / . ; Globe Lodge , 37 / . 16 s ; Old Dundee Lodge , 33 / . Pis . ; St . John ' s Lodge ,

26 / . 5 s . ; Canonbury Lodge , 77 / . * , Regularity , 42 / . ; Albion Lodge , 22 / . ls . ; Neptune Lodge , 53 / . 6 s . ; F . Crowley , Saville Lodge , 10 / . 10 s . ; Panmure , 74 / . ; Emulation , 30 / . 9 s . ; Oak Lodge , 26 / . 5 s . ; Old Union Lodge , 29 / . 8 s . •Gordon , 61 / . 19 s . ; Victoria Rifles , 19 / . 19 s . ; East Surrey of Concord , 40 / . 15 s . ;

Dorsetshire , 100 / . 16 s . ; No . 6 Lodge , 30 / . 9 s . ; C . D . Jackson , Fitzroy , 60 / . ; St . Albans , 29 / . 13 s . ; Temple Lodge , 38 / . 17 s . ; Province of Hants , 185 / . 10 s . ; Finsbury Lodge , 52 / . 10 s . ; Abbey Lodge , 10 / . 10 s . ; British Lodge , 22 / . 2 s . ; St . Andrew ' s Lodge , CO / . 8 s . ; Concord , 56 / . 14 s . ; Shakespeare , 189 / . ;

No . 43 , 28 / . 17 s . ; Union Lodge , 211 . ; Cestrian Lodgo , 10 / . 10 s . ; No . 83 , 51 / . lis . 6 d . ; AVarden , 13 / . 2 s . Gd . ; Eastern Star , 33 / . 12 s . ; Godden , Macdonald , 12 / . 12 s . ; No . 1 , 72 / . ; Rectitude , 11 / . lis . ; Dover , 71 . 17 s . Gd . ; Cadogan , 26 / . 5 s . ; Constitutional , 461 . 4 s . ; Caveac Chapter , 461 .: Excelsior , 401 . ; Rev .

J . Grace , hi . 5 s . ; Lawson , 56 Z . 14 s . ; Driver , 38 / . 17 s . ; No . 10 , 79 / . ICs . ; Tranquillity Lodge , 18 / . 17 s . Gd . ; Rev . P . Smith , 169 / . 18 s . ; Randall , St . Paul ' s , 08 / . ; T . J . Barnes , Doric , 105 / . ; AVisc , 10 / . 10 s . ; J . P . Piatt , 20 / . 5 s . ; W . G . Barnes , Grenadiers , 40 / . 19 s . ; Stephen AVood , 13 / . 17 s . 6 d . ; Pershall , 11 / . Gs . ; II .

Saunders , Royal York , Brighton , 66 / . 3 s . ; Ilasscll , 20 / . ; Head ( his 5 th donation himself of 10 / . 10 s . ) , 77 / . ; Maybury l _ odgc , 52 / . 10 s . ; Archer , 10 / . 10 s . ; R . W . Stewart , 31 / . 10 s . The total amount is 4053 / ., with 20 lists to come in . Bro . Secretary PATTEN subsequently announced

that he had had another ten guineas given to him . ( Hear , hear . ) The NoHLuCiiAiRMANgave the next toast which was " The Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Officers , coupled with the name of Bro . Stephen Blair , Provincial Grand Master for East Lancashireaud for

, which Bro . Blair returned thanks . Br . UDALL , P . G . D ., proposed " The other Masonic Charities , aud success to them . " They were , the Masonic Institution for Boys , and the Masonic Benevolent Institution foraged Freemasonsaiid their

AVidows—coupled with the names of Bro . Binckes and Farnfield to which Bro . Binckes responded . The " Stewards" acknowledged by Bro . Head , and " the Ladies , " brought an interesting evening to a close .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . ] THE MASONIC CHARITIES .

( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Under this heading a series of questions are strung together by your correspondent , " Quidnunc , " in THE FREEMASON of the 1 st inst ., which appear to me to be couched in an unfair spirit towards Bro . Binckes , the secretary

of the Boys' School . As oue of the so-called " Governors " or general committee who voted the sums stated by " Quidnunc , " permit me to say that Bro . Binckes' salary is not really increased , as he will now relinquish all claim to commission upon receiving £ 400 per annum , £ 200 of which is granted

as a special gratuity for his unparalleled exertions to ensure the success of the last festival , and therefore jthere is a valid reason " why the other secretaries should not be placed in a similar position . " If Bro . Binckes were not allowed travelling expenses , many brethren in distant parts of the

country would remain ignorant of the Boys' Institution , and '•the school would lose more pounds in this way thau it will shillings by defraying necessary expenses . Hoping some better qualified brethren may answer " Quidnunc , " I am , & c , SENEX .

( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — " Quidnunc" ha « sounded a trump which will reverberate through the length and breadth of the land . Is it to be credited that the oflice expenses of our charities , whose normal income from the

subscriptions of brethren is about £ 12 , 000 per annum , are to be increased , as hinted by " Quidnunc " in his 7 th query , to something like £ 2000 per annum , or onesixth of the gross sum received ? Surely this cannot be , or else a moral blindness must have overspread the Craft .

I for one at once avow that I do not grudge Bro . Binckes one farthing of any amount awarded him in recognition of great aud special services ; but there the committee ought to have stopped . They have no right to saddle an institution just shaking off a load of debt with another permanent incubus ,

and if persisted in , their resolution will have a sad effect upon the school itself . This is an age of enquiry ; and if a system cannot bear the light of discussion , too surely will it crumble into dust . I know that strong expressions of dissatisfaction have been vented in reference to the recent

proceedings ; but finding that remonstrance is in vain , brethren will shrug their shoulders and say , " It can't be helped ; " but their guineas will not be so readily forthcoming in future , until they are better satisfied with the disposal of the funds . I am , yours fraternally , ONE AVIIOSE GUINEAS ARE SCARCE .

THISTLES LODGE , GLASGOAV . ( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —My attention has been directed to an absurd notification of a supper iu connection with the Glasgow Thistle Lodge , No . 87 , as given at the bottom of the last column ofthe 4 th page of your imprint of the 24 th ult . The

brethren who have so imposed upon your editorial vigilance and Jiasonic discernment are too well known in this province for their peculiar proclivities and love of discord , aud doubtless their absence on the occasion referred to was conducive to that harmony for which , even in their capricious and

gratuitous communication to you , they give thc entertainment credit . Apparently they could not find an exponent of their malice in the local press , which courteously gave publicity to the event , so really they must be excused for skulking all the way

to London for an innocent vehicle for their spleen . Let us in all charity forgive them , knowing they could not help it , for 'tis their nature ; so ' •Lightly tread , ' tis hallowed ground ; No farther seek their merits to disclose , Or draw their frailties from their dread abode . "

The fact is , Bro . Editor , that a complimentary supper was given by the S . AV . of the Thistle Lodge to the office-bearers and others , the only stipulation being that sixpence per guest should be levied as an offering to the old and incapacitated Tyler ; and it is pleasant to have to state that , after enjoying a most social evening , the brethren were enabled to send

something home to gladden the heart of Bro . Robert AValker . Craving au insertion of this letter in your first issue , and hoping your journal may long flourish as a medium of promoting and maintaining concord aud true Masonic sentiment , as well as . practice , amongst brethren , I am , yours fraternally , WM . LAAVSON , Sec , Thistle , No . 87 .