Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management held their usual monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday . Bvo . Edgar Bowyer , Patron , P . G . Std . Br ., occupied the Chair , and there was a numerous attendance of brethren present . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the Secretary reported the death of a male

annuitant . The Wardens' report was read , as also was a letter referring to one of the male candidates , whose name , after a full consideration of the circumstances , was ordered to be removed from the list . The list of attendances of the several members of the Committee having been read , those who had attended the

fewest times retired , but were at once nominated for reelection . Bro . George Bolton , P . M ., No . 169 , having handed in a list of 10 other nominees , and Bro . Lacey having likewise nominated a brother to serve on the Committee , the draft of the annual report to be presented at the Annual General Meeting , on Friday , the 21 st inst ., was submitted and approved , and the Committee adjourned with a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

The Logic Club.

THE LOGIC CLUB .

The annual dinner of the club of instructionin connection with the Logic Club and Masonic Charities Association , Cavendish Rooms , Mortimer-street , W ., was held recently at the Criterion , under the presidency of Bro . John Maclean , P . M ., Preceptor . In the course of the proceedings a presentation was made to Bro . James Percy

Fitz-Gerald , P . M ., Hon . Sec , of a spirit frame and case of fish knives and forks , suitably inscribed , in recognition of his unremitting services as Hon . Sec , & c , & c . About 50 brethren were present at the dinner , which was admirably served , and did great credit to the Dinner Committee , Bros . Robert P . Stevens , R . D . Cummings , and

Muir Smith . On the removal of the cloth there were the usual toasts , interspersed with songs , recitations , & c This Club , which is in a most flourishing condition , subscribed 200 guineas to our Charitable Institutions during the past year .

Laying Foundation-Stone Of New Masonic Hall At Pontypridd, And Installation Of W.M.

LAYING FOUNDATION-STONE OF NEW MASONIC HALL AT PONTYPRIDD , AND INSTALLATION OF W . M .

On Monday , the 3 rd inst ., thc foundation-stone of a Masonic Hall now being erected by the members of the Merlin Lodge , No . 1578 , was laid by the R . VV . Bro . Sir George Elliot , P . G . M . of the Province of South Wales

( Eastern Division ) . The members of the Merlin Lodge met at 11 . 15 a - - ' 'ho Town Hall , when there were present Bros . J . Sprague , W . M . j H . N . Davies , I . P . M . ; E . Jones . P . ' M ., lP . P . G . J . W . ; T . Dickson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . ; R . Male , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; W . H . Key , P . M ., P . G . A . D . C . j S . R . Jones , S . W . j S . Lewis , J . W . ; M . R . Williams , Treas . ; E . Henry Howard , Sec . ; Wm . R .

Perrott , S . D . ; W . R . Davies , J . D . ; E . N . Davies , D . of C . ; J . Davies , Org . ; J . F . McClune , I . G . ; David Phillips and J . Evans , Stwds . ; A . Parsons , Tyler ; VV . Williams , P . P . G . Stwd . ; J . Snape , R . Thomas , Robert Smyth , J . Morgan , E . W . Lewis , T . W . VV . Morgan , John Carson , W . H . Mathais , D . Jenkins , T . R . Phillips , Wm . Davies , J . Lloyd , R . Rogers , L . D . Llewellyn , Wm .

VVilliams , A . A . McLucas , T . Thomas , T . S . Keys , M . Price , G . F . Lewis , and E . C . Spickett . The lodge having been duly opened by the W . M ., Bro . Sprague , the following visitors from other lodges were admitted : —Bras . S . Coleman , S . W . ; T . Harrison , W . D . Blessley , and S . Kendrick , of No . 36 ; J . J . Jones , W . M . ; VV . H . Willett , and W . Morgan , of No . no ; G . King ,

P . M . 172 ; F . King , 304 ; D . Morris , 364 ; T . Harris , W . M . ; G . Abraham , Treas . ; F . G . Musgrave , Sec . ; T . Richards , E . P . Evans , S . T . Jolliffe , F . Russell , T . VV Mander , and S . Shipton , of G 79 ; J . H . Hussey , W . M . ; J . Mundy , S . W . ; T . James , T . H . Richards , J . Pike , W . F . Grovier , and J . A . Yorke , of 9 60 ; J . C . V . Parminter , W . M . 1323 ; D . E . Davies , 1429 ; J . H . Taylor , A . D . C .

1573 i C . E . Perry and E . Price , of 1752 ; F . A . Miles , W . M ., and W . R . Thcmas , S . W ., of 1 SS 2 ; H . M . Tainsh , 1992 ; C . E . Munchin , 754 ( I . C . ) j and Carl Bendit , Eagle Lodge , Frankfort Maine , Germany . _ The Prov . Grand Officers within the lodge having retired , the Provincial Grand l . odge procession was formed , and having been announced , the following distinguished

brethren were admitted and received by the brethren upstanding : Bros . Sir George Elliot , Bart ., D . C . L ., Prov . G . M . ; Marmaduke Tennant , D . P . G . M . ; Capt . S . G . Homfray , D . P . G . M . Monmouthshire ; Samuel Davies , P . P . G . S . W . Monmouthshire ; George Hazell , P . P . G . J . D . Monmouthshire ; A . P . Fabian , P . P . G . S . W . Hants ; S . Cooper , P . M . 36 , P . G . S . W . ; H . Simons , P . M . 237 . P . G .

I . W . ; W . H . Martin , P . M . 960 , P . P . G . S . W . ; Walter Whittington . P . M . 364 , P . P . G . S . W . ; Evan Jones , P . M . 6 79 , P . P . G . J . W . ; Thomas Walters , P . M . 157 * 5 , Prov . G . Chap , j E . H . Lloyd , P . M . 364 , P . G . Treas . ; John Hemming , P . M . 1752 , P . G . Reg . ; J . O . Lewis , P . M . 9 G 0 , P . P . G . Reg . ; Richard Male , P . M . 157 S , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . Tones , P . M . S 33 , Prov . G . Sec ; Evan Jones , P . M . 07 G ,

P . P . G . Sec . ; R . VV . A . Southern , P . M . 36 , P . P . G . S . D . ; Thomas Dickson , P . M . 157 S , P . P . G . S . D . ; W . C . Peace , P . M . 960 , P . P . G . Supt . Works ; VVm . Howels Key , P . M . 1578 , Prov . G . A . D . C . ; Frederick Bradford , I . P . M . 237 , P . G . Swd . Br . ; Robert Capper , P . M . 1323 , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . B . Broad , P . G . Org . ; Frederick Atkins , 36 , P . P . G . Org . ; William Jenkins , P . P . G . Purst . ; Thomas

Phillips , P . M . 670 . P . P . G . Purst . ; Watkin J . Thomas , P . M . G 79 , P . P . G . Purst . ; George Bullerwell , P . G . Tyler ; Henry Taylor , W . M . 237 , P . G . Stwd . ; Sidney Coleman , S . W . 3 6 , P . G . Stwd . ; H . M . Bradford , W . M . 1807 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; S . Gibson Lee , 1822 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; and Wm . Williams , 157 S , P . P . G . Stwd .

The W . M . having delivered over the gavel to thc R . W . P . G . M ,, and the other ofiicers having vacated their chairs , which were taken by the Prov . Grand Ofiicers , Provincial Grand Lodge was opened by the R . W . P . G . M ., Bro . Sir Geo . Elliot , Bart ., immediately after which a procession was formed , headed by the Band of the Pontypridd Detachment of the 2 nd Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers , and the bre-

Laying Foundation-Stone Of New Masonic Hall At Pontypridd, And Installation Of W.M.

thren proceeded to the site of the new Masonic Hall ; the banner of the Merlin being carried by Bro . Robert Thomas , and the volume of the Sacred Law by Bro . T . S . Keys , the youngest Mason present , he having been initiated a member of the Merlin on the previous Thursday evening . On reaching the site the brethren opened out right and left , facing inwards , and the R . W . Prov . G . Master and the V . Wor . Dep . Prov . G . Master , and the members of

Prov . G . Lodge , passed up the avenue thus formed , preceded by the Standard and Sword Bearers , and occupied the front rank round the stone , the other brethren taking up the positions assigned to them . The ceremony of laying the foundation stone was then commenced by the Prov . Grand Chaplain , the Rev . Dr . Walters , offering up a prayer , after which , a choir , formed from the brethren of the Merlin Lodge , under the leadership of Bro . Joseph

Davis , Organist of the lodge , sang the anthem , " O Praise God in His Holiness , " Bro . Atkins , P . P . G . Org ., accompanying the choir on the harmonium . The W . M ., Bro . SPRAGUE , then addressed the R . W . P . G . M ., and requested him to lay the foundation stone of the new hall , which the brethren of the Merlin Lodge were erecting for the purpose of providing a suitable and permanent home for the lodge ; and the following inscription , engraved on a brass plate , was read by the PROV * . GRAND

SECRETARY : "This foundation stone of the Masonic Hall , Pontypridd , was laid with Masonic honours , on Monday , the 3 rd day of May , 1 SS 6 , by Bro . Sir Geo . Elliot , the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master of the Province of South Wales ( Eastern Division ) . " Joseph Sprague , VV . M . " Samuel Rowland Jones , S . W .

" Stephen Lewis , J . W . " W . Douglas Blessley , Architect . " Howell and Son , Builders . " A bottle , containing various coins of the present reign , copy of the loci newspapers , the bye-laws of Prov . Grand Lodge , and the Merlin Lodge , a list of the present officers of the Merlin Lodge , and a copy of the programme of the day ' s proceedings was deposited by the Prov . Grand

Treasurer in the cavity cut in the lower stone , and the Prov . G . Secretary covered the same with the brass plate . The cement having been placed on the lower stone , the R . W . P . G . M . adjusted the same with a silver trowel presented to him by Wor . Bro . H . N . Davies , I . P . M ., on behalf of the Merlin Lodge , after which the upper stone was slowly lowered , solemn music being played on the harmonium by Bro . Atkins during the time occupied in

adjusting the stone . The Right Wor . P . G . M . subsequently proved the just position and form of the stone by the plumb rule presented to him by the P . G . J . W ., by the level delivered to him by the P . G . S . W ., and by the square , delivered to him by the V . Wor . Dep . Prov . G . M ., and on being satisfied in these particulars , he gave the stone three knocks with the mallet delivered to him by Bro . Sprague , W . M , of the Merlin Lodge , and declared the stone duly laid according to

ancient custom . W . Bros . Dickson , Male , Key , and H . N . Davies , Past Masters of the Merlin Lodge , then approached the stone bearing the vessels containing the corn , wine , oil , and salt , and presented the same the same to the V . W . Dep . Prov . G . Master , who strewed the corn and salt , and poured the wine and oil over the stone , with the accustomed ceremonies ; and the solemn dedicatory to "Masonry , "

" Virtue , "Universal Benevolence , " and "Wisdom , " was followed by the singing of the usual odes by the choir . The Architect , Bro . W . DOUGLAS BLESSLEY , was then presented by Bro . Sprague , tothe R . W . Prov . G . M ., who , after having the plans explained to him , addressed the brethren , and said he had returned from the continent for the express purpose of being present at the laying of the foundation stone , and that it had given him the greatest

pleasure in being present to take the part he had in the ceremony , as he was most desirous of seeing all the lodges in his province located in a building specially built for Masonic purposes . He warmly congratulated the members of the Merlin on their having resolved to erect a Temple at Pontypridd , which he looked upon as a place which must rapidly develop , and which in his opinion had a very bright future before it , and concluded by stating it would afford

him very much gratification to contribute 100 guineas towards the cost of the building , which he understood would amount to about £ 2000 . The PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPLAIN having pronounced the Benediction , the concluding anthem , " Hail , Masonry Divine , " was sung by the choir , and the band played " God Save the Queen . " This ended a particularly impressive and solemn service , which was listened to throughout with

marked attention by a vast concourse of people who appeared to be much impressed with the thrilling emphasis with which the Rev . Dr . Walters , the Prov . G . Chaplain rendered the part of the service alloted to him . The brethren then re-formed , and returned to the Town Hall , headed by the band , and P . G . Lodge was closed . The Worshipful Master of the Merlin Lodge , Bro . Sprague , and his officers then again assumed their

respective chairs , and the ceremony of installing Bro . Stephen Lewis as W . M . of the Merlin , for the ensuing year , was proceeded with . Bro . Lewis having been duly presented to the Installing Master , Bro . Sprague . the ancient charges were read , and Bro . Lewis having given his assent thereto , he was duly obligated . A Board of Installed Masters was thereupon formed , and Bro . Stephen Lewis was installed into the chair of K . S ., and greeted according to ancient

custom , after which he invested Bro . Sprague as I . P . M . The Board of Installed Masters having been dissolved , the M . M ' s . were re-admitted , and Bro . Lewis was for the first time proclaimed VV . M . for the ensuing year , and saluted in ancient form . The following officers were appointed and invested for the ensuing year : Bros . Edward Henry Howard . S . VV . ; VVm . Rosser Perrott , J . W . ; Samuel Rowland Jones ,

Chap . ; M . R . Williams , Treas . ; W . R . Davies , Sec . ; Joseph Davies , S . D . ; John Francis McClune , J . D . ; Jno . Samuel Davies , D . C . ; Joseph Davies , Org . ; David Phillips , I . G . ; John Evans and Wm . Davies , Stwds . ; and Albert Parsons , Tyler . At the conclusion of the installation ceremony Bro . Sprague was congratulated by

the R . VV . P . G . M . on the able and impressive manner in which he had performed the duties of Installing Master , and on the motion of the W . M ., Bro . Lewis , hearty votes of thanks were accorded the R . W . P . G . M ., the V . W . Dep . Prov . G . M ., the Prov . G . Officers , and visitors from other lodges for their attendance , and the same were ordered to be recorded on the lodge minutes .

Laying Foundation-Stone Of New Masonic Hall At Pontypridd, And Installation Of W.M.

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the New Inn Hotel , where a luncheon was served . The W . M ., Bro . S . Lewis , presided , and was supported on his right and left by the R . W . P . G . M ., Sir George Elliot ; the V . W . Bro . Tennant , Dep . P . G . M . ; the V . W . Deputy Prov . G . M . of Monmouthshire , Bro . S . George Homfray ; the I . P . M ., W . Bro . Sprague ; and other distinguished brethren .

The usual toast list was gone through , that of "The R . W . P . G . M . " and "The V . W . Dep . P . G . M ., " g iven by the W . M ., Bro . Lewis , being received with immense enthusiasm . In the evening a Masonic Ball was given by the members of the Merlin , at Bro . Howard ' s Hall , at which the V . W . Bro . Marmaduke Tennant , Dep . Prov . G . M ., and other distinguished members of the Craft were presentas well as

, most of the leading inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood . Messrs . Johnson and Roberts' string band of 12 performers , discoursed excellent music , to the strains of which dancing , which commenced at 9 p . m ., was kept up , with much spirit until 4 . 30 a . m . At midnight the company sat down to a sumptuous supper , provided by the caterer , Mr . Maggs , Cardiffand

, when the time came for parting all were agreed that a most enjoyable evening had been spent . Bros . Richard Male , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., and Bro . McClune , J . D ., acted as joint Hon . Secretaries to the Ball Committee , and much praise is due to them for their careful attention to every detail , which in no small measure contributed to thc success of the ball .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THE REV . A . G . HOW . Bro . the Rev . Augustus G . How , B . D ., rector of Doynton ( in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol ) , died on Good Friday in his 73 rd year . Bro . How , who was much and deservedly respected , was formerly vicar of Bromley , Middlesex , until his appointment in 1 S 72 to Doynton , which now becomes vacant by his death . The living is in the

patronage of the Lord Chancellor , and is worth per annum about £ 44 0 , with a rectory house . The funeral took place on Wednesday , the 2 Sth ult ., in the village churchyard . The mourners were the Rev . G . A . M . How and Mr . A . F . O . How ( sons ); the Rev . H . B . Thompson ( son-in-law ); Messrs . VV . Davy , T . H . Falcon , J . Day Bush , and G . W . H . Gumming . The service was read by the Rev . W . T .

Blathwayt , rector of Dyrham , and among the clergy present were the following : The Revs . Canon Nash , Prebendary Barnard , E . F . Trotman , E . Sayeres , J . Hope , J . Dumas , H . A . C . Tomkins , Pixel ! , Howard , VV . Taylor , Murray , and Fry . Capt . Blathwayt , Messrs . W . E . Blathwayt , Mills , Dare , Alvis , and a large number of

parishioners were present . Bro . How was a P . M . of the Royal Sussex Lodge , Bath , and the following brethren , amongst others , attended the obsequies : Bros . Lieut .-Col . Ford , J . A . Timmins , R . King , E . N . Fuller , C . Collins , W . F . Collins , W . Gill , R . B . Cater , Cuffe Adams , Charles Milsom , and B . H . Watts . The coffin was covered with a profusion of wreaths and crosses of ( lowers sent by friends .

BRO . J . R . FOULGER , P . M . Our readers will have heard with deep regret the sudden death , on Saturday last , of Bro . Ex-Inspector J . R . Foulger . At the inquest which followed , the medical evidence showed that death was due to heart disease . Bro . Foulger was initiated many years since in the Domatic

Lodge , No . 177 , and having served the office of S . D . in 1 SC 7 , and that of S . W . in the year 1 S 6 S-9 , was elected to the chair as VV . M . in 1 S 70 . Since then Bro . Foulger had taken a deep interest in the affairs of the lodge , and his loss will be sincerely regretted by all its members , by whom he was most deservedly esteemed and respected .

Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

BIRTHS . BURN . —On the gth inst ., at Lansdown-crescent , Bath , the wife of Col . J . Burn , B . S . C ., of a daughter . DAVIS . —On the Sth inst ., at Elmsleigh , Budleigh Salterton , the wife of the Rev . E . Davis , of a son . PVM . —On the ioth inst ., at the Rectory , Cherry Burton , the wife of the Rev . C . M . Pym , of a son .

MARRIAGE . LAVISON—ST . LEGER . —On the 28 th ult ., at Cairo , Count Max Lavison , son of the late Count Lavison , to Florence , daughter of Col . St . Leger , Commanding Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders . DEATHS .

FIGG . —On the 7 th inst ., at Denmark-street , W . C , J . W . F 'SI ? , aged 75-SAYLF .. —On the 29 th ult ., at 27 , Stonor-road , West Kensington , VV ., Harriet Layton , the beloved wife of George Moore Sayle , the younger daughter of Bernard

T . Fountaine , Esq ., Stoke House , Stoke Hammond , Bucks , aged 25 . SUNLEY . —On the 26 th Feb ., at Pomony , J . Wm . Sunley , formerly H . B . M . Consul for the Comoro Isles . TAYLOR . —On the 7 th inst ., at Claremont House , Maidavale , Thomas Richard Taylor , aged 48 .

Bro . the Duke of Connaught opened the Red , White , and Blue Bazaar , in aid of the Home for Little Boys at Farningham and Swanley , at the Royal Agricultural Hall , Islington , on Thursday , the Gth inst . The ceremony was a simple one , and his Royal Highness received a very hearty welcome . The bazaar closed on Wednesday .

The Queen opened the International Exhibition at Liverpool on Tuesday , having travelled north forthe purpose during the previous night . Her Majesty , who was accompanied by H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and the Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg , and attended by

Bro . Earl Granville and other important functionaries , was received with the greatest enthusiasm , both on her way to the Exhibition and in the building itself . In the interval between the arrival of the Royal party and the ceremony , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught visited and thoroughly inspected the Southern Hospital , close to the docks .