Centenary Meeting At The Royal Albert Hall.

those distant countries which are under the sceptre of England . It may be interesting to you on this occasion if I were to mention that when I was elected to your chair there were 1306 lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Ens-land . During the period of v . 1 years about 280 lodges in thc Colonies have formed

themselves into local Grand Lodges of which I have thc honour of being Patron , and there are on the present roll of Grand Lodge no less than 2270 lodges . ( Cheers . ) Assuming , therefore , an average of 50 in every lodge , there appears to be at the present moment nearly 114 , 000 Freemasons belonging to thc lodges

under the Grand Lodge of England , against 65 , 000 in 1 S 75 . That must be a satisfaction to you and also will show this country in general , and thc world in general that Freemasonry , although no doubt it flourishes all over the world , in no country does it flourish as in our own . It was alluded to the other day

l'lil / . l' lll'SlGX FOIt NKW SCHOOLS , K . M . I . HOYS , AT 11 USIIKV , HUM'S .

when the Princess of Wales gave the prizes to the Roys—( Cheers)—that the watchword I made use of some time ago was " loyalty and Charity " and as long as that remains our watchword I think you will admit that all of us who are Freemasons can close our eyes at night with the reflection that we have done our best towards our fellow creatures . ( Loud cheers . ) The next toast on the list was that of " Success to the

Royal Masonic Institution for Hoys , which was proposed by 11 . R . M . the Prince of WALKS , who said : Hrcthren , wc are met here to-night on a very auspicious occasion , as we are celebrating the Centenary Festival of thc Royal Masonic Institution for Hoys . It is a great thing that an educational establishment like this one has been able to maintain itself so well for thc

space of 100 years—and our desire to-night is to obtain sufficient funds in order , from the requirements of thc School , to move it from its present place , Wood Green , to Hushey , in Hertfordshire . I have little doubt , from the enormous assembly present , and

from what I have heard , that we shall increase our funds to a very large—I hope to a record extent . I may remind you , brethren , that the members of my family have been greatly associated with this Charity . My grandfather , the Duke of Kent , presided

Centenary Meeting At The Royal Albert Hall.

^ ^ . at the Festival in the year 1814 , when the sum of £ 171 ivas collected . Thc Duke of SUSSCK , one of my predecessors in the chair , presided also at a Festival Dinner , when the sum of £ 178 was collected . No doubt , in those days , it was considered a very large sum , but I have every reason to believe we shall get a

little more than that to-night . ( Laughter . ) I had the honour lo preside , 28 years ago , only a short time after I was initiated a member of the Craft , at a Festival of this Charity , at which £ 10 , 000 was obtained , and I shall be c . isappointed if wc do not get tenfold that amount to-night . ( Cheers . ) King William the

Fourth was a Patron of thc School , and our gracious Queen , my beloved mother—( loud cheers )—has been Grand Patroness of the Institution ever since 1 S 52 . As I have mentioned before , it has been found necc ssary owing to want of room and also on account of the inferior class of house , to move this School to a more enlarged

space . Thc new Schools are estimated to cost about ; £ 100 , 000 and will be adapted for 500 boys . I understand that already , a large sum of about £ 60 , 000 has been received , and as you are doubtless aware through the kindness and philanthropy of Hro . Keyser , he has most generously announced his intention of

giving a sum ol 5 oooguineas , and a chapel willbe built at the new schools , and , therefore , I am in hopes that £ 40 , 000 more may be raised this evening in order to form a sufficient sum to meet the ordinary expensesof thcycar . Two thousand threehundred sons of deceased and indigent Freemasons have been educated , clothed ,

and maintained during the 100 years it has existed . At present there are 280 boys in it receiving a suitable education to enable them to earn their own living , and endeavours are always made to obtain situations on their leaving school . I can only say that I was present at thc distribution of prizes and a liner set of boys

it would be impossible to see . Ei ghty-three under the age of 17 years have passed in the First Division of thc London University Matriculation and have gained prizes . The boys who passed that examination were below the average age of most competitors , and I am sure it is highly creditable lo the instructors , and is proof of the sound education which is given by thc Mead

Ad01303

THE~SURGICALAIDSOCIETY. Chief Office : SALISBURY SQUARE , FLEET STREET , E . C . PRESIDENT—TEE RIGHT UON . THE KARL OF ABERDEEN , G . C . M . G . This Society was established in 18 ( 52 to supply Trusses , Elastic Stockings , Artificial Limbs , & c , and every other description of mechanical support to the Poor , without limit as to locality or disease . Water Beds and Invalid Carriages and Couches are Lent to the Afflicted . It provides against imposition by requiring the certificate of a Surgeon in each ease . Hy special grunts it ensures that every deserving applicant shall receive prompt assistance . 280 PATIENTS ARE RELIEVED EVERY WEEK . Annual Subscription of £ 0 10 ( 1 ) „ ,.,, , . Life Subscription of £ 5 5 0 J E , ltltles to two ' ^ omniemlal . o . i . s per an .,...,.. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE EARNESTLY SOLICITED . itonfcera—Messra . BARCLAY & Co ., LTD ., 54 , Lombard Street . RICHARD C . TRESIDDER , Secretary . [ 132