Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

TThe following appeared in our Second Edition of last L week . ]

i AYING THE C ORNER STONE or THE NEW WING . On Thursday afternoon the first or corner stone of the new wing to the school building at Battersea Rise was .-dared in position by Bro . Lieut .-Col . Creaton , V . P ., in

the presence of the children , the governesses , the matron , the servants , the committees and office-bearers , and the representatives of the other Masonic charities . There was no great display , but everything was arranged to be in a quiet unostentatious way , thc brethren relying for their re-... _„ i more on the nractical cood thev were doinsr than on

any amount of praise they might receive for a successful and attractive ceremony . Thc growing want of the Order for a larger building for the reception of more pupils having , as our readers will have noticed from time to time by our reports , engaged the attention of the committees the matter was taken in hand during the present year ,

and a resolution was come to that the number of children to be admitted into the Institution should be increased . As the building was already full this could not be accomplished , though the funds at thc disposal of the brethren were ample . Numerous suggestions were made as to what was advisable to be done , and schemes were invited

as to the plan to be pursued . Some brethren suggested that another and larger building should be erected elsewhere , and others that the nucleus of a future large school in the shape of a separate establishment for the younger children should be built a long dibtance from town , where land was cheap and plentiful . But the scheme which was

adopted was that of Col . Creaton , who proposed that a wing should be addetl to the present building , capable of receiving several additional children . It was proposed that this should be built at the north east corner of the existing structure where some ground could be spared from the garden , and where the proposetl

addition could be built of such a size as to give room for a large hall , numerous offices , and several dormitories . The plans of Bro . Thomas Massa , Architect , were accepted , as were also the tenders of Bro . C . Fish , the builder , and the building was at once proceeded with . Considerable progress has been made with the new

building , and by Thursday last it had arrived st the stage where the corner stone , which will perpetuate the date of building , could be set . Punctually at four o ' clock everything was in readiness , and a procession was formed in the exercise-room , which marched , while two of the pupils played on the piano , to the platform erected for the

purposes of the ceremony in the following order -. —The porter ; the women servants ; assistant governess , Miss Davis ,- the matron , Miss Jarwood , and her assistant ; the collector ; the Secretary , Bro . Little ( with documents to place in the cavity of thestone ); Hon . Officers * , the Treasurer , Bro . Tomkins ( with bottle for coins and documents ; Chaplain , Bro .

the Rev . J . W . Mills Ellison ; the Secretaries of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , Bro . Binckes , and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , Bro . Terry ; Audit Committee j Building Committee ; the senior member of House Committee , Bro . B . Head ( with inscribed plate ) ; the Chairman of Building Committee , Col . Creaton , as M . M .

to lay the stone ; thc Clerk ( in attendance on Chairman ) . Thc brethren then present were Bros . Colonel Creaton , Samuel Tomkins , Benj . Head , Joshua Nunn , John Boyd , Thomas W . White , J . A . Rucker , II . A . Dubois , H . Browse , Colonel Burdett , A . H . Tattershall , Dr . Eady , E .

M . Hubbock , S . Rosenthal , J . A . Farnfield , R . B . Webster , W . Hyde Pullen , R . W . Evans , W . F . Collard Moutrie , F . Binckes , Capt . J . Wordsworth , James Terry , H , C . Levander , H . Muggeridge , Morgan , jun ., H , Massey ( " Freemason" ) , antl It . W . Little ( Secretary ) , besides Bros . Marsa and Fish , the architect and builder .

Bro . Samuel Tomkins , as the Senior Trustee present , first addressed Col . Creaton as the Chairman of the building Committee to act as Master Mason in performing thc ceremony of laying the chief corner stone . Having assented to the request , Col . Creaton prepared to do the work by taking his position as Master Mason , assuming his

apron and collar of Past Grantl Deacon of England . This was the only Masonic regalia worn throughout the ceremr . ny . All things being now in readiness , Bro . Massa , addressing the Colonel , said : — Following the time-honoured custom of our ancient brethren , we have made preparation Ior you to lay the

chief corner-stone of the intended structure at the N . E . corner of the Large Hall , in order that thc earliest rays of 'he morning sun may shed benign influence on our work . Does the place so selected , and our motive , meet with your approval and sanction ? Col . Creaton reolied : It does ! The wisdom antl

nnuent customs of our forefathers deserre our respect , and should not be lightly disregarded or departed from . We sanction and approve both the place and the motive for adopting it . He then requested Bro . Little to read the document to be deposited in the cavitv of the stone . Bro

" « ma so , as follows * .- — Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , St . John ' s Hill , Battersea Rise , S . W . This , the foundation-stone of the uuildings to be erected in extension of the above institu-W -T aS laid by th < * cha ' «> an of the Building Committee , w . Bro . Lieutenant-Colonel John Creaton , P . G . D ., Vice

iR-r rustee , on * I uesday , the 7 th September , B —¦ - ¦¦? " l ) rcs < -nce o £ the Committees of the School , b . n ' i " " Massa > architect , Bro . Charles Fish , uiaer , Budding Committee ; The Treasurer and PCrf ' \^ ° - Jolm Bo ' " ' 'G-P- ' . Henr / Browse , Peter fi 1 T ' T" ' < Sen i *™<> »^< P . G . D . ; Col T U l Lon - " * J ° shua Nunn - P-G . S . B . ; Lieut .-Smith vr c ' John A' Rucker - P ' - - i Griffiths m "h , P . G . Steward ; Alfred H . Tattershall , Rev .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Joseph M .-Vaugban , Thomas W . White , P . G . Steward ; R . Wentworth Little , Secretary . " Accompanying this was the same inscription rendered into Latin by Bro . II . C . Levander , M . A ., a member of the Audit Committee , and which Bro . Little also read as follows : — " Hunc Lapidera fundamentum novum acdvificii adjunct ! scholae pro filiibus Latomorum

institutae solemn ! more posuit coram aedium curatonbus praeses Fratrum ad hoc opus conficiendum delectorum Johannes Creaton , Praefectus Militaris , hujus collegii propatronus et Fiduciarius , Die Jovis A . D . VII . Idus Septembiis Anno Salutis MDCCCLXXVI Piaesentibus etiam Thoma Massa , Architecto , Carolo Fish , Redemptore , Roberto Wentworth Little , Scriba , Aliisque

Fratnbus delectis . Bro . Little delivered this document to Bro . Samuel Tomkins , who placed it in the bottle containing coins , and gave to the solicitor to seal . This having been done , it was deposited in the cavity of the bed stone . Bro . Benj . Head read the inscription on the plate which was to cover the cavity , and having read it he placed it over the cavity ,

pronouncing the words , " May this record long remain undisturbed for the information of future generations , " though it is not very clear how future generations are to get the information from this plate , unless the corner stone is removed , which , to say the least , would be undesirable . The next step in the proceedings was for Colonel Creaton to rise and advance to thc stone , which hc did , saying ,

" Bro . Architect and Operative Masons , we are ready to assist you in your labours . " To this Bro . Massa replied : — " We are grateful for your aid , and shall derive encouragement , from your example . We beg you will accept this trowel with which , having executed the work , we hope may afterwards be a pleasant memento of to-day's labour , and a token of the honour and esteem you are held in by

all connected with this Institution . May the cement you will now spread with it be an emblem of that pure bond of union which connects Freemasonry with all good works . " Bro . Massa then presentetl a handsome silver trowel to Colonel Creaton . Col . Creaton receiving the trowel spread thc ccmer .

on the bed of the understone , and then turning to the East said , " Let the blessing of Heaven be supplicated on our present work . " The Chaplain offered up prayer [ for a blessing ; the brethren responded " so mote it be . " Col . Creaton raised his trowel as a signal , and the children sang the anthem

" Thine , O Lord , is the greatness . The stone was gradually lowered by three distinct motions at the words " Power , " " Glory , " and " Victory , " and Col . Creaton guiding it to its proper base with the handle of the trowel , which he then delivered to the builder . Bro . Massa presented him with the setting maul , saying , "The stone being at rest we pray you to assume the setting maul and test its stability in the name cf the four cartlinal virtues . "

Col . Creaton receiving the setting maul struck the stone on the four corners , saying , " With Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence , and Justice let our work be founded . " The square was then presentetl to the M . M . by the Foreman of the Works ; antl Bro . Massa asked " Is our ashlar square . '" Col . Creaton proved it , and answered , " It is square ,

and set at a right angle with the work . " He then handed the square to the Builder . The Level was likewise so presented . Bro . Massa asked , " Is it also set level ? " Col . Creaton proved it , and answered , " It is so , and firmly bedded equal East , West , North , and South , " and handed the level to the Builder .

The Plumb Rule was likewise so presented ; and Bro . Massa asked , " Is it adjusted plumb ?" Col . Creaton proved it and answered : " It is plumb ; a perfect ashlar , truly adjusted , upright on its proper base , " and handed the plumb rule to thc builder . Bro . Massa said : " This chief comer stone being square , level , and just , I pray you , M . M ., certify the work and

declare it good . " Col . Creaton took the setting maul in his right hand , and gave three knocks on the stone with the words , ' Ask , and ye shall have , " "Seek and ye shall find , " "Knock and it shall be opened , " adding " By the power in me vested , and in the name of the Great Architect of the Universe . I declare this stone well and trulv laid . " Handinu

the setting maul to the builder , he said , " May the work thus begun in order be conducted in peace and completed in harmony . " Bro . Massa presented the drawings , saying " Deign , Master Mason , to inspect and sanction the whole design , " to which Col . Creaton answered : " 1 will do so with pleasure , "

and then handed them to the builder , saying , " With the tools you have already received , and these instructions , may you raise a superstructure perfect in its parts and honourable to the builder . " The brethren responded , " So mote it be , " and Colonel Creaton resuming his seat , said : " With the gifts of the Great Architect of the Universe , let this memorial be

blessed and consecrated . " Bro . Joshua Nunn scattered the stone with corn , Bro . J . A . Rucker sprinkled wine on it , antl Bro . H . Browse dropped oil . The Treasurer advanced to the stone , and placed some money on it for the workmen , saying— " It is written , ' Thou shall not muzzle the ox that treadeth out thc corn . ' " To the Foreman— " Let refreshment sweeten the

labour of the Craftsmen . " Col . Creaton rose and said : " Let the blessing of heaven be invoked on the future operations , " and the Chaplain pronounced the invocation . All the children then sang a hymn . And this concluded the ceremony . The procession reversed in order , then left the platform and proceeded , to the building . Later on in the eve-

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ning , a small but elegant banquet was partaken of , which was followed by the usual toasts . Col . Creaton presided , and after the toast of " The Queen " had been honoured , the Chairman in giving that of " The Prince and Princess of Wales , " said he hoped that in May next , when the building would be finished Her Royal Hi ghness woultl perform the ceremony of opening .

The Chairman in proposing " Success to the Masonic Institution" said that all the brethren would be pleased that Bro . Little was back again , though he was sorry to say he was not even now enjoying very good health . He was , however , very much better , and he hoped the improvement would be lasting . The Girls' Sr-hool was fortunate in having so good a Secretary , and one who did his

work so well . He ( the Chairman ) was sure on the day when Bro . Little wa . s elected that he would turn out a trump , and his pred-ction had been verified . The Secretaries of the other Institutions had been obliged to leave early on account of other engagements , but there were representatives of those Institutions in the room who would respond on their behalf . ¦

Bro . Little said that it had fallen to his lot to return thanks for this toast at the meetings of the House Committee , but it had rarely been his duty to speak before such a representative assembly as the present . Not only the executive officers of this institution , but of the other institutions were present . His best interests and his most heartfelt wishes were bound up with the welfare of the

Girls' School . Nothing but the blow which had fallen upon him within the last few months , of his health being indifferent , could lessen his exertions on behalf of the institution . His exertions for the school would be nothing if the liberality of the Craft did not second it . This liberality hatl been widening of late years , and he congratulated the Craft generally and the friends of the institution upon the

noble work that had been commenced that day . He vvas quite sure it would produce many benefits for those who would come after us , and they would all feel pleasure in thc reflection that they had done something that day for the children of Freemasons . Bro . Samuel Tomkins proposed " The Health of the Chairman . " The noble Masonic Charities could not be

supported unless some brethren could bestow time and attention upon them . Many brethren did this , but Colonel Creaton had distinguished himself by the thoughtful habitual attention he gave to the institution . All the brethren appreciated his efforts fully . Many of them would like to do as much , but their avocations deprived them of the power of doing so ; and if they had not those brethren

who at considerable personal sacrifice came forward , the institutions would not be in the position which they now occupied , or effect the good they did . The day had been a very interesting one in the history cf the charity . They had seen the institution in the course of years proceeding from one point of progress to another . In 1873 a wing was built . Afterwards they had seen the

infirmary built , and now thc increasing demands of the Craft required an additional building . The first step had been taken satisfactorily , and he believed in the whole process Col . Creaton had taken a great interest . That day must be to Colonel Creaton one of personal triumph , he having been most anxious for the prosperity of the charity , and that the building should do justice to the Craft . It would

afford a noble hall , and additional sleeping accommodation , which would enable the Institution to take in a much larger number of girls than at present . It must be to Col . Creaton highly gratifying , and it was gratifying to all the brethren to be present . For himself he ( Bro . Tomkins ) could only say with some degree of shame that though he was ex-officio member of the committees , his

many avocstion s , and some degree of indifferent health , had prevented him from attending . But it had been a great pleasure to him to be present at that pleasant friendly meeting , and to have the gratification of proposing " The Health of Col . Creaton . " The Chairman said : Bro . Tomkins , I thank you very much for speaking of me so kindly in proposing my health ,

and I thank you , brethren , Ior endorsing so cordially what Bro . Tomkins has said . I assure you that it is a great satisfaction to me to-day to know that wc have commenced that building which I have thought of so long ; in fact , I will not conceal it from you , I have had that building on my brain for the last six months , and I am , very glad we have now got so far that it has been commenced in earnest . I am

quite sure that when it is completed , and perhaps when many of us have passed away , it will be appreciated ; and it will be said by those who follow us that it was the rightt thing to do . Most of the Building Committee are aware that Mr . Whitling , who is the proprietor of the land adjoining , has lent it to us for the use of the children for a playground . It is extremely kind of him , and we are all of us very much

obliged to him for it . 1 am gratified beyond measure that we have laid the foundation-stone of this new building to-day . I hope it will be a success , and I feel confident that it will . ( Cheers . ) The toast of " The Architect" followed , and Bro . Massa responded , and said that although the ceremony of the day had been done in a corner it was a corner of

great influence , like the representatives who were present . That influence would be diffused over the whole building , and he hoped when it became a perfect ashlar and a perfect cube it would meet with the satisfaction of the brethren . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Head proposed " The Ladies , " referring particularly to those who had charge of the establishment and had brought it to such a state of perfection and discipline ,

Miss Davis and Miss Jarwood especially . Bro . Boyd replied . Bro . Joshua Nunn proposed "The Sister Institutions , " for which Capt . Wordsworth , Bro . Hyde Pullen , and Bro . J . A . Farnfield responded . " The Health of Bro . Muggeridge , " and his reply brought the speeches to a close , after which the visitors witnessed the amusements o the girls , and returned to town about ten o ' clock .