Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management held their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday . Bro . Edgar Bowyer , Patron and Trustee , P . G . Std . Br ., presided , and among those present were Bros . James Brett , P . G . P ; Charles Dairy , Frederic Davison , P . G . D . ; Charles

Lacey , V . P . j Controllers . G . Blake , V . P . ; C . J . Perceval , V . P . ; C . H . Webb , V . P . ; R . Turtle Pigott , P . G . A . D . C ; L . Stean , J . Newton , V . P . ; A . H . TattershaH , L . E . Gordon Robbins , Charles Daniel , C . H . Driver , Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; John Bulmer , W . Hilton , Alex . Forsyth , Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; James Willing , jun ., and James Terry ( Secretary ) .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , the Secretary reported the deaths of four male annuitants , and one male candidate . A letter was read from a widow withdrawing her name from the list of candidates . The Wardens' report for the past month was read , and also the report of the Finance Committee , which

was adopted , and ordered to be entered upon the minutes . Application was made by the widow of a deceased annuitant for the moiety of her late husband ' s annuity , and granted ; and a Committee having been appointed to prepare the annual report , a vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close .

East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.

EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

ENTERTAINMENT TO THE CHILDREN . A most pleasant sight was witnessed on Saturday afternoon in the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , when some thirty children whose ages varied from seven to fourteen years , assembled in company with their foster parents , to enjoy an entertainment—the first of its kind—provided for

them from the funds of the above admirable Institution , and organised by a few of its leading spirits , viz ., Bros . Charles Heywood , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . L . Hine , P . P . G . S . W . ; G . P . Brockbank , Grand Std . Br . of England ; John Chadivick , P . G . Secretary ; and others . It was a refreshing sight to witness these young people , all looking bright and cheerful , and full of wonder and expectancy as to what

was in store for them . The children were received by the brethren mentioned above , and other well-known members of the Craft we recognised were Bros . J . F . Hoffgaard , P . P . G . S . D . ; T . J . Hooper , P . p . G . T . ; Benj . Taylor , P . P . G . T . ; Wm . Nicholl , P . M . 317 ; A . H . Jeffries , P . M . 1161 ; and others . About 120 altogether being present , 94 of whom sat down to tea .

The banquet room was for the nonce converted into a concert hall , a capital stage having been erected at the far end , with screens at each end for the performers to retire behind and enter from . The room , too , was nicely decorated , the whole work being executed free of cost , by Bro , Cavanah , P . M . 1633 . Shortly after the arrival of the youthful visitors , light

refreshments were served to them , after partaking of which , they seated themselves with their friends in front of the stage , and Bro . Wm . Bostock , P . M . 1933 ( who had been entirely responsible for engaging the services of several well-known and distinguished professional and amateur Jentlemen performers ) read a prologue , written by Martin . Cleworth , Esq ., and which ran as follows : —

Now boys and girls , and grown-up folks as well , Attend just for a moment while 1 tell Of what I ' m sure will interest you all ( 1 hope that none of you asleep will fall ) First to you grown ones let me say a word That by the children I would most be heard ; Some simple plain remarks to them I'll say ,

And so to you at present bid Good Day . But , though I don't address you , still 1 trust That you will reap a benefit most just . Now boys and girls—I think that ' s how I started—Let ' s all to-day be joyous and light hearted , For we are met to have a right good time With pleasant moments , both of song and rhyme .

Well , that will be as soon as I have done ; And now just listen to me every one . Vou know that children when they ' re very small—Too little far to play with bat and ball , Or any game where roughness strong prevails—Are very fond of hearing fairy tales About that little girl , so sweet and good ,

You all know who I mean—Red Riding Hood . And the big wicked wolf , with teeth so white , Who ate her Grandma , what a shocking sight ; Or Jack the Giant Killer with his sword , Who was a clever fellow , on my word ; Or Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves ; Or Great Dick VVhittington who lame achieves .

No doubt you II tell me of a number more , And make me laugh myself completely sore . But soon these very young ones grow and grow Until 'tis plain that they to school must go And learn to read , and write , and do their sums , And play at leap frog when the play time comes , Or skipping rope , but this I must lay stress on ,

Never you play until you know your lesson . And you are all at schools , and good ones too , Sent there by gentlemen whose hearts are true ; They ' re called " Freemasons , " when you boys are men You'll understand my meaning clearer then . Your father ' s were Freemasons , that is why You are sent to school , and so you all must try To give God thanks that they were what I ' ve told .

And ask him to make you such men of gold . Never forget that we should all be brothers , And trying hard to do some good to others ; Always keep that bright purpose in your head , Then you'll succeed in life , be blessed when dead . Now let us start our fun and all be merry , I'm sure you look quite ready for it , very ! VVith cheerful sounds the time we will employ , And what takes place I hope that you'll enjoy .

On furnishing the reading Bro . Bostock was loudly applauded , and the fun then began . Bros . Forrest , Rumsey and Murray , all members , of the

East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.

Athenreum Dramatic Club , performed the farce of " The Artful Dodge . " Bro . Rice introduced his " doll" acquaintances and gave his highly appreciated ventriloquial entertaiment . Mr . Ritson sang the "Merry little nigger ; " Messrs . Kennerley , Hamson and McLean , sang songs , and Mr . Harry Antoine's entertainment was highly appreciated .

At 5 . 30 both the entertained and entertainers sat down to a substantial tea , which had been specially prepared by those able caterers , Bro . and Mrs . Phillips , and to which ample justice was done , after which the ball was again set rolling , the antics of the two Macs ( who very kindly and generously gave their services ) fairly convulsing old and young . The efforts of these two gentlemen ( who are both

members of the Craft ) to amuse the children were highly successful , and it was very pleasant to the Entertaining Committee , as it must also have been to the performers , to hear the merry peals of laughter from the little throats of the visitors . When the two Macs had finished their performance , Mr . Harry Antoine sang" God save the Queen , " which was joined in by the assembly , and the children , after

being further regaled with boxes of sweets , & c , departed with their guardians to their respective schools , apparently highly delighted with the entertainment . Subsequently Bro . Chas . Heywood , with his well-known liberality , invited the Bros . Mac and other gentlemen to

have a glass of " sparkling ' •' with him , and in a neat and appropriate speech thanked the performers for so willingly giving their valuable services . We had almost forgotten to mention that Bro . Vernon Kitchen , of the Stretford-road , rendered most valuable aid during the proceedings by his talented [ pianoforte accompaniments .

Devon Masonic Education Fund.

DEVON MASONIC EDUCATION FUND .

Subscribers of the Devon Masonic Education Fund held their annual meeting on the 6 th inst . at the Masonic Hall , Gandy-street , Exeter . Bro . Captain W . E . Elphinstone Stone , P . P . G . J . W ., presided , and among the brethren present were the following officers : Bros . Lieut .-Col . J . Tanner-Davy , Prov . G . M . M . of Devon ; J . Brewer , 251 , Prov . G . Sec . ; L . D . Westcott , 70 , Treasurer of the

Fund ; J . B . Gover , 70 , Secretary ot the Fund ; J . Stocker , 39 ; S . Jones , 112 ; J . R . Lord , 1247 ; W , Powell , 1205 ; W . E . Warren , 1358 ; E . T . Fulford , 1254 ; T . Goodall , 1550 ; J . Lane , 1402 ; W . H . Kelland , J . Gidley , 2025 ; and H . Stocker , 39 . On the proposition of Bro J . R . LORD , seconded by Bro . E . T . FULFORD , the following brethren were added to the Trustees of the Fund : Bros . John Brewer , S . Jones , John

Stocker , A . B . Hutchings , and G . S . Strode Lowe . Bros . R . Hambly , 1 S 55 , and Samuel Jew , 1847 , were re-elected the Auditors , and Bros . L . D . Westcott and J . B . Gover reelected the Treasurer and Secretary . The following brethren were elected the Finance Committee : Bros . R . Lose , sen ,, W . Powell , W . E . Warren , H . Stocker , J . Brewer , and E . T . Fulford . The following brethren were elected the Education and

General Purposes Committee : Bros . Viscount Ebrington , P . G . M . ; Lieut .-Col . J . Tanner-Davy , P . P . G . S . W . ; the Rev . W . Whittley , J . B . Gover , J . Brewer , S . Loram , D . Cross , J . Traby , L . D . Westcott , J . R . Lord , A . R . Lechbridge , W . Powell , E . Aitken-Davies , W . E . Warren , J . W . Cornish , T . Goodall , R . Cawsey , F . Hooper , W . Trevena , S . Jones , Capt . W . E . Elphinstone Stone , R . N ., J . E . Curteis , S . Jew , R . Lose , James Murray , W . Derry ,

F . B . Westlake , J . Kinton Bond , R . Pengelly , W . A . Gregory , George J . Firks , W . Lacey , T . Gray , E , J . Knight , R . Hambly , W , 1 . Stanbury , E . T . Fulford , J . Lane , J . Stocker , H . Stocker , and R . Jerman . The election of children was then proceeded with . There were six candidates and three vacancies declared . Of those , one candidate , the son of a late brother of Lodge Huyshe , ibgq , was withdrawn , the lad having been

provided for elsewhere . The result of the ballot for the other five candidates was : —For No . 5—Claudine May Tippett , daughter of a late brother of 1550 , second application , 126 votes brought forward , 368 added , total 494 . No . 3—Louisa Jane Hardy , daughter of a late brother of 1 59 , third application , 123 votes brought forward , 314 added , total 437 . No . 2—Elizabeth Maud Bennett , daughter of a late brother of 1205 , third application , 239 votes brought

forward , 173 added , total 412 . No . 1—Alfred Thomas Harrad , son of a late brother of 666 , fifth application , 95 votes _ brought forward , 33 added , total 128 . No . 6—Emma Lousia Parnell , daughter of a late brother of 202 , first application , 169 votes . The girls Tippett , Hardy , and Bennett were declared duly elected . The brethren of the Exeter district then pointed out that something ought to be done for the candidate from 666 . It was a very deserving case , but from the isolation of that lodge at Princetown

there was less intercommunication with those brethren and the other lodges than in the case of any other lodges . It was resolved to place the candidate on the Fund by a unanimous vote of the meeting . The brethren from the South Devon and other distant lodges were very hospitably entertained by the Exeter brethren , and in the evening , through the exertions of Bro . E . T . Fulford , several of the visitors were , b y the kind permission of Mr . Gard , shown over the beautiful grounds of Rougemont Castle .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The half-yearly meeting was held at Ripon on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., under the bannerol the Prince Leopold Lodge , No . 352 . The Prince Leopold Lodge was opened

at 3 o ' clock by the W . M ., Bro . the Rev . W . C . Lukis . Two Master Masons , Bros . Parkin and Hutchinson , were regularly advanced to the Decree of a Mark Master , after which the W . M . elect , Bro . Francis Smith , was regularly installed into the chair of A . by the Prov . Grand Master ,

Bro . C . L . Mason ; Bro . Smith was duly proclaimed , and , afterwards invested his officers for the ensuing year . At 5 . 20 the Provincial Grand Lodge was duly announced , and entered , when Prov . Grand Lodge was duly opened by the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , Bro . C . L . Mason , assisted by the following officers 1 Bros , the Rev . W . C , Lukis , M . A ., D . P . G . M . M . ; Joseph W . Monckman ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons Of West Yorkshire.

P . P . G . W ., as P . G . S . W . ; L . P . Pugh , M . D ., P . G . J . W . ; Rev . Dr . Smyth , P . G . M . O . ; Thos . Whitaker , P . P . G . W ., as P . G . S . O . ; W . F . Tomlinson , P . G . Reg ., as P . G . J . O . ; Wm . Cooke , Past G . S . O ., P . G . Sec ; Parkin , as P . G . S . D . ; Hutchinson , as P . G . J . D . ; lames H . Gratien , P . G . I , of W . ; W . R . Massie , P . G . D . of C . ; J . 1 . Green , as P . G . Swd . Br . ; Henry A . Styrintr , P . G . Std . Br . ; Pearson , as P . G . I . G . ; Francis SmithP . G . Stwd . ;

, and Tupman and Thorpe , as P . G . Stwds . The PROV . GRAND MASTER was duly proclaimed , and in thanking the brethren , said he did not know whether any word was necessary to explain the reason of their meeting at Ripon , having had a Provincial Grand Lodge of Emergency there in last year . Then they met to consecrate the lodge under whose banner they had assembled that day ; then they were specially asked to be present and assist at

the installation of Bro . Smith as the W . M . for the ensuing year . He congratulated the Prince Leopold brethren on the steady progress they had made during the first year of their existence , and he was sure all the members of Provincial Grand Lodge joined him in wishing the new Master . Bro . Francis Smith , a very happy and prosperous year of office . In November last they ratherunexpectedly received a notice of the proposed alterations of the Book of

Constitutions , and a draft copy was sent for inspection . He regretted the matter was so hurried—indeed , the time was so short that they could not call the General Purposes Committee together to consider them . He did not know how far the altered Book of Constitutions might affect their Provincial Grand Lodge bye-laws , but it would be desirable as soon as the new Constitutions were published for the Committee to meet and consider them . There was one

alteration in the Book of Constitutions which would be satisfactory to all . It had enabledlGrand Lodge to elect H . R . H . the Princeof Wales as Grand Mark Master . They might congratulate themselves on the distinguished honour conferred on the Order by the acceptance of the position of G . M . M- hy his Royal Highness , which he was sure would be very beneficial to the Order . It would devolve upon the brethren that day to nominate a Provincial Grand Master ,

as his term of olfice , in accordance with the Constitutions of the Order , would expire next September . He desired most heartily to thank the brethren for all the kind and loyal support given to him during his term of office , which he should always remember with pleasure . He trusted that the brethren would not allow kindly feelings to bias them in their choice that day , for he could assure them that whoever it should be , he should have from him all the assistance

and help he might need . They required still a little more perseverance in some of their lodges ; many were working well , but some were flagging . He asked the help and assistance of the active members in promoting the welfare of all the lodges in the province . The roll of lodges having been called , it was found that with but one exception all were represented . The minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held at

Halifax on Wednesday , the 14 th October last , having been confirmed , apologies for non-attendance were read from several Provincial Grand Officers . The W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . C . W . LUKIS , pro . posed , the Prov . G . Registrar , Bro . W . F . TOMUNSON , seconded , and the Prov . G . M . O ., Bro . Rev . Dr . SMYTH , supported a resolution nominating Bro . C . L . Mason for reappointment by the Grand Master for the ensuing threo

years . This resolution was unanimously adopted . The PROV . GRAND MASTER , in acknowledging the resolution , said that he would endeavour in the future , as he had done in the past , to do all he possibly could for the welfare of the Order in the province . Invitations were tendered from Leeds and Sheffield for the Provincial Grand Lodge to hold its next meetings in

those towns . The PROV . GRAND MASTER intimated that those invitations should receive due attention . Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Unicorn Inn , where Bro . Collinson had made ample arrangements for their comfort . The usual Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a very pleasant evening was spent by the brethren .

Presentation To Bro. Colonel Sir Francis Burdett, Bart., P.G.M. Middlesex.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . COLONEL SIR FRANCIS BURDETT , BART ., P . G . M . MIDDLESEX .

At the meeting of the Era Lodge , No . 1423 , on Saturday , the 10 th inst ., at the Albion Hotel , Twickenham , Bro . John Thomas Moss , Past Master , Past Provincial Grand Registrar of Middlesex , presented to Colonel Sir Francis

Burdett , Bart ., Provincial Grand Master of Middlesex , a souvenir , most exquisitely and artistically designed , and painted on glass , and most elegantly framed , surmounted with the Prince of Wales's feathers , and the symbols of the Masonic Order beautifully displayed on the souvenir . It is the first of this particular design that has ever been elaborated , and having been favoured with a view of this

choice work of art previous to its presentation to Colonel Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., we have no hesitation in saying as a presentation gift and souvenir we have seldom seen anything so chaste in design or more appropriate as a gift to a Provincial Grand Master . In the unavoidable absence of Colonel Sir Francis

Burdett , Bart ., awing to illness , the presentation was received and accepted , on his behalf , by Bro . E . H . Thiellay , Past Master , Past Grand Sword Bearer Middlesex . It was much admired by the brethren at the lodge assembled . The designers of this recherchd work of art are Messrs . Cook and Tallack , of 74 , Stamford-street , Blackfriars .

The Prince and Princess of Wales andtheirson , Prince Albert Victor , were present in the House of Commons on the Sth inst ., and afterwards dined with the Danish Minister , in Grosvenor-square , to celebrate the King of Denmark's birthday , the Princess Louise of Wales being also of the party .

Bro . the Lord Mayor will take the chair at the anniversary festival , to be held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on Tuesday next , the 20 th inst ., of the Royal Maternity Charity , 31 , Finsbury-square . Bros . Alderman and Sheriff Evans and Sheriff Clarke are among those who have offered their services as Stewards on the occasion .