Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

able friend Bro . Beach , for the kind way in which he has propositi my health . His friendship and mine elate back . I am sorry to say , for a great many years , but nothing has ever disturbed the friendsbip . I have often been indebted to him for his good offices , but as he truly said , perhaps the best office that he ever rendered me was when he put me through the Three Degrees with which you

arc all familiar . Me has reminded me in that speech that I have a duty now to discharge to you , and to the charity on behalf of which we are assembled . He has spoken of the advocacy , 1 think he said , we needed on these occasions . Brethren , I wish he had not so ably put me in mind of how much is expected from a chairman in circumstances such as these ; having , I know , had much ,

too much experience of your liberality , to doubt for a moment , that advocacy , however feeble , will secure the great object we all have in view . Brethren , I have to ask you to drink " Prosperity to theGirl ' s School " ( great app lause ); and in so doing , I cannot avoid in the first instance , mentioning the great loss which this charity has sustained in the person of one , who for five years , was

identified closely with all its proceedings , and to whom , from all I have heard , I believe this charity has been greatly indebted . I believe the singular attention which Bro . Little gave to business , the clearness , the energy , even at the sacrifice of p-r . onal comfort and convenience have gone a long way towards keeping this Institution financially anil materially in the right word . Brethren , when I

hael often had to preside at the public dinners , helel on behalf of many of the great charities which exist in this city , I have often wondered to myself how those charities can go on . Many of them do indeed a large work ; they spend a great deal e . f money ; but they have larue elebts ; they have no funded property ; and when the accounts come to be balanced at tie end of the 12

months , it too often appears that there is a very heavy deficit . Well , now , it is n ; y pleasing duty , as chairman here this evening , to say that though that is the condition o * so many great Societies , which arc many of them doing veiy good and useful work in London , it cannot be eh scribed in any degree or in any wav a ; thechar-ieter of this Inslituti m . ( Heer hear ) .

Brethren , it is quite time that if you look at the last year ' s accounts vou will s-e a Very awkward statement ¦ f s mething like an apparent ilefiut of £ 3 , 000 ; but brethren I venture to s ^ y that there is seeming deficit and that veally , as I shall show you in two minutes , the finances of the Ins'iiu'ion are in a very satisfactory , a > -d I nny say of very credit role order . Now , I arr not going to buret n

you with any long statement of finance ; I shall only give you sets o ( figures . But I ti . ink they will be ¦•ulficient proof of th : case . In the first pla e , this Ins itution his nut less than 739 , 000 in fouwlcel prop rty ; 1 believe , indeed that I am within the mark , and that it is now £ 40 , 000 ; but a few months ago it was £ 39 , 000 It has a fixed income derived from a grant of the Grand Loil ^ e

of £ 130 a year , and the proceeds of its funded property added to that make up a fixeel income to the amoi ¦» £ 1 , 300 a year . Freim donations and subscriptions a ; lue . ei it has a total income ( taking last year ' s as a fair tesO of £ 11 , 830 ( Cheers . ) Well , brethren , it is quite true that the expenditure last year was £ 14 , 690 ; and if you balance that against £ 1 1 , 850 you will see that there is a deficit of

£ 2830 to lie made good . But what is the reason of this ; how has this come to pass ? Why , simply in this way . The Institution has been obligee ! anil has wisely I think elected to add a new wing to the building anel the Institutiou has done that which hanlly any other Charitable Institution that I have ever become acquainted with docs , or has done ; it has out of current income paid

its way , I am told , as it went . Now I think it is impossible to overrate the credit anil the honour of the managers who have succeeded in doing this . In addition to this , they have bought : i piece of land , which if it was not very large in point of area was , I am bound to say , valuable in point of price . ( Laughter ) . 1 believe that that wis necessary . From what I am told , the

advanage to the Institution of that small piece of land will be very great indeed , and I beg you again to understand that the cost ol the land , just as that of the building , has to be defrayed from the current income of the year ; there is no permanent burden placed upon you by it . There has not been one sixpence sold out e . f your funded property . You are as rich to-iUy , when the building is

approaching completion , as you were before the first foundation stone was laid , and the addition of that wing enables you to increase largely the benefits of the Institution , and I shall hope not only to increase it materially , but also to increase it educationally in a proportionate elegree . Brethren , I call th . at on the whole a very satisfactory statement for a chairman to have to make . It

has never been as far as I can remember in any charitable Institution over which I have had the honour to preside of an analogous nature , it has never been my fortune on the whole to announce that so old an Institution was on the whole so prosperous , was lining such a large work , and was doing it without laying a burden on 'he permanent resources of the society . Now ,

brethren , that I consider to be a great claim upon the further liberality of this meeting . There are other claims , indeed , which might be urged . I would urge you to remember that it is the oldest Masonic Charity in existence , "' at this is now the ninetieth year in which this Charity has been existing ; that it started from very small beginnings and that it has steadily developed and enlarged , '" creasing its work of utility and charity sensibly and by

degrees , as it found the means to elo so ; that the educaf'oii which it gives is of a sound , healthy character ; that ¦ ' is economically managed , because the cost of the education of every one of these girls docs not exceed £ 33 a year , and that consequently the money which you and the rest "f the Craft subscribe is laid cut safely and well , and to the very utmost of our power . And I might lastly remind yoa , as the practical results of it all , that you have no less

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

t this moment than 200 girls that every year receive the enefit of this great Charity . Brethren , these 200 girls are the daughters of Freemasons . You are giving them that which is the greatest boon that can be given—a good wholesome education , tilting them ( or the discharge of their duties in life—a gtcatcr boon than money—a greater boon than any fugitive and transitory places or

situations that might be found ; because , in fact , you are creating in them habits of mind and character that fit them to elischarge the great moral duties of life . Brethren there are two classes of charitable institutions , as 1 have endeavoured to point out to you ; the one class are those who are constantly in debt and in difficulty—well I do not say that' they must not be helpsd ; it is very often our

duty to come to the assistance , whether in the Cratt or out of the Craft , as the case may be , of those who are in debt ami difficulty . We are enjoined to do this to our poor brethren ; and it is a duty that I am sure is always remembered by Freemasons , and ought steadily £ 0 he kept before them , but there are other societies , anel unfortunately they are very few which are in the

position of this Institution , solvent , and solvent through care andgood management ; and I maintain that where you find any society or charity of that sort it entitles them at least to the highest respect anil consideration at your hands . Brethren , I have only one either statement which , perhaps , I ought to make , and I know it will give great satisfaction to all in this room—it is this , that in spite of the

unfortunate failure which took place some months ago in the financial disposition of our money , I believe that this Institution has not lost one single halfpenny . ( Great Cheers . ) How it has come to pass can only be known by an cxamin uion of the accounts , hut it will not be the less satisfactory to all in this room to know that this old and valued Chanty will certainly not be a loser in any

degree . Brethren , from year to year that appeal has been renewed on behalf ot this as on behalf of the other great charities of which we are proud . From year to year that appeal has been renewed , and it has never been icncweil in vain . This year I am aware is a year of gieat commercial depression anel e'ifficulty ; but vet with entiie confi fence I make my

appeal to you to-night on behalf eif this Institution , feeling vvell-assureel that ihe response , as it proceeds from willing hearts , so it will be lound to be no inconsiderable , no unworthy sum , no sum eiisproportionate to lb it which has been collected in former times . I beg to join with this toast the name of one who is worthily connected iviih the affairs e ; f the Institution ,

and to whom that Institution owes so much—I need not say , Colonel Creaton , the Treasurer . Col . Creaton s-aiJ : Brethren , I feel very great pleasure anil pride in being clleil upon 10 return thanks for the Girls' School of which I have luni recently ihe high honour of b .-ing elected Tre isure-r . Owing to special circumstances the present position of the school is one ot some

anxiety necessarily to all connected with its administration . We have recently lost the very valuable services of Bro . Little , in whom the subscribers and the Committee had equal confidence , and it is not possible for ar . y one except those connected with the management eif the school to express fitly how greatly the future ( humanly speaking ) depends on the right , man being put in the rigtit place .

But for this circumstance 1 shoulel have been prepared to point out the hopeful position ef the Girls' Sche . ol . It never stood higher in the estimation of our Craft than it does now , and I have therefore no fear for the future ; and I believe that in years to come : is in the jears that arc gone by the Girls' Scbo ) 1 will continue te > merit anel receive ihe hearty anel liberal supperrt of emr benevolent

Order . One disappointment occurred to the Committee during the last three months , namely , the sickness in the school , and the retardation of the' visit of the Piinccss of Wales , and of our Royal Grand Master . I am happy to repeat now that the sanitary condition of the school tu-elay is decidedly hetier , and I therefore sincerely trust that the auspicious visit , though it has not jet taken place , is only deferree , for a slmrt time , and that it will take place within a very

brief period . 1 am sure that in the sickness that has taken place we have had that heartfelt sympathy of the Craft which has always been extended to us ; and I hope that it will always be one of the characteristics of the Order towarels our Institution . I thank ye > u , my Lord , on behalf of myself anel the Gills' School . ( Applause . ) Bro . Hedges then read the following lists of subscriptions .

NAM 12 . AMOUNT . Lodge 1 Bro . Fenncr , E £ " 21 o o 11 2 ,, Pearce , Stephen ... 23 2 o „ 4 „ Mclntyre , / Eneas J . ... 103 o o „ „ Bennett , Capt . H . A . ,, 3 „ Havers , J . C 28 7 o ,, 6 ,, Farmer , Capt . R . VV . G . 26 5 o

„ 8 „ Tisley , A 40 19 o » 11 „ Coles , J . 0 12 12 o ,, 1 4 ,, Tathan , Percy C . F . n 11 o ,, ' 18 „ Bremuer , W . L . ... 43 3 o 11 21 11 Hill , S . 33 13 o Chap . 21 „ Bcrridge , Robt . ... 16 16 o Lodge 22 „ Phythian , George ... 28 7 o

Chap . 22 „ Jonas , Jno . Lodge 23 ,, Palmer , Jno .... ... 26 o o , i 28 „ Stoneham , E . J . ... 49 £ ,, 2 9 ,, Herapath , S . J . , ; 33 ' , Traill , T . W . ... 63 4 o ,, 4 O „ Curtiss , Chas . J . ... 34 13 o ,, 3 . 5 „ Dodson , J . H . ... 60 18 o 63 .. Worelsworth . Cant . I in in n

„ 60 ,, Anderson , G .... ... 10 10 o •1 <> 3 1 , Perken , E 43 1 o „ 65 „ Daniell , Chas . ... 81 18 o „ 6 3 ,, Barber , W . H . ... 70 7 o „ 66 „ Bishop . H . J 38 17 o „ 72 „ Dodson , E 6 7 4 o

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Loelge QI Bro . Laffittau , V . N . ... 40 o o 11 99 , 1 Scott , W . B . ii 108 „ Berkeley , G . A . ... £ 19 19 o 1 , 140 „ Blackmorc , W . B . ... 68 3 o ¦ 1 1 47 ' . Bartlett , H . J . ... 2 9 11 o 11 162 „ Lyon Jeremiah , ... 15 15 o ti 167 „ Rowe , J . T . ... 34 2 6

,, 172 11 Gladwcll , A . E . ... 63 o o 11 l 13 11 Blyth , Jas . ... 73 14 o Chap . 174 ,, Mather , E . C . ... 86 12 o Lodge 180 „ Pitlen , L . B . ... 46 4 o 11 181 „ Layton , A . T . ... 34 3 6 „ 18 3 „ Hirsch , A . T . 1 , ' 83 ,, Barnet , J . D . ... 31 10 o

„ 197 „ Letch worth , ... 43 1 o 11 212 „ May , H . ... 32 18 6 ,, 233 „ Emmanuel E . ... „ 236 „ Styles , Wm . "I 256 „ Farnfield , J . A . J 57 4 o 11 259 11 Goldney , G . P . ... 23 o- o

, 1 26 3 „ Webber , Jr . Alex . ... 40 19 o 11 435 11 Seeker R . H . ... 39 18 o ,, 5 9 & 1183 „ Durrant , Alf . ... 46 4 o 6 57 „ Gillard , G . P . ... 88 14 6 11 7 ' 5 1 . Watts , Hy . ... 22 i o „ 742 „ Driver , R . H . 11 742 11 Pullen , F . A . ... 10 10 o

„ 749 „ Greenwood , H . W . ... 26 3 o 11 7 80 „ Goss , Walter ... 44 6 o ,, 78 ° »• Woodward , E . C ... 10 10 o 11 822 „ Wilson , J . A . ... 35 14 o n 838 ,, Egan , Francis ... ^ 5 o , 1 861 „ Hallowes , W . G . ... 4 ' e 3 o

, 1 898 ,, Carter , Benj . ... 6 9 7 o , i 907 „ White , F . A . ... 28 6 6 „ 913 & 829 ,, Smith , Thos . ... 68 3 o ,, 1118 „ Robbins , L . G . G . ... 43 1 o „ 11 5 „ Long , P . deL . n " 33 , 1 Bolton , Geo . ... 6 9 1 o 11 1216 „ Fount-iin Chas . ... 32 11 o

„ 1278 „ Verry , G . W 30 o o ,, 1320 „ Webster , R . B . ... 21 o o ,, 1328 „ Thomas , J . L . ... 31 10 o 11 1351 11 Wilson , Geo . ... 88 4 o 11 1383 11 Giddy , Hon . R . W . H . 115 10 o ,, 1420 ,, Gibson , Jno . T . ... 42 o o ,, 1446 „ lull , Thos . ... 71 8 o

> i 1537 » Cluiten , R . G . ... 86 12 6 „ 13 6 3 & 1303 White Edwd . ~ | „ 15 6 3 „ Swallow , B . H . J •••92 5 ° n 1586 „ Kidman , E . ... 43 3 o „ 138 9 „ Kariingion , VV . E . ... 39 18 o ,, 1608 „ Everett , Geo . ... 176 8 o

„ 1612 „ Beasley , A . ... 35 14 o , 1 1614 ,, Mason , Jno . ... 68 5 o ,, 1641 „ Middlemass , A . ... 32 10 o II 1642 „ Stephens , W . ... 276 3 o » 16 37 ,, Altaian , A . J . ... 86 2 o ,, it ) 68 „ Loewenstark , M . D . ... 31 10 o „ 1673 Bro . Do ' cbing , F . ... 60 18 o

11 168 7 „ Beck , L . ... 23 2 o „ 1704 „ Scriven , J . Bagot ... 52 10 o ,, 1706 „ Barrett , W . A . ... 32 io o 11 17 ' 6 11 Coleman , J . K . ... 30 8 o „ 1724 „ Burton , Capt . M . ... is 18 o 11 1732 1 , Michael , J . J . ... 47 3 o

Beiks and Bucks : ¦ ¦ 4 ' 4 11 Bradley , Robt . ... 78 15 o 11 574 11 Hutu , S . G . ... 26 1 * 2 6 11 77 ' 11 Goddard , W . J . ... 22 n 6 11 840 ,, Reeve , Jno . ... 26 5 o it 943 ,, Sheppard , E . L . ... 42 1 o 11 16 39 „ Cox ., Edwd . ... 21 o o

Cambridge : 11 « S 9 n Mundy , C . M . ... 330 Cheshire : , 1 321 „ Stanhope , Rev . C . VV . S . 3 ^ 14 o 11 425 II Taylor , las . ... 13 23 o

n 337 „ Heniy , Francis ... 10 10 o 1 , 337 , 1 Marquis , vViliiam ... 10 10 o 11 1337 11 Simcock , T . D . ... 10 10 o i > 1 565 „ Hinde , Chas . H . ... 30 9 o 11 1576 H Chesworth , Thos . ... 2100

Hereford : 11 „ Shellard , O . 10 10 o Derbyshire : 11 73 ' 11 King , Jas . ... 21 8 6 Devonshire : 11 112 „ Ferris , Jno 29 10 6

Dorsetshire : „ „ Montagu , J . M . P . ( Royal Arch Masons ) 116 11 o Essex : „ 1000 „ Wood , Fredk . ... 40 13 9 Gloucester : it 82 „ Godfrey , Henry ... iCo o o 11 8 55 11 Davcy , Rev . C . R . ... 25 4 o „ 106 7 „ Kerr , R . J 44 12 6

¦ Hampshire and Isle cf Wight : „ 131 „ Watts , Rev . E . W . ... 44 2 o 11 1069 11 lz (> cl i E - 15 15 o 11 723 „ Freeman , Henry ... 31 10 o , 1 903 ,, Lancaster , G . F . ... 26 3 o

Hertfordshire : „ 449 ,, Shillcock , Jas . ... 3 3 o it 138 5 ,, Cutbush , Jas . ... 63 o a Kent : „ 1206 „ Emmerson , R . f , 1 1414 it Worship , J . L . 1531 „ Hutchins . J . J •... 77 7 o Lancashire East :

„ 643 „ Kelley , Saml . f 11 6 45 „ Marshall , Geo . > 6 3 o o 11 643 ,, Sharpe , H . E . j