Young Freemasons.

seems to" us , a sufficient answer . No boy is to feel himself in the slig htest degree the recipient of charity . As hig h a standard of honour shall be upheld here as at the great public schools ; and in all matters of detail our aim shall be to give our lads as good an education as possible , using the term in its largest

sense . Thus considered , the play hours' and the homelife of the school are as important as its times of study ; and the building and its rules and arrangements are eminently calculated to carry out the committee ' s view . An institution for providing for and educating the sons of indigent Freemasons dates from 1798 , but up

to the year 1857 the boys were clothed and sent to schools in the neig hbourhood of their several homes . In the latter year twenty-five boys were taken into a temporary houso at Wood green , in 1859 the committee were able to accommodate seventy boys , and in 18 G 2 the present magnificent erection was commenced .

Its noble frontage strikes the visitor first . Standing well back from the road and on a spacious lawn , it looks what it really is , a collegiate institution upon which no money has been spared . Old trees wave their branches before it , and lend the dignity of age to what is essentially new , and the brilliant show of

flowers in the garden of the . head master ' s house close by is relieved by the bright verdure of the close-cropped grass of the school . The garden , you learn , was attached to the old mansion which was purchased and pulled down to make way for the stately pile before you . This consists of a central block of three

storeys , with a large oriel and a hig h roof with dormer windows . To this arc added two wings , one containing the diniiig-halland tlie other the school-rooms and library . There are also handsome towers , a deep porch lit by a stained glass window , and within the entrance a graceful group of statuary , the last two

items being gifts . But the boys themselves are the best ornaments , and after we have traversed corridors one hundred and forty feet long , noted the exquisite cleanliness , mathematical order , and extreme airiness of tho bedrooms , visited the kitchen , sculleries , and laundries ,

all fitted with the best mechanical contrivances for saving labour , we asked to be introduced to the young people for whom all these preparations are made . They are at cricket in one of the fields belonging to the school , for it should be mentioned that a farm is attached to it , and that it stands on hind which has

been advantageously bought , and by means of which its advantages of situation can be maintained intact . Some of them are , however , staying late in school , and as wc pass by their desks to the library beyond , the names of the pupils who have distinguished themselves emblazoned on the wall ( one of the prizes given

is for having gained tbe y-ootl opinion of school-fellows , and is conferred by a ballot iu which all take part ) ; pass , too , the " largest black-board in Europe , " with diagrams still left on it ; the intelligence that a boy who had just left " obtained the star in four subjects out of five at the Cambridge middle-class

examinations '—they all seem to speak of systematic and efficient instruction . Indeed , the course includes a sound English education , with Latin , French , and German , mathematics in every shape , and drawing . There are four masters in all , besides a drill instructor and a teacher in drawing , and 101 boys aro clothed ,

educated , and provided for from the age of six years and a half ( the minimum ) to fifteen . The building , ¦ which is really a model of what a school ought to be , has cost £ -10 , 000 , and the domestic and educational expenditure on the boys amounts to £ . 16 12 s . 2 jd . per head , or including oilice expenses , rates and taxes ,

aud extras , to £ 1 G 15 s . ld . The infirmary , tlie swimming bath , tho gymnasium , the library well stocked with handsome books and philosophical instruments , and the right of entry to which is a kind of reward for discreet behaviour , all speak volumes as to the thoughtful care of the school

committee . Ihe infirmary , which was empty at our visit , is completely isolated—strong doors and separate staircases shutting it oll ' elfectually from the rest of the house . The phmge-bath holds 0 , 500 gallons of water , and is under cover , is lined with white tiles , and has separate dressing closets ; while the gymnasium is

second only to the splendid one at Kings-cross belonging to the German Society . We are introduced to tlie boys here . Clambering up poles , hanging by thc hands from ladders and over well-stuffed and protective mattresses , vaulting on dumb horses , swinging on ropes practising a mild kind of trapeze , performing great

feats with rings and handles , and all laughing and shouting at once , they make the vast chamber ring again . _ Nothing is wanting for gymnistics , and nothing is left untried . There is plenty of noise , and abundance of enjoyment . Tlie gymnasium was built for its present purpose , and when its active denizens recover breath they are hearty in its praise . They are fine , gentleman-like lads , dressed in well made

suits of good broad-cloth , and with nothing to distinguish them from the pupils at any other public school . Tho definition of the Committee , "that tho object of the institution is , by eliminating from its administration all trace of charity in the cold signification of the word , to elevate thc moral tone " of the pupils , " is felt to be truthful before you have conversed trith tlie lads five minutes . But no written description

Young Freemasons.

can bring the peculiar merits of this Wood-green establishment fairl y before the reader . There arc about it , over and above its material excellences and architectural splendour , a thousand delicate lights and shades , all implying that it constitutes a tenderly watched and gently discip lined home to those to

whom it opens its charitable doors . It must be seen to be appreciated , or even understood ; and often as Freemasons may have beard the claims and excellencies of " the Boys' School" urged at their lodge-meetings , the day of their first visit to it will be ever after marked with a white stone , for it will prove how far

short of its real merit has been every word spoken in its praise . Those who remember the caution taught at their initiation should inspect it , to see that the funds they give for benevolent purposes are properly applied ; those who value the p illars of their Older should go to see how stable and sound this chief ono is ;

tho man recently admitted should go , in order that he may comprehend what his apron means—in other words , the practical fruit of the lessons impressed upon him ; and the old and " rusty " Mason should go to see what the stirring doings and the new blood of the hist half-dozen years have brought about . In short , every Freemason who shrinks from being branded as

lukewarm ought to make himself acquainted with the establishment we have described as soon as practicable . There is no difficulty about admission , thc way is easy , the time occupied insignificant , the expense to Londoners nominal , and the duty obvious—so that there can be no reason save supineness or indifference for holding back . —Daily News , Sep . 10 .

Ad01002

^ bimfemmts . BRO . HENRY PARKER , Organist , Lodge No . 12 G 0 , Mark Lodge No . 1 , and G . O . Knights of Kome and Constantine , begs to announce that he bos RESUMED his PIANO-FORTE LESSONS for the season . 21 , GEOKGli-STUEET , PoitTMAN-SQUARE .

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TF you wish to have GOOD and NATURAL J _ WINE you must apply to the proprietor . lira . SOUFF 11 AIN can expedite you Clarets only . I ' riccsvory moderate , and facility of payment , lie can also , if you require , let you i nste his productions and givo you the current prices . Apply hy letter ; 18 , CAJIUUIDOB-TKUKACE , ST . PETER ' S -STREET , ISLINGTON .

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INSURE YOUR PLATE GLASS . PLATE GLASS of every description INSURED against accidental or malicious breakage , whether used as Windows , Enclosures , Show-cases Shop-cases , embossed or engraved ; also Looking-glasses and Mirrors . No prudent man ought lo incur the anxiety and risk consequent on thc destruction of an article of so brittle a nature , when the means of insuring against loss are so easy , and the cost so very small . PREMIUM . Two pence per Square Foot , ( super . ) Prospectuses and forms of proposal may be obtained on application to the offices of the Eoyal Scottish Assurance Company , 291 , Strand , London , W . C .

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PIANOFORTES . Gr . R . S A M SON , ( Succctsor to R , Addi . on » t- Co . ) , RESPECTFULLY informs pu riteers that he stil continues to supply the tame description of Instruments for which the above firm were justly celebrated . Prices from 20 to 60 Guineas . Pianofortes for Hire , at 8 s . per month , upon the three years ' system . 30 , WELLS STREET , OXFORD STREET , W . AND 42 , JIADDOX STREET , AV . Agent for B 0 E D , of Paris .

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B RO . H „ T . LAMB , MANUFACTURER OF MASONIC JEWELS , ST . JOHN SQUARE , CLERKENWELL ., LONDON . ILLUSTRATED PRICE LIST POST FREE ON APPLICATION-

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GEORGE KENNING , 3 and 4 , Little Britain , London , E . C . MASONIC DEPOT . mHE LARGEST STOCK in the WORLD Jewels , Clothing , Furniture , Banners , Books , & Requisites For all Degrees in Freemasonry . 3 and 4 , Little Britain , London , E . C . Price Lists on application .

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