New Masonic Schools At Bushey, Hertfordshire.

been able to acquire 66 acres here , which I think will be sufficient for all present and future requirements . Then our next business as a committee was to go and visit all existing Institutions . We went to Watford , to Leatherhead , to Wanstead , and I don ' t know where else , under the guidance of Bro . Rowland Plumbe , and were able to collect all the details which would strengthen our knowledge when we came to ask for

plans for a building , so that we might have the most perfect design that has ever , I think , been produced . Having done this , in 1897 we were able to show them exactly what we required . We had five beautiful sets of drawings , but there was one far superior to the others , the design of Messrs . Gordon , Lowther , and Gunton , which we unhesitatingly adopted . You will have time to see what we have done . I believe we have got a very

beautiful site here . I lived in this neighbourhood for many years , and I know that it is one of the most healthy districts near London . We are on gravel , we have plenty of room , and every thing we require . We are going to provide not only what is necessary for education , cricket grounds , fives courts , swimming baths , besides technical instruction rooms , and a laboratory . So I think our boys are most fortunate when they get elected to

these Schools . I know I must not take up an undue amount ; of your time . I trust that this great assembly has met here thoroughly to approve of what has been undertaken by your Committee of Management . ( Hear , hear . ) We have done our best , we have paid every attention to economy . We are not necessarily obliged to economise because of the magnificent response in 1898 , when , under the presidency of the Grand Master , we got

£ 140 , 000 . The expenditure will , however , be greater , and therefore we must be careful with our finances . I think you will find when it is all done you will have a magnificent result for your money . ( Applause . ) Our thanks ought to be given in several directions for the arrangements made to-day . First of all , speaking as I do on behalf of the Institution , I can reiterate the remarks of Bro . Eve as to how deeply indebted our Institution

is to his Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught . He has given us a great impetus . 1 thank his Royal Highness , too , for his condescension in laying the stone of that chapel , which , I can only hope , will be worthy of the Institution . We have to thank those G . Officers , under the command of that distinguished officer , Bro . Frank Richardson , for the manner in which , in conjunction with our sub-committee , they have carried out all these

arrangements to-day . Looking around me , I can say on behalf of all present , everyone here feels that the arrangements have been well carried out , and everything done which they could possibly expect . In regard to my old neighbours at Watford , I think it is most gratifying to us of the Institution that all those in power in Watford—they have not a mayor or corporation vet , but I think they soon will have—have joined with us in giving his Royal

Highness a hearty reception . ( Applause . ) Last , but not least , I have the honour of proposing " The Health of the Lord Lieutenant of the County , the Earl of Clarendon . " He attends here to-day in a double capacity , as Lord Lieutenant of the County and as Colonel of the Herts Yeomanry . We thank him for the hearty way in which he has co-operated with our committee , and done everything he could in order to make this occasion a

very great success . I ask you to drink with all cordiality to the health of the Earl of Clarendon , and to allow me on your behalf , speaking for the Institution , to thank him for the way in which , as the head of our county , he has co-operated in making the arrangements of to-day a great success . ( Loud applause . ) The Earl of CLARENDON , in responding , said : Your Royal Highness , ladies , and I sincerely wish I could add brethren , I feel that I am playing

but the part of an interloper on the present occasion —( " No , no , " )—not having been initiated in the sacred mysteries of your Craft . I , therefore , rise with mingled feelings , those of regret and those of gratitude . I regret that I could not take a more prominent part in the interesting proceedings of this day , and I am doubly grateful to you for the kindly reception which the toast * , so ably proposed by Mr . Keyser , has met at your hands . I have alluded to the sacred mysteries in which I am not

an expert , but although I am ignorant of those secrets , yet , at the same time , everybody must confess , and I confess that it is an open secret that all throughout the world the benevolence , the charity , and religion , I may say , of Freemasons is well known . ( Loud applause . ) That that must leave its mark upon not only the present , but also the coming generation is an absolute certainty . I have only to add , as time and

tide and express trains wait for nobody , that I am deeply grateful to you for the reception you have accorded to me , and to Mr . Keyser for the manner in which he has proposed my health . The Band of the Royal Artillery played selections during the dinner , for which Messrs . Lyons and Co . were the caterers . The luncheon tent was of huge proportions . It seated 1700 , and its area was 210 by 00 feet , and it was 65 feet in height . The staff of Messrs .

Lyons and Co . numbered 250 , as many as 170 waiters being engaged . The marquee in which the ceremony of laying the foundation stone took place was also of great size , measuring 164 feet by no feet . This tent and all the others , with the exception of some necessary for the luncheon , such as the kitchen , & c , were erected by Messrs . Piggott Bros , aid Co ., who also put up 1500 feet of passages conrecting the different tents . It may be of interest to state that the contractors as far back as April 30 th began their preparations .

The following Grand Oflicers and distinguished visitors were present at the ceremony : Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl Amherst , Pro G . M . ; the Countess A inherit ; Bros . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., P . G . M . Herts , acting D . P . G . M . ; Right Hon . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., P . G . M . Hants and Isle of Wight , as Senior Trustee of the Institution ; the Right Hon . Viscount Templetown , S . G . W . 1 Viscountess Templeton ;

Countess of Winchilsea and Nottingham ; the Hon . Mrs . Broughton-Adderley ; Bros . Hamon Le Strange , P . G . M . Norfolk ; the Right Hon . the Earl of Clarendon ; Richard live , P . G . Treas ., acting J . G . W . ; F . Sumner Knyvett , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Herts ; Rev . H . Izod Rogers , P . G . C . Herts ; Rev . O . C . Cockrem , P . G . Sec . Herts ; the Very Rev . Dean of Battle and the Rev . Dr . Cooper Smith , P . G . Chaplains ; Harry Manfield , G . Treas . ; J . W . Woodall , P . G . Treas . ; John

Strachan , Q . C , G . Reg . ; Edward Letchworth , G . Sec . ; J . H . Matthews , PresL dent Hoard of Benevolence ; Col . C . S . Dean , Daniel Mayer , and Guy Repton , S . G . Deacons ; W . C . Lupton , Li'Arcy Power , and J . H . Whadcoat , J . G . Deacons ; Charles t'heston Chcston , H . S . Glutton , H . H . Crawford , J . S . Kastcs , Deputy Prov . Grand Master Kent , Charles E . Keyser ,

Major J . E . Le Feuvre , Ralph Gooding , Jno . Haviland , D . P . G . M . Norths and Hunts , Thos . Jones , Henry Smith , W . K . Smithson , R . V . Vassar-Smith , D . P . G . M . Gloucester , W . E . Tomlinson , M . P ., and Rev . H . A . Hebb , P . G . Ds . ; H . L . Florence , G . Supt . of Works ; Rowland Plumbe and II . T . Gordon , P . G . Supt . of Works ; Frank Richardson , acting G . D . C . ; J . Fitzroy Tower , D . G . D . of C . ; Lennox Browne , F . R . C . S ., James Stephens . F . B . Westlake , and S .

New Masonic Schools At Bushey, Hertfordshire.

G . Kirchhoffer , P . D . G . D . Cs . ; Harry Bevir , T . P . Dorman , and Jno . Smithers . A . G . D . Cs . ; Stanley J . Attenborough , William Russell , Hy . Clarke , T . H , Gardiner , Chas . Martin , E . M . Money , Dr . G . Mickley , E . St . Clair , Hy . Neville , S . S . Partridge , D . P . G . M . Leicester and Rutland , R . Turtle Pigott , H , J . Strong , M . D ., J . Lewis Thomas , F . S . A ., A . J . R . Trendell , C . M . G ., Rowland G . Venables , D . P . G . M . Salop , and Walter Wellsman , P . A . G . D . Cs . ; Colonel G . E . Blunt , Grand Sword Bearer ; W . M . BywaterMajor C . W . Carrell , T . A . Bullock ,

, Col . H . N . Gordon , S . I . Notley , James Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I ., and Lieut .-Col G . W . Walker , P . G . S . Bs . ; Geo . Beech , Dep . P . G . M . Warwickshire , Alfred C Spaull , W . P . Brown , Richard Clowes , V . C . L . Crump , W . A . Scurrah , J . J Thomas , Wm . Watson , John Welford , Henry Carman , and W . B . Fendick , P . G Std . Brs .,- W . H . Thomas , G . Org . ; Geo . F . Smith and Dr . A . G . King , P . G Orgs . ; Geo . GraveleyA . Luckingand D . D . Mercer , P . G . Pursts . ; C . J . R

, , Tijou and Harry Tipper , P . A . G . Pursts . ; and Henry Sadler , G . Tyler . Also Bros . Hugh E . Diamond , Fitzgerald , Cummings , John Glass , E . Margrett , J . W . Burgess ,. and Chas . Pulman , Members of the Board of Management ; Sir Henry and Lady Jourdain , Professor Herkomer , R . A ., and Mrs . Herkomer , Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall and party , Capt . John Barlow , J . P ., and many representative London and Provincial brethren .

The following members of the Board of Management had the honour of being presented to H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught before the ceremonial : Bros . Richard Eve , P . G . Treas ., Trustee of the Institution and Chairman of the Board of Management ; Chas . E . Keyser , P . G . D ., Treasurer of the Institution , and Chairman of the New School Buildings Committee ; A . C . Spaull ,

P . G . Std . Br ., Vice-Chairman of the Board ; W . Russell , P . A . G . D . of C , Vice-Chairman of the Board , and Chairman of the Finance Committee ; John Glass , P . P . G . Supt . of Works Essex , Dep . Chairman of the Finance Committee ; Major J . E . Le Feuvre , P . G . D ., Chairman of the Petitions Committee ; George Corbie , P . P . G . W . Essex , Chairman of the Wood Green Buildings'Committee ; W . F . Smithson , P . G . D ., Chairman of the Clothing Committee ; and J . Morrison McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Secretary of the Institution .

The following brethren kindly gave their services as Special Stewards for the day , under the direction of Bro . Geo . Corbie : Bros . E . St . Clair , P . A . G . D . of C ; T . A . Bullock , P . G . S . B . ; E . M . Money , P . A . G . D . of C . ; Geo . F . Smith , P . G . O . j A . Blenkarn , R . Wellwood Ker , Geo . Paxton , T . W . Allsop , Thos . Burne , las . E . Carver , E . L . Berry , J . McNaught

Davis , E . Monson , W . J . James , W . H . Glazier , F . Grey , Geo . Chapman , R . S . Chandler ( Old Masonian ) , A . G . Boswell , and F . Stallard . The Right Hon . the Lord Llangattock , South Wales ( E . D . ) , and Lady Llangattock were unavoidably prevented , at the last moment , from attending ; as also was Sir John B . Monckton , Past Grand Warden , and Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chaplain , Patron of the Institution .

Craft Masonry.

( Craft flDasonw

Three Grand Principles Lodge , No . 441 . The above lodge concluded its winter session on the 7 th instant , when a very pleasant gathering of members and visiting brethren were present at the Lion Hotel , Cambridge . At the lodge meeting a resolution of congratulation to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master of the Order , upon his escape from fhe hands of an assassin , was passed with enthusiasm , and ordered to be entered upon the minutes . It was also agreed that the sum of £ 5 5 s . should be paid from the lodge funds to the South African Masonic Relief Fund .

Bro . F . W . Miller , P . P . G . Stwd ., presided at the dinner which was afterwards held , and was supported by Bros . Mackay , P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ; Sultan Mahamad Kkan ; O . Papworth , P . G . Sec . ; J . S . Johnson , W . M . j and R . J . Sharman , LP . M ., of Sag ; and other visiting brethren , and the following Past Masters : Bros . J . Vail , L Taylor , F . Dewberry , I . Sheldrick , T . Watts , I . F . Symonds , J . Royston , J . Catling , W . R . Roper , F . VV . Potts , F . R . Leach , and L . Hosegood . Bro . Mackay responded for "The Grand Lodge Officers , " and Bro . Papworth for

" The Provincial Grand Lodge Officers . Bro . J . F . Symonds , P . M ., proposed the toast of "The Visiting Brethren , ' ^ and made special reference to the presence of the distinguished brother from Afghanistan , who , he understood , was to be the first to establish Masonry in that country . Bro . Sultan Mahamad Khan said he responded to the toast with feelings of pleasure and regret , pleasure at the kind way in which the toast had been proposed and received , and icirret that that might be the last meetine of their lodge he mitrht be able to attend ,

as he was leaving England on the 7 th of June . He hoped that the friendly relations that were now existing between the Government of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria and the Government of the Ameer of Afghanistan might grow stronger and stronger , so that not only might he look forward to the pleasure of coming to see them again some day , but to the additional pleasure of seeing some of their faces in Afghanistan , where they would receive a warm reception from the lodge he hoped to found there . He did not wonder , seeing the honour and privileges Freemasons enjoyed

in this country , that they were so devoted to their Grand Master , H . R . H . the Princeof Wales , and they were all very thankful to T . G . A . O . T . U . for having protected his life when he was attacked by the assassin . "He hoped that the Prince might live long , not only for the good of his country , and for the pleasure and happiness of his beloved mother , the noblest of her sex that ever lived on earth , but for the good of Freemasonry , which had for its noble principles the uniting of the various races , the uniting of the various nations , and the uniting of the various religions in one band of brotherhood .

Remembering those objects of Freemasonry , they should all try to clear away misconceptions that might cause misunderstandings between the various communities , and he was most anxious that they should not suppose , on account ot an alleged remark of his Ameer , that he was dissatisfied with the treatment he had received from the Indian Government , that the Ameer was any other than the good friend of Great Briuin . Tne Ameer was a clever man , and knew where his interest lay . Some objections had been made to his not opening railways and telegraphs , but he knew that the mountains

about Afghanistan firmed fortifications which the hand of Gad had gnren him for the protection of his country . Everything depended upin its proper time , and in due ourse railways and telegraphs would be provided in At ^ hanistin . Bro . Suit in Mi ha mi J Khan concluded by assuring the brethren he should ever remember the pleasant eveni . gs he had spent with tbem , and he hoped that they might part happily , and seme day have a pleasant reunion . Other toasts followed , and the brethren then dispersed .

The sum of live guineas was raised in the room for the Kjyal Misonic Institution for Girls .

Raymond Thrupp Lodge , No . 2024 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Mitre Hotel , Hamptoncourt , on the 2 nd inst ., when there was a good attendance . Bro . Swinford F . Smith , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., was installed as W . M . by the retiring Mister , Bro . F . J . Smith . The oflicers invested for the year were Bros . A . K . Stevens , S . W . ; T . H . Corjmbes , I . W . 1 M . Mildred , P . M ., Treas . ; W . C . Graham , P . P . G . D ., Sec ; L . Cooke ,

P . M ., S . D . ; S . H . Blackestone , J . D . ; C . G . Mumby , l . G . ; W . Bacon , P . M ., D . C ; H . F . Sinclair and J . R . Tnomson , Stwds . ; and Young , Tyler . The Past Masters in attendance included Bros . Turle , P . M . ; Scott , P . M . ; and Haddon , P . M . A banquet followed , after which the usual loyal toasts were given , and ths LP . M ., in felicitous terms , proposed "The Health ot the W . M . " Bro . Swinford Smith , VV . M ., in response , expressed his pride at having reached the chair of this lodge . He joined it nearly eight years ago and had already received the