Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

over the ladies' banquet , for which the glee room , the Crown room , the drawing room , and the Sussex room were engaged , and every available seat occupied both in these rooms and in the large dining hall . After grace , the Earl of DARTMOUTH , in proposing the toast of " Her MostGracious Majesty the Queen , Chief Patroness of the Institution , " said that for the last 63 years the toast had been received enthusiastically where Englishmen were gathered together , and the brethren would join

with him in hoping that it might be proposed and received for many years to come . Under ordinary circumstances it would be almost impertinent to make any remarks in proposing the toast , but surely at such a time one word of extra sympathy would not be out of place , for the great lady whose influence-and most powerful influence—all through her life and prosperous reign had been given to peace , but towards the close of it she had had this cruel and bitter war thrust upon her . The brethren would join with him in the earnest hope that the war would be brought to a

speedy and satisfactory conclusion—( hear , hear)—and that no cloud might overshadow the remaining yenrs of that reign , but that they might be spent in peace , prosperity , and goodwill towards men . No doubt there were Courts more magnificent , and monarchs more ostentatious , but never in the whole history of the world was there a Court whose monarch had been more firmly established in ihe hearts of her subjects . ( Loud cheers . ) " Of the human race , the wisest and the best , Her people blessing , by her people blest . "

The Earl of DARTMOUTH next proposed the toast of "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., Most Worshipful Grand Master , Grand Patron and President of the Institution ; H . R . H . the Princess of Wales , Grand Patroness ; and the other members of the Royal Family . " His lordship said this was a very large and comprehensive toast , and almost diily it became larger and more comprehensive . Therefore he was sure they would excuse him if he did not detain them by mentioning particularly every

member of the Royal Family . At the same time , he was quite sure they would agree wilh him when he said that no body of men had more right to be grateful to Providence for turning aside the hand of the assassin than had the great body of Freemasons . They knew there was no one who fulfilled the duties of Grand Master with more grace , more dignity , and more tact , than his Royal Highness , and they hoped he might long be spared to occupy

that position . He might remind them that it was not only in Freemasonry that he took the lead , and he was told that the Prince of Wales was the only man whose horses had been successful in both the Grand National and the Derby . He did not like to make such a suggestion on such an occasion , but as he understood there was a possibility of his Royal Highness breaking the record by winning both races in the same year , if there was any money left in the Province , they could put it on

Diamond Jubilee . ( Laughter . ) The next toast was that of the " Right Hon . the Earl Amherst , Pro Grand Master ; the Right Hon . the Earl of Warwick , Deputy Grand Master ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " In proposing it the Earl of DARTMOUTH said the toast was of the greatest importance to Freemasonry in general , and they could fully realise the

great difficulties that those who were responsible for making the appointments had . He might safely say without fear of contradiction , that when •" a man finds his heart , the heart finds his man . " However difficult a position those in authority might be in , when an appointment was made there had been no mistakes . The Brotherhood throughout the country had implicit confidence in the Grand Officers , and he asked the brethren to give the loast a most cordial acceptance .

Bro . EDWARD TERRY , Past Grand Treasurer , responded . He said , he had not expected to be called upon to make a speech , and he had made so many that he was tired of them himself , and he was sure the brethren would be . He could only say on the part of the Grand Officers , lhat wherever they went , and in whatever part of the globe they mi ght be , they were always kindly received . They all tried to do their level best , and he sincerely hoped and trusted that all Grand Officers of the present , of the past , and of the future , would do their best to uphold the great privileges and great objects of Freemasonry .

The Chairman in proposing the toast of the evening , " Success to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , ' said ; Now , as no doubt youare aware , this is the occasion of tne 112 th anniversary . Therefore , without much mental effort , you will arrive at the conclusion that this toast has been proposed on m occasions . That puts me in a position of some little difficulty , and might lead one to hesitate to accept the responsibility of presiding on such an occasion . But , I am bound to own that I am not

ashamed of the position I occupy , and I am not afr aid of the responsibility I have undertaken , because I know so well that , however far short I may fall of the goal for which I aim , I have something behind me which will offer a far more eloquent testimony to the value of the Institution , and that is , the Institution itself ( Hear , hear ) . We know something of songs without words ; here is a case of eloquence without speech , and those who have had an opportunity of visiting the Institution will agree with

me that it is a very eloquent testimony to the value of Freemasonry in this country . ( Cheers . ) Last Monday I had the privilege of paying my first visit , and I have no hesitation in' saying that a si ght that gave me more pleasure it is impossible to imagine . It was a pathetic sight , and I think there were a good many of us who felt the pathos of it . When we remember the great advantage the girls have by your efforts , when we remember the instruction they receive , the chance that is

g iven them—a chance th ; -t they have proved over and over again they are willing to take advantage of—I think we may congratulate ourselves that we are members of this great body . ( Cheers . ) If we look back at the history of this Institution we remember that it was founded in 17 SS . In 17 S 9 there were 15 girls in the Institution . By 1795 the number had doubled , in 1812 , it had doubled again , in 1 S 64 , there weie 100 girls , in 1 S 74 , 14 S girls , and now there are 26 7 .

( Loud cheers . ) Brethren , the continued s icctss and the continued increase ol the Institution is a proof in itself of the great value lo those who are recip ients of its benefits . Now it is difficult for me , on the present occasion , to say all 1 should like to say , but I can only thank those who have given me the opportunity of being in the position I now occupy , and

while wc are told that the old order changes giving place to the new , we know then- ate things that cannot change and never will change . 'f nose are the great princip les that nniinatt : Freemasonry . Whatever else may change those will not . The great principle that animated the founders of that Institution many centuries ago was the love of God and the love of our Craft . We

Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

wish this Institution every possible success . I can only congratulate those who are responsible for the management of the School for what they have done , and if they could only reilise what we , who were present on Monday , felt after what we saw , they would realise that th « re were many who were not present on that day but who on previous occasions had been deeply impressed with what they had seen , I know there are a great many

who only see us in our lighter mom ents , who look upon Freemasonry as a fairly respectable body of men , and a convivial body of men . All I can say is , while we are bound to accept the soft impeachment of respectability and conviviality , we have proved up to the hilt that there is a good deal more in Freemasonry than that . On the present occasion I have no

information to give you as to the result of the contributions . On the last occasion that the Prov . G . Master of Staffs , occupied the chair in 1875 , there were 190 Stewards , and that was the largest subscription there was up to that time collected . It resulted in over £ 8000 , and all I can say is I have every reason to believe we shall at least , equal that sum to-night . ( Laughter ) . The toast was honoured with the greatest enthusiasm .

Bro . Sir JOHN B . MONCKTON said he thought he was somewhat out of order in replying to the toast at the present moment , but Bro . Hedges was not yet present to read the lists . On ordinary occasions Sir Reginald Hanson , the Treasurer of the Institution , would have replied , but on accountof a domestic bereavement he was unable to attend . However , he sent 20 guineas to celebrate the birth of a little grandson . The brethren would be glad to receive the announcement that this evening 12 months

Earl Amherst , M . W . Pro Grand Master , would take the chair for the Girls' School Festival . He was also Provincial Grand Master for Kent , and as he ( Sir John Monckton ) was a Kentish Mason he should have to try to upset the traditions of Staffordshire and bring in a larger subscription . Kent tried to grow hops , and succeeded ; it tried to find coal , but that attempt did not come off . She would be heavil y handicapped next year by Staffordshire . Bro . HEDGES then announced the following

- •STEWARDS' LISTS .

LONDON . £ . s . d . HOUSE COMMITTEE . Bro . Ralph Glutton 10 10 o „ Robt . Grey 63 0 o „ Chas . Hammerton ... 107 o o „ Alderman Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., 31 10 o M . P ., Hy . A . Hunt 21 o o „ Edward Letchworth , F . S . A 6 S 5 o „ Peter de Lande Long ... 31 10 o „ R . Loveland Loveland , 10 10

y . c , U . L .., j . r . o „ J . H . Matthews 10 10 o „ Sir John B . Monckton , F . S . A . ( see also Lodge 2535 ) ... — „ F . Richardson 73 10 o „ Alfred C Spaull 210 o o „ Edward Terry ( see Mark Lodge 363 ) ... — Lodge 1 Bro . Cecil Holden-White 21 o o 1 „ John H . Whadcoat , J . P ., C . C . ... 10 10 o 2 „ Alexander Bowie , M . D 25 4 0

Chapter 2 Comp . Major Willoughby Weiss 31 10 o Lodge 4 Bro . Ashton Godwin , M . D 31 10 o 5 „ John C . Collard ... 55 13 0 6 „ VV . H . N . Goschen ... 31 10 o S „ Edwin Easton ... 26 5 o 10 ,, J . E . Evans-Jackson 3 6 15 o 12 ,, S . Walter Stephens 7 S 15 o 21 „ Fredk . Fisher ... 63 o o 23 „ F . A . Powell ... 43 1 o 26 „ A . H . Godfrey ... 10 10 o

29 „ C . W . Sjtevens ... 31 10 o 30 „ F . C . Foster 40 S o 33 „ Walter L . Green ... 75 o 0 45 „ John Briggs 10 10 0 45 „ Wm . Briggs , M . A ... 15 15 0 45 „ William G . Mills ... 15 15 0 46 „ Ambrose M . Hooper 52 o o 5 S „ Wm . H . C . Crump 1 S 1 13 o 60 ,. Capt . Walter Ford 87 3 o 79 „ II . G . Hayter ... 6 3 o o S 3 „ Stephen J . Spurling 36 15 o 91 „ W . J . Styles ... 35 14 o 141 „ Alfred Salmon ... 105 o o 165 „ Hy . Times ... .. 2100 171 „ H . Ge *> . Harper ... 36 15 o 172 „ Richard Cawley ,., 70 7 o

Chapter 174 Comp . VV . Metcalfe ... 3 G 15 o Lodge 17 6 Bro . Richard Davies ... 54 12 0 177 .. J . Anley , Jun . ... 72 8 6 1 S 3 „ G . J . Symons ... 32 o 6 1 S 5 ,, David Hills ... 100 o o 103 , , G . F . Carr C 3 o o 194 .. . 1- Wright 45 3 0 197 „ T . G . Bullen ... 40 18 o 19 8 ,, James S . Green 20 O „ John Leigh Nissen ... 2 S o o

222 „ Harold A . Smith ... 85 1 o 235 „ Kobt . VV . Blaekwell i . s 15 o 259 „ Robt . Palgrave Page 16 iC o 2 ( 1 3 ,, Waterliouse , 3 . A .... ^ 07 „ li . A . Brangwin ... 47 5 o Q 57 „ M . VV . Mossop 7 oo „ VV . Long 52 10 o 733 .. R - J- Hot" * - 5100 733 ,, Nathaniel Kolles ... yd : ,, Wm . Geo . Drew ... 10 10 o 76 ( 1 „ Win . 11 . Dullield ... 3 6 15 o 7 S 0 ,, Larkman , F . J . ... 04 1 o

Lodge £ s . d . S 20 Bro . Dr . Solomon Peake 42 o o 857 „ Ernest Mosley ... 95 11 o S 61 „ John Knight ... 20 o o 88 9 ,, W . H . Gaze ... 42 2 o S 9 S „ S . H . Baker ... 22 11 6 957 .. F- VV . Tagg ... 44 2 o 101 7 ,, Wm . D . Ovens ... 45 o o 1150 „ Hubt . Paul Monckton 90 6 o 1201 „ Wm . Alfred Surridge 39 7 6 122 7 „ VV . J . Carroll ... 52 10 o Chapter 1275 Comp . Major Woolmer Williams 21 o o

Lodge 127 S Bro . F . Islip 27 6 0 ' 3 ° 5 » Robert Heath Head no 15 6 132 S „ H y . Parkinson ... 53 11 o 1329 „ VV . Andrews ... 52 10 o 1329 „ Robt . Elgar ... 55 13 o 1339 •> J- M . Klenck ... 42 o o 1360 „ Alfred E . Halfhide *) „„ 1360 „ James Gould $ , 0 ° ° ° 13 S 1 „ VV . H . Wolsey ... 47 5 o 13 S 1 „ * CharlesMoId ... — 1381 „ Harry Rolles ... 10 10 o 13 S 1 „ T . Fish Marson ... 201 12 o 1397 » Edward Jno . Stannard 50 o o 1 4 21 „ F . Ashby 36 3 6 144 6 „ J . Brown 55 2 6 1471 ,, Christian Horst ... 54 o o Chapter 1538 Comp . E . M . Money ( see also Conclave 2 Red Cross Order ) ... 54 12 0

Lodge 1563 Bro . H . J . Homer ... ' 1563 ,. * Hy . T . Cullingford ij'J 3 » * Edward Rutherford 1563 ,, * John Barry O'Calla-Khan 1563 „ * C . M . Brander 15 G 3 ,. * T . H . Beach I 5 f ) 3 „ * J . B . Burton l 5 ° 3 » * Joseph Arnold 15 G 3 „ * A . W . Bacon 15 O 3 » * Geo . M . Bagnall ... I 5 G 3 » * A . A , Bingham 15 C 3 „ *' ohn E . Buckley ... 1563 > . * F . H . Chambers ... 1563 „ * Richard Curtice 15 ^ 3 „ * S . Davies , jun . 1563 >> * R . Deplidge

15 G 3 ,, H . Fonseca 1564 ., * Frank Hy . Fortescue 1563 „ * Chas . A . W . Giles ... 15 G 3 „ * E . T . Ginder 1563 ,, * M . Goldner 15 6 3 ,. * W . Goody I 5 <> 3 ,, *!¦ Hairis 1 . 563 ,, •Peter Hart ' 5 <> 3 « ** G !* o . Hatton 1563 „ * E . G . Herrin .. . i 5 ° 3 » * G . E . Highland ... 791 _ o 1563 ,, * F . J . Hinton < 56 z » * Clias . E . Homer ...

I 5 » 3 .. * Chas . John Kittell ... i 5 ° 3 „ * Hy . W . Lardner ... 1563 „ * A . H . Marks 15 G 3 ,, * Chas . Pennack i 5 r > 3 ,. "Ernest VV . Pheasant 1563 » * John M . Presley ... I 5 fi 3 „ * P . J- Reynolds IS < * > 3 » . * R . Russell i 5 fl 3 » * W . Savage ' 5 3 „ "John Swift tsC'i „* P . Toft ¦ 5 rj 3 , 1 * A . I . Townsend ... 15 O 3 „ * . | ohnThos . Townsend ¦ 5 r , „ * I " . II . Townsend ... i-r , „ . Max H . VanOaimi ij' ' 3 „ *!' . G . Walker ... . ' j *^ . 1 'EdmundJ . Ward ... I