Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

teem , I hand you this silver salver with a purseof one thousand guineas , and in the name of the subscribers I Yvish you God speed . ( Loudcheers . ) Bro . Binckes rose amidst loud cheers and said ,

Bro . Sheriff Perkins , Bro . Plucknett , Ladies and Gentlemen , Brethren and Pupils of this Institution . In rising on the present occasion 1 really feel inadequate to find words to express my

gratitude for the handsome testimonial now presented to me , and for the too flattering and complimentary addresses by which that presentation has been accompanied , embodying as they do your

appreciation of my Masonic work . Many of us are tempted to describe this or that event as the most important of our lives , but certainly I think I may Yvell be pardoned if I describe this occurrence as at once the

happiest and the most trying in my existence , While desirous of not trespassing unduly upon your patience , I trust I may be pardoned on so exceptional an occasion , in asking you to take a

retrospect of the fortunes of this Institution , so that you may compare—or rather contrast—Yvhat it was with what it is . Founded in 1798 , it is true it maintained a name , and Yvas productive

of much good ; but down to 1855 it had no local habitation . In that year we purchased this freehold property , and within the mansion then standing we received 25 of the 70 boys then on

the Institution . This showed a Yvonderful change since 1850 , in which year , a committee specially appointed to consider the question , reported their recommendation " that a building cr

establishment for the boys should not be entertained . " From the date mentioned ( 1855 ) the Institution has grown . In 1861 I had the honour of being elected its Secretary . In 186 c the present

building was opened . To-day you see what it IS' —admirably fitted and provided for the accommodation of the 136 boys within its walls , to be increased in August by thc admission of 12

additional ; and I am delighted to be able to infot m you that 28 more boys will be admitted during the next year , the construction of new dormitories having been ordered at an outlay of ,

say , £ 1 , 800 . These are substantial results of labour , and I do not hesitate to say I feel proud in knowing that during the 12 years I have filled mv present position , /" oo . ooo have been received

for the purposes of this Institution . ( Loud cheers . ) This proves that something has been done . A great work had to be accomplished , and it had to be done in a short time . For

myself , I have worked from the first in faith ; I shall continue to work in faith—that is , in firm reliance on our widely extended Craft for support . In all that has been done , however , let

me at once say , that I claim no other merit than that of having been the means of inducing a large number of friends to come to our assistance . I look round this room and see with

pride and gratification the familiar faces of many—some from long distances—who have ever been fon most with their purses and advice . Amongst them I am pleased to notice my friend

Bro , John Symonds , with whom , in earlier days , I was often associated in the work cf Masonic Charitv in this and other spheres . To these ,

and other good fiiends , I throw back all thc honour for their generosity , who have neverbeen weary in well doing . On the policy involved

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

in all this I am well aware that differences of opinion have existed , ^ and still exist ; I am , however , unshaken in my belief that our policy has been , and is , the true and properpolicy . Masonry

cannot , must not , ^ and shall not , if I can in any way help it , be behind in ministering to the legitimate wants and needs of the increasing number of its members Yvho are rudely turned from

affluence to poverty . Equally aware am I , with reference to the kind testimony of appreciation of my poor services , that opinions widely differ , and that in some quarters it is regarded as

altogether undeserved . To them who thus feel I would simply say " the less I deserve the more merit in your bounty , " while to those who have so plainly expressed their favourable opinion

I can only say how deeply I value this handsome and substantial mark of approval , as I feel that " I shall little grace my cause in speaking for myself . " To Bros . Winn , Plucknett , and

Edward Cox , I must beg them publicly to be allowed to express my sense of obligation Yvhich is deeper than any words I can now find will allow me to give utterance to . The recollections of this

day will for ever be be vividly cherished by me , — the events of the day must linger in a grateful memory—and I can only assure you that the manifestation of favour extended to day , will

stimulate me with a desire . I only hope I may have the strength , to work with greater vigour in the future . Again and again , I thank you one and

all . The boys then gave three cheers for Bro Binckes .

" The Health of the Ladies' was then proposed by Bro . Head , and responded to in a very able manner , by Bro . Loveridge . This brought the afternoon ' s proceeding's to a

close , after Yvhich the company proceeded to the lawn , Yvhen dancing , croquet , bowling , and other amusements were indulged in . Great praise is due to the Assistant Masters , who rendered

valuable aid throughout the day . At 8 p . m ., the dining hall was opened as a ball room and presented a most brilliant appearance . Dancing was kept up to the strains

of the 33 rd Middlesex Volunteers , under the leadership of Mr . George Ison , The entertainment passed off with the greatest satisfaction to all present .

During the afternoon Bro . Haigh succeeded in producing several excellent photographs of the School , various groups of visitors , and boys to whom prizes had been given These will

tend not only to establish him in the first rank as an artist in his profession , but they will also be cherishd as interesting souvenirs of the memorable day .

" ON GUAIII ) !"—In these days of cheap and rapid travelling epidemics aic conveyed from country to country , with marvellous ccleiitv . Y \ ith cholera east and west , prudence foikids impurity , inesr'ulaiity and dc * j ) ondcncy . Each of tl ' . ese provocatives of this ( lire disease , may be overcome withcut ( lunger , by Hollowa v ' s leniedies , provided they be rcsoi ted to without delay , the moment

listlessncss , looseness , fevciishnes , or pain discovers disordered action . Trie directions will enable the least cultivated to meat successfully and subdue completely these warning symptoms of cholera . When confidence in Holloway ' s preparations is once established , each believer in their viitues will humanely recommend them to his acquaintances , lhat none may foolishly harbour hostile reinforcements within his own person . —ADVT ,

Masonic Historians. No. V.

MASONIC HISTORIANS . No . V .

BY BRO . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN . BRO . DAVID MURRAY LYON . In reviewing a YvorK of the magnitude and importance of Bro . Lyon ' s" History ofthe Lodge of Edinburgh from A . D . 1 , 599 , " we are aYvare that our attempt will only be considered as

preliminary to a more careful examination and exhaustive review , to be undertaken and completed by [ several brethren well versed in such studies , and familiar with our old records . Our friend D . Murray Lyon has , long since , become well known to all Masonic students , wherever

located , for his diligence and faithfulness in bringing to light minutes of great value previously unnoticed ; and especially has his " History of Mother Kilwinning Lodge" caused his name to be respected throughout the Masonic world . AJl

past efforts , however , necessarily pales before his present enterprise , which is not only his magnum opus , but , as a historical account of the rise and progress of Freemasonry in Scotland , is the most valuable contributiontoourMasonic literature that

has been made during this or former centuries . Based as it is upon the oldest lodge records in existence ( hitherto unpublished ) , and profusely illustrated with engravings , embracing , not only portraits of distinguished Craftsmen , but

facsimiles of charters , statutes , marks , commissions , seals , and * ' old charges , " dating from the sixteenth century , such a history of the Society of the Free and Accepted Masons cannot fail to take its place as a standard work , without which no Masonic library can be complete .

In his desire to present a history to the fraternity , Yvorthy of the ancient lodge he chiefly describes , Bro . Lyon has been ably seconded by the publishers , Messrs . Blackwood and Sons , Edinburgh , who may justly be proud of their part in the publication , for the typographical excellence of the work cannot fail to

be noticed and appreciated by all admirers of beautifully printed books ; and we are certain that the members of the Lodge of Edinburgh generally , and our excellent Bro . William Officer in particular , will warmly express their approval of the splendid volume issued by that great firm .

Bro . Lyon , in commencing his history , informs us that the Scots , Masonically , - * are less ambitious than the English ; for , while their southern nei ghbours claim that the Fraternity was organised at York , A . D . 926 , " Scottish Freemasons are content to trace their descent

from the builders of the abbeys of Holyrood , Kelso , Melrose , and Kilwinning , the cathedral of Glasgow , and other ecclesiastical fabrics of the 12 th and 13 th centuries . " As a matter of fact , however , the ambition of our past historians has led them far beyond the tenth century , for nothing

short of Adam as the first Grand Master appears to have limited their extensive ideas respecting the antiquity of Freemasonry . In alluding to the appointment of King James I . as Grand Master , and other similar apochryphal assertions , Bro . Lyon tells us there are no

such records . " Those of Mary s chapel , the oldest extant , contain nothing upon which such a statement could be founded , except the evidence they give of the existence in the end of the sixteenth century of the office of Principall Warden and Chief Maister of Maissonis , for the purprse of regulating the affairs of Lodges . .

. . . and the presumption is that the Grand Master"Mason of James I . is a purely fabulous personage . " In that belief we think all intelligent readers will concur ; and they , with us , must regret that such absurd notions were ever received as authentic by a too credulous brotherhood .

Laurie is proved to be ( what we have often before noticed ) an inaccurate historian , and , with respect to early Freemasonry in Scotland , absolutely untrustworthy . It is refreshing toturnfrom his crude history to a work like Lyon ' s , for in the latter one feels he is treading on solid

ground , and snpported on every hand by unquestionable evidence . Bro . Lyon will not allow Patrick Copland ' s election as Warden and Justice within the counties of Aberdeen , Banff , and Kincardine , and subsequent ratification b y the King ( James