Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Bro . MAXWELL C LOSE : Right Worshipful Chairman and brethren , however much I mig ht have desired to leave this toast in other hands , I assure ) -ou it could not be confided loan ) ' brother more capable of appreciating the honour than myself ; and in giving to you " The Health of the other Masonic Charities , and success to them , viz ., the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Boys , and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " I feel that I

should be altogether wanting in my appreciation of the principles of the Craft , and form a very low estimate of the Masonic principles and the benevolence of you , my brethren , whom I have the honour of addressing , if I thought it necessary upon the present occasion to read you an ) ' lecture upon the necessity of supporting Masonic Institutions . I have the pleasure of seeing not very far from mc this evening , the active , energetic Secretary of the

Masonic Boys' School , whom I have known for many years . That acquaintance , I hope , may last very long . The Secretary of the Masonic Benevolent Institution , I am informed , is not here present . It is not my mission here to draw any invidious comparisons between any of our Masonic Charities . I believe that the Craft , true to its principles and its charity , arc giving an equal and energetic support to all , and I shall therefore , brethren , trespass no

further upon your patience than by asking you to drink this toast , and I couple with it the name of my Bro . Binckes , the Secretary of the Masonic Boys' School . Bro . BINCKES , who was received with loud cheers , said : Right Worshipful Brother , presiding officer here this evening from the Province of Gloucestershire , Bro . Maxwell Close , and brethren generally , I assure you I feel it a very hig h honour to stand here once more at a very successful gathering on behalf of one festival of our great Masonic Institutions to

return thanks for wishes so kindly expressed towards the success of the other Institutions , and I do not hesitate to state that from the lips of no brother in the world could those kindly sentiments have fallen more acceptably to myself than from those of our distinguished Brother Maxwell Close , associated as he is with both the hig hest interests of Masonry in this country and in the sister country of Ireland ; one whom I have known during a

great number of years to admire and respect , and for whom personally I have a large amount of regard , not the less intensified on account of the knowledge I have of the deep interest he takes in the success of all our great Masonic Institutions in this country . ( Hear , hear . ) My earlier words must , of course , be of congratulation to-nig ht on the success which has attended this srreat and influential gathering . ( Hear , hear . ) Let it be

distinctly understood that there ought not to be , there is not , and there cannot be anything in the shape of hostile feeling of one Institution to another as regards the success of cither one of these great annual celebrations . We are all doing the best wc can , and always , I hope , shall continue to do as we have done in the past for the promotion of that individual Institution with which our interests are most closely identified . But at the same time

I hope we have all hearts large enough to indulge in the most cordial feelings of congratulation on the success attending each or all of them as they come round year by year . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) Having said that much , sir , and said how pleased 1 am at the success of the evening , and looking at the festival of the Girls' this evening and the Benevolent Institution of February last as things past , my name being associated

with the toast , I may try to stimulate your sympathies towards the last festival which will be celebrated on the 29 th of June next . But before I leave this subject , do let me indulge in a hope , and I trust by your approval I shall not feel anything in the shape of disappointment , that by the assistance rendered to you in the shape of harmony and melody by the pupils ' band of the Boys' School , some little charm has been given this evening in

connection with your proceedings ( hear , hear ) , and that the delight that 1 am perfectly sure you must have experienced with those melodious and harmonious strains , will attune your hearts to somewhat sympathy towards those whom we have so well educated and trained for your enjoyment , or any enjoyment of brother Masons wherever their services can be made available . ( Hear , hear . ) With reference to the Festival of the Boys '

School , brethren , it is very well known that a few 3-cars ago we departed from the ordinary course of celebration , and went a little way into the country for the purpose of affording ladies an opportunity of partaking of the festivals at the same tables with the brethren , and that course has been pursued for the last six years . I am violating no confidence—in fact I wish to make it as widel y known as possible , that we arc making a startling piece of

innovation on that path of inroad . We have taken you , as you arc aware , some seven miles to the north of London , and occasionally seven miles to the south ; we now propose to take you , on the 29 th of June , 50 miles southward , lo the healthy shores of Brighton . Our hope is that arrangements there will be made of a very satisfactory nature , that will add to your enjoyment and the ladies you will bring with you , and the expense will be no more—it is from

no sordid motive that we shall so provide for you—that you will have every enjoyment in the world for yourselves and the ladies with you ; and I do not fail to express the very warm and sanguine hope that on the sea-shore there you will find on the Pactolean sands that we shall derive a large amount of that pecuniary support wc so much need and so eminently deserve , that from the invitroratinsr ozone you will breathe in that delightful watering place you

will not only find yourselves induced and enabled but thoroughly justified in extending a far larger amount of material support than ever yet has been rendered lo that which I , without any hesitation , place before you this evening—without wishing to draw any invidious comparison—as the most deserving of all our Masonic Institutions , the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . ( Hear , hear , and cheers ) .

The Rev . C . J . MARTYN , P . G . C . : At this very late time of the evening I am quite sure that you will be glad to hear but a very few words from me after the last eloquent speech of our Bro . Binckes . The toast which I have to give you is "The Health of the Stewards of the Day , " coupled with the name of Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . Deacon . I am quite sure that in asking you to thank the Stewards to-day for their services , 1 am only asking

you to do that which will be most agreeable to you . Certainly I have the honour of being a Steward myself ; but I am sure of one thing , if any of you feel thankful lo the Stewards for their services , I feel still more thankful that I stand here a Steward who has done nothing , and therefore I am glad to acknowledge the kindness of those who have taken the burden and heat of the day off my hands . I am proud lo say my province has come out well , and everything else I have to thank the Stewards for most heartily .

There areone or two points I should like to supplement , and that is with regard to the Chairman ' s own province—a province which is indeed dear to me , since it was in that province , many , many years ago , that 1 received the distinguished collar ol Provincial Grand Junior Warden , and , therefore , if for nothing else but that , that will make me love Gloucestershire with all my heart . When I came here this evening , I was told the Gloucestershire brethren had raised / , 840 . I could imagine that , when there are onl y 578

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Masons in the whole province , ^ 40 was a wonderful subscri ption ; it was £ 1 gs . a head for every Mason in the province ; but I was told an old friend of mine , Bro . Gwinnett , had , by that persuasive manner he knows so well how to use , and I suppose by a large draught on his own particular cheque , made it ^ ' Sjo . Another whisper came that man and man they were raising the amount to £ 1000 —( cheers)—and judge of my delight when I heard

£ 1000 announced . ( Renewed cheers . ) That is £ 2 , a head . ( Hear , hear . ) I want you to carry out this maxim , which , as a clergyman , it is my dutv to preach . Remember the words of the Master , " Go and do thou likewise . " Remember very often wc are called upon to advocate the claims of the Masonic Charities . We may think we have done everything wc can ; but

remember the Province of Gloucestershire , brethren , which would not be content with ^ 840 , but made it up £ 1000 . ( Great cheering . ) Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON responded , and said that in all the Stewards had done they had performed a labour of love . The Rev . C . W . SI ' ENCER STANHOPE , G . Chaplain , proposed " The Ladies . "

Bro . BARON DE FERRIERES responded ; and the company then adjourned to the Temple , where a concert was given , under the direction of Madame Thaddeus Well ? , assisted by the following distinguished artistes . Miss Jose Sherrington , Miss S . M . Salmon ( pupil of Madame Wells ) , Miss Ruby

Rosse , Madame Osborne Williams , and Madame Thaddeus Wells ; Mr . William Shakespeare , Bro . Arthur Thomas , Mr . Picrpoint , R . A . M ., and Bro . Chaplin Henry . Solo pianoforte , Bro . Henry Parker , P . G . O . ; conductors , Bro . Henry Parker and Bro . P . li . Van Noordcn . At the dinner Bro . Hayho was toastmaster .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

On Tuesday the Stewards paid their annual visit to the School at Batlersea Rise , in connection with the ninety-third anniversary festival , held on the following day . Each occasion of this annual visit appears to have a fresh interest for those old Masons whose faces arc to be seen there year aftcr year , and also for the visitors , whether belonging to the Craft or not . And we are not surprised at this sustained interest , because all the arrangements indicate that those who have the responsibility of the management lose no

opportunity of making everything connected with the establishment as perfect as possible ; and , besides , it is p leasant to see , as the result of the exertions of the Craft in this branch of its usefulness , so many bri ght faces of healthy and happy children , and to witness the happy effects , " physical , mental , and social , ol the educational training these children arc undergoing . It is pleasant also to observe what anxiety there is , not only on the part of

the Institution itself , but also on the part of the Institution ' s special friends , to encourage the scholars by the offer of prizes for proficiency . There were this year thirty-nine prizes given by the Institution , and thirty others given b 3 ' individuals , in addition to which there were four " memorial " prizes , and one by a special body—the Grand Council of the 33 rd Degree , making a total of seventy-four prizes .

Bro . the Right Hon . Sir Michael K . Hicks Beach , Bart ., M . P ., was President of the proceedings , which commenced with an entertainment of musical and elocutionary performances , the former principally instrumental music , performed upon six pianos , played upon by from twelve to thirty-six hands at a time . These performances reflected very great credit both on the young ladies themselves and also on their instructors , and for the most part were played with great precision and skill .

The elocutionary performances were also very good—two in particular ; Victor Hugo ' s " Moise sur le Nil , " b y Miss lidwina Russell Jones , and Mrs . Gatty ' s " Lesson of Faith , " the reading of which b y Miss Fanny Ashby was executed in excellent tnste and gave us the greatest pleasure . At the conclusion of this portion of the entertainment , the prizes were awarded b ) ' the President as follows :

Kdith Ann Wilson , the gold medal for efficiency , given annually by Bro . William Paas , with £ 5 given annually by Bro . William Winn . Fanny Ashby , the silver medal for good conduct , given annually by the Institution , with £ 5 given annually by Bro . William Winn . Kdwina Russell Jones and Alice Mary Newboult , each a part of £ 5 f ° proficiency , given annually by Bro . William Winn . PRIZES GIVEN ANNUALLY BY TIIE INSTITUTION : —Passing Senior Cambridge Examination : Helena Meacock and Florence C . Faithfull . Passing in honours

Cambridge Examination : Kdith Ann Wilson , Kdwina Russell Jones , and Alice Mary Newboult . Passing Cambridge Examination : Fanny Ashby , Kthel Hinson , Margaret W . Allison , Maria English , Minnie K . Cowley , and Charlotte Coleman . Perseverance and general proficiency—1 st Class : Ida Mary Bryant . Writing and drawing : Georgina Kate Daly . Needlework : Ida Mary Bryant , MinRie Phillips , Colina Sharp , and Matilda Mary Hothersall , Machine work : Fanny Craig , Alice Boyd , and Kate Boyd . General usefulness : Florence C . Faithfull and Alice A . Wiseman . Neatness in household duties Kate Isabel Mills . Personal neatness : Josephine Amelia I Ierlan . Order and attention :

Meta Bell Brasier , and Edith Maud Potts . Class II : Mabel Elizabeth Sanford , general proficiency ; Emma Klizabeth Tipper , general improvement ; Ada Hartley Healey , perseverance ; Annie Eliza Scott , perseverance ; Agnes Florence Rowley , drawing ; Florence M . G . Moore , drawing . Class III : Clara Kingcombe , general proficiency ; Alice Warburton Cecil , general improvement ; Beatrice Helena Fudge , perseverance . Class IV : Julia Maud Harvey , general proficiency ; Cecily Sara Jardine , perseverance ; Gertiudc Annie Daly , perseverance . Class V : Catherine Frances Hide , general proficiency .

By Bro . Joshua Nunn , for fancy work : Emily S . I releaven and Mary A . Johnson . By Bro . the Rev . P . II . K . Brette , D . D ., for French : Kdwina Russell Jones . By Mrs . Crick , for elocution : Fanny Ashby , Beatrice A . F . Newman , and Eveline E . Pelham . B y Bro . John M . Clabon , for religious knowledge ( as distinguished at the Cambiidge Examination ) : Kdith A . Wilson , and Kdwina Russell Jones . By Bro . Collard Moutrie , for Music : Ada I luyshc Clasc . By Bro . and Mrs . Louis Hirsch , for Music : Sarah Lissie Bellamy , and Fanny E . Lanin ^ ton . The St . lames

" Yates " Memorial Prize ( per St . James' Lodge , No . 4 S 2 ) , for proficiency in domestic duties ( cookery ) : Alice Ann Wiseman . The Supreme Grand Council of the 33 rd Degree , for good conduct : Margaret Whitworth Allison . By Bro . John Faulkner : Mary Louisa Bowler , physical geography ; Kthel Hinson , cookery . By Mrs . Edgar Bowyer , for needlework : Maria Knglish . The " Wentworth Little" Memorial Prize for Music : Laura S . Stransom , Violet II . Lang , and Mary A . Johnson . The " John

Boyd" Memorial Prize for Drawing : Minnie K . Cowley , Alice M . Newboult , and Kliza K . Daly . By Friends of the late Bro . James BIyth , for calisthenics and deportment : Isabella Douglas , and ( among the little girls ) Adelaide M . Brunskill . By Bro . Alderman Sir Francis Wyatt Truscott and Lady Truscott : Ethel Hinson , music ; Agnes Kate Chapman , physiography ; Mary C . A . Sargant , physiography ; Florence Rose Sargant , magnetism and electricity ; Kmily S . Treleavcn , cookery .

When the prizes had been distributed , the PRESIDENT rose and said that it was usual on these occasions for the Chairman to address a few words to the scholars and to the meeting . In the first place , he was sure the meeting would wish him to express their united acknowledgments to those who had the management of the School for the interesting entertainment given b y the pupils . He was not a very great judge of music himself , and in the presence of so many ladies he should hesitate to commit himself to criticism , but . what he had heard had given him a great deal of pleasure , and he thought from the welcome the pieces received at the hands of the audience that they