The Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ever we have an opportunity of welcoming our Royal brothers among us ; and these noble brethren do not hold their offices merely as a matter of honour ; they do their duty full ) ' in the offices which the )' hold . You all remember how the illustrious Duke , the Duke of Connaught , was initiated in Masonry in the year 1874 , in the Prince of Wales ' s Lodge ;; how his first appearance at any large

gathering of Masons was on the ever-memorable occasion when his Royal brother was installed at the great meeting at the Albert Hall as Grand Master of England . After that he filled the office of Senior Grand Warden of England , when one of those to whom I ventured to allude just now was acting as Junior Grand Warden at the time ( the late Duke of Albany ) , and after that he went to a high command in India , and he did not leave

his Masonry behind him , for he took the onerous duties there of the District Grand Master of Bombay , and took part in that great Dependency of her Majesty ' s Dominions . In my position of Deputy Grand Master , I have to sign warrants for new lodges , and during the last two years I have signed several warrants for lodges in India , which I have no doubt were originated in consequence of the movement given to Freemasonry in our great Empire

by our Royal Chairman . On one occasion the influence of Masonry was most remarkably exhibited , when at a large dinner members of all religions —Mahomedans , Hindoos , Parsees , and Englishmen—all sat down for the first time in the history of the world , perhaps , at one table . ( Cheers . ) But his Royal Hi g hness has especially associated himself with the great Charitable Institutions , one of which we are met together

to support to-day . ( Cheers . ) You will remember that this is not the first time that his Ro ) -al Highness has presided at one of your Festivals , and he is not alone in his interest in this Institution . You will all have read with p leasure the account of the distribution of prizes on Monday last at our Girls' School , when the daughters of our brethren were made happy at receiving their prizes—prizes the value of which was doubled by being so

received at the hands of the gracious lady who shares the Duke of Connaught ' s honours and his position in the regard of all his fellow countrymen . If there is one thing that I regret more than another it is that I was unable to be there . As his Royal Highness knows I was on duty elsewhere . Every one must regret that the illustrious Princess who was then at the Institution is not able to be present now , so that we who were not there to welcome her

when she performed her gracious duty in presenting the prizes might give her a warm welcome . ( Hear , hear . ) But I am sure you will think of her when you drink this toast , and give it a double meed of cordiality while drinking " The Health of our Illustrious Chairman , the Duke of Connaught , Past Grand Master , Provincial Grand Master of Sussex , District Grand Master of Bombay , the Chairman of to-day . " The toast having been most heartily received ,

The Duke of CONNAUGHT , replying , said : Brethren , I am deeply indebted to Bro . Lord Mount Edgcumbe for the kind and flattering terms in which he has proposed this toast . It is always a satisfaction to one holding high position to feel that on an occasion where he is able to appear in the chair on similar festive occasions he is met with such a kind and cordial reception as you are giving me this evening . Lord Mount Edgcumbe has

only too kindly referred to my services to Freemasonry . It has been a great advantage to myself , having served in different offices in this country , that I was also able to extend those services to a country with which we are so closel y united . ( Hear , hear . ) Brethren , I think that in the Province of Bombay we have a large field for Masonic enterprise , and I am happy to think that from the time I was appointed District Grand Master the work

of Freemasonry has gone on extending surely and steadily . ( Cheers . ) As Provincial Grand Master of Sussex I am deeply indebted to the brethren of that province for the warm support they give me on every occasion , which is particularly evident this evening , as I see before me a large number of my brethren from Sussex , who have come here at great inconvenience to themselves to support my Chairmanship . I hope you will allow me , brethren of Sussex , to thank you most cordially for the manner you have responded to

the requests made to support me this evening . The large attendance of brethren here to-night is a great satisfaction to myself as your Chairman , and I feel certain that throughout the Craft it will be gratefully felt that many brethren have come from distant provinces to support one who has the honour of being your Chairman to-night . Brethren , without taking up more of your time , I will thank you most cordially and most fraternally for the kind manner in which you have received me this evening . ( Cheers . )

The Duke of CONNAUGHT next said : Brethren , I now give you the toast of the evening— " Success to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . " ( Cheers . ) Brethren , this Institution , as you arc many of you aware , was started some 104 years ago b y the distinguished Brother Chevalier Bartholomew Ruspini , Surgeon Dentist to his Majesty George the Fourth , then Prince of Wales . It was in the year 1788 or 1780 that the Institution first look definite

shape , and the first 20 girls wereadmitted to the Institution . Since that time the Masonic Institution for Girls has gone on increasing steadily , and we have now there the large number of 26 3 girls in the School . ( Hear , hear . ) Since its foundation no less than 1674 girls have been provided for . ( Hear , hear . ) Figures like these speak for themselves , and it must be a satisfaction to those who have subscribed so largely to and helped so generously

this Institution to feel that our work is doing such a vast amount of good , and that we arc able to help many of eour poorer Masons in getting a most excellent and a most admirable education at the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . ( Cheers . ) The Centenary of the Institution was celebrated in 1888 , under the presidency of m ) brother , our Most Worshipful ' Grand Master . L unfortunately , myself was not in England ,

otherwise 1 should certainly have been present ; but the wonderful result of the great meeting no doubt will be remembered by many of you , and the large sum of £ " 51 , 500 was subscribed on that occasion . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) It was one of the largest and most magnificent results of any festival ever held in this country . ( Hear , hear . ) I am aware that the Festival so recently held , namely , ( he Jubilee Festival of the Royal

Masonic Benevolent Institution , under the presidency of Lord Mount Edgcumbe , exceeded this amount , but with this solitary exception , I believe it was the largest subscription ever obtained . ( Hear , hear . ) The buildings extending the School consequent on that large subscription are now completed , and perhaps many of you have seen that magnificent new hall -the Alexandra Hall . In appearance , in acoustic properties , in decoration , it is

all that could be desired , and 1 am sure that your Institution should be proud of possessing so handsome a hall . ( Hear , hear . ) This hall was opened by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , who was accompanied by her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales and the two Princesses , and I believe the occasion was one which will be long remembered by brethren who had the benefit of being present . ( Cheers . ) The girls after their election , as you are aware , are admitted to the lower school and then drafted to the

The Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

senior school , where they remain until they attain the age of 16 . The education received by the girls is of a most practical and thorough character and I would just mention one or two points to show you that not even t )) e smallest detail that could hereafter be of use to these g irls on leaving the Institution is neglected . The girls receive a thorough English education including type-writing'and shorthand are quite recent additions , but lam

quite sure every one will recognise the wisdom of adding these to the curriculum . The girls arc employed in turns in all the domestic duties of the house , and great pains arc taken to render them skilful in plain needlework . The girls are instructed in plain cookery by a lady , an ex-pupil , holding a first class certificate from South Kensington . ( Hear , hear . ) Swimming- ; included in the course of instruction ; calisthenic exercises are taught ; so

that you will see the mind and the body alike are carefully instructed and prepared . The result of the examination is as follows , and it so satisfactory a result that I claim your indulgence while I read it . At the Cambridge Local Examinations 1891-92 15 competed , 13 passed , four taking honours ; seven distinguished in religious knowledge and one distinguished in music . At the College of Preceptors , 1891-92 , 38 competed and 36 passed .

( Applause . ) In mathematics in 1 S 91- 27 competed and all passed . ( Renewed applause . ) Brethren , dry as these figures are in a dinner speech still they are so important and speak so thoroughly for themselves that 1 have risked boring you by mentioning them in their fullest detail . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , it is for an Institution of this kind , of which I have described to you its many advantages , that I am now appealing to you . I regret

to have to announce that both last festivals did not produce the success that was expected ; but let us hope that on this occasion we may be entirel y satisfied with the results . I am aware that many of the brethren have supported the Benevolent Institution , which no doubt is a most admirable one , and well worthy of ever ) - support ; but at the same time I hope that they have still got a little left for "Our Girls . " ( Cheers and hear , hear . ) We

all know how much in the future depends on the good and careful instruction of those who are going out into the world as teachers , as wives , and , we hope , as mothers . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , it is for them that I appeal to you , and I am aware that the great precept of our Craft—namely , Charity—is ever present to the mind of all Masons . I feel , therefore , that in appealing to you I shall not appeal to deaf ears , but that all in the very large

assembly I see here to-night will each in their small way , and I trust many in their large way , assist this excellent Institution in the manner wc all wish . It will be a satisfaction to myself , as your Chairman this evening , if I know that the result of my having taken the chair has been that a very large sum , or a very good sum , has been handed in . It is an Institution which I am sure you are all

most proud of , and you have every reason to be so . I know if some of you were present with me on Monday at the distribution of prizes , and you heard the recitations and music by those charming girls , you would have indeed been satisfied , for it was excellent in every respect , and above all would you have been pleased with the very healthy and charming appearance they all exhibited . ( Applause ) . You may rest

assured , brethren , that your efforts will be well supported , for you have a most excellent and careful staff . ( Hear , hear . ) From what I have seen , and from what I have heard , I cannot speak too highly of the Matron , and the different Instructresses , and the Secretary , and all those connected with this Institution . ( Hear , hear . ) Their duties are most arduous , but they appear to me to have carried them out to the full ; and in giving " Success to this

Institution I would wish at the same time to record my exp .-ession of lively satisfaction with the admirable manner in which the Royal Masonic Institute for Girls is conducted . ( Cheers . ) Long may it prosper and flourish , and may ils good work extend in the future as it has in the past . ( Cheers . ) In proposing this toast I have great p leasure in coupling with it the name of the Treasurer , Bro . Henry Smith , one of the Vice-Patrons , whom 1 will ask to respond .

Bro . HENRY SMITH , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . West Yorkshire , in response , said : My Lords and Brethren , I rise with very great pleasure to respond to the toast so ably put by our Royal Chairman . On no previous occasion have I heard the claims of the Institution more ably proposed than they have been this evening . ( Hear , hear . ) The few observations which I feci it my duty to make have been rather trenched upon by his Royal Highness ,

but at the same time I will not detain you more than a few minutes by expressing the many thanks we owe to the brethren for promoting the cause . Your Royal Highness and brethren , as Treasurer of this Institution it fails to my lot " to say a few words . At our Centenary Festival in 1888 when his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales presided , the then unprecedented sum of . £ 51 , 500 was announced . We could not expect otherwise than at one

or two subsequent Festivals there would be a serious reduction . Well , in 1891 a great effort was made on behalf of the Boys' School , then in great need of funds , and we all rejojeed that a sum of nearly £ 30 , 000 was subscribed . That year our Festival was again disappointing , scarcely reaching £ 9000 , not sufficient to meet our current expenses . This year the Old People ' s Festival has indeed been a bumper—to date , I urn

told , . £ 67 , 000 has been subscribed by the 1500 Stewards and friends . Notwithstanding all these wonderful subscriptions to the sister Institutions tending to diminish the How of donations to the Girls' School , I venture to hope and sincerely trust that our Secretary has a cheering announcement 1 ° make to us as the result of the exertions of our 301 Stewards , to whonj 1 wc are so deeply indebted , proving that our Girls'School has lost none of it " to

popularity . We know well , brethren , that no words of mine are needed enhance the feeling of your appreciation of this Institution . The work « e had to do has been in tact already accomplished , but I trust that if it slwu ' happen we want more support , it will be forthcoming for the present yC ' ' | r-I thank you most cordially for your kindness , and I hope our success nw ) be continued . Our Secretary will now read the lists . Bro . HI' . DGES , P . G . S . B ., Sec , then read the following

STEWARDS' LISTS . H . R . H . The Duke of Connaught antl Stiathearn , K . G ., & c , Chairman ... k 2 ( l ' „ The Kight Hon . 'lhe Karl of Mount iidgcumbe , 0 '" „ Sir Wm . Clarke '" -o ( . LONDON . A s ' , ' ,

Housic COMMIT ! KK . £ s . d . Bro . Colonel James Peters ... " > 0 liro . Ralph Clutton ui ^ o > . ' ' ' rank Kichardson •¦• '¦' „ Thomas t'enn y > 1 ; o » Sir Joseph Savory , Bait . „ Kulout Grey 1111 17 e > » Henry Smith ( see also W . „ „ Chatles Hammerton ... 126 u o Yorkshire ) 11 . A . Hunt 73 10 o Lodge f 0

„ . , „ ,. V .. Letchworth ? fi 15 0 1 Uro . John Dimsdale •> 3 0 „ I ' , de Lande Long ... , ino 10 2 ,, l ' red . N . C . Proptrt - ( l 0 „ J . H . Matthews 3 (> 15 o 3 „ Samuel Cochrane - .. . 1 0 „ Sir John U . Monckton ... 1 OS o 10 4 „ Albert J . Venn , M . i- >< - „ , 0 „ James Moon 10 10 0 5 ,, Col . J . Copley Wray -