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Article SWEDISH FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS. Page 1 of 2 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Swedish Freemasonry.
SWEDISH FREEMASONRY .
V . W . Bro . the Rev . R . P . Bent , P . G . C . both of the Craft and of the Mark , is well known to be also of high standing in the Grand Lodge of Sweden , in which country he resided for some time as English Chaplain at Gothenburg . When he resigned that post a few years ago , he held the Ninth Degree of the Swedish system , which has but 10 degrees in all . No one can have the Tenth Degree unless appointed to it by the King , who is
Grand Master of the'Order . Our rev . brother recently received notice of his being " nominated " by his Majesty to the honours of the Tenth Degree , and he went over to Sweden on purpose to receive them . They were conferred upon him by the King himself in the grand Masonic Temple in Stockholm on Saturday , the 3 rd inst . Bro . Bent is the first and only Englishman— except our own Grand Master , the Prince of Wales—who has
ever attained such high rank in Swedish Masonry . Bro . Bent was the bearer of a handsomely-bound copy of the " Chronological Record of St . Mary ' s Lodge , No . 63 ; with a series of Addresses on German Freemasonry ; bv V . W . Bro . Dr . Wendt , G . Sec . for Ger . Cor ., " for presentation to the ' King ; and we understand that his Majesty was graciously
pleased to accept this book as a present from the author of the " Addresses , who had been presented to him when he was in England . We may mention that in the first " Address " there is a very high compliment paid by the Crown Prince of Germany to the " most gracious and wise Master of the Order of the Ninth Province , the King of Sweden and Norway , " and that the second " Address ' contains a descriptive list of the ten degrees of the Swedish system .
Board Of Benevolence.
BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .
The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Senior Vice-President , occupied the chair ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , occupied the Senior Vice-President's chair ; and Bro . F . Davison , G . D ., took the chair of the Junior Vice-President . There were also present Bros . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; H . G . Buss , Asst . G . Sec . ; and a number of other brethren .
The General Committee of Management was first held , at which the business to be transacted in Grand I . odge of the 4 th June was submitted . At the Board of Benevolence the brethren first confirmed grants recommended at the April meeting to the amount of £ 235 . The new list contained the names of 38 petitioners . During a sitting of more than
four hours , 33 of the petitioners were relieved with a total sum of £ 1075 . This was made up of two grants of £ 150 each ( £ 300 ); one of ^ ioa ( £ 100 ); one of £ 75 ( £ 75 ) ; six of £ 50 each ( 300 ); one of £ 40 ( £ 40 ); one « f £ 35 ( £ 35 ) ; hve of £ 30 each ( £ 150 ); one of £ 25 (/ , 2 s ); five of £ 20 each ( £ 100 ); one of £ 15 ( £ 15 ); seven of £ 10 each ( £ 70 ); and five of A each ( £ 25 ) .
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL . The Ninety-sixth Anniversary Festival of this Institution was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Tavern . The Right Hon . Lord Brooke , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master for Essex , presided . There were some 400 brethren present , besides a large company of ladies , amongst the brethren present being Bros . R . 1 . Finnemore . D . G . M . Natal ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chap . ; Horace Brooks Marshall . G . Treas .: Col . I . Creaton , P . G . Treas . ; l \ A . Philbrick , G . Reg .,
D . G . M . Essex , President of Board of Stewards ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; E . Letchworth , G . D . ; Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; J . A . RuckerJ P . G . D . ; Robt . Grey , P . G . D .-s Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Griffiths Smith , G . A . D . C ; John Messcnt , P . G . S . B . ; Col . Peters , P . G . S . B . ; Jas . H . Matthias , G . Std . Br . ; Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . ; VV . Burdett-Coutts . VV . M . 2030 , Treasurer of Board of Stewards ; C . Hammerton , Chairman of Board of Stewards ; R .
J . Railing , Prov . G . Sec . Essex ; Alderman Savory , Herbert Dicketts , I . Falkncr , Fredk . Binckes , Sec . R . M . Boys' School ; ] as . Terry . Sec . R . M . Benevolent Institution ; F . R . VV . Hcdjres , Sec . of the Institution ; Rev . Dr . Morris . LL . D ., Henry Smith , Prov . G . Sec . West Yorkshire ; A . Lucking , Richard Clowes , VV . M . 650 , Prov . G . S . W . Essex ; R . Vassar Vassar-Smith , Prov . G . J . W . Gloucestershire ; Henry C . Caseley , 114 , P . P . G . W . Suffolk ; Rev . F . II . Shepperd , P . M . 1543 , P . P . G . W . Essex : VV . H .
B . Tomlinson , J . P ., P . M . 154 , P . P . G . W . VV . Yorks ; Rev . J . Marsden , f . l ' . U . t-hap . S . Wales ( W . Div . ) ; D . P . Cama , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., Vice-Pres . ; A . McDowall , l . P . M . info , P . P . G . D . C . Berks and Bucks ; Clement Tudway , P . M . 592 , P . P . G . D . C . Gloucestershire ; W . F . Smithson , P . M . tool , P . P . G . D . C . VV . Yorks ; Robert Berridge , F . R . G . S ., P . G . Stwd ., Vice-Pres . ; James R . Cassell , P . M . 4 O . P . G . Stwd . ; VV . Cunnincham . Glen . 107 . P . G . Stwd . ; F . Sumner' Knyvett , P . M . 1494 , P . G . Stwd .,
Vice-Patron ; John Mason , P . P . G . D . Middx ., Vice-Pres . ; E . C . Mather . Vice-Patron ; E . G . Harwood , Mayor of Bolton ; and Samuel Bland , High Sheriff of Gloucester . After the clpth had been removed the usual toasts were proposed . The CHAIRMAN in giving the toast of "The Queen , the Most Gracious Patroness of this Institution , " said it was needless for him to dilate at length on that toast . In no place had her Majesty a more affectionate reception than in the heart of every Freemason in the country . The Queen
' had made herself beloved during a long and prosperous reign by those personal qualities , both private and public , whicn should endear her to the nation . When they all had to regret the loss of one of the beloved Freemasons ( the Duke of Albany ) the heart of every Freemason in the country ' went' forth in the deepest sympathy with her Majesty the Queen . In giving the toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Princess of
Wales , and the other Members of the Royal Family , the CHAIRMAN said after alluding to his Royal Highness ' s admirable discharge of- his Masonic duties that he had lately suffered , with the rest of the Masonic body , a great loss in the death of the late lamented Duke of Albany . It was naturally a painful subject to allude to and particularly ' so to himself ( Lord Brooke ) for his earliest recollections of Freemasonry \ yere connected
with the Duke of Albany , in whose presence he had the honour of being initiated in an Oxford Lodge , and he also had the honour , as many of the Essex brethren could testify , of being installed as Provincial Grand Master of Essex by his Royal . Highness . It was a great pleasure to his Royal Highness to go down amongst the brethren of Essex , and he had requested him ( Lord Brooke ) on many occasions to assure the brethren of Essex of his
great pleasure at the cordial reception extended to him by them . With regard to the Princess of Wales , she had made herself beloved throughout the kingdom by her charming manner and every attribute which became a high-born lady . From the moment she set her foot on English ground she found a warm corner in the heart of every Freemason . The CHAIRMAN next gave "The Earl of Carnarvon , the Earl of Lathom , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . "
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
The Rev . R . J . SIMPSON , P . G . C , said in reply that if any of the brethren present had had the privilege and pleasure that he had at Peterboro ' of seeing Lord Carnarvon perform the ceremony there on behalf of the Prince of Wales , he was sure that they would say that his lordship was an ' ornament to Freemasonry . There was a scene far superior ' to the present
at the meeting at the Girls' School on Monday -last , when they not only saw the results of Freemasonry in the glorious and beautiful assemblage of children , but also heard from the lips of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts words of such eloquence and wisdom as he ventured to say had seldom been heard in any Masonic assembly .
Bro . FINNEMORE , Dist . G . M . ol Natal , in proposing "The Health of the Chairman , " said although he had been but a short time in England , he had seen sufficient to know that this toast was well worthy of the brethrens' favourable , reception . From what his lordship had said he could see that a melancholy interest attached to his installation as Prov . Grand Master for Essex , by the late Duke of Albany . Thedeath of His Royal Highness was deeply deplored by all , and one of the last injunctions impressed upon
him ( Bro . Finnimore ) before leaving Natal , was to convey the heartiest expressions of the regret and sympathy of the Natal brethren to the brethren here . Helwished to say how much he appreciated the kind sympathy he had received from the brethren here , and how pleased he was to see so distinguished a gathering that evening . He would like to say many other things , but time was short , and while thanking the brethren very much for their reception of himself , he would propose "The Health of the Chairman , Lord Brooke . "
The CHAIRMAN in reply said that many as the occasions were on which he had a kindly Masonic welcome he had never had a more cordial one than he had that evening . He thanked the brethren of Essex for the k'ind manner in which they had supported him , and his Deputy , Bro . Philbrick . This was only one of their many acts of kind feeling and friendship towards him which they were always ready to shew him . He felt that the result of the
evening would be a great pecuniary success and it would be greatly due to the efforts of the brethren of his province . The ' CHAIRMAN in proposing the toast of the evening , "Success to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , " said the object was of course one which was uppermost in the minds of the brethren on that occasion . They had all he trusted in various ways been striving to do to the best of their
ability all they could to promote the success of the Institution of which he was speaking . It had usually been the custom for those who were about to take the chair to attend the meeting previously held for the purpose of giving away the prizes to the girls ; but another engagement prevented his doing so . The thanks of all the brethren were , however , due to the excellent lady , the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , who on Monday went to Battcrsea
Rise and distributed the prizes to the girls who had won them at this Institution . It was only one of the many acts of kindness which that eminent lad y had performed . during her exceedingly able career , a career which hadf been of so much benefit not only to the City of London , but to the whole country . If he might be allowed without troubling the brethren too much , he would read an extract from a letter
which the Baroness had written to Bro . Hedges , the Secretary , in which she said : " I am glad to have again an opportunity of thanking the Committee for the personal pleasure of Monday , which will not be effaced readily from my memory . I saw the signs of very important and very useful national work an'd example which you are carrying out at the Masonic Girls' School . " These sentiments ol the baroness , so admirably
expressed , he was sure were shared in by every one in that room . They had most of them probably attended there on a similar occasion before , and therefore he would not detain them at great length in describing the various merits of the Institution ; but he would like , first of all , to recall their memories to the fact that the Institution was founded in 1788 , and that during the course of the School since its establishment 1350 girls had been
educated , maintained , and clothed within it from the age ot 8 to the age of 16 . They received a sound English education , and were most worthily and excellently prepared for the various duties which might fall to their lot in future life . Although he thought it was right they should be brought fully up to the refinements of education , still , for the position of those girls who attended the School , he thought it was necessary that they should be fitted so
far as possible for the life which was before them . If they would allow him to say also , he thought that there was further testimony to the excellence of the school in the fact that 19 girls went up to the University examination and they all passed successfully , nine others with honours . There was also another important fact that the teachers of the school were every one of them , with the exception of the head mistress , girls who had
been educated in the Institution . It appeared to him to be a most excellent practice , because naturally having been there a great portion of their lives they must know better than any other person what the requirements of the Institution were and would be able to impress on those who went there the great advantages which they themselves had obtained . Most heartily he wished prosperity to the school / a prosperity which he thought was assured from
the fact that at this moment there were 239 girls enjoying- the benefits of the Institution . He was aware that the cause of the Institution had been advocated by many much more able men than he . The brethren had seen in that chair illustrious men , men who had made their mark in the country , as well as members of the Royal Family . He therefore felt that it was an honour to preside on that occasion , and he could only trust most heartily that this
occasion might be one of pecuniary success to the School , and that when the Secretary announced the figures they might be proud of what had been done . He thought the | brethren would like to know that the next festival of the Boys ' School will be presided over by the Lord Mayor , a most popular man , who , notwithstanding his many engagements , had been able to find time to take the chair of the Boys' School on the 28 th June . For himself he wished the
Institution every success on that occasion . He pointed to this to show what Freemasonry could do . ' When they ^ were asked by the uninitiated what was the use of Freemasonry , he thought they might point to the manner in which its great Institutions had been so admirably sustained for many years . Col . CREATON , Past Grand Treasurer , and Treasurer of the Institution , responded , and thanked Lord Brooke for taking the chair that evening . Bro . HEDGES , the Secretary , then read the list of subscriptions ;
The CHAIRMAN next proposed "The Sister Institutions , and said he could not but thank the Stewards , and , first of all , those of his own province —which was not a rich province—for the very kind , hearty , and cordial mannerin which they had worked to support him on this occasion . It must be gratifying to all the Stewards who had put their shoulders to the wheel in ¦ bringing up £ 13 , 000 . Every one knew the times were hard > but he sincerely trusted they would be better for every one . It was a fine thing to feel that the great Charitable Institutions of the country , whenever there was
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Swedish Freemasonry.
SWEDISH FREEMASONRY .
V . W . Bro . the Rev . R . P . Bent , P . G . C . both of the Craft and of the Mark , is well known to be also of high standing in the Grand Lodge of Sweden , in which country he resided for some time as English Chaplain at Gothenburg . When he resigned that post a few years ago , he held the Ninth Degree of the Swedish system , which has but 10 degrees in all . No one can have the Tenth Degree unless appointed to it by the King , who is
Grand Master of the'Order . Our rev . brother recently received notice of his being " nominated " by his Majesty to the honours of the Tenth Degree , and he went over to Sweden on purpose to receive them . They were conferred upon him by the King himself in the grand Masonic Temple in Stockholm on Saturday , the 3 rd inst . Bro . Bent is the first and only Englishman— except our own Grand Master , the Prince of Wales—who has
ever attained such high rank in Swedish Masonry . Bro . Bent was the bearer of a handsomely-bound copy of the " Chronological Record of St . Mary ' s Lodge , No . 63 ; with a series of Addresses on German Freemasonry ; bv V . W . Bro . Dr . Wendt , G . Sec . for Ger . Cor ., " for presentation to the ' King ; and we understand that his Majesty was graciously
pleased to accept this book as a present from the author of the " Addresses , who had been presented to him when he was in England . We may mention that in the first " Address " there is a very high compliment paid by the Crown Prince of Germany to the " most gracious and wise Master of the Order of the Ninth Province , the King of Sweden and Norway , " and that the second " Address ' contains a descriptive list of the ten degrees of the Swedish system .
Board Of Benevolence.
BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .
The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Senior Vice-President , occupied the chair ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , occupied the Senior Vice-President's chair ; and Bro . F . Davison , G . D ., took the chair of the Junior Vice-President . There were also present Bros . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; H . G . Buss , Asst . G . Sec . ; and a number of other brethren .
The General Committee of Management was first held , at which the business to be transacted in Grand I . odge of the 4 th June was submitted . At the Board of Benevolence the brethren first confirmed grants recommended at the April meeting to the amount of £ 235 . The new list contained the names of 38 petitioners . During a sitting of more than
four hours , 33 of the petitioners were relieved with a total sum of £ 1075 . This was made up of two grants of £ 150 each ( £ 300 ); one of ^ ioa ( £ 100 ); one of £ 75 ( £ 75 ) ; six of £ 50 each ( 300 ); one of £ 40 ( £ 40 ); one « f £ 35 ( £ 35 ) ; hve of £ 30 each ( £ 150 ); one of £ 25 (/ , 2 s ); five of £ 20 each ( £ 100 ); one of £ 15 ( £ 15 ); seven of £ 10 each ( £ 70 ); and five of A each ( £ 25 ) .
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL . The Ninety-sixth Anniversary Festival of this Institution was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Tavern . The Right Hon . Lord Brooke , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master for Essex , presided . There were some 400 brethren present , besides a large company of ladies , amongst the brethren present being Bros . R . 1 . Finnemore . D . G . M . Natal ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chap . ; Horace Brooks Marshall . G . Treas .: Col . I . Creaton , P . G . Treas . ; l \ A . Philbrick , G . Reg .,
D . G . M . Essex , President of Board of Stewards ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; E . Letchworth , G . D . ; Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; J . A . RuckerJ P . G . D . ; Robt . Grey , P . G . D .-s Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Griffiths Smith , G . A . D . C ; John Messcnt , P . G . S . B . ; Col . Peters , P . G . S . B . ; Jas . H . Matthias , G . Std . Br . ; Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . ; VV . Burdett-Coutts . VV . M . 2030 , Treasurer of Board of Stewards ; C . Hammerton , Chairman of Board of Stewards ; R .
J . Railing , Prov . G . Sec . Essex ; Alderman Savory , Herbert Dicketts , I . Falkncr , Fredk . Binckes , Sec . R . M . Boys' School ; ] as . Terry . Sec . R . M . Benevolent Institution ; F . R . VV . Hcdjres , Sec . of the Institution ; Rev . Dr . Morris . LL . D ., Henry Smith , Prov . G . Sec . West Yorkshire ; A . Lucking , Richard Clowes , VV . M . 650 , Prov . G . S . W . Essex ; R . Vassar Vassar-Smith , Prov . G . J . W . Gloucestershire ; Henry C . Caseley , 114 , P . P . G . W . Suffolk ; Rev . F . II . Shepperd , P . M . 1543 , P . P . G . W . Essex : VV . H .
B . Tomlinson , J . P ., P . M . 154 , P . P . G . W . VV . Yorks ; Rev . J . Marsden , f . l ' . U . t-hap . S . Wales ( W . Div . ) ; D . P . Cama , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., Vice-Pres . ; A . McDowall , l . P . M . info , P . P . G . D . C . Berks and Bucks ; Clement Tudway , P . M . 592 , P . P . G . D . C . Gloucestershire ; W . F . Smithson , P . M . tool , P . P . G . D . C . VV . Yorks ; Robert Berridge , F . R . G . S ., P . G . Stwd ., Vice-Pres . ; James R . Cassell , P . M . 4 O . P . G . Stwd . ; VV . Cunnincham . Glen . 107 . P . G . Stwd . ; F . Sumner' Knyvett , P . M . 1494 , P . G . Stwd .,
Vice-Patron ; John Mason , P . P . G . D . Middx ., Vice-Pres . ; E . C . Mather . Vice-Patron ; E . G . Harwood , Mayor of Bolton ; and Samuel Bland , High Sheriff of Gloucester . After the clpth had been removed the usual toasts were proposed . The CHAIRMAN in giving the toast of "The Queen , the Most Gracious Patroness of this Institution , " said it was needless for him to dilate at length on that toast . In no place had her Majesty a more affectionate reception than in the heart of every Freemason in the country . The Queen
' had made herself beloved during a long and prosperous reign by those personal qualities , both private and public , whicn should endear her to the nation . When they all had to regret the loss of one of the beloved Freemasons ( the Duke of Albany ) the heart of every Freemason in the country ' went' forth in the deepest sympathy with her Majesty the Queen . In giving the toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Princess of
Wales , and the other Members of the Royal Family , the CHAIRMAN said after alluding to his Royal Highness ' s admirable discharge of- his Masonic duties that he had lately suffered , with the rest of the Masonic body , a great loss in the death of the late lamented Duke of Albany . It was naturally a painful subject to allude to and particularly ' so to himself ( Lord Brooke ) for his earliest recollections of Freemasonry \ yere connected
with the Duke of Albany , in whose presence he had the honour of being initiated in an Oxford Lodge , and he also had the honour , as many of the Essex brethren could testify , of being installed as Provincial Grand Master of Essex by his Royal . Highness . It was a great pleasure to his Royal Highness to go down amongst the brethren of Essex , and he had requested him ( Lord Brooke ) on many occasions to assure the brethren of Essex of his
great pleasure at the cordial reception extended to him by them . With regard to the Princess of Wales , she had made herself beloved throughout the kingdom by her charming manner and every attribute which became a high-born lady . From the moment she set her foot on English ground she found a warm corner in the heart of every Freemason . The CHAIRMAN next gave "The Earl of Carnarvon , the Earl of Lathom , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . "
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
The Rev . R . J . SIMPSON , P . G . C , said in reply that if any of the brethren present had had the privilege and pleasure that he had at Peterboro ' of seeing Lord Carnarvon perform the ceremony there on behalf of the Prince of Wales , he was sure that they would say that his lordship was an ' ornament to Freemasonry . There was a scene far superior ' to the present
at the meeting at the Girls' School on Monday -last , when they not only saw the results of Freemasonry in the glorious and beautiful assemblage of children , but also heard from the lips of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts words of such eloquence and wisdom as he ventured to say had seldom been heard in any Masonic assembly .
Bro . FINNEMORE , Dist . G . M . ol Natal , in proposing "The Health of the Chairman , " said although he had been but a short time in England , he had seen sufficient to know that this toast was well worthy of the brethrens' favourable , reception . From what his lordship had said he could see that a melancholy interest attached to his installation as Prov . Grand Master for Essex , by the late Duke of Albany . Thedeath of His Royal Highness was deeply deplored by all , and one of the last injunctions impressed upon
him ( Bro . Finnimore ) before leaving Natal , was to convey the heartiest expressions of the regret and sympathy of the Natal brethren to the brethren here . Helwished to say how much he appreciated the kind sympathy he had received from the brethren here , and how pleased he was to see so distinguished a gathering that evening . He would like to say many other things , but time was short , and while thanking the brethren very much for their reception of himself , he would propose "The Health of the Chairman , Lord Brooke . "
The CHAIRMAN in reply said that many as the occasions were on which he had a kindly Masonic welcome he had never had a more cordial one than he had that evening . He thanked the brethren of Essex for the k'ind manner in which they had supported him , and his Deputy , Bro . Philbrick . This was only one of their many acts of kind feeling and friendship towards him which they were always ready to shew him . He felt that the result of the
evening would be a great pecuniary success and it would be greatly due to the efforts of the brethren of his province . The ' CHAIRMAN in proposing the toast of the evening , "Success to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , " said the object was of course one which was uppermost in the minds of the brethren on that occasion . They had all he trusted in various ways been striving to do to the best of their
ability all they could to promote the success of the Institution of which he was speaking . It had usually been the custom for those who were about to take the chair to attend the meeting previously held for the purpose of giving away the prizes to the girls ; but another engagement prevented his doing so . The thanks of all the brethren were , however , due to the excellent lady , the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , who on Monday went to Battcrsea
Rise and distributed the prizes to the girls who had won them at this Institution . It was only one of the many acts of kindness which that eminent lad y had performed . during her exceedingly able career , a career which hadf been of so much benefit not only to the City of London , but to the whole country . If he might be allowed without troubling the brethren too much , he would read an extract from a letter
which the Baroness had written to Bro . Hedges , the Secretary , in which she said : " I am glad to have again an opportunity of thanking the Committee for the personal pleasure of Monday , which will not be effaced readily from my memory . I saw the signs of very important and very useful national work an'd example which you are carrying out at the Masonic Girls' School . " These sentiments ol the baroness , so admirably
expressed , he was sure were shared in by every one in that room . They had most of them probably attended there on a similar occasion before , and therefore he would not detain them at great length in describing the various merits of the Institution ; but he would like , first of all , to recall their memories to the fact that the Institution was founded in 1788 , and that during the course of the School since its establishment 1350 girls had been
educated , maintained , and clothed within it from the age ot 8 to the age of 16 . They received a sound English education , and were most worthily and excellently prepared for the various duties which might fall to their lot in future life . Although he thought it was right they should be brought fully up to the refinements of education , still , for the position of those girls who attended the School , he thought it was necessary that they should be fitted so
far as possible for the life which was before them . If they would allow him to say also , he thought that there was further testimony to the excellence of the school in the fact that 19 girls went up to the University examination and they all passed successfully , nine others with honours . There was also another important fact that the teachers of the school were every one of them , with the exception of the head mistress , girls who had
been educated in the Institution . It appeared to him to be a most excellent practice , because naturally having been there a great portion of their lives they must know better than any other person what the requirements of the Institution were and would be able to impress on those who went there the great advantages which they themselves had obtained . Most heartily he wished prosperity to the school / a prosperity which he thought was assured from
the fact that at this moment there were 239 girls enjoying- the benefits of the Institution . He was aware that the cause of the Institution had been advocated by many much more able men than he . The brethren had seen in that chair illustrious men , men who had made their mark in the country , as well as members of the Royal Family . He therefore felt that it was an honour to preside on that occasion , and he could only trust most heartily that this
occasion might be one of pecuniary success to the School , and that when the Secretary announced the figures they might be proud of what had been done . He thought the | brethren would like to know that the next festival of the Boys ' School will be presided over by the Lord Mayor , a most popular man , who , notwithstanding his many engagements , had been able to find time to take the chair of the Boys' School on the 28 th June . For himself he wished the
Institution every success on that occasion . He pointed to this to show what Freemasonry could do . ' When they ^ were asked by the uninitiated what was the use of Freemasonry , he thought they might point to the manner in which its great Institutions had been so admirably sustained for many years . Col . CREATON , Past Grand Treasurer , and Treasurer of the Institution , responded , and thanked Lord Brooke for taking the chair that evening . Bro . HEDGES , the Secretary , then read the list of subscriptions ;
The CHAIRMAN next proposed "The Sister Institutions , and said he could not but thank the Stewards , and , first of all , those of his own province —which was not a rich province—for the very kind , hearty , and cordial mannerin which they had worked to support him on this occasion . It must be gratifying to all the Stewards who had put their shoulders to the wheel in ¦ bringing up £ 13 , 000 . Every one knew the times were hard > but he sincerely trusted they would be better for every one . It was a fine thing to feel that the great Charitable Institutions of the country , whenever there was