Analysis Of The Returns.

lo the extent of £ 250 , while . in February 1 S 83 , it greatly distinguished itself with a total £ 905 , its P . G . M ., Bro . Gen . Brownrigg , C . B ., being the Chairman of the day . There has been of recent years a considerable display of energy exhibited by the lodges in

SUSSES , and on Wednesday its two Stewards between them handed him tiie very respectable total of £ 237 6 s . In February a Brighton lodge did duty for the province , the amount of his list being a " level 60 guineas ( £ 63 ) . Last year it contributed not far short of £ 950 , namely , £ 210 to the Benevolent ; £ 363 10 the Girls ; and £ 375 to the Boys . In 18 S 2 the Girls found the

chief favour with our South Saxon brethren , while in 1 SS 1 it was the sister . Institution which had the principal amount of support . One thing is clear —that our Sussex friends are bent on achieving a reputation for consistent support of our Charities , and with such a chief as Sir W . W . Burrell it is pretty certain they will succeed .

WARWICKSHIRE has not given us a full measure of its strength since 1 SS 2 , when it raised £ 810 for the Girls' School , its greatest effort previously having been a total of £ 2600 , when Lord Leigh , P . G . M ., presided as Chairman of the Boys ' School Festival in 1 S 76—if we remember rightly . It gave to the Benevolent

in February £ 120 , while in June , 18 S 3 , Bro . Binckes ' s total was swelled by . certainly £ 252 , if not more , some of the lists not having been returned at the time our analysis received its final corrections . On Wednesday its two Stewards between them raised £ 90 6 s . The 10 lodges of

WILTSHIRE , with a single Steward acling on behalf of the whole province , is entered for £ 85 1 IS . 6 d ., its total in February being £ 157 10 s ., and in June last £ 135 9 s . These are comfortable amounts for a compact little province like this , and Wilts has good reason to be satisfied with what it has done and goes on doing for our Charities .

A round £ 1115 stands against the names of the three Stewards for WORCESTERSHIRE , who would seem lo have acted together , only one of them—Bro . Constcrdinc-Chadwick—being set down as a lodge representative . In Feb ' ruary it raised for the Benevolent a few shillings less than £ 120 , while in 1883 the sum of its contributions was £ 764 , which , having regard to the fact of there ? being only 11 lodges on the roll of the province , is worthy of all praise . It remains for us only to note the two Yorkshires , the Province of

NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE , with three Stewards acting for three of its 2 S lodges , figuring in Bro . Hedges ' s Returns for £ 131 10 s ., its total for the Benevolent in February being slightly under £ 50 . But it must be borne in mind that at the Boys' Festival in " June last it raised £ 873 , Bro . Cumberland ' s list alone being close on £ 542 . The recent activity shown in this province raibl be singularly gratifying to all who take an interest in . Freemasonry . We come lastly to WEST YORKSHIRE ,

which with its 66 lodges stands third among the provinces as regards numerical strength , while as regards the amount of its contributions it stands unquestionably first . On Wednesday with a roll of 37 Stewards it gladdened the heart of Bro . I ledges with a round £ 900 , which raises its total for the current year so far lo over £ 1252 . In June last it gave £ 1500 to the Boys' School , its contributions to our three Charities since the commencement of 1 S 75 being over £ 19 , 874 . We dare not mar the effect of this picture by adding a single word more of comment .

Stewards' Visit To The Institution.—Distribution Of Prizes.

STEWARDS' VISIT TO THE INSTITUTION . —DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES .

On Monday last , upon the occasion of . the Stewards' annual visit lo the Institution , which is usually made prior to the holding of the Festival , the prices were distributed by the Baroness Burdett-Coutts . The attendance was very considerable , the large Hall being filled to overflowing , even the Gallery being inconveniently crowded . The effect of the children forming

a living circle around the Hall ( in some parts two and three deep ) , was very pleasing , the visitors occupying the remainder of the space , the pupils thus surrounding their patrons , and on the entry of Lady Burdett-Coutts , all

rose and gave that distinguished philanthropist a most enthusiastic greeting . The girls looked the picture of happiness and contentment , their healthy appearance calling forth , in frequent instances , and in audible terms , the admiration of many visitors .

The selections of music were varied , generally attractive and well executed , several of the youthful musicians evidently enjoying that part of the programme as much as the audience . The three girls who recited received prizes for elocution , and the faultless manner in which they acquitted themselves proved how much they deserved such a distinction . A French

recitation was also given by a prize winner , and heartily applauded . The eighteen performers who took part in a toy symphony did exceedingly well , and kept their countenances in " due form , " notwithstanding that the humorous character of the entertainment was such as to visibly affect many of the amused listeners .

The prizes were kindly , we may say affectionately , presented lo the recipients by Lady Burdett-Coutts , who also shook hands most pleasantly with several of them , evidently to the great gratification of the scholars . ' Bio . Colonel Creaton announced the names of the pupils to be honoured , and Bro . Frank Richardson placed the prizes in the hands of the

Baroness for presentation . We regret the space at our disposal will not allow us to give the full list of recipients . The three principal prizes ' , however , were awarded as follows . To Susanna Mary Norrish , the Proficiency

Gold Medal annually presented by Bro . Wm . Paas , with £ 5 added by Bro . William Winn ; to Clara Kingcombe , the Silver Good Conduct Medal . g iven by the Institution , with £ 5 added by Bro . Winn ; and to Mary Anne Johnson , £ 5 presented by Bro . Winn lor proficiency in Music .

Stewards' Visit To The Institution.—Distribution Of Prizes.

On the conclusion of the prize distribution , the Baroness BURDETT - COUTTS said : A request has been made to me to say a few words on the present occasion . It is a request with which I feel bound lo comply , and which in one sense is a simple pleasure , inasmuch as it enables me to testify the gratification of myself and the friends who have accompanied me a al we have seen and heard in this Institution ; but the day is wearing on and

I feel I ought to be brief . It is very difficult to compress into a few words all 1 should like to say , together with the thoughts passing through my mind even as I speak , yet one point is paramount , and that is congratulation , and I will therefore first offer those congratulations lo myself on being ' present to-day . It was with pleasure I accepted the proposal kindly conveyed to me to distribute your prizes , but it is with enhanced pleasure that .

I now thank the managers of this School for the privilege of taking part in its annual examination . It isahva 3 sadelight to be associated in the remembrance of the young with those bright days which—like that of to-day—will become lo them cherished memories , but besides this it is a gratification to me to be connected in ever so slight a degree with those who as managers and teachers carry on the work of this great School , a work of education wisely

conceived and brilliantly carried out—in every detail perfect ; but this , while it is a source of satisfaction , is scarcely a subject for surprise in the work of a Masonic School . I would , secondly , warmly congratulate the scholars on their success both individually and collectively , and above and beyond this on their position as scholars and children of this Institution . Tenderly , yet judiciously trained for their own welfare in life , they are also trained for

the welfare of others in whatever station of life they may hereafter occupy , — possibly to remain as teachers ( just as 1 understand is the case now ) under the roof which sheltered them ; or , as carrying about the seed of good sound work to whiten the harvest of humanity . They will never forget that to them through their education is entrusted the power to implant on the minds and hearts of those with whom in after life they

may become connected , those precepts and those habits which inculcating virtue renders life under every variety of condition , noble , useful , and therefore happy . And now , thirdly , 1 have my heartfelt congratulations to offer to all those engaged in the direction and guidance of this School , to its managers , and to its teachers in every department—not only my own personal congratulations , but as all arc more or less concerned in the

question of educational work , and deeply interested and anxiously observant of its action upon national character—I venture to congratulate you on behalf of . an outside public , for I may fairly claim' to be its representative to-day , being myself only linked to your body through your courtesy for a few moments . We , therefore , congratulate and thank you for the blessings you arc conferring on the country through the girls you arc here training . They

inherit no ignoble heritage , and you arc preparing them lo carry on in the future the noble line of English women of whom the country has so much reason lo be proud ; for though wc have inherited a great deal from our forefathers—men useful and good—whose great names arc handed down to us from generation to generation , men who carried out wherever they went the fervent desire to make this country honoured and respected ; but side

by side with these throughout our English history have been its women . If wc feel pride in our forefathers—if they have been true and good , so have our foremothers ( if I may thus coin the term ) . They have given to us , they have trained , the sons , the husbands of the past , and their grandmothers were those who with their grandfathers watched over the honour of the nation in its domestic life . From generation to generation the women of

England have carried out in the * fullest manner all that gives dignity and comfort to life . The names of many are household words , and will never be forgotten—I-ady Jane Grey , Rachel lady Russell , Mrs . Fry , the devoted wife who effected her husband's escape from prison under the eyes of his jailers , and many more will doubtless suggest themselves as I speak , and be remembered as types of our mothers and

grandmothers , but in the . past as in our present the names of quiet heroines remain unknown till that day when the name of each will be written on Ihe white stone of scripture . Then , as now , and as—let us fervently hope they will do in the future—these earnest quiet heroines carried lo their graves the great work of life , and left a precious inheritance to their children—the example of a pure , honest , truthful , loving nature . If the higher

education—which is at present rather the cant word lor female education gives to those who come after us , women equal to the past it will do all any can wish to see effected . In reference to the discussion upon education which constantly presses itself on public attention , much difference of opinion must exist , and lo all really thoughtful it must cause anxiety ; but there seems to be one unquestionable duty for all , —some may approve , some may disapprove the tendencies of modern education—but every one should strive

as is done in this Institution to direct it beneficially , collecting ( as the bee does from even poisonous flowers ) all thai is useful for the needs of the present , cultivating the disposition as well as the intellect , and preserving to our girlhood and womanhood . A heart within whose sacred cell The peaceful virtues loved to dwell ; Affection warm , and faith sincere , And soft humanity were there .

Colonel CREATON proposed a vote of thanks to Lady Burdett-Coutts for her attendance . NcVer had they so large a meeting before ; the present great success being entirely due to her ladyship having consented to distribute the prizes . The vole , of course , was carried hy acclamation , and the Baroness appeared highly gratified with the hearty reception accorded her .

Tea-and coffee having been served , calisthenics and marching exercises concluded a very full and interesting programme . Amongst those present we noticed

Lady Tenterden ; Mrs . Cordon ; Bros . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., P . G . M . Middx . ; Col . J . Creatoni f . G . Treas . , W . iiuidutt-Coutts , W . M . 2030 ; Edward Letchworth , CO . ; Col . James Peters , P . G . Swd . Br . ; R . Grey , P . G . D . ; Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . ; | . A . Kucker , P . G . D . ; Lord Justice Kitzgibbon ; Col . Somerville II . Burney , P . G . D .,- Sir John B . Monckton , President Board of General Purposes ; John D . Allcroft , P . G . Treas . ; Horace B . Marshall , C . C ., G . Treas . ; F . R . W . Hedg-es , Secre * . tary to the Institution ; Henry Smith , Prov . G . Sec . West Yorks ; W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . ; 1 . H . Matthews ; G . Std . Br . ; and others .