Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

. great diffidence , fearing perhaps this noble Institution mig ht suffer in my hands ; on the contrary , I have indeed reason to be proud of the response to Bro . James Terry ' s appeal . I will not attempt to say more than how deeply grateful I feel to my London brethren for their share in this munificent contribution . You will ,

I am sure , forgive me if I add one word of thanks to my dear brethren of West Yorkshire , who have not only subscribed largely but have done me the honour of coming to London to be present aud support me this evening . My best , my warmest thanks are due to the noble band of Stewards—no fewer than 390—the very

largest number enrolled at any festival . And let me not forget our excellent and untiring friend the Secretary , Bro . James Terry , to whom I especially am deeply indebted for his courteous assistance , and to whom all of us are indebted for the admirable manner in which he has discharged his onerous duties . With reference to

the contribution of West Yorkshire , I may perhaps be permitted to state that although the amount announced is not the largest ever sent up by a province , I may be permitted to say that we give every year something , and that the aggregate for the past seven previous years amounts to £ 13 , 000 for the three ' Masonic Institutions .

Col . S HADWELL H . CLERKE , G . Sec , proposed "The Sister Institutions . " In doing so he said : Right Worship ful Prov . Grand Master in the chair and brethren , there is an old saying that " we cannot have too much of a good thing , " and I hope on the present occasion that is the case . In regard to all Masonic charities we

certainly cannot have too much of a good thing . We have listened with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction to the very magnificent amount of the lists to-night , and we congratulate the Masonic Benevolent Institution on that result . But , brethren , this is only the first list of the year . We have two other festivals coming on , and

I am sure you will all join with me in hoping that the other two Institutions will have as magnificent results as the Masonic Benevolent Institution . I will not detain you any longer , but will call upon you to drink " Success to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . "

Bro . HEDGES , in reply , said : lam deeply sensible , Right Worshipful Sir , of the honour you have conferred upon me in associating my name with the toast of the " other charities , " viz ., the " Boys' and Girls' Schools , " and in response allow me on their behalf to tender you my most sincere thanks for the hearty and cordial reception

which has been accorded to it . But , Worshipful Sir , permit me , also , in this representative gathering of truly English Freemasons , to take this opportunity of acknowledging on behalf of the " Boys' and Girls' Schools " the generous support which has for so many years been extended to them , and at no time more liberally than in

the year which has just passed , and I do so to-night , Sir Henry , with peculiar pleasure in the presence of so many brethren of your own province of West Yorkshire , to whose unbounded liberality the Charities owe so much . Before I sit down , Worshi pful Sir , I cannot omit to congratulate most heartil y the Royal Masonic

Benevolent Institution , the Stewards , and Bro . Terry , on the glorious result of this festival , and I cannot but take it as of good augury for the two festivals which have yet to follow , viz ., that of the " Girls " in May next , under the presidency of the Ri ght Hon . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , Prov . G . M . for Gloucestershire , and in June the

Boys , " to be presided over b y the Marquis of Londonderry , Prov . G . M . Durham ; and in asking for those two Institutions a continuance of the favour hitherto shown them , I am sure I am only asking that which will be readily granted . Right' Worshi pful Sir and Brethren , in the name of the Boys' and Girls' Schools , I thank you .

Col . LAURIE , P . G . M . Nova Scotia , proposed "The Health of the Stewards . " He said : When I was charged with the toast which has been placed in my hands , I was told it was confided to me because I was a stranger . Now , sir , I do not accept that . As a Mason I cannot feel myself a stranger amongst Masons . It is true

that 1 am not at present .. subscribing member under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England . Sir , the toast that has been placed in my hands relates to a subject which does not exist in the jurisdiction over which I have had the honour to preside for many years , at least for some years ; I will not use the word " many . " We have

no Stewards in our jurisdiction . I regret to say further we have no Masonic Benevolent Institution , or any anniversaries like this . We are but creatures of yesterday , Ve undertake , I will not call it Masonic obligations , or the word duties , but we charge ourselves

with the support of those who from various causes _ fail in the race of life , till we can get them w the jurisdiction to which they belong . But you who are an old-established country , have matters very diferent . You have these Institutions , and I congratulate

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

you , sir , on the success that you have in maintaining them . I also congratulate the Stewards , who have been so ably supported by the Secretary , Bro . Terry . I was not aware what these Stewards had done till Bro . -Terry read out the lists to-nig ht . I congratulate the Grand Lodge of England on having such able and effective

workers . I will not detain you longer , but I will propose " The Health of the Stewards . " Bro . EDGAR BOWYER replied , and The CHAIRMAN next proposed the toast of " The Ladies , " and the brethren then adjourned to Freemasons ' Hall to the concert .

The following is the programme of music performed under the direction of Bro . C E . Tinney , P . M . 1319 : — In the Banqueting Hall . —Grace , " For these and all Thy mercies , " solo—Madame M . Zimeri . National song and choru _ , " God bless the Prince of Wales , " solo—Bro . Charles Abercrombie . Song , " Pack clouds away , "

Miss Bateman . Part song , " Take thy banner . " Song , " The merry _ Jingara , " Madame M . Zimeri . War song , " To Horse , " Bro . Thos . Kemr . ton . Glee / 'Hart and hind . " In the Temple . —Musical Sketches by Bro . G . S . Graham , P . G . Org . Middx . Part Song , " The Dawn of Day . " Song , " Here ' s to the Year that's awa ' , " Madame

Florence Winn . New song , Love ' s Reply , Bro . Charles Abercrombie . Song , " When the Tide comes in , " Miss Rose Dafforne . Duet , " A Venetian Boat Song , " Miss Bateman and Miss Maud Longhurst . Glee , " The Happiest Land , " Bros . Dutton , A . Thompson , C . Stevens , and C . E . Tinney . Song , " For ever and for ever , "

Madame M . Zimeri . Song , Flow , thou regal purple stream , " Bro . Thomas Kempton . Song , " Why are you wand ' ring here , I pray ? " Miss Maud Longhurst . Humorous part song , " Chinese march . " Song , " Death of Nelson , " Bro . Charles Abercrombie . Song , "Caller Herrin ' , " Madame Florence Winn . Song , " Punchinello , " Bro . C . E . Tinney . Trio , "Night , " Miss Bateman ,

Miss R . Dafforne , and Miss Longhurst . Part song , " A Franklyn ' s dogge . " Part song , " Good night . " Bro . C . Stevens and Bro . C . E . Tinney presided at the pianoforte , The dinner was admirably supplied by Bro . Best , who with Bro . Dawkins , his manager , personally watched over the comforts of the brethren . Bro . James Hayho was toastmaster .

Memoranda.

Memoranda .

THE POLICE ALARM SYSTEM IN AMERICA . —In view of the frequent burglaries in London , it may be of interest to describe the new system that has just been experimentally tried in Chicago , and with such success that it is being adopted throughout the whole city . The public alarm-houses are built of wood , just large enough to admit one man . They are placed upon the side walk , as near to

street corners as possible , and securely fastened either to the corner-stones of buildings or to telegraph posts . The keys of these houses are uniform , ancl are furnished to respectable citizens on applications at the station , a record being kept of all kev-holders . A mechanical alarm to register the location of the complaint is enclosed in a small box attached to the side of the house , which box also encloses

a telephone for the use of the police officer on that beat , placing him in immediate communication with the superintendent at the station . The citizen who possesses a key can , by pulling down a lever that protrudes through a slit outside the box , procure the attendance of three policemen and a horse and waggon in from one to four minutes after entering the alarm-house . The waggon carries a stretcher ,

blankets , handcuffs , SiC , and can be used either as an ambulance or a conveyance for the prisoners . The alarmhouses are furnished with patent locks , which , after being opened , retain the key until a policeman arrives with a master key , which he inserts in the reverse side of the lock and releases the original . This precaution is taken to prevent false alarms and to keep the complainant at the

alarmhouse until thc officers come to hear the complaint or apply the remedy . A large bell is hung over the alarmhouse , so that in case of any serious crime the officer on duty can summon all the neighbouring officers , while the telephone is put into action at the central offices , giving to every man an account of the crime and of any suspected persons , which makes it an extremely difficult matter for

thc criminals to leave the city in time . In addition to these public alarm stations , there are private boxes combining police and fire calls , which can be placed in residences or offices at a cost of 30 dols . each . They are so small that they can be set in a wall behind a desk or counter , ancl a noiseless alarm can be given , so that the operations of the thief will be unpleasantly disturbed by the sudden entrance of the police ready at all points .

The Lan guage of Gloves may now be added to those secret tongues which find speech in ( lowers , fans , and even the prosaic postage-stamp . "Yes" is said by dropping one glove , the Parisian tells us , "No" by rolling the gloves in the right hand . If you wish to express indifference partly unglove the left hand , if encouragement strike your left shoulder . ¦ ' I should wish to be beside you "

is implied hy gently smoothing the gloves , the warning " you are observed " is signified by turning them round the fingers . To ask if you are loved glove the left hand except the thumb , and to declare " I love you " let both gloves fall . "I love you no longer" is pronounced by striking thc glove * several times against the chin , " I hate you " by turning them inside out . As a sign of displeasure strike the back of your hand against the gloves , and if you are furious " take them away altogether

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STANDARD WORKS ON FREEMASONRY Handsomely printed in antique type , large 4 to , cloth , 7 s . fid . KENNING'S * ARCHAEOLOGICAL LIBRARY . Edited by Rev . A . F . A . WOODFOUD , Past Grand Chaplain . Vol . I . contains Anderson's Constitutions of 1723 , being the first complete reprint in England of that memorable look . It is admirably printed and illustrated as it was first issued , and will be found a work of . he greatest interest to all Masons , and especially to those » ho like still to pore over the ancient records of the Craft . The Wilson MS . Constitutions , which forms the Second Part of Vol . I ., is also of much value to antiquarians and the Craft . It is first mentioned in the manifesto of 1 he " Lodge of Antiquity " in 1778 , and the story of its discovery by the editor has been told in the pages of the Freemason . It is hoped that this will lead to the discovery of missing MSS ., and the future volumes of the " Archaeological Library" will lead . Masonic . students to a clearer conception of the real history of Freemasonry and the true bearing of its very curious and ancient MSS .

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, £ 4 to , cloth , & c , 12 s . 6 d . fvTUMERICAL AND NUMISIN MATICAL REGISTER OF LODGES UNDER THK UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND . Compiled by WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN , Author of " History of Freemasonry at York , " " Memorials of the Masonic Union of 1813 , " "Old Charges of the British Freemasons , " & c . It contains a sketch of Freemasonry in England , the ' Articles of Union of 1 S 13 , " lists of all special and cente-. iary medals , with full descriptions , rolls of Lodges distinguished with special and centenary warrants , regulations of the Grand Lodge respecting Masonic jewels , particulars as to Masonic medals and tokens , list of existing lodges which formed the Grand Lodge of England , Dec , 1813 , with their numbers before and _ - > altered in 1 S 14 , 1832 , and 1 S 6 3 , their names and places of meeting in 1878 , their years of constitution , either by the Grand Lodge of England ( modern ) or by the Grand Lodge of England according to the old institutions ( ancient ); also a list of extinct Union l . odges , with their numbers , & c . The illustrations comprise lithographs in colours of most of the medals above eferred to . Dedicated to R . W . Bro . Sir Albert William Woods , Garter P . G . W ., G . D . C .

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Imperial 8 vo , cloth , 31 s . 6 d . HISTORY OF THE LODGE OF EDINBURGH , MARY ' S CHAPEL ( No . 1 ) ilMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF FREEMASONRY IN SCOTLAND . BY D . MURRAY LYON , Grand Secretary Grand Lodge' of Scotland , P . Prov . -. G . W . of Ayrshire , & c . This history is based on the oldest Lodge records extant , and other manuscripts of unquestionable authenticity . It treats of the ancient laws and usages of the Operative Fraternity , and traces the development of that association into one of Theoretical Masons . It has been got up at great expense , and contains twenty-six beautifully-executed facsimihes , embracing the Masonic Statutes of 159 S , the History and charges of Masonry used b y the Scotch Lodges two hundred years ago , the St . Clair Charters of 1600 and 1682 , Mason Marks , Seals , etc . ; also Authentic Portraits and Autographs of eminent Craftsmen of the past and present time , arc .

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£ 800 pages , 8 vo , with Index , cloth gilt . ios . 6 d . THE HISTORY of FREEMASONRY from its Orgjn to the Present Day . By Bro . J . G . FINDEL . Drawn from the best sources and the most recent investigations . Second edition , revised and preface written by Bro . D . MURRAY LYON , R . W . Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . OPINIONS OF THK PRESS . Bro . Findel , who has written a sober , earnest , ana eiatioralc history of Freemasonry in all quarters of the wond , does not go to so remote a period for the origin of the Fraternity . We do not suppose that such a mass ot material tor a history of the Craft was ever gathered together as may be found in this volume , in which the author seems to have fairly exhausted the subject . —The slthenacum . Herr Findel has brought together a large number of facts ; his book is a valuable addition to the literature of Freemasonry . —The Buildtr .

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8 vo . cloth . 5 s . THE LIFE OF CONSTANTINE . Written in Greek , by EUSEBIUS PAMPHILUS ( Bishop of Csesarea , in Palestine ) . Translated into English from that edition , set forth by MALESIUS , and printed in Paris in the year 1659 . Preface by Bros . R . WENTWORTH LITTLE , Treas . Gen ., and the Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD , P . G . C . With Engravings of Constantine the Great ; Lord Rancliffe of Ireland , Grand Commander of the Orders of Constantine and Philipi ; H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , K . G ., Grand Sovereign from 1816 to 1843 ; the Earl of Ilective , M . P ., Grand Sovereign 1866 to 1874 ; Sir Frederick Martin Williams , Bart ., M . P ., Grand Viceroy 1866 to 1 S 74 , Gram ! Sovereign 1874 and 1875 ; Colonel Francis Burdett , Grand Viceroy 1874 and 1875 ; Robert Wentworth Little , Grand Recorder 1865 to 1 S 72 , Grand Treasurer , 1 S 73-4-5 ; The -night- oi Constantine and the Vision of the Cross , etc

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8 vo , cloth , Third edition , revised and enlarged , 15 s . THE EARLY HISTORY AND ANTIOUITIES OF FREEMASONRY . As connected with the - Jors Guilds , the Oriental and Mediseval building Fraternity . By GEORGE F . FORT . EXTRACT FROM AUTHOR ' S I'REVACE . The Work Is the result of years of labour , whose original and persistent design has uniformly been to arrive at truth . In no instance are traditions resting on unsubstantial ground adduced as corroborative testimony of the line of research which , after careful examination of facts , he has adopted . Mere legends or guildic tales do not appear in this book , unless produced in that portion of the treatise abandoned expressly to the traditional history of the Fraternity . In a word , the constant and invariable tendency of the author in the ensuing pages is to bring the history and antiquities of thc Craft down to an undisputed historical basis j and , in the pursuance of this subject , he was frequently compelled to abandon the usual track followed by writers on this subject , and to rely upon Authorities whose testimony—found noted in tiie margin—will be 4 . cqited without suspicion of intemperate or uncritical zeal . The ¦• unediate argument and scope of the treatise may lie briefly stated 1 . follows : To commence with a narrative of the state of line arts . 1 ihe decline of the Roman Empire , and also of the propagation of , ; _ iitecturc and its kindred sciences by bodies of builders , who d duped into the Middle-Age Freemasons , whose history is carried J jwn to tlie formal extinction of the society as an operative brother . vjral in the year 1 . 17 . Among the several appendices will be found . 1 contribution to the History of the Lost Word , together with other ¦ Uiable documentary evidence , wliich is added to make the same - « _ . ¦ <¦ . _ M _ to the public and Fraternity at lar ^ c . LONDON : G . KENNING , 198 , FLEET ST-