Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

[ BY A LADY CONTRIBUTOR . ] As I had the honour of an invitation to the 106 th Anniversary Festival of the above Institution on May 7 th , when the prizes were distributed by the Countess of Lathom , it occurred to me that the impressions I then received might be of interest to your readers , the

majority of whom are , no doubt , subscribers . First , with regard to the programme , the pianoforte selections on eight pianos left nothing to be desired ; the time kept being most praiseworthy , especially as they did not appear to have a conductor . Indeed , so excellent was the performance , that it seemed almost a pity we could not have listened to at least one solo , as

it was clear there must be considerable talent among the players . The first two part songs suffered from a slight nervousness on the part of the girls , but gradually improved up to the finale , " Come Sisters , Come , " which was given with great spirit and taste . The selection from the " Toy Symphony , " was a really clever performance , thoroughly deserving the hearty

encore it obtained . The prizes , many of which were both useful and valuable , made a goodly show , and were evidently greatly appreciated by the fortunate recipients ; but I was much disappointed to find that the junior school , which I am told numbers about 50 pupils , had only the chance of winning two , one for general proficiency , and

the other for arithmetic , these being taken by girls of 12 and 10 years respectively . This seems very poor encouragement to the little ones , to whom the smallest trifle would be of great value , and I should like to see some generous members of the Craft follow the example of the two present donors . I will pass over the "light refreshments , " merely

remarking that they scarcely did justice to the traditions of the " Ancient Fraternity , " the tea and coffee being tepid , and the sandwiches evidently suffering from having been cut some considerable time . I now come to the inspection of the buildings , the arrangements of which afforded me unalloyed satisfaction , both senior and junior Schools being—as I

expected to find them—in excellent order and condition . The sanitary arrangements , swimming bath , and laundry , being well up to date , and most creditable to those responsible for the management . The grounds are open and pleasant , but so far as the children are concerned , would , in my opinion , be improved by the addition of swings , & c . Possibly there are some which

I may have overlooked , being hastily summoned to witness the calisthenics which I heard very highly spoken of , and , certainly , the display fully merited the applause bestowed upon it , reflecting the highest possible credit on the Head Mistress . This was the end of the programme , which was evidently thoroughly enjoyed by all present . There is ,

however , one more subject to which I should like to call attention , viz ., the style and colour of the dresses worn by the children . Why the particular shade of blue is adopted I do not know . Possibly there is some good reason , but it is an almost obsolete colour , and with the different shade of neck-bow , is quite an eyesore to

anyone of artistic taste . Surely , a darker colour would be preferable , and more economical , as it would not soil so quickly . The other articles of clothing that I saw appeared to be very . suitable , and of excellent quality . In the course of conversation with several of the

parents , I was astonished to learn that a charge is made for teaching music . Surely this is a mistake , as no girl's education at the present time is complete without it , and there may be many in the School with musical talent whose parents or guardians are unable to afford the fees charged . Added to this , it may be the cause of depriving the girls of a future means of supporting themselves , if necessary . Another thing

that surprised me was to hear that there are no recognised visiting days for parents and friends to see the children . I was told by a mother that to visit her child it was necessary to write to the Matron for permission , she haying it in her power to refuse . For the correctness of this I cannot vouch , but , if it is so , it seems to me it must be the cause of much dissatisfaction to those concerned .

In conclusion , I must heartily congratulate the management on the healthy and happy appearance of all in the Institution , and wish it every success and prosperity in its sphere of usefulness .

Scotland.

Scotland .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF RENFREWSHIRE EAST . This Provincial Grand Lodge continued its annual visitations on Friday , the nth inst . In the absence of Bto . Col . the Right Hon . Lord Blythswood , the deputation was headed by Bro . Bailie Caldwell , D . P . G . M ., and consisted of Bros . Jas . Gunn , P . S . G . W . ; Jas . Cunningham , P . J . G . W . ; George Glen , P . G . Sec . ;

Rev . Robert Maclennan , P . G . Chaplain ; William Mackie , P . G . Treasurer ; D . Allan , P . S . G . D . ; Norman Ferguson , P . G . D . of C . ; and others . The lodges visited were Lodge Union and Crown , No . 307 , Barrhead , and Renfrew County Kilwinning , No . 370 , Paisley . Both lodges were found to be working harmoniously , and in accordance with Grand Lodge Uws .

Scotland.

At the conclusion of the visitation of Renfrew County Kilwinning harmony followed . Among the various toasts were ; "The Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East , " proposed by Bro . CRAMB , R . W . M . 370 , and ably responded to by Bro . BAILIE CALDWELL ; " Lodge County Kilwinning , "

proposed by Bro . J . GUNN in an exceedingly eloquent manner , and responded to by Bro . CRAJIH , R . W . M . The visitations of the Provincial Grand Lodge to the various lodges in the province , as far as they have proceeded , appear to be eminently satisfactory , and financially the lodges are in a flourishing condition .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Glasgow.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF GLASGOW .

On the 16 th instant Bro . T . Hope of . Bridge Castle , M . P ., was installed Provincial Grand Master of the above lodge , in room of Mr . Peter M'Lagan . resigned . The ceremony , which took place at the Working Men ' s Institute at Bathgate , was performed by Bro . Sir Charles Dalrymple of Newhailes , who was accompanied by a

large deputation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland . There was also a large attendance of brethren from the lodges comprising the province . After the ceremony the brethren adjourned to the Corn Exchange , where they sat down to dinner , provided by the newly-elected Provincial Grand Master , who presided .

Our Portrait Gallery Of Worshipful Masters.

Our Portrait Gallery of Worshipful Masters .

BRO . W . J . MASON , whose portrait appears in our gallery of Worshipful Masters this week , was installed W . M . of the Granite Lodge , No . 1328 , on the 10 th February last in the presence of a large number of members and visitors . He was initialed in the Granite Lodge on January 14 th , 1882 , and has served all the offices ; was exalted into

Royal Arch Masonry in the Granite Chapter on the 4 th July , 1883 , and served all the offices , and is the present M . E . Z . ; he was advanced in the Mark Degree on the 3 rd December , 1884 , in the Thistle Lodge , No . 8 ; he was one of the founders of the Tivoli Lodge , No . 2150 , served all the offices from I . G ., and was installed W . M . in November , 1891 ; he was one of the

founders and the first Junior Warden of the Cyclist Lodge , No . 2246 , in the Province of Surrey , and was installed W . M . on the 8 th' of March , 1890 ; he was advanced in the Constantine Council , No . 2 , of Royal and Select Masters on the 22 nd November , 1888 ; joined the No . 1 St . Mark ' s Lodge of M . M . Masons ; became an Ark Mariner on the 1 st January , 1889 ;

advanced in the Rose and Lily Council , No . 15 , of the Allied Degrees on the 25 th April , 1891 ; became one of the founders and the first Junior Warden of the Prince Frederick William Lodge , No . 458 , of M . M . Masons ; he was elected Charity Representative of the Cyclist Lodge in the Province of Surrey for 18 93 ; he has served several Stewardships ; is Vice-President of

the Boys' Institution , and a supporter of the other Masonic Charities ; in 1892 he was appointed Prov . Grand Steward , and on the 21 st of July , 18 93 , he was honoured by the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Col . Gerard Noel Money , by being appointed and invested by him as Provincial Grand Deacon for Surrey ; he is Secretary of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge of

Instruction , also the Secretary of the Masonic Benevolent Fund attached thereto . It only remains to be said that Bro . Mason ' s services to the Craft and his reputation as a successful man in business secured for him in 1892 a seat on the Board of General Purposes and its various Committees , positions to which he was re-elected in 1893 , and is a candidate for re-election at the next Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge in June next .

The History Of The. St. John's Lodge, No. 328, Torquay.

THE HISTORY OF THE . ST . JOHN'S LODGE , No . 328 , TORQUAY .

To hear a sketch of the history of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 328 , by Bro . John Chapman , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., a goodly number ot brethren assembled at the Masonic Hall , on Monday evening , the 7 th instant . The W . M ., Bro . T . A . Blackler , presided , and was

supported by Bros . H . Beer , I . P . M ., W . Taylor , P . P . G . S . B ., and J . Grant , P . G . S ., of 328 ; J . Lane , P . P . G . Reg ., T . W . Morgan , P . P . G . O ., and W . Wright , W . M ., of 1402 ; Dr . Langley Pope , P . P . G . C , and G . Olver , P . P . G . S . P ., of 1138 ; ] . T . Thomas , P . P . G . D ., 1562 ; and Col . E . Appleton , J . P ., P . P . S . G . W . Bro . CHAPMAN gave a very interesting resume of the

history of St . John's Lodge , in which he had taken a deep interest for more than 20 years . He regretted , however , that the old records of the lodge were unobtainable , and for the early history of its doings they had to rely on real tradition . The warrant of constitution granted to the lodge was dated March 8 th , 1810 , having been previously granted to a lodge in Carnarvon ,

under the title of the Snowdon Lodge . The original charter was dated December 25 th , 1786 . From the Secretary of Grand Lodge he had obtained information that in 1819 the brethren met at the Freemasons ' Hall in Fleet-street , subsequently removing in turn to the Royal , London , and Union Hotels , afterwards to the Freemasons' Hall in Temperance-street , and

ultimately in 1858 , to the Masonic Hall , in Park-street . The foundation stone of the building in which they were assembled was laid on Thursday , May 28 th , 1857 , by the then D . P . G . M ., Rev . J . Hinslie , through the absence through illness of the Prov . G . M ., Earl Fortescue . Bro . F . Thomas was the W . M . of the lodge on that auspicious occasion , and was supported by Bro .

Dr . Paget Blake , R . N ., as S . W ., and Bro . Appleton as J . W . The Building Committee consisted ot Bros . Paget Blake , Appleton , Briscoe Hooper , and G . W . Webber , and to these brethren must be accorded the credit of the erection of that hall , and the success which had attended its financial position . The lower portion was let for some years to the Natural History Society

and the committee were able to reduce the original mortgage of £ 700 to £ 300 , which was the amount now remaining on the building . This sum it was proposed to clear off entirely . Through the foresight of the W . M ., Bro . Blackler , arrangements had been made for the purchase of the freehold . With the object

of freeing the building entirely of debt a grand Masonic Ball would be held during the ensuing winter . There should be no difficulty in tracing the ultimate success of the lodge which was now in its 85 th year , and had displayed such tokens of Masonic zeal and ability that it held some 500 votes in the Grand Masonic and Provincial Charities .

On the proposition of Bro . BEER , seconded by Bro APPLETON , and supported by Bro . OLVEK , Bro . Chap man was heartily thanked for his paper .

Annual Dinner Of The Perseverance Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1743.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE PERSEVERANCE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1743 .

The fourth annual dinner of this lodge of instruction took place on Monday , the 30 th ult ., at the Old Parr ' s Head , Knightrider-street , E . C . Covers were laid for some 36 brethren , amongst whom were such well-known Masons as Bros . Talbot , P . M ., W . Packer , P . M ., and

A . Deans , W . M ., of 13 ; J . J . Newland , W . M . 1949 ; and others . Bro . R . Poore , P . M ., occupied the chair , and was faced by Bro . G . S . Daunton in the vice . After a capitally-served and much appreciated repast , which did ample credit to the host and landlord , Bro . Martin , and fully supported his reputation as a caterer of no mean order , "The Queen and the Craft" was

proposed by the CHAIRMAN , and received with usual Masonic honours . The toast of " The Visitors " was then given , and replied to by Bros . TALuor , P . M . ; Captain MARSHALL , of Australia , and | . W . STEVENS . A musical treat followed , Bro . Hopkins giving an exhibition of his astounding skill in campanology , and as an encore , by special desire , executed in his

inimitable manner " The Lost Chord , " the successful handling of the bells evoking much applause . Bro . POORE , P VI ., then proposed " Success to the Perseverance Lodge of Instruction , " and in doing so urged the members to emulate the example of some of the officers by attending more frequently and introducing new members .

Bro . PACKER , P . M ., having in grand style sang " My sweetheart as a boy , " and " My pretty Jane , " and "Sally in our alley" as encores , which were enthusi ' astically received , Bro . G . S . DAUNTON , the indefatigable Secretary , replied for the lodge , endorsing the Chairman ' s remarks ,

The " Officers of the Lodge were then toasted , Bro . J . W . MARTINDALE , the Treasurer , and Bro . DAUNTON responding . " The Benevolent Association " was the next toast , coupled with the name of Bro . F . W . ROBINSON , who , in his reply , made a very earnest appeal for subscrip . tions to the Institution .

" The Committee and Stewards—Bros . Bedell , Fells , Daunton , Haines , Newland , Robinson , Sims , and Wade , ' received a hearty recognition , acknowledged by Bros . BEDELL and WADE . Bro . A . Chevalier sang " The message , " Bro . A

Wells also obliged , and Chas . Norman , with " The smile no longer there , " and "The whistling slavey , " supplied plenty of merriment . Bro . T . F . Noakes ably presided at the piano . The evening ' s proceedings terminated close upon midnight ,