Mark Benevolent Fund.

he would like to have the speaking before dinner , so that he might not suffer from dyspepsia after dinner . He would rather do all the ceremonies in the Mark Degree than have to make speeches , but Bro . Dewar would have no

mercy upon him . He trusted however that the fund had not lost for any lapse on his part , and he trusted he might say that it had not . He believed the fund would benefit to-night more than it did last year , and he was ready to stake a heavy wager that it was nearer £ 1000 this year than it was

last year . The Rev . Jonathan Marsden , of South Wales , sang a Welch song , which was loudly applauded , the tune being very pretty and enlivening . The C HAIRMAN next proposed " Prosperity to the Mark Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund . " He said he felt some difficulty about the toast , and he

took great blame to himself that he felt great difficulty about it , because he thoug ht it was essential to the duty of a Mark Master Mason , let alone those who were in the position which he now held , to know the working of the Charities of Masonry , so that they might , at any rate , be able to answer any questions or explain any points that might be put towards them about

the disbursement of the funds of these different Charities , and any other points regarding the fund . The bye-laws of the fund laid down the principles on which the fund was distributed , and the Assistant Grand Secretary had g iven him the different figures . The fund was instituted in 1 S 68 , and from that time the sums collected and invested with interest

thereon amounted to £ 3850 . During that period 66 petitioners had been relieved with grants amounting to £ 938 , and there had been transferred to the Educational Fund a sum of £ 1018 , and also there had been invested for the Benevolent Fund £ 1800 . There had also been invested on account of the Benevolent Fund another sum of £ 900 . The

subscription list last year was large , but he believed that this year it would be nearer £ 1000 , one side or the other , than it was last year . Six boys and two girls were be educated at the expense of the Educational Fund at an annual cost of £ 106 , and there were three more candidates for it . These children were not removed from the charge of their parents , but were

educated near their own homes . He now came to an item which he thought spoke for itself as it showed how economically the funds were worked . The working expenses were only £ 74 . ( Cheers . ) He knew something about the

accounts and the working of these funds , but he was sure that nothing could be worked more economically than these funds . With these few words he proposed the toast of " Success to the Mark Benevolent Fund . " The toast was drunk enthusiastically .

Bro . D EWAR , in responding , said the first thing he had to do was to apologise , and to express regret at the absence of their Grand Secretary , Bro . Binckes , who had been at those festivals ever since the benevolent fund was established . ( Applause . ) He had that day received a note from Bro . Binckes , who was staying at Clacton-on-Sea , saying that he felt in such very

uncertain health that he would like a few days more rest , and asking him to apologise to Sir Pryse Pryse for his absence on that occasion . Bro . Dewar then read the list of subscriptions which had been received this year , amounting to £ 710 12 s . Two years ago , Bro . Dewar said , the subscription list amounted to £ 553 5 last year it was £ 557 . They had not

anticipated a very large increase on the amount ; but it was his privilege and p leasure to announce that , under the presidency of Sir Pryse Pryse , the subscription list this year amounted to the magnificent sum of £ 710 12 s . ( App lause . ) When the fund was established , £ 100 , £ 120 , or £ 130 was regarded as a liberal subscription ; but when they

received as much as £ 500 it was , considered that they had got as much as they might expect , but they had now exceeded their most sanguine expectations . ( Applause . ) With the permission of the Chairman , he would like to propose " The Health of the Stewards . " They had several of the Stewards

present , including the representative of the Old Kent Lodge , the oldest Mark lodge under the Grand Lodge of England and Wales . He had great pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of Bro . James Moon . ( Applause . )

Bro . J AMES MOON responded for "The Stewards , and said he was proud to see that those meetings were increasing in the number who attended them and in the success which followed . The Stewards were only too glad to assist those who could not assist themselves , and to educate their children . Speaking for the Old Kent Lodge , for which he was a Steward ,

he trusted that those who had not been its Stewards would come forward on future occasions , and assist the fund as heartily as he had done . Bro . ALPRED WILLIAMS proposed "The Health of the Ladies , " Bro . SPICE responded .

During the evening a beautiful selection of music was performed under the direction of Bro . Edwin M . Lott , Past Grand Organist , by Miss Edith Ruthven and Bros . Henry Ashton , Edwin Moss and Egbert Roberts . Three cheers were given for Sir Pryse Pryse , and the proceedings terminated .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The General Committee met on Thursday , 26 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . Col . Creaton , when there were present , Bros . E . C . Mather , Frank Richardson , E . Spooner , H . A . Dubois , and E . C Massey [ Freemason ) .

The minutes of General Committee of 28 th June were read and verified , and the following minutes were read for information ; House Committee Special Meeting , 9 th July ; Quarterly Court , 14 th July ; House Committee , 19 th July ; and Audit Committe , 24 th July . The CHAIRMAN was authorised and requested to sign cheques amounting to £ 1608 13 s . The payment of £ 400 to Messrs . Crapper on account of

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

sanitary work was ordered on the motion of Bro . Richardson , who said the amount was very moderate and brought the total well within the authorised sum of £ 1300 . A payment of £ 162 10 s . to Messrs . Hallidav and Greenwood was ordered on account of the Swimming B . illi . Also a sum of £ 33 is . 5 d . to Tarn and Co ., for furniture ; and various small amounts to other tradesmen .

On the recommendation of the House Committee , ai : estimate given by the Sanitary and Ventilating Company for the ventilation of the dormortories , at a cost of £ 73 , was approved ; and an extension of the tar paving in the playground was also authorised . Further lavatory accommodation in the Junior School , at an expenditure of £ 14 15 s ., was also ordered to be executed by Fish and Prestige ; these works being referred back to the House Committee for immediate execution during the holidays .

Bro . A . H . TATTERSHALL gave notice of the following motion for the next Quarterly Court : Rule 37—to come after the word "trustees , " in the third line— " That three of the members of the Committee who have been longest on the Board shall not be eligible for re-election until after the expiration of 12 months . "

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .

The annual Provincial Grand Lod ge of Kent was held at the Corn Exchange , Tunbridge , on Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., under the banner of the Medway Lodge , No . 167 S . The attendance of Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers and brethren was large , including the following : R . W .

Viscount Holmesdale , P . G . M . ; V . W . Bro . J . S . Eastes , D . P . G . M . ; Bros . B . D . Thorpe , 709 , P . G . Treas . ; J . J . Hamilton , P . M . 16 92 , G . S . W . ; Rev . Canon Baynes , M . A ., P . M . 55 S , G . Chap . ; Alf . Spencer , 1063 , P . G . Sec . ; R . Harrison , P . M . 1206 , G . J . W . ; F . Binckes , P . G . Stwd ., Secretary Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; and others .

The roll of lodges having been called and the minutes read , the Prov . Grand Treasurer submitted his accounts , which were received and passed . All the offices having been declared vacant Bro . B . D . Thorpe was reelected Grand Treasurer , and the officers for the ensuing year were then invested as follows :

Bro . F . Butler , P . M . 1174 ... ... ... p . G . S . W . „ W . B . Bacon , P . M . 874 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . Canon Baynes , M . A ., P . M . 538 ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . E . G . Banks , W . M . 1209 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ B . D . Thorpe , P . M . 709 ... ... ... p rov . G . Treas . „ A . Spencer , P . M . 1063 ••¦ ... Prov . G . Sec .

„ H . Williams , P . M . 874 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Geo . Appleyard , P . M . 503 ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ E . Lukey , P . M . 199 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ E . Beer , P . M . 972 and 1449 ... „ , Prov . G . J . D . „ E . Denton , P . M . 913 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ J . R . Brett , P . M . 158 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ T . Puzey , P . M . 1107 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . Secra , P . M . 972 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C

„ H . Shaw , P . M . 1536 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ J . Parsons , W . M . 829 ... ... ... p . G . Org . „ J . Jarman , P . M . 429 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ W . M . Amos , P . M . 125 ... ... ... p v . G . A . Purst . „ T . R . S . Champion , P . M . 77 ... ... ,

„ K Klatt , 558 ... „ Bourne , 1089 ... ... ... ., I „ R . Durtnell , P . M . 1223 ... ... _ j- Prov . G . Stwds . „ J . Wyver „ R . Tatham , 1725 „ Easttey ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER then proposed that £ 20 be given to the widow of a brother of Lodge No . 913 , and a similar sum to the widow of a brother of Lodge No . 299 , which was carried . The following grants were then made on the motion of the DEPUTY

GRAND MASTER : £ 105 to the Boys' School , in the name of the Provincial Grand Secretary , making him Vice-President of the Institution ; £ 52 10 s . to the Building Fund of the Boys' School , in the name of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , who is Vice-Patron , for which sum an additional 20 votes will be obtained ; total , £ 157 10 s .

£ 21 to each of the Charitable Institutions , being the first grants to the three following lodges : No . 167 S , Tonbridge , Boys , £ 21 ; Girls , £ 21 ; Benevolent , £ 21 ; total , £ 63 . No . 1692 , Hayes , Boys , £ 21 ; Girls , /" 21 ; Benevolent , £ 31 ; total , £ 63 . No . 1725 , Maidstone , Boys , £ 21 ; Girls , £ 21 ; Benevolent , £ 21 ; total , £ 63 ; making a grand total of £ 189 . And £ 10 10 s . on behalf of the eight following lodges to the Boys' School ; 483 , Milton ; 503 , Maidstone ; 558 , Folkestone ; 615 , Erith ; 709 , Ashlord 784 , Deal ; 829 , Sidcup ; 874 , Tunbridge Wells ; total , £ 84 .

The consideration of several resolutions proposed by I'ro . RUSSELL with reference to the Charities was , on the motion of the PROV . GRAND MASTER , postponed for 12 months . The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned to the New Public Hall , where a banquet was served under the presidency of the Provincial Grand Master .

CUBICAL STONE . —This Masonic symbolical emblem is called in French " la pierre cubique ; " by Germans " der cubik Stein . " It is no doubt the perfect ashlar of Anglo-Saxon Masonry . Oliver has a long statement in respect to it , which we need hardly repeat here . —Kenning' ' s Cyclopaedia .