Grand Masonic Fete In Dublin.

hear . ) They had also an Apprentice Committee whose duty it was to inquire into the character and fitness of any p . ison desiring to have one of the pupils as an apprentice . With regard to the Boys' School it was managed in a similar way . They did not allow any of the beys cither to go into a menial position , as they sprung , as he ; had told them , from a better class . These few details , he

thought might be interesting to some of the visitors , who might not be aware of how the Institutions were carried on . ( Applause . ) Bro . Chaworth Ferguson then read the report as follows " The receipts for the yeir ( exclusive of balance from last year ) , amounted to £ 3318 Ss . id ., showing an increase of £ 601 ; s . 8 ' ., includes three items which may be

considered as exceptional , viz ., Nagle Memorial Prize Fund , £ 100 ; bequests , £ 300 ; interest accumulated on Browne's bequest of £ 200 , , £ 88 . The increase in the ordinary re-\ enue of the institution for the year may therefore be stated as £ 113 ' 5 s . Sd ., and arises mainly under the head of " Permanent Official Governorships . " The expenses of the establishment for the year amounted to £ 2600 17 s . 2 d ;

a sum of £ 2075 15 s . 3 d . has been invested 111 the purch sc of £ 2000 India 4 percent Slock ; and £ 145 has been laid out on building a new front wall on the plot adjoining the school , which was purchased last year . The cash balance to ctedit at 31 st December , 1877 , was i . 6 5 17 s . 8 d ., and the Stock balances amounts to £ 11 , 241 13 s . ? d . During the year thirteen g irls have lefc the school ; of these three

have been sent to schools on the Continent , and two to schools in England to complete their education , with a view to better fitting them to become governesses ; three have obtained situations in business establishments ; one accepted a situation as housekeeper ** in a school , and the other four have returned to their friends . Eight new pupils have been elected during the year . The total

number of girls in the scho . 'l , including the pupil teacher , is forty . The health of the pupils during the year has been good . Anything to thc contrary has arisen from ordinary colds or constitutional delicacy ; there has been no epidemic Ni't-o'iations ate in progress for a suitable site whereon to build a school for the accomodation of a larger nu 11 b rof iritis than vvchavc hitherto been able to receive .

l'lrfiis for the building are in course of preparation by your architect . A very considerable expenditure must necessarily be incurred , as well for such building and iis furniture , as the annual support of our enlarged establishment . It is therefore earnestly urged upon our brethren ( particularly in the country , whence the majority of our girls have hitherto , and probably will hereafter , come ) , lo make

increased exertions , not only by subscribing to lhe buileling fund , but by adding to thc number of our Annual Govcrn-01 s , thereby securing the prospect of a permanently enlarged annual income for the support of our new school , which we feel assured will be made , through the invariable generosity of the brethren , a fitting memorial of thc Masonic Order in Ireland . "

Bro . James Spaight , of Limerick , said it was his pleasing duty to propose a formal vote of thanks to ihosc officers who had , by their zeal and energy , contributed so much to lhe success of the schools , in which all present seemed to lake so deep an interest . The resolution spoke for itself . It was : — " That the report now read be approved , and that the

thanks of this meeting are due to the members of the several committees ot the institution , and also to the medical officers of the school for the zealous and efficient manner in which they have discharged the duties devolving on them , and the deep interest they mai . ilest in everything conducing to the prosperity and progress of the Masonic Female Orphan Schools . " These statements were in

themselves so full and so complete that it hardly needed any words from him to commend thc lesolutionto the audien * . e to ensure their cordial and favourable reception of it . It was somewhat unaccountable to him , and he had no doubt it al .-o appeared a little unaccountable to many of them , that hc , au unknown stranger , from a remote province , should be placed in so prominent a position there that

night , while there were many aiound him far Letter quaillied to discharge tbe duty imposed on him , and who were more worthy of the great distinction that had been conferred on I im . He could only attribute it toa desire on their part to show that ubiquity was one ef the characteristics of their Order , and obedience of its rules . In a word , he came from the province ol Munster , which he had

the honour to represent , and he might there state , and if necessary ptove , that thc principle of Freemasonry lived , aye , flourished nearly as vigorously in the wilds of the West as they did in the cultivate I civilization of the metropolis . Tie fust question th . it naturally would present itself to any one looking from that platform on the grand imposing spectacle before him . wastoask what had brought

such a vast concourse ofthe tank and vviallh of the great city together ; It was not curiosity , but it could not be a vain desire to penetrate forbid en secrets . They could not hold out to them elo < iue : it appeals , or the gay scenes and inducements which had often filled these large halls . Hc believed the force that br-jught that vast concourse together was moved by motives that were as high ami as

noble as any that could actuate the human breast . He bclkved it was the homage paid by philanthropy and virtue to active and practical benevolence . It vvas there they could olt \ r a triumphant answer to the scoffer or the sceptic , who would ask what was the object of Freemasonry . ' Here they could point to it in the objects of their fraternal love ; litre they could point to a noble duty brir gini *

hep-.- and relief to p laces where all had been dark despair . Count the man / happy faces oi those children before them , and they would know the number of desolated homes th .-it had been brightened by Alasonic love . Amongst them they would find many who had acknowledged , and acknowledged vviih gtatiluda , thc sympathy p . nd comfort the Order had afforded them . It was their Masoiti ' . dutv ; it had smoo ' . hfd the pillow el many a

Grand Masonic Fete In Dublin.

dying brother , and brought comfort and happiness to the atliicted widow and orphan . The evidence given by the people of this great city that night was most cheering to those who undertook the duty and responsibility of conducting these schools . He believed those who would follow him would adeiuce to them many reasons which he had not had time to state-, or , probably , which they would

not listen to , why they continued to take such a deep interest in that favoured institution . There Wis but one dark spot , which he we-ul . 1 venture to point out t •them , in the bright future presented to the-n . He thought it was not consistent with the position which thrir order had assumed , and the great strides which it hatl recently made , that au order which embraced in its fraternal links thc

prince , and peer , aud peasant , should close the de . ors of its sanctuary against any wo thy applicant . He trusted , and he hoped and believed from what hc saw there that night , that the day was not far distant when the sanctuary would be opened wide to the destitute children of their worthy brcthre *; -: who came to seek its shelter , and that they would not be obliged , as they were now , to turn poor

applicants away from the door to buffet the cruel blows of a cold unsympathising world . Bro . Hugh Holmes , Q . C , in seconding the re-solution , said he need hanlly say that he had the greatesr pleasure in doing so . He said he could n t help feeling a lit'le diffidence ' and hesitation in rising to speak on a Masonic subject in presence of many who bore , and had boine thc

highest offices , and who had received the highest honours which it was in the prvwer of the Order to bistovy . As far as the resolution was concerned it vvas not necessary for either the proposer or the seconder to say much . He believed there was not a person in the audience who did not know something of the Masonic Schools . He thought he might venture to say that there was not a person there

who had ever heard anything said against them . One charge , and one charge alone was made , and that was that there is not placed in thc hands of the committee a sufficiency of funds to enable them year by year to increase the number of pupils ; but a complaint of this kind , so far Irom being actuated by hostility , was prompted by a friendly spirit , and should act as an incentive to all to

increase the usefulness of the schools . But it might not be amiss to say a few words about Masonry itself on that occasion , when there were many present who were- not Freemasons , and very many who were never likely to have the slightest chance of being Freemasons . Freemasonry lesi-mbled Operative Masonry in this—that up to the present time it vvas confined to the rougher and

less graceful sex ; and , although in an age like this they could not tell what change might occur , it was scaicely likely that within any reasonable time there would be such a revolution in the state of the Order that they should receive within their ranks the fairer portion of their audience * . In addressing au audience like that on Freemasonry there was some difficulty , for one was in danger of saying either

too little or too much . One might say a word to remove certain misconceptions that prevailed against the Order . He did not refer . 'done to actual honest misconceptions , but he vvas afraid he must add to wilful misrepresentations they sometimes heard of the Order . It hatl been said even in this country , and in no very doubtful terms , that there vvas something in the principles of Freemasonry that was

vviong and vicious—that it was inconsistent with the due performance of thc duties ot a pious Christian and a loyal citizen , and tbat any man with a prop . r respect for his virtue and honesty ought to separate himself from such a body . lie would say to any man who entertained that opinion honestly , let him form his opinion of them of what they were in their lodges , by what

they foupd them in the open world , let them judge of their secret conclave by their public acts . Did they find that because a men vvas a Mason he vvas less charitable , less truthful , less honourable , less loyal , less obedient to the law ? Was it possible that men who had attained the highest position in the Slate—men belonging to families in which vjrtue and honour | i ; i | l been a heritage , would

associate themselves with a society of the kind represented . He did not claim for the Masonic botly exceptional virtues ; hut he would say boldly and fearlessly on their behalf , that they were not stained by exceptional vices . And if it was demoralising , as it was sometimes represented lo be , he could not understand how it was that they had been so wonderfully successful in concealing from the

world thc fruits that would naturally follow . ( Hear , hear . ) He would also say a word about misconception of a different character . There were some people perhaps in the audience who would say tbey had no objec ; i 6 n to Masons or to Freemasonry , and who would say there vvas nothing wrong in it , but at the same time there was not much good in it ; that the Masons met together at stated

tunes fur no very earnest purpose ; that they wore jewels and insignia , and indulged iu cettain harmless forms and cere mon its , but 1 here was nothing real or earnest in the body . Now , he would ask the man who had such au ielea this quest on—Was it not true that , without referring to the traditions of the Order , Freemasons had existed for centuries , and were to be found in every country and every

chine ; that at the present moment they were to be found in every part of the globe—was it iu accordance with histoty or experience that such a society had nothing in it , and was merely a ccicmonial uninformed by any active or earnest vitality ? It would be contrary to experience , and he especially denied it in connection vvith Freemasons . It would , perhaps , be difficult for an audience like that to

understand what Freemasonry is , but he could tell them this , that Masons , being bound together by the common tie of humanity , tvinild teach , and Would learn , as far as each was himself concerned , that the union that exists among .- ! them should be not merely nominal but real , and they should join with each other in sympathy and mutual help , and that , in short , in the word "brotherhood" they had the key r .-l all Frcr ' masnnry . Thc r-trind in \' , l ? i ' . \] tlity

Grand Masonic Fete In Dublin.

now lived happened to be a prosperous one for the Order . They had first , him who would by-arid-bye be their sovereign ; they had the noblest in rank in the Order ; and , what was , peihaps , still better , the principles of Freemasonry were extending amongst the toiling classes , who by their honest and dail y labour had done so much to make and keep the country great . That , of course , wss

a subject of pleasure to every true Mason , but they should remember that while they should rejoice at their prosperity , it entailed on them a great responsibility—they would endeavour to see that Masonry was not to be a form or name—that while they attended to the ceremonial of the * institution in a dignified and becoming manner , they vve .-e also bound to make its principles a real earnestness and

life . If they did this it would soon be realised that in thc extension and increase of a body which teaches those principles—to be mutually forbearing , to be noble in thought , to be honourable in conduct , to be loyal lo the Government , to be obedient to the law , to be lovers and cultivators of the art of peace , and yet net shrink from those warlike undertakings by which real peace alone can

be secured , it would soon be recognised that iu the ex .-tension and progress of a body of this kind there was the surest guarantee for the strength and safety of the State . Bro . Captain King Harman , M . P ., said the resolution which had been put into tiis hands was one most suitable to the occasion . It was this : — " That while acknowledging with gratitude the liberal

support and friendliness with which thc institution has hitherto been favoured , the governors would earnestly invite the co-operation of the brethren in order to still further extend its useful , ess . " He would not detain the meeting long in commending that resolution to their acceptance , for it embraced in a few words as much , perhaps , as hc would be able to convey in

half-an-hour . He would add one word to the resolution , and that was to ask the ladies in the hall and the ladies of Dublin , and the ladies of this charitable island of Ireland , to come forward and help them in the maintenance of the orphans of their Masonic brethren . What could touch their hearts and stir their feelings , and keep them as closely together in the bonds of humanity antl Christianity , as

the sight of the orphans of their fellow countrymen They did not ask them for charity , they asked for sympathy and help , and to give their contributions , and encourage their husbands , their sons , brothers , antl friends to come to the assistance of the orphan . Stantling there he had one regret , and that was lhat the children he saw around him were so few . CouLl it be said iu this great

country of this great brotherhood that they would not look alter their own orphans ? lt was only a lillie they asked for , and that little giver , promptly might save sulfering in future y ears . Bro . M'Mullen , of Cork , seconded thc motion , whicli was unanimously adopted . A selection of music was performel by lhe pupils , the National Anthem was then sung , after which the

piocession was reformed and moved from the concert-room to a dais in the Glass Building , where the pupils were presented with their ptizes and certificates as follows -. — The Ffenntll Prize , value £ 3 , for the best answer in Scripture and English , founded by a donation from lodge No . 248 , Roscommon , in memory of Bin . John Ffennell , l'a .. t Master of that lodge—Frances Smith . Gertrude Gill having obtained the highest number of marks in the

examination receives a certificate * , but having won the prize last year is disqualified to receive it again . The Astley Prizes , founded in memory of the late Charles D . Astley , Grand Superintendent of Works , consist of two divisions , two ptiz s being given in each division—ist division , English ( spelling , reading , wrilin * . * , anil arithmetic)—1 st prize ( £ 2 ) , Gertrude Gill ; 2 nd prize ( £ 1 )

Frances Smith . 2 nd division , French—ist prize ( £ 1 15 s ) , Francis Smith ; 2 nd prize ( 15 s , ) Gertrude Gill . The Nagle Prizes , founded by the brethren of Lodge No . 242 , Boyle , in memory of lhe late Bro . James II .. che Nagle , M . D ., to be awarded to the girls in the first and second classes who iu the result of the examinations show lhe highest general proficiency—1 . Class ( value * £ * , ) , Geriiu le

Gld * , 11 . Class ( value £ 2 ) , Sophia Fenlon . Good Conduct Medals , presented by Bro . Samuel li . Oldham , Deputy Gtaud Secretary , awarded by thc voles of the pupils themselves—Silver Medal , Jane Crymble ; Bronz ; Medal , Henrietta Richards . The general prizes are : —Class I . —Grace Harte , ist in history , 2 nd in gran - mar , geography , and drawing ; special prize in needlework ;

2 nd ill practice of music . Gertrude Gill , 211 . 1 in history ; ist 111 grammar , geography , arithmetic , and English ; 2111 I in French , scripture , and needlework ; ist in theory and practice of music . Francis Smith , 2 nd in arithmetic ; ist in French , scriptutc , drawing , and ( II . Cl . ) theory of music ;

2 nd iu ( II . Cl . ) practice of music . E lima Hendley , 2 nd in theory of music , and English . Helen Perry—ist ( 111 . C . ) in practice of music and ( 1 ( . Cl . ) Flench . Henrietta Richards , 2 nd in writing ; ist in coneluet . jane Cryijiblf , ist in writing ; drawing—an additional prize ; 1 st iu nesdlcwork .

CLASS II : —Sophia Fenlon , 1 st in geography , and arithmetic ; 2 nd in English ; ist in scripture , awl diawing . Christina Orr , 2 nd iu grammar , geography , ami i ' vei . eh * , ist iu needlework ; 2111 I in tlicory of mu .-ic . Gertrude Malone , ist in grammar and practice of music . Catherine 1

Sayers , 2 nd 111 history ; 1 st 111 English . Ee . i . li AiilecliU 1 st in writing ; 2 nd in drawing . Emily Wigmore , 2 nd in arithmetic , writing , and ueedlewoik . Anne Christian , and in ( III . Cl . ) Drawing . . Maria Ruuntree , 2 nd in scripture ; ist in conduct . Henrietta . M'Nally , i-. tiit Em-lish

History . CJ . ASSIII : —Emily Little , ist in Em-ai . h hi-il-ur ; 2 nd

111 grammar , arithmetic , and geography , FI . mice H-. ni . l .- ; , ist in grammar ; 2 nd in liueljeh ; ist in willing , drawing , and conduct . Susan Greene , zv . din English ins'cay . 111 . ! grammai ; ist in geography , and iue : ii .- , ; ci h . Llei * u * . t