The History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls

gave him weight in our councils . Bro . Ruspini appears to have considered that his greater influence necessitated his undertaking still moro important duties than any he had previously essayed , and the need of some provision-for the daughters of indigent Masons being recognised on all sides ' , that he might adventure upon some scheme

for establishing a permanent home for the female offspring of his poorer brethren . It was a worthy conception , and well calculated to enlist the sympathy of the Craft . Many leading lodges and Masons at once promised their support . The Duchess of Cumberland

graciously accepted the office of Patroness . The Duke of Cumberland , our illustrious Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , and the Dukes of York and Gloucester gave the plan their patronage , and , having regard to the character of the proposed Institution , it Avas resolved " to solicit the favour of those Ladies who should condescend

to become Governesses , to inspect into the ceconomy of the house , the education of the children , and into all matters relative to their various employments ; and that they would vouchsafe to communicate to the Committee such observations as might seem necessary to forward the purposes of this Institution ; thus adding to the liberality

of their contributions the kind ofiice of training young female minds , destitute of parental care and attention , to Industry and Virtue , to social , moral , and religious Duties . " Contributions were generously subscribed , and the scheme having been solemnly inaugurated on the 25 th March , 1788 , steps were taken at an early date with , a view to

preparing the necessary organisation and obtaining suitable premises . •On the 14 th May following a select Committee of the subscribers and promoters met at Freemasons' Tavern , under the presidency of Bro . James Galloway , a strong friend of the proposed School , those present being Bros . William Addington , the Rev . W . Peters , James

Heseltine , James Bottomley , Thomas Dunckerley , B . Ruspini , T . Ogle , and James Allen , Secretary pro temp . On this occasion , after a number of letters and papers had . been read and ordered to be referred to the General Meeting of the Governors , it was resolved unanimously , "That Thursday , the 22 nd instant , be the day appointed for a

General Meeting of the Subscribers , and that Circular Letters be sent to them , and also publicly advertised , to meet at Freemasons ' Tavern precisely at 12 o ' clock on that day . " It was also agreed that

Bros . Galloway , Peters , and Ruspini should Avait on the noblemen and others whose names appeared " in the original printed List as Presidents , to obtain their ansAver relatiA-e to a continuance of their Support as such ; " after Avhich the Committee adjourned sine die .

It is to be regretted that no account has been preserved of the steps preliminary to the above meeting , and that " the original printed List" referred to is not forthcoming ; not so much on account of the help they Avould give us in our attempt to elucidate the early history = the School—for this there is ample material in the minutes , Avhich

begin on the aforesaid 14 th May , 1788 , and folloAV on thence both regularly and consecutively—but because it is impossible to be too ivell informed about the early stages of a foundation whicli has been productive of such amazing benefits . HoAvever , we may reasonably infer as regards the printed List , that the inquiries made by Bro .

Ruspini and the tAvo brethren associated Avith him as to the noblemen and gentlemen mentioned therein being prepared to continue their services as Presidents Avere satisfactory . On the appointed 22 nd May " the First General Meeting of the Subscribers " Avas held at the Freemasons' Tavern , as arranged .

Bro . James GalloAvay again presided , and the minutes of the Special Committee having been read and approved , and " the printed Plan , Rules , Regulations , & c , " having been read and " referred to a Committee to be revised and reported , " steps were at once taken for the appointment of a General Committee and the Officers .

After some debate it was agreed as regards the former " that the Grand Officers for the time being and Provincial Grand Masters , not exceeding twenty in the Avhole , and tAventy Governors should compose the Annual Committee , but if the numberof Grand Officers amounted to more , the Governors to be then increased in proportion . " Bro .

B . Ruspini having been elected Treasurer for the current year , and Bro . James Allen , Secretary , Bro . Heseltine , the Grand Treasurer , " rose and informed the meeting that the Hall Committee most Avillingly granted the use of the Hall for the intended Concert for the benefit of the Royal Cumberland Free Mason School , and Avarmly

expressed his Ideas of the just Praise which was due to Mr . Ruspini for his great Merit m projecting this Institution , and for the indefatigable Pains he had taken to bring it to its present rapid crisis , and concluded by moving that the Thanks of this Meeting be given to Mr .

B . Ruspini , the humane and benevolent Projector and Worthy Treasurer elect , which was carried Nem . Con . Avith loud applause . " A similar vote of thanks having been joaid to Bro . Galloway " for his polite and impartial conduct" in the chair , the folloAA'ing Avere " nominated members of the Annual Committee for the present year , " namely : —

" The Rt . Honble . Lord Macdonald , James GalloAvay , Esq ., Jas . Hull , Esq ., G . W . Carrington , Esq ., Wm . Beard , Esq ., Thos , BidAvell , Esq ., Henry Spicer , Esq ., Jas . Wybourn , Esq ., Wm . Robinson , Esq ., F .

H . Barthelemon , Esq ., Mr . Chas . Savignac , B . Ruspini , Esq ., Wm , Addington , Esq ., Wm . Birch , Esq ., MattAAc Bloxam , Esq ., Henry Holland , Esq ., Thos . Iiammersley , Esq ., Jas . Lucadou , Esq ., Francis Broderip , Esq .

" And the following Gentlemen , AA * 1 IO had voluntarily offered their Advice , Attendance , and Medicines , Gratis , viz .: — " Dr . A . H . Kennedy , Dr . De Valaiigin , Physicians ; Jno . Phillips , Esq ., and T . Ogle , Esq ., Surgeons ; and Mr . Boys , do . ; Jas . Farmer , Esq ., Apothecaiy . " Having completed this portion of the arrangements , the General Meeting adjourned sine die .

The History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls

1 he Annual , or General , Committee held their first meeting at the Thatched House Tavern , St . James ' s , on the 13 th June , Avhen the Rules and Regulations , etc ., as intended for publication , Avere read , and certain members of . the Committee Avere invited to examine and correct the proof sheets . Mr . James Allen , Secretary , Avas appointed

Collector of Subscriptions and Contributions , and , on the motion of the Treasurer , it Avas agreed to appoint Trustees as " Guardians of the Property " of the Institution , and " to receive the Security from the Treasurer and Collector , " the folloAving being nominated and unanimously elected as such , namely , Lord Macdonald , James

Heseltine , James Galloway , William Addington , and William Birch . On the 5 th July the first Quarterly Court Avas held at the St . Alban ' s Tavern , under the presidency of Bro . B . Ruspini . On this occasion three girls Avere recommended as candidates for admission , and the brethren charged Avith the correction of the proof sheets having

completed their task , it Avas resolved that the Rules and Regulations be at once printed . The question of taking a house for the purposes of the School was then considered , but after some discussion it Avas agreed to hold a Special General Meeting on the following Thursday , the 10 th July instant , for the purpose of settling a business

of such importance . And Avhen the day came round and the brethren Avere assembled , Bro . Heseltine , who Avas in the chair , suggested a second postponement in order that the Governors might knoAV fully the nature and extent of the liabilities they Avere undertaking . HoAveVer , it Avas at length resolved at a further Special Meeting on the 16 th

July , that a house at Little Chelsea , belonging to a Mr . Lochee , should be taken , at a yearly rental of £ 84 , on the understanding that Mr . Lochee should fit up and repair it under the inspection of a Surveyor to be appointed by the Committee . The selection appears to have been a costly one . A Committee was appointed to vieAV the premises

and see what repairs and alterations were necessary , and some progress had been made , when , at a Committee Meeting held at the Thatched House Tavern , on the 14 th October folloAving , the

Secretary announced " that he yesterday received a letter from Mr . GalloAvay at Windsor Great Lodge inforaiing him that the Patroness Avas extremely dissatisfied Avith the taking of Mr . Lochee ' s House , and recommended that Mr . Lochee be treated Avith for breach of

contract and the agreement cancelled ; that he had communicated the contents of the letter to the Treasurer ( Bro . Ruspini ) , and had AATote to Mr . GalloAvay by express , that rather than incur Her Royal Highness ' s displeasure , the Treasurer would take the House upon himself , and immediately remove the Inscription Board , & o . " He

further stated " that he had that instant received Mr . GalloAvay s AnsAver , Avherein The Duchess commanded him to say that she could not retract Her Objection to the House , but altho' Her Royal Highness so strongly objects , she will not take upon her to decide , but leaves it to the determination of the Committee . "

What may haA * e been the nature of her Royal Highness ' s objections does not appear . At a meeting held on the 21 st October , " pursuant to adjournment from the 14 th Instant , " Mr . GalloAvay explained fully their foundation , and Mr . Broderip added that , in consequence thereof , " Mr . Ruspini had resolved to Cancel the

Agreement with Mr . Lochee if it could be done on any reasonable terms ; " and that in consequence he and Mr . Spicer , as representing Mr . Ruspini , had had an interview Avith Mr . Lochee , who had at length consented to the agreement being cancelled , on condition that he ( Mr . Lochee ) " should retain the thirty pounds already paid him

for fixtures , & c . And that thirty-five pounds more should be paid him for his damages and disappointment , " he at the same time promising to " continue his annual subscription of five guineas to the Charity . " The expenses thus uselessly incurred , Avhich amounted to considerably more than the sums stated above , Avere in the end defrayed

by the Governors , the Committee having very properly indemnified Bro . Ruspini from all loss in the matter , and the objection of the Royal Patroness proving , as Ave have seen , insuperable , no other course remained to the Committee than to recommence then * search for a suitable house . Ultimately , on information furnished hy

Dr . De Yalangin , one in Somers Place East * was engaged , under a yearly tenancy at a rental of £ 35 per annum , and the necessary fittings and arrangements for the reception of 15 children Avere at once undertaken and completed to the satisfaction of the Committee . ( To be continued ) .

Ar00802

Ari'RENTiCE PILLAR is the so-called and well-known pillar in the Chapel of Rosslyn Castle , N . B ., with which an old Scottish Masonic legend has long been linked . The pillar has been described as a fluted shaft , with a floral garland wreathed around it . The legend is as follows : The Master Mason had to go away , some say" to Rome , for some nuroose connected with the olans ot building" . Durine * his absence ,

which was prolonged , a clever apprentice , a widow ' s son , either from the plans or by his own genius , carved and completed the pillar out of the solid stone . When the master returned and found the pillar erected , he was so jealous of the success of his apprentice that he killed hirn with one blow on the forehead bv a heavy setting : maul . To prove this heads

legend to be a fact , visitors to the spot are still shown three carved in the eastern part of the chapel , the master ' s , the apprentice ' s with a mark on his forehead , and the mother's . Some , however , believe tna these three heads are mystical , and are meant to point to a well-know legend of our order , familiar to all our Master Masons . If so , this is a ^ undesigned evidence to the antiquity of Freemasonry and its traditions . Kenning's Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .