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as stated in the circular—and it was the only tions were , ^ h he cordja || y agrce ( j _ noble Institutions , p hrase vyi ^ contj nue to be only so long as they But noble . ^^ rousty > and effectually supported and were nopiy , s ^ were as j i that this should be admin ' '" * ^ ^ ; n that room , and he confidently done as y ^^ assist them ; n { he ciuse t [ le y earnes t ] v appeaiea r ; gj , teous one . They bore no malice , but b , elie W undertaken this duty and they intended to perthey n ' " j | ^ g object of their desire was obtained . 1 hey solution cuuciusruu 01

v' rl that a satisfactory arm me tinn would only result from passing the resolution , q h - ch he had the honour to submit , namely : — « That a Special Committee be appointed to enquire into teDS recently taken by the House Committee in f nee to the case of William Gideon Motion , who was -he Institution ; with full powers to investigate the " i' / L /• all witnesses , and report thereon to an adjourned matter , "li « .. . u- 1 ,-t . l nn C ., f „ rrl ; iv the tmsnlu . General Court to be held on Saturdaythe

twenty-? M , ihst day of April , 18 SS . " Rro G . C ORBLE , P . M . and Sec . 453 , P . PJ . G . W . P « eY spoke as follows : Brother Chairman and Brethren , I rise to second this resolution , and in doing so I have tc " 1 vour kind indulgence , as I am suffering from a severe oIJ and the task of addressing such a numerous and aurnist as-embly is new to me . However , my remarks hill ' be very brief . I will not travel over any of the

oround that has been so ably dwelt upon by Bro . glass In the first place , pray let me assure you that in this business 1 have no personal feeling or motives whatever I desire to cast no aspersions of any kind on the House Committee , either individually or collectively , and I deep ly regret that any question of " . malice" has arisen .

The case is within a small compass ; in fact , we are called here to-day to settle what should really have been settled at the last General Committee meeting . Mow brethren , 1 think we are here to-day not so much to discuss whether this or that boy broke a window , ( tilled bees , or committed any equally awful crime , but to

decide on a question ol principle . It comes to thiswhether , under any circumstances , any action or resolution of the House Committee , however wrong or unjust , can be reviewed in any way by the General Committee or by a Special Court such as the present . I have no doubt it will be argued on the other side " that by the rules of the

Institution a discretionary power of punishment is given , ami whenever that is exercised no one c . n or ought to question it . " What , is there to be no redress whatever ? No appeal , however great the wrong done ? Is a mistake not to be set right ? Then it will be said— " Are we to have a Special Court to inquire into every

petty giievance , real or imaginary . If so , who will care to sit or act on the House Committee . " I say , Yes . If it is fairly shown that " a wrong has been done , " or rather I put it , " that an error of judgment has been committed , " it ought , in common justice , to be set right . If twenty

wrongs are done call twenty Special Courts and set them rir ^ ht ' . As to the first reason we urge for granting this Committee of Inquiry —( cries of "time , " and "vote . " ) Brethren , I will not say a word more than is necessary , I assure you—seeing the feeling of the meeting . Indeed , I will leave out half of what I intended to say , but as Bro .

Glass has said , 46 Masons , representing 30 lodges , ask you to agree to this inquiry , and that in itself ought to be a sufficient reason . Secondly—as to the wrong donethat is , what the friends say , Ihe excessive punishment meted out to this boy . Surely , to be turned out of the School just at the end of his time , with a stigma

on his character , is the very heaviest punishment the Committee could inflict , and it is clear that the charge which led to that was distinctly disproved . But I am restricted from going into details . The Committee will do that if you vyill appoint one , and they will decide whether we are right or wrong . That is all we ask . Hard things have

heen said against us for requisitioning for this Special Court . Then , why is such a power to call it given by the By-laws if not to meet special matters like this ? Now suppose a harder case than thi ; were to occur , and I don ' t think one could —( cries t . f "No , no" )—Yes , yes —it is so . Here is a School of some 260 boys—they all know

about this case , and vvi'l they not all remember it in alter life and point to this boy with "Oh ! but jou were turned out of the Masonic School ! " Is not that a stigma , more especially when he is just starting in life ? Are our laws to be like those of the Medes and Persians ? Is Ihe rule of our Institution to be so autocratic ? And so

soon as we ask , in a constitutional and proper manner , for a Committee of Inquiry , we are assailed with imputations . attacking the Institution , and desiring to injure it , and Tl Pf * ' ously attacking the House Committee . No such thing , we do not want to censure the Committeeeveryone is liable to make mistakes at times . We des ' re to

uphold and support our Boys' Institution— "to point to as a model , and say we have no cast-iron rules , we are ; ' L ' S read y to rectify mistakes , and if there be any error Ho * p S ? ment 't is on the side of leniency . " Surely the I u ^ Lommittee ought to court and readily support this fav ' ? < . ' , " ^ member this boy ' s father , he was a great « t £ " J dovvn at the School , and was always heartily "

thtKTt y the b ° yS < a"d ' fed EOme Shame * n havil * g a m f e f . y ° ur hands for so small a grant of justice to If th , * Can this great body of Masons refuse it ? of a ! n j "" my fa , tl 1 in one of t , le great P rincip ! es Masn „ - p , . w'll riceive a severe blow . If our bv st - \ . - ; a"tab ! e Institutions are to be governed no an te " -lwical Laws—against which there is to be ; -:. . PPeal , no redress , nn ricrhtintf- of an art nf 1 — —

ustipp fU i t * o — ** tKe t j _ ? A sa - > " * e sooner those Laws are altered other m ~ H ' ' must touch upon and explain one to-day a Ai- , n ! lai ' ' ' tlle reason wlly J ' 011 are called here t'on strmri L General Committee meeting , a resolumemorvlT ° " paper . (*¦ have not a copy , andquotetrom into the , ' , appoint a Special Committee to inquire Willi-, ™ n - ^ done by the Ho"se Committee in the case of meeting I-1 Motion- & c * " Now the majority at that for Ih J- , . llke the words " wrong done , " for to vote

of censnr L as sto : * d would be P »> g a direct vote Present w ° " . ,. House Committee . Now nearly all those Godson MP " towards having an Inquiry . Bro . ° tycctionihl pro P osed an amendment leaving out the readilv al jt 0 rds ' the proposer of the resolution ^ contrarv , » ' but the Chairman—Bro . Roebuck * ° allow n , ru , es ° * public meetings , declined or to Dut Wordin r ? of the resolution to be altered some excuse f ^ v . amend ment There was perhaps 'or that , for the meeting was a very excitable

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

one , and I felt some sympathy for Bro . Roebuck in his trying position . The resolution was then put and lost . Those 5 S voting against it were really nearly all in favour of an inquiry , but they would not vote for the resolution as it stood . Therefore we were forced to requisition for this Special Court , and put you to the trouble of coming here to-day to decide " Yts or No , " whether you think an

inquiry ought to be granted . We have not sought the position we now stand in ; we consider it is a duty cast upon us , and that we should not be men were we to shrink from the task . Brethren , do not stifle this matter . Truth will conquer ; but we do not wish it to be a boastful conquest . It has occurred to me that if there is such a difficulty in obtaining redress in a case where a boy can be

supported by so many fiiends and sympathisers , what would it be where there was no one , or perhaps but a few , to take up the cudgels ? We are here merely asking for "justice , " and not to wrangle or argue about the strict wording of a by-law . Do what is right ! The good order and well-being of the Institution will not suffer by it ; on the contrary , it will fill subscribers with greater confidence

that its affairs are well and justly administered . I appeal to you to appoint this Special Committee ; let it be thoroughly impartial ; let all friends and relatives who have an interest in the question have a full and fair opportunity of being heard ; and this 1 say they have never yet had . ( Loud cries of" No , no . " ) I distinctly and emphatically say they never have had it—never . Then with the

decision of that Special Committee the matter will rest , and an end be put to this unpleasant difference of opinion which has so unfortunately arisen . Bro . A . M . BROADLEY , P . D . D . G . M . Malta , Vice-President of the Institution said : Bro . Richardson and brethren , before moving as I intend to do the rejection of the motion which has been brought before this Special Court by Bros .

Glass and Corbie , I desire to compliment those brethren on the very moderate and proper terms in which they have stated their case . I , for my part , trust that 1 shall be favoured with the same patience that has been accorded to them , and I hope that in the few observations I feel called on to make on this very grave question I shall say nothing which will in any way wound the friends and relatives of

the boy Motion . It appears to me in the first place that our brethren have based their arguments almost entirely on considerations of sympathy and sentiment . They have alluded in feeling terms to the boy ' s father who was , we all know , a much respected member of the Craft , and they have referred to other circumstances which do not , 1 contend , bear in any degree on the matters at issue before

us . A great Institution like that of the Boys' School mu = t of necessity be governed by certain laws and regulationsif it were not so the position of the school itself would become as impossible as that of those brethren who are connected with its administration would be intolerable ! Every year a certain number of the subscribers , old and tried Masons , are selected by the suffrages of their

brethren to discharge the purely executive functions of the House Committee . The very fact ot their election shows conclusively that they are trusted by those who choose them , and it is manifest that the exercise of certain functions must be delegated to their discretion . If you refer for one moment to Law 40 , you will see that they are specially empowered to reward ,

admonish , or punish the boys in the Masonic School at discretion—nothing can be more explicit than the terms in which this delegation is made , and I contend that if they have exercised the discretion entrusted to them , you cannot arraign them in this manner before a Special Court . The vote oefore you to-day is substantially one of want of confidenceand if it is passed I very much fear that the future

, of the Institution , of which we are all so proud , and in the welfare of which we all take so deep an interest , will be compromised almost beyond remedy ! If the House Committee has acted in this matter contrary to justice , it is quite competent for the aggrieved parties , when the time arrives , to elect others in " their stead , but if every boy in the Institute knew that it was in his power , on any

grievance , real or imaginary , arising , to bring the House Committee before a Special Court , the carrying on of the daily routine of the School would be so much interfered with as to bring on a most serious and deplorable crisis . I hold in my hand a paper very admirably drawn up , which bears the signatures of the Master , Treasurer , and Secretary of the Chigwell Lodge , but 1 am bound to say that

some of the statements on that paper convey to my mind , a very sufficient justification of the action taken by the House Committee . You will remember that Law 40 gives them the power absolutely tf punishing at discretion , and you will see that the brethren who have brought forward the demand for an inquiry to-day admit a certain number of the charges which vvere preferred against

the boy Motion to be true . He has been guilty according to their own showing of getting out of the Infirmary window after having scarlet fever — of killing bees , possibly not a very heinous offence—and of quitting the School without leave , or as they choose to put it themselves , " absconding . " I contend , brethren , that if in the discharge of the wise discretion —( interruption )

—well then let me say the mature discretion of the members of the House Committee , they thought fit to pass the lenient sentence that the boy was to complete the very few remaining days of his term at Wood Green , out of the School , it is incompetent for us to inquire into their motives , or to investigate the reasons which influenced their decision . Nobody regrets more than I do all that

has occurred , but I do not think it is the fault of the House Committee if any stigma does attach to the boy in after life by reason of their action . In a matter of this kind , brethren , we must seek our reasons elsewhere than in sympathy and s-. ntiment . If our laws are bad or defective they may be repealed or altered . It is quite within your province to do this at some future time , but as long as

they exist in their present shape we have nothing else to do than to act in accordance with them . The House Committee has exercised the discretion invested in it , and unless we support their action we shall incur the unenviable responsibility of creating a state of things and an epoch of confusion which we should for ever afterwards regret . For these reasons 1 believe it is our duty to support the

action taken by the House Committee , and I accordingly move the rejection of the lesolution which has been proposed by Bro . Glass , and seconded by Bro . Corbie . Bro . AUGUSTUS HARRIS , P . M . 2127 , said : Bretfr . en , it appears to me that the whole matter under discussion lies more or less in a nutshell . It is admitted that this is the first occasion on which the conduct of the House Com-

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mittee has ever been impugned , and if this is so , I think we should certainly consider well before taking such action as would give rise to a precedent which might be attended , as Bro . Broadley has pointed out , with very disastrous consequences . I speak in favour of law and order , and I think it is our duty to support the House Committee in the exercise of the power which is duly vested in them by the

laws of the Institution . Some other brethren addressed the Court , among them being Bros . CROSS , HAWKINS , and ANDREW MOTION , an attempt on the part of the last named to desciibe the proceedings of the House Committee at their meetings

relating to this case being declared out of order by the Chairman . It was then moved— " That the question be now put , " and this having been carried unanimously , the resolution was put and lost , those voting in its favour being 118 ( tellers included ) , and those against it 190 ( tellers

included ) . A scrutiny was called for by Bro . ANDREW MOTION , - but Bro . GLASS , the mover of the resolution , having expressed himself satisfied , the Chairman declined to entertain the request , and the Court rose , a resolution of thanks to Bro . F . Richardson for his services as Chairman having previously been voted by acclamation .

The following vvere among" those present , viz . : Bros . Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; G . Ccoper , S . G . D . ; John Glass , P . M ., Treas . 453 , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . Essex ; George Corbie , P . M ., Secretary 453 ; A . M . Broadley , Sir John Gorst , O . C ., M . P . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . D . ; A . Williams , R . fferridge , P . G . Stwd . ; Charles Belton , Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ;

Dr . Woodman , P . G . S . B . ; H . Massey , Augustus Harris , C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . L . Mather , A . G . D . C ; J . T . Chancellor , P . G . Stwd . ; G . B . Abbott , C . H . Webb , T . J . Railing , P . A . G . D . C ; Raynham VV . Stewart , A . H . Tatterahall , Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . ; James Terry , P . G . S . B . ; Richard Eve , G . Treasurer ; Andrew R . Motion , George Motion , Thomas Cull , J abez

Hogg , P . G . D . ; S . B . Wilson , A . C . Spaull , Col . A . Ridgeway , Thomas Motion , C . Pulman , J . M . Klenck , F . R . Spaull , Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; J . Sampson Peirce , P . G . D . ; W . Clarke , P . G . P . ; Thomas A . Motion , C E . Soppet , J . S . Cumberland , James Motion , A . J . Dixie , H . Glenn , Percy Wallis , J . G . Stevens , John Mason , VV Lake , Rev . K . Morris , M . A ., LL . D . ; VV . M . Bywater , G . S . B . ; W . A . Scurrah , and F . Binckes ( Secretary ) , P . G . S . B .

Mark Grand Lodge Address And Silver Wedding Present To The Princess Of Wales.

MARK GRAND LODGE ADDRESS AND SILVER WEDDING PRESENT TO THE PRINCESS OF WALES .

Our readers will remember that it was resolved at the winter half-yearly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , & c , in December last , to commemorate the Silver Wedding of the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of the said Grand

Lodge , and the Princess of Wales , by presenting to her Royal Highness a suitable address , contained in a silver casket specially manufactured for the occasion . In accordance with this resolution , the address was drawn up and beautifully engraved on vellum , and a casket made to contain it . Ihe former was as follows :

" To her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales . " Madam , " May it please your Royal Highness , " We , the members of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , humbly desire to approach your Royal Highness , and to offer our most

hearty and loyal congratulations on the occasion of the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the auspicious marriage of your Royal Highness and his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , our Most Worshipful and Exalted Grand Master . " Your Royal Highness and his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , by your many acts of public benevolence ,

and the exercise of Masonic virtues , have so endeared yourselves to the brethren of Grand Lodge in the Mark Degree , that they cannot allow this opportunity of testifying their feelings of loyalty and attachment to pass without presenting this humble address to your Royal Highness .

" The brethren of Mark Grand Lodge trust that the Great Overseer of the Universe may continue to pour His blessings upon your Royal Highness . And that the sun of unclouded prosperity , may shine upon your Royal Highness and his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales fur many years to come is the prayer of every Mark Master Mason .

( Signed ) "EGERTON OF TATTON , " Pro Grand Master . " The above , which had been most artistically and delicately illuminated on vellum by Bro . C . H . Driver , F . R . I . B . A ., and Past G . I . of Wks , was contained in a silver casket of oblong shape , richly decorated in Queen Anne ' s style , with Masonic emblems in relief at each corner , and

a wreath of briar roses , in repousse work , in the four panels at the sides . The initials of the Princess of Wales , and the dates 1863 and iSSS , are raised on the lid , and the coats of arms , in coloured enamel , of Grand Lodge , of his Royal Highness , Grand Master , Prince of Wales ; of Lord Egerton of Tatton , the Pro Grand Master ; and of the

Marquis of Hertford , the Deputy Grand Master , are placed in the centre of the four principal panels . The address , in this beautiful casket , was duly presented to the Princess of Wales at Marlborough House , on Saturday , the 10 th March instant , by M . W . Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , Pro Grand Master , and most graciously acknowledged by her Royal Highness .

? - Bro . Nicholas Sorokiadis , of Athens , Greece , an officer of the Grand Orient of Greece , is desirous of securing a position in one of the Colleges , Schools , Academies , or Masonic Institutions of this country as Professor of Languages , especially of the Greek , ancient and

modern , French , and Italian . Should any of our readers learn of an opening for him , they will confer a fraternal favour by addressing him in person at No . 28 , Arachovastreet , Athens , Greece . For references apply to Bros . Em . Galani , Professor , and Editor of " Pythagora , " and Anast . N . Stoupis , Lawyer and Professor , Athens , Greece .