The Masonic Charitles.

and m accordance with a resolution previously adopted , dissolved themselves , and presented to the general committee of tlie Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , their closing report . Accompanying the report , the Committee place in the custody of the general committee the reports of their proceedings , the title deeds , the conveyance , and every paper connected with the freehold building and land at Croydon . The amount of

money received by the committee from donations , subscriptions , legacies , and the grant from the Grand Lodge , has been 7807 ^ ., of which there has been disbursed for the land , conveyance , building , kc , 7804 Z . —there yet remaining a debt . due upon the property of nearly 3001 . Nor is this all ; for we understand the general committee have been called upon to make certain alterations in the drainage , and to put the Asylum in order for the

reception of the inmates some small further expenditure is yet necessary ; so that we believe we shall not be far wrong if we say that ' from 4001 . to 1 . 001 . will be recpiircd to leave the Asylum in the hands of tlie general committee , clear of liability . This , to the Craft , is but a small sum , not 11 . per Lodge ; and surely there will be no difficulty in immediately

raising the money , even though , the brethren arc not invited to dine at the Freemasons' Tavern for the purpose . Indeed , we almost anticipate that so soon after our publication appears , calling attention to the small sum required , as the various Lodges can meet , the whole will be subscribed . To return to the report . The budding committee state that they visited the building and grounds on the 25 th of January , and can speak most

favourably of the manner in which the works have been completed ; and they believe the interest of the sustentation fund will be sufficient to keep them in substantial repair for many years to come . The committee then record their thanks to Br , -John Whitmore and Br . Wm . Farnlield , for their valuable assistance , irnd express their regret—a regret in which wc are sure the brethren will generally concur—that they have not the means

at their disposal to offer to those brethren a more substantial mark of their approbation . The committee also record their thanks to Br . Dawkes the architect ; and to Br . Barrett , " for his indefatigable zeal and perseverance as a member of the committee , and for his liberal donations and great exertions" to increase the funds .

We may be supposed to have brought this subject too prominently under the notice of the brethren , but we have clone so from a paramount sense of duty , feeling that the Craft will cheerfully embrace the opportunity of cementing the prosperity of the institution by placing it in the hands of the general committee entirely freed from debt . We do not know that we can better close our notice than by quoting

the concluding words of the report , in which " the building committee congratulate the general committee on this happy termination of a labour , commenced under peculiar circumstances—conducted for some time with considerable difficulty—but ending in perfect peace and harmony ; and they trust that this key-stone of the amalgamation of the three charities may continue a lasting memorial of brotherly love and good will to all mankind . "