The Masonic Charities.

" The whole is a long , low , uniform building , pleasantly situated , with large laAvn in front , and vegetable garden in the rear , Avitb plots for the occupants . . " Before I reached there I Avas under tbe impression that all this particular charity was centred here , and all the annuitants residents . But I found the annuity is separately paid , and each individual or couple , as it may be , support themselves , or it would otherwise require an immense building . I found there was accommodation here for about forty , tbe remaining 250 living with their friends , dispersed all over the

country , and having their annuities remitted to tbem quarterly . These I found Avere only too anxious , as a rule , to become inmates of the building so soon as ever there Avas a A'acancy , the residents baidng seA'eral advantages—such as rent free , garden , coals gratis , and medical advice free from an honorary doctor , AVIIO , I found , ivas greatly loved by the old people for his attention , hardly a mantel-shelf being AA'itbout a photograph of Dr . Strong . " You must understand that AA'here there is a married couple it is only tbe husband AVIIO receives tbe £ 40 ; and if there is a widoAv , with her two rooms she receives her

£ 32 . " I visited and conversed Avith several couples , also tAvo or three AvidoAvs , some of Avhom had lost then husbands since becoming inmates . SeA'eral brethren Avere there Avho had lost their wives in the Institution . "I Avas pleased AA'ith tbe state in ivbich I found every inmate . Each room originally contains table and chairs , and the bedroom bed and bedstead ; but in all Avere

some additions of household goods saved from the Avreck of former times , and imparting an air of comfort and grace to all . " The Avhole place , interior as Avell as exterior , bore that aspect of quiet and repose fully suggestive of its object , and I Avas perfectly satisfied our donations to the aged Freemasons' and Widows' Home Avere devoted to a noble purpose and with happy results .

"In conversation on matters concerning the . Institution , and a gossip about past events in the lives of some of the old folk , two hours quickly passed . " There was no mistake , brethren , in tbe genuine gratitude one and all expressed for their knoAvn and unknown benefactors supporting the charity , and I came away feeling that should adversity and misfortune di'ertake us in old age , here Avas an asylum befitting the declining years of anyone .

" Secure from worldly chances and mishaps ! Here lurks no treason , here no envy swells ; Here grow no grudges , here are no storms , No noise , but sweet content the end , and peace . " Nothing , Ave think , can be more satisfactory as a description , or as a fact . And noAv let us see what Bro . Taylor says of the Girls' School : —

" This Institution Avas established 1788 at the suggestion of Bro . Ruspini , Surgeon Dentist to H . M . Eng George tbe Fourth , for a limited number of girls , Avhether orphans or otherwise . The project received the Avarmest support of the most influential members of the craft , ancl since the time AA'hen , by their united efforts , the charity Avas established , 1 , 162 girls have been maintained , clothed , and educated within its Avails , and those who had no home or friends have been provided Avitb suitable situations

or professions , ancl no single case has been kno \ A'n where , in after years , they have disgraced themselves . "A school-house Avas erected in 1793 in St . George ' s Fields . On the expiration of tbe lease in 1851 it Avas found a large expense Avould be incurred to adapt tbe building to requirements , besides its having become a crowded neighbourhood . Accordingly about three acres of freehold land were purchased at Battersea possessing all the desired

recommendations . Upon this ground a building was erected , which has been extended from time to time » as needs arose and the numbers seeking admission increased . " The additions of the Royal Alexandra Wing and the new laundry are just comp lete at a heavy outlay .