Untitled Article

The D . G . M . presiding , then rose , and said that the first toast he had to propose required no panegyric to rouse the Brethren to give a hearty reception to " The Queen and the Craft . " The National Hymn was sung with considerable taste and powerful execution on the part of the lady vocalists . Next followed " The Prince Albert , the Prince of Wales , the Duke of Cambridge , and the rest of the Royal Family . " A Serenade Glee , by Benedict , " Bless'd be the home , " was sung with good effect .

The D . G . M . then said that the next toast being an unusual one , might under other circumstances require an apology , but as every one knew how largely and deeply we were indebted to the great and brave of our countrymen , he was sure a good reception would be given to <( The Army and Navy of Britain , and our gallant Allies now engaged in the great conflict . " Air , by Meyerbeer , Oh bravest , ever dearest , * ' sung most beautifully by Miss Birch .

The D . G . M ., in proposing the health of "The Earl of Zetland , the G . M . and Patron of the Royal Freemasons' School for FemalejChiidren , " was sure all present concurred in hailing the presence of the G . M . on that day , and finding that his health was so much improved as to enable him to partake in the festivity of the occasion ; the great interest their G . M . took in all their charities , proved how much his heart was disposed to further the objects of the Order . The G . M . said : Whenever I have presented myself before you , the reception has been always most kind , and when the time arrived to fix on the Chairman for

this day , my state of health was not such as to be certain I could undertake the duty of presiding over you . I am , therefore , most gratified that I am able to be here and support my noble friend the D . G . M ., who has undertaken that charge . It * is my desire on every anniversary festival to be present , as I know of no institution so deserving support . It is worthy of notice , that at the first establishment of this school , in 1788 , Ruspini , the founder , was in most prosperous circumstances , but that in after years , two of his grand-children became recipients of that noble

institution their progenitor had commenced ; and there is also another fact connected with the institution , not one girl of the school has in after-life been accused of misconduct . There are now sixty-six in the school , and I invite all here present , and their ladies , to take a view of the establishment and judge for themselves . To prove your zeal in the great and good cause for which you are assembled to-day , give a hearty greeting to " Prosperity to the Eoyal Freemasons' School for Female Children " ( loud and long cheering . )

The Members of the House Committee , with the Stewards , and Bro . Crew , the indefatigable Secretary , introduced the children now in the school , and their healthy appearance , combined with much native elegance of person and demeanour , elicited the commendations of all present . On reaching the dais , the children sang with considerable taste a hymn , composed by Calcott . They then made the tour of the hall , and at their return ,

The Noble Chairman said , that the most pleasing duty of that day was to address the children of his brother Masons ; but first , he would ask , could a better testimony of the efficiency of the school be required than that presented by the appearance of those children ? He was convinced the subscribers to the institution would see , by the children , and the accounts laid before them , that their money was well laid out . To the children he would say , that he trusted the care bestowed on their nurture and education would Una its reward

in their good conduct through life ; that the precepts instilled into their young minds would enable them to support with fortitude any ills they might be subject to in this world , and thus fit them for a future and a better one . He had now , in addition to the usual medal , to bestow live ' other prizes , the donations of Bro . William Smith . To Matilda Clubb was awarded the silver medal , and he could assure her that the continuance of the same good conduct through life that she had shown in school would always find support and countenance in time of need from the authorities of that establishment . To Annie Lewis was awarded the prize for writing and arithmetic ; to Sophia Anderson , for proficiency in reading ; to Charlotte Condor , for six years'