The Royal Benevolent Institution.

cause to rejoice in your D . G . M . The allurements , I assure you , ivere many , and the decoys were great , to induce him to forsake us , aucl become the D . G . M . of Masons in his own country , aud I believe he felt like Macheath in the song , " How happy could I be with either ; " but tempt him as they ivould , offer him what they might , he was determined to abide with us . You have therefore great reason ^ to be proud of his lordship as your D . G . M . I have here a letter from him , in ivhich he that were it not that he hacl to attend at a festival gatheriug in honour

says of the centenary anniversary of the birth of Eobert Burns , ho would have hud great pleasure in coming here to-night to sit at my rig ht hand ; and without further observation , I beg leave to propose to you " The health of the Eight AVorshipful Deputy Grand Master , Lord Panmure , ancl the rest of the Grand Officers , past and present . " ( Loud applause . ) The chairman then rose , and said , —Brethren , I hope you will bear ivith me for a few minutesand so help me b silence to rivet your attention . The toast

, y your ivhich I have now to propose I ask you to join ivith me in drinking " Success to the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their AVidows . " _ Brethren , I trust that while I endeavour to lay before you the claims ivhich this institution has upon the Craft , the good cause may not suffer from the weakness of the advocate . The position of a chairman at this festival is not altogether similar to that occupied by the Brother who may preside over the festival of either of the other two Masonic charities . In the case of either the Boys or Girls School

festival , the chairman has the advantage of addressing au audience whose hearts are moved by the interesting spectacle AA'hich the girls aud the boys present in passing through the room—a sight denied us ou fche present occasion ; and I have no such aid to produce a subscription such as I hope it may be—such as has never before been produced , in support of this charity . I believe , from my heart , ive shall this evening obtain a list of subscriptions and donations , not only second to none , but superior to any Avhich has been hitherto obtained in support of this charity , and I tako

this early opportunity to congratulate those who were instrumental in obtaining for us the privilege of this biennial festival . Only look round upon this room at this moment , and then let auy one be bold enough to say , that the biennial festival is not a complete success . I think that the sight before us proves that it is a great deal more . To my mind it is most convincing evidence , that the time is not far distant , when there will be such pressure in the shape of hosts of subscriptions coming in , that we may obtain for an annual festival the same sanction we have obtained for a biennial one . But what is it to which I am asking tho

Brethren to contribute 1 I am sure there is no necessity for that question , as our feelings are the same , ancl I take it , there is scarcely one among us who has been induced to come here for the mere pleasure of the festive scene , but from motives far higher , and far more noble—to give our aid in subscriptions and donations for the alleviation of the distress of those , many of whom have spent the clays of their early life in as much happiness as auy of us here , but ivho are now anxious to participate iu your fraternal assistance . I ivould that I had eloquence enough

to induce you to raise funds sufficient to supply the wants of this institution , and not only that , but also to increase its funds beyond its wants ; but if I have not that eloquence , I have , as I hope you believe , the cause sincerely at heart . There is no occasion on ivhich I am asked to take the chair at a public festival , more gratifying to me than ivhen I have to speak on behalf of our distressed brethren . I fear , however , it would delay aud tire you were I to attempt togo into details with respect to the claims ofthe institution the interests of which I am advocating . I must ,

therefore , leave those details untouched ; although I am told by the stewards , that notwithstanding the circular ivhich they have sent out , the objects of the charity are too little knoism among the Loudon Brethren generally , and that in the country they are scarcely known at all . I hope the result of this evening ' s proceedings spread abroad , as they ivill be , on the Avings of the Masonic press , will ho to remove that ignorance . AYithout looking at the report which has been placed in my hands I think I need not fatigue you with more than a brief statement of what 1 saw the other clay , when I made it my duty to visit the institution . I went here alone , and sorry I was to do so—I wish you all coulcl have gone with me .