The Royal Benevolent Institution.

Bro . S . Tomkins returned thanks , and hoped that no effort would be wanting to place the institution upon a proper and efficient footing . The chairman then saicl , that before he proceeded with the next toast ho ivished to announce that the subscriptions had now reached £ 1 , 951 —ho might say that there were £ 2 , 000—^ 2 , 000 , as the auctioneers say—in two places ; for while Bro . Barrett was whispering in one ear that ho and nine others would put down their names for £ 5 more eachanother brother afc the other ear ( Bro . ICellockwe believe

, , , of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 196 ) was whispering thafc his Lodge would make up the sum by ivhich the subscriptions might fall short of £ 2 , 000 . Ho would now ask them to drink " Success to the other Masonic charities , " coupling with them the name of Bro . Crew . Bro . Crew , in feeling terms , returned thanks for tho compliment . Charity was the essence of Masonry . Deprive Masonry of that virtue , and it lost all its beauty . Feeling the truth of this , he was delighted to see their bounty

floiving for the relief of the distressed , Avhether tho current was in the direction of either of the schools , or of the present institution . Of course ,, connected as he was with the Girls School , his first wishes ivere devoted to its interests , but ho hoped the time would soon come when all their institutions ivould be equally well

supported . The chairman next proposed the health of the stewards of the evening . Bro . Barrett , in replying to the compliment , saicl , that as magnificent as was the subscription , £ 2000 was not by any means sufficient for tho wants of the institution . They ought to have an annual festival , as that would keep tlio officers of the charity in good working order , whereas they hacl now to undergo double the amount of labour in getting up festivals with an interval of two years between them .

Bro . Hyde Pullen hoped the provinces would be reminded of the claims which this charity had upon their sympathy and support . The company having , with the gallantry peculiar to the Craft , toasted the ladies , the proceedings of the evening terminated , much to the satisfaction of all who hacl any part in their management . It is but justice to Bro . Thomas Spencer to say , that he made a most efficient toastmaster . The musical arrangements , under the conduct of Bro . Donald King , P . M ., were

mosfc complete . He was assisted by Bro . Genge , Bro . Francis , Bro . Lorenzo ( who kindly gave his services ) , Miss Poole , and Miss Stabbach . The total amount of subscriptions on the lists delivered by the stewards , ivas £ 2 , 053 3 s . ; besides which there are yet five lists to be received .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

APPOINTMENTS . Wednesday , February 2 « rf . —GRASTD CIIAPTBII , at 8 . —Lodges , AA ' estmiiistor and Keystone ( 10 ) , Freemasons' Tavern ; Florence Nightingale ( 101 ) 3 ) , Freemasons' Tavern , AVoolwich . Thursday , Zrd . —Lodges , Slrong Man ( 53 ) , Falcon Tavern , Fetter Lane ; Good Report ( 158 ); Radley ' s Hotel ; Lion and Lamlj ( 227 ) , liridge House Hotel ; Ionic ( 275 ) , Ship and Turtle ; St . Andrew ' s ( 2 S 1 ) , Freemasons' Tavern ; Yarborough ( 812 ) , George Tavern , Commercial lioad EastCrystal Pnlaee ( 1011 ) Crystal PalaceSdenhamChapters . —St . James ( 2 ) Freemasons '

, , , y . , Tavern ; Moriah ( 9 ) , Thatched House . Encampment , —Mount Carmel , London Tavern . Friday , ith . —Chapters , British ( S ) , Freemasons' Tavern ; Prince of AA ' ales ( 321 ) , Thatched House . Saturday , 5 ' // . —Lodges , London ( 125 ) , Freemasons' Tavern ; St . Thomas ' s ( 166 ) , ditto . Committee Hoys School , at 4 . Monday , 7 th . —Lodges , Robert Burns ( 25 ) , Freemasons' Tavern ; Unity ( 83 ) , London Tavern ; Royal Jubilee ( 85 ) , Andertons' Hotel ; St . John ' s ( 107 ) , Radley ' s Hotel ; St . Luke ' s ( 108 ) , Commercial Hall

, Chelsea ; Joppa ( 223 ) , Albion Tavern ; Unions ( 318 ) , Freemasons' Tavern . „