Royal Benevolent Institution For Aged Freemasons And Their Widows.

competition is so active , men who are rapidly marching towards "the goal of success in the struggle of life , little heed those they pass by , and they are often knocked down and trampled upon in their march . At such a time as this it is fitting that some one should step aside from this fierce contest , and aid those who are forced out of the crowd , weary and wounded , having failed

in the journey to obtain the moderate comforts of life ; and in ¦ their old age build up for them , in some quiet corner , a small refuge wherein they may end in tranquillity and peace the few days that are yet left to them upon earth . " The worthy brother , however , after reviewing what had been done towards "this noble object during the time the institution had been in

existence , declared emphatically that , looking at the increasing wealth and number of the Order , he was struck with the inadequacy of the results as compared with the demands of their poorer brethren . This heart-stirring appeal produced the ¦ magnificent contribution of £ 3 , 5 ; tS 16 s . 6 d . The following year , however , instead of there being an advance upon this

sum , the contributions fell to £ 2 , 092 , but that might in some degree be accounted for in the double festival held on behalf of ¦ the Boys' School . It was , therefore , ardently hoped this year that a progressive advance would take place , as upon former occasions . This year there was a list of sixty-seven Stewards , of which Bro . M'Intyre , G . Reg ., was president , and Bro . Joseph Smith , 'P . G . Purst . ( representing the Domatic Lodge as Steward ) , was Treasurer .

A procession was formed and at six o clock Lord De Tabley entered the hall and took his seat , supported on the dais by the following brethren : —Bros . Col . Adair , P . G . M ., for Somersetshire ; Tomkins , G . Treas . ; iEneas M'Intyre , President of the Board of General Purposes ; Udell , P . G . D . ; A . W . Wood , Dir . of Cers . ; Bradford , G . D . of Cers . ; H . Brydges , P . G . S . B . ;

Potter , P . G . D . ; Hopgood , P . G . D . ; Head , P . G . D . ; George Cox , P . G . D . ; Cope , P . G . S . B . ; George Cockley , G . S . ; Trimmer , ( 3 . S . ; Harris , G . S . ; Farnfield , Secretary to the Aged Freemasons' Asylum ; T . Lewis , Assist . G . Purst . ; J . M . White , Prov . G . D . for East Lancashire ; H . J . Strong , Surgeon to the Benevolent Institution ; Boiling , Prov . G . S ., & c .

The dinner was served in the best style of the Freemasons ' Tavern , it was abundant aud choice in quality , and gave unanimous satisfaction . It was the common remark that Bro . Gosdcn was entitled to the highest credit for the efforts he had made on this occasion to give satisfaction . The cloth having been drawn and grace sung by the XMOfessional singers ,

The noble CHArrarAjr said the first toast he rose to propose was the first given in all assemblies of Englishmen , and particularly amongst Freemasons . He did not speak of the illustrious lady who swayed the sceptre of these realms merely as their Sovereign , but as one who in the hour of misfortune attended at the bedside of those who were stricken down by

disease , and administered to them condolence in the hour of their afflictions . He with all cordiality and from the bottom of his heart gave " The Health of her Majesty the Queen . " Which was drunk with enthusiastic cheers , followed by the National Anthem , the solo parts by Miss Rose Hersee , and Miss Eyles . 'There was an additional verse anthem by Bro . James Masony on

the occasion of the birth of the Prince of Wales , The CHATEMAN- said he had then the honour to give " Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " He said he knew that they all had watched the progress of the Royal Family with an affectionate and living regard . Some of them had already entered on the active discharge of the duties of life , and others were still

young . In fact , they were all young , and they had health , strength and all the pleasant pastures of life before them , but when the time should come , and that they would be called upon to take their station in life , they would remember the education they had received , and prove themselves worthy members of the Royal Family . Quintett La Villanelle ( Marie Stuart ) , introducing " Auld

Lang Syne , " which was duly applauded and unanimously encored . The CHAIRMAN said : Brethren , having gratified ourselves by drinking the health of our constitutional Sovereign and the rest of the royal family , I have now the honour to propose " The Health of our Masonic Sovereign , the Earl of Zetland ,

that monarch who by universal election now occupies for the twenty-fourth time the throne of Masonry in this country , and let me tell you that the throne of Masonry , however high and honourable it is , is not lightly to be borne were it not for the courtesy , tact , and earnestness of Lord Zetland . I regret that the Earl of Zetland is not present on this occasion ,

but he has met with so many misfortunes one after another in family affairs , that he is almost bowed down to the ground , but I hope the Great Architect of the Universe will give him strength to support him under all his difficulties , aud therefore I ask you to fill your glasses and do all the honours you can to the Earl of Zetland , Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons .

The toast was drunk with enthusiastic cheering , followed by a song by Miss Eyles , " I wandered by the Brookside . " The CHAiEirAif next gave , "The Right Worshipful the Deputy Grand Master the Earl de Grey and Ripon and the present and past Grand Officers . " In proposing this toast he adverted particularly to the Earl de Grey and Ripon , who amongst his multifarious public duties , did not forget his duty

as a Freemason . This toast was drunk with loud cheers . Bro . M'LVTYKE , G . Reg ., said he considered it to be a high privilege to have to return thanks for the Deputy G . Master and the Officers of the Grand Lodge , past and present . It had been truly said by the noble lord their chairman that all who knew the Deputy G . Master knew how well he had

discharged his important duties to his country , and how he had set them a glorious example , by showing them how a man might discharge his duties to the public , and , at the same time , discharge those he owed to the Craft . As regarded the officers of the Grand Lodge , as he had said , the G . Master aud the Deputy G . Master had set them a noble example , and it could not be

better exemplified than they found that evening , when they came forward and rallied round the noble lord in the chair , in support of one of their charities . It was the earnest wish of the G . Officers to obtain their confidence , aud if they had obtained it on this occasion they were more than satisfied . The G . REG-ISTBAB proposed" The Provincial Grand Masters , "

and observed that he had great pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Colonel Adair , Prov . G . Master for Somersetshire . Ho was a young but most excellent Prov . G . Master ; but though young in office , he was a good member in Masonry , for he went from lodge to lodge and set them an example by attending our festivals , and was engaged in works

of charity . The province of Somersetshire was for some time under his ( Bro . M'Intyi-e ' s ) direction , but since it had passed into Bro . Adair's hands its condition had very materially improved . This toast was drunk with loud cheers . Bro . Colonel ADAIB , Prov . G . M . for Somersetshire , said he begged to return his sincere thanks for the honour that had been done to the toast , and especially to his brother , the Grand