The Boys' School.

THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

TO TIES EDITOR OF THE FEEEIIASOXS' XtAGAZIXB AITD 3 tA 30 > 'IC MIItnOK . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Iu looking over the last edition of the list of governors and subscribers to tho Boys' School , and reading the list of tho Stewards for the festival on the llth March , I have been struck by one or two singular and , as I think , injudicious departures from the usual practice .

1 . I observe the name of a lady inserted at the end of the list of Vice-Presidents . I venture to ask you , Sir , by whose authority this is done ? Who is the lady Avho figures between the Vice-Presidents and the Stewards , and Avho is the parenthetical Captain Lamb accompanying her ? If he is a Mason and a Steward there can be no

necessity for the appearance of tho lady ' s name , if he is not a Mason and a Steward his name has no right to bo iu the list . 2 . The mode of dividing the Stewards into counties is not ouly objectionable , but unjust , especially in the list of governors and subscribers . I can point out ( within 1113 ' own knowledge ) the names of several life governors , & c , who are members of London lodges only , tvho served their Stewardships , gave their money , and are still giving it as members of snob London lodges , and yet

who are placed in the list as provincial brethren , though they have never been members of any lodge in the province and have no connexion Avith ifc further than their temporary residence there : the credit of subscribers is thus unjustly taken from London aud given to the provinces . I think that the division I refer to is further

objectionable because ib cannot bo expected that the same province can always send a large number of Stewards—West Yorkshire has the pull now , and I congratulate tliem 011 the noble exhibition they make , but I cannot forget the brethren of Warwickshire , and of other counties ; and I do not think thafc because their services are past , as those of West Yorkshire will be before long

, that either should be put in the background . 3 . Usually sir the Secretary ' s name comes last , in tho present list I observe thafc he takes precedence of the Board of Stevrards . There is a good old practice of keeping to Masonic precedence according to the rank of individuals and the numbers of their lodges , and I have a strong feeling that ifc is desirable to adhere to it .

We have had enough of " doing too little" pray warn our worthy , but somewhat over zealous officials , that there is another extreme . Yours fraternally , . A LIFE GOVERNOR OF BOTH CHARITIES . London , March 20 th , 1863 . [ The fact of subscribers from London lodges being classified under the various provincial heads has not escaped our notice . !

The Board Of Benevolence.

THE BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

TO THE ED 1 T 0 B OF Tin-: l'RlvE . UASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIUKOr .. DUAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Will yon , by publishing this letter , gi \* e me the opportunity of thanking most sincerely those members of Grand Lodge who last night notonly proffered me their assistance , but even thrust their money upon me , in aid of tho poor lady Avhose case I brought under the notice of Grand Lodge .

Upon reflection , I feel that it Avould be unjust to those who give so liberally to tax the charity of individual brethren , and make up from their own pockets a relief which the merits of the petition are entitled to demand almost as a ri ght from the public body . I will return all amounts received to their respective donors in the course of to-day . The- poor afflicted brother and his high-minded wife shall not suffer ; Avith the grant of £ 25 from my own lodge ( already paid ) , added to the grant of £ 50 made last night , she will be able

The Board Of Benevolence.

( although her expenses are very heavy , OAving to tne extra attendance required by her husband ) to ride over her difficulties for some months . Although I am debarred from Broking a fresh application to tho Lodge of Benevolence for tAvelve months , there yet remains , if ifc appears advisable , a direct appeal to Grand Lodge—an appeal which I am certain Avould

be cordially responded to ; but even should it fail , I shall not hesitate again to bring the subject under the notice of those brethren Avho have so kindly and so nobly volunteered their assistance now , and to whom I most sincerely and respectfully repeat my thanks . « - I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , March 5 . 1863 . JOHN HAVERS . J . G . W .

New Masonic Hall For Manchester.

NEW MASONIC HALL FOR MANCHESTER .

It has long been a subject of remark that the city ¦ of Manchester , which forms so important a portion of the Masonic province of East Lancashire , and includes among its inhabitants so many members of tlie craft , lias not a central place where the numerous lodges ,- chapters , and encampments can assemble , a privilege which is enjoyed by many towns of smaller size and

less considable importance . To supply this want it has been determined to erect a Masonic Hall , which shall be of sufficient dimensions to answer all the requirements of the Craft , and at the same time take a creditable position among tbe public buildings of the City . A central and commodious site has been secured for the purpose in Cooper-street . The shops for 59 feet

from the corner of Bond-street , excepting that of Messrs . Palmer and Howe , are to be pulled down , and the ground cleared to Back Mosley-street . From designs furnished by four architects , all brethren of the Order , those of Bro . William Mangnall Lodge Integrity 189 has been selected . According to these plans the principal elevation to Cooper-street will be 59 feet in length and 5 storeys in height , including the basement . The main entrance will be deeply recessed and flanked by a pair of Doric columns : the first floor will have columns of the Ionic order

ancl the upper portion , which is more especially to be consecreated to Masonic purposes , will be ornamented with handsome columns of the Corinthian order . There will be an attic surmounted by a pediment , in the tympanum of which will be placed the arms of the Grand Lodge of . England , w ith their supports . Four niches in the principal front will be occupied by appropriate emblems of the four cardinal virtues—Justice ,

Fortitude , Temperance , and Prudence . Over the main entrace will be tho motto—Sit lux et lux fait . The cornices above each storey are to be of different designs , projected boldly and decidedly , the most ornate being on the second iloor . The front is to be faced with Bath stone . There are to be three entrances , the centre and principal one being for the exclusive use of the Masonic body . It will lead into the handsome vestibule ancl

hall , from which a staircase will conduct to the banqueting-room ancl oflices , ancl by a further ascent to the spacious lodge-room , The banqueting-room will measure 56 ft . by 29 ft , and the lodgeroom will be the same size . The latter will be 26 ft . in height , with a semi-circular ceiling appropriately decorated . The entrance on the right of the centre will lead to a restaurant 52 ft . by 58 ft ., with coffee-rooms- attached . These rooms will be appropriated to the use of the public generally . The entrance on the

left will give access to a part of the building which will be let oft" as a warehouse , and in two suites of offices . It is intended to proceed with the errection of the Hall as soon as the requisite notices to the tenants of the property expire . The undertaking is in the hands of a company , consisting of the prominent members of the Order in the East Lancashire district . —Manchester ¦ uardian . [ We must add , that if the internal arrangements of the orignal plans are adhered to , it will be impossible properly to conduct that most beautiful of all ceremonies , the Rjse Croix , and therefore call attention , that the defect may be rectified .