Royal Freemasons' School Foe Female Children.

Seats , and the children ranged themselves in front of the chairman ' s table . Mary Elizabeth Campbell and Emily Redgrave , two of the pupils , then took their jilaces at the pianoforte , and , accompanied their schoolfellows , who sung the following festival hymn : — There , 0 Lord ! is the greatness ,

And the power , and the glory , And the victory , and the majesty . For all that is in the Heaven And the earth are thine . Thine is the kingdom , 0 Lord ! And thou art exalted

As head over all . The singing of this hymn was greatly applauded , and at its -conclusion , The noble CHAIRMAN said : Brethren , I now come to the toast of the evening . This is the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Royal Masonic Schools for Girls . It was

founded in 178 S ; and , although it commenced with comparatively few in number , it has gone on increasing until it has reached its present number of 105 . During that time 868 children , the daughters of brethren who have departed from amongst us , have Wen admitted to the School , and 763 have left it . I have visited the School , and at once perceived the merits

of the system and government under which 763 children have left the School , but in no single instance have they ever disgraced it hy their after-conduct . I have no doubt that most of you , brethren , have had the pleasure of visiting this School , and those who have not done so , I advise them to do so as soon as

possible . To those who have visited it , nothing that I can say can have any weight like that to induce you to ' support Such an Institution , for I really did experience a very great pleasure in visiting it . I saw the School admirably arranged and cheerful , bespeaking tbe energy and good management the officers have used . I found the girls all

happy together , and a spirit of love prevailing amongst them towards their teachers . 3 ly pleasure in inspecting tho school was increased because I had an opportunity of hearing somo music well performed . Their calisthonic exercises wore also well performed , and I can say that if those young ladies should come ¦ as volunteers to tho corps to which I belong I shall bo very proud

to be their commanding officer . I fool that no words of mine aro necessary to ask tho Craft to support this school , for tho great aim and boast of Masons is charity . If yon contribute to this school , you not only aid tho requirements of it , but you will havo a voico in tho management of it for tho future . If a brother has deserved well of tho Craft in his province , and should happen to

dio in poor circumstances , i £ tho brethren think it noeossary to take a fraternal interest in tho welf aro of his children , by the ¦ payment of 150 guineas thoy can at once obtain an entrance for ono of his children into tho school . By tho payment of fifty guineas a . brother becomes a vice-president , ami hasa voico in its management . By tho payment of ton guineas a brother becomes a life subscriber , andean havo a place on tho committee ; and

Tiy tho payment of twenty guineas by a lodge or chapter it is for over a lifo governor . It is with groat ploasm-o that I look over tho steady increase in tho receipts for the last few years , and I ¦ notice , amongst other things , a groat impiovomont in tho provincial receipts , as tho school is becoming better known in tho provinces . I perceive that in 18 G 5 tho London lodges contributed

£ 2 ; 844 to the funds , and tho provinces £ 1 , 213 . In 18 GG London contributed . 68 , 281 , and tho provinces £ 1 , 499 . I trust tho increase in tho contributions of tbe provinces will continue , and I must say that while London is doing its duty in this respectand I spoak this as a Provincial Grand Master—considering tho number of lodges in the provinces , compared with those in London ,

I must say that tho provinces are alittlebehind . I trust to-night wo shall soo an improvement in this , respect , not for this year alono , but that wo shall go on and vie with each other as to who shall best support our Masonic charities—this , as well as all tho others . I first of all havo taken tho internal management , but I cannot speak too highly of all the officers connected with this

institution . I giro you ' Success to tho Royal Freemasons' School for Fomalo Children , " coupling with tho toast " The Health of Bro . Benjamin Bond Cabboll , tho Treasurer . " Tho toast was enthusiastically received . Bro . the Rov . J . HUYSHE , Prov . G . M . for Devon , in tho absence of Bro . Cabboll , returned thanks , and said ho considered it an

honour to acknowledge tho compliment on bohalE of so good a Mason , for ho was himself tho personification of charity . Florence Catherine Weaver , tho girl who had gained the silver modal for good conduct , was then brought to tho Chairman ' s table , amidst the applause , not only of tho general company , but of her schoolfellows .

Tho CHAIRMAN said : Florence Catherine Weaver , it is to me a very great privilege to present this modal to j r ou on this interesting occasion . You belong to a school instituted and maintained by Masons in fraternal romombranco o £ brethren who have boon taken from us , and I havo much pleasure in presenting you with this modal which you havo well earned . As tho daughter of a Mason I wish you happiness and ovory prosperity in your

after lifo . I havo also to present you with this purse , containing five guineas , given annually by tho Maybury Lodgo to tho girl who wins tho silver modal , a prize which does honour to the lodgo for tho manner in ivhich thoy havo chosen to assist our Masonic charities . I havo great ploasm-o in presenting them

to you . Florence Weaver then gracefully saluted the company , which elicited fresh cheering . Another hymn was then sung , and tho children retired . Bro . the Rov . J . HUVSHE said ho had no difficulty whatever in proposing tho next toast , as ho know but ono feeling could animate tho heart of ovory Freemason when they found a

nobleman como forward at a short notico to preside over such a largo mooting , and to conduct it in tho manner ho had done that day . Ho know their noblo chairman was suffering from indisposition and a racking headache , and thoy themselves know what it was to perform important duties under such difficulties . Ho hesitated not a moment to como forward when ho hoard tho

Deputy Graud Master was unable to preside , and although ho was but a young Mason , ho had shown to thorn that night that ho was a good ono , and ho ( Bro . Huysho ) should bo disappointed if thoy did not drink his health in a manner that ho would remember through tho wholo of his Masonic career . By that

thoj' - would show how thoy estimated him by taking tho chair on tho present occasion in tho absence of tho Doputy Grand Master . Tho toast was cordially drunk , followed by nine cheers and ono cheer more . The noble CHAIRMAN said : Brethren , I thank you most heartily and sincerely for tbe manner in which you have drunk my health , and I may say at the Grand Lodge festival the other

day , I was informed that Lord de Grey and Ripon was prevented from presiding on this occasion , and that it was important the chairman who should preside at the festival for this Charity should be announced as soon as possible . I could not hesitate , however unworthy I may be , to fill his place . My forte is not oratory , hut I have endeavoured to do my best .

I know that in an assemblage of my brethren my shortcomings will meet with their kind indulgence . I have to thank you sincerely for the manner in which you have supported me in the chair this evening- I assure you I feel extremely honoured by occupying the chair , although I know