The Masonic Mirror.

the tallest coming last . On coining opposite the Chairman t ! i 03 gracefully saluted him in passing , which in every instance he kindly acknowledged , the procession being closed by the matron , schoolmistress , teachers , members of the house committee , and stewards . The children having then passed round the hall a second time , and took their places on the dais , the shortest in front , and leaving an opening immediately in front

of the Chairman . Nothing could be more gratifying than the appearance of the children at this part of the proceedings —their neat and well-fitting dresses , their healthy countenances , and , above all , the great happiness which they all appeared to enjoy—ancl it was indeed a scene which was impossible to witness without feelings of the deepest emotion , and gave a

practical illustration of the value and beauty of Freemasonry . While the children wore passing round the hall , two of their schoolfellows . Miss Emily Wilde and Miss Mary Catharine Saunders , accompanied them on the pianoforte . When they were all assembled on the dais , the children sung the festival hymn , written by Misses Saunders and Wilde , and the music

t-o it , arranged from Mozart , by Bro . Donald King . It was as follows : — Great God , from whom all blessings flow , To Thee our hearts expand and glow With fervent gratitude .

O may our feeble notes express , Thy praise we would to Thee address , Thou Author of all good . The blessings that we daily share , Our home , our friends , their gen'rous care , All , all we owe to Thee . Accept our thanksand do Thou bless

, These friends with every happiness , To all eternity . Loud hallelujahs we will sing To Thee , our God , our Father , King , Hallelujah , Amen . Miss Mary Catharine Saunders was then presented to tho

chairman . The CHAIRMAN said , —If the previous toast appealed to our loyalty , the toast I am now about to propose appeals to our deepest sympathies . We have seen pass before us , in the most beautiful order , those children who are progressing and increasing in age , until they have arrived at the very verge of womanhood , who have received an education in our institution , and taught words of the purest nature and admonition as a

preparation to them to meet the storms of life ; and I have no doubt in years hence they will look back with feelings of pride at that peaceful haven from which they have emerged , and that they will have cause to bless the Charities the Masonic body have provided for them ; and I must say that it is one of the fairest sights I ever looked upon when I look upon these

innocent children . J [ was struck as they passed me how fresh they looked ; and they are about to enter the world with an enlightened appreciation of what has been clone for them , and from their spirited and intelligent countenances , I say , while they are present , as I think it only due , to express my approbation to those who have trained them so carefully . I dare say

this much before these children , ivithout fearing to give growth to pride , which , if once struck into the human heart , is very difficult to be eradicated . I congratulate the physician , the matron , and the examiners for the concurrent and favourable report we have received of the progress of the children ; and from amongst that number one in each year is selected to

receive a tangible mark of approbation for continued and steady exertions . Addressing her , he said , —Mary Catharine Saunders , it is my pleasing duty to place round your neck this medal ;

and when you look at it , whatever may be your rank in life , it will remind you that this is the best reward in which our approbation can be bestowed , because it has been duly earned , and you will ever wear it as a mark of tbe attention you have given to your studies . It is aho a source of pride to me to make you a gift of five guineas , which does not derive its interest from

its intrinsic value , but as a reward for honest labour . I hope tliis is the commencement of that which will be followed amongst the Craft , for I hold in my hand the purse which is given by one of the youngest officers amongst us , being little more than of twelve months' duration , but steadfast in his duty ; and I trust this example of good works will have its effect

amongst the brethren . I have now to give the toast which follows as a necessary consequence , which is " Tho Treasurer of tho Institution , Bro . Benjamin Bond Cabbell , and Success to the Eoyal Freemasons' School for Female Children ; " ancl although we are deprived of the presence of Bro . Cabbell by illness , I have the pleasure to state that he has transmitted his

thirty-ninth donation of thirty guineas . The toast was very cordially responded to . Bro . EDWARD HENOT PATTEN , D . Prov . G . S . B ., and Secretary , read the list of contributions , amongst which were the following : —Bro . Gibbs , Prov . G . M . for Bombay , £ 35 , and a long list from Bombay was expected ; Bro . Muggeridge , Lion

and Lamb , and Stability Lodges , £ 121 ; Bro . H . T . Thompson , Crystal Palace Lodge , £ 35 14 * . ; Britannic Lodge , £ 100 6 s . ; Emulation Lodge , £ 67 4 ? . ; Victoria Rifles Lodge , £ 4410 s . 6 d . ; Enoch , £ 26 5 s . ; Westminster and Key Stone , £ 32 10 s . ; Albion , £ 43 lis . ; Regularity , £ 36 15 s . ; Prince of . Wales , £ 92 8 s . ; Grand Masters , £ 53 lis . ; Percy , £ 46 4 s . ; Faith , £ 53 lis . ; Eoyal Navy , Eamsgate , £ 31 10 s . ; St . Alban ' s , £ 30 17 s . ; Sbakspeare , £ 53 lis ., a name we could not catch ,

£ 75 12 s . ; St . George and Corner Stone , £ 54 12 s . ; Old King's Arms , £ 51 lis . ; Mount Lebanon , £ 43 Is . ; British , £ 47 5 s . ; Lily Lodge , Richmond , £ 69 6 s . ; Temple , £ 57 15 s . ; Old Dundee , £ 57 15 s . ; London , £ 50 8 s . ; Old Concord , £ 50 ; Middlesex , £ 97 ; Royal Somerset House , £ 43 7 s . 6 d . ; Gihon , £ 64 Is . 6 d . The CHAIRMAN said the result of the different papers handed

in , showed a total sum of £ 3 , 006 16 s . 6 $ ., with ten more lists to come in . ( Loud cheers . ) The CHAIRMAN said—We have now to acknowledge the services of those to whom we are indebted for this gratifying result . When the children passed before us this evening , we viewed with admiration the administration of those whose

benevolent duties have produced these gratifying results . I , therefore , give " The Health of the House and Audit Committees , and Medical Oflicers , " and couple with the toast the name of Bro . John Udall . Bro . UBAEL said he had great pleasure in acknowledging the toast , and said it was their study to do all they possibly could

to make the children placed under their care a blessing to others , as well as those connected with the Craft . The Chairman , in a few observations , gave " The other Masonic Charities , ancl success to them—viz ., the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys , and the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institute , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Farnfield ,

Assistant Grand Secretary . Bro . FARNFIELD said—When it was remembered that an amount of nearly £ 10 , 000 had that year been received on behalf of their Charities , it showed that there was something more in Freemasonry than a name . As regarded the Aged Freemasons , although he could not bring them for the brethren to see , he could assure them they were truly grateful . Bro . SIKGLETON returned thanks for the Boys' School .