Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

from the daugers and misfortunes to which females are peculiarly exposed , trained them up in the knowledge and love of virtue and habits of industry , and cultivated the practice of such social , moral , and religious duties as might best conduce to their welfare and eternal happiness . " Since its establishment , nine hundred and eighteen girls have been educated , clothed , and maintained within its walls , most of whom , at the expiration of their term of residence ,

have returned to their parents or friends ; those who have no home have boen provided with suitable situations , in which they have invariably so conducted themselves as to deserve and receive the commendation of their employers . "A school-house was erected in 1793 near the Obelisk , St . George ' s-flelds , on leasehold ground belonging to the Corporation of the City of London , tho lease of which expired in IS 51 . At the expiration of the termit was found that the lease could

, only ho reneired at a greatly increased rent , sue that a large expense would he incurred to adapt the building to the modern exigencies of such an establishment . The house could scarcely accommodate the number of children already admitted , and had become hemmed in by other buildings ; and , as must necessarily happen in a crowded neighbourhood , the air had become more or less vitiated , that it was determined to remove to a locality more

open and less liable to future obstruction . Accordingly , about three acres of freehold laud were purchased on the high ground of Battersea Rise , adjoining Wandsworth Common , possessing all the desired recommendations ; open country , pure air , gravely soil , sufficient room for playgrounds , a plentiful supply of water , near proximity to church accommodation , easy access by rail or road , pleasant and healthful walks , and ample garden ground for supplying the institution with vegetables and fruit . Upon this land a building was erected , embodying all the appliancos required for the health and comfort of its inmates , and the

committee have the satisfaction of knowing that it is considered an ornamsnt to the neighbourhood iu which it stands . "An enlarged system of education has for some time past been in operation , aud the benefits resulting from tin ' s extension can ho referred to with the most lively feelings of satisfaction . Iu connection with this important subject , the committee take tho opportunity of stating that they have never been anxious to make a display of exceptional talent shown bindividual irls

y g , believing that the real interests of the institution are better served by careful , solid teaching throughout , than by any effort to develop the ability of a few to the injury of the less talented . Nevertheless , for the purpose of obtaining an additional test of the standard of instruction , it was resolved that six of the elder girls should go up to the Cambridge Local Examination . This step was attended with the most gratifying result , all of them '

having passed to the satisfaction of theexaminers , three of the number taking high honours ; and the continued success of this course , adopted in the first instance merely as an experimental test , furnishes the best proof of the thorough efficiency of the system of education carried out in the school . " The girls remain till sixteen years of ago , and are employed by turns in all the domestic duties of the house , and great care is taken to make them expert in needlework , so that , whilst cultivating the more purely- educational branches , they shall not

rose signc , but equally useful qualifications , so necessary to fit them for their several stations in life . "The establishment consists of a matron ; a governess , and four assistants ; a gardener ; and three female servants . The number of girls domiciled in the school has within the last feuyears been increased to one hundred , and an additional wing was erected for that purpose . This , together with the maintenance of the number thus brought togotberinvolved at the

, time a serious outlay . Nevertheless , in order that the institution should be as perfect in every respect as possible , new dormitories , affording increased space for sleeping room ; an infirmary , isolated from the general building and approached by a separate staircase ; a convalescent room ; additional baths and lavatories , etc ., have been constructed ; and the covered playground , formerly a mere wooden structure , has been permanently walled in

, and forms the basement of the new apartments . The cost of this work amounted to upwards of £ 3 , 000 , and however large tho sum may appear , the committee , impressed with the full importance of the subject , declined the fearful responsibility of neglecting those precautionary measures of a sanitary nature so well calculated to ensure the health and safety of the children ; and they confidently appeal to the Craft to assist them with the requisite funds to meet this expenditure . " The ailluent Freemason , the nobility , clergy , and gentry ,

and particularly ladies ( who may be considered most conversant with the wants and requirements of girls ) , are respectfully but earnestly solicited to lend their aid in support of an institution which has effected so much good ; and which , from its enlarged capabilities , tho committee trust will , by the blessing of providence , bo productive of more extensive advantages . "

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

ENGLISH CONSTITUTION . METROPOLITAN .

LODGE OJ FAITH ( NO . 141 ) . —The brethren of this lodge met on Thursday , the 2 Gfch ult ., at Anderton's Hotel , Fleetstreet . Bros . James Hill , WM . ; Speed , as S . W . ; C . C . Taylor , J . W , ; Green , S . D . ; Thenmns , J . D . ; Pitt , I . G . ; Carter , P . M . & Treas . ; Ansloiv , P . M . & Sec ; and Hyde , Stewart , A . E . Harris , E . Gottheil , Gluckstoin , and J . L . Jones , Past Masters . The lodge having been opened , and the minntcs confirmed , a ballot was taken for tho reception of Bro . J . L . Jones , P . M ., as

ajoinsng member . Bros . Dempsey , Morris , Davis , and David Davis were raised to the sublime degree of Master Masons . It was then proposed that the sum of £ 5 os . should be given to the " Freemasons' Lifeboat Fund , " and £ 5 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , both propositions being carried unanimously . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , and tho brethren separated after spending an agreeable evening .

THE LODGE OH ST . JAMES ' ( NO . 7 G 5 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 3 rd inst ., at the Leather Market Tavern , Bermondsey . The chair was occupied by Bro . George Hyde , W . M ., supported by the whole of his officers . One candidate was initiated , one brother passed to the degree of F . C ., and another raised to tho sublime degree of Master Mason , the whole of the ceremonies being performed by the W . M . in a very artistic manner . This is the concluding

meeting of the season . A banquet followed . LEIGH LODGE ( No . 957 ) . —The installation meeting took place on the 9 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queenstreet . The lodge was opened at 4 p . m . by Bro . Mark Edersheim , W . M ., assisted by Bros . Meredith , S . W . ; Creswick , J . W . ; Mitchell , S . D . ; Kelso , J . D . ; Diprose , I . G . The lodge having been opened the minutes of the last meeting were read

and confirmed , also the minutes of the audit meeting . The lodge was afterwards opened iu the second degree , The usual questions having been answered satisfactorily by Bro . Southey , he then retired , and was again presented to the W . M ., aud raised to the sublime degree of M . M . The lodge was then resumed to tho second degree , and Bros . Moseley , Gaerth , and Bardsley , were passed to the degree of F . C . Bro . Cotterbruue , P . M . and Sec , presented Bro . Creswick to the W . M ., to receive at his hands the benefits of installation . The ancient charges

wero read over to the W . M . elect , who gave his unqualified consent to uphold the same . A Board of Installed Masters was then formed , and Bro . Creswick was duly installed into the chair of K . S . Tho W . M . then appointed his officers as follows Bros . Meredith , S . W . ; Mitchell , J . W . ; Cottebrune , Sec . ; Kelso , S . D . j Wecldle , J . D . ; Diprose , I . G . ; Daly , Dir . of Cers ., anil Woodstock , Tyler . IJro . Cockerell was unanimously re-elected treasurer . The addresses were then delivered by Bro .

Edersheim , I . P . M ., and the whole of the ceremonies were given iu a very able and pleasing manner , and reflects no small credit on the worthy secretary of this lodge . The lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting hall , where a dinner was served , worthy tho resources of this establishment . After tho removal ofthe cloth , the usuil loyal toasts were given with Masonic honours . Bro . John Ilervey , G . S ., responding for the Dep . G . M . aud the rest of the Grand

Officers . The W . M . claimed attention of the brethren to a special toast , and upon which he dwelt at some length , aud which bo stated was that of the noble guest , Lord Leigh , Prov , G . M . for Warwickshire , and who he said was the godfather of the lodge , and called upon the brethren to express their feelings with true Masonic feeling for the honour the noble lord had done them in visiting for the first time , the lodge named after him , and whicli was received with great enthusiasm by the brethren . The uoble lord then rose and expressed his thanks