Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

manner in which the aivard was receiA-ed proved that the audience concurred in the judgment of the Chairman . The merits of the other candidates for the elocution prize Avere so great that the Chairman and some other brethren supplemented this class with additional prizes . At the close of the distribution , tho chairman alluded to tho success that had attended , on former occasions , the experiment

of sending up pupils of the Institution to the Oxford and Cambridge local examinations . The present occasion , he AA-as happy to say shoAved no falling off in the standard of excellence , as the Avhole of the boys came creditably out of the trial . He mentioned that at their last summer fete , a German friend of his being in attendance , he hacl asked his opinion upon the

recitation in tho German language hy one of the pupils , and he had informed him that the performance Avas a A'ery creditable one indeed . That gentleman Avas UOAV present and would again express his opinion upon tho proficiency of the pupils in the German language . He Avas also happy to state that since that time his friend bad become a brother , mainly , he believed ,

through the evidence afforded by this Institution of the good Avork of Masonry . The attention of the company Avas draAvn to the excellent specimens of drawing ancl Avater colour painting Avhich surrounded the room in which they were assembled , one in particular , executed by Master Pucker , Avas not eligible in the

competition , as the pupil hud left the school . Iu awarding the prizes for Avriting a difficulty had , as on the last occasion , arisen . Two pupils had competed so evenl y for the second prize that the Committee felt bound to award au additional prize . At the close of this portion of the proceedings the Chairman

regretted the absence of Capt . Vivian , AVIIO , lie considered , would have more ably fulfilled the duties of the Chair . He AVUS pleased to see so many of the brethren and their ladies manifest , by their attendance , the interest they took in tbe school . On behalf of the Committee of the Institution he appealed to the brethren that they should more frequently visit the Institution . He coulcl not charge the Craft Ai'ith indifference to the

interests of the institution , they ivere ever ready to subscribe , and lie felt assured that if money Avas Avanted , they had only to ask and it would be forthcoming . The committee exerted themselves to the utmost to maintain the efficiency of the School , but they would be encouraged in their labours if the brethren Avould come and see the result

of their exertions . He need not refer to the improvement in the institution during the last fifteen or twenty years , but great as that improvement had been , these were not the times to stand still . They must advance , and he should not rest till an opportuuity AAMS afforded to such boys as showed a similar amount of talent as tbey

had already Avitnessed , of putting that talent to account . He thought they shoAild foAiiid Scholarships at the Universities , so as to giA'e the lads the means of reaching the highest point of promotion in the social scale . Had the parents of these lads been alii'e , many of them AVOUM have been enabled to complete their studios at one or the other of our

Great Universities . The Sum of £ G 00 , he said , would provide six exhibitions , three at each University . The Chairman then stated that some of the City Guilds had A'aluable scholarships in their g-ift , which actually Ai-ent begging . Many ofjthe Members of these Guilds was also Members of the Craft , and , were the case properly represented , be had no doubt that some of these scholarships could be obtained for the pupils of this

Institution . In this Avay , at not far distant day , be hoped to see the School made second to none in the country , and to see its pupils achieve similar distinctions , as are now acquired by the Boys from Han'OAA * , Winchester , and Eton . The Chairman concluded , congratulating the boys upon the progress they had made , and urged them to continue their studies . At the conclusion of his address a vote of thanks was cordially

voted to tho Chairman . The thanks of the company Avere also accorded to Bro . Furrian , the Head Master , AA'I IO suitably responded . Miss Hall , the matron , also received a similar compliment , special mention being made of the affectionate care bestowed upon her charges , as evidenced by their happy , contented , and

healthy appearance , which , as usual , elicited the praise ancl admiration of all present . A ramble through the building bad given the company an opportuuity of Avitnessing the perfect arrangements for securing tbe comfort and health of the inmates . Bro . Binckes then solicited tbe indulgence of the company

A larger number of guests than were expected , he Avas happy to say , Avere present , and some little time Avould be required to perfect the arrangements for their comfort . Many seized the opportunity thus offered of a stroll through the beautiful grounds of the institution . The meadow , minature farm yard , with its newly-made bay stack , the kitchen and

fruit garden , ancl the laAvn , surrounded with choice trees and shrubs , were in turn visited . One feature of the latter excited the greatest admiration . It Avas a beautiful specimen of the tulip tree , one of large size , very rare in this country , at present covered with thousands of blooms , bearing a great resemblance to the floAver after AA'hich the tree is named , The company then

entered the gymnasium , ivhere a collation bud been provided by Bro . Gosden , of the Mason's Hall Tavern , Avhich gaA'e the greatest satisfaction . The Chairman proposed the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " which ivas loyally responded to . In proposing the health of" The M . W . G . lIaster , the Marquis of Ripon , " the Chairman alluded to bis services in America >

and the reward Avhich Her Majesty had been pleased to confer in recognition of those services . The Charman gave the " Deputy Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Officers , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , Junior Grand Warden . It gave him great pjleasure to learn that Bro . R . W . Stewart had at last

had conferred upon him the rank ivhich his distinguished services to Masonry , and notab'y to tbe Masonic charities , so long deserved , and he hoped that he might many live many years to Avear his laurels . Bro . Raynham , Stewart , J . G . W ., in reply , concurred AA'ith . the Avishes of the Chairman , that the brethren Avould more

frequently visit the Institution . He AVUS sure that Avbat they there Avitnessed would increase their interest and render them more and more Avilling to accord their support . He thanked the brethren , on behalf of himself and his brother Grand Officers for the manner in Avhich the toast had been given and responded to .

The " House Committee" AA-as next proposed and loyally responded fco by Bro . Cower , the Junior Member of fc he Committee . Tbe Chairman , proposed the " Health of Bro . Binckes , " the worthy and esteemed Secretary of tho Institution , Avhich oived so much to bis exertions . He AA-ould not go so far as to say that Avithout him the Charity Avould go to ruin and decay , for he