Charity Stewards.

larger than my purse , and though I could do it , as it were , by instalments , and should wish to be a Steward of all the Charities , I cannot , in justice to myself and family , give at once the sum demanded . I use the word advisedly , under the present regime . In the first place I Avould suggest that the privileges accorded to subscribers should be the same in each Charity

, and as that of the Boys' School seems to be the more preferable of the three , I Avould assimilate them all to that ; but as some of your readers may not know the precise terms of subscription to each , may I encroach still more on your space by copying them from the " Masonic Pocket-book" : —

Gs . Boys' . Votes . GUIs ' . Votes . R . Ben . Votes 50 V . P . 10 V . P .- 5 V . P . 20 10 L . Gov . 2 L . Gov . 1 < t 5 L . Sub . 1 No vote L . Gov . 2 1 ami . Ann . sub . 1 An . sub . 1 4

In the Boys' and also Girls' Schools the 50 guineas may be paid in one or more payments of 5 guineas each , but within Avhai time is not specified in the Boyal Benevolent Institution ( all classes of votes being pounds not guineas ) the 50 pounds must be paid within five years . In the Boys' the 10 guineas must be paid in one

sum ; in the Girls' in two sums within twelve months . I have hitherto understood a SteAvard has been expected to give 10 guineas to the Charity he represents , and pay 5 guineas more towards the cost of the Festival , and if he resides at a distance , his personal expensesadding 5 to 10 guineas morethe total cost

, , to him will range from £ 20 to £ 25 . One lodge to which I belong numbers some fifty or sixty members , and should send one or two Steivards each year ; but I haA r e heard it said repeatedly , " I do not so much mind the £ 10 10 s . as the additional £ 5 thrown away in eating , and therefore lost to the Charity . " Many

are also deterred from becoming a SteAvard fearing lest his list might be smaller than his neighbours ; but I am confident that the gain to the Charity would be very considerable in the greatly-increased number of the Stewards , if the cost to each individually were less . To sum up . A brother should be allowed , if he is

already a life subscriber , to pay the additional amount necessary to constitute himself either a life governor or vice-president at any period of his lifetime in sums of not less than £ 5 5 s . ; the Charities to be on' the same footing as to votes ; and the expenses to each Steward to be greatly diminished . I am , dear Sir and Brother Tours faithfully and fraternally , "ANOTHER COUNTRY . P . M . "

TO THE EDITOE OF THE FHEEMASONs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Since addressing to you the letter on this subject , Avhich appeared in your impression of the 10 th inst ., I have seen one of the circulars just distributed amongst the lodges by Bro , Patten , on behalf of the approaching Festival of the Girls' School .

This document has , to some extent , answered one object which I had in vieAV in communicating with you ; it fully explains the amount of liability which a brother must expect to incur in accepting the office of a Charity Steward , and in which respect Bro . Binckes ' s letter was deficient . This explanation , I presume , is now given for the first time , and I hail it as a move in the right direc-

Charity Stewards.

tion . As the information given by Bro . Patten will prove as new and interesting to many others of your readers as it was to myself , you will , perhaps , find space for it . It is not my object to enter more fully into the question at present than to inquire if , as I suppose to be the case , nearly the Avhole of the

contributions are collected by the Stewards prior to and independent of the banquet at the Festival ; might not the money thus expended be much better employed on behalf of the several Charities ? I am , clear Sir and brother , yours fraternally , A COTTNTRT P . M .

February 14 th , 1 S 66 . [ COPT . ] " The total amount collected at the Festivals of this Institution is exclusively devoted to ilie Mends of the Charily . Such being the case , the Stewards (

irrespective of their individual donations to the school ) are called upon for certain expenses incidental to the Festival . The purposes for which this amount is required are—an elegant repast provided for the ladies Avho grace the occasion with their presence j the musical arrangements for the entertainment of

the guests ; presentation tickets to those having claims on the Institution for services rendered ; also for postages , printing , stationery , rosettes , < fce . " In previous years , the amount deposited has been five pounds , which sum ivas sufficient to meet every requirement , and included the Steward ' s dinner ticket , as well as two ladies' ticket of admission to the gallery . "

The Board Of General Purposes.

THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES .

TO THE EDITOE OF TIIE FREEMASONS' H . AGAZIKE AOT 1 IASOSIO MIEKOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I feel it due to the committee over which I have the honour to preside , to notice a letter bearing the signature of "Scrutator " in your last impression . With the opinion of " Scrutator , " either as regards the buildings or the Building CommitteeI do not

, propose to interfere ; he has a right to his opinions , and may express them with good taste , or otherwise , as he thinks proper . I deal only ivith his statement of facts . Asking whether it is politic to require so high a rent for the use of rooms at Freemasons ' Hall as to drive the brethren to seek a place of

meeting elsewhere , he goes on to say that he " knows that one lodge has already been turned away by the terms asked for the use of those rooms they have assisted to build . " _ Permit me to say that this statement is ( doubtless unintentionally , but not less ) entirely without

foundation , and I contradict it because it might do serious mischief by preventing lodges from applying for the use of the new rooms . During the progress of the building , and whilst oui * tenants are deprived of the use of many of their old roomsall lod heretofore meeting in the Tavern

, ges have had the gratuitous use of the new rooms in Freemasons' Hall ; no rents have ever been asked and no terms have ever been offered to , or refused by , any of them , and consequently no lodge can have left for the reason stated by " Scrutator . " *