The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

* % * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisburystreet , Strand , London , W . C .

Masonic Mem.

MASONIC MEM .

In an article on Freemasonry in the East , published by us a few weeks ago , we reproduced an " invitation to show cosmopolitan sentiments" which we thought emanated from Bro . Trcu , the W . M . of the Germania Lodge . The Ereimaarer Zeitaug , from ivhich we had taken this appeal , declares that Bro Trcu is not the author , and as its editor claims himself the authorship , we hasten to rectify our involuntary mistake . TPalmani mil meruit fcrat .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

A- _ f _ . - ivEKSi . uy FESTIVAL . The sixty-eighth Anniversary Festival of this most important . and useful Masonic Institution took place on Wednesday last at the Freemasons' Hall . The proceedings were marked with unusual eclat , and we are glad to announce that the amount realised on the present occasion in aid of the funds of the

Charity considerably exceeds that arising from preceding festivals . The chair was taken by Bro . the Eight . Hon . Lord de Tabley , R . W . Prov . G . M . Cheshire , supported by the President * , Vice-Presidents , and the members of the Board of Stewards , and a numerous attendance of friends and supporters of tlie

Institution , amongst whom we were pleased to notice a considerable number of the fair sex in the ladies' gallery . After dinner and grace , the cloth having been drawn , the customary loyal and Masonic toasts— "The Queen , Patron of the Institution ; " " His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the other Members of the Eoyal Family ; " " The

Earl of Zetland , Most Worshipful Grand Master , President of the Institution ; " "The Earl de Grey and Eipon , the Deputy Grand Master , Vice President ; " were given by the Chairman , and cheerfully responded to . These ivere followed by the toasts of " The Eight Hon . Lord de Tabley , Chairman ; " " The Provincial Grand Masters , and the Present and Past Grand Officers ;" - " The Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys , and Bro . B . B ;

Cabbell , the Treasurer j" "Tho Vice-Presidents , Trustees , General Committee , House Committee , and Auditors of Accounts ; " " Tho Freemasons' Girls' School , * and the Benevolent Annuity Funds ; "f " The Ladies ; " and " The Board of Stewards . " The several toasts having been given and duly honoured , The CiiAirctfAiT said " It now devolved upon him since they liad

• placed him in the chair to lay before them the claims of this Charity , whose sixty-eighth anniversary they were celebrating , He felt himself incompetent to do justice to the toast , but he ivould make a few observations on the past , present , and future of the Institution . It dated as far as back as 1798 , but it wa in a different position then . The boys were educated at their homes , the parents receiving an allowance for that purpose . So

it went on till in 18 o 6 a house in Lordship-lane was hired as a school ; twenty-five boys were admitted , and others remained on the old plan . The School progressed favorably after that , and in July , 1865 , the new School at Wood Green , was opened , and it was an honor to the Craft . It could hold 160 hoys . There were eighty in it now , but at next election ten more ivould be admitted , and ton more in October . He bad

been there last week , and was satisfied that though some had said too much money had been spent on it there was nothing superfluous , either as ornament or as actually necessary . Suffice it to say it was worthy of the Craft . A small additional outlay ivould enable the building to throw open its doors to 200 boys . Therefore he exhorted the brethren

to support the Charity . The ground and building cost £ 30 , 000 , and at the opening £ 10 , 000 was the sum of winch they were deficient . It had since been reduced lo £ 6 , 000 , and they were asked to day to make up the amount . He felt great confidence that that debt would be liquidated . The tone which pervaded that assemblage gave him confidence . He wished all tbe

brethren ivould do as he did last week , and go and see for themselves and prove the trutli of his words . Nothing could be more pleasing than the appearance of the boys , the order and regularity with which everything was conducted . The prizes were given not only for general knowledge , but for what might be considered minor matters of importance , but which were very

essential to be studied in this life , cleanliness and tidy habits . He hoped the Craft in general would support this Charty , and he called upon the provincial brethren more particularly to doso , as it more concerned them , than the metropolitan brethren , the proportion of country boys in the school to London boys being 55 to 25 . He trusted that they would stir up each other

to assist in this excellent work . Iu his own province , to winch he had been recently appointed , there had been much sluggishness in this respect ; but he thought there had now gone forth a small spark , which he hoped ivould soon he a flame , in the cause of charity . Many of his provincial brethren were doing their utmost ,. and he thought , ivhen the Steward's lists were announced , it ivould be found that East Lancashire had set a

good example . Other provinces ivould no doubt emulate them , and no Charity better deserved the support of Masons . He had no more to say , except to praise Bro . Binckes for his exertions in the care of the School . His was the credit of putting the finances on a sound footing . Before Bro . Binckes was Secretary tbe average annual collection was £ 1 , 600 , now it was £ ' 1 , 000 . With

such an experience ho felt confident that to-night ' s subscription iisU would clear the school from debl . " —( Cheers . ) Perhaps one of the most touching features in the evening's proceedings—and it certainly must be especially so to those who , unlike ourselves , have become habituated to these oftrecurring annual festivals— is the introduction of the young

Lewises , the inmates of our noble Institution at Wood Green . Tlie hearts of even those who for years have frequented these festivals is filled with emotion as . when tho juvenile procession enters , we reflect upon the great lesson inculcated to us upon tho vicissitudes and uncertainty of our position in this sublunary sphere ; we cannot , however , long indulge iu such

thoughts , for we see that the faces of the juvenile band are radiant with expectation , anticipating the several prizes ivhich are to be distributed amongst them . The comfortable , well-clad , cleanly , and healthy appearance of the hoys was the subject of general remark and congratulation amongst the brethren .

We have never seen the provinces so well represented as on the present occasion ; perhaps we may especially refer to the strong muster from East Lancashire : indeed , provinces from which