The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

EOYAL BENOVOLENT INSTITUTION . *

Before our readers can receive their Magazine of this week the election for Aged Masons and Widows on tbe funds of this institution ivill have concluded , and Ave have IIOAV only to render our best thanks to the numerous brethren who have liberally supported us Avith their votes , for the proud position which AA'e feel assured Mrs . Piper Avill hold on the poll—being satisfied

even before the votes are presented that her eighth application AA'ill have been the last . Votes already brought forward 924 By Bro . Thomas 100 „ Bro . P . Matthews 52 „ A few Friends 160 Bro"VVHWhite PGSee 36

„ . . . .. „ „ G . W 32 „ „ Sedgwick 36 „ „ . T . P . Gray 20 . . Bowden 16 . ~~ .... ~ .. *

„ „ ~ „ „ Groves 18 „ „ Dr . Hinxman 8 „ „ Dr . Nolan 4 „ „ Capt . Creaton ( additional ) IS „ „ Davis S „ „ J . Williams 4 „ „ X B . Mackay 32

„ „ E . Homan 8 „ „ Buss 36 „ „ Brydges ( by exchange 200 „ „ Woods , G-. D . C 16 „ Some Well Wishers 100 „ „ Sutcliffe 35 „ Brethren of Harbourof Refuge Loclge ( No . 1066 ) West Hartlepool : —Bros . English , 4 ; Murray ,

4 ; Steel , 4 ; G-raA'e , 4 ; Perry , 4 ; Salmon , 4 * Hall , 4 ; Rank , 4 ; Spence , 4 ; Kitclring , 4 ; Pearson , 4 ; Irvine , 4 ; Brunton , 2 ; Rickinzon , S ; Thirlwell , 4 ; Strover , 4 ; Baxter , 4 ; Kirk , 4 ; Reed , 4 ; Sfcephenson , 4 ; Allison , 4 j Leonard , 4 ; Willingale , 4 ; Rutherford , 4 ; Murray , 4 102 1964

We have also received male votes in addition to those announced from G . W . ( 360 ) , Matthev-s , Dr . Nolan-, Williams , & c . The male votes forwarded by Bro . Groves and Sedgwick shall be polled as directed .

Masonic Mems.

MASONIC MEMS .

The D . Prov . G . M ., the Earl cle Grey and Ripon , has consented to take the chair afc the next Anniversary Festival of the Boys' School , AA'hen a grand demonstration may be expected from West Yorkshire . The M . W . G-. M . has been pleased to reappoint Bro . II . G . Warren , P . M . Grand Stewards' Lodge , as Prestonian Lecturer .

Bro . Warren will , therefore , early in the ensuing Masonic season , give the second lecture , AVMCU has not been delivered in its entirety for many years . The R . W . Prov . G . M . for East Lancashire , Bro . Stephen Blair , has announced his intention to consecrate the new Ma ; sonic Hall , at Todmorden , and to hold the Annual Provincial

Grand Lodge at that place , on Thursday , the 5 th of June . Ifc is intended on the 17 th June to lay the foundation stone of the Devonport Hospital Avith Masonic honours . The dispensation has been obtained from the Earl Zetland , G . M . of England , for the brethren to be present in Masonic clothing ; and has

Masonic Mems.

been placed in the hands of fche W . Bro . Harfoot , W . M . of 83 as Senior Master , the Prov . Grand Lodge being in abeyance in . consequence of the death of the late G . M . Earl Forteseuc . Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , P . Prov . S . G . W ., Avill perform the ceremony of laying the stone ; ancl the sermon -ivill be preached by the Grand Chaplain of England ,,

the Rev . John Huyshe , M . A ., P . D . Prov . G . M . for Devon . Should the weather prove auspicious , in all probability there will be a A'ery large attendance of the Craffc . It is nearly tA \ 'enty yearssince a similar ceremony Avas performed in , this locality , beingthat of laying the foundation stone of the Orphan Asylum at Stoke .

The Girl's School.

THE GIRL'S SCHOOL .

The annual festival of the friends and supporters of this school Avas held on Wednesday last , in Freemasons' Hall , underthe presidency of the M . W , Grand Master , the Eight Hon . the-Earl of Zetland , supported by Bros . Sir Hedworth Williamson , S . G . W . ; Havers , J . G . W . ; Mclntyre , G . Reg . ; Clarke , G . Sec . ; : Evans , Deacon , and Creaton , G . Deacons ; Woods and Bradford , G . Dirs . of Cers . ; Daukes , G . Supt . of Works ; Empson ,,

G . S . B . ; Farnfield , Asst . G . Sec . ; Farmer , G . Purst . ; CoL Burlton , P . Prov . G / . M . of Bengal ; Giraud , WTieeler , T . EL White , Slight , Potter , Hopwood , Scott , Udall , Wilson , and Patten , P . G . Deacons ; Symonds , P . G-. D . C . ; Spiers , Poeock , Le Veau , and Brydges , P . G . Sword Bearers ; Adams , P . G . Purst . ; Smith , D . Prov . G . M . Cornwall ; Bannister , Prov . G . D . C . Lancashire ; Nelson , Gr . Sec . West Yorkshire ; P . Matthews , Barringer , Young , Head , Paas , and about two-hundred other brethren .

Thsre being no Grand Chaplain present , grace Avas said by the M . W . Grand Master . - Upon the removal o £ the cloth . The GRAND MASTER said they Avould all anticipate the first toast he had to give , though he should not not ask them todrink it in the usual manner . All Avere aware that the Queen Avas labouring at the present moment under deep affliction , and .

however much they desired the health of her Gracious Majesty ,, it would ill become them at such a moment to drink the toast with noise and acclamation . The Queen Avas suffering at thepresent moment from affliction , such as few Avomen suffered , ancl which commanded the sympathy , ancl enhanced the love of the people . He called upon them to drink " The Health of Her Majesty " in solemn silence . The National Anthem having been g ' rven .

The GEAJ . * MASTER said the next toast he should ask thebrethren to join him in drinking , was " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , ancl tbe rest of the Royal Family . " He coulcl not name his Royal Highness as a Mason , bufc he hacl met his Eoyal Hig hness in Masonic society and he knew that the Prince had expressed great interest in it . He hoped some day thereforethat his Royal Highness Avould be inclined to join this Order ,, ancl if sohe was sure there Avas no more popular act lie could ,

, perform , and lie ivas certain fche brethren would receive no gentleman Avith greater enthusiasm . ( Cheers ) . Whether , hoAvever ,. his Royal Highness did so or not , the love they , in common Avith the nation at large , bore to his family Avould induce them todrink the toast with the greatest enthusiasm . ( Cheers ) . Sir HEDAVORTH WIELIAMSO ** , S . G . Warden , felt gratified that the first duthe should have to perform as a Grand OfficerAvas

y , to propose the health of his noble relative , their Grand Master . ( Cheers . ) Before he proceeded to oilier any remarks in connection with the toast , he might be allowed to avail himself of tho opportunity of expressing his regret that he Avas not present at Grand Lodge on the 30 th April , the day on Avhich he ought to have been invested . He could only say that he Avas not aware of the meeting , or he would have been present , as he held that

no man had a right to accept an appointment Avithout he meant to perform the duties attached to it . ( Cheers . ) It would bo unnecessary for him to say more than a few Avords Avith regard to the Grand Master . He had long knoAvn the noble Earl , indeed ever since he ( Sir Hedworth ) , Avas a little child , and appreciated his character . ' Whether as a peer of Parliament , an agriculturist , a sportsman , a gentleman , or as a Mason , he Avas universally loved and respected ( cheers ) . His straig hforward charactcv