The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC MEMS . We are happy to be ahle to announce that the Duke of Newcastle , Prov . G . Master for Notts , has so far recovered from his severe indisposition , as to be able to leave London for his seat , Clumber Park , where , it is hoped , the climate and quietude may

tend to his further recovery . Bro . Hyde Clarke , D . Prov . G . Master for Turkey , who has taken a very active part in promoting the cultivation of cotton in that country , has been entertained at dinner in Manchester by the Cotton Supply Association . Bi-o . Clarke , in acknowledging the toast of his health , gave a very encouraging

account of the progress of the work to which lie has devoted so much attention . The quality of the greater part of the cotton grown in Turkey was still , he said , of an inferior character , but the Sultan's Government " were determined to persevere in their efforts till cotton cultivation in Turkey was placed on a permanent footing , and enabled to sustain competion with the United States and other countries . "

BOYS' SCHOOL . If there is one thing more than another of which Englishmen have cause to be proud , it is of the almost numberless charitable institutions which exist through the length and breadth of the land . Among these , the most important , perhaps , are those in which education is imparted to the rising generation . The Freemasons , who are ever ready to lend a helping hand in the of charit

cause y , have , in connection with the Craft , an institution whicli is certainly a glory and an honour to that distinguished body . The Royal Masonic Institution for the Sons of Decayed and Deceased Freemasons is fully deserving of all the support which it receives from the Masonic body . Established as long ago as 1798 , it has been the means by which a large number of the sons of deceased and unfortunate Masons have been supplied with the inestimable blessing—a good

education—to enable them successfully to fight the battle of life . A few years ago the operations of the Institution were extended , the increased support which it received enabling its conductors to offer the advantages of a home and a school , in which the hoys would be maintained , clothed , and educated . AVith a view still further to extend the benefits of the Institution , the boys are now retained in the school ( increased in number to seventytwo ) until the age of fifteen years , instead of fourteen as formerly , and power is given to grant any boy on leaving a sum not exceeding £ 15 . A new and commodious school is being

erected at Wood Green , with ample provision for the educational and physical requirements of one hundred boys . The Freemasons of Portsmouth have always subscribed liberally towards this Institution , and they have given an additional proof of the interest they feel in the recipients of its advantages by inviting the boys to visit Portsmouth on Tuesday last , when they entertained them with the utmost hospitality . On the arrival of the train at the Lamlpovt Railway Station shortly before ten o ' clock , the

cheerful countenances of the boys , between sixty and seventy in number . , was proof sufficient that they anticipated a joyous day . They were accompanied by several gentlemen belonging to the house committee , and some of the teachers , and their healthy and intelligent appearance was generally remarked hy the committee and other brethren who had been awaiting their arrival . AVith great forethought the committee had provided refreshments , which , by the kindness of the railway officials , the boys

were permitted to partake of in the first-class refreshment room . Judging from the rapid disappearance of the edibles and drinkables , the long morning ride had sharpened the appetites of the youthful guests , who were all life and excitement . After the commissariat department had sustained a somewhat severe attack , the boys marched in procession to the dockyard , accompanied b y several members of the committee , and the brethren from London , and others at a distance . Arrived in the yard they divided into sections and then visited the many objects of interest with which our dockyard abounds , which

afforded them the greatest possible pleasure and delight . At half-past twelve o'clock they left the yard and proceeded to Southsea Common , where , in close proximity to the King ' s Rooms , a spacious booth was erected , free of charge , by Bro . Hollingsworth , in which the boys were entertained at a sumptuous dejeuner . There were also present a large number of Freemasons and ladies ; the company numbering altogether about 240 . Col . Median , AV . M . 257 , presided , and was

supported by Bros . Udall , P . S . G . D ., past chairman of the House Committee of the Boys' School , Hopgood , P . S . D , chairman of the House Committee of the Boys' School ; Head , P . S . G . D . ; S . B . AVilson , P . G . D . ; J . R , Stebbing , G . S . I ) . ; Dr . Miller ; J . F . Pratt , J . P ., & c . The vice-chairs were filled by Bros . J . Baker , . AV . M . 487 , and H . M . Emanuel , AV . M . 342 . The dejeuner was of the most recherche character , and was admirably served by Bros . G . AA'ilkins and H . Cawte . The wines were of the purest

vintage , and the catering gave universal satisfaction . After the cloths had been cleared , The CnArEMAJT said the first toast on public occasions of this kind—at gatherings of loyal subjects and Englishmen and ladies—was that of the Queen . It was a toast that needed no eulogy from him ; it came home to the hearts of them all . He gave " The Queen , " a pattern to wives , mothers , and daughters , and a briht example to all whose brows were encircled by a

g Royal diadem . ( Cheers . ) The toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm , the boys cheering lustily . The CHAIRMAN said the next toast was one also that required no eulogy from him . AVhen he named the deservedly popular Prince of AA ales and his amiable and estimable Princess , and the rest of the Royal Family , he was sure the toast would be drank with the greatest enthusiasm . He proposed " The

Prince and Princess of AA ' ales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " ( Cheers . ) The CitAnurAS said the next toast was one that would come home to the hearts of Masons in particular ; he gave them their esteemed "Most Worshipful Master , the Earl of Zetland , " with

oil the honours . ( Loud cheers . ) The CHAIRMAN said he had very great pleasure in proposing tlie next toast , "The Deputy Grand Master ( Earl de Grey and J { ipou ) , the Grand Officers , and the Past Grand Officers of England . " ( Cheers . ) Bro . AA . Yovsa , G . S . B ., said he had great pleasure in returning thanks on behalf of the Deputy Grand Master , and the Grand Officers and Past Officevs . He could only say that when

this meeting was reported to them , they would he delighted to hear that their healths had been drank on such an occasion as this , when they were entertaining the boys of their school . He only wished that every province in England would respond to the calls of charity as Portsmouth did , as he was quite sure that then the difficulty about to be encountered in building the school would be terminated with eclat ( Cheers . ) He wished to return thanks to the brethren of Portsmouthand wished

, that every other province would copy their example . ( Cheers . ) The CHAIRMAN said the next toast he had to propose was one which he was sure those who were acquainted with the name of the individual would receive with a great deal of warmth and enthusiasm— -it was " The Health of the venerated and esteemed Provincial Grand Master ( Sir Lucius Curtis ) , and his Provincial Grand Officers , " with all the honours . ( Loud cheers . )

Bro . HEATHEE , Prov . G . Treas ., in responding , said Sir Lucius Curtis was well-known hy all in that province , and even beyond . He had much pleasure in returning thanks , although it was a matter of regret to him that Sir Lucius Curtis was not with them in consequence of his health failing him at present . ( Cheers . ) Bro . j . W . STEBBING , S . G . D ., said he had very great pleasure in proposing to them to-day the greatest toast which had

occupied their attention on this occasion , and that toast was"Success and Prosperity to the Masonic Charities . " Masons were loyal to their sovereign and they were faithful to each other ; they were great admirers of that sexso honoured by the poet , who , speaking of nature ,

said" Her ' prentice hand she tried on man , And then she made the lasses , 0 ' . " ( Cheers . ) Masons , while they were loyal to their sovereign and faithful to each other , were great admirers of that sex which so largely beautified the meeting to-day , and gave a splendour and ajoytothe assembly which could not possibly exist without