Correspondence.

language of the circular , holding up to ridicule the document itself , as well as those connected with the Institution , however guiltless they may be of any share in the composition in question . As regards the first charge , the Secretary declares that he has not sent circulars to any but Stewards ;

ancl when some of that body have had a second supply , it has been on their own application only . Here we have assertion against assertion , and in such casewithout wishing to throw any doubt on the writer ' s credibility , he must be reminded that the usual course

is to accept the testimony of one who speaks in his own proper person , in preference to that of an individual who shelters himself under the guise , of an anonymous signature . As to the document in question , I have ascertained that the form of circular was adopted a few

years back by an estimable brother , who was Honorary Secretary to the Board of Stewards on that occasion , and whose zealous ancl disinterested exertions on behalf of our Charities must , in the opinion of all right-minded brethren , far outweigh any accidental imperfection either in grammar or stle . The same

y form has been in use since that time , and if the Secretary of thelnstitution has overlooked thc inaccuracy , such oversight may fairly be assumed to have arisen from his not being more desirous of scrutinising the composition of others than of being himself subjected to a similar ordeal . But , surely a slight oversight of

this kind can hardly justify so angry and personal a letter , to say nothing of the probable injury that may accrue to the Charity in consequence . A private note addressed to the Secretary would havo evidenced a better feeling , ancl havo answered every useful purpose ; and any little hint contained therein would have been received in the true spirit of Masonry , and have met with every attention . As to the House Committee , of which I am a

member , that hotly cannot be fairly chargeable with any complicity in the matter , as the circulars relating to the Festivals emanate from the Stewards , ancl are issued by their recognised Secretary . Notwithstanding tho worthy brother ' s professions of regard for "Plain English , " he fails to convey to

my dull understanding what lie means by tlie remark " There cannot be a question that under the present high charity pressure brought to bear upon the Craft it is extremely difficult to get subscriptions . " Does our friend complain of the "high pressure" process ? And why ? Surely it must be more difficult to obtain

subscriptions without those exertions than tcilh them . Thc " Lover of Plain English" can scarcely mean to assert the contrary . If the worthy but irascible brother , instead of being disposed to be captious , will get rid of bis spleen ancl endeavour to devise some other , and better , means of benefiting the Charities

than those now in operation , I will undertake to say that any suggestions to that end will receive the deliberate consideration of all those who are concerned in the management of these Institutions . I am , dear Sir aud Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , JAMES EICHMOND SHEEN . Upper St . Martin's-lane , W . C , April 18 th , 1865 .

Masonic Mems.

MASONIC MEMS .

THE MASONIC MIRROR

.A balance of ; G 32 remaining in the hands of the Stewards after paying tlio expenses of the late festival for the Benovelent Institution for Aged Masons and their Widows , tlie money has been handed over in augmentation of tho collection made on that occasion . We remind the brethren that the anniversary festival of the

Girls' School will take place on the 10 th of May , and that Bro . Havers , P . G . W ., ivill preside . Wo trust that the attendance and the collection will be worthy of tho occasion . Tlie inauguration of the now Schoolhonse for tho Boys at Wood Green , is to take place on the Sth July , under the presidency of the M . W ., the Grand Master .

The anniversary of tho Stability Lodge of Instruction is to be held at Hartley ' s Hotel on the 2 Sth April . The chair at the Banquet will be occupied by Bro . John Havers , P . G . W .

The Royal Freemasons' School For Female Children.

THE ROYAL FREEMASONS' SCHOOL FOR FEMALE CHILDREN .

On Thursday , the 10 th inst ., a Quarterly General Court of tho Governors of this Institution was held at the Freemasons ' Tavern , Great Queen-street , Lincoln ' s Inn-fields , for the purposs of transacting the general business of the charity , and electing twelve children , out of a list of sixteen candidates , to the benefits of its funds .

The proceedings were presided over by Bro . John Udall , one of tho Vice-Presidents of tlie Institution . Prom a statement submitted by tho Committee , it appeared that since thc Institution ivas established no less than over SCO children have been educated , clothed , and maintained within lis walls , most of whom , at the expiration of their term of residence ,

had returned to their parents or friends , while those who bad r . o home had been provided with suitable situations , or apprenticed to respectable trades . The Institution was situated on the high ground of Battersoa-rise , adjoining Wandsworlh-common . An enlarged system of education had for some time p ? . st been in operation in it , and by a recent enactment children remained in the establishment till sixteen years of age . The number in the school had hitherto boon limited to eighty , but accomodation for

increasing that number to 100 had been provided by building an extra wing at a cost of upwards of £ 1 , 500 . That , together with an additional outlay of ; GG 00 for the maintenance of the twenty additional children , all of whom had been admitted during the past two years , rendered it necessary that a special and earnest appeal should be made to tlie Craft for funds to carry out so

desirable an object . In November last there wore 101 children in the Institution , aud the election of that day would ( ill up the vacancies occasioned by those who had left since that date . The usual business of the Quarterly Court was then transacted . Authority was given to pay £ 820 Is . ii ., the amount of the Midsummer bills for tho past quarter . Mr . Benjamin Bond

Cabbell was elected treasurer of tlie Institution , and fchirty brcthren from the list of annual subscribers were , in accordance with the usual practice , elected life governors and members of tho general committee . Tlie polling for the election of thc children then commenced , the Chairman stating that while in the polling papers ten were

said to be the number who ivould be elected , one girl had since tlie making up of the list died , and another had left tho Institution , so that twelve would be elected to keep up tbe full number