Royal Masonic Institution For Boys, Wood Green.

object . A few years ago I had the great satisfaction of being here to take part in the laying ofthe first stone of this structure , which in a short time was completed , and in a measure prepared for the reception of the children . I was again present when some of the chiefs of our Order for the first time put in an appearance , which they hael not done on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone . Whether this resulted from a remark of mine on that previous occasion , that if high office was

worth accepting , it was worth while on the part of those accepting it , to attenel and do suit and service and to perform the duties appertaining thereto , I cannot say . From that time the impetus with which the institution has proceeeled has been as extraordinary as it is satisfactory . From circumstances over which I have had no control it hies been my misfortune not to have been present in this place since the inauguration of this building . I must sayhoweverthat when I look arounel on this

, , splendid building as the chairman of this anniversary , it glaeldens my heart beyond what I can express to find that its progress has been so great . But I am much more rejoiced to find that the education given to the boys has advanced even more than the building itself , beautiful as that is . The specimen of educational attainment we have bad before us to day prove that the system adopted in regarel to its management is the right

one , and that the Institution is taking its place , as it ought to do , amongst the greaf educational establishments of the nation ; and I hope that before many years elapse we shall hear of its taking rank with those of tho highest prominence which enjoy the honour of the great and noble , and in which the children of the noble and great of this kingelom are educated . 1 look forward to see the day when the children educated in this establishment shall have just the same kind of education that their

parents would have given them hael it pleased the Great Architect of the Universe that they should have remained in prosperity , and not have fallen into decay , or that it bad pleased the same Great Architect of the Universe that their earthly parents should have been spared to act for their advantage as he was when he was fighting and struggling to give them the means of advancing their prospects in life . I mooted once in this hall a determination that I would never rest until two exhibitions were established to furnish the means for two of the

most learned boys to be sent every year for the completion of their education to our Universities , and I repeat to day that I never will rest until I see that benefit accomplished . I look to the exertions which are being made by brethren in other parts of the kingdom , most energetically to stimulate us to bring so great a work as this to a speedy and successful accomplishment . Before , however , this can be done there is one great difficulty to be surmounted . There is nothing impossible with the Masonic

Order when the brethren are elete-miued to put their shoulders to the wheel ; when they resolve that the greatest blessing shall be carried out to the utmost possible extent ; when they are determined that " brotherly love , relief , and truth" shall be disseminated far and wide . When this feeling is stimulated iu the breasts of Masons they are ready with their hanels , with their purses , and with their hearts to assist in a work so great , so generous and so all-important . I heardwith somewhat of

, astonishment and yet with gratitude , that at the last Annual Festival no less a sum than £ 12 , 000 was collected iu the Freemason ' s Hall , forthe benefit of this Institution . This is a large sum , but large as it is , " we want more ; we must have more ; and we will have more . ! " At this present moment £ 9 , 000 1 am told , is required to pay oft' the remaining debt upon tliis Institution . If £ 12 , 000 could be collected last March , there is no

reason whatever that this £ 9 , 000 may not be collected at the next festival . If my friends who sit near me , and the Secretary , who , if ever it was so , is " the right man in the right place , " will assist heartily , this can be accomplished . For my own part , I promise that I will , as far as it lies in my power and ability , assist iu effecting that object . But when that is done , I will never rest one houruntil a sufficient sum has been collected

, , whatever it may amount to , to carry out the desire of my heart , and I may say tne wish of my life , to see these exhibitions already mentioned established , so that the boys who show the greatest amount of talent , may be elected to do honour to the Institution and'to the world , by receiving an education which may place them , if it please Providence , in the highest position in the land , for the highest positions are open in this great country , to all who strive

to exert themselves to win them ; and then it may he said that the Masons of England have done their duty , in carrying out their principles , and by showing that their Order is not a mere benefit society , or a " mere feeding

club , " as it is too often called by the outside world , but an Oreler which does its eluty to the utmost of its power anel ability , anel which is never satisfied with standing still while good is to be done and a great work is to be accomplished . Ladies anel gentlemen , I may be pareloned , perhaps , if before I sit down I just refer to one or two of the pressing reasons and necessities for paying off the elebt of the Institution . My worthy and esteemed Bro . Binckes told me that at the next election there will be no

less than EIETY-EOTJB candidates seeking admission into this Institution , anel that it was impossible to receive more than SIX out of that number . There is room in this buileling , at very little additional outlay , to receive and educate TWO HUNDRED boys . Certainly we ought to be able to increase the number from 110 —the present number—to 150 . If we meet here next year I earnestly hope that we shall find that number housed in this

place . Before I sit down I would desire to say a word briefly with reference to the kind of education given to the scholars in this school . I believe that in that respect you are pursuing a right course , and I rejoice to find that the .- French language forms part of the curriculum . Though not av , fait at French myself to the extent I would desire , owing to neglect of its use since I received instruction , I am convinced that for profitable employment in the commercial world there is nothing like a knowledge

ofthe modern languages ; anel , having regarel to the interests of the boys as connected with their future prospects , I think it would be well that German should be made as prominent an object of study as French . I am happy to hear from the respected and worthy head-master , Bro . Furiian , that German is taught here , and that some boys have acquired considerable proficiency , as was acknowledged in the recent local examination . In order that this language shall have as fair a chance of being properly

cultivated by the boys of this Institution as French , and in the hope that if I live another year I may hear some recitations in that langnage as well as in French , I myself will give a prize to the best and most proficient scholar in German . I have now but one more topic to touch upon . I do not , however , think that I have left the best subject to speak upon to the last , but it is a matter I cannot fail to mention without some satisfaction to myself . Having determined to do the best in my power to help to liquidate the existing debt of £ 9 , 000 upon the

Institution , I put myself in communication the other day with the Secretary of his Royal Hig hness our Bro . the Prince of Wales , and asked him whether he would elo me the honour , and do the Institution tlie benefit , of attending a choral service , followed by a sermon , 1 intended to preach at my church , Sb Helen's , Bishopsgate , on Sunday , the 25 th inst . 1 yesterday received a most kind and considerate reply to my application , to the effect that had his Royal Highness been aware earlier that

there would be a sermon preached for such a purpose he would have made every effort to have beeu present , but that his engagements were so thoroughly filled up for the rest of the season , both for weekdays and Sundays , that he was unable to do so ., I have reason , however , to be assured , that he has the greatest interest in this Institution . I hope that reply , though ib was particularly addressed to me with reference to the sermon , is a good augury of what his Royal Highness may elo for this

Institution in the future . I hope to live to see the day when his Royal Highness will occupy the chair of the Grand Lioelge , which nis grandfather and great-uncle successively occupied , anel , doubtless , there is every reason to believe that his Eoyal Highness would be proud to occupy that high position . Eleven years ago I had the honour to have a conversation with his Royal Highness ,, after his first journey to Germany , on the subject of Freemasonry . Henaturall hwanted to know more about its " secret

, y enoug , arts anel hidden mysteries " than I was authorised to tell him . My answer was , " Wait until your Royal Highness is a Mason , aud then you will know . " He has , however , never lost sight ofthe subject from that time to the present , and the very first opportunity that presented itself to him in Sweelen—where Masonry is carrieel on to an immense extent , aud cultivated with the greatest zeal , and where , also , the charities of the Oreler are

well and worthily cared for quite as well as they are amongst ourselves—he allied himself with our ancient Craft . Iu Sweden , too , not only are the Craft degrees preserved with the utmost care , bat tlie higher degrees nro also recognised , as I hope to see them in this country before long . _ I say this without tho slightest fear , because I believe that in this country those degrees are discountenanced simply ou account of whim , or prejudice , or ignorance , respecting them . I am afraid , however , 1 am travelling out of the record , and time warns me to desist , and my throat also tells me to hold my peace . Before I take my