Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : THE BOYS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL 267 THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS 2 ( iS —STEWARDS" LISTS 2 ( 1 !) ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE 270 & 271

OUR TRESTLE BOARD 271 NOTIFICATION 271 METROPOLITAN LODGE AND CHAPTER MEETINGS FOR THE

CURRENT WEEK 272 ADVERTISEMENTS Front cover , 26 ' (> , 274 , 27 H , 27 ( 5 , 277 PROSPECTUS OF "THE 'MASONIC STAR , ' LIMITED" ... 277 SUPPLEMENT : FORM OF APPLICATION

The Boys' School Festival.

The Boys' School Festival .

HE hopes and fears respectively of the many thousands of craftsmen interested in the welfare of the Royal 3 Iasonic Institution for Boys , in relation to the results which

might attend its 91 st Annual Festival , were set at rest on Wednesday in last week , after a scene of disorder which hitherto has been unknown in the annals of Masonic

convivial meetings . The proceedings of the evening were disturbed , and effectually interrupted , by needless and most inappropriate remarks in connection with the recent and

necessary action of the Special Court of Governors and Subscribers . We had hoped that the publicity of the place selected for the Festival ; the certainty that there were

at table some who are not members of the order ; and above all , the much esteemed presence of ladies , would have together exercised a restraining influence against the

introduction of controversial matters .. But they failed to do so , and excepting only for the satisfactory nature of the final announcement the Boys' School Festival of 1889 was

a fiasco . Our sympathy goes out towards the worthy brother who had the courage , under all surrounding circumstances , to preside on this occasion , Brother

Richard Eve , Past Grand Treasurer and Patron of the Institution ; and whilst it is certain , that in proposing the toast of the evening he , unfortunately , struck a chord

which was not in harmony with the excited feelings of a considerable number of those present , allowances must be made for the difficulties of placing before a large and mixed

gathering the past history and present position of an Institution the affairs of which are subject to unfavourable public comment . But no such allowance can be advanced

as an excuse for the speech which introduced the announcement of the Stewards' lists of contributions , and

which caused the collapse of the meeting and the almost simultaneous separation of the guests . It was not only in bad taste , but it , unfortunately for the speaker , imputed to

The Boys' School Festival.

others , as anxious as he himself can jiossibly be for the welfare of the School , a course of action characterised by persecution and a disinclination to admit of fair play or to

give a fair hearing . These are charges against the honour and probity of many brethren , more or less distinguished for their adherence to the principles of Freemasoniy , which

must not be allowed to pass uncontradicted . It is amazing that anyone having a good record for ability and judgment in former years , ( and for services so important

that even recent departures from the original mode of procedure , and the present defiance of opinion must not , or at least should not , hinder from fitting

acknowledgment at a proper time ) , should permit himself to be carried away by an excess of personal indignation that others should seek to know in what manner

the Institution has been managed . To state that fair play towards him is not possible , that he was enduring a large amount of persecution , and that the movement in relation

to the enquiry lately conducted was hostile and injurious to the success of the Festival or the interests of the School , was not only unwise on his part , but not in accordance with facts . His most bitter enemies could not have desired

a more injudicious exposition of his real sentiments ; and his best friends must feel disheartened by the additional

difficulties they will have to encounter in promoting his interests , as well present as future , and to which his statements will give rise .

It is suggested that the contributions of the brethren at this Festival should have reached some £ 3 , 000 more than the total announced . For our part we consider that such

total exceeds by some £ 3 , 000 the amount which , under the circumstances , might have been expected . We think that but for the satisfaction which has been given by the

constitution of a Provisional Committee of Management the gross amount would not have reached five figures , and that on all hands in respect of pecuniary result there is

cause for satisfaction ; whilst in regard to future management confidence has been established , and continued support of the Institution assured . And now would it not

be as well to do no more than " watch and wait" for a reasonable space of time , during which the arrangements of the Provisional Committee might be matured , and their

report prepared ? No good whatever can accrue by further publicity in connection with the past . It is with the present and the future that the Committee , and in due

time the Special Court , will have to deal , and the former cannot do its work with any amount of satisfaction to themselves , or to those who have appointed them , if their

attention is to be distracted by public controversy , and suggestions as to what should be done in one direction and what left undone in another .