Approaching Celebrations.

impracticable . The Craft would no doubt like to know what position the Institution would be in under special circumstances , they would like some definite coal pointed out to them , and know what would be

possible if they succeeded in reaching it , just as was the case in connection with the Centenary celebration of the Girls' School , when certain enlargements and additions Avere put down as being desirable , and

were considered as being a fitting method of marking the special event in the history of the Institution . Happily , the supporters of the Benevolent Institution have little idea—at least that is our opinion—of marking the Jubilee by a heavy expenditure on bricks and mortar ; that method of extending the

work of the Benevolent Institution has very few supporters . Neither do we think there are many who would endorse a proposal to increase the individual amounts now paid by the two sections of the Fund , and it therefore remains for the money to be expended in adding to the number of annuities

regularly being paid . The question is , what would be a satisfactory increase to mark the completion of the Institution ' s first fifty years existence ? It has been pointed out that to make a " Jubilee " increase , that is to say , create fifty new annuitants—twentyfive for Aged Masons at £ 40 per annum , and

twentyhve for widows , at £ 32 per annum—would entail an additional annual responsibility of £ 1 , 800 , and as to secure this a sum of no less than £ 72 , 000 would have to be invested , at 2 | - per cent ., we are afraid so desirable a method of marking the Jubilee must be abandoned , for that is too large a sum to even hope

for , in addition to the contributions needed for the current year . Still , it would be satisfactory to a large number of Craftsmen to know the lowest total of subscriptions on which the Committee would feel justified in recommending this great increase .

There is another method we should like to see considered , and it is one which we believe would call forth a strong measure of support , even if it did not ensure success when once it was fairly submitted to

the Craft . It is to create fifty new annuitants at half the regular rates , that is to say , twenty-five for Aged Masons at £ 20 per year each , and twenty-five for widows at £ 10 per year each , or a total additional annual expenditure of £ 900 , which , on thc basis reckoned above , would require the investment of £ 36 , 000 . Judging from the result attending the

Centenary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , the acquisition of this amount is not wholly outside the range of possibility , as a special result of celebrating the Jubilee , although , of course , it would necessitate the receipt of upwards of £ 50 , 000 for the year , else the ordinary calls on the Institution would

suffer . It is some such scheme as this—definite and clearly set out—which should be submitted to the Craft at an early date , then we should have great hope of reasonable success resulting , as we believe nearly every member of the Order would endeavour to do something in order to erect a fitting memorial

on the completion of the first fifty years of the Institution ' s existence . We do not say the plan we have here set out is the best that could be submitted to the Craft , but it is a definite proposal , and it is something of the character we believe to be necessary in connection with the coming celebration .

In order to complete the subject as far as is possible at present , we give the following extract , from the Belfast Neivs letter , in regard to the approaching celebration of the Centenary of the Irish Institution , referred to above : —

There will be a centenary celebration held in Dublin in May 1892 , to commemorate tbe hundreth year of tbe Masonic Female Orphan School . This noble inatitution ,

¦ which has prospered with the roll of years , was extended in 1852 , established in ita present edifice in 1882 , and maintains eighty pupils , the orphan daughters of brethren of almost every rank and calling , and from

Approaching Celebrations.

every part of Ireland . The commemoration will take the form of a bazaar , fancy fair , and fete , conducted on a scale of magnificence not attempted since the great Masonic bazaar of 1882 , which produced npwards of £ 6 , 000 for the benefit of the school . The object is to raise a fund ,

the interest of which will bo applied in helping the moat deserving pupils to obtain advanced education or special training dnring tha two or three critical years of their career immediately after they leave the school . At present the pupils are maintained and educated until

the age of sixteen , when they aro of course , too young to enter npon those callings which would enable them to maintain themselves . But the limit of age could not be generally extended without reducing the numbers of admissions and providing a costly course of instruction

for the elder pupils . From time to time the governors , who take an active part in the school management , have sent particularly bright pupils to finish their education at Continental schools ; but these are exceptional oases , and there remain many deserving pupils who after they

leave school require a helping hand before they can gam a foothold to secure their own independence . It is obvious that lasting advantages may be ensured for those pupils at small cost by timely help judiciously given for a short period after leaving school . To provide this help will be

the first object of tho celebration ; and , in addition , power will be reserved to complete the infirmary , to build a drill-hall and day-room , and to carry out some other needful improvements at the school . The Royal Dublin Society ' s buildings and grounds adjacent to the school have been

engaged for the celebration for the week commencing 16 th May 1892 . The Duchess of Abercorn has accepted the presidency , and her grace has kindly promised her personal assistance , while the patronage has been accorded of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of

Wales , the Duke and Duchess of Connaught , her Excellency the Countess of Zetland , His Grace the Duke of Abercorn Grand Master of the Masonic Order in Ireland ; the Marquis and Marchioness of Headfort , tho Viscount and Viscountess Powerscourt , Lady Wolseley , the Marquis and

Marchioness of Hertford , the Earl and Countess of Bandon . Lord and Lady Harlech , and Lady Cloncurry . Already the Centenary Committee , consisting of all tho Grand Officers and the members of the School Committee ( with power to add others ) have set to work . Their operations

will be conducted on the Federal principle , and accordingly the assistance is invited of tho Provincial Grand Lodges and other Lodges , and the friends of the Masonic Charities at home and abroad , by collecting funds , forwarding photographs , pottery , local products , and other objects of

interest or value , distributing : tickets , and otherwise promoting the success of the celebration . A Centenary Committee will be formed in each Province , and it is hoped by each Lodge , and that each of these committees will undertake a stall or some distinct part of the work . The

decoration of the building will be designed by eminent artists , and the stalls , erected under the supervision of a special committee , will be handed over to the stall holders ready to be stocked and furnished . Meantime , inventive minds will be occupied devising novelties for tbe various

entertainments , both indoor and outdoor . Incidental to tbe occasion will be the annual distribution of prizes , an attractive ceremonial , which of itself brings together tho members of the Order and their friends in thousands . The distribution of prizes for tho present year will take

place on Thursday , 30 th April . On the same day , or the following , a conference to discuss the arrangements for tho Centenary will be held , and those who intimate their willingness to take part in the celebration will be invited

to meet her Grace the Duchess of Abercorn , who has promised to attend the meeting . The project , combining as it does in hearty co-operation the best elements of Irish society , is certain to be a brilliant success .

Bro . Frederick Hall has been chosen by the brethren of the Temple Lodge , of Folkestone , as their W . M , for the ensuing year . After payment of all accounts it is anticipated that thero

will be a clear sum approaching £ ti 0 to be handed over to the Masonic Charities , as the result of the benefit performance of " Cinderella" at tho Theatre Royal , Bolton , on the 5 th ult .