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Article THE BOYS' PREPARATORY SCHOOL. ← Page 2 of 3 Article THE BOYS' PREPARATORY SCHOOL. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Boys' Preparatory School.
Herts , G . F . Mafcier P . M . 645 , T . Hastings Miller P . M . P . P . G . D . Middlesex , J . Moon P . M . 49 , Joyce Murray P . M . 1703 , W . Paas P . M . 28 , W . Eoebuck P . M . 29 P . G . S ., Dr . C . Sanders P . M ., W . A . Scu-rah 167 , H . Unincke Steele 1110 , W . Rnvnhnm Stewart P . M . 108 P . G . D ., B . F . Storr P . M . 22 , A . Torkin « ton W . M . 60 P . G . S ., H . Venn P . M . 23 P . G . S ., A . Williams P . M . 49 , J . Batting P . M . 1501 P . P . G . Registrar
Berks and Bucks , and many others . The gymnasium was artistically decorated for the occasion , with bannerets and trophies of Hags , which gave to the interior a pay and animated appearance . Long before the hour appointed for the opening of tho proceedings the room was filled wi < h visitors , tho bright toilettes of the ladies
adding a zest to the coup d ' ccil . As her ladyship was escorted to the dais , she _ was received with a perfect ovation , the audience rising at the time . Tho proceedings were opened by Brn . Binckes . who said he very well remembered , as a few other friends of the Institution would remember , twenty-three years ago , whou her ladyship ,
who now presided , laid the foundation stone of the main building , and when it was their pleasure to have her presence amongst thorn , and to receive her generous support . On this occasion , of placing in position the corner stone of a most substantial addition to their buildings , the executive committee thought they were paying a
deserved compliment to the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , and doing themselves a pleasure at the same time , by requesting that her ladyship would attend there , not to assist , as on a former occasion , but to take a leading part in actuall y placing in position the corner stone of the new building . To that request her ladyship graciously
assented ; and in commencing these proceedings it was his duty and p leasure , as it was his privilege , to formall y introdnce , as President to-day , the lady whoso name was as a household word , not only in tho public world , but wherever any good was to be accomplishedthe Baroness Bnrdett-Coutts . The Chairman , who was received with
load applause , said , before he pointed out the business of the day , he wished to say a word or two as to the time at which this meeting had been convened . If it had been held in July they would not have had their yonng friends tho boys present , as they would have been away on their holidays . They only came back two days ago ; therefore he
thought the committee had taken the first opportunit y of presenting them to her ladyship . With regard to September , very few of the brethren would have been comatable in that month , and in October most of them wonld be absent — fighting for the "good cause" of politics—either on one side or the other . ° It
therefore became a matter of necessit y to fix August for tho laying of the corner stone , and on behalf of the Committee , and thanks to the kindness of tho Baroness Bnrdett-Coiitf . s , thev were able to fix it two days after the boys returned . With regard to tho business which brought thorn together , those who bad seen the new buildings
would not want to hear much , but to thoso who had not read the articles respecting it , which had appeared in the FREEMASON ' CHUONICLTC and other Masonic journals , he might point out tho absolute necessity which existed for their erection . In the first place there had been an immense increase in the number of Freemasons since ho joined
tho Order , twenty-one years ago . The number of the Lodges at that time was not over 1 , 000 , whereas now it was double that number . As they had amongst thorn both rich and poor , they must be prepared at some time or other to care for those who were sent to them to instruct and set forward in tho world . Beyond this , this Institution
had suffered from a want of room in its old buildings . Most of the brethreu knew the boys had been more crowded than they should be , or than tho House Committee wished . Therefore , it was the aim of the executive to take away soma of the boys from the main building , and to place thorn into an additional space
that they had been ompowere d to raise . They had to look to the fact that education was changing ifc 3 character . True , every boy who had been sent up from this School to the University examinations had passed , but , as education altered in the countrv , thoy had to provide tho meaus of educating their lads and bring them up to the
requirements of the age . At present they had not gone into the matter of technical education . They had in theory talked it overthat was as far as laid in their power ; but , as all were aware , that meant mouey , and ho was sorry to say that up to this time nothing had been practically done in that direction . Besides this , they had
been pressed by a great many of tho Craf t to admit a greater number of boys into the School ; but this could not be , so long as the Institution remained the size it had been up to tho present time . They had had to recognise the fact that after 21 years ' service , different portions of the building had become obsolete . Their laundry wa 3
, from an archaeological view interesting , but it could not keep up with the requirements of tho establishment . Other portions needed amendment , and the Committee , in considering the erection of the uew _ buildings , bad taken care to provide now apparatus for heating the whole of the establishment and the improvement of the
, cookmg department as well . Then again , their present ha'l was a useful , good room , and served nearly all the purposes requited ; hnfc it was the place where the boys dined regularly , and on Sundays during divine service there was a surrounding about the place which was not at all desirable or satisfactory . Under all thf-se
circumstances it was necessary to make an appeal to the Craft , wlnVh appeal had been answered in the most hand ; nme manner possible . 1 tie committee had been enabled to erect an annexe to the building , which it had been suggested should be called a Preparatory School , but they had not yet decided on what conditions ' bovs shonld be
admitted into it . Tney h id an improved laundry , and heating and cooking apparatus , and last , though not least ; a pnblic hall setlipart * ur meetings snch as tho present , and more particularly for ' the reli gious service : ) which were b >;! d every Sunday . TJudnr all these cu'cumstauccs money was a stern necessity , and had the amount
subscribed at the last Boys' Festival been double what it was they couM havo dor . o with it all . lie thou referred to the enormous sums contributed by tho Craft towards ihe various Masonic Institutions , « iid expressed tho hope taat by the example her ladyship had set by coming amongst them that day others would be cheered to emulate l h BO that the £ 6 000 required to complete the work iu hand would
The Boys' Preparatory School.
speedily be forthcoming . He then proceeded to urge tho necessity of a swimming bath for the boys , similar to that at the Girls' Institution at Battersea , and , reverting to the subject of technical education , said it was the wish of the executive to send boys out into the world not merely as clerks but as good handicraftsmen . He hoped
before many mouths were over thoy would at least be receiving iusfcrnction in two branches of trade , viz ., printing and carpentering . But in order to carry on this technical education they would require at least £ 1200 a year more than they had at present . In conclusion , ho again thanked her ladyship , whose name was a household word in
tho cause of charity , not only m this country but throughout the world , for coming among them that day . The V . W . Bro . Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chaplain , then read a passage of scripture ( I Kings , viii . 22 . 30 ) , the responses being given heartily by all present ; and this was followed bv the anthem "Hail ! Universal Lord , " by the
pupils' choir , who occupied a platform on the right side of tho hall , aud were led by Bro . H . J . Dutton , musical instructor to the Institution . The Architect ( Bro . R . Berridge ) having addressed the Baroness briefly recapitulated his instructions , and announced that the work , so far , had been carried out by the contractors
( Messrs . Prestige and Co ., of Cambridge Wharf , Grosvenor Wharf , S . W . ) according to the plans and specifications agreed to by tbe Committee ; her ladyship expessed her approval , and congratulated the Architect , Committee , aud Officers ou the result of their labonrs . She said : As I am presiding here to-day ,
understanding as far as I am able to understand the plans laid before me , and explained by tho Architeofc , they seem to be calculated to promote the objects you have in view . I sincerely hope that every blessing may rest upon your undertaking , aud you have ray every wish for the future good aud prosperity of the pupils . The authetn " Behold ,
how good and p leasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity , " ( Psalm exxxiii ) was then chanted by the choir , and the official programme closed with au invocation by the chaplain . At the invitation of Bro . Binckes the ladies and lewises who had collected "purses " iu aid of the building fund advanced to the dais and handed them to
the Baroness , whilst Miss Eadith Soppet , the only lady who had acted as a Steward on the occasion , presented her ladyship with an exquisite bouquet of flowers . After the glee , " Hail ! smiling morn , " by the pupils' choir , the majority of the visitors repaired to a marquee in the grounds to witness the placing of the corner-stone ,
raised seats being placed for the ladies and others who had presented purse 3 . A procession was then formed , and tuado a circuit of the new hall , led by the stewards and the band of the School , and others . On arriving at the site of the stone the procession divided right and left , leaving a passage for those in the rear to advance and take their
places as arranged . The Baroness having taken the seat allotted to her near the stone , the bearers with the corn , wine , aud oil , the treasurer , secretary , architect , and builder advanced , the latter presenting her ladyship with the silver trowel with which to spread the mortar on the bod for the stone , which was duly lowered into its
place aud adjusted . During the strewing of the corn , the spriukling of wine , tho pouring of oil , and the scattering of salt , verses of sacred music were sung by the choir , tbe rite being very impressively performed . Tho architect then presented the plans , and the treasurer advanced aud deposited in tho cavity of the stone a phial , which , as
Bro . Binckes explained , contained a copy of the Times of that day , tho last issues of tho Fun MASON ' CHRONICLE and Freemason , all the current coius of the realm , and , by her ladyship ' s express desire , a medallion of General Gordon . Tho Baroness then spread
mortar ou tho plate , and with the mallet used in laying the foundation stone of St . Paul's Cathedral by King Charles II . struck tho stone thrice , saying " I declare this stone well and truly laid , " to which tho brethren responded " So mote it be . " Tho inscription on the stone was
1 U 1 . I . B . This Corner Stone was placed iu position by the BARONESS BURDETT-COUTTS , Vice-President of the Institution . Tuesday August 11 th , 1885 .
The ceremony having been completed , the Baroness addressed the audience in the following terms : — LADIES AND GENTLEMEN , MR . CHAIRMAN , ARCHITECT , AND MEMBERS ov THE C OMMITTEE : —I should not detain you , even for a few minutes , only that I have a few observations which I should like to make
respecting this School . I will not dwell upon the inherent significance of the acts which have just been performed , because thoy are too well known to tho body now present . They know , better than I can tell them , that the fabric of the noblest temple ever raised for the worship of the Dinnc must be built upon the same stable foundation as is the hnmbleat church in the quietest spot where
' ¦ The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep . " Tho smallest house and the largest , if ifc is to stand , must rest upon those princip les and be carried on in the same loving spirit in which the ceremonials of this day have been conducted . I wish for a moment to exolain whv it is that I have added the medal of Charles
George Gordon to the coins that were placed in the cavity of that stone . This is a year that has been full of grief to England—of grief chat will last thoughout history—at the death ( if the heroic Christian and the heroic soldier . But it was not entirely for that reason I piaced the medal there ; it was to mark his deep affection and love
for boys . General Gordon was a man who . long before he was known to fam ? , worked in the spirit , of your Craft in every podtion of life in whieh he was placed . Nothing could have baen nr re striking than the grief that was exhibited at his death , or the anxiety
that vvan manifested by the nation during tho many months of torture that preceded his de . ith . Nothing could be more striking than the feeling which arose from all classes , once unknown to anvbody amongst whom he had worked , and to whom he had done
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Boys' Preparatory School.
Herts , G . F . Mafcier P . M . 645 , T . Hastings Miller P . M . P . P . G . D . Middlesex , J . Moon P . M . 49 , Joyce Murray P . M . 1703 , W . Paas P . M . 28 , W . Eoebuck P . M . 29 P . G . S ., Dr . C . Sanders P . M ., W . A . Scu-rah 167 , H . Unincke Steele 1110 , W . Rnvnhnm Stewart P . M . 108 P . G . D ., B . F . Storr P . M . 22 , A . Torkin « ton W . M . 60 P . G . S ., H . Venn P . M . 23 P . G . S ., A . Williams P . M . 49 , J . Batting P . M . 1501 P . P . G . Registrar
Berks and Bucks , and many others . The gymnasium was artistically decorated for the occasion , with bannerets and trophies of Hags , which gave to the interior a pay and animated appearance . Long before the hour appointed for the opening of tho proceedings the room was filled wi < h visitors , tho bright toilettes of the ladies
adding a zest to the coup d ' ccil . As her ladyship was escorted to the dais , she _ was received with a perfect ovation , the audience rising at the time . Tho proceedings were opened by Brn . Binckes . who said he very well remembered , as a few other friends of the Institution would remember , twenty-three years ago , whou her ladyship ,
who now presided , laid the foundation stone of the main building , and when it was their pleasure to have her presence amongst thorn , and to receive her generous support . On this occasion , of placing in position the corner stone of a most substantial addition to their buildings , the executive committee thought they were paying a
deserved compliment to the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , and doing themselves a pleasure at the same time , by requesting that her ladyship would attend there , not to assist , as on a former occasion , but to take a leading part in actuall y placing in position the corner stone of the new building . To that request her ladyship graciously
assented ; and in commencing these proceedings it was his duty and p leasure , as it was his privilege , to formall y introdnce , as President to-day , the lady whoso name was as a household word , not only in tho public world , but wherever any good was to be accomplishedthe Baroness Bnrdett-Coutts . The Chairman , who was received with
load applause , said , before he pointed out the business of the day , he wished to say a word or two as to the time at which this meeting had been convened . If it had been held in July they would not have had their yonng friends tho boys present , as they would have been away on their holidays . They only came back two days ago ; therefore he
thought the committee had taken the first opportunit y of presenting them to her ladyship . With regard to September , very few of the brethren would have been comatable in that month , and in October most of them wonld be absent — fighting for the "good cause" of politics—either on one side or the other . ° It
therefore became a matter of necessit y to fix August for tho laying of the corner stone , and on behalf of the Committee , and thanks to the kindness of tho Baroness Bnrdett-Coiitf . s , thev were able to fix it two days after the boys returned . With regard to tho business which brought thorn together , those who bad seen the new buildings
would not want to hear much , but to thoso who had not read the articles respecting it , which had appeared in the FREEMASON ' CHUONICLTC and other Masonic journals , he might point out tho absolute necessity which existed for their erection . In the first place there had been an immense increase in the number of Freemasons since ho joined
tho Order , twenty-one years ago . The number of the Lodges at that time was not over 1 , 000 , whereas now it was double that number . As they had amongst thorn both rich and poor , they must be prepared at some time or other to care for those who were sent to them to instruct and set forward in tho world . Beyond this , this Institution
had suffered from a want of room in its old buildings . Most of the brethreu knew the boys had been more crowded than they should be , or than tho House Committee wished . Therefore , it was the aim of the executive to take away soma of the boys from the main building , and to place thorn into an additional space
that they had been ompowere d to raise . They had to look to the fact that education was changing ifc 3 character . True , every boy who had been sent up from this School to the University examinations had passed , but , as education altered in the countrv , thoy had to provide tho meaus of educating their lads and bring them up to the
requirements of the age . At present they had not gone into the matter of technical education . They had in theory talked it overthat was as far as laid in their power ; but , as all were aware , that meant mouey , and ho was sorry to say that up to this time nothing had been practically done in that direction . Besides this , they had
been pressed by a great many of tho Craf t to admit a greater number of boys into the School ; but this could not be , so long as the Institution remained the size it had been up to tho present time . They had had to recognise the fact that after 21 years ' service , different portions of the building had become obsolete . Their laundry wa 3
, from an archaeological view interesting , but it could not keep up with the requirements of tho establishment . Other portions needed amendment , and the Committee , in considering the erection of the uew _ buildings , bad taken care to provide now apparatus for heating the whole of the establishment and the improvement of the
, cookmg department as well . Then again , their present ha'l was a useful , good room , and served nearly all the purposes requited ; hnfc it was the place where the boys dined regularly , and on Sundays during divine service there was a surrounding about the place which was not at all desirable or satisfactory . Under all thf-se
circumstances it was necessary to make an appeal to the Craft , wlnVh appeal had been answered in the most hand ; nme manner possible . 1 tie committee had been enabled to erect an annexe to the building , which it had been suggested should be called a Preparatory School , but they had not yet decided on what conditions ' bovs shonld be
admitted into it . Tney h id an improved laundry , and heating and cooking apparatus , and last , though not least ; a pnblic hall setlipart * ur meetings snch as tho present , and more particularly for ' the reli gious service : ) which were b >;! d every Sunday . TJudnr all these cu'cumstauccs money was a stern necessity , and had the amount
subscribed at the last Boys' Festival been double what it was they couM havo dor . o with it all . lie thou referred to the enormous sums contributed by tho Craft towards ihe various Masonic Institutions , « iid expressed tho hope taat by the example her ladyship had set by coming amongst them that day others would be cheered to emulate l h BO that the £ 6 000 required to complete the work iu hand would
The Boys' Preparatory School.
speedily be forthcoming . He then proceeded to urge tho necessity of a swimming bath for the boys , similar to that at the Girls' Institution at Battersea , and , reverting to the subject of technical education , said it was the wish of the executive to send boys out into the world not merely as clerks but as good handicraftsmen . He hoped
before many mouths were over thoy would at least be receiving iusfcrnction in two branches of trade , viz ., printing and carpentering . But in order to carry on this technical education they would require at least £ 1200 a year more than they had at present . In conclusion , ho again thanked her ladyship , whose name was a household word in
tho cause of charity , not only m this country but throughout the world , for coming among them that day . The V . W . Bro . Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chaplain , then read a passage of scripture ( I Kings , viii . 22 . 30 ) , the responses being given heartily by all present ; and this was followed bv the anthem "Hail ! Universal Lord , " by the
pupils' choir , who occupied a platform on the right side of tho hall , aud were led by Bro . H . J . Dutton , musical instructor to the Institution . The Architect ( Bro . R . Berridge ) having addressed the Baroness briefly recapitulated his instructions , and announced that the work , so far , had been carried out by the contractors
( Messrs . Prestige and Co ., of Cambridge Wharf , Grosvenor Wharf , S . W . ) according to the plans and specifications agreed to by tbe Committee ; her ladyship expessed her approval , and congratulated the Architect , Committee , aud Officers ou the result of their labonrs . She said : As I am presiding here to-day ,
understanding as far as I am able to understand the plans laid before me , and explained by tho Architeofc , they seem to be calculated to promote the objects you have in view . I sincerely hope that every blessing may rest upon your undertaking , aud you have ray every wish for the future good aud prosperity of the pupils . The authetn " Behold ,
how good and p leasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity , " ( Psalm exxxiii ) was then chanted by the choir , and the official programme closed with au invocation by the chaplain . At the invitation of Bro . Binckes the ladies and lewises who had collected "purses " iu aid of the building fund advanced to the dais and handed them to
the Baroness , whilst Miss Eadith Soppet , the only lady who had acted as a Steward on the occasion , presented her ladyship with an exquisite bouquet of flowers . After the glee , " Hail ! smiling morn , " by the pupils' choir , the majority of the visitors repaired to a marquee in the grounds to witness the placing of the corner-stone ,
raised seats being placed for the ladies and others who had presented purse 3 . A procession was then formed , and tuado a circuit of the new hall , led by the stewards and the band of the School , and others . On arriving at the site of the stone the procession divided right and left , leaving a passage for those in the rear to advance and take their
places as arranged . The Baroness having taken the seat allotted to her near the stone , the bearers with the corn , wine , aud oil , the treasurer , secretary , architect , and builder advanced , the latter presenting her ladyship with the silver trowel with which to spread the mortar on the bod for the stone , which was duly lowered into its
place aud adjusted . During the strewing of the corn , the spriukling of wine , tho pouring of oil , and the scattering of salt , verses of sacred music were sung by the choir , tbe rite being very impressively performed . Tho architect then presented the plans , and the treasurer advanced aud deposited in tho cavity of the stone a phial , which , as
Bro . Binckes explained , contained a copy of the Times of that day , tho last issues of tho Fun MASON ' CHRONICLE and Freemason , all the current coius of the realm , and , by her ladyship ' s express desire , a medallion of General Gordon . Tho Baroness then spread
mortar ou tho plate , and with the mallet used in laying the foundation stone of St . Paul's Cathedral by King Charles II . struck tho stone thrice , saying " I declare this stone well and truly laid , " to which tho brethren responded " So mote it be . " Tho inscription on the stone was
1 U 1 . I . B . This Corner Stone was placed iu position by the BARONESS BURDETT-COUTTS , Vice-President of the Institution . Tuesday August 11 th , 1885 .
The ceremony having been completed , the Baroness addressed the audience in the following terms : — LADIES AND GENTLEMEN , MR . CHAIRMAN , ARCHITECT , AND MEMBERS ov THE C OMMITTEE : —I should not detain you , even for a few minutes , only that I have a few observations which I should like to make
respecting this School . I will not dwell upon the inherent significance of the acts which have just been performed , because thoy are too well known to tho body now present . They know , better than I can tell them , that the fabric of the noblest temple ever raised for the worship of the Dinnc must be built upon the same stable foundation as is the hnmbleat church in the quietest spot where
' ¦ The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep . " Tho smallest house and the largest , if ifc is to stand , must rest upon those princip les and be carried on in the same loving spirit in which the ceremonials of this day have been conducted . I wish for a moment to exolain whv it is that I have added the medal of Charles
George Gordon to the coins that were placed in the cavity of that stone . This is a year that has been full of grief to England—of grief chat will last thoughout history—at the death ( if the heroic Christian and the heroic soldier . But it was not entirely for that reason I piaced the medal there ; it was to mark his deep affection and love
for boys . General Gordon was a man who . long before he was known to fam ? , worked in the spirit , of your Craft in every podtion of life in whieh he was placed . Nothing could have baen nr re striking than the grief that was exhibited at his death , or the anxiety
that vvan manifested by the nation during tho many months of torture that preceded his de . ith . Nothing could be more striking than the feeling which arose from all classes , once unknown to anvbody amongst whom he had worked , and to whom he had done