Masonic Benevolence.

MASONIC BENEVOLENCE .

WHAT EVER result we may be called upon to announce next week as the outcome of the Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution—whether it be a satisfactory , total , or one that

will . dissappoint the supporters . of that most deserving Charity—there can be no question that the work of Masonic Benevolence is rapidly extending in all parts of

the country , or , in view of what our Brethren under the Scotch , Irish , and other Constitutions are doing , we may fairly say , in all parts of the British Empire .

Scarcely a week goes by without our being able to record the work of some one or more of the special local Funds of Benevolence of a purely Masonic character which

exist afSund us , and this week is no exception to the rule , the local work of our "West , of England Brethren coming prominently to the front on this occasion . As our readers are aware some of the Provincial Funds

of Benevolence have grown to considerable proportions during the few years they have been in existence , and the amount of good they are doing is almost incalculable , for the . reason that being so widely spread about the country

it is next to impossible to summarise it .. If such a task could be satisfactorily carried out we believe it would prove that the work of the three central Institutions—grand

as it is—is almost equalled , if not exceeded , by these independent local Funds . Long may they prosper , and widely may they extend , must be the ardent wish of every member of the Masonic Brotherhood .

R.M. I. Girls.

R . M . I . GIRLS .

WE are pleased to hear that the latest examination results received in connection with this Institution call for further congratulation , no less than nineteen girls out of the twenty-one entered for the Preliminary Cambridge Examination being returned as successful .

Charity In Devon And Cornwall.

CHARITY IN DEVON AND CORNWALL .

THE annual meeting of the Devon Aged Widows ' Annuity Fund is to be held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on Wednesday , the 23 rd inst ., at three p . m . There is no lack of business to transact , and it will then be decided as to whether another vacany shall be created so as to permit of the election of an additional annuitant .

r jnHE various Devon Masonic Charities have for many JL years derived material financial benefit from the concerts organised by Bro . W . Willoughby , Mus . Bac . Oxon .,-F . R . C . O ., the Prov . Grand Organist , says the " Western Mercury , " and one of which took place on the 16 th inst ., in the Plymouth Guildhall . Although the attendance was not

so large as the worthiness of the object and the attractiveness of the programme warranted , it is satisfactory to learn that the tickets were freely disposed of , so that the receipts are not likely to show any diminution on those of previous years . Following his usual precedent Bro ' . Willoughby devoted the first part of the programme to contributions from members

Charity In Devon And Cornwall.

of his Children ' s Choral Class , the second portion being of a miscellaneous character , in which figured several prominent local , vocalists , and others whose appearance is always cordially welcomed . After the opening organ selection , the children , many of whom are of an age which makes the perfection of their training much more remarkable than it

otherwise would be , executed a number of vocal waltzes , entitled "The beautiful flowers , " of the conductor ' s own composition . . Their fairy-like evolutions in this , as in

subsequent dances , which comprised a minuet for the smallest of the small ones , a rustic dance , and a humorous polka , to which Bro . Willoughby has given the name of " The merry little domestics , " were delightful to witness .

npHE Cornwall Masonic Annuity and Benevolent Fund _ 1 _ annual report , just issued to the subscribers , is as usual , of a very satisfactory character . There are four male and eight . female , annuitants on the Fund , and eight educational grants for a period of years for necessitous

children . The invested capital is now £ 5 , 866 14 s 4 d , and there is also ., a good- balance in the hands of the Treasurer . Since the Fund was started , in 186 4 , the sum of £ 11 , 286 7 s 7 d has been received , and , save under £ 500 for expenses of management , printing , advertising , & c , all that amount has been carefully spent or husbanded for the future .

We congratulate the Mark Masons of Cornwall on the realisation of their wishes in regard to the appointment of the Earl of Halsbury , Lord Chancellor , as Provincial Grand

Master of the degree , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales having been pleased to appoint that distinguished Brother as successor to Sir C . B . Graves-Sawle , Bart ., who has retired through illrhealth .

We do not know whether Mr . John Morley , M . P ., is a member of the Craft , but his speech at the opening of the Passmore Edwards Settlement , in TavistocK Place , last Saturday , certainly breathes the very spirit of Freemasonry ,

During the course of his remarks he said : " About a hundred years ago the watchwords ' which set men ' s hearts on fire all oyer Europe were Liberty , Equality and Fraternity . Now Fraternity is coming to take more and more the first place in men ' s minds . "

The second full dress Masonic Ball held by dispensation under the auspices of the Pelham Lodge , No . 939 , in aid of the Masonic Charities , took place at the Town Hall , Worksop , on Thursday , 10 th inst ., and proved , like its predecessor , a great success in everv particular . The Ball

was under the patronage of the Duke of Portland P . S . G . W . and Provincial Grand Master-elect Nottinghamshire , and most of the local Masonic celebrities , and is expected to produce a handsome surplus .

On Wednesday , 16 th inst ., the members of the Royal Brunswick Lodge , No . 732 , gave a highly successful invitation ball at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton . The guests ,

who numbered about 300 , were received on their arrival in the Grand Corridor by the W . M . Bro . W . Bennett , Miss Bennett , and Miss F . Bennett , assisted by Mrs . W . Botting .

In connection with the St . Nicholas Lodge , and on behalf of the Masonic Educational Institutions , a ball was held in the Town Hall , Thorne ,. on the 17 th inst . There was a very

large attendance . The company included the principal residents in Thorne , and representatives from Doncaster , Hull , and Goole . > . The hall was charmingly decorated .