The Girls School Festival.

looked back at the history of the Institution they would remember that it -was founded in 1788 . In 1789 there were fifteen girls in the Institution . By 1795 the number had doubled , in 1802 it had doubled again , in 1864 there were 100 girls , in 1874 148 girls , and now there were 276 . The continued success and the

continued increase of the Institution was a proof in itself of its great value to those who were recipients of its benefactions . Now it was difficult for him on the present occasion to say all he should like to say , but he could only thank those who had given him the opportunity of being in the position he then occupied ,

and whjle they were told that the old order changed , giving place to the new , they knew there were things that could not change , and never would change ; those -were the great principles that animated Freemasonry ; whatever else might change those would not change , they must remain fixed and immovable ; the great

principle that animated the founders of that Institution many centuries ago was the love of our God and the love of our Craft . They wished the Girls Institution every possible success , and he could only congratulate those who were responsible for its management for what they had done ; and if they could only

realise what those who were present on Monday felt , after what they saw , they would realise that there were many who were not present on that day but who on previous occasions had been deeply impressed with what they had seen . He knew there were a great many , who only saw them in their lighter moments , who

looked upon Freemasons as a lairly respectable body of men , and a convivial body of men . All he could say was , while they were bound to accept the soft impeachment of respectability and conviviality , they had proved up to the hilt that there was a good deal more in Freemasonry than that . On the present occasion he had no information to give them as to the result of the

contributions ; on the last occasion that the Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire occupied the chair , in 1874 , there were 190 Stewards , and that was the largest subscription that was up to that time collected . It resulted in over £ 8 , 000 , and all he could say was he had every reason to believe they would at least equal that sum that night . The toast was honoured with the greatest enthusiasm .

Bro . F . E . W . Hedges then announced the lists , which showed a total of £ 23 , 217 , collected by 763 Stewards , of whom 300 represented the metropolis , with £ 10 , 638 , and 463 the Provinces , with £ 12 , 578 . Of this amount Staffordshire contributed £ 4 , 034 .

Of the London Lodges no less than seventeen sent up 100 guineas and over , the highest lists being Bro . Daniel Mayer , wiih £ 525 , and Bro . Homer , with £ 720 . An omission from the list was that of Bro . W . B . Heagerty P . P . G . E . Essex , of the All Saint ' s Chapter , with £ 180 . Sir John B . Monckton President of the Board of Stewards

responded , and said he hoped that Sir Reginald Hanson Treasurer of the Institution would have responded , but unfortunately he was detained elsewhere , but he had sent a personal donation of twenty guineas , and a further ten guineas on behalf of a grandson just received into the world , so that he was the youngest Life Governor of the Institution . He had also received a telegram

from the Pro Grand Master Lord Amherst , in which he hoped to preside at next year ' s Festival , when he trusted there would be a friendly contest between Kent and Staffordshire . The result announced was highly satisfactory , and they could not do less than drink most heartily to the Earl of . Dartmouth , who had brought about this grand result .

Lord Dartmouth replied , and expressed his thanks for the magnificent total , which had far surpassed his expectation , and indeed he might say that of the Stewards . He expressed his grateful thanks to the Brethren of his Province for their loyalty ,

and the Brethren generally . He quite realised the enormous work that had fallen on Bro . Hedges , which caused him to forget the excellent contribution of Bro . W . B . Heagerty of £ 180 , which he now acknowledged .

Col . J . W . Walker proposed the other Masonic Chanties , for vfbicb . Bro . J . M . McLeod responded in one of his stirring speeches , in which he hoped that the Brethren would not forget the Festival of the Boys School , on 10 th July next , at Brighton , when H . E . H . the Duke of Connaught would preside . The entertainment that was provided in the Temple was most

excellent , the artistes being Madame Amy Sberwin , Miss Greta "Williams ( the " Stella" heroine ) , Bros . Herbert Emlyn , Hy . Stockwell , H . Lane Wilson , and W . Emerson . Humorous recitations were given by Bro . Walter Churcber , and the clever piano sketches by Bro . M . B . Spurr were well received . It may be mentioned in this connection that Bro . Daniel Mayer ( of Messrs . S . and P . Erard ) kindly lent the grand piano .

The annual visit of the Stewards and their friends to the Institution at Clapham Junction took place on Monday , when a very large company assembled . The Countess of Dartmouth , who was accompanied by the Earl , presented the prizes to the successful pupils , a list of whom we should like to give , as usual .

The Girls School Festival.

but the many other calls on our space this week preludes our doing so . The pupils evinced their customary ability in their calisthenic exercises , and won general approval by their performances in vocal and instrumental music . In responding to the thanks that were unanimously accorded to the Countess at the instance of Sir John Monckton . Lord Dartmouth expressed the extreme

pleasure with which he and his wife had visited an Institution of which they had heard so much , and complimented Miss Buck ( the matron ) and Miss Hutchinson ( the head governess ) very warmly on the highly satisfactory condition of the large body of girls under their charge . He congratulated tbe Craft upon having

such a perfect school , such admirable teachers , and such splendid discipline , and exhorted the children to take advantage of the excellent provision that had been made for preparing them to take upon themselves the duties of life . A handsome bouquet was presented to the Countess of Dartmouth by a little maiden from her husband ' s Province of Staffordshire .

In consequence of the unusual pressure on our space this week we are compelled to hold over a number of items of news and others matters .

Entertainment Notes.

Entertainment Notes .

Alhambra . —The American Choir Girl , a young lady from over the seas , with a very pleasing voice , made her first appearance at the Alhambra last week in a " turu" naturally of a vocal character . Those mirthful arid ' cultured artists Les Minstrels Parisieus have again returned to renew a success and appreciation gained at former visits , wtiile other popular features of the programme are provided by the Hanlons , Kelly and Gillette , and the Bonhair troupe of acrobats .

London Hippodrome . —Several new features were introduced last week into the programme . One which is certain to prove extremely popular is furnished by Derenda and Breen , who give a marvellous and withal humorous juggling exhibition with Indian clubs . Perzina has trained a troupe of monkeys that are prepared to undertake any feat short of speaking ,

while the equine element of the entertainment agreeably holds its place by the equestrian act of Signora de la Plata , a very graceful rider , and a semi- , musical display of the haute ecole by Herr Schumann , vjhose horse and pony give evidence of careful and painstaking training . Of the old features , Lavater Lee and his bucking mule create roars of laughter .

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