The Coming Festival Of The Boys' School.

and more generally appreciated . We shall look for a strong body of supporters being present from his Province of Hampshire and tho Isle of Wight , while , as he is almost equally well known in London , it is but reasonable to expect many of his Metropolitan

friends will rally round him . Altogether , it may be said his prospects are most satisfactory , and we trust , for the sake of the Institution whose cause he is championing , as well as on his own account , that the

result of his appeal will be a grand addition to the funds of the Institution . The Alexandra Palace itself is well suited for the Festival , indeed we may say that its attractions are in many respects unrivalled . There is ample

accommodation for a very large number in the banqueting saloon , more than are likely to attend on this particular occasion , while there are many other benefits

to be met with here which are not to be iouncl elsewhere . The management of the Palace are striving their utmost to make their part of the programme satisfactory , and have arranged for a special firework

display for the occasion , while other novelties will be presented and attractive features introduced . The Palace is within easy distance of the metropolis , either by road or rail , and all that is wanted is a fine day to render the locale of the Festival all that can be desired . We must not forget the attractions of the Monkey Show , which will be open to the

visitors on this occasion . We recently paid a visit to this exhibition , and afterwards learned , from a conversation with those in charge of the animals , much to interest us . It would seem the work of catering for this large family is in itself a Herculean task . We have recently heard that the food supplied to the Boys in the Masonic School close

by the Palace was unsatisfactory as regards quality , but never a word of complaint came from the boys . The large family of monkeys at the Alexandra Palace are

not so considerate , for if the " underdone mutton chop and glass of old port " prescribed for one of the company , or the afternoon cup of tea required for another , are not exactly as they should be . nothing is said , it is

true , but the chop or liquid is flung with unerring aim at the head of the attendant . In this respect our " great ancestors " have the advantage , so to speak , over " more advanced members of the species , " many

of whom would , however , very much like to show their disapproval in a similar way , only that it would be regarded as a return to savage ways , and would go far to support the conclusions of Darwin and his followers .

Having devoted thus much of our space to the coming Festival we may once again refer to the special features which surround it . The Institution on whose behalf it is to be held is just now under a cloud , and

it an exceptionally good return of subscriptions is announced much of the trouble will be at once dispelled ; if , on the other hand , a meagre amount is the result , then the action of those to be entrusted with

the work of reform will be so hampered as to almost prevent anything like agreement resulting . We hope therefore that all will end satisfactorily , and that the future of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will amply repay those who are working on behalf of its Ninety-first Anniversary Festival .

We should have said that the number of Stewards already enrolled on the list is upwards of three hundred , a goodly number , it is true , but at the same | time there is ample accommodation and need for many more , the names of whom will be thankfully received and their services fully appreciated . i

It seems that the annuities , amounting to £ 155 , which were voted by the Annuity Board of the Fund of Scottish Masonic Benevolence , leave £ 345 for disposal by the board at its meeting next month . A pplications for these have to be lodged not later than the 27 th inst .

Historical Relation Of Freemasonry To Ancient Egypt.

HISTORICAL RELATION OF FREEMASONRY TO ANCIENT EGYPT .

A Lecture delivered by Bro . Alexander II . Morgan , before Montgomery Lodge , No . 19 , F . and A . M ., at a special meetinq , held in the Egyptian Hall , Masonic

Temple , Philadelphia , 2 otk February 18 S 9 . REPRINTED VROM THE KEYSTONE . PART THIRD .

IN searching the records of the ancient nations historians are greatly assisted in their labours by the Architectural remains , which are often found in good preservation long after tho governments and people by -whom they were constructed have become extinct . The advancement of

architecture to the dignity of a science must be attributed to the Egyptians , at least until the records of some earlier nation can be found to disprove the material evidence still

existing of Egypt s prior claims . Of course the primeval inhabitants of the earth sought shelter from the elements in some form of building .

Caves and rocks could not long have served the rapidly incrensing population , the " rude hut" was soon followed by the dwelling filled with the improvements man ' s intelligence naturally suggested . Those advantages caused

others to follow in their train . He soon claimed the right of " eminent domain , " which in turn was assumed by the state . This brought into existence the science of Geometry , through which the landmarks securing to each individual

the boundaries of his title became " sacred and inviolate . " This great principle , incorporated in the Mosaic law , vvas derived by Moses from the Egyptians . To preserve and transmit to posterity the evidence of their

advancement in the art of building , was and is the aim of all civilised nations . Hence arose the several orders or styles peculiar to the foremost nations of antiquity—the Egyptian , the Assyrian , the Hebrew , the Grecian , and

others not so distinctly marked as to establish a national type , but sufficient to afford the means of judging as to their high or low stage of civilisation . In most of the nations the exemplification of their religions appear to have been

the reigning motives for which fchey built , consequently in temples dedicated to the worship of their deities they sought to perpetuate their religions . Not so in Egypt .

" Life , said the Egyptian Philosopher , " is bat a sleep ; we shall not awake to our true existence in the kingdom of Osiris till the hour of our death . "

Consistent with this idea , Egyptian constructors wero great in tombs and monuments for the preservation of the bodies and memories of the dead . "They call the habitations of the living 'places of

sojourn , since we occupy them but for a short time ; but to the sepulchres of the dead they give the name of ' eternal abodes , ' since men will live in the other world for an infinite period . " True . Temples and churches

abounded throughout the land , many of them grand specimens of Egyptian architecture , but not one of them remains intact ; rows of columns , heaps of ruins to fret the

traveller , while the great monuments which entomb the dead are yet standing erect , imperishable , mute bufc eloquent witnesses to the Egyptian doctrine of the eternal existence .

The great fraternity whose disciples are assembled here this evening , also build material structures , wherein they congregate around their altars , and in appropriate ceremonies exemplify their doctrines , bufc nofc alone in

Gothic piles or Grecian temples does Freemasonry seek to perpetuate her memories , but in the " spiritual building , " designed by the grandest of all architects , which " without beginning and without end" will live for ever in her immortal truths .

In the proceeding remarks we have endeavoured to show the general relationship thafc existed between the Egyptian mysteries and speculative Masonry , and in concluding we shall briefly refer to some of fche practical

elements of fche two systems , and their close resemblance . There is in Freemasonry , as in every system , society , association or fraternity , certain means of recognition , which are necessary to distinguish its members from the

non-affiliated , and this fact holds good whether the society is a secret organisation or not , whether it is esoteric or exoteric , whether it is a mystery or open , written and published . Now , in Freemasonry these peculiar means of