The Masonic Year 1875.

The indefatigable Bro . Terry is to be congratulated on the prosperous condition of the Institution , of which he is Secretary , and whose claims he so earnestly advocates

whenever an opportunity is afforded him . Let us hope that the success of 1875 is only the precursor of still greater successes , and that in the coming year it may be in our power to make announcement of an addition to the number of our

annuitants , as has been made m the year now ending . We should also mention , as further evidencing the kind zeal of Secretary Terry , in promoting the happiness of those under his charge , that a summer entertainment was , and a winter entertainment will be , specially organised for the amusement of our worthy " Patriarchs . "

The prize day at the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , was fixed for the 8 th of May , and accordingly on that day the Lord Mayor , G . J . W ., who had consented to preside at the annual festival on the Wednesday following , accompanied by the Lady Mayoress , arrived early , and inspected the

institution , the arrangements of which gave unlimited satisfaction to the distinguished visitors . Afterwards , in the presence of a numerous assembly , a capital programme , comprising several excellent selections of music , both instrumental and vocal , and a number of recitations , was gone through very

successfully . The Lady Mayoress then distributed the three principal prizes , namely , £ 5 given annually by Bro . Winn , to Maria Louisa Flintoft , for taking honours in the Cambridge examination ; gold medal for general proficiency , given annually by Bro . Paas , together with £ 5 given

annually by Bro . Winn , to Leila Lucy Oaparn , and silver medal for good conduct , given annually by the Institution , with £ 5 given annually by Bro . Winn , to Maria E . Seavle . The Lord Mayor then distributed the prizes given by the Institution , the principal recipients being Maria Louisa Flintoft , for

hiking honours , and for German ( given by Bro . Hirsch ) ; Leila Lucy Caparn , for passing Cambridge examination , for French ( given by Bro . Rev . P . de Brette D . D . ) , and for drawing ( given by Bro . Starkey ) ; Maria E . Searle for needlework ; Jessie M . Blair for music , and Bro .

Hemsworth ' s prize for amiability as voted by her schoolfellows ; and Mary Theresa Claisen for drawing ( given by Bro . Starkey ) and music ( given by Bro . Moultrie ) . After a brief adjournment for refreshment , the girls went through tho usual calisthenic exercises , in which they exhibit such

marvellous proficiency . Then followed dancing , and it was not till a late hour that the company dispersed for home . On the following Wednesday , the 12 th of May , tho anniversary festival was held at Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of our R . W . Bro . Lord Mayor Stone , G . J . W .,

supported by a numerous and influential attendance of brethren . In the course of the evening the Secretary , Bro . Little , read out the list of subscriptions , which represented an aggregate sum of £ 7 , 2 ( 50 3 s , with thirteen lists still outstanding . The toast of success to the Institution was

very ably proposed by the Lord Mayor , and responded to by the Treasurer , Bro . S . Tompkins . Thus , Bro . Little and the Festival Stewards are to be congratulated on the success of their efforts to uphold and extend this School . Incidentally we may mention that the name of Bro .

Constable figures conspicuously in the list of Stewards , he having collected no less a sum than £ 420 12 s , of which £ 199 10 s—or the value of nineteen life-governorships—Avas the result of his system of drawing , those entitled to draw or ballot being the 3 , 990 holders of the shilling tickets

representing the aggregate value of the said governorships . This , we believe , is about double the amount collected under this system the year previous , and if a few more stewards follow the noble example of our worthy brother , our Institutions will be materially benefited . At the two elections ,

held on the 10 th April and 9 th October respectively , there were chosen , in the former case , thirteen girls out of thirtyone candidates , while at the latter six only could be elected out of thirty candidates . At the present time there arc , Ave believe , 148 girls maintained , clothed , and educated

by the liberality of the Craft . Several propositions arc under consideration for the extension of the School , aud as recently as the 11 th inst . a special meeting of governors and subscribers was held for the purpose of receiving and deciding on the Report of the Special Sub-Committee of the

General Committee , Avhich had been nominated to consider the question . Their Report was in favour of a considerable extension of the existing premises , so as to afford increased

accommodation for 94 i : ; ore girls , an increase which , if , was said , would involve an on thy :. f over £ 20 , 000 . After a long discussion it wa . - ivsnivH ' o norn : vite a further Committee , luf thorn to euflrfukr ai ' resb this various scheme *

The Masonic Year 1875.

under proposal , and any other that may be suggested . And there for the present the matter rests . The Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , Avhich is unlike our two other Institutions , in possessing no invested funds , affords the greatest triumph of Avhafc energy and liberality

combined will effect in the cause of Charity . The anniversary festival Avas held on Wednesday , the 7 th July , on which occasion the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . M . England , and Prov . G . M . Somerset , presided , and there Avere present to support his Lordship , Lord Balfour of Burleigh , President of

the Board of Stewards , the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot , Sir Henry Edwards , Avith other zealous and able brethren , together Avith a number of Stewards from London and Provincial Lodges . Tho occasion will be specially memorable , as the first on which the fair sex Avere seated at the banquet

Avith the members of the Craft . Hitherto the ladies have dined together , in a separate room , but the change Ave have mentioned Avas inaugurated this year , and as the result appears to have been eminently satisfactory , Ave doubt not the custom will be followed , not only by this , but likewise

by our other Institutions , on these important occasions . There is no reason Ave are aware of why it should not be generally folloAved , and if the cause of charity is promoted by the novelty of the arrangement , there is , on the contrary , OA ery reason why the precedent thus set should be observed

in future years . At all events , the first festival at which the experiment has been tried has been an unpreccdentcdly successful one as regards the sum collected . Hence , Ave cannot withhold our acknowledgments from Bro . Binckes , or Avhocver suggested the idea . But to return to tho

festival . The various toasts were duly proposed aud responded to , that of " Prosperity to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys " being urged by the Pro Grand Master with considerable eloquence , and enthusiastically received . After this , Bro . Binckes , the Secretary of the

School , having announced that Francis Dalrymple Lane had Avon the chief prize for good conduct , and Richard Newton Carter the prize to Avhich ho was elected b y his schoolfellows , then read tho list of donations , which amounted to the munificent sum of £ 12 , 70 L 7 s 6 d , with thirty-five

lists yet remaining to be handed in . This means , of course , a total exceeding £ 13 , 000 , and so grand a result must have far exceeded even the most sanguine anticipations . It is not a little singular that , when , a short time previous to the festival , AVC were urging tho claims of

our Masonic Charities generally , and of this School , as having no invested funds in particular , AVC pointed out how , by the practice of a little self-denial throughout tho Craft , the annual subscription to each Charity might fall very little short of £ 15 , 000 . We confess we Avere not a

little surprised on finding the very first subscription made after these remarks Avere offered so well on its Avay towards the £ 15 , 000 AVC had mentioned . Wo hope we may be even nearer the mark as regards future subscri ptions . The speeches and distribution of prizes took place on the

Wednesday previous , 30 th June , there being present the Right Hon . Lord Balfour of Burleigh , P . G . S . W ., President of the Board of Stewards , with a large attendance of Stewards , brethren , and ladies . The programme was very successful , and Avas listened to Avith great pleasure . Between tho

parts of the programme the noble chairman distributed the prizes , offering a few Avords of hearty congratulation to each recipient . His Lordship also offered a few general remarks , thanking the Masters and Committee for the efficient manner in Avhich they had conducted their duties ,

the progress the School had made , and the excellent behaviour of the boys . After a cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman had Veen pioposcd and carried unanimously , and briefly acknowledged by Lord Balfour , the company arliourne'l to refreshments . The School band was in

attendance during the day , and played excellently Aveil . At the half-yearly elections held in April and October respectively , eight out of a list of forty-eight candidates Avere chosen , Avhile at the latter , ten were appointed out of fiftyeight . Tho number of boys now in the School is 178 .

Here , too , there has been a remodelling of the staff , Dr . Morris having been appointed Head Master vice Bro . the Rev . O . G . D . Perrott resigned , Avhile the staff of Assistant Masters has been almost , if not entirely , changed . Wo need not dwell on tic causes Avhich led to these changes .

A special committee of governors and subscribers Avas lately appointed to investigate certain questions raised by Bros . Tew and the Rev . O . G . D . Perrott , and affecting the management of the School . In common with the whole i ' mft , we regret any disagreements botffceu the ^ 'hoi- ^ iic