Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

EX-PUPILS' DAY . On Saturday last the Sdiool was " en fete , " it being the day fixed for the ex-pupils . 'I hey began to arrive shortly after 3 o ' clock , and were received by Bro . Frank Richardson Chairman of the House Committee for the month . Since last year , when the first meeting took place , the fact has become known , and has spread amongst old pupils ,

consequently a goodly gathering , to the number of about 60 , took place . Lawn tennis and other amusements were provided , and Bro . Frank Richardson took to the School a large collection of beautiful photographs he had made during his journey round the world , which afforded considerable amusement and instruction to those present . The day was beautifully fine , with a bright sun shining , and all

seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly , and to appreciate the additional land lately thrown into the garden , and upon parting , about 0 o'clock , nearly all expressed their intention of visiting again next year , when we shall hope to see a much larger gathering . . , , , „ . Amongst those present we noticed the following : Violet H . Lang , Eveline Sharp , Colina Sharp ,

Fanny Ashby , Kate Chapman , Gertrude Baxter , Emily Treleaven ( Mrs . Taperall ) , Rose Sar ^ ant , Louisa Thomson , Louisa Taylor . Beatrice Newman , Ada Huyshe Clase , Bessie Reed , Nellie Dand , Ethel Pa'mer , Florence Duckelt , Annie Hill , Cara Fletcher , Ellen Holland , Josephine Bignell , Mary E . Earle ( Mrs . Ghent ) , Julia Maymaker , Clara Measor , E . Morris ( Mrs . Lait ) , j . Muggeridge ( Mrs . Sack ) . S . Purdy ( Mrs . Jones ) , Elizabeth

Muggeridge , Mary E . Mott , Annie Cates , Emma E . Taylor , Hannah F . Gregory , Clari R . A . Bindon , Florence Chivers , Sarah Crichton , Fanny G . Osborn , Ada B . Tenare , Louisa Sirr , Nina F . Pratt , Alice F . Pralt , Helena Pidduck , Susie Tippler , Eliza Gray ( Mrs . Smith ) , Constance Hart , Alice Ihornbury , Laura Steansome , Mabel Bingham , Helena Meacock , Florence Faithfull . We were particu ' arly pleased to see the daughters of our esteemed friend , Bro . Muggeridge , who had left the School so many years before .

Masonic Exhibition At Plymouth.

MASONIC EXHIBITION AT PLYMOUTH .

An interesting Exhibition of Masonic regalia , jewels , ancient manuscripts , and curios , was opened on Monday , at the Huyshe Masonic Temple , Plymouth , in aid of the Devon Masonic Fund . It comprises over 1000 exhibits , many of them of great value and rarity , and derive additional interest from the fact that the collection has been conlributed almost exclusively by brethren of Devon and

Cornish lodges . The exhibits have been very tastefully arranged in two large rooms . On entering the chief apaitment , a handsome hall , the visiter's attention is first directed to the magnificently gold-laced Grand Lodge clothing of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence , afterwards William IV ., lent by the Prince of Wales's Lodge . To local Masons the exhibit is invested with additional interest

from the fact that his Majesty was initiated in the Prince George Lodge , Plymouth , over one hundred years ago . In another part of the room is a large chair more than a century old , in which the king has sat , and side by side with it are other chairs of equal age and of unique pattern , also associated with royalty . Down the centre of the apartment is a large glass case containing a great variety

of Masonic jewels , many of them of considerable value and importance . Noticeable amongst them are some very fine Rose Croix jewels , set in diamonds , rubies , and emeralds ; silver jewels of ancient design , and curious old jewels of silver , one , a candelabra with three branches , having a variety of Masonic emblems on the blue ground . An object of considerable interest in this department is a handsome

Rose Croix jewel , believed to have belonged originally to the great Napoleon , by whom it is said to have been given to a seaman on his being conveyed ashore at St . Helena . It bears the inscription— "Napoleon I ., at Torbay , 2-th July , 1 JS 15 . " Side by side with the jewels is a collection of Masonic medals and tokens , which , for completeness and rarity , it would be difficult to surpass , or even equal , in the

whole country . By far the largest contributor is Bro . G . J . Shackles , of Hull , and honorary member of Lodge , No . 70 , Plymouth , who is reputed to have one of the richest and most varied collections in Europe . He has sent no less than two hundred medals struck by lodges of different nationalities , including German , French , American , Belgian , Swiss , and Austrian , besides , of course , English .

pome of them are of extreme rarity , and all are of great interest to Masons . Bro . Hughan , of Torquay , is also a large contributor in this section , and his collection includes two large and small bronze medals just struck in commemoration of her Majesty ' s Jubilee . Ranged round the room are Masonic curiosities in endless variety . An object of great interest to antiquarians

and others is a statuette , stated to be 3000 years old , and supposed to represent Confucius . The figure is clothed with a scarlet Masonic apron , with two Chinese pillars and the sun , moon , and stars depicted . It is made of a stone as hard and heavy as steel , requiring to be worked with a carbon tool , and was looted from the Summer Palace of rekin when the allied armies took possession . In a case

in a corner of the room is a very handsome maul used on nve important occasions , the first being in 1841 , when it was used by the Prince Consort in laying the foundai ionstone of the Orphan Asylum at Wanstead , and the last - " > 1880 when the Prince of Wales used it at the ceremony ot laying the foundation-stone of Truro Cathedral . It is Jnc properly of St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 1151 , to

P M " P resente < 3 by Bro . the Rev . George Ross , r ' vy P . Prov . G . Chap , of Cornwall , the founder and "rst Master of the lodge . Close to it are some jugs of ° " ? at antiquily , and of historical interest in connection ™ ith Masonry . Amongst other objects of interest in the om are an 0 ; j painting of a Masonic procession of the ' rovince of Devon entering St . Andrew's Church ,

Plyfnli 1 S 60 , portraits of Masonic celebrities , in their of t v , alia » curious photographs from the "Markbook " na Lod ge of Aberdeen of the year 1670 , containing the C L ! "es ° f 49 members j the facsimile of a very ancient CATUVA' " le or | ginalof which is at York , formerly read to JtirJ u ' on ' nltia t ' > innumerable warrants of lodges , Irvi . ° ne of the numerous centenary jewels for iftV ? - ° ? Cormvall . for lh k ?^ ' ? ' ^ apartment are rich and rare treasures ne Masonic antiquarian . These consist of fac-similes

Masonic Exhibition At Plymouth.

of ancient manuscripts bearing upon Masonry , some of them dating back to the 14 th century , and old historical books without number relating to the Craft . In the same room are several collections of regalia and jewels belonging to some of the mare prominent local Freemasons . Altogether the Exhibition , unique as it is in character , is a distinct success , and though much of it is naturally of interest

only to members of the Craft , yet in a thousand exhibits of such great variety there is much to instruct and entertain the general public , to whom , as well as to Freemasons , the Exhibition is thrown open . Among the principal contributors are Bros . W . J . Hughan , G . F . Shackles , Lamb-Smith , Le Feuvre , Gould , Lane , Whytehead , Greenham , J . Jerman , Rev .

T . W . Lemon , A . Hope , J . Gifford , W . F . Westcott , the Coombe Masonic Library , and numerous lodges . The Committee who arranged the Exhibition and superintended the disposition of the exhibits comprised Bros . Hughan , Wallace , Dillon , Gidley , Pengelly , and G . Roseveare ; F . B . Westlake , Treasurer ; J . B . Gover and J . R . Lord , Curators ; and T . Goodall and W . H . W . Macey ,

Secretaries . Bro . W . J . HUGHAN , of Torquay , formally opened the Exhibition on Monday afternoon in the presence of a small company , chiefly of Masons belonging to lodges in the Three Towns . Only four other Exhibitions of that kind had , he remarked , been held in the country . The Srst two were at York in 18 S 1 and 1884 ; and in the autumn of the

Iaiterye ? r another was held at Worcester , while another took place at Shanklin , in the Lie of Wight , last year . The Plymouth Exhibition was the fifth in numerical order and the third in size or number of exhibits . Unlike the others , however , which was thrown open to the whole country , theirs was confined to members connected with lodges in the two Westernmost counties ,

and it was highly creditable , he thought , that they had , with so restricted an area , accumulated more than 1000 exhibits , some of priceless value and a great many of considerable importance . ( Applause . ) After briefly explaining its principal features , he said the Exhibition had been brought together not merely for the purpose of archa : o-Iogical and antiquarian inquiry , but more particularly for

the pecuniary benefit of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund . From the annual accounts he found that the lund had made a very gratifying advance during the last 12 months . In 1885 its income amounted to £ 223 ; last year it rose to £ 373 . shewing a very substantia ! increase ot £ 150 . ( Hear , hear . ) He was astonished at the large proportion vvhich ihe Three Towns contributed to the income

of the fund . It was a shame that with 51 lodges in Devon the support of the fund should be so largely left to the Three I owns . It was a disgrace , also , to the piovince thai the income of the fund was not £ 500 a year , and he hoped other parts of the county would soon endeavour to rival the Three Towns in the extent of their contributions towards so deserving and Institution . ( Applause . ) He then declared

the Exhibition open . Bro . GOVER , on behalf of the committee , welcomed Bro . Hughan to Plymouth , and thanked him for the function he had ju » t performed , observing that the success of the Exhibition was Iaigely due tohis energy , whilst the Devon Masonic Educational Charities had no warmer or better friend . ( Applause ) .

Telegram was received of " Good Wishes" from Bio . Greenham of Shanklin . During the day there was a fair attendance ot visitors at the Exhibition . In the evening an excellent programme ol music was performed under the conductorship of Mr . Hinchcliffe . Mrs . Bennett and Master Hinchclibe gave a couple of harp and violin duetts , which were both much

enjoyed . The latter also performed a violin solo with skiL and taste . Mr . Herbert sang "I fear no foe , " and "My lodgings in the cellar here , " with admirable effect , whilst Bro . G . Miller created considerable merriment by his rendering of the amusing song "Perverted proverbs . " Pianoforte solos were also performed , and encores were frequent . The Exhibition closes to-day ( Friday ) .

Bombay Freemasons And The Jubilee.

BOMBAY FREEMASONS AND THE JUBILEE .

H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , who left for England by the last mail-steamer , is the bearer of a Jubilee address to the Queen from the Freemasons of Bombay . A deputation , consisting of Bro . Harold R . King , the Deputy District Grand Master , and Bro . W . H . Hussey , District Grand Secretary , waited on his Royal Highness , who is

District Grand Master Designate , on Tuesday alternoon , and handed over the address , which will be formally presented to her Majesty by the Duke . The address is beautifully illuminated on vellum and mounted on purple silk—purple being the District Grand Lodge colour . It is attached at the top to an ivory roller , and the corners at the bottom are adorned with cords and tassels of gold . The

address is encased in a silver casket , on which are engraved certain Masonic emblems . The casket , which is the handiwork of native Craftsmen , rests on an ivory pedestal , with a base of ebony , inlaid with mosaics . Both the address and the casket were designed by Mr , Rienzi

Walton , who also superintended its preparation . His Royal Highness expressed himself pleased with the address , it being comparatively shott and singularly appropriate . The address is as follows : — "To Her Imperial Majesty Victoria , by the Grace of God , of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ,

Queen , Defender of the Faith , Empress of India . " May it please your Imperial Majesty , —We , the Right Worshipful the District Grand Master and the District Grand Master Designate for Bombay and its territories under the United Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England , humbly beg leave , on behall of ourselves and the officers and members of the District

Grand Lodge of Bombay and the lodges and brethren subordinate thereto , to offer for the acceptance of your Imperial Majesty this expression of the sincere gratification felt by our Craft that you have been spared to complete the fiftieth year of your Majesty's auspicious reign . " During the past fifty years Freemasonry under the

English Constitution has , in a remarkable manner , extended and piogressed throughout your Majesty's Dominions , and paiticularly so in Western India , wheie it has brought together , and united , men of variuus races , castes and creeds in one common brotherhood , and by its benign influence has greatly tended to strengthen that feeling of devotion to your throne and Royal person by

Bombay Freemasons And The Jubilee.

which all classes of your Majesty s faithful subjects in India are actuated . "And it is the fervent prayer of the Freemasons of Western India , in common wiih the many millions of their fellow-subjects , that your Majesty may long be spared to reign over the _ destinies of this great empire , and that under your benign sway peace , prosperity , and brotherly

love may long continue to prevail . "ARTHUR , District Grand Master Designate . "TYRRELL LEITH , District Grand Master . " Given under the common seal of the District Grand Lodge of Bombay , the twenty-fourth day of May , A . L . 5887 ; A . D . 1887 . " W . H . HUSSEY , District Grand Secretary . " Bombay Paper .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

DISTRICT GRAND CHAPTER OF VICTORIA ( E . C . ) A special convocation of the above District Grand Chapter was held on Thursday , March 31 st , in the Freemasons' Hall , Collins-street , Melbourne . The business was the installation of Comp . Sir William Clarke , Bart , as M . E . Grand Superintendent of Victoria , this being the second ceremony of the kind only since the Degree was

introduced into tne colony . The oldest Royal Arch Chapter is the Australasian , No . 474 , which was constituted on the 7 th of May , 1884 , in Melbourne , and is attached to the oldest Ctaft lodge , the Australia Felix , opened on the 25 th ot March , 1840 , At present there are nine chapters working in the district , in addition to the one mentioned , viz : —Ihe Victoria , the Collingwood , the Melbourne , the

Combermere , and the South Yarra , all in the metropolis ; the Bendigo Golden , at Sandhurst ; the Eureka , Castlemaine ; the St . John's , Beechworth ; and the Yarrowee , riallarat . Two ochers—the Meridian , in Melbourne , and the Keystone , Bright—are in abeyance , bir William Clarke was one of the founders , and the first M . E . Z . of the Melbourne Chapter , No . 747 . On account of

insufficiency of notice , it was not generally known that so important a ceremony was \ o take place , otherwise the attendance would have been much larger . The Installing Principal was M . E . Comp . F . Richardson , G . L ) . of C . England , now on a visit to the Colonies , who was commissioned by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand First Principal of the Order , to perform the ceremonies .

The Presiding Officer opened the District Grand Chapter , assisted by M . E . Comps . Dr . H . St . John Clarke , U . G . H . ; and Dr . J . J . E . Willmott , D . G . J . The Officiating Principal having addressed the companions , and stated the object of the convocation , the Grand juperintendent designate was announced , and , in reply , was requested to send in his patent of appointment from the Prince of Wales .

3 ix Installed Principals ot chapters were thereupon directed as a deputation to retire and introduce Sir William Llarke , who , on being admitted , was duly obligated , installed , proclaimed , and saluted as Grand Superintendent of Victoria . The Second and Third Principals were next reappointed and installed , after which Sir William Clarke announced

ihat he had decided to re-appoint the subordinate officers for the remainder of the year . A vote of thanks was then accorded 10 M . E . Comp . Richardson for his valuable services , when the District Grand Chapter was closed . The companions subsequently adjourned to a banquet . Sir William Clarke presided , and the customary toast list was gone through .

Obituary.

Obituary .

DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIAL CRAFTSMAN . Bro . A . J . Clark , one of the oldest colonists of Victoria , died on the 23 rd ot March last , at the Masonic Club , in Collins-street , Melbourne , after a short illness . The deceased arrived in Port Philip when a youth of 16 , with his parents , in the month of December , 1 S 39 , from ringland , he being a native of Woolwich . He was most generally known as a veteran member of the Masonic

oody , having been initiated in the Australian Felix Lodge , No . 474 ( E . C ) , in 1847 , subsequently passing through the chair of the King Solomon Lodge , No . 422 ( I . C . ) For the long period of 30 years he held the positions of Provincial and District Grand Tyler under ihe Irish and Scotch Constitutions , whilst during 27 years of that time he has acted in a similar capacity under the English Constitution . His

lather betore him was lyler for several lodges in Melbourne . He was also a Royal Arch Mason , a Knight Templar , as well as a member of the Mark and Rose Croix Degrees . On the previous Friday evening , while engaged in his duties at the Freemasons' Hall , he was struck down with paralysis , and was removed to the Masonic Club , where he died , as stated , at the age of 64 years . Bro . Clark was

a universal favourite amongst his brother Masons . The funeral of Bro . Alexander James Clark , District and Provincial Grand Tyler of the three British Constitutions , took place at the Melbourne General Cemetery two days after his death , in the presence of a large assemblage of Freemasons . The brethren met at the Freemasons' Hall , and , after opening the three District Grand Lodges , a

funeral procession was formed in rear of the hearse . The pall-bearers were Bro . Sir William Clarke , his two Deputies of the Irish and Scottish Constitutions ( Bros . G . Baker and C . R . Martin ) , and others . The service at the grave was conducted by the Rev . Mr . Wells , Wesleyan minister , and Bros . Rev . E . Rodda and M . aaunders . The coffin was surmounted with the usual Masonic emblems , and several handsome wreaths were sent , one trom Lady Uarke .

Colonies in his tour . tiro . J . C . Waite , of the Lodge of Perseverance , No . 371 , Mary port , Cumberland , a member of the Society of biuish Artists , now settled in Australia , has lately completed a poi trait , in oil , of Bro . W . F . Lamunby , P . M ., P . Z ., for presentation by the memocrs to the Melbourne ¦ » asonic Cluo . Bro . Waite ' s productions were very highly spoken of by the Melbourne press at the Exhibition ot the Anglo-Australian Artists' Society ,

The annual meeting 01 the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight has been fixed to be held at Poitsmouth in August next . Mr . Charles Uu VaL who has recentl y been appearing with great success in Dublin and Belfast , is making arrangements for his forthcoming Eastern and Colonial tour . He will revisit India , and possibly South Africa , and will include China , Japan , and the Austialasian