Inside The Clock.

INSIDE THE CLOCK .

BY A LADY J OURNALIST . 1 have never known a woman yet who would not willingly have sacrificed everything she possessed to have shared that vi gil of her highly favoured sister inside the clock while the unsuspecting Freemasons bandied their secret to and fro within a few inches of her hid ng «

place . I was thinking of her the other day as I crossed the wide suburban road above Clapham Junction , and entered the open gates of the Royal Masonic Schools for Girls , at St . John's-hill , Battersea-rise . The card in my hand was an invitation from the House Committee to members of the Press to visit and inspect the Institution ; there was an openness , a candour about

the very wording of the card which would have staggered the clock heroine ; the secret which had cost her so cramped and undignified an incarceration , seemed to lie ready to my hand , and 1 had only to walk in and make it my own . There was even a hint of tea and light refreshments later on , which I felt convinced never penetrated the clock-case . Though prepared for

mysteries , I am not sure that I knew what I expected to see , but I am certain that when I first saw it I had not the slightest idea what it was . I looked down from a high gallery into a vast hall , dappled with what , for a moment , looked like bright blue and white mosaic . Before I could realise how this effect was attained a chord of music , struck suddenly

from the further end of the building , set all the mosaic in motion , whirling , marching , massing in groups , opening into line , passing in and out , in intricate yet perfectly executed figures—a living kaleidoscope of 200 blue and white girls moving simultaneously and guided by music and memory alone . As soon as I grasped the meaning of the strange scene beneath me

I was able to fol'ow all its wonderful shiftings and combinations with as much enthusiasm as the public schoolboy beside me , who , accustomed to drill and keenly critical of " girls imitating what we do , you know , " was presently moved to split his dogskin gloves in generous and unqualified applause as the blue and white squadron executed its final manoeuvre , and

dissolved at the sudden word of dismissal into too couple of ordinary schoolgirls , each with her arm in orthodox fashion round her dearest friend ' s waist . It was a pretty sight , and I was sorry that our late guest , M . Zola , who has been particularly struck by the fact that all great movements in England are considered incomplete without their attendant Charitable Institutions ,

was not there to witness it . The Royal Masonic Institution tor Girls owes its origin to the humane intelligence of Bro . Ruspini , as the Craft called him—the Chevalier Ruspini , Knight of the Order of the Golden Spur , and Dentist to the Court of George III ., as he was called in polile circles in 1766 , when lie fixed his residence in London and began to make his mark in

social as well as in Masonic matters . The Duchess of Cumberland , whose husband was Grand Master of the Order , was a patient and patroness of the Chevalier , who confided to her his scheme of establishing a home where the daughters of poor Masons , " young female minds , destitute of parental attention , could be trained in industry and virtue , and to social , moral , and

religious duties . " The Duchess graciously promised her support , and subscriptions began to flow in for the " Royal Cumberland Freemason School , " which in October , 1788 , was ready for the reception of 15 girls in a dull little by-street off the Tottenham Court-road called Somers-place East . The names of the 15 " young female minds" are

before me—Sibella , Margaret , Frances , a brace of Charlottes , three Mary Anns , several Sophias and Harriets , and " little Mary Bagley , aged ten , " thrown into the bargain ( somewhat after the fashion of what is commercially called " the yapper , " or extra scrap to turn the scale ) as '' assistant servant . " Of poor little " Frances " it is briefly registered , " She hath lost a

leg and is recommended by eleven Governors . " The other girls are merely preferred on the ground of their father ' s brotherhood and straitened circumstances . Presently the " Rules for Domestic Government" are drawn up and submitted to the Duchess , who graciously goes into details , and endorses the regulations that "Every child a clean shift twice a week "; "Every girl who shall tell a wilful lye shall be fed on bread and

water at the-discretion of the Matron "; "A black book shall be kept for the Committee ' s inspection "; and , finally , that " Every girl who shall have behaved well shall , on her departure lrom the home , take with her an outfit consisting of gowns , aprons , shoes , caps , shifts , Tuscan hats , as well as a Bible , Prayer Book , and the " Whole Duty of Man . " The diet table also came under her Higbness ' s notice —there were breakfasts of " rice milk " and " water

gruel , " for which in these later days bread and butter and milk have been humanely substituted ; dinners of " suet pudding and beer , " which have also been modified , though beer is still given , by medical order , to those requiring it . The girls' education has of late years progressed with their dietary ; beyond the vast unknown quantities of " Industry and Virtue , " our little " Masonettes" are now furnished , between the

ages of eight and sixteen , with a " sound English trainwg , including typewriting , shorthand , and singing , and they are employed by turns in all the domestic duties of the house , great pains being taken to render them skilful in plain needlework and practical cookery . " In 1816 , just three years after the founder ' s death , the number of girls had increased to 65 i in 1852 they were transferred to Wandsworth , where 100 could be accommodated ; and , in 1888 , the Centenary Festival

Inside The Clock.

resulted in a collection of over i , * 50 , ooo , which has been devoted to the erection of the magnificent schools on St . John ' s Hill , Battersea , in the Centenary Hall of which the girls have been going- through their drill . Long before I had mastered all these facts of the past and the present , I had been hospitably entertained

with tea and cakes , which , as an evidence ol practical cookery , left nothing to be desired , and had listened to some very sweet part-singing , which proved that in the girls' equipment the arts are not forgotten . I had heard all about ex-Pupil ' s Day , when the old girls come from far and near and swarm about the old

school that is really " Home" ; and I had visited the annexe where 50 younger children are accommodated till such time as they pass into the upper schools . And the secret ? I had forgotten the secret altogether 1 There was so much else to enquire

about , to look into , to interest me , and as I turned home through the tumultuous gas-lit streets , I was content to remember that fair and stately and welllaid , even to its tiniest detail , rises that Royal Masonic Institution ,

" Teaching the great eternal truth That one Grand Master loveth all . " —Globe .

Devon Masonic Educational Fund.

DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND .

A meeting of subscribers to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , of which Bro . Viscount Ebrington , P . G . M ., is President , was held on the 30 th ultimo , at Freemasons' Hall , Gnndy-street , Exeter . Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . P . G . D . England , a Vice-Patron of the Institution , presided , and there were also present Bros .

J . Brewer , P . P . G . S . ; J . B . Gover , P . P . G . S ., Sec . of the Fund ; J . R . Lord , P . P . G . T ., Perm . G . D . C , Treas . of the Fund ; W . A . Gregory , P . G . T . ; J . Stocker , P . P . J . G . W . ; H . Stocker , P . P . G . T . ; W . Powell , P . P . G . T . ; R . Cawsey , P . P . G . D . ; E . T . Fulford , P . P . G . T . j A . J . Truscott , P . P . G . R . ; A . S . Hendry , P . P . S . G . D . ; E . M . Ellis , P . A . G . P . ; E . H .

Littleton , P . P . J . G . D . ; R . Besley , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Jerman , P . P . G . S . of W . ; R . Blight , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Gidley , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . Allsford , P . M . 202 ; W . Sweet , P . M . 1212 ; C . Mutten , P . M . 1550 ; W . Cocks , P . M . 106 ; E . H . Shorto , W . M . 39 ; C Piper , S . W . 1753 ; and W . H . Dillon , Asst . Sec . The principal business of the meeting was to elect

two candidates on the Fund . There were five applications , three of which were brought forward from the last election . Before the election was proceeded with , The CHAIRMAN said he thought they could congratulae themselves that they had met under such exceedingly favourable circumstances . Acquainted as he was with all the Educational Societies connected with the

Order , he was not aware of any that was conducted either better or more economically than the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , and he thought it reflected the greatest possible credit on the ofiicers who had managed it so long and so well . They seemed to be doing better every year , both in regard to the number of candidates on the Fund and the state of their

finances . After they had elected two candidates that day they would have a total of 20 children on the Fund —the largest number ever yet reached—and he saw no reason why that number should not be doubled if only the money was forthcoming . Every farthing that was subscribed went direcly to the object for which the money wascontributed . There were no great buildings

to be kept up , no heavy salaries to be paid , but everything was looked after to the very best advantage , and , in his opinion , the work could not be better done . As an old De-onshire Freemason , he was especially proud to see the great success that had resulted from the hbours of the few . It was not a very great number ot years ago that the Institution was started by a few

generous-hearted Freemasons , and it must be a great gratification to them to see how successful their labours had been and what an immense amount of good had been done . H the state of their funds permitted he should like to see a larger sum voted than had hitherto been given , for the advancement in life of the children after they had received their education . So long as they could fairly

and legitimately put on the funds all eligible children , he saw no reason why they should not draw upon the funds to an adequate extent in order to advance the children in life . He did not believe in having very large sums of money funded . He did not see why they should leave thousands of pounds to posterity , but thought posterity should do its full part just as the

Freemasons of the present day were doing theirs . He was s ' . rongly of opinion that while they had a large sum of money in hand they were not justified in refusing the claims of those who needed , and asked for , ' assistance . In this respect he was satisfied that the Committee had always acted wisely , and if they could only induce those to become subscribers who had

not hitherto done so , and those who had already done something , to do still more , there need be no limit to the good that the Institution mi ght do . The Chairman concluded by heartily commending the Educational Fund to the support of all Freemasons in the province . The election was then proceeded with . Bros . W . Powell , W . Allsford , and H . Stocker were appointed

as Scrutineers , and after a careful examination ofthe voting papers , they reported that the two successful candidates were the son of a deceased brother of Jordan Lodge , Torquay , who polled 11 tg votes , including 545 brought forward from the last election , and the son of a deceased brother of Obedience Lodge , Okehampton , who now made his first application , and polled 1034 votes . A candidate from Princetown came next , with

Devon Masonic Educational Fund.

6 94 votes , one from Plymouth obtained 93 votes , including 7 6 brought forward , and a South Molton candidate ( first application ) secured 70 votes . On the motion of Bro . GOVER , seconded by Bro SHORTO , the Chairman was cordially thanked for presiding-, and a hearty vote of thanke was also given to Bros . Gover , Lord and Dillon , for the valuable services

they had rendered to the Institution for many years . Bros . SHORTO and TRUSCOTT , who moved and seconded the resolution , bore generous testimony to the admirable work which was done by the three principal ofiicers of the Institution , and assured them that in . no part of the province were their services more highly

valued or appreciated than in Exeter . Bro . W . ALLSFORD moved , and Bro . A . S . HENDRY seconded , a vote of thanks and of fraternal regards to the brethren at Exeter , who had so hospitably entertained the visiting brethren . This was carried unanimously , and the proceedings terminated .

Alpass Masonic Festival.

ALPASS MASONIC FESTIVAL .

LORD SKELMERSDALE AND FREEMASONRY . The annual festival of the youngest of the West Lancashire Masonic Charities , the Alpass Benevolent Institution , was held on the 5 th ult . at the Prince of Wales Hotel , Southport . The festival , which has

grown steadily to important proportions , was on this occasion , in the number of Stewards , the attendance ot ladies , and the amount of subscriptions announced , highly successful . The banquet , served under Bro . Ilolroyd's superintendence , was attended by 120 Stewards and ladies , as compared with about 60 last

year . Lord Skelmersdale , accompanied by Lady Skelmersdale , presided , and they were supported by Bros . J . de Bels Adam ( Patron of the Institution ); E . Pierpoint , P . P . G . W . ( Trustee ); R . Wylie , P . G . D . England , D . P . G . M . ( Treas . ); S . G . Sinclair , P . G . D . England ( Chairman of Stewards ); W . Goodacre , P . G . S . B .

England , P . G . Sec . ( Trustee ); J . J . Lambert , P . P . G . R . ( Hon . Solicitor ); C Fothergill , W . M . 2463 ( Vice-Patron ) ; J . Pittaway , P . D . G . S . B ., and E . Kite , I . P . M . 823 ( Hon . Sees . ); G . B . Lockett , W . M . 32 ( Vice-President ); G . A . Harrison , P . P . G . T ., and James Piatt , P . P . G . D . ( Auditors ); J . D . Murray , P . P . G . T . ( Trustee ); W . Piatt , P . P . G . T . ; C .

Wadsworth , P . P . G . S . B . ; A . Cross , P . P . S . G . D . ; the Rev . C . Hesketh Knowlys , P . P . G . C ; H . Stones , P . A . G . S . ; P . M . Hunter , P . P . G . W . ; M . Newsome , P . P . G . D . ; T . Salter , P . P . G . D . ; W . H . Robinson , P . P G . D . C . ; J . N . Patterson , P . P . D . G . D . C ; R . Sharrock , P . A . G . D . C . ; Eli Brookes , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Houlding , P . M . 229 ; and others .

After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , Bro . S . G . SINCLAIR gave " The Patronesses . " He said , they had only two Patronesses , the Countess of Lathom and Mrs . J . de Bels Adam , at present , but each of those ladies had rendered invaluable services to the Institution , and both took great interest in many other Charities in Liverpool and of West Lancashire generally .

Bro . J . BELS ADAM , received with cheers , alluded to the representation of the Countess of Lathom by her daughter-in-law , and regretted that temporary indisposition prevented the attendance of Mrs . de Bels Adam , who did not abandon her effort to be present until the last moment . He hoped the list of Patronesses would soon be extended , for an Institution which

while it was a memorial of the late Bro , Alpass , so long the Provincial Grand Secretary of West Lancashire , was also the means of providing for widows who needed aid , must commend itself to the sympathies of ladies . Bro . Adam then proposed " The Health of Lord Skelmersdale , Chairman of the Festival . " Lord Skelmersdale had honoured West

Lancashire Masonry by accepting the Senior Warden ' s chair in a Liverpool lodge and by his more recent connection with Mark Masonry . The great success of that gathering was a token of their loyalty to the youngest Charitable Institution in the province , and of their respect to a brother , the eldest son of a noble nobleman , in the chair .

ln response , Lord SKELMERSDALE , who was much affected by the warmth of his reception , said he hoped to be as energetic about the prosperity of their West Lancashire Institutions as any of the older brethren . He belonged to West Lancashire , to its oldest Craft lodge and the youngest Mark lodge , and he was proud of the province . He rejoiced to have presided at the

festival , and to announce that already the subscriptions , over . £ 1300 , reached a record . At least ^ 100 more would be sent in before the year expired , and possibly the subscriptions of 18 93 might touch £ 1500 . He thanked the brethren for rallying round him so generously . He had feared that he should not be a success as the President of the festival , but he felt that

he should have the help of his father ' s position in the province ever since Lancashire was divided . The Alpass Institution was founded in 1885 , and had five widows as annuitants the first year . It had gone steadily forward , had funded nearly ^ 5000 , and had kept out of debt . The Committee hoped to place all the eight widows who were at present candidates on

the list without going to the expense of an election . Bro . GOODACRE proposed "Success to the Alpass Institution , " and Bro . WYLIE replied . The other toasts were " The Ladies , '' " The Hon , Secretaries , " and " The Musical Brethren . " The glee party consisted of Bros . Davies , Edwards , Heginbotham , and Nicholls , Bro . Dr . G . H . Whittaker , P . P . G . O ., presiding at the pianoforte .