Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The final meeting of the Stewards was held on the 30 th November , when there were present Bros . E . Letchworth , Treasurer , in the chair , A . II . Tattershall , J . C . Sanderson , v G Barton , E . F . Storr , C . G . Brown , Charles D . Hill n ' rurv . W . T . Rickwood , H . Vickery , and R . T . Whitley .

The minutes of the meeting of iSth May last , when the following resolution was passed , viz ., " That this be not the last meeting , but that when the arrears are quite or nearly got in , the final meeting will be held , " having been ica _ and confirmed , the Chairman stated that the postponement of the final meeting had been very satisfactory in its results , and that nearl y " the whole of the then outstanding amounts had been received . There were , however , two or

three sums still unpaid , upon which it was resolved " 4 hat the Secretary be directcdjto write to the parties who have not paid their Steward ' s fees , requesting them to remit the amounts without further delay . " The C HAIRMAN reported that all tbe accounts were paid , upon which it was unanimously resolved that the balance be voted as an honorarium to the Secretary . A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting .

Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT .

The annual festival of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement was held on Friday evening , Nov . 26 th , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Thomas Fenn , " P . G . D ., presided at the working of the lodge , the work of the evening being the first lecture and the Tracing Board of the First Degree .

The W . M . was supported on his right by Bro . Sir Walter W . Burrell , Bart ., Prov . G . M . for Sussex , and on his left by Bro . C . A . Murton , P . G . D . The other brethren on the dais were Bros . R . H . Giddy , D . G . M . of Griqualand ; Col . H . G . Somervillc Burney , J . G . D . ; Frank Richardson , SG . D . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . ; Robert Grey , PGD . ; W . Clarke , A . G . P . ; Captain N . G . Philips ,

P . G . D . ; R . F . Gould , S . G . D . ; J . II . Scott , J . G . D ., D . Prov . CM . for Sussex ; the Hon . and Rev . Francis Byng ; H * . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . Col . Wemyss , W . M . 11 I 15 ; Charles Greenwood , G . S . B ., Prov . G . S . for Surrey . The full list of brethren who attended was as follows : Bros . H . Bishop , J . W . Gaze , Joseph Dixon , P . M . 271 , P . Prov . S . G . W . Sussex ; J . A . Smith , R . C . Harrison , Brice G .

Frampton , M . Robson , S . W . Hooper , W . G . Sams , J , Older , F . Laurance , R . C . Hallowcns , W . A . G . Pearse . F . W . Lacon , W . Meanwcll , G . S : acey , J . C . Edmonds , C . Bassano , F . Pendered , F . Le Rossignol , W . F . Dennant , G F . Jones , T . Conolly , J . E . Under toke , J . R . Jones , S . Hodgkinson , G . Powett , F . S . KnowlcsJ . Stubb , G . Micklcy , A . Reynolds , H . L .

, Ellington , S . Robinson , H . Clayden , A . Gratham , S . G Glanvillc , E . L . Home , R . J . Quin , D . Harrison , II . R Duke , H . Sandall , G . Drysdale , II . Balderson , W Hammond , A . Stevens , R . P . Notley , I-I . W . Roberts , J Hemery , W . Herbage , R . Griggs , W . Brown , A . S Harrison , A . Fyson , G . W . Stranson , R . S . Besant , E . P MerrickJ . Brignall , W . J . Matthews , J . Hutt , E . B

, Holloway , A . Baumes , S . S . Hasluck , C . H . Gray , D . R . Wise , A . W . Chapeaurougc , W . H . Cobb , W . A . Blackmore , W . H . Mulley , H . W . J . Vaughan , W . Saint , F . W , Farnfield , T . Biglev , A . Marvin , S . W . Shaw , J . E . Hunt , S . Clark-, W . C . Cosset , H . Grey , G . E . Goodinge . C . C Dumas , P . A . G . D . C . ; J . G . Loughborough , W . G . Banks , E . Culver , J . Edell , G . Ford , P . G . Reg . Sussex ; F . J .

Vialls , C . E . Birch , J . A . Farnfield , T . II . Edmands . T . R . Adams , T . Robinson , A . E . Sansom , G . Roper , M . D ., A Gibbings , T . A . Greene , Dick Radclyffe , R . C . Mansfield , S . W . Yocknay , H . J . Bertram , W . ' Styles , T . Green , J . O Carter , P . G . S . W . Berks and Bucks . The following visitors were also present : Bros . G . W , King , P . G . S . W . Surrey ; C . J . Smith , P . J . G . W . Essex :

F . P . Freeman , P . G . Sec . ; F . A . Warner , H . W . Ruff , T . A . Bullock , C . J . Craig , A . W . Willis , Maior-Gen . B . Ford , W . H . Baily , Jno . Jordan Aubrey F . Howard , Wm . Hcscltine , George II . Miney , R . Patton Jenkins , C . E . Dawson , W . Holinan , Augustus Lloyd , T . S . Watts , P . M ., C . S . Buck , Albert St . Paul , William H . Causton , James Lord , G . Couchman , J . K .

Pitt , W . D . Lemmon , John J . Olley , J . Blackmore , J . J . Holland , J . G . Carter , ' Wm . Wallis , Chas . A . Pritchard , E . Curtiss , J . Edward , Cockctt , Edward M . Roe , W . F . Rees , W . A . M . O'Dormell , H . S . Lee , A . G . Harvey , T . Ryan , Alex . Forsyth , George Porter , Glynn Smith , Alfred King , Past Provincial Grand Organist , Sussex ; W . T . Buck , William Winter , Thomas Jones , A . G .

Buck , C . W . Hudson , S . Solomon , J . F . Hepburn , B . Bogg , R . Goodchild , J . J . Craclie , Richard G , Putnane , J . Bell , H . Bailey , A . " T . Long , II . A . Dowell , H . Smith , D . J . Ross , C . D . Kemp Welch , Alfred M . Bolton , T . B . Biddle , R . T . Turner , W . J . Ayers , J . Jan is , William T . Lovcday , Henry Wells , J . I . Birch , ' Ilenrj Wright , John Collinge , John P . M . Smith , T . Hames . H .

Hauxwell , W . G . Sharp , R . E . Tatham . W . J . Botteriil . T . Marris , C . Brian , T . R . White , S . Tanner , G . Stone ] W . D . Stone , G . I-:. Chapman , G . Holmnn , F . E . C . Byng . T . Johnson , E . B . McWhinnie , W . C . S . Burney , G . E , Miles , F . Stafford , G . Gravclcy , E . I " . Green . | . Steele , J . H . Cross , W . Hale , A . Curtis , A . Smith , II . S . ' Gates , I- \ W . Prive , F . Rossiler , If . J . Emmcrson , C . Mansfield ,

John Piller , Thos . Beauchamp , William Wells , G . Matlock , Thomas Brown , C . J . Greene , P . M . 250 ; Fdwin Howard , W . M . 1 S 1 ; Alfred William Wells , ' Lieut .-Col . {•• C . Wensep , T . E . Venn , G . W . Bullcn , Geo . H . Haydon , T . H . Hume , Edward Broadbridge , J . Henry Uiambers , F . Ernest II . Collard , W . Boaz , and II . ftl 2 . s . sey ( Freemason ) . I lie Stewards of the festival were Bros . J . E . Anderson , IS and

253 ; G . W . Armstrong , P . M . 1 vji ; W . Beattie , r \ V ' ¦ % ' ' H . Bile , I . G . 1 S 20 ; Colonel Shadwell II , Gierke , Grand Sec ; R . R . Davis , P . M . 256 ; W . A . n ^ T "! -, , ' ? ' ' 7 ° ; H - T- P - Dumas , P . G . D . ; A . W . n » ret , P . M . , 223 ; A . Escott , S . W . 1503 ; II . Faija , sr ' l . P' ? f j- T' Fenn - ' - - I ' ™* -- - - -Montague Gos-IS ,. \ v' ??" ' , , ' - > P-G . IX ; J . V . Hoddinott , J . W . ImJii W ; , -Johnston , rS 2 o ; J . Kecne , P . M . 1633 ; C . lee W M ' 3 V W' G' Kcnt ' * ' ' J- - 12 . 3 ; W . S . P G ' D i 1 ' ^ * n , ' r ^ . P M ' « ° 7 ; P- « Ie L . Long , Murton' p Gn * M s ' ^ * and ' * " C K ' to WM ' " J- Muzio , P . M . 1150 ; T . W . Ocken-Cn ' W , M « 5 i 3 ; J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; G- C . Puls-

Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

ford , Sec . 1593 ; A . A . Richards , P . G . S ., W . M . 8 , P . M . SC 3 , P . Prov . G . J . W . Middx . ; J . A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; J . H . Scott , J . G . D ., Dep . Prov . G ' . M . Sussex ; Sir Bruce M . Scton , Bart ., 6 ; W . Smallpeice , P . M . 1395 , Sec ; A . C . Spaull , W . M . 176 S ; F . R . Spaull , P . M . 176 S ; R . C . Sudlow , 1 S 1 S ; A . C . Tanqueray , 35 ; Erasmus Wilson , P . G . D . ; and S . B . Wilson , P . M . 59 . All these were present except Bros . Erasmus Wilson , J . C . Parkinson , J .

Muzio , P . de I .. Long , and S . B . Wilson . Altogether about 300 brethren attended . The work of the evening consisted of the Second and Third Sections of the First Lecture . The Second Section was given by Bro . 'C . Lowther Kemp , No . 63 , and the Third Section by Bro . R . C Sudlow , Ne . 1 S 1 S . The

explanation of the First Tracing Board was the next work , and this was given by Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . D ., and the illustrations by Bro . W . G . Armstrong , P . M . 1593 ; Bro . H . G . Bin-, I . G . No . 1 S 20 ; Bro . J . F . Hoddinott , J . W . No . 1 S 1 ; Bro . W . H . Johnston , No . 1820 ; Bro . T . W . Ockenden , W . M . No . 1 . 512 ; and Bro . A . C . Tanqueray , No . 33 . Bro , W . A . Davison , P . M . No . 170 S , acted as S . W .: Bro . G . C . Pulsford . Sec . rai . as T . W .: Bro . T .

Fenn , P . G . D ., W . M ., is the Treasurer of the lodge ; and Bro . W . H . Smallpeice , P'M . No . 1395 , Secretary . Bro . C . Lowther Kemp , 6 3 , was S . D . ; Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , 1 S 1 S , J . D . ; and Bro . A . Escott , S . W . 1593 , I . G . As the different working brethren concluded their work they were loudly applauded , and before the lodge closed Bro . Fenn

announced that any brethren present could enrol themselves as members rjf the lodge . The lodge meets every Friday evening throughout the year at six o'clock . The entrance fee was half-a-crown . All the most distinguished brethren of the Order were members , and all the proceeds from entrance fees and subscriptions , after deducting a few slight working expenses , were devoted to the three Masonic Charitable Institutions . During the past year \ f 73 10 s .

was thus devoted . A large number of the brethren present then gave in their names for the ballot . Bro . Sir WALTER W . BURRELL then rose to propose a vote of thanks to the working brethren . Those brethren , he said , had most ably performed their duties , and he was sure all the brethren present had passed a most pleasant , agreeable , and instructive evening . The work had been most beautifully done , and it reflected the highest

credit on all engaged in it . Bro . R . II . GrDDY , District Grand Master of Griqualand , seconded the motion , which was put to the lodge and carried unanimously . Bro . THOMAS FENN , P . G . D ., acknowledged the compliment , but he thought it was only due to the brethren who had worked the Sections and given the illustrations of the Tracing Board to let it be known that this was the first

year these brethren had ever appeared in tins character . They were this year's production . He was exceedingly glad to find that the brethren could make such good progress in so short a time . The lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern Co an excellent banquet , which was presided over by Bro . Sir Walter Wyndham Burrell , Bart ., M . P . After the banquet the usual toasts were proposed , and

after "The Queen and the Craft" had been honoured , SIR WALTER BURRELL proposed the toast of "The Grand Master , " than whom , he said , there was no one more desirous to carry out the true principles of Freemasonry . Bro . COL . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . Sec , responded to the toast which includes "The Grand Officers , " and in doing so said it was very pleasant for the Grand Officers to

find that whatsoever Masonic virtues they might be supposed ex officio to have arrived at they were so very fraternally acknowledged on all Masonic occasions . He had been asked to say something about the merits of the Pro G . M . and the Deputy G . M ., but he thought that was unnecessary , because there was not a brother present who was not able to say that those two distinguished noblemen were the right n-. cn in the right place . It was with very

unusual pleasure that the Grand Officers of England attended the meetings of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , because as old , and he trusted , energetic workers in the Order , the Grand Officers might very fairly be supposed to be jealous of the preservation of the true ceremonies , ritual , and landmarks of the Order . Therefore it must delight them excessively to be present at meetings of this lodge , where all those grand old principles were preserved ,

maintained , and practised to the fullest extent . The Grand Officers congratulated the brethren of their lodge of improvement most heartily on the success which had attended their labours from year to year , and on the prosperity at which it had arrived . Bro . R . II . GIDDY , District Grand Master Griqualand , proposed "The Health of Sir Walter Burrell . " When Sit Walter Burrell was installed Provincial Grand Master of

Sussex about four years ago lie ( Bro . Giddy ) had the privilege and honour of being present in Brighton . At that time there was the necessity for an active , energetic , and good man to be placed as the ruling head of the province , and the brethren from Sussex , as well as others who knew him , bad found Mich a man in Sir Walter Burrell . At the present time he was the most popular Grand Master that Sussex had ever bad . Dimmr the short time thai : he

had been in command of the district he had visited every lodge within the district , bad made himself acquainted with all the ins and outs of every lodge , and knew almost every brother in the province . I lis popularity was evinced that evening by the vast number of brethren—some forty or fifty—from Sussex who were present to honour the occasion of his filling the chair . SIR WALTER BI'RREI . L , after the toast had been

most enthusiastically _ accepted , said he thanked tbe brethren most heartily for the very kind manner in which they had received the mention of his name , but lie could assure tin m that lie could not take to himself all the praises which Bro . Giddy had sung , lie was however a ! all events prepared to acknowledge that in his Province of Sussex , the brethren and Provincial Grand Officers had attended upon him in a manner lie never expected when he

was installed in the chair . For that he had to return them his most sincere thanks , and to acknowledge that in coming there that evening it had given him very great pleasure , the more so , as he had for the first time seen the working of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . He would now propose what lie considered to be the toast of the evening , " Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " That success was attained years ago , and he did not sec very well how the working of that lodge

Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

could be much improved on , but he thought the toast itself could be improved on , and as they were present as a lodge of improvement he hoped they would not consider he was taking too much on himself when he added one single word to that toast , so that it might be not " the success " but " tbe continued success of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " The makers of that success were Bros . Peter Gilks , Stephen Barton Wilson , and the late Grand

Secretary , John Hervey . Now that it was acknowledged that that success had been attained let them remember that under the rule of their excellent Bro . Fenn and the committee that success would be maintained for many years to come . He was never so well pleased as when he heard the working of a lodge done so well as it was in the Emulation that evening . It had been a treat to him to observe the beauty and care of the working . He called upon Bro .

C A . Murton , P . G . D ., to acknowledge the toast . Bro . MURTON , in reply , said the W . M . was quite right to say the success of the lodge had long since been attained when it was under Brcs . Peter Gilks , S . B . Wilson , and John Hervey ( the loss of which last brother they had so recently had to deplore ) , and that it was well [ continued by their esteemed Bro . Fenn . He believed the brethren from their heart wished success , and continued success , to : this

lodge . He was quite sure it had done much to promote good working throughout the Craft , and with the aid of other lodges of instruction , this lodge of improvement had no doubt done much for the good of the whole Craft . He could not be surprised that this toast had been received by the brethren with such enthusiasm , because he knew they did appreciate the efforts of those brethren , who gave up their time to instruct brethren who came to this lodge

for improvement in working , and Bro . Fenn in particular , who was so very constant in his attendance . COL . S . H . CLERKE , G . Sec , proposed "The Working Brethren . " In the eloquent speech of Sir Walter Burrell so many pretty things had been said about these brethren that he had taken the words out of his ( Col . Cerke's ) mouth . All who were present in the lodge must have been immensely struck , as he ( Col . Clerke ) was , by the beautiful

and perfect work performed by the different brethren who undertook the various sections . The brethren would agree that human elocution and human memory could nave achieved no greater feat than had been achieved that night . Therefore , he was sure the brethren would very heartily join with him in offering what recognition they could to those good brethren who had , to a certain amount of inconvenience to themselves , come and performed the

ceremonies to the delectation of the other brethren in the lodge . liro . W . A . DAWSON , P . M . 17 GS , S . W ., in responding , said there was little due to him , and , therefore , he merely thanked for those who had done the good work which had been referred to . It had been a great pleasure and privilege to them to prepare the work , and to show what the working of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement was .

There had been good men to work before , and he hoped the present generation would not fall very far short of their excellence ; and if those brethren who had worked there for the first time that evening were allowed to come on future occasions they would endeavour even to improve on what they had already done . Bro . W . 11 . SCOTT , Deputy Provincial G . M . for Sussex , proposed " Bro . Fenn , Treasurer . " He was quite sure the

brethren would receive it with acclamation , by the members of the Emulation as well as by the visitors , because they had expressed their desire to do honour to him by their loud calls for him when Bro . Murton had replied to the toast of "Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " Having mentioned Bro . Fcnn's name , he knew he need say no more , because Bro . Fenn had endeared himself to all of them . They all knew how grand a

morahser he was in all the ceremonials ; how accurate he was in all his working ; and how sincere and thorough he was as a brother . Bro . THOMAS FEN . V , P . G . D ., in reply , said : Notwithstanding the cordiality with which this toast had been received , I cannot respond to it without some painful emo tions , succeeding , as I do , one who was so beloved by you all as our dear and lamented Bro . Hervey , who filled this

office of Treasurer for upwards of thirty years with such great advantage to this lodge , and who never released his efforts to maintain the excellent working of the lodge and to promote the prosperity of the lodge in every way . Bro . Hervey undertook this office at the age of forty . I entered upon it at the age of sixty . It is , therefore , quite impossible that I can expect to rival him in length of service ; but I will not yield even to Bro . Hervey himself in my great and

sincere desire to maintain the highest efficiency of this lodge in its fullest perfection , and to promote the interest andivelfarc of this lodge to the utmost of my ability . I take this opportunity—for it is the only opportunity wc have in the course of tbe year—to thank you , more especially for myself and also on behalf of the Committee , for the very great kindness and consideration with which you always" receive us in the lodge . The duties which I and the other members

of this Committee have to undertake would under ordinary circumstances be somewhat invidious , but they are deprived entirely of that character by the good temper with which you receive our corrections and the readiness with which they are adopted . It is sincerely and greatly gratifying to the Committee that their services arc so appreciated , and that they should be received with such consideration . The duties the \ ' have to perform are rendered easy and pleasant

by the way in which you receivctheircorrcction . I have known in former years corrections disregarded and even resented with temper , whereas now they are not only submitted to with patience , but are expected , and received , and noted with attention . The lodge now is in such excellent working that it approaches almostjto perfection , and the duties of the member of the Committee who occupies the P . M . 's chair threaten to become a sinecure , and the officers of the lodge

are so prepared for their work before they undertake office , having no doubt impressed upon them what lias been often told them in this room , that those who take office , more particularly those who occupy the chair , arc more instructors in Masonry than learners . It is in consequence of this that the work at the present moment never was , I will not say as well done , but so well done as it is at the present time ,

and I congratulate the lodge on the excellent and high state of efficiency to which it has arrived . I trust that that earnest desire to work and that hearty and good feeling may long prevail in this lodge , and tend , as it must do , to increase the usefulness and to maintain the high character of this distinguished lodge . Trusting that I may yet live some few years to assist in maintaining the lodge in its present high