Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Anniversary Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution Fob Girls.
15 girls . It was in 1795 that the Institution was removed to a larger building in St . George s Fields , and the number was raised to 30 children . At the Jubilee in 1838 , the number was raised to 65 . In 1852 the new building at Battersea Rise was commenced—I cannot say " erected , " because it was a very different building then to what it is now ; but it was commenced , and was consecrated by Lord Zetland , then Grand
Master ot our Order , and whom some of us still remember . But up to the year i 860—that is not so long ago—the number of girls in that Institution was still only 80 . It 1878 we made a great stride . An addition to the building was made , which by permission of the Princess of Wales was called the Alexandra Wing , and the number rose at once to 200 . ( Hear , hear ) . Then came the centenary , when his Royal Highness the Grand Master was
present in that great assembly , to which I have already referred , in the Albert Hall , which was honoured by the presence of many distinguished guests , and among them the King of Sweden and Norway , whose remarkable speech in English , I think , struck many who were there . ( Applause ) . At that time the Committee of this Institution had before them plans for additions estimated at £ 20 , 000 ; but they did not like to give the order for their
erection until they knew the result of that Festival . They were wise in doing that , but they need not have hesitated . ( Cheers . ) At the Jubilee , of which I have spoken , in 1838 , there were 57 Stewards , and the amount realised was £ 1000 . At the Centenary there were 1475 Stewards , and the amount realised was over £ 51 , 500 . What an evidence is that of what I have already referred to—the vast increase of Masonry in this country
during the last half century , and especially during the last 20 years of that half century in which his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has been our Most Wor shipful Grand Master ! The School has now 26 3 daughters of Freemasons within it , and I believe it may safely be regarded as one of the very foremost educational establishments for girls in this country . ( Hear , hear , and cheers ) . If any one visits that Institution as I had the pleasure
of doing last week he will be able to form an opinion upon that point ; he would see that these 26 3 girls are being brought up as we should like our daughters to be brought up ; and while , fortunately , it gives to them a physical and mental instruction of the highest class , I believe the tone of the Institution is not such as to develop them afterwards into what we call the " New Woman" of the period —( loud applause)—but
into modest—not shy and awkward—but modest , natural , and , at the same time , active and highly-educated English maidens . ( Renewed applause ) . And it is a satisfaction I think to all of us to reflect that since the formation of this Institution 1 790 daughters of Masons have had the advantages of that instruction and that education . ( Hear , hear . ) I would ask those who have not been there to go there and see for themselves . You can go there
very easily ; the site of the place where it stands is called St . John's-hill , Battersea Rise . That sounds somewhat out of the way to those who do not know where it is ; but it is really within a stone ' s throw of , and indeed only separated by a party fence , from that "hub of the universe" Clapham Junction . ( Laughter . ) But although its surroundings are not as rural as they were at first , still , although it is now built round with houses in every
direction , yet it stands far above the station , and above the buildings that cover it . It has " threeacres "—I will not say " and a cow " —( laughter)—within its walls as playgrounds and otherwise , and I believe it to be most healthy , at any rate , the evidence of the medical records of the Institution tend to prove that , and I can believe it , for during the last 15 years there have been only three deaths in the Institution . ( Hear , hear . ) Many of you , no doubt ,
have been there ; many of you , no doubt , were there last Monday , when I was very sorry , indeed , that I could not be present ; but business I could not avoid , which my Cornish friends know , prevented me . If you went there you would have seen those 26 3 girls performing their graceful calisthenic exercises and marching , under the direction of that admirable Head Mistress , Miss Davis . If there were any military brethren present , I am
quite sure they would like to have her as their adjutant , for they would envy the drill and discipline of those 263 girls , although , no doubt , they performed with a grace which the men under their own command would , perhaps , hardly copy . They would have heard also , perhaps , their musical performances , which show a really wonderful care and teaching in the instructress , Mrs . Roworth . ( Hear ,
hear . ) Swimming , which in the moments of my youth was supposed to be an unfeminine exercise , is now taught , and very wisely taught ; the swimming bath was not in commission when I was there , and I am not sure that the Deputy Grand Master would have been allowed to be present . ( Laughter . ) But teaching of course is the real centre of the School work . That can only be judged of from what the girls are doing at the time—that can only be
seen by the results ; and those results are not only satisfactory but most remarkable . ( Hear , hear . ) I think that the Committee have not dealt very kindly with me ; there is a lot of information given in a paper I hold in my hand which if it had been given privately to me would have been a most excellent brief for my speech ; but they have scattered it far and wide , and therefore I might move the resolution adopted in companv meetings , that it
be taken as read . You will see that besides a very good English education , including classes in connection with the Science and Art Department , including type-writing , everything that is up-to-date , shorthand writing , and also the domestic duties of the house , plain needlework—and it must be temembered that they make all their own clothes and many all their di esses—and they
are taught practical cookery . It should also be remembered that all the teacheis , with the exception of Miss Davis , have been trained in that School . And now cne uord as LO the result of the examinations . At the Cambridge Local Examination theie were 23 entered ; they were in the first class competition , and all passed—eight with honours and 11 with distinction . I think it is the second and third class which entered for the examination of the
College of Preceptors . Fifty-four competed , and 48 passed . In the Associated College cf Music nine entered ; all passed , and one with distinction . In mathematics—that seems rather dry , but it is useful all the samej <> entered , and all were passed . There were 112 entries , out of which 100 passed . But there is simething besides the results of the examinations , there is the after success of thc-e girls after they leave the School . That ,
perhaps , if we could get at it in all casef , would be the best test of the buccebS of the School . The teaching is to enable them to get on in life afterwards ; and I have every reason to believe , although I am not going into the details altogether , that the successes have been quite remaikable . i can say this , that one of ihese girls from this School is the Superintendent
of the Masonic Schorl at Dublin , another is Superintendent at the British Orphan Asylum at Slough , another at the Orphan Asylum at Beddington , and there are many other posts which they get employment in and cred'tably : and besides , there is another phase of file in which it is very natural lh ; t girls so brought up and educated should succeed , and that is that many ot them get very wt | l married . ( Cheers . ) Now , I know it
Anniversary Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution Fob Girls.
may be said that there is a large amount of money invested for this Institution . That is the case ; but the Institution is a large one and an increasing one , and the interest on the invested capital , which is the only permanent and certain source , though I dare say what we are doing to-night may be certain for many years to come , I hopethe permanent income of that which is invested in Mr . Goschen's Consols is - £ 2000 a year . The annual expenditure is between £ 12 , 000 and £ 13 , 000 .
Therefore the total income is only one-sixth of the expenditure , and that you will think is not an unreasonable amount . Then if there is money over , and the Committee has been very economical , they have not attempted to spend all they had , because they had it , but if they had money over there are plenty of ways in which it could be spent—in making grants for educationit has not been attempted at present , but it might be usefully done for the education of Masonic daughters at home , and not in the Institution . There
are many instances in which that could be most suitable . Going into details you can judge for yourselves it is so . And there are grants made to the girls on leaving the Institution and going into life , and very often the future of a girl may very much depend on her having a certain amount given her in starting . I think therelore that we may safely , not only this year but in the future , support this Institution , and not think that because there is a large amount of capital
invested , it is not deserving of help . I hope that the result to-night may be satisfactory . I cannot expect it to equal that of the last year when the Pro Grand Master , who rules over , I suppose , the largest province in the country , presided , and who , I am happy to say , has returned from his foreign trip much improved in health ; although I do not think I can possibly hope to equal that , or to rival it in any way , still I trust on this occasion the result will be that which will give satisfaction to those interested in the Institution . I give you the toast of " Success to the Institution . "
Bro . Henry Smith , P . G . D ., Treasurer of the Institution replied . He said : I ask your indulgence for a very short time whilst I endeavour adequately to acknowledge the toast so kindly and so ably proposed by our noble Chairman , and who has so forcibly and eloquently advocated the claims of the Girls' School . He has told you all that I can tell you and a good deal more , he has placed before you in very forcible language the position of our great Institution , and I think his pleading on its behalf will , in all
probability , have induced some , if not a large number , to have doubled their subscriptions . All I can say is that if they will notify the circumstance to Bro . Hedges it will be recorded in the announcement this evening . I cannot neglect on an occasion like this , when so many earnest supporters of the School are present , to state to them the absolute necessity of an increase in our funded property . We have from time to time gradually and steadily increased that amount , and it is now altogether a respectable amount ,
but not that which I have for many years advocated in this Institution , as well as in the Boys' and the Old People's . There are times of success , and some times of adversity , and when these occasions occur we ought to have something behind us to fall back upon to enable us to meet the emergency . It has been stated by our noble Chairman that our fixed income is about £ 2000 a year . Now , that is a very small amount , and we have to depend upon the splendid liberality which is rendered to the
Institution year by year on these occasions to supplement that amount , and give us as much as we require for the support of the Institution , that I am happy to say on many occasions you enable us to supply our wants , and to fund a considerable amount of money . I hope when the result is announced by our worthy Secretary to-night we shall have an amount which will be satisfactory not only to our noble Chairman , but to you , brethren , who have worked so arduously on behalf of this Institution .
We have a noble Institution ; it is well organised ; we have a splendid staff of teachers , and we have a House Committee watching over its interests second to none in this country . 1 have had proof of that many years ; every year my confidence is increased , and I can assure you that due economy with efficiency is observed in that School . ( Cheers . ) There is one other point which I might venture , if you will allow me to trespass for a time , to mention to you . Our good friends , the Old People , which we
all support in turn , have a considerable amount from Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , something like £ 1600 a year from Grand Lodge , and £ 1511 from Grand Chapter ; whilst the Boys'and the Girls' have a very small amount . Now , I think that they might fairly ask that these amounts be increased . No doubt it will happen in due time when it is properly in order . Then , brethren , there are only two other items I should like to mention to you . There are times we take liberties ,
not taken with other people , and therefore I ask your permission to say that I think that by offering special inducements to brethren to give money on special occasions is a very pernicious and objectionable proceeding . I don ' t see why what we have given in years past should be swamped—I use the word " swamped "—by the privileges granted for the same amount of money to those who follow after us , and I think you ought to be very cautious before you sanction such a proceeding . ( Hear , hear . ) I don ' t
wish to rebuke those who have gone before us ; we all do wrong ; we have broken the laws , and I think it is a very wrong thing , and I hope it will not occur again . Giving extra votes when a centenary or a jubilee occurs is not right ; we ought not to swamp those who have been our friends in the past by giving extra voting power to new subscribers . It is breaking faith with our former friends , and although it attracts funds for the time we suffer for years afterwards . I throw out these suggestions and hope they may have consideration .
Bro . HEDGES then read the following
STEWARDS' LISTS . LONDON . Lodge £ s . d . HOUSE COMMITTEE . . 1 Bro . Richard Creed ... 26 5 0 £ s . d . 2 „ Leonard H . Hristowe 3 8 17 0 Bro . Ralph Clutton 10 10 o 4 „ Albert Ellis 2100 ,, Robert Grey ( see also 5 „ John C . Collard ... 44 2 0
Lodge No . 259 ) ... 6 „ His Hon . Judge W . „ Charles Hammerton ... 105 o o Wightman Wood 2100 ,, H . A . Hunt 15 15 o Chapter „ E . Letchworth ] 8 ; o 7 Conip . Julius O . Jacobs „ P . de Lande Long ... 21 o o ( see also Lodge No . 55 )
„ R . Loveland Lovelandfsee Lodge also Lodge No . iSOg , 8 Bro . Morris B . Evans ... 2100 Hants and I . of Wight ) 14 „ Harold Burke ... 21 o o .. I . II . Matthews 10 10 o iq „ I . H . Whadcoat ... 12 12 o
,, Sir John H . Monckton ... 6 3 o o 21 „ C . S . Eady , LL . l ) ., „ Col . James Peters ... 11 10 o Q . C 33 , 2 ° „ Frank Richardson ... 47 5 o 22 „ Walter Whiting ... 54 ' ° „ Henry Smith ( see also 23 „ Edgar M . Brandon ... 50 0 o West Yorkshire ) ... 26 „ E . J . Leveson , jun . 10 10 o
,, A . C . Spaull 44 2 o 29 „ Edgar Watetlow ... 39 lS " ,, Edward Terry 500 o 0 30 „ Sidney Cronk ... -3 fi "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Anniversary Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution Fob Girls.
15 girls . It was in 1795 that the Institution was removed to a larger building in St . George s Fields , and the number was raised to 30 children . At the Jubilee in 1838 , the number was raised to 65 . In 1852 the new building at Battersea Rise was commenced—I cannot say " erected , " because it was a very different building then to what it is now ; but it was commenced , and was consecrated by Lord Zetland , then Grand
Master ot our Order , and whom some of us still remember . But up to the year i 860—that is not so long ago—the number of girls in that Institution was still only 80 . It 1878 we made a great stride . An addition to the building was made , which by permission of the Princess of Wales was called the Alexandra Wing , and the number rose at once to 200 . ( Hear , hear ) . Then came the centenary , when his Royal Highness the Grand Master was
present in that great assembly , to which I have already referred , in the Albert Hall , which was honoured by the presence of many distinguished guests , and among them the King of Sweden and Norway , whose remarkable speech in English , I think , struck many who were there . ( Applause ) . At that time the Committee of this Institution had before them plans for additions estimated at £ 20 , 000 ; but they did not like to give the order for their
erection until they knew the result of that Festival . They were wise in doing that , but they need not have hesitated . ( Cheers . ) At the Jubilee , of which I have spoken , in 1838 , there were 57 Stewards , and the amount realised was £ 1000 . At the Centenary there were 1475 Stewards , and the amount realised was over £ 51 , 500 . What an evidence is that of what I have already referred to—the vast increase of Masonry in this country
during the last half century , and especially during the last 20 years of that half century in which his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has been our Most Wor shipful Grand Master ! The School has now 26 3 daughters of Freemasons within it , and I believe it may safely be regarded as one of the very foremost educational establishments for girls in this country . ( Hear , hear , and cheers ) . If any one visits that Institution as I had the pleasure
of doing last week he will be able to form an opinion upon that point ; he would see that these 26 3 girls are being brought up as we should like our daughters to be brought up ; and while , fortunately , it gives to them a physical and mental instruction of the highest class , I believe the tone of the Institution is not such as to develop them afterwards into what we call the " New Woman" of the period —( loud applause)—but
into modest—not shy and awkward—but modest , natural , and , at the same time , active and highly-educated English maidens . ( Renewed applause ) . And it is a satisfaction I think to all of us to reflect that since the formation of this Institution 1 790 daughters of Masons have had the advantages of that instruction and that education . ( Hear , hear . ) I would ask those who have not been there to go there and see for themselves . You can go there
very easily ; the site of the place where it stands is called St . John's-hill , Battersea Rise . That sounds somewhat out of the way to those who do not know where it is ; but it is really within a stone ' s throw of , and indeed only separated by a party fence , from that "hub of the universe" Clapham Junction . ( Laughter . ) But although its surroundings are not as rural as they were at first , still , although it is now built round with houses in every
direction , yet it stands far above the station , and above the buildings that cover it . It has " threeacres "—I will not say " and a cow " —( laughter)—within its walls as playgrounds and otherwise , and I believe it to be most healthy , at any rate , the evidence of the medical records of the Institution tend to prove that , and I can believe it , for during the last 15 years there have been only three deaths in the Institution . ( Hear , hear . ) Many of you , no doubt ,
have been there ; many of you , no doubt , were there last Monday , when I was very sorry , indeed , that I could not be present ; but business I could not avoid , which my Cornish friends know , prevented me . If you went there you would have seen those 26 3 girls performing their graceful calisthenic exercises and marching , under the direction of that admirable Head Mistress , Miss Davis . If there were any military brethren present , I am
quite sure they would like to have her as their adjutant , for they would envy the drill and discipline of those 263 girls , although , no doubt , they performed with a grace which the men under their own command would , perhaps , hardly copy . They would have heard also , perhaps , their musical performances , which show a really wonderful care and teaching in the instructress , Mrs . Roworth . ( Hear ,
hear . ) Swimming , which in the moments of my youth was supposed to be an unfeminine exercise , is now taught , and very wisely taught ; the swimming bath was not in commission when I was there , and I am not sure that the Deputy Grand Master would have been allowed to be present . ( Laughter . ) But teaching of course is the real centre of the School work . That can only be judged of from what the girls are doing at the time—that can only be
seen by the results ; and those results are not only satisfactory but most remarkable . ( Hear , hear . ) I think that the Committee have not dealt very kindly with me ; there is a lot of information given in a paper I hold in my hand which if it had been given privately to me would have been a most excellent brief for my speech ; but they have scattered it far and wide , and therefore I might move the resolution adopted in companv meetings , that it
be taken as read . You will see that besides a very good English education , including classes in connection with the Science and Art Department , including type-writing , everything that is up-to-date , shorthand writing , and also the domestic duties of the house , plain needlework—and it must be temembered that they make all their own clothes and many all their di esses—and they
are taught practical cookery . It should also be remembered that all the teacheis , with the exception of Miss Davis , have been trained in that School . And now cne uord as LO the result of the examinations . At the Cambridge Local Examination theie were 23 entered ; they were in the first class competition , and all passed—eight with honours and 11 with distinction . I think it is the second and third class which entered for the examination of the
College of Preceptors . Fifty-four competed , and 48 passed . In the Associated College cf Music nine entered ; all passed , and one with distinction . In mathematics—that seems rather dry , but it is useful all the samej <> entered , and all were passed . There were 112 entries , out of which 100 passed . But there is simething besides the results of the examinations , there is the after success of thc-e girls after they leave the School . That ,
perhaps , if we could get at it in all casef , would be the best test of the buccebS of the School . The teaching is to enable them to get on in life afterwards ; and I have every reason to believe , although I am not going into the details altogether , that the successes have been quite remaikable . i can say this , that one of ihese girls from this School is the Superintendent
of the Masonic Schorl at Dublin , another is Superintendent at the British Orphan Asylum at Slough , another at the Orphan Asylum at Beddington , and there are many other posts which they get employment in and cred'tably : and besides , there is another phase of file in which it is very natural lh ; t girls so brought up and educated should succeed , and that is that many ot them get very wt | l married . ( Cheers . ) Now , I know it
Anniversary Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution Fob Girls.
may be said that there is a large amount of money invested for this Institution . That is the case ; but the Institution is a large one and an increasing one , and the interest on the invested capital , which is the only permanent and certain source , though I dare say what we are doing to-night may be certain for many years to come , I hopethe permanent income of that which is invested in Mr . Goschen's Consols is - £ 2000 a year . The annual expenditure is between £ 12 , 000 and £ 13 , 000 .
Therefore the total income is only one-sixth of the expenditure , and that you will think is not an unreasonable amount . Then if there is money over , and the Committee has been very economical , they have not attempted to spend all they had , because they had it , but if they had money over there are plenty of ways in which it could be spent—in making grants for educationit has not been attempted at present , but it might be usefully done for the education of Masonic daughters at home , and not in the Institution . There
are many instances in which that could be most suitable . Going into details you can judge for yourselves it is so . And there are grants made to the girls on leaving the Institution and going into life , and very often the future of a girl may very much depend on her having a certain amount given her in starting . I think therelore that we may safely , not only this year but in the future , support this Institution , and not think that because there is a large amount of capital
invested , it is not deserving of help . I hope that the result to-night may be satisfactory . I cannot expect it to equal that of the last year when the Pro Grand Master , who rules over , I suppose , the largest province in the country , presided , and who , I am happy to say , has returned from his foreign trip much improved in health ; although I do not think I can possibly hope to equal that , or to rival it in any way , still I trust on this occasion the result will be that which will give satisfaction to those interested in the Institution . I give you the toast of " Success to the Institution . "
Bro . Henry Smith , P . G . D ., Treasurer of the Institution replied . He said : I ask your indulgence for a very short time whilst I endeavour adequately to acknowledge the toast so kindly and so ably proposed by our noble Chairman , and who has so forcibly and eloquently advocated the claims of the Girls' School . He has told you all that I can tell you and a good deal more , he has placed before you in very forcible language the position of our great Institution , and I think his pleading on its behalf will , in all
probability , have induced some , if not a large number , to have doubled their subscriptions . All I can say is that if they will notify the circumstance to Bro . Hedges it will be recorded in the announcement this evening . I cannot neglect on an occasion like this , when so many earnest supporters of the School are present , to state to them the absolute necessity of an increase in our funded property . We have from time to time gradually and steadily increased that amount , and it is now altogether a respectable amount ,
but not that which I have for many years advocated in this Institution , as well as in the Boys' and the Old People's . There are times of success , and some times of adversity , and when these occasions occur we ought to have something behind us to fall back upon to enable us to meet the emergency . It has been stated by our noble Chairman that our fixed income is about £ 2000 a year . Now , that is a very small amount , and we have to depend upon the splendid liberality which is rendered to the
Institution year by year on these occasions to supplement that amount , and give us as much as we require for the support of the Institution , that I am happy to say on many occasions you enable us to supply our wants , and to fund a considerable amount of money . I hope when the result is announced by our worthy Secretary to-night we shall have an amount which will be satisfactory not only to our noble Chairman , but to you , brethren , who have worked so arduously on behalf of this Institution .
We have a noble Institution ; it is well organised ; we have a splendid staff of teachers , and we have a House Committee watching over its interests second to none in this country . 1 have had proof of that many years ; every year my confidence is increased , and I can assure you that due economy with efficiency is observed in that School . ( Cheers . ) There is one other point which I might venture , if you will allow me to trespass for a time , to mention to you . Our good friends , the Old People , which we
all support in turn , have a considerable amount from Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , something like £ 1600 a year from Grand Lodge , and £ 1511 from Grand Chapter ; whilst the Boys'and the Girls' have a very small amount . Now , I think that they might fairly ask that these amounts be increased . No doubt it will happen in due time when it is properly in order . Then , brethren , there are only two other items I should like to mention to you . There are times we take liberties ,
not taken with other people , and therefore I ask your permission to say that I think that by offering special inducements to brethren to give money on special occasions is a very pernicious and objectionable proceeding . I don ' t see why what we have given in years past should be swamped—I use the word " swamped "—by the privileges granted for the same amount of money to those who follow after us , and I think you ought to be very cautious before you sanction such a proceeding . ( Hear , hear . ) I don ' t
wish to rebuke those who have gone before us ; we all do wrong ; we have broken the laws , and I think it is a very wrong thing , and I hope it will not occur again . Giving extra votes when a centenary or a jubilee occurs is not right ; we ought not to swamp those who have been our friends in the past by giving extra voting power to new subscribers . It is breaking faith with our former friends , and although it attracts funds for the time we suffer for years afterwards . I throw out these suggestions and hope they may have consideration .
Bro . HEDGES then read the following
STEWARDS' LISTS . LONDON . Lodge £ s . d . HOUSE COMMITTEE . . 1 Bro . Richard Creed ... 26 5 0 £ s . d . 2 „ Leonard H . Hristowe 3 8 17 0 Bro . Ralph Clutton 10 10 o 4 „ Albert Ellis 2100 ,, Robert Grey ( see also 5 „ John C . Collard ... 44 2 0
Lodge No . 259 ) ... 6 „ His Hon . Judge W . „ Charles Hammerton ... 105 o o Wightman Wood 2100 ,, H . A . Hunt 15 15 o Chapter „ E . Letchworth ] 8 ; o 7 Conip . Julius O . Jacobs „ P . de Lande Long ... 21 o o ( see also Lodge No . 55 )
„ R . Loveland Lovelandfsee Lodge also Lodge No . iSOg , 8 Bro . Morris B . Evans ... 2100 Hants and I . of Wight ) 14 „ Harold Burke ... 21 o o .. I . II . Matthews 10 10 o iq „ I . H . Whadcoat ... 12 12 o
,, Sir John H . Monckton ... 6 3 o o 21 „ C . S . Eady , LL . l ) ., „ Col . James Peters ... 11 10 o Q . C 33 , 2 ° „ Frank Richardson ... 47 5 o 22 „ Walter Whiting ... 54 ' ° „ Henry Smith ( see also 23 „ Edgar M . Brandon ... 50 0 o West Yorkshire ) ... 26 „ E . J . Leveson , jun . 10 10 o
,, A . C . Spaull 44 2 o 29 „ Edgar Watetlow ... 39 lS " ,, Edward Terry 500 o 0 30 „ Sidney Cronk ... -3 fi "