Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

Later in the day , replies were received to these telegrams as follows : " From Mrs . Bowyer . — Just received telegram . Many thanks to all . Wish everyone a pleasant evening and happv New Year . " " From jefferis , Manchester . —Annuitants and friends

reciprocate your kind wishes . Prosit neujahr . The brethren who had assisted at the dinner subsequently had a repast of their own , at which Bro . John Newton , as Chairman of the House Committee , presided , Bro . Terry taking the vice-chair , and , at the conclusion of the dinner , the CHAIRMAN proposed the usual toast of " Success to the Institution , " the toast which produces Bro . Terry ' s annual

manifesto . Bro . TERRY , in reply , said he was exceedingly indebted to Bro . Newton for proposing the toast of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution—an Institution he was certain everyone around the table always had taken the deepest interest in . When he looked round and saw 14 or 15 members of the Committee of Management and three

of the House Committee there , he saw an evidence of all of them taking a deep interest in the Institution . Come next June , he should have been 25 years connected with it . Contrasting it now with what it was a quarter of a century ago , the difference was remarkable . Twenty-five years ago they had between 60 and 70 annuitants . The men were then receiving £ 26 a year and the widows £ 23 , and

the payments did not reach anything like £ iSoo a year . The utmost amount they received from any Festival up to that period was a sum of about £ 2400 . The Festival of 188 S produced £ 15 , 200 , and they paid in annuities alone no less an amount than £ i 4 , S 6 o . They had 430 annuitants , the men receiving £ 40 a ytar each , and the widows £ 32 . Twenty-five years ago that Institution was scarcely known .

Not one of the brethren who had acted as Stewards had come down to visit it as a body , the residents scarcely knew each other , and the room the brethren were then assembled in ( the Committee room ) was only half its present size , and , instead of being used for the purpose for which it was built , the recreation and enjoyment of the annuitants , was a store room for lumber ; in fact ,

the paper was hanging from the walls and the ceilings . Now there was not a prettier room in Croydon . The annuitants now met in it once a week , and enjoyed music and each other ' s society . The money for the alterations did not come out of the funds of the Institution , but was raised through the medium of two bodies of brethren who met there—one called the House of Lords and the

other the House of Commons , from the rooms they met in . There was a great competition between these two Houses in raising the money . Having watched the Institution for 25 years , he knew full well the change that had taken place in the happiness and comfoit of all the annuitants there , and he hoped this would continue as long as the Institution lasted . The prospects of the Institution in the

future were rather encouraging . This time latrt year they had 194 Stewards for their festival ; to-day tl . ey had 220 ; but there was this to be said of last year—that out of the 194 Stewards two of them ( Bro . McKay , of Cumberland and Westmorland , and Bro . Thomp-on , of Northumberland and Berwick-upon-Tweed ) promised to bring in 1000 guineas each . He did not know that at present any

Steward out of the 220 for this next Festival had promised to do the same . They had , however , 30 Stewards for East Lancashire last year , who had promised and they brought in £ 2900 , so that from those three sources alone there was a total of £ 5000 at the Festival of iSSS . He hoped all the Stewards were working zealously ; he knew many of them were . On Thursday he would be at Northampton ,

the Grand Master of which province ( the Earl of Euston ) was going to preside at the Festival fcr 1 SS 9 . The Chairman would be supported by many brethren of his province . The Earl of Euston was going to visit the Institution on the iSth , accompanied by several noble brethren , as he wished to go over the Institution and see what was being done . He would come down by the

12 . 18 p . m . train , have a little lunch , and return to town so as to attend a meeting of the Stewards at 4 o'clock . Going to the work which had been done , and the raising of subscriptions , Bro . Terry said no doubt it entailed a great deal of work ; but it was something to be able to say that during ten years past the youngest of the three Institutions had , with two exceptions , been the highest on the

list each year in obtaining money . It was very pleasing to visit the Boys' and the Girls' Institutions , for there could be seen at one glance the children assembled in a large room . It was different with their Benevolent Institution , because a person would have to travel the length and breadih of the kingdom to see the annuitants . But he ventured to say this Institution was doing an equal

amount of good with the educational Institutions . Every comfort was provided for the annuitants in the building at Croydon ; house-rent free , coals , gas , and everything found for them in the shape of such expenses ; their money brought to their rcoms as regularly as the quarter came round , always paid to date , so that they might not go in debt ; they had the care and attention of the medical

officer . At the table that day there had been three or four over 80 years of age , a great number between 70 and So , and many between 60 and 70 . This being what the Institution had done , and was doing , he hoped it would always commend itself to the favourable consideration of the Craft at large ; and that whatever they did for the other Institutions , there would alwavs be a shot

in the locker left for the Benevolent . These poor people needed all the help , sympathy , and support that could be given them . As the boys and girls were getting every year more capable of helping themselves , those old people were becoming Iefs and less capable of taking care of themselves . The coming year he had already pointed out would be a trying one ; 142 candidates and iS vacancies . The Institution could not be expected to increase

the number of its annuitants ; they had already to draw out cash at call to meet payments , and they had a balance of £ 1500 or £ 1600 at the bank to commence the year with . Whatever the result of the Festival might be , he hoped it would enable the Committee to determine what to do in the future , and he trusted they would be able to see their way to increase the annuitants . Bro . Terry concluded by thanking the founders ot the feast , the brethren and ladies for attending , and lor theii kind recognition of his

services . Some other complimentary toasts followed , and the room Was prepared for the evening entertainment . When the company assembled after tea , a musical evening was provided under the direction of Bro , Robert De Lacy ( St .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

Paul ' s Cathedral ) , who was assisted by Bro . Edward Dalzell ( Westminster Abbey ) , Bro . Alfred Kenningham ( St . Paul ' s ) , and Bro . Schartau ( Westminster Abbey ) , Miss Jessie Terry , Miss Strong , Miss Cotter , and Miss Owen also added some choice vocal and instrumental

performances , and Bro . Barnard gave some amusing recitations , and the whole proceedings passed off most happily and satisfactorily . After a hearty farewell to the annuitants , the visitors returned to town by the 10 . 36 p . m . train on the South-Eastern .

Girls' School Holiday Entertainment.

GIRLS' SCHOOL HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT .

The annual entertainment to the pupils who spend the Christmas vacation in the Institution on Battersea-rise was given on Monday last . There were a large number of friends and patrons of the Institution present , among whom were the following : Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , Col-Shadwell H . Clerke , Lieut / Col . McCuIlum , VV . Palmer , 1 . W . Stransom , C . Co ^ ke , Thos . Fenn , Thos . Kingston ,

W . Roebuck , G . Mickley , Louis Hersch , P . S . Buck , F . R . VV . Hedges , Secretary , C . Stevens , H . E . Lloyd , H . Hinson , E . Hinson , L . Stransom , A . Dicketts , H . W . Massey , W . T . Massey , F . C . Gates and Mrs . Gates , Miss Nelly Massey , Miss Williams , Mrs . D . Richardson , Miss Sykes , Miss Bingham , Mrs . J . F . Williams , Mr . and Mrs . Norton Hooper and family , Miss Kingston , Mrs .

Hopkinson , Mrs . Colborne , Master R . T . Dicketts , and Master S . P . Dicketts . At half-past five the visitors were shown into the room set apart for tea and coffee . After regaling themselves , an adjournment into the school room was made , when Professor Lenton , aided by a gentleman , gave what was called in the programme " Thought - reading .

Ventriloquism , and Conjuring . " The children looked in wonder at the various tricks the Professor performed , and evidently believed for the time in magic . The " thought-reading " must have cost both the Professor and his assistant much time , and was very successful . The conjuring chiefly consisted of the old tricks of growing flowers , changing the places of a bottle of water and a

glass , and bringing yards of paper out of an apparently empty hat . At the end of this portion of the programme the Professor distributed prizes of small value to the scholars . Dancing was the next order of the day . The visitors could but admire the correctness of the children ' s steps , and more than one were heard to say that great credit was

due to the instructor in this respect . It was nearly half-past eight when the musical clown ( Mr . Frank Buckley ) made his appearance . His witticisms were thoroughly appreciated , and deservedly so . The number of instruments this gentleman played we cannot say , but the applause he gained at the conclusion

went to show that his efforts were not lost on an audience chiefly juvenile . When the musical clown had finished , the children were marched out to supper . At ten o ' clock the National Anthem was sung in the Hall , and a short time later most of the visitors left .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of this Institution held theii usual monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Saturday last . Bro . VV . Roebuck , P . G . S . B ., Trustee , presided , and there were present Bros . Stephen Richardson , W . Maple ,

lames Moon , T . Hastings Miller , H . Venn , H . W . Hunt , J . H . Ebsworth , W . A . Scurrah , G . P . Britten , A . B . Cook , P . A . G . D . C , J . S . Cumberland , W . G . Kentish , W . W . Morgan , Rev . Richard Morris , M . D ., LL . D ., Abbott Smith , A . E . Glad well , J . Glass , Fred . Richard , A . Williams , G . Cooper , S . G . D ., J . Rayner , C F . Hogard ,

P . G . Std . Br ., A . M . Cohen , George Mickley , J . L . Mather , P . A . G . D . C , Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., Geo . Lambert , W . A . Glass , and Frederick Binckes , P . G . S . B . ( Sec ) . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , and those of the House Committee read for information , the Committee considered the merits of the

petitions , 19 in number , accepting 17 of them , while two were deferred . Eight applications for grants towards outfit were favourably entertained , and two notices of motion for the Quarterly General Court having been handed in , the

proceedings terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman . There are now 72 candidates on the list , and this may be increased at the Quarterly Court to 74 , while the number of vacancies is 17 .

Presentation Of Testimonial To Bro. E. Ashby.

PRESENTATION OF TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . E . ASHBY .

New Year's Day being the 50 th anniversary of the birthday of Bro . E . Ashby , the very able and courteous manager of the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-street , it was considered by the members of the staff of that establishment to be a fitting opportunity to present Bro .

Ashby with a testimonial as an evidence of the respect and esteem in whsch that gentleman is held by those acting under his control . This was amply evinced from the fact that everyone connected with the establishment was desirous , and actually did subscribe for that purpose , thus making the presentation so highly gratifying , and demonstrating

the universal esteem and respect secured by Bro . Ashby from all . The testimonial consisted of a handsome silver tea and coffee service , on a salver , with the following suitable inscription : " Presented to Mr . E . Ashby , on his 50 th birthday , by the staff of the Ship and Turtle , as a

mark of their esteem , ist January , 1 SS 9 . " The presentation was made by the senior member of the staff , who expressed the pleasure and gratification it afforded them in acknowledging , in some degree , their respect and good feeling towards Mr . Ashby for the manner he exercised his duties towards them , and , in the name of all contributing , wishing him long life , health , and prosperity for the future ,

Presentation Of Testimonial To Bro. E. Ashby.

Bro . Ashby , in a few well-chosen words , and with much feeling , replied in very suitable terms , thanking the members very warmly for their handsome present , and most sincerely and heartily reciprocating their kind wishes . Bro . E . Ashby is a member of the Marquis of Ripon

Lodge , No . 1489 , also a member of the Ezra Chapter , No . 14 S 9 , and it is with pleasure we record the above gratifying testimony to the worth of Bro . Ashby , whose unvarying attention to the patrons of Messrs . Painter ' s Hotel is only equalled by his success .

The Masonic Calendars For 1889.

THE MASONIC CALENDARS FOR 1889 .

The " Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket Book " for the current year , which has been issued annually by our Grand Lodge for considerably more than a century for the benefit of the Charity Fund , though it does not appear to contain any new features—and it is difficult to see how an annual like this , which is published in order to meet a particular want , can be continually introducingsome fresh matter into

its pages—is distinguished by all those qualities of accuracy , sufficiency of information , and excellence of arrangement which have invariably characterised the Calendar issued officially by Grand Lodge . It is difficult to see how the list of Past G . Officers could be made more complete , or that of the Provincial Grand Masters , which precedes the section devoted to the distribution of the country lodges in the

several provinces , but we offer it as a suggestion that what has proved so useful an addition to the Craft portion of the Calendar should be applied to the Royal Arch section and that lists of Past Grand Officers of SupremeGxand Chapter and of the Grand Superintendents of Provinces should find a place in some early edition—the former to precede the roll of Grand Officers for the year , and the latter the

provincial distribution of country chapters . The two branches of Constitutional Masonry would thus be placed , as they deserve to be , on ? n equal footing . Nor do we think it would be too much to hope that lists of the Prov . Grand Masters of Ireland and Scotland may be inserted at an early date under the Grand Lodges to which they respectively belong . These would not constitute a very

formidable addition of new matter , and they would certainly be of use to brethren who have occasion for consulting authorised lists of the personnel of these Grand Lodges . As for the information which the Calendar contains , we have already had occasion to test it on several occasions ,

and in every instance we have found it—so far as our knowledge goes—remarkably correct . It is certainly a necessary vade mecum for every Cralt and Arch Mason to be furnished with , and we congratulate the staff of Grand Lodge on the successful character of this year ' s edition .

Our old friend " The Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar " for 1889—or briefly and more familiarly " The Cosmo "which is now issued for the igth consecutive year , is also a marvel of accuracy , especially when we have to take into account that it furnishes information about every recognised branch of Freemasonry at home and abroad , the only limit to its supply of matter being the extent to which the

officials of foreign Grand Lodges , Grand Chapters , and other bodies will furnish the desired information . However , as we believe we are justified in asserting that there is no other Masonic Calendar appealing to the members of every branch of Masonry which is in the main so accurate , and contains such a mass of valuable information in so small and convenient a compass as this

same Cosmo , it is very certain that foreign Grand Lodges already recognise most fully the desirability of forwarding regularly whatever particulars the Editor may consider it his duty to ask for . It is , so far as we know , the only Masonic calendar which , in addition , to full information about Craft and Arch Masonry , furnishes similar particulars as to the

Mark , the Ancient and Accepted Rite , the Order of the Temple and the Red Cross , the Allied Degrees , the Royal and Select Masters , the Royal Order of Scotland , the Rosicrucian Society , & c , at home and abroid . In the same way , it is the only Calendar which contains full lists of the lodges , chapters , and other bodies in France , Germany , the Netherlands , Italy , Spain , of the independent Grand

Lodges in the Dominion of Canada and other portions of the British Empire , and such leading particulars as the limits of its space will permit of Craft , Arch , Temple , and High Grade Masonry in the United States of North America . It is marvellous , indeed , how so much trustworthy information about so many different Degrees and

organisations could have been compressed into so small a compass , and we have no hesitation whatever in recommending it to all Craftsmen , and especially to those who have Degrees other than those recognised by the Articles oE Union , and who feel an interest in the organisation of foreign Grand Bodies . as a book of reference which every year is becoming more and more indispensable .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . G . M . E . SNOW . General regret will be felt , especially in the Province of Kent and among the supporters oE our Institutions , at the announcement of the death , on Saturday last , at the comparatively early age of 63 years , of Bro . G . M . E . Snow . Bro . Snow was a P . P . G . W . of Kent , and had played his

part , as may be imagined , very successfully in lodge and chapter . But the sphere of labour in which he seems to have taken the greatest interest comprised whatever related to our Masonic Charitable Institutions , to which he was a great benefactor . Bro . Snow had qualified as a P atron of all three Charities , and had served several Stewardships for each .

The Queen has been pleased to approve of the appointment of Prince Henry of Battenberg as Governor and Captain General of the Isle of Wi ght and Governor of Carisbrooke Castle , in succession to the late Viscount Eversley . The Aldermen of the City of London held a

meeting on Monday , for the purpose of receiving the returns from the several wards with reference to the election of Common Councilmen on St . Thomas ' s Day . Sundry officials were also sworn in . In the evening Bro . Lord Mayor Whitehead gave the usual Plow Monday banquet to the officials of the Corporation ,