Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of thc Committee of this Institution was held on Wednesday at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Lieut .-Col . J . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , Vice-Patron , presided . The other brethren present were Bros . A . H . Tattershall , Raynham W . Stewart , J . H . Matthews , William Stephens ,

William Clarke , George Bolton , John Buhner , John G . Stevens , Charles James Perceval , Charles I-I . Webb , Charles G . Hill , C . A . Cottebrune , J . M . Case , Edgar Bowyer , C . G . Dilley , Louis Stean , Charles Atkins , Thos ; Cubitt , James Terry ( Sec ) , and H . Massey { Freemason ) . After the reading * and verification of the minutes of the gth Februan , Bro . TERRY reported thc death of one

annuitant—Mrs . Mary A . llustleton . The amount paid to her in annuity during the time she had been on the list was £ 385 . Bro . Terry also reported the death of an approved candidate for the next election—Mrs . J . Sherwood . Bro . TERRY then . ; formally reported to the Committee that the annual festival of the Institution was held on Wednesday , the 23 rd ult ., Bro . Sir H . Edwards , Provincial

Grand Master for West Yorkshire , presiding . I he amount announced at the festival was £ 14 , 160 13 s ., with several lists to come , but the sum had now reached £ 14 , 380 , with only two lists outstanding . The Warden ' s report for February was read . Bro . TERRY reported that he had , in accordance with the instructions of the Committee , appealed against the

increased assessment of the Asylum at Croydon , and that he was successful in his appeal . The Chairman was authorised to sign necessary cheques . A letter was readfrom Bro . Curteis , of Stonehouse , which , after some discussion , was deferred for consideration till next meeting . The visit of the Stewards of the late festival to the

Asylum at Croydon was left in the hands of the House Committee for the necessary arrangements to be made . Bro . RAYNHAM W . STEWART , P . G . D ., gave notice of motion for increasing the accommodation of the central portion of the building at Croydon , the space at present being very limited . The Committee then adjourned .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of this Institution assembled last Saturday , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . S . Rosenthal in the chair . There were also present Bros . Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , S . Rawson , Rev . Richard Irwin , D . D ., Arthur E . Gladwell , W . H . Perryman , A . J . Duff Filer , C F . Matier ,

Alfred Williams , Don . M . Dewar , E . S . Phillips , XV . Roebuck , George J . Palmer , W . H . Saunders , F . Adlard , II . Young , W . Paas , -John Mason , F . Binckes ( Secretary ) , and II . Massey { Freemason ) . Two petitions were examined , one from Taunton and the other from Gloucester , and the candidates placed on the list for election in October .

An outfit of £ 5 was granted to an ex-pupil who has obtained a situation at Stockport . Bro . C . F . MATIER gave notice of amotion for altering Law 55 of the Institution , to make it necessary that the father of a candidate must have been a subscribing member to his lodge for three years . Bro . A . I . DUFF FILER , after calling thc attention of the

brethren to the fact that the Girls' School had recently passed a resolution authorising the Committee to grant as much at £ 40 to an exceptionall y deserving girl on leaving the School for her advancement in life , gave notice that he would move that- a similar rule be adopted in the Boys' Institution . The Committee then adjourned .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Herefordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HEREFORDSHIRE .

Monday , thc 28 th ult ., was , to use a hackneyed expression , a " red letter day " in thc annals of Freemasonry in Ross . Bro . Sir Joseph Bailey , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . P . G . M . of Herefordshire , having selected Ross for the holding of his first Grand Lodge , the town was favoured by a sight of

rare occurrence . The brethren having met in the Corn Exchange , Bro . Edmund Turner , W . M . of the Vitruvian Lodge , opened a Craft Lodge , and received the R . W . P . G . M ., the D . P . G . M ., and Prov . Grand Ollicers with the customary honours . The R . W . P . G . M . then opened the Grand Lodge , and among other business appointed the following brethren

as his Prov . Grand Oflicers for the ensuing year : Bros . 1 . E . S . Hewett , P . M ., P . G . S . W . ; C . J . Hampden , P . M ., P . G . J . W . ; Rev . P . S . Stanhope , P . G . Chap . ; W . Daggs , P . M ., P . G . T . ; E . Gregg , P . M ., P . G . Sec . ; R . Hayes , P . AI ., P . G . S . D . ; R . B . Lewis , P . M ., P . G . J . D . ; E . Turner , W . M ., P . G . S . W . ; W . Earle , P . M ., P . G . D . C ; Davis , W . M ., P . G . A . D . C ; E . C . Scarlett , P . M ., P . G . S . B . ; XV . T . Burville , P . M ., P . G . Org . ; J . Cox , P . M ., P . G . P . ; T . Matthews ,

1 . Handford , I . Barnes , J . Roberts , P . G . Stewards ; and G . Preece , P . G . Tyler . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren , most of whom wore their full regalia , walked in procession to attend Divine service in the parish church . There was a very large concourse of persons assembled on the line of march to

witness the cortege , whicli was joined by the members of the Ross choir , who had intended singing a processional hymn on the march , but owing to a slight hitch it was not commenced till they arrived at the church doors . The handsome regalia and beautiful banners were much admired by the spectators . The service table was as follows :

Before Service—Voluntary . Psalms , 32 , 133 , and 145 . ist Lesson , Proverbs iii . 2 nd Lesson , ist Corinthians , xiii . After third Collect—Hymn 215 , A . and M . ( Tune Amelia ) . BeforetheSermon—Hymn 166 , A . and M . ( Tune , Old moth ) . After the Sermon—Hymn 365 , A . andM . ( Tune , Almsgiving ) ,

After Blessing—Voluntary . Mr . W . Moss officiated at the organ in his usual able manner . The sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . P . Scudamore Stanhope , M . A ., Rector of Humber , Leominster , Prov . G . Chap ., who took his text from Deut . xv ., 7 and S : " If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren , & c . " In

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Herefordshire.

the coursc of thc sermon , whicli was an eloquent one , thc preacher referred to the ideas and objects of Freemasonry as essentially combining benevolence , and the assistance of those of their brethren who needed help ; in fact a strict carrying out of thc precept enjoined in thc text . There was nothing , he said , that distinguished human creatures from the brute creation so much as the sympathy felt for their fellow-men ; and one of the greatest features of our

religion was thc looking after the requirements of thc halt . thc lame , and thc blind , and a desire to do unto others as we would have them do unto us . A practical proof of this could be gained by going through our modern London , where there was scarcely a street in which there was not an asylum , hospital , or charitable refuge of some kind . In conclusion he called upon thc congregation present for their sympathy towards thc institution which the collection that

day was intended to benefit , urging - them not to let it be imaginary , but to give freely as they could towards the assistance of that deserving joint institution thc Ross Dispensary and Cottage Hospital . A collection was then made , amounting - to between £ 6 and £ 7 . On thc conclusion of Divine service , about lift } - of thc brethren sat down to a banquet at the Royal Hotel , presided over by the R . W . P . G . M ., Bro . Sir Joseph Bailey ,

Bart ., M . P ., amongst whom were the following : Bros . W . Capt . Homfray , D . P . G . M . ' Mon . * , W . T . lov-itt , D . P . G . M . ; Rev . P . S . Stanhope , Rev . J . Buckle , " Rev . T . T . Smith , Rev . C . F . Grey , Rev . D . Seaton , Rev . W . J . Sawyer , S . R . Davies , J . E . S . Hewett , C J . Hampden , W . Daggs , R . R . Dillon , E . Gregg , R . Hayes , E . Lewis , R . B . Lewis , J . L . Piddocke , E . Turner , W . Earle , W . Davies , E . C . Scarlett , W . R . | Rootes , C . Rootes , F . W .

Barling , T . Matthews , J . Hards , T . Handford , J . Barnes , R . Blinkhorn , J . Cox , F . S . Collins , G . J . Caldwell , J . Davies , A . Evans , H . Gurney , T ^ Hunt , J . Lewis , T . Lane , E . Maddison , F . W . Parry , F . Cooper , G . Preece , T . F . Phelps , J . Rycroft , XV . R . Stafford , E . Shaw , C J . Saxby , F . W . \ Vintle , J . A . AVhite , and others . In order to recognise thc services of the choir on this

occasion , a supper was given them in the evening by the Freemasons , at the house of Mr . George Denton , which passed off very pleasantly , under the chairmanship of Mr . Charles Jackson . 'The toasts , though few , were heartily received , and included "The Oueen , ' * "Sir Joseph Bailey , Bart ., M . P ., and the Prov . Grand Lodge of Herefordshire , " "Thc Organist and Choirmaster , " ( Air . \ V . Moss , and Mr . L . S . C . Aloss ) , "The Chairman , " & c .

York College Of Rosicrucians.

YORK COLLEGE OF ROSICRUCIANS .

This Masonic Archaeological body , meeting under the authority of the High Council of England , held its annual meeting at York , on Saturday , the 26 th ult . Thc Chief Adept , Frater T . B . Whytehead , IX . ° , presided , and there were also present the following fratres : Fratres Rev . \ V . C . Lukis , V 1 I . ° , Suff . ; 1 . S . ' Cumberland , VII . * - ' , Celeb . ;

T . J . Wilkinson , VI . ° , P . A . ; XV . Rowley , VI . ° , S . A . ; J . Oates , I ., as T . A . ; R . XV . Moore , I ., as O . A . ; J . MalTry 1 V . ° , as C . N . ; L M . Meek , I ., as G . T . ; T . XV . Holmes , TI . ° , T . B . ; J . \ V . Woodall , 1 V . ° ; J . C Thompson , I . ; and J . F . Taylor , I . Successful ballots were taken for the following brethren : Bros . A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta ; J . A . Bindley ,

P . M . 624 , Burton-on-Irent ; Rev . J . Metcalfe , M . A ., No . 1611 , York ; and W . Fourness , No . 1211 , Leeds . Thc following accepted aspirants were then introduced and admitted to the grade of Zelator : Bros . J . J . Wilkes , Darlington ; J . Todd , P . M ., York ; W . Bakewell , Leeds ; and A . M . Broadley , 'Tunis . At the conclusion of the ceremonial the Chief Adept addressed the fratres , reviewing

the work of the college since its commencement , and indicating its work for the future . He especially dwelt on the delight of as well as the necessity for Masonic investigation , and showed the advantages to he gained from the examination of old minutes and other Masonic memoranda , which were too often permitted to be neglected and unscarched . He alluded to the admission that day of Frater Broadley ,

who was exactly the kind of Mason they desired to enrol , and mentioned that it was Frater Broadley's desire to open a college at 'Tunis on the ruins of ancient Carthage . 'The report of the Auditors having been adopted , Frater Broadley was requested by the Chief Adept to read some notes he had prepared on the Carthaginian remains , and the symbolic marks of the Phoenician builders . This he did in

a most interesting manner , and the paper was ordered to be printed at thc request of the fratres . The election of ollicers for the year then took place as follows : Fratres T . XV . Holmes , Vl . ° , Celeb . ; J . S . Cumberland , VI 10 , Secretary and Treasurer ; Walter Rowley , VI . ° , P . A . ; E . P . Peterson , V . ° , S . A . ; C . L . Mason , V . ° , T . A ., W . Watson , 1 V . ° , O . A . ; J . Maffey , 1 V . ° ,

Cof N . ; J . M . Meek , L , and R . W . Moore , I ., Heralds ; J . C Thompson , L , G . T . ; E . I . inck , L , T . B . ; and Wm . Paley , I ., Medalist . The Acolyte was re-elected , and it was resolved to hold thc next meeting on some Wednesday in May . Two candidates weic proposed , a number of letters of apology for absence were read , and thc M . C .

was dissolved . During the earlier portion of the day thc Chief Adept and some of the fratres inspected the parchment constitutions , minute books , & c ., of the Grand Lodge of All England at York , Bro . J . Todd , Treasurer of the York Lodge , kindly having had the Masonic Hall opened for thc purpose .

Masonic Ball In Liverpool.

MASONIC BALL IN LIVERPOOL .

'There is apparently no want of vitality in Freemasonry in Liverpool with respect to merry-making schemes , as more than one of these have already taken place , and there are " more to follow " before thc close of the festive season . Onc of these most pleasant fraternal gatherings , in the shape of a "Grand Masonic Ball "( to which the public had a cordial invitation ) , was held on Friday evening ,

the 4 th inst ., at the Skelmersdale Masonic Hall , Kirkdale , Liverpool , in connection with all the North-end lodges , thc special object being to add to the fund being raised for thc decoration of the lodge room of the hall which bears an honoured name . 'There was a large and highly fashionable attendance , the ball being under the patronage of Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., Prov . G . M . ; the Countess of Lathom ; Bro . the Worshipful the Mayor of Bootle ; the Mayoress of Bootle ; Bro . J . P . McArthur ,

Masonic Ball In Liverpool.

J . P ., P . M . 106 C ( Ex-Mayor of Bootle ); Bro . J . Moulding , P . M ., Prov . G . Reg . ; Bra . J . Newell , P . M ., P . Prov . G . S . W ., & c . The ball committee comprised Bros . H . Ferguson , W . M . 1756 ; W . Donkin , W . M . 1035 : 1 . ( jrierson , S . W . 1756 ; J . P . O'Brien , S . W . 1035 ; | . ' D . Reader , S . W . 10 S 6 ; Lewis Peake , J . W . 1035 ; R " . E . Mitton , J . W . 1756 ; Dr . D . L . Parry , J . W . 10 S 6 ; J . J . Savage , W . AI . 10 S 6 , Master of the Ceremonies ; with J . D .

Reader , S . W . 10 S 6 , as Honorary Secretary . The brethren appeared in full dress Masonic clothing , with the jewels and insignia of their ranks and offices . Dancing started shortly after nine o'clock , and was kept up with much spirit until the close cf the programme . No more pleasant break in the evening ' s merry-making could have been furnished than that which was found ' in the " Fairy Bells" performances of Bro . Hargreaves Gill , who

having had thc special honour of playing in the hearing of Bro . H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales , sonic three years ago , had our esteemed Grand Master ' s permission a few months ago to use H . R . H . ' s coat of arms as a badge , and on his circulars . Bro . Gill ' s fairy-like music is always charming to thc thousands who have already heard it , but it was especially attractive to the brethren on this occasion from the fact that thc talented performer on this occasion gave

his new and most effective " Peals , " which have been specially composed by Bro . Gill in honour of his Royal patron . The new and charming "Peals" were most enthusiastically applauded by the assembly , and it will be a matter of interest to know that thc music is now being arranged for the pianoforte by Bro . Joseph Skeaf , P . G . O . West Lancashire . Altogether the gathering proved one of thc most enjoyable of the festive season in Liverpool .

The Late Bro. T. J. Hughes.

THE LATE BRO . T . J . HUGHES .

A grand concert was given at the Philharmonic Hall , Liverpool , on the 4 th inst ., in aid of the widow and family of the late Bro . T . J . Hughes , of the Harmonic Lodge , No . 216 , who was unusually esteemed , because of his Masonic work-, and greatly valued , in recognition of his sterling musical ability . The Liverpool Mercury thus

refers to Bro . Hughes and thc concert : " In every circle in which he was connected , the late Mr . T . J . Hughes was regarded with that affection which can only be kindled b y genial manliness , and his recent death , at a comparatively early age , drew forth expressions of regret , as deep as they were universal . He was for many years a familiar figure in church and on the concert platform , and few of

the national musical gatherings of North Wales were considered complete without his presence . They who knew him will not willingly let his memory die . Shortly after his untimely decease a fund for thc benefit of his widow and family was initiated . Many contributions were received , and that the fund may assume largei proportions , a concert , whose proceeds will be applied

in this direction , was given last Friday night in the Philharmonic Hall , under the patronage of the Mayor of Liverpool ( Mr . Alderman W . B . Forwood ) , the Right Hon . thc Earl of Lathom , the Rector of Liverpool ( Canon Stewart ) , the Mayor of Birkenhead ( Mr . XV . Laird ) , Mr . W . Rathbone , AI . P ., Mr . D . Mac I ver , M . P ., and Air . John Roberts , M . P . The vocal principals who appeared on thc occasion

were Madame Edith Wynne , Aladainc Billinie Porter , Eos Morlais , and Mr . Lucas Williams , while the orchestra was occupied by a band and chorus of upwards of 300 performers , among whom might be recognised many of the more prominent singers and instrumentalists belonging to the city . Thc Liverpool Vocalists' Union had also an important share in the performance of the programme .

'The first and second parts of Haydn's 'Creation' were given under thc direction of Mr . Armstrong , Mr . Duncanson leading the band with spirit , while Mr . jude ' s management of the organ was a model of taste . 'The second portion of thc programme , which contained selections from Gounod , Sullivan , Stevens , Parry , Pinsuti , and

Rossini , was very interesting , and the audience , which , we are glad to say , was very large , enjoyed it exceedingly . Mr . Skeaf was the accompanist on the pianforte , and in Gounod ' s ' Ave Maria' ( the well-known ' meditation ' on Bach's ist Prelude * ! , Mr . 'Theodore Lawson played the violin part . "

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

PRINCE LEOPOLD LODGE ( No . -yS ) . — An excellent meeting in connection with this lodge was held at Anderton's Hotel , on the I sth ult ., when there were in attendance Bros . T . C . Walls , P . G . S . Middlesex and Surrey , W . M . ; Alfred Tisley , W . AI . 211 . S . W . ; W . Wigginton , P . G . S . of Works , Sec , acting J . W . ; J . II . Dodson , S . O . and Treas . ; Beningfield , J . O . ; F . Farrington , S . D . ; W . E . Farrington , J . D . ; Brown , I . G . ;

and Skelton , D . C . 'The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the election of officers for the ensuing year took plp . ee , and resulted in favour of Bros . A . 'Tisley as W . M . ; J . II . Dodson , Treasurer ; and Harrison , Tyler . A Past Master's jewel having been unanimously voted to W . Bro . T . C . Walls , a vote of condolence was passed , and ordered to be forwarded to Bro . Richnell , J . W ., who

had recently lost his wife and infant child . The ballot was then taken upon behalf of Bro . George Everett , P . M . 177 , 13 S 1 , for advancement , and for Bro . Stedwcll , late of 1 S 5 , for joining , and it proved to be unanimous in each case . Several communications having been read , the lodge was duly closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth , the customary toasts received full justice . W . Bro . Wigginton responded upon

behalf of "The Grand Officers . " " 'The Health of the W . M . " followed . At this stage of the proceedings , the brethren were favoured with a visit from W . Bros . Broadley , D . G . M ., & c , Malta , and F . Binckes , P . G . W . The toast of " 'The Visitors" having been given and most enthusiastically drank , W . Bros . Broadley and Binckes responding , made very excellent and instructive replies . The remaining toasts were "The I . P . M ., " "The W . M . Elect , " and " The Officers , " all of which were warmly received .

The Hmpress of Austria hunted with Bro . Sir Watkin Williams Wynn ' s hounds on Wednesday , the meet being at Garden , where a large field met Her Majesty .