Board Of Benevolence.

The Board first confirmed grants recommended to the Grand Master at the February meeting to the extent of £ 470 , and added £ 10 to a grant of /! 0 made at the same meeting . There were 40 cases on the new list . These were qualified through lodges in the Metropolitan district , and at Ryde , Ealing , Bradford , Liverpool , Allahabad , Chata Nagpore , E . I ., jjlverstone , Holyhead , Oldham , Southampton , Jarrow , Horsham , Halifax , vr s Swansea , Keswick , Beccles , Harrow Station , Barnstaple , Plymouth ,

Lincoln , Great Tornngton , and the Argentine Republic . One case was ( Jeferred , and two cases were dismissed . One petitioner had died since his petition was lodged . The Board made a total grant of ^" 850 , in addition to the extra ^ 10 grant above noticed . One petitioner was recommended to Grand Lodge for ^ 75 ; seven were recommended to the Grand Master for / 40 each ; and seven for ^ 30 each . Nine grants were made for ^ 20 each ; nine for £ 10 each ; and three for ^ 5 each .

Royal And Select Masters.

ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS .

The annual meeting of Grand Council was held at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on Thursday , the 12 th inst . The M . 111 . Grand Master , ~ the Earl of Euston , presided , and was supported by Bros . Viscount Dunearvan , Deputy G . M . ; the Earl of Portarlington ; Col . A . B . Cook ,

p . D . G . M . ; F . Richardson , P . D . G . M . ; C . F . Matier , P . D . G . M ., G . Recorder ; C . H . Driver , the Rev . Peek , the Rev . C . E . Wright , Stewart Brown , A . R . Carter , Balfour Cockburn , Clifford Probyn , E . M . Money , R . Clowes , P . Clowes , F . Bevan , R . Voisey , W . Vincent , W . Briant , and many others .

The Grand Council was formally opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting—which had been printed and circulated—were unanimously confirmed . The GRAND RECORDER read a report of the progress of the Cryptic Rite during the past year , which was received and adopted . Bro . BALFOUR COCKBURN nominated Bro . R . Berridge for re-election as Grand Treasurer , He said that Bro . Berridge had held the post for jome years , and it was a matter of regret to them all that he was unable to be with them on the present occasion . Bro . A . R . CARTER seconded the nomination , which was agreed to nem . con .

The Most Illustrious Grand Master then appointed the following Grand Officers : Bro . Viscount Dungarvan ... ... ... Deputy G . M . „ Earl of Portarlington ... ... ... G . Inspr . of Work . „ Rev . Peek ... ... ... —In r-u 1 „ Rev . C . E . Wright ... ... j G . Chaplains . „ R . Berridge ... ... ... ... G . Treasurer . .. C . F . Matier ... ... ... G . Recordpr .

„ W . Briant ... ... ... ... G . Lecturer . „ Balfour Cockburn ... ... ... G . D . C . „ Youells ... ... A . G . D . C . „ R . F . Wheeler ... ... ,.. G . Con . of Council , „ Capt . Hearn ... ... ... G . Capt . of Guards . „ F . Bevan ... ... ... ... G . Organist .

,, Gresham ... ... ... .., " ) „ Easterbrook ... ... ... ... G . Marshals . „ Maitland ... ... ... ... ) „ F . Cleeves ... ... ... ... T _ ei „ H . Corbett Jones j G . Stewards . „ E . Mills ,.. ... ... ... G . Sentinel .

Grand Council was closed , and the Degree of Royal Master was afterwards exemplified by Bros . W . Vincent , R . Voisey , and W . Briant , to whom a vote of thanks was accorded . A banquet was subsequently held at Freemasons' Tavern , under the presidency of the Earl of Euston , which was well attended .

The Recent Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

THE RECENT FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The following additions to lists have been received since last week : Lodge . LONDON . £ s . d . < J 07 Bro . Henry C . Jones ... ... ... ... 1 1 o ( raising his list to £ 97 2 s . 6 d . ) 1608 „ T . G . Forster .. ... ... ... 4 10 o ( raising his list to £ 94 ios . ) 2 454 11 George F . Smith ... ... ... ... CSC

( raising his list to £ 31 Ss . 6 d . ) PROVINCES . Lodge MIDDLESEX . 77 S Bro . Guy G . Repton ... ... .,. . „ 550 ( raising his list to £ 16 16 s . )

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Metham Lodge , No . 96 . 1 ' £ c ai"iual meeting was held at the Working Men ' s Hall , Plympton , on Wednes-¦ > y , the nth instant , when Bro . J . C . Revell was installed W . M . The ceremony was = S i' !' y ^ ndered by Bros . Major Strode Lewis , D . P . G . M ., and R . Hambly , I . P . M ., \ i ' . ? , Pl i ° - J- R- Lord . P . P . J . G . W . Amongst others present were Bros . T . S .

incr „ re •' ¦ Banbury , T . . J . R . Chalice , J . H . Blackell , and W . Pengelly . The follow-Koihcers were appointed for the ensuing year : Bros . R . Hambly , I . P . M . ; I . Pearse , IH 'I , * ' J- L « l < e , J . W . ; A . Booth , M . O . ; E . Hendy , S . O . ; W . Rowe , 1 . 0 . ; r "' Blackell , Treas . ; T . J . R . Chalice , Sec . ; W . J . Stanbury , R . of M . ; R . G , GidlevTi ' G- Stoneman > J- -J T - s - May > Cha P-J C . Cook , I . G . ; and J , 0 f tijg , V r " The Treasurer ' s accounts showed a very satisfactory balance in favour

Sir Francis Burdett Lodge , No . 181 . when tlf , 0 < ' ge ne , d a meeting at the Albany Hotel , Twickenham , on the ujlh ultimo , WM •. were Present , among others , Bros . E . W . Davis , I . P . M ., P . P . G . O ., as lirio ^ o n 'he absence , through indisposition , of Bro . G . Everett , P . P . G . M . O . : 1 . T . UbS ' . -M ., P . G . Std . Br ., as S . W . ; R . W . Force , J . W . ; j . Hill , M . O . ; rl . R . P . G I ii J , 9 , J W- Fishcr > P - - G Stwd - Treas . ; Captain T . C . Wall * , P . M ., P . PAGb c " W- J- Porter ' - -5 H-Higgins , P . P . G . S . B . ; and C 11 . Kohler ,

Mark Masonry.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bros . Fredk . Bonney was elected W . M . ; W . Fisher , P . M ., Treas . ; and G . Harrison , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel was voted to Bro . G . Everett , the lodge at the same time expressing a hope that he would soon be restored to health . The report of the Audit Committee WAS received and adopted . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . G . Everett , W . M . ; E . Hopwood , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of Wks . ; and others . Th » lodge wis then closed . An excellent banquet was afterwards partaken of .

Upon the removal of the cloth , the W . M . in the chair gave the uiuil twists with commendable brevity . Bro . J . T . Briggs , P . G . Std . Br ., replied to the toast of * ' The Grand O . Tic irs " ; Bro . H . Higgins , P . P . G . S . B ., for "The Provincial Grand Officeri "; and Bros . VV . J . Porter and C . H . Kohler for " The Past Masters . " In proposing "The Health of the Treasurer , " the acting W . M ., on b ; hilf of the

members , congratulated Bro . W . Fisher on his excellent management of the fininces of the lodge . The Audit report that night was a most favourable one , and he trusted that their Treasurer might be spared many years to extend his sphere of usefulness . This pledge having been warmly received , Bro . Fisher returned thanks in a few words The toast of "The Officers " concluded the proceedings .

Prince Leopold Lodge , No . 238 . A meeting of this lodge was convened at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on the iSth ult . Among the members present were Bros . L . W . Harvey , W . M . ; A . N . Clemow , P . M ., as S . W . ; F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . G . S ., as J . W . ; T . B . Doison , M . O . ; N . Prower , M . A ., P . M ., P . P . G . S . O . ; T . O . Harding , M . A ., P . M . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . S . B . ; and W . H . Holroyd , P . M . The minutes of the previous meetinsr havinir been read and confirmed . Bro . the Rev .

R . C . Fillingham , M . A ., S . W ., was elected W . M ., subject to a dispensation being granted , he not having passed the chair in a Craft lodge . Bro . N . Prower , M . A ., P . M ., was elected Treasurer , and Bro . Goddard , Tyler . In recognition of Bro . Harvey ' s second year ' s occupancy of the chair , he was voted a gold bar to decorate his Past Master ' s jewel . Bro . Nelson Prower was unanimously nominated as a Grand Steward . Just before the lodge was about to close , Bro . Humphries , one of the candidates for advancement , presented himself , and was duly advanced to the Degree of M . M . lvI . by the W . M . The resitrnation of Bro . S . Valentine , throucrh failintr health , was received

with great regret . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros , the Rev . R . C . Fillingham , M . A ., R . Burleton , S . O ., and others . The lodge was then closed , and an excellent banquet was served under the superintendence of Bro . Evans . The W . M . presided , as usual , most genially , and in a double capacity , he being the W . C . N , of the Ark Mariners Council attached to the lodge . Bro . T . B . Dodson contributed vocal harmony , and Bro . F . W . Driver read several original poems . The proceedings were most enjoyable .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

Ancient Ebor Preceptory , No , 101 . The regular meeting of the above preceptory was held in Freemason ' s Hall , St . Saviourgate , York , on Tuesday , the 10 th inst ., under the presidency of the E . P . Frater W . N . Cheeseman , and the V . E . Sub-Prior , E . Frater T . B . Whytehead . The muster roll having been called , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , a successful ballot was taken for Comp . William Lowther Carrick , of the Cleveland Lodge and Dundas Chapter , andhe was thereafter admitted and obligated by

Frater Rev . C . E . L . Wright , P ., M . A ., and duly installed and saluted . The E . P . elect , Frater T . S . Brogden , was then presented , and was duly installed as E . P . by E . Frater Rev . C . E . L . Wright , P ., and saluted according to ancient custom , and afterwards appointed his officers as follows : Fratres Rev . C . E . L . Wright , P . Prov . Prelate , Prelate ; F . W . Halliwell , Prov . Sub-Marshal , Constable ; Jas . Smith , P . P . G . O .,

Marshal ; W . B . Dyson , P ., Reg . ; F . W . Halliwell , Treas . ; C . Hollander , P . P . A . G . D . C , Sub-Marshal ; W . N . Cochrane , P . Herald , Herald ; W . D . Rudgard , Vex Belli ; J . V . Cooper , Beauceant ; J . T . Sellers , P ., Banner Br . ; and \ V . L . Carrick , Capt . of Gds . The alms having been collected , the brethren renewed their vows according to ancient custom , and the preceptory was closed , the E . P . retiring under the Arch of Steel .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

Hilda Chapter , No . 23 . The installation meeting was held in Freemasons' Hall , St . Saviourgate , York , on Tuesday , the 10 th instant . The M . W . S . elect , Bro . F . Rudd , 18 " , was then presented , and , having answered the usual questions and been obligated , was impressively installed M . W . S . by III . Bro , Rev . C . E . L . Wright , P . M . W . S ., 30 . The officers were appointed

as follows : III . Bros . Rev . C . E . L . Wright , 30 ° , P . M . W . S ., High Prelate ; W . H . Attlay , ist General ; T . S . Brogden , 2 nd General ; F . W . Halliwell , Recorder and Treasurer ; C . Hollander , G . Marshal ; W . B . Dyson , P . M . W . S ., Raphael ; and J . T . Seller , P . M . W . S ., Captain of Guards . The Installing Officer having addressed the officers on the principles of the Order and their duty thereto , the chapter was then closed .

Lodge And Chapter Of Instruction.

Lodge and Chapter of Instruction .

PROSPERITY LODGE , No . 65 . A most instructive and enjoyable evening was spent by the members of the above lodge on Wednesday , the 18 th instant , at the Weavers' Arms , London Wall , E . C , when the 15 Sections were worked under the able and courteous presidency of Bro . E . C . Talbot , P . M . 65 , as W . M ., supported by Bros . J . G . Milbourn , P . M ., S . W . ; J . Hill

J . W . ; D . Harlow , P . M ., Preceptor ; Jas . Smith , P . M ., Sec ; Spencer , S . D . ; William Baker , J . D . ; and Huckell , I . G . There were also present : Bros . Roberts , P . M . ; Fisher , P . M . ; Emden , P . M . ; T . Prior , P . M . ; A . J . Rippin , Greig , Drake . Quiney , Carr , Butcher , Pe-pe , Strong , J . G . Robeson , J . Collins , White , Stokes , Spaull , Sarson ( W . M . 192 ); Bateman , Bird , Dickason , Chubb , Scott , Barnes , Pitt , Griggs , Rix , Pearson , Sandland , Knight , and Fuller .

The lodge being opened in due form , and the minutes of last meeting read and confirmed , the following brethren assisted the W . M . in a very able manner with the 15 Sections , some of them most eloquently rendering their pirt of the ceremony , viz .: Bros . H . B . Spaull , the ist , 3 rd , and 4 th Sections ; J . G . Millbourn , P . M ., 2 nd , 5 th , nth , and 12 th ; R . Sandland , 6 th , 7 th , and 14 th ; GreigSih and 13 th ; Hill 9 th ;

, , E . C . Talbot , P . M ., 10 th ( Bro . Milbourn , P . M ., as W . M . in this ); and l \ Prior , P . M ., 15 th . The lodge was then closed in due form , the brethren expressing themselves as highly delighted with the Masonic treat they had had , and the hope that it soon might be repeated . Next Wednesday will be the officers' night of the Mother Lodge , No . 65 .

STAR CHAPTER , No . 1275 . A meeting was held on Friday , the 13 th inst ., at the Stirling Castle Hotel , Churchstreet , Camberwell . Present : Comps . Cureton , M . E . Z . ; Grummant , H . ; Lewis , J . ; Thos . Grummant , P . Z ., Preceptor ; C H . Stone , P . Z ., S . E . ; Cass , S . N . ; Towers , P . S . ; Eadle , Pullen , Hardman , and Aggleton .

The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Aggleton personating the candidate . Comp . T . Grummant , P . Z ., Preceptor , was elected M . E . Z . for the next meeting . The installation of the Third Chair will be rehearsed by Comp . Grummant , Preceptor , after the close of the exaltation ceremony on Friday , the 20 th inst . After " Hearty good wishes " the chapter was closed .