Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The House Committee having , as soon as the result ol . t Cambridge Local Examination was known , and at ¦ h instigation of the Head Governess , accorded to those hldren who went up ( and of whom it will be remembered C « out of 20 passed ) an entire day ' s treat away from the hool the same came off on Friday , the 14 th inst . Windsor was selected , firstly , on account of its beauty ; ondly of its historical associations ; and thirdly , because s £ C ne of the 20 girls had ever been there . Train was taken fom Clap ham Junction at 9 . 30 , and Windsor reached i ? nt 10 45- After seeing the State Apartments , St . feorae ' s Chapel , Memorial Chapel , & c . All dined

" ther at the Castle Hotel , and then drove through the Park and Forest to Virginia Water , where a capital tea had been provided . After enjoying the beauties of that lovely p lace they all drove in the cool of the evening lhrou ° h Egham , Englefield Green , and Old Windsor to L , ( | fet where the train was again taken and home was safely reached at 9 . 45 , after a most enjoyable day , and nne that will be remembered by them as a red letter day for many years to come . The children were , of course , accompanied by Miss Davis , the Head Governess ; Miss Buck , the Matron ; Mjss Redgrave , the first assistant Governess ; and Miss

Mary Norrish , one of the teachers ; the two who had had most to do in training the children for this examination also went , and the whole party were under the care of Bros . Frank Richardson , and J . H . Matthews , two very active members of the House Committee , to whom a very great deal of the day's success is very justly due .

FINAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF STEWARDS . The final meeting of the Board of Stewards for the recent Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Monday afternoon , Bro . Peter de Lande Long , the President of the Board , being in the chair . The various accounts were submitted , approved , and passed for payment . The customary

gratuities , but on a far smaller scale , in consequence of the smallness of the festival , than usual , were voted to those who assist in preparing for , and on thedayof , thecelebration . It was further resolved that the usdal sum of fifty guineas ( £ 52 ios . ) ' should be devoted to the cost of treating the School to a visit to the Crystal Palace—a practice which has been observed by successive Boards of Stewards for

several years past . The balance , however , did not allow of more than this being done , and consequently no sum was voted as a donation to the funds of the Institution , as was done at the Centenary Festival last year , when out of the balance remaining from the Stewards' Fees 280 guineas ( £ 294 ) were presented to the Institution . A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings .

Masonic Presentation At Hanley.

MASONIC PRESENTATION AT HANLEY .

The Menturia Lodge , No . 41 S , met as usual at the Freemasons' Hall , Hanley , on Tuesday , the iSth inst ., the meeting being a large one of both members and visitors . The lodge having been opened , Mr . T . Rusforth was initiated , the ceremony being performeJ in a masterly manner by theW . M ., Bro . H . Windle .

After the usual business , the W . M ., on behalf of the loige , presented Bros . E . V . Greatbatch and W . Tunnicliff with tivo Past Masters' jewels . The presentation was a recognition of the services rendered by Bros . Greatbatch and Tunnicliff in connection with the recent searching inquiry that has taken place as to the Masonic Boys' School , in which both these brethren took a very active part .

The jewels are of solid gold . On the ribbon is an Etruscan vase in gold , on the shoulder is a broad band , on which is inscribed "Menturia , No . 41 S , " the terminals of cover and foot being formed of the acanthus leaf . On the obverse side of the jewel in a suitable inscription , viz .: "Presented to Wor . Bro . W . Tunnicliff , I . P . M ., as a mark of esteem , and in recognition of valuable services rendered to the Craft in promoting and assisting in an

inquiry into the Management of the Royal Masonic School for Boys , by the brethren of Menturia Lodge , No . 411 . June , 1889 . " The other jewel is the same , with Bro . Gieatbatch ' s name and rank in the Craft , viz .: " Presented to Wor . Bro . E . V . Greatbatch , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of Works , & c , & c . " Bro . H . WINDLE , W . M ., made the presentation , and addressing the brethren present said they all knew the deep interest Bros . Greatbatch and Tunnicliff took in the

various Masonic Charities . Some four years ago Bro . Greatbatch attended an election in London in the interest ot a boy whom he wished to get elected into the Institution , and then saw what he considered an improper expenditure of the funds of the Charity . This caused him to examine the accounts , and from that time he has never ceased to urge the necessitv for reformation in the

management . When the recent Committee of Inquiry was pro-P ° sed Bro . Greatbatch was instrumental in getting one half ot the members thereof selected from provincial brethren , and when the enquiry took place Bros . Tunnicliff and Greatbatch not only gave evidence themselves , but they secured the attendance of many other witnesses from various parts of the country . Thev had devoted a conin

1 tut ? amount ° f '' me an < ^ labour the investigation , ™ 'th the result that it was proved that the Institution was jnanaged , or rather mismanaged , in the most gross way ; " 'act , the revelations were a scandal . However , it was thR th r " this would be altered > and that in the future full ys > School would be conducted properly and successha and ' ^ suc ^ ^ case l ^ Menturia Lodge would , „ , ecause f ° congratulation on the action of their two « alou brethren . sim ? " BR ° MLEY , Past Prov . Senior Grand Warden , anrt ^ ented the remarks of the Worshipful Master , lod a said he felt proud that they had two brethren in the co / 6 Were P osse 5 Sed of such indomitable pluck and _» . !? S as Bros . Tunnicliff and Greatbatch evinced in the

Theu " Inc l u , ry with regard to the Boys' School , thrp W c entitled to the gratitude , not only of the brecountr Menturia Lodge , hut all the brethren in the a | r ? s " CRAPPER , ROBINSON , and several visiting brethren Seruir tbe ' testimony to the excellent and beneficial The "ndered by Bros . Greatbatch and Tunnicliff . acW f , were then fastened on the two brethren , who knowIe dged the handsome gifts .

Masonic Presentation At Hanley.

Bro . TUNNICLIFF said the distinction of fir = t attacking the gross mismanagement of the Boys' School belonged to Bro . Greaibatch . A sum of £ 14 , 000 a year was being expended in educating about 250 boys , and thev also found that that money was not being made the best of . They had devo'ed a great amount of time and labour to the investigation , and they had the satisfaction that those

labours had been successful in bringing about a different state of things in the future . Bro . GREATBATCH also suitably returned thanks , and in doing so gave some interesting deails with regard to the Inquiry . He said their only object had been the welfare of the ' lnstitution , and to see that the large sums of money contributed annually by the brethren should be devoted for the Duroose for which thev weie intended . He thought one

result of the Inquiry would be that in future they would be able to educate and provide for three boys , where they had only been able to educate two in the past . What they had done had been for the good of that best of all Masonic virtues—Charity . At the banquet , after the usual loyal and Masonic toasts and "The Health of the W . M . "had been duly honoured , "The Healths of Bros . Greatbatch and Tunnicliff" were heartily drunk .

Recovery Of A Missing Masonic Charter In Keith.

RECOVERY OF A MISSING MASONIC CHARTER IN KEITH .

Ever since the dissolution of St . James ' s Lodge , No . 713 , at Keith , nearly 50 years ago , the charter and books of the lodge have been missing . No trace of them could be found until recently , when the charter turned up rather unexpectedly . It has been for many years in the possession of

an old and respected resident , who had forgotten all about having the missing document in his possession , until it came to light when he was looking over some other things . It was generally believed that the brother who acted as the last Secretary to the lodge , Bro . D . Cameron , schoolmaster , Newmill , had taken the books and other documents along with him when he emigrated to America at the time of the

dissolution of the lodge . But the discovery of the charter in so unexpected a way has given rise to the hope that the books too may some day turn up and find a sale and honoured resting place in the Keith Museum . The St . James's Lodge was again resuscitated about four years ago , and we are glad to learn that some of the regalia belonging to the

original lodge has been handed over to it by the descendants of the members of the old lodge . These , like the original charter , are in a fine state of preservation . The charter is written on finely-dressed sheepskin , and is a fine specimen of the beautiful and careful penmanship of the period in which it was written .

Presentation Of A Portrait.

PRESENTATION OF A PORTRAIT .

A half-length portrait in oil of the late Bro . John Rowe Brewer , P . M . 70 , was on Tuesday , the 4 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , presented to that lodge by Mr . Julian Cedric Brewer , son of the deceased . Bro . J . H . Brewer , who died in the last decade at the ripe age of Si years , was for 55 years an active Mason in the Province of Devon , during that period a leading literary spirit of

the Order in that province , and for over a quarter of a century the highly-esteemed Secretary of Lodge St . John . In his youth he received a liberal education , was an excellent Latin and Greek scholar , and throughout his life was a facile writer . He began lite on the staff of the Plymouth Herald , the then leading paper of the town , and was for a long series of years connected with that paper . He

subsequently was a member of the firm of Hearder and Brewer , for several years one of the leading printers and stationers' firms in Plymouth . Early in life he joined the Masonic Order , and bore a high character among his brethren . Bro . J . B . GOVER , P . P . G . Sec ., _ deputed to make the presentation , did so in a long review of the histories of

lodges with which Bro . Brewer had been connected , and of the many meritorious services which he had rendered them and the Order generally . Bros . J . DU-PKE , 870 , P . P . G . D . C . ; S . J , 10 5 , P . P . G . T . j li . AITKEN-DAVIES , 1099 , P . P . G . S . of W . j and other brethren bore testimony to the high esteem in which Bro . Brewer was held . Bro . DAVIES also read from the lodge minutes the

honourable character recorded of Bro . Brewer . Thanks were voted to Mr . Julian Brewer for the handsome gift . It was suggested that Bro . Cover ' s review should be printed , and Bro . W . F . Westcott's offer to print it , and present copies to members , was ' very thankfully accepted . The portrait was pronounced to bean excellent likeness . It was handsomel y framed , and was hung in a very prominent position in the lodge room .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT CHAPTER ( No . 1524 ) . —A convocation of this chapter was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on Wednesday , the 12 th instant . The following members were present : Comps . F . Clark , H . j A . J . Berry , J . j Neville Green , P . Z ., S . E . j J . H . Hoit , S . N . j W . Simpson , P . S . j W . H . Lee , P . Z ., P . G . S . E . Middx ., Treas . ; C . Stein , 2 nd A . S . j J . L . Payne , P . Z . j A . Clark , P . Z . ; W . Holder , W . Tomson , Andrew

Stein , C . W . Rex , J . R . Morford , and W . W . Lee . Visitors : Comps . H . Hooper , J . 1326 j C . Patrick , M . E . Z . 1623 ; D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas . j H . J . Wilks , M . E . Z . 1269 j J . R . Cama , and M . Christian , P . Z . 860 . The chapter was opened , and the minutes confirmed , after which the following companions werj installed into their respective chairs by Comp . W . H . Lee , P . Z .: Comps .

Thomas Clark , M . E . Z . j A . J . Berry , H . j and J . H . Hoit , J . The officers for the year were invested as follows Comps , Neville Green , P . Z ., S . E . j J . Rich , S . N . j W . Simpson , P . S . ; C . Stein , ist A . S . j A . Stein , 2 nd A . S . j W . H . Lee , P . Z ., Treas . j and J . Marsh , Janitor . Bros .

J . R . Morford and C . W . Rex , having been unanimously elected by ballot , were impressively exalted into Royal Arch Masonry . The Audit Committee ' s report , showing a substantial balance , was adopted , and the chapter closed . The companions adjourned to an excellent repast .

Royal Arch.

admirably served under the superintendence of Bro . Clemow , at the conclusion of which the usual toasts received due notice . Comp . W . H . Lee , P . Z ., Slid that in the absence of the I . P . Z . it became his duty to propose " the Health of Comp . Tho =. Clark , " who had b'en installed in'o the chair of M . E . Z This duty afforderi him a great amount

of pleasure , having known the M . E . Z . for many years as a hard working and zealous Mason , and as one of those who performed well whatever he took in hand . Having undertaken the duties of M . E . Z ., C ^ mp . Thos . Clark would carry them out with advantage to the chapter and credit to himself , and from what he had done in the past , the companions were fully convinced he would perform the

ceremonies with great ability . He ( Comp . Lee ; had never heard the ceremony of exaltation rendered by an M . E . Z . for the first time in such an able or impiessive manner , and Comp . Thos . Clark was to be congratulated on the success with which he performed that ceremony , especially as it was but a few weeks since he knew there would be candidates for exaltation that evening .

Comp . Thos . Clark , M . E . Z ., in reply , said Comp . Lee , with his usual kindliness of heart and brotherly love , had been pleased to place the toast before them in a very kind manner , and the companions had cordially received it . He was afraid the companions would consider that much less praise would have answered the purpose . Having passed the chair in three other Degrees , he had been

anxious to acquit himself with some degree of credit , but the P . Z . ' s would know the difficulty he had been under when he told them he was obliged to leave London , and be away from chapters of instruction . They would understand the difficulty he had laboured under when he said that he had never had an opportunity of going through the ceremony before any co-npanions , having only

rehearsed it privately . He trusted that at the end of his year the companions would say he had done his best , and he begged to thank them for having received his health so cordially . "The Exaltees" was given and duly responded to , after which " The Visitors " was given in cordial terms by the M . E . Z .

Comp . Christian , P . Z ., replied , and having returned thanks for the reception accorded the visitors , snid they were extremely grateful for the manner in which they had been received . Wuh regard to the working , he had been in many chapters , but had never seen better . Comp . W . H . Lee , P . Z ., Treasurer , in response to the toast of "The P . Z . 's , " said he had the pleasure of being not

only the father of the chapter but also the father the lodge . In January , 1875 , he was installed as the first W . M . of the lodge , and some few years ago he was installed as the first M . E . Z . of the chapter by the late Comp . Hervey . They could therefore suppose that he took great interest in the position the chapter occupied at the present time . It was to him , as Treasurer , a great pleasure to be

able to show a favourable balance sheet . He hoped the companions were satisfied , and as long as confidence was reposed in him , and as long as he lived , he would do his best for the chapter . Comps . Payne , P . Z ., and A . Clark also replied . In giving"The H . and J ., " the M . E . Z . said he had been fortunate in having the assistance of Comp .

Berry , as H ., and Comp . Hoit , as J ., and they had seen that the selection of those companions had been justified . As P . M . ' s of their respective lodges , the H . and J . were fully prepared to carry out the duties devolving upon them in the chapter . He felt sure that the ceremony as given by them had given entire satisfaction to all present , and he was also sure he should have their cordial co-operation

in any future ceremonies . Comp . A . J . Berry , H ., said he felt that his portion of the ceremony was not quite equal to his notions of excellence , but it was only something like three weeks ago that he was told he should have to perform those duties that night . He did his best to prepare himself for the position , and if he had carried them out to their satisfaction , if not

to his own , he was gratified . He hoped they would have another opportunity of exercising their knowledge of the work . Comp . J . H . Hoit , J ., thanked the M . E . Z . sincerely for the kind manner in which he had proposed his health . He felt very much as if he had gone to sleep and woke up an important personage , and he was not aware of having done

anything to call forth such eulogiums . He did not think he should have a poition of the ceremony to perform , but was pleased that the little he had done had met with their approbation , and he should endeavour to do better for the future . Comp . Simpson , P . S ., replying to the toast of "The Officers , " said that , having been re-elected , he would do

his best in the future , as in the past , lo give satisfaction . Comp . C . Stein , 1 st A . S ., also replied , and the Janitor ' s toast closed a very pleasant and enjoyable meeting . The musical arrangements were ably carried out under the direction of Comp . Adolphus Clark , P . Z ., assisted by Comps . Payne , Simpson , Tomson , and Patrick .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

ANDREW CHAPTER ( No . 834 ) . —A meeting was held ofl Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., at the YVindsor Castle Hotel , King * street , Hammersmith . Present ; Comps . J . Davies , as M . E . Z . j ( ames Sims , H . ; H . Punaie , J . ; D . Stroud , P . S . ; P . Craggs , S . E . ; E . Austin , S . N . ; H . D Asett , and H . P . Gilbert , The chapter was opened , and the ceremony rehearsed in a commendable manner by all the officers . Comps . Gilbert and Austin were elected joining members , and the chapter was closed .

HORNSEY CHAPTER ( No . 890 ) . —A convocation was held on Friday , the 14 th inst ., at the Porchester Hotel , Leinster-place , Cleveland-square , Paddington , W . Present : Comps . J . Davies , S . N . 733 , M . E . Z . ; W . C . Williams , H . 733 , H . ; M . Spiegel , 834 , J . ; H . Dehane , P . Z . 890 , S . E . ; VV . H . Chalfont , S . N . 975 , S . N . ; *} . Cruttenden , 779 , P . S . ; G . March , J . 733 ; and J . Smith , P . S .

890 . The chapter was declared open , and the minutes of lhe last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . March being candidate . The M . E . Z . rose the usual number of times . The officers were elected for the ensuing fortnight— Comp . J . Davies as M . E . Z . After " Hearty cood wishes , " thc chapter was closed .

The Queen has given instructions that the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert shall proceed to Antwerp or Flushing in order to embark the Shah of Persia on his visit to this country , the captain having received orders to beat whichever of ihe poits his Majesty may select ,