Analysis Of The Returns.

£ 105 , whi'e Bros . Cole and W . Metcalfe's lists for the James Terry Lodge , No . 2237 , amounted to £ 115 ios . As regards KENT , only four cut of its 62 lodges and one chapter are entered in the Returns , the amount they succeded in raising amongst them being £ 212 3 s . Last year

the total of the Returns was below the average and amounted only to £ 79 8 19 s ., of which this Institution obtained £ 10 4 0 . * ., the Girls' School £ 196 7 s . 6 J ., and the Boys' School £ 438 8- * . Od . In 1 S 95 , the total was not far short of thrice as great , the R . M . Benevolent Institution receiving £ 253 us . Od ., the Girls' School £ 240 9 ° ., and the Boys' School , including £ 1260 in respect of the Eastes

Perpetual Presentation , £ 1890 9 s . —total . £ 2390 9 s . Od . In 1894 , the sum of £ 1225 10 s . 6 d . was raised ; in 1893 £ 2103 12 s . 6 d . ; in 1892 , £ 3003 13 s . 6 d . ; and in 1891 , when Earl Amherst , P . G . M ., presided at the Festival of this Institution , £ 4018 5 s . These are large Returns , and we hope to see the Province acquitting itself more in accordance with its greater achievements at the School Festivals yet to be held .

There is a goodly array of Stewards from the Province of LANCASHIRE ( EASTERN DIVISION ) . ten cf its 111 lodges being represented by 14 Stewards , who , with three brethren Unattached , are credited with a total of £ 43 2 16 s ., the Shakespere Lodge , No . 1009 , Manchester , which had as many as four brethren representing it , being responsible for £ 93 17 s ., and Friendship , N 0 .-44 , P Bro . Coombs , for £ 73 ios . Last year the total subscribed was £ 912 os ., composed of £ 369 12 s . to this

Institution ; £ 338 2 s . to the Girls' Schools ; and £ 204 15 s . to the Boys' School . In 1895 , the Province made a grand effort in behalf of its Educational and Benevolent Institution , and at the Festival held in Manchester , on the ist July , the sum of nearly £ 4500 was raised , the sums distributed among the three Central Charities being only £ 265 13 s . However , Wednesday ' s Festival in aid of the Old People is the fourth at which a fairly large amount has been raised , and we trust it may be in our power to announce that the Schools have fared at the very least as well as they did in 18 9 6 .

LANCASHIRE ( WESTERN DIVISION ) , though mustering 115 lodges , shows to far less advantage than its eastern neighbour , there being Stewards from but four lodges , and they , with an Unattached brother , contributed amongst them £ 42 . In 1896 the total was £ 530 13 s . 6 d ., of which the Boys' School was fortunate enough to receive £ 448 5 s ., the rest being shared between the Benevolent and Girls' Institutions . In 1895 it amounted t 0 £ S 6 ! 5 S- 6 d ., and in 1894 to £ 2768 2 s . 6 d ., of which

£ 2500 was subscribed to the Girls' School in support of the Chairmanship of Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Prov . G . M . In 1892 the Returns , including what was raised for the J ubilee of the R . M . B . I ., reached £ 1679 14 * . 6 d ., while in 1891 , when the Prov . G . M . occupied thechair atthe memorable Boys' School Festival at Brighton , the Province put its shoulder to the wheel in earnest , and compiled £ 6126 14 s . 6 d . for that Institution alone , the total for the whole year being £ 6341 195 . 6 d . It would be unreasonable to expect anything considerable from

LINCOLNSHIRE after the splendid support it gave Bro . the Earl of Yarborough , Prov . G . Master , when he presided at the Girls' School Festival in May , 1896 , and the sum it raised was £ 1500 . Still it is satisfactory to find a Steward hailing from one of its 24 lodgis included in the lists as returning , what appears to be , a personxl donation of £ 10 ios , It is just possible that we may hear further from this county , but even if this should not be the case , the absence will bi justifiable . It has done

well from time to time in former years , as in 1888 , when it subscribed £ 202 2 s . Od . tothe Girls' School Centenary ; in 1891 , when it figured at the Boys'School Festival at Brighton for £ 418 its . 2 d . j and at the Benevolent Jubilee in 1892 , when it raised £ 66 * 0 5 s . These contributions , though they have been exceeded by that of last year , are worthy of being kept in mind as showing that , of late years , Lincolnshire has not been unmindful of the claims of the Central Charities upon its assistance .

Notwithstanding the great exertions which MIDDLESEX put forth last year in order to render the Chairmanship oi its Prov . G , Master—Bro , Lord George Hamilton , M . P . —a brilliant success , it was represented at both the School Festivals , in May and June , 18 9 6 , respectively , while on Wednesday , seven of Ihe 42 lodges on its roll sent up 10 Stewards , wh *) amongst

them had the satisfaction of compiling a total of £ 345 14 s . 6 d ., the Elliot Lodge , No . 1567 , Feltham , * of which Bro . John Mason , the collector of the Benevolent Institution , is a very prominent member , being , as usual , greatly in evidence , and subscribing by its four Stewards , Bros . "Dillon , John Mason , VV . H . Mason , and Mrs , John Mason , the sum of £ 142 14 s . 6 d . Last year , as we have said , it raised the magnificent sum of £ 3705 15 s . 6 J . in behalf of Bro . Lord

George Hamilton s Chairmanship at the Benevolent Festival , £ 7 6 17 s . for the Girls'School , and £ 185 3 s . to the Boys' School ; the total for the year being £ 3907 15- - . 6 d . In 1895 , only £ 493 8 s . was raised for the Charities , but the i-mallntss of the sum is explained by the Let that the Province was husbanding its strength for the Old People in February , 1896 . In 1894 , the total was £ 1043 17 s . 6 J . ; in 1893 , £ 630 18 s . ; and in 1892 , £ 1619 155 . 6 i . , including £ 1315 gs . to the Benevolent Jubilee .

One of the 15 lodges in NORTHANTS AND HUNTS , the St . Peter ' s , Peterborough , is entered as the contributor , per Bro . H . Carman , of £ 10 ios . ; but in addition we have the Earl of Euston , Prov . G . Masier , contributing £ 26 5 * -., and Bro . T . Phipps Dorman , £ 105 , so that the

Piovince givts jalttgethir £ 141 15 s , This is a capital beginning , and we trust the results ot the remaining Festivals may prove equilly satisfactory , so far as Northants and Hunts is concerned . Last year it gave in all £ 183 15 s . ; in 1895 £ 105 ; in 18 94 £ 328 7 s . ; and in 1893 , when Lord )* u *> ton took the chair at the Girls'School Festival , £ 110 7 12 s ., of which "Our Girls" were benefited to the extent ol £ 1050 .

Two years ago NORTHUMBERLAND made a splendid effort in support of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls and at its Fcsiival in May , 1895 , Bro . Richard Holmes , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M ., had the pleasure of compiling a Return of £ 2315 5 s ., or m jre than one-fourth part of the total subseribtd by 1 lie represented Provinces on that occasion . A few weeks later it contributed £ 186 iSs . 10 the Boys' School Festival , so that the total for the

year was £ 2502 3 s * . lis highest effort previous to this was in 18 91 when it raised £ 1364 4 s ,. including the price of a Perpetual Presentation for the Boys' School . But since 18 95 the Province has very wisely takan a rest and its sole contribution last year was one of 50 guineas to the Girls' School . O . i Wednesday , one of its 28 lodges—St . Dd \ iu ' s , No . 393 , Berwick—returned per Bro . H , R . Small , £ 36 15 s .

Analysis Of The Returns.

An Unattached Steward in the person of Bro . J . H . Bradwalldid duty for the Province of NOTTINGHAMSHIRE , and exceedingly well he did do it too , the list he handed in amounting to £ 7 8 9 s . Last vear it did better than in any previous year within our recollection ,

contribut-< e £ 232 4 s to the Girls' School , and £ 10 3 25 . to the Boys' School , or , together , £ 395 6 s . In 18 95 , the totil was £ 274 us . OL , this Institution being benefited to the extent of £ 107 12 s . 6 d ., and the Boys' School with £ 166 19 ' . In 1834 , it was an abs » ntee from all three Festivals , but in 1893 it subscribed £ 131 5-1 . to the Girls' Institution , and in 1892 , £ 37 16 ; . 6 * d . to the same SJIUDI , and £ 20395 . to " Our Boys . "

As many as nine out of the 12 lodges on the roll of OXFORDSHIRE will be found included in the returns of Wednesday , and though the lists are on a moderate seal e , the total amounts to £ 235 ns . rjd . This is , undoubtedly , an excellent performance for a Province which is by no means overburdened with members , but which , nevertheless , makes a point of being represented at all three

gatherings and on particular occasions to very good purpose . Thus in 18 92 it raised £ 661 19 s . 6 d , of which £ 428 7 s . fell to the share ot tYn Institution at its Jubilee Festival , while the remainder was apportioned between the Schools . In 1893 , the total was £ 440 6 s . 6 d . ; in 18 94 , £ 312 is . ; and in 18 95 £ 382 18 s . 6 i ., while last year it amounted to £ 351 8 s . 6 d . From these figures it will be seen that Oxfordshire is very consistent in its support of all our Charities . None of the 12 lodges in

SHROPSHIRE took part in Wednesday ' s celebration , but the Province was represented by its Prov . G . M . ( Bro . Sir Offiey Wakeman , Bart . ) and his Deputy ( Bro . R . G . Venables , P . A . G . D . C ) , who between them subscribed £ 31 io * . fn 1896 Shropshire distributed £ 263 ns . among the three Institutions , the Old People receiving the Girls

£ 84 , ' School £ 63 , and the Boys' School £ 116 lis . In 1 S 95 no less than £ . 391 Ms- was subscribed , this Institution obtaining £ 136 ios ., the Girls' School £ 63 , and the Boys' School £ 192 3 s . In 18 94 and 1893 the Province was content with smaller contributions , and for by no means insufficient reasons , seeing that in 1892 the total , including £ 456 is . to the Jubilee of this Institution , reached £ 615 16 s . 6 d ., while in 1891 it stood at £ 455 gs . 6 d .

One of the 32 lodges in STAFFORDSHIRE —the Tudor , No . 1792 , Harborne—contributed , per Bro . M . Barker , the excellent list of £ 115 ios . Last year the total sum raised was £ 604 us ., of which this Institution received £ 10 ios , the Girls' School £ 152 5 s ., and the Boys' School £ 441 16 s . In 18 95 , the amount was £ 692 13 s . Od . ; in 18 94 , only £ 428 8 s . ; and in 1893 , £ 424 7 s . 6 d . ; but in 1893 and 18 91 , £ 7 62 2 s . and £ 7 61 15 s . 66 . respectively .

Passing from west to east , we find ourselves in SUFFOLK , which sent up five Stewards representing five of its 22 lodges . The total contributed by these brethren was £ 162 3 s ., the principal list being that of Bro . A . Gibb , of British Union Lodge , No . 114 , for £ 50 . This Province has been very uniform , as well as very liberal , in its donations to our Charities . To go no further back

than 1892 , the total it raised in that year was £ 1419 4 . S ., of which £ 1291 141 . was in respect of the Jubilee of this Institution . In 1 893 , the amount was materially on a smaller scale , but yet considerable— £ 533 gs . 6 d ., while in 1894 , there was a re-action , and the higher total of £ 809 5 * . was reached . In 1895 , the Province went still further , andsubscribel £ 851 13 * . 6 i ., of which this Institution had the

good fortune to receive £ 655 17 s . After two such productive years , it is not surprising that the tendency should be in the opposite , or downwtrd , direction , and that the total was £ 647 is ., of which the Old People received £ 157 15 s . ; the Girls' School , £ 100 i 6 i . ; and the Boys' School , £ 388 ios . It is well-known that

SURREY ranks amongst the most loyal supporters of our Institutions . Its contributions are regular and every now and then when a Festival has something special about its character , or there is need for a heavier contribution than usual , we miy be sure that Surrey will play its part worthily . In 18 92 ,, it raised in all £ 2817 19 s . 6 L , of which £ 2148 gs . 6 d . fell to the share of this Institution at its Jubilee celebration . In 1 893 , only £ 913 3 * 1 . 6 * d . was raised but then there was

nothing ofa special character to justify a special effort . In 1894 , however , the late Bro . Col . Money , C . B ., Prjv . G . Master , presided at the Old People ' s Festival , and the year produced donations and subscriptions amounting to ^^ 73 43- 6 d ., of which £ 1399 2 s . was in support of his Chairmanship . In 18 95 , the total amounted to £ 1043 is ., and last year , to £ 1068 4 s ., the Benevolent receiving as its share of the latter amount £ 292 2 s ., the Girls' School , £ 375 , and the Boys' School , £ 401 12 s . On Wednesday the total was £ 335 2 s ., ot which £ 101 16 .-. Od . was raised by Comp . F . Flood , Dorking Chapter , No . 1149 ,

We now come to the Province of ? SUSSEX , of which his Royal Highness the Dake of Connaught , who presided on this occa sion , is the Grand Master . This is always to be found among the leading supporters of our Charities . Thus last year it raised in all £ 1052 , this Institution being the recipient of £ 348 19 6 d ., the G ' irls' School of £ 258 7 s . 6 d ., and the Boys '

School of £ 444 3 s . During the thne preceding years its totals were very level , that of 18 95 being £ 1254 g <* . 6 d . and that of 18 94 £ 1277 ios ., while in 18 93 it reached £ 1234 16 s . In 1892 , it subscribed £ 2227 4 s ., of which £ 1155 6 u was on behalf ot the Benevolent Jubilee and £ 1026 5 s . in respect oi the Girls' School , at the Festival of which the Duke of Connaught presided . In 18 91 , it contributed £ 291 6 s . to tht Old People , £ 323 18 s . 6 d . to the Girls' School , and £ 73 1 17 s . 6 d .

to the Boys' School . These figures represent a long array of liberal donations and subscriptions , such as even a stronger Province might with reason be proud of , and fully justify the congratulations it has been our privilege to offer on so many tccasions . On Wednesday the number of brethren who gave their services as Stewards was 40 , of whom all but six were representatives of a lodge or

chapter . The sum raised by those brethren , including his Royal Highness the Chairman ' s personal donation , amounted to £ 1227 7 s . 61 ., the principal lists being those of Bro . John M . Reed , Prov . G . Treasurer , representing the Province for £ 115 10 s ., and Bro . V . P . Freeman , Prov . G . Secretary , Steward for the Royal Brunswick Lofge , No . 732 , for £ 105 .

WARWICKSHIRE made a very fair appearance , five out of its 31 ljdges being represented by a *) many as 15 Stewards and together ontributing the sum of £ 231 . The Athal Lolge , No . 74 , Birmingham , sent up nine brethren and a lady , who jointly compiled a list of £ 115 ios ., while the Holte Lodge , No . 1246 , Aston , with two