Royal Benevolent Institution.

nearly fifty per cent , more than the largest of the tviemiial subscriptions— £ 2 , 100 against 1 , 550 . Ancl here let ns add that , Hampshire , Somersetshire , ancl one or tAvo other provinces , upon this occasion nobly bore their parfc in the good Avork , ancl sent up lists of subscriptions , Avliioh SIIOAV that the provinces are not behindhand in their

support ofthe charities Avhen appealed to by such brethren as Bros . Gregory , Sherry , or Bridges , for their support . With Brethren such as these in each province—and Ave doubt not that they will be found if sought for—the Eoyal Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and their Widows , would soon become one of the most magnificent charities

in the world , and Ave should no longer see forty or fifty candidates applying for relief , Avhilst the claims of only one fourth or one third of that number could be met .

In 1857 there had been no festival since 1854 , and the funds were so IOAV that in May of that year the annual election of pensioners could not take p lace . In June , 1857 , a festival Avas held , and an impetus was given to the charity for want of which it ivas languishing ; and iu May , 1858 , eig hteen distressed brethren or their widows Avere admitted to the benefits ofthe institution . In January- , 1859 , Ave held

another festival , and in May next Ave shall be again enabled to admit something like the same number . We do not assert this to be Avholly owing to the festivals , for Grand Lodge has increased its subscriptions , but we assert it to be mainly so , as it is only hy the means of festivals such as these that the claims of any charity can be kept constantly

before the Graft or the public . A feAV years since there Avas an outcry against public dinners , and the Boyal Society of St . Patrick , the Governesses' Institution , and others , endeavoured by " special appeals" and other means to dispense

with them . They did so ; their subscri ptions fell off , ancl they were obliged—to preserve the institutions from annihilation—once more to resort to the often abused but universally successful public dinners , and are HOAV again running a prosperous career . We cannot conclude this notice without giving our meed of praise to Bro . Wyndham Portal , Junior Grand Warden , for the maimer in

AA'hich he presided over the brethren—a duty he had already ( durino- his year of office ) performed for the Girls School—wishing Avith him that looking at the success Avhich has attended tliis festival , Ave may in future be allowed to hold them annually , and thereby put the charity on the same footing as the Boys ancl Girls Schools . Great credit is also clue to the Stewards , not only for the successful issue to which they have brought the festival , but for their firmness in doing away with the singing in the glee room at a period of tho evening when nobody cared to listen to it .