Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

about to propose to you , for there is but one toast which should pre-emioence where Englishmen are gathered together , but Brethren under any circumstances it has been our duty and our happiness to drink in the first p lace the health of Her Majesty the Queen , but it is a duty especially incumbent with us on this occasion , because we have not only to toast the Queen as the Sovereign of these realms , but as the Patroness of the Institution .

The toast was cordially responded to , followed by " God Save the Queen . " The Chairman next gave " Tho Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " and said the toast required more than usual honour , as that was the sixth anniversary of the wedding day of the Prince of AVales , a day auspicious because it bad made the Princess an Englishwoman amongst them , and , therefore , the toast demanded : i special honour . The toast was well received .

The Chairman said : Brethren , I am sure you will now unite with me in drinking the health of the "Most Worshipful the Grand Master , " and I am confident , brethren , that it needs no words of mine to induce you to receive that toast as it ought to bo received in any assembly of Freemasons , because I know well that , throughout the length aud breadth of the land , wherever

Masonry spreads her arms , or where it extends , we are anxious to acknowledge the eminent services of Lord Zetland . They are revered by the Craft , and are fully and justly appreciated for the quarter of a century he has presided over us . You all know with what earnestness he has devoted himself to the duties of the office which by your suffrages he fills ; and those who have

tho privilege of being closely connected with him in the administration of Masonic business , will agree with me that the Craft owes a deep debt of obligation to him for the ability and earnestness with which he has devoted himself to the important administration of his office . I therefore give the health of the M . W . the G . Master .

The toast was enthusiastically responded to . Bro . Augustus Smith , Prov . G . M . for Cornwall , in very glowing terms , proposed the " Health of the Deputy Grand Master ( Earl de Grey and Ripon ) , " which was cordially responded to .

Earl de Grey and Ripon , D . G-. M . in responding said—Brethren , I am deeply grateful to you for the manner in which you have so kindly received the toast that has been proposed in too flattering terms by my friend and brother on my left , ( Bro . A . Smith ) . I feel I only discharge one of the most important duties of the high office , which by the confidence of the

Grand Master , I have the honour to fill in the Craft . AA hen I consented to occupy the chair on this occasion , I felt it my duty to assist so far as lay in my power in promoting the interests of the Institution , and for which weave uhis evening assembled . I hold it to be one of the first duties of all who belong to tho Craft to labour , each in his repective degree , to

promote the interests and the usefulness of our Masonic Charities , and certainl y as Bro . Smith , the P . G . M . for Cornwall , has said , it does so happen that since I accepted tho task to fill the chair to-night , I have been called to fill another office , not in the Craft , but in the State , in -which there are greater interests to engage my attention , for in my official duties , as a Minister of

the Crown , I shall have to promote by all the means that I can , the great cause of public education , but I still tell you as a Freemason , it will also be my duty to promote the education of the children of our brethren who have not the means of providing for them that education themselves . I should have been wanttug in my duty , not only as a Grand Officer , but as a Mason

had I shrunk from undertaking any duty for the support of the magnificent Boys' School , that would be likely to conduce to the prosperity of that Institution . I thank you for the manner in which you have drank my health , and I need not tell you how much I am attached to the Craft , but such a reception as you have given me to-night will bind me if possible more closely in

affection to our ancient and noble Institutions . Tho Chairman next proposed " The Provincial Grand Masters and the Present and Past Grand Officers , " and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Murray , the Deputy Grand Master for China . Bro . Murray returned thanks , and alluded to the good that

Freemasonry did in the distant land of China ; for , on account of the kindly feelings which there prevailed amongst the brotherhood , the Order gained the esteem of the population there who were not Masons , and induced many to join them . Bro . Binckes , the Secretary , then said it was his duty to introduce to his lordship the three boys who were entitled to three

prizes to be distributed by the hand of the chairman at this Festival . He had the honour to introduce to his lordship one boy who had earned the silver medal given by tho Institution as a reward for general good conduct . The medal for 1868 was earned by a boy who had received commendations of the head master , and was sincerely regarded by all for the amiability oj

his disposition , and who had pursued an unvariable line of good conduct . The prize had been awarded to Adam Anderson James , who left the Institution last Christmas with the esteem and approval of all who had been connected with him in the Institution . The chairman said , I have great pleasure in presenting you with this medal , and I trust that you will act through life on the principles which have guided you at school .

His Lordship then placed the ribbons round his neck amidst loud applause . Bro . Binckes . said tho next prize was not one given by those by whom the boy was educated , and governed in . the Institution , but by those with whom lie mixed in his hours of relaxation . The prize was given by Bro . Edward Cox , to the boy who should

obtain it by the unbiassed votes of his schoolfellows , who gained their esteem , and was marked by those good qualities which made up the true Englishman . He presented Arthur Rumblow , who had received 58 votes out of 103 , given by his schoolfellows , tho rest of the votes being distributed amongst the other candidates .

The chairman then presented him with the prize , and being a small boy he was lifted on to the table to receive it amidst loud cheers . Bro . Binckes next presented Harry William AA iklmau , whom he stated had carried olf first class honours at the Oxford middle class examination iu June last , and had since submitted himself

to Cambridge middle class examination in December , where he was one of the two selected for first class honours . The chairman then presented him with the prize , and he was loudly cheored . The Chairman said , —Brethren , I now rise to ask you to drink the most important toast of the evening , " Success to the Royal

Masonic Institution for Boys . " Your presence here to-night is a proof of the interest yon feel in the success of this admirable institution , whose seventy-first anniversary we are met to celebrate to-day . For nearly three-quarters of a century this institution has been pursuing its career of usefulness . It is the means of educating no less than 103 boys , the children of those

amongst our brethren who are unfortunately themselves unable to provide for tho education of their children , and if the scheme of the managers is carried out , it will provide education for ten