the present
occasion a further donation of L1000. He begged, in conclusion, to
propose "Prosperity to the other Art Societies." The toast was responded
to by Mr. Clint, President of the Society of British Artists.
The Treasurer read a long list of subscriptions, amounting in all to
L12,308, including a hundred guineas from the Royal Chairman.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS.
_May 8th, 1871._
The annual festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls was held
at Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street, on the 8th of May, 1871, His
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales presiding. The whole assembly in the
hall was Masonic, the ladies being limited to the gallery of the Temple.
The Prince wore, besides his Royal and military Orders, the insignia of
a Past Grand Master of the English craft, and around him, in full
Masonic "clothing," according to their rank in the craft, were many
distinguished members.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in proposing "The Queen,"
said:--
"The first toast which I have to give is the health of the
patroness of our craft--Her Majesty the Queen, who has always
identified herself so far with our Freemasonry as to extend her
hand to all charities."
Sir Patrick Colquhoun, with the Grand Master's gavel, proposed the toast
of "The Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and the rest of the
Royal Family." He referred in feeling and touching terms to the loss
lately sustained by the Prince and Princess, the death of an infant son
on Good Friday, April 7, and he expressed the deep thankfulness of the
brotherhood that the Princess was recovering her health.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in responding for the
toast, which had been received with loud applause, thanked the
brethren, and said "it gave him the greatest pleasure to be
there, surrounded by the brethren of the craft to which he was
proud to belong. He assured them that it was a proud day indeed
to him when he became a Mason, and he should always do his
utmost to be a worthy brother among them. He expressed, too, on
the part of the Princess, his personal thanks to Sir Patrick for
his touching remarks, and his thanks to the brethren for their
sympathy. He was glad to announce that the Princess was restored
to her accustomed health, and in a short time would be among
them. It might be fitting then to announce that the Princess had
consen
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