Masonic Portraits (No. 29.) A Shining Light.

He is a Life Governor of all the Charities , to whose welfare he is devoted , and considers no portion of his valuable time better employed than that which he gives to aid in their growing prosperity . In addition to his labours in the cause of Masonic benevolence , he is an active friend of the local charities of the district in Avhich lie resides , and is a

prominent supporter ot the Society that has been established for the benefit of the employes of tho Gas Companies . In the outer world he is greatly respected , as a sincere and straightforward man ; and in the Craft his Avord is his bond , from Avhich he never SAverves . In social life he

is a cheerful companion , and dispenses a princely hospitality both at home and to the brethren . He is fond of music , possesses a fine voice , and can sing a good song in the style of an accomplished amateur . His Masonic reputation is not merely local , and his claims to consideration are of so

high a character that we should not be surprised to see him , ere long , arrayed in the purple of Grand Lodge . A life of high integrity ancl a Masonic career of singular brilliancy Avould thus receive its fitting reward . Many lesser men have been admitted within the charmed circle . FCAV more intelligent or more energetic have adorned it .

East, West And South.

EAST , WEST AND SOUTH .

BY A WANDERING FREEMASON . IX .

( T ) Y Jove ! what an extraordinary beast ! Why , his _ D stern ' s higher than his head , " said the Duke of Edinburgh , standing in the court-yard to inspect the choice of horses , Avhich I had collected b y borrowing from the principal residents , for the use of himself and suite at

Wednesday ' s revieAv . They Avere not , however , all thus peculiarly constructed , ancl he proceeded to mount and gallop each in turn round the inclosure , flourishing a sabre round their heads for the purpose of testing their respective tempers and aptitude .

The review Avas to commence at 4 p . m . On mounting the staircase at 2 . 30 , I perceived a figure in scarlet uniform sitting with crossed legs at a table in the ante-room . On approaching , it appeared to be stuffed , and was arranged in

a most natural attitude , Avith a cigar between the fingers of its distended glove . Champagne ancl cigars were on the table beside it . Glancing along the corridor , I saw that the Duke and a number of his officers Avere still seated in

the breakfast-room , so took a glass , lighted a cigar , ancl sat down at a Avindow behind the lay-figure , Avhence I could see into the street . Footsteps Avere soon heard , as more officers from the " Galatea" ascended the staircase . The foremost , Avho seemed someAvhat short-sighted , on planting

his foot in the corridor ( which was in full vieAv of the breakfast-room ) raised his hat and advanced towards the lay-figure Avith a low bow . Suddenly there pealed out screams of laughter , as the breakfast-part y headed by the Duke , came rushing tnmultuoiisly to the spot , surroundin . o-

the neAV comer and rallying him merrily on his havinoso readily fallen into the trap . There Avere the Horn Elliot Yorke , Lieutenant Haig , Lord Charles Beresford , with , if I remember aright , the Hon . A . G . Curzon and Lieutenant Ramsay . The victim of the joke Avas , I think , Commander Adams , and all seemed , in their sailors' hio-h

spirits , to enjoy it as much as schoolboys let out to play . The time Avas come for the review . Yorke ancl Haig both donned the scarlet ( other military men Avere also of the suite ) and the Duke appeared in the uniform of Colonel of a Volunteer Artillery Corps , his bearskin being regarded by the natives as the state head-dress of English rovalty .

The procession passed through dense ciwds , attracted to the scene . The troops revieAved consisted of some 3 , 500 infantry , cavalry and artillery , Avho Avere made to appear doubly numerous by the simple expedient of causing them , after passing the stand , to double round by a back road ,

pining in again behind the line , in time to be revieAved a second time . Too close a scrutiny Avas not made into this manoeuvre , nor into the flint-locks ancl other old-fashioned accoutrements of some of the native troops . On our way oack Ave distressed to find Hai

were g prancing amidst a crowd of admirers , he having had the misfortune to mount the " extraordinary beast , " which had stuck fast half-way , and refused to see the review at all . He joined in the return , however , and was persuaded to accompany the

East, West And South.

cortege of courtesy which escorted the Governor from the Duke ' s house to the palace . In tho evening , a ball Avas given by our countrymen , in the theatre , Avhich had been re-decorated and converted into a fine suite of saloons , Avith a delightfully cool

supperroom open to the river , to Avhich the opposite shore , Avith its winding TOAV of brilliantly illuminated houses , mado a fairy-like background . Few prettier spectacles can bo imagined . The rippling reflections cast on the broad surface of the water by long lines of architectural

illumination contrasted Avith the sky above , upon Avhich the stars and rising moon seemed natural continuations of tho display that man ' s artifice had begun . Tho ball Avas graced by a most gratify ing array of female beauty , and tho officers of the Galatea had no lack of partners . The

arrangements had been made regardless of expense , and the handful of British residents ( under fifty ) certainly distinguished themselves . I saAV M . Chevalier busy with his pencil , depicting the special features of the scene . The guests numbered about 1 , 500 , and the ladies Avere all

dressed in the costume peculiar to tho country , abounding in contrast and gorgeous variety of colour , called the Mestizo ,, or say a dress . When made of Piila ( a native fabric nearly resembling " Avoven wind " ) this costume is verv costly , and rivals that of the most outrageous Parisian

modiste . Though not to be compared with tho masses or diamonds which may be seen adorning fair wearers in some ball rooms of the West , there Avas , nevertheless , a good display of rich jewellery . It is still tho custom in that remote dependency for the accumulators of Avealth to

endeavour to invest it in the most concentrated and portable form , exclusive of the facilities of shares ancl banks , which they hold in the utmost suspicion . But the method at once of hoardinc ? and ostentation Avhich finds most

favour is , not the display of riches upon the person , but the establishment in their private oratories of images of the Virgin , Avhich they load Avith diamonds from head to foot , and which confer a certain prestige upon the possessors .

The native goldsmiths have a narrow but fine taste in gold work , chiefly displayed in the execution of Rosaries of ornamental gold beads and coral ; ear-rings , brooch and fino-et * rmo-s to match aro " the correct thins " for Manila

belles . On this occasion their attire Avas somewhat modified to suit European prejudices , but their usual clothing consists of : 1 st—Skirts fastened tightly round tho waist . 2 nd—A loose chemise or boddice of woven Avind " extending from neck to Avaist , loose at the base , and having

no attachment to the skirt : through this tho body is plainly visible as through a gauze veil , and the partner ' s arm in the dance can hardly fail to shift under this frail loose covering on to the skin itself . 3 rd—A kerchief of light material round the neck ancl covering tho shoulders . 4 th—A pair

of heelless slippers , Avhich the little toes grasp outside , to keep them on . The sleeves of the chemise descend to the elbow , opening gradually into a wide frill ; the slippers , Avhich in the mazes of dancing are continually getting lost and hunted for ( leaving tho wearer ' s foot bare on tho

floor ) are generally embroidered in gold . It may be imagined that this attire , even Avith civilised modifications , doet not set Avell on a European lady , whilst in the close boddice and stays of the latter the Philippine belle Avould look equally awkward and ungainly .

At 11 p . m . a fine display of fireworks Avas given on the river , visible from the balconies . Conspicuous Avas an enormous device , "Alfredo , " Avith a brilliant CI-OAVH , over the flags of England and Spain in saltire . One mishap occurred through some unintentional disregard of etiquette , Avhich resulted in the Lieutenant Governor and

Commanderin-Chief marching out indignantly from the supper-room . When the banquet Avas over , H . R . H . thanked his countrymen , and stated that his reception had not anywhere been surpassed in cordiality .

On the morning of Thursday , the Duke gave an official " tiffin ; " procession Avas formed to the landing place and the visitors took farewell of a city the gaiety and enthusiasm of which they certainly could not have imagined beforehand .

I spent a couple of hours on board the Galatea Avhere the Duke detained me for the purpose of shewing th precision of his crew ancl the instantaneous hoisting on board of tho steam-tenders , Acis and Polypheme ; after

repeated courteous handshaking and farewells , I retired , as said before , with a decided impression that the Captain of H . M . S . Galatea was " every inch a sailor , " of Avhom our Navy could be justly proud ,