Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
The Chamberlain . The Controller . Aides-de-Camps . Pages . A Past Master . - A Past Master . A Marshal . Chaplain to Lodge 50 . A Marshal . Then the Stewards closed , walking two and two . In this order they entered the Throne Room , where his Excellency ancl his amiable Countess were received with demonstration of warmth and respect . His
every Excellency took his seat on the right of the Master , the Countess on the left ; both seats were covered with crimson velvet cushions richly passamented in gold , and fringed with bullion . The band during all this time playing " God save the Queen . " Upon the stroke of the Master ' s maul , the national anthem ceased , ancl Hanlon ' s and Kelly ' s bands struck up the Masonic quadrilles , each tune recalling to the Mason ' s memory the mystic words to which the
air is wedded . Under the direction of Mr . AA ^ illiams and Bro . Barnette , Masters de ceremonie , three sets of quadrilles were formed , each of forty couple ; and extending the entire length of the Throne room , a still larger number formed in the upper room . At this period the scene presented was very gay and imposing , the rooms being filled with all the faeinations of female
elegance" Whose loveliness the fairy scene With fairest grace adorned , " and who were gracefully moving in the mazes of the lively dance . The radiant ' array of " white and blue plumage , the exquisitely wrought dresses of every tint and hue , which varied taste could suggest ; the sparkling of diamonds , ancl eyes still brighter , flashing from the countless beauties whose presence graced this gorgeous assemblce , combined with the various military uniforms , and the costly insignia of the Brethren , rich in
" The grandeur and filory of jeweled gold , ' tended to heigten the effect , and throw a pleasing variety over a scene ivhich looked like a fairy festival in an eastern romance . But it was not till the waltzing commenced , that the scene in the Throne room put on all its beauties ; four great circles were formed for this delightful dance , which like the quadrilles extended without intervening crowds , from end to end of the room ; the upper circle touching
the platform on which the Throne and State chairs were placed , so as to allow an uninterrupted view from the furthest end of the room to the Masters seat . Rig ht and left the mazy circles reached to the columns decorated with graceful festoons oi fragrant flowers , which gave out their rich perfume , ancl seemed to pour forth their delicious odours as tributary incense to the presiding genii of peace and love , from the columns to the
wall on either side , upon seats which rose tier over tier , reclined all of fashion and magnificence which Dublin can now boast of ; above their heads floated the proud banners of our ancient Order , most gorgeously emblazoned . The musicians who seemed excited by the scene , breathed forth the sweetest melody , whilst above all was poured forth a flood of light , so brilliant , and so soft , that beauty , by its beam , seemed to lose all trace of earth , and ( realizing the poet ' s dream ) to become divine . Through this atmosphere of melody and perfume , the graceful
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
The Chamberlain . The Controller . Aides-de-Camps . Pages . A Past Master . - A Past Master . A Marshal . Chaplain to Lodge 50 . A Marshal . Then the Stewards closed , walking two and two . In this order they entered the Throne Room , where his Excellency ancl his amiable Countess were received with demonstration of warmth and respect . His
every Excellency took his seat on the right of the Master , the Countess on the left ; both seats were covered with crimson velvet cushions richly passamented in gold , and fringed with bullion . The band during all this time playing " God save the Queen . " Upon the stroke of the Master ' s maul , the national anthem ceased , ancl Hanlon ' s and Kelly ' s bands struck up the Masonic quadrilles , each tune recalling to the Mason ' s memory the mystic words to which the
air is wedded . Under the direction of Mr . AA ^ illiams and Bro . Barnette , Masters de ceremonie , three sets of quadrilles were formed , each of forty couple ; and extending the entire length of the Throne room , a still larger number formed in the upper room . At this period the scene presented was very gay and imposing , the rooms being filled with all the faeinations of female
elegance" Whose loveliness the fairy scene With fairest grace adorned , " and who were gracefully moving in the mazes of the lively dance . The radiant ' array of " white and blue plumage , the exquisitely wrought dresses of every tint and hue , which varied taste could suggest ; the sparkling of diamonds , ancl eyes still brighter , flashing from the countless beauties whose presence graced this gorgeous assemblce , combined with the various military uniforms , and the costly insignia of the Brethren , rich in
" The grandeur and filory of jeweled gold , ' tended to heigten the effect , and throw a pleasing variety over a scene ivhich looked like a fairy festival in an eastern romance . But it was not till the waltzing commenced , that the scene in the Throne room put on all its beauties ; four great circles were formed for this delightful dance , which like the quadrilles extended without intervening crowds , from end to end of the room ; the upper circle touching
the platform on which the Throne and State chairs were placed , so as to allow an uninterrupted view from the furthest end of the room to the Masters seat . Rig ht and left the mazy circles reached to the columns decorated with graceful festoons oi fragrant flowers , which gave out their rich perfume , ancl seemed to pour forth their delicious odours as tributary incense to the presiding genii of peace and love , from the columns to the
wall on either side , upon seats which rose tier over tier , reclined all of fashion and magnificence which Dublin can now boast of ; above their heads floated the proud banners of our ancient Order , most gorgeously emblazoned . The musicians who seemed excited by the scene , breathed forth the sweetest melody , whilst above all was poured forth a flood of light , so brilliant , and so soft , that beauty , by its beam , seemed to lose all trace of earth , and ( realizing the poet ' s dream ) to become divine . Through this atmosphere of melody and perfume , the graceful