Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
America waving entwined with ihe national flag of our mother country ; thereby plainly testifying , that the principles of Masonry knew no nation in particular , but are free and common to all the world . The walls of both halls were hung Avith the banners of the many and different Lodges of Nova Scotia , and various Masonic emblems , all tending to give a fine and striking effect to the tout ensemble . Over the orchestra was suspended the banner of the Provincial Grand Master , supported by the bannerols of the higher Degrees of the Order . Graceful and liht festoons of blue and white bunting were hung from tbe
g cornices , and the pillars were most tastefully wreathed with native evergreens , interspersed with flowers ; the whole showing that neither expense nor trouble had been spared to enhance the appearance of the halls , and render them fittingly gay and imposing for the joyous scene , got up for the most charitable purposes of the Brethren . At nine o ' clock , his Excellency the Lieut . Governor and suite were announced , and were ushered to their seats by the M . W . Hon . A . Keith , Prov . G . M ., and the Grand Lodge officers , through a double line of the Brethren . Immediately on the ProvG . M . arriving at the daisthe Brethrenunder the
, , , direction of Bro . C . AV . Dickson , S . G . W . saluted him with grand honours , the splendid band of the 72 nd Highlanders playing the Freemasons' March . Dancing afterwards hegan , and was kept up with the greatest spirit till an early hour of the following morn , quadrille , polka , valse , galop , reel , and country dance , following each other in quick succession . To attempt to describe the various characters in costume would occupy , I am sure , too much of your space . Suffice it to say , the dresses and ornaments , handsome and massive , of the different Degrees of the Masons were , in themselves , all beautiful costumes ; and among
them might be seen ladies of the olden time , looking with delight on the joyous scene of the present . Flower-girls and peasants of other climes , English squires , knights of Malta , the swarthy Indian , the dignified chief of the Snake tribe , the Spanish brigand , the Turk , the Portuguese muleteer , the sober Quaker , the sturdy Highlander , and the youthful jockey , carefully watched over by a "Mr . Pickwick , " and the Wandering Jew . The band of the 72 nd , kindly lent for the occasion by Bro . Col . Murray , occupied the temporary orchestra , while the spirit-stirring pipes of the same corps filled the one above the principal hall , and relieved the band b
y playing the reels . At twelve o ' clock supper was announced , and in a style calculated in every way to do credit to those whose province had been to attend to this laborious part of the night ' s work . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given by the Prov . G . M , and received with all the accustomed honours . Dancing was resumed after supper ; and with hearts regretting that the break of the morn was warning them to their homes , the large company dispersed from the enjoyable exercise , all highly delighted with their evening's entertainment , and all expressing themselves anxious for a repetition of this charming ball as soon as possible .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
America waving entwined with ihe national flag of our mother country ; thereby plainly testifying , that the principles of Masonry knew no nation in particular , but are free and common to all the world . The walls of both halls were hung Avith the banners of the many and different Lodges of Nova Scotia , and various Masonic emblems , all tending to give a fine and striking effect to the tout ensemble . Over the orchestra was suspended the banner of the Provincial Grand Master , supported by the bannerols of the higher Degrees of the Order . Graceful and liht festoons of blue and white bunting were hung from tbe
g cornices , and the pillars were most tastefully wreathed with native evergreens , interspersed with flowers ; the whole showing that neither expense nor trouble had been spared to enhance the appearance of the halls , and render them fittingly gay and imposing for the joyous scene , got up for the most charitable purposes of the Brethren . At nine o ' clock , his Excellency the Lieut . Governor and suite were announced , and were ushered to their seats by the M . W . Hon . A . Keith , Prov . G . M ., and the Grand Lodge officers , through a double line of the Brethren . Immediately on the ProvG . M . arriving at the daisthe Brethrenunder the
, , , direction of Bro . C . AV . Dickson , S . G . W . saluted him with grand honours , the splendid band of the 72 nd Highlanders playing the Freemasons' March . Dancing afterwards hegan , and was kept up with the greatest spirit till an early hour of the following morn , quadrille , polka , valse , galop , reel , and country dance , following each other in quick succession . To attempt to describe the various characters in costume would occupy , I am sure , too much of your space . Suffice it to say , the dresses and ornaments , handsome and massive , of the different Degrees of the Masons were , in themselves , all beautiful costumes ; and among
them might be seen ladies of the olden time , looking with delight on the joyous scene of the present . Flower-girls and peasants of other climes , English squires , knights of Malta , the swarthy Indian , the dignified chief of the Snake tribe , the Spanish brigand , the Turk , the Portuguese muleteer , the sober Quaker , the sturdy Highlander , and the youthful jockey , carefully watched over by a "Mr . Pickwick , " and the Wandering Jew . The band of the 72 nd , kindly lent for the occasion by Bro . Col . Murray , occupied the temporary orchestra , while the spirit-stirring pipes of the same corps filled the one above the principal hall , and relieved the band b
y playing the reels . At twelve o ' clock supper was announced , and in a style calculated in every way to do credit to those whose province had been to attend to this laborious part of the night ' s work . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given by the Prov . G . M , and received with all the accustomed honours . Dancing was resumed after supper ; and with hearts regretting that the break of the morn was warning them to their homes , the large company dispersed from the enjoyable exercise , all highly delighted with their evening's entertainment , and all expressing themselves anxious for a repetition of this charming ball as soon as possible .