Ireland.

IRELAND .

It affords us much pleasure to find that it is the intention of the brethren of Eden Lodge , No . 73 , to present their late Master , Bro . Isaac Banks , with a suitable testimonial , in consideration of the energy he has displayed in the cause of the Craft , and the Masonic manner in which he performed his duties during his term of office ; and as his beloved partner presented him with

a son during his term as Master , a part of this presentation will consist of a valuable silver cradle , as a token of respect for Mrs . Banks . This "is not the first mark of esteem from the Masonic body to Bro . Banks . Lodge 32 presented him in the year 1 S 67 witli an address and very

handsome jewel , thus paying a compliment to a worthy brother . It is a further proof of the good working of Lodge 73 , when we find them rewarding merit in a practical maimer . AA ' e wish Bro . Banks and his amiable wife many happy years , and the continued good will of the Craft .

The Grand Orient Of France.

THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE .

( To thc Editor of Thc Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I notice the communication of a Scottish Mark Master on the Mark Degree , in your publication of last week ( page 459 . ) , where he says that , " in France , the summit of tbe Grand Orient is the Rose-Croix Degree . " This is

a mistake I wish to correct by the following;—The French Freemasons have recognised that it is only necessary to have a single direction , or a single Masonic management , in each country or nation , for arriving at an universal centre . They consequently established in 1772 what is called " The Grand

Orient de France , " which recognise and manage several rites or systems , or Masonic manners , of working in all their respective degrees . This Grand Orient—composed of the Masters of every lodge in the country under its jurisdiction , or their deputiesis a kind of national Masonic Parliament , who

meet only one week every year to transact all business in general belonging to the brethren , and to choose the Grand Officers who are to form its two permanent committees , named , respectively , " The Grand Conseil del' Ordre , " for thc management of thc Society , and " The Grand Conseil de Rites , "

which has as its exclusive duty to examine the petitions in favour of the recognition , or adoption , or amalgamation of any other rite , or system , or Masonic manner of working yet unrecognised by the Grand Orient de France , and to make a report on these petitions to the " Conseil del' Ordre " for

thetr acceptation , according to the 194 th , 195 th , and 196 th articles of its General Statutes and By-Laws . The latter has also the exclusive right to initiate into the three last degrees of the A . A . Scottish Rite—viz ., the 31 ° , 32 , and 33 —as well as into all the equivalents of these high degrees in every

other rite , or system , or manner of working recognised by the Grand Orient dc Fiance . Apologising for my bad explanation , on account of me being a foreigner , I remain , yours fraternally , P . J . MARIN , M . M . London , 26 th Sept ., 1870 .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

AVARRINGTON-. —Chapter of Elias Ashmole , No . 14 S . —An emergency convocation of this chapter was held on Tuesday evening last , at the chapter-rooms . Present Comps . Robert Stevenson , Z . ; D . AV . Finney , II . ; John Bowes , P . Z ., J . ; AV . Mossop , S . E . ; AA ' . Richardson , P . S . ; AV . Sharp , AV . S . Hawkins , Rev . J . N . Porter , Henry Balshaw , James Parry , John Harding , James

Hannah , & c , & c . Thc chapter having been opened , the companions were admitted , and the minutes read . The ballot was then taken for Bros . Roberts and Harding , which proved unanimously in favour in both cases , and the latter brother , being present , was duly exalted by the M . E . Z ., assisted by Comp . Bowes . The mystic , symbolic , and historic lectures were given respectively by Comps . Bowes , Finney , and Stevenson . There being no further business , thc chapter was closed .

Masonic Ball In New Zealand

MASONIC BALL IN NEW ZEALAND

[ From the Marlborough Express . ] The festival of St . John the Baptist was duly celebrated by the members of the Masonic Lodge of Unanimity , No . 1236 , E . G ., meeting at Blenheim , who gave a ball in the evening as a compliment to their friends . Invitations were sent to all parts of thc province , although owing to the shortness of the time for preparation , thc bad weather ,

and other causes , many were obliged to decline the honour ; yet , notwithstanding all drawbacks , 119 persons were present , being the largest assembly of the kind ever held in the locality . The Provincial Hall , kindly lent for the purpose , was tastefully and appropriately decorated for the occasion by Mr . Norgrovc , and presented quite a

picture . Around the walls were "wreaths of chain work " m foliage and flowers , and below this , at intervals of a few yards , were symbols appertaining to tbe Ancient and Illustrious Craft , puzzling enough to the visitors , but very significant to their hosts . Below these again were tings of every imaginable kind , wreathed and festooned all round thc hall , At the head was a painting some eighteen feet

Masonic Ball In New Zealand

high , representing the Master ' s canopy in perspective , surmounted by the crest of Bro . the Prince of AVales ; in the centre was a large transparency , displaying the letter "G , " surrounded , by rays of light ; at foot , upon a chequered floor , was an altar , upon which was displayed the sacred law , with a square and compasses in a certain position ; the whole design being bordered with foliage .

At the opposite end , over the orchestra , was another large transparency displaying the Peiitalpha , or triple triangle , supported by other symbols familiar to the brethren of the mystic tic , all of which were of gold on a green field . Over the fireplace was a fine specimen of illuminated caligraphy , the work of Mr . P . Flannagan , in the form of a testimonial to P . M . Bro . Szklarck , gratefully

acknowledging his services in forming thc lodge . Adjoining the hall were ladies' and gentlemen ' s dressing rooms , card room , and refreshment rooms , the latter being supplied with everything the most refined taste could desire by Bro . Purkiss , who , with his numerous aides , was assiduous in attention to the guests , and gave universal satisfaction

by the quality of his viands . The . orchestra , where Bro . Haydn Flood , of AVellington , ( specially present for the occasion ) presided at the pianoforte , was everything which could be wished ; and , to sum up briefly , we have no hesitation in stating that all tlie arrangements were earned out in the most unexceptionable manner possible , and without the slightest contretemps of any kind .

The following is believed to be a correct list of the company present : —Mesdames Bagge , Bailey , Blick , Budge , Bursill , Carey , Carter , G . C , Dodson , H ., Earl ] , Empson , Eyes , Farmar , Gorrie , Griffiths , Hathaway , Henderson , G ., Hewitt , V ., Howard , Hull , Humfireys , Kissling , M'Lauchlan , M'Rae , Moffit , Midler , Norgrovc , Paul , Seymour , A . P ., AVandon , Warner , AVelford , and

AVemyss ; the Misses Atkinson , Budge , Budge , A ., Butt , Butt , S ., Carroll , Godfrey , Huddlestone , Johnston , Lane } ' , Litchfield , Macey , Midler , Norgrove , E . and K ., and Saxon ; Messrs . Alexander , Atkinson , Bagge , Barlcyman , Balfour , Bailey , A ., Beaumont , Blick , AV ., Budge , Master A . do ., Bushed , Carey , Carter , Campbell , Cohen , Compton , Connai , Dickens , Dodson , H ., Douslin , Earll , Eccles ,

Emerson , Lmpson , Eyes , I * . C . R ., Farmar , Gorrie , Griffiths , Hathaway , Henderson , G ., Hewitt , " V ., Hodson , Howland , Hull , Humffreys , Johnson , Kissling , Litchfield , Litchfield , AA' ., Macey , Macaulay , Masked , M'Lauchlan

M'Rae , P . R ., Monro , G ., Midler , Muir , Nelson , Norgrove , Nosworthy , \\ ., Paul , E ., Pitt , H ., Purkiss , C , Redwood , J ., Robinson , John T \ , Rogers , Seymour II ., Shannon , AVaddv , AVandon , Watson , AVelford , AA ' cmyss , J . 1 ! ., AVilliams , ' II . D ., AVilson , J . AA ' e feel no little difficulty in further treating upon thc siillinrf I .-nowinrr Inn \ vpll thnl wi > nro lw . n , lino- nn vr .,-,, .....-J ••¦•t ¦ " * £ ~

. , . . . | " •- .- ... _ -..., .. . ^ . j delicate ground , and at the same lime our total incompetency lo do it even a tithe of the justice it deserves . If , then , we fail to please all our friends , in thc attempt , we trust they will forgive us , since we have every wish and but lack the skill . For the gratification of our ladyreaders at a distance we have thought it advisable to give a faint idea of some of the costumes : —

I—White satin , trimmed with white tulle and silk fringe ; bcrthc of white tulle , fringed , blue flowers festooned on upper skirt ; sash of while satin with blue line down centre , carried from left shoulder to right side , and knotted behind ; coiffure , crimson rose and white feather .

2—AVhite moire antique , with panicr bow trimmed with lace and scarlet velvet , bodice trimmed with scarlet velvet and moss roses , skirt festooned trimmed with holly and moss roses ; coiffure , small white feather lipped with scarlet . 1—Pale roseate satin , white lace skirt with scarlet . 3—Pale roseate satinwhite lace skirt with

, flowers , lace bcrthc ; coiffure of roses . 4—Black brocaded silk , with rare and valuable deep point lace berthe ; jet ornaments , 5—Blue silk , tunic trimmed with white satin , festooned with white flowers , berthe of tulle , lace , and white flowers ; coiffure , white flowers . 6—White silk , with white tarlatan flounces , upper skirl edged with black

lace , looped at side with cerise velvet . 7—Green silk with white tulle tunic and white fringe ; coiffureofmyrtle . S—AVhite brocaded silk with flowers , white tulle overskirt , flounced and looped with blue flowers , blue silk sash , M . M . jewel on left breast ; coiffure , white roses and green leaves . 9—AA'hite glace silk , emblems wrought in blue silk ruche , black lace panicr , blue silk sash ; coiffure , blue

( lower with silver leaves . 10—White lustre with flounce of same , panicr of white tarlatan , blue sash ; coiffure , chaplet of white moss roses and green leaves . 11—Mauve silk , with black lace panier trimmed with scarlet velvet . 12—Pale green silk , white tuile berthe , white sash edged with scarlet ; coiffure , white feather . 13—Mauve moire antique , bcrlhe of black lace with panier , black silk sash .

14—Black , with silver stripe worked in ; coiffure , scarlet flower , with spray of velvet leaves falling over back of head . 15—Blue silk , with panier of same , trimmed with with while lace ; coiffure , scarlet velvet leaves , and satin ribbon . The ball was opened by AA ' . M . Kissling and the lady of his Honour thc Superintendent , who took their place at

the top of a quadrille ; 7 'is-a-vis to whom where S . L . Midler , Esq ., R . M ., and the lady of the AA' . M . ; on the right the J . W . Bro . Alexander , and Mrs . Muller ; and on thc left Bro . J . B . AA'cmyss , and Mrs . Eyes . The time was when we dared to hint our opinion as to the belle of the ball , but on this occasion thc task is not only very difficult , but perhaps impolitic , so great a

display of beauty and bright eyes were there . The opinions and tastes of our male friends varied—many wc fear from interested motives—while we , if we must declare ourselves , would accord the distinction to a fair lady from Scotia , where lilies are rare , and with respect to whom

Prior ' s lines justly apply : — " As lamp- ; burn silent with unconscious light , So modest case in beauty shines most bright ; Unaiming charms with edge resistless fall , And she who means no mischief , makes it all . " —Others chose a darker beauty from a sister town , but

Masonic Ball In New Zealand

where so much elegance and taste were displayed , it was simply an impossibility lo decide , and we therefore give up the task at once in despair . An interesting episode occurred at 10 p . m ., when the brethren were called off for a few moments to hear from the W . M . that a telegram had arrived that evening from the mother lodge at Nelson , "The Southern Star , "

stating that when assembled round their festive board , they would , at 10 p . m ., toast "The Marlborough Lodge . " Need we say how enthusiastically the return toast was given and drank , the only one that night , and how full of wonderment and curiosity our friends were at ( he joyous sounds which issued from the Conclave . At 4 a . m . the programme came to a close , and with it one of the most agreeable and successful events , at which we

have ever had the pleasure lo assist . Not a hitch occurred in any respect during the evening , harmony was universal , and the occasion was what it ought to be , an association of kind and generous heart ¦ , calculated to soothe the most wounded or irritated feclin- 'S , ( if any such there were , ) and finally was , as the Express ventured to prophecy it would be , the most extensive and magnificent affair ever known in the Province of Marlborough .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Reports of Masonic Meetings .

«¦ I It E CRAFT .

METROPOLITAN . Mount Lebanon . Lodye , No . 73 . —This lodge met on the 20 th ult ., at the Bridge House Hotel , Southwark . Bro . F . H , Ebsworth , AV . M ., presided . There was one raising , one passing , and two initiations , all of which the AV . M . did in a correct , impressive , and able manner . There were present Bros . E . Harris , P . M ., Treas . ; J .

Donkin , P . M ., Sec : Dr . Dixon , P . M . ; F . AA ' alters , P . M . ; D . Rose , P . M . ; -AL A . Loewenstark , S . AV . ; G . Free , J . \ A ' . ; G . J . Grace , S . D . ; A . L . Dussek , J . D . ; G . J . Loc , I . G . ; S . Harman , AA ' . S ., and others . Amongst the visitors we noticed Bros . E . Mackney ( 134 ) , J . H . llarmsworth ( D . C . 1178 ) , J . H . Fudge ( W . S . 117 S ) , C . AA'illiams , Marshall , & c . Banquet followed .

Pythagorean Lodge , No . 79 . —The meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 26 th inst ., at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich ; Bro . T . Porridge , AV . M ., presided , and , in a faultless style , raised one brother , passed two , and initiated one . He was supported by Bros . AV . C . Penny , P . G . S ., P . M ., Treas . ; J . II . II . Douglmey , P . M . Sec ;

R . Bouncev , P . M . ; F . AVard , P . M . ; Burls , S . AV . ; C . Nash , J . AV . ; J . Nash , S . D . ; II . Roberts , J . D . ; Munyard , I . G . ; AV . AA ' cst Smith , and others . The visitors were F . AA'alters ( AA ' . M . 1309 ) , Turner ( 140 ) , Shalless ( 140 ) , J . Moriarty ( 933 ) , and Child * . The usual good ha liquet was afterwards served .

PROVINCIAL . AA ' ARRINGTON- . — Lodge of Lights , No . 148 . —Thc regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held nt thc Masonic-rooms , on Monday last . The AA ' . M ., Bro . AA'illiam Smith , was supported by Bros . AV . Richardson , as S . AA ' . ; fames Jackson , J . AV . ; D . AV . Finney , I . P . M . ; If . B . " White , " P . M ., P . Z ., Prov . G . D . ; Rev . J . N .

Porter , S . D . ; John Bowes , P . M ., P . Z .. P . Prov . G . Reg . C . and AV . ; James Curry , \ A \ Cooper , Robert Richardson , James Johnson , Tyler . A'isitors : Bros . Robert lackson , AV . M . No . 104 ; E . C . Cooper , P . M . No . 4 S 4 " ; G . Dickenson , 325 ; P . J . Kdclslcn , 1250 , ¦ Sc , Sc . The lodge having been opened and the minutes read , it was advanced lo tlie third degree , when the W . M ,

called upon Bro . II . 11 . AA'hite lo redeem his promise by delivering a lecture on " The Obligations of Masonry . " Bro . AA'hite at once came forward , and delivered a most interesting and instructive lecture , at the end of which a hearty vole of thanks was accorded lo him . The lodge wns then closed . A \' c believe Bro . Bowes , the Secretary of the lod' -e , is preparing a paper to be read in the lodge ,

entitled "The History of Freemasonry in AA ' arrington , " which wc doubt not will be pregnant with interest . BOLTON . —St . John ' s Lodge , No . 221 . —Thc first monthly meeting after the summer vacation was held on Wednesday evening , the 21 st ult ., at the Commercial Hotel , Bolton , under the presidency of the AV . M ., Egerton C . Gilbert , supported by the whole of his officers .

1 he lodge was opened in due form , and thc correspondence which had accumulated since thc last meeting was read , including a letter from the Grand Secretary notifying the appointment of Le . G . N . Starkie , Esq ., as Prov . G . Master . Bro . John Smith , formerly an active and useful member of the lodge , was proposed by the Treasurer ( liro . G . P . Brockbank ) as a joiuinq- member ,

and thc lodge was closed at 8 o clock . Po . NTVl'ooi .. —Kenuiird Lodge , No . 1258 . —The usual monthly meeting of the members of this lodge took place in the lodge-room at the Clarence Hotel , Pontypool , on Monday week . The AV .-Al ., Bro . II . M . Kennard , was in the chair . The minutes of thc last meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . the Rev . John Rees Jenkins , of

Cwmbran , was examined in open lodge as to thc progress he had made as an E . A . F . M ., and his answers proving satisfactory , that brother retired , when the lodge was opened in the second degree , and Bro . Jenkins passed to the degree of F . C . Freemason , thc ceremony having been most impressively and correctly rendered by thc

AA' . M . P . M . Oliver also favoured the brethren with a lecture on the second tracing board , which was listened to with much attention . The rev . brother above-named was then appointed Chaplain of 125 S , which gave great satisfaction to the brethren present . This being thc whole of the business , the lodge was closed in harmony at 7 P . m .