Masonic Reception And Banquet At Washingion City, U.S.A., To The Earl De Grey & Ripon.

mig ht come among them . But , sir , I do not feel that here , in the United States , I ought to call myself a foreigner . ( Long-continued applause ) . I am constantly forgetting that I am not at home , and while it is true that our Fraternity extends beyond the bond of nationality , it is not less true upon every

Masonic principle that the ties which ought to bind American and English Masons are of a very peculiar class and dear character , for , sir , they would greatly err who thought that the Fraternity of Masonry was an Order which made men forget their patriotism . I believe that all true Masons are

insp ired by the warmest feelings of patriotism . It was through the brethren of our ancient Fraternity in England that the Masons of the United States obtained their first charter , and that added one more to the many ties by which American and English Masons are bound together . Sir , the

remarks which you have made this evening , the speeches to which we have just listened , and particularly the remarks which you have made to us in another place , have , in respect to the ties which bind together the two countries , left very little for me to say . But I am reminded of an old English

election story , which is connected with the name of Mr . Burke , who , going out to argue with an opponent , was so eloquent that liis opponent refrained to essay a reply further than to exclaim , " I say ditto . " ( Applause and laughter . ) As it is , sir , I have little to say on that part of the subject ,

except that I say " Ditto " to the most Worshipful Grand Master . Yes , sir , it is true that we have the same history . It is true we belong to the same ancestry , and I therefore say it is not strange that you should have been pleased to accord to me , as the representative of English Masonry in this

country , a warm and cordial reception . The first lodge warrants in this country bear the date of England , and that country has not forgotten the mighty and glorious empire which has sprung from her loins . ( Applause and cheers ) . If I am permitted , and if I have rightly interpreted the

meaning of the kindness which you have shown me to-day , I shall carry with me recollections of the deepest gratitude . I shall take back with me to my own Grand Lodge the account of the occurrences here to-night ; and I am confident , when I relate them , they will be received with but one

feeling in that distant Masonic assembly— a feeling of an earnest desire that we might see more and know more in England , and in English Masonic circles , of this country and ofthe Masonic Orderof the United States ; and I am tempted to take back with mc across the Atlantic another recollection not

purely Masonic—take back with mc the recollection and to mention it where I know it will be received with great pleasure , of the manner in which was received the toast given to my illustrious sovereign ; and another pleasant recollection will be the thought of having sat at the right hand of one who wore

the scarf of Washington , and that a gavel of the first President of the United States was used on the occasion . ( Applause ) . I can truly say the memory of this day will not easily fade from my mind . I believe that it is of the highest interest for thc civilization of the world that there should be

the closest and most intimate union between the two Govenmcnts . ( Aplause , long continued ) . If it should be the good fortune of my life to contribute to that result , I shall be happy . ( Greeted witli applause as he took his scat , and there was music by the band ) .

Poetry.

Poetry .

THE FLOWERS OF SPRING

Flowers of spring , —we love them all , As they peep forth , one by one , Ancl wc joyfully watch their petals unfold In the light of the April sun . Winter is over , and radiant days Have taken the place of its gloom ; How bright is thc aspect that nature now wears , In this season of beauty and bloom .

Flowers of spring , —we love them all , From the daisy that decks the sod , To the costly hyacinth , trained with care , For all arc thc work of God . June roses arc lovely , but still our hearts Seem with tendcrest fondness to cling To thc flowers that first peep forth to view In thc earliest days of spring .

Flowers of spring , —we love them all , May they lead us—as we gaze On the the opening buds—to think of One Whose ways are not our ways . And oh I as wc glance o ' er thc scene around , Whilst the sweet birds gaily sing , May our thoughts ascend to His home above , That home where ' tis always spring . on . AGNES . S

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

0 GRAND BALL AT WHITBY .

The members of the Lion Lodge , No . 312 , held a grand ball recently in St . Hilda ' s Hall , Angel Hotel , Whitby , under the management ofthe officers of the lodge . The stewards were Bros . T . N . Marwood , W . M . ; G . W . Smales , S . W . ; H . Hallgate , J . W . ; H . Bennett , S . D . ; I . Wilkinson , J . D . ; C . T .

Clarkson , I . G . ; W . Piercy , D . C . ; J . Andrew , S ., and G . Speedy , S . Bros . J . N . Lawson , P . M ., and W . H . Marwood , P . M ., ably officiated as masters of the ceremonies . The dancing commenced about 9 o ' clock . The programme contained a nice selection of twenty-two dances , and when half the

programme had been gone through the party retired to the banqueting-room , where the cloth was laid for 105 . The Worshipful Master ( Bro . T . N . Marwood ) presided . The bill of fare consisted of roast sirloins of beef , round of beef ( corned ) , roast legs of mutton , roast saddles of mutton , roast fore and

hind quarters of lamb , roast young pork , boiled hams , collared brawn , boiled tongues , boiled pig's cheek , boiled fowls , roast chickens , roast ducklings , pigeon pies , beefsteak and kidney pies , veal and ham pies , lobster salad , potted salmon , potted turbot , Rodel ' s sardines , oyster patties , creams ,

custards , jellies , blanc mange , stewed fruit tartlets , lemon cheesecakes , confectionery , & c , with a choice selection of wines . The viands were cold , and the arrangements made by Bro . Piercy for seating comfortably so large a number in a comparatively small room were admirable , and carried through

without the slightest confusion . Dancing was recommenced about half-past one , and was continued until dawn of day . The musical department was managed by Bro . Richard Bradley , and was highly satisfactory . The hall was neatly decorated with flags of different descriptions and a variety of

Masonic emblems , the meaning of which the non-Masons were left to conjecture . A very brilliant star illuminated the gallery at the west end , which assisted in giving the room a lively appearance . About AO couples joined in the dance , and the

elegance of the ladies' dresses excited the greatest admiration . Taken altogether , the event reflected the highest credit upon Bro . Piercy , Angel Hotel , and the stewards , whose efficient catering contributed so much to the amusement of the brethren and their friends .

MASONIC BALL AT LIMERICK .

Thc annual Masonic ball for the district of North Munster came off in the ball-room of the Masonic Hall on a scale of unwonted splendour and magnificence . The event' was in every respect eminently successful—worthy of the occasion , worthy of the charitable object in view , and an honour to the

glorious and time-honoured institution of Masonry . The assemblage was one of thc most brilliant that ever assembled in Limerick on a similar occasion , and comprised the elite of the entire province of Munster . The hall was approached under an awning through a brilliantly-lighted corridor , which also

served as a promenade during thc ball . The corridor was appropriately decorated with banners , and was perfectly in keeping with the aspect ofthe ball-room . The members of thc Craft assembled in the lodge-room of No . 73 at ten o ' clock , and shortly after that hour formed in procession . The

ball-room was most superbly decorated , and presented a most imposing appearance . At the extreme end of the hall , and opposite the entrance , thc chair of the Provincial Grand Master , Lord Diinboyne , was situated , surrounded by a profusion of Masonic emblems , conspicuous amongst which were the

shield , the Dunboyne flag and arms , surmounted by his lordship ' s patent as P . G . M . The walls were decorated after the most gorgeous fashion with Knight Templars ' , Royal Arch Masons ' , and other devices of the Order , together with a large number of brilliant mirrors , the reflection of which lent a

most imposing aspect to the room lhe gasahers were gaily decorated with garlands of evergreens , interspersed with artificial flowers . Altogether the devices were the most artistic and appropriate we have ever witnessed . The banners bore the usual mottoes , " Peace , love , and harmony , " « fec , the

preparation of which must have cost tin enormous amount of lime and trouble ; and wc may here congratulate thc brethren who acted on the Decoration Committee , and the band of the 47 th Regiment , who , by kind permission of Colonel Lowry , spent

some weeks in carrying out the decorations , on the triumphant success of the arrangements . Shortly before ten o ' clock the ball-room was thrown open , and being perfectly a-blaze with illuminations , presented an appearance which cannot readily be

forgotten . At half-past ten o ' clock the procession proceeded from the lodge on the third floor to the ball-room below , in the order of Masonic rank , viz .: —Blue and Red , followed by the following Knights Templar : W . H . 'McQuaidc , W . Peacock , Samuel

Harding . R . H . Dyer , I . Banks ( P . G . J . D . ) , J . Fife ,

Masonic Festivities.

C . H . Sterling , A . Rowand , Charles Armstrong , R . H . Dwyer , Captain Spaight , Captain Davies , Major Patterson , Joseph Fogerty , M . Petty ( Ennis ) , and George Dartnell . The Provincial Grand Officers , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( Bro . " James Spaight ) , and the Provincial Grand Master ( Lord

Dunboyne ) followed . On entering the ball-room , the brethren filed off to the right and left in the centre of the room , and between these two lines the officers marched to the throne . Immediately on their arrival , the Knights Templar formed the arch of steelunder which the Deputy and Provincial

, Grand Masters passed . Lord Dunboyne having ascended the throne , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master then , amid the hushed silence and eager gaze of the brilliant assemblage , directed the brethren to join with him in saluting the Grand Master with ' * ' Three Eleven and Three Distincts , "

which were given after the true Masonic fashion . The Provincial Grand Master , with Mrs . James Spaight , and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , with the Hon . Miss Butler , then formally opened the ball . The following is the programme of the dances , the music of which was carefully arranged

and , in some instances , composed , by Bro . J . Hogan , Bandmaster of the 47 th Regiment : — ** Quadrille , The North Minister Masons , Hogan ; galop , Off we go , Hogan ; valse , Bright Blue Danube , Strauss ; lancers , Gaiety , Godfrey F . ; galop , Chimes , Godfrey F , ; valse , Mabel , Godfrey

D . ; quadrille , La Grande Duchesse , Strauss ; mazurka , Florence , Hogan ; galop , My Valentine , Relic ; valse , Soldaten Lieder , Gung'l ; lancers , Echoes of London , Coote , * galop , Cerese , Boosh ; mazurka , La Belle de Bruges , Wallerstein ; quadrille , Banting , Marriott ; valse , Primavera , Hogan ;

galop , Foxhunters , Mariou ; lancers , The Cure , Coote ; mazurka , " Veronika , Faust ; valse , Mamma is waiting , Hogan ; galop , Good Night , Hogan . During the progress of the dances the room bore a most picturesque and animated appearance—the great majority of the gentlemen being dressed in

the regalia ofthe Order—comprising jewels , aprons , stars , scarfs , & c . Nearly all the military and naval officers appeared in their regimentals , which added to the beauty of the picturesque scene . Shortly after one o ' clock the company retired for supper , which was laid in one of the spacious rooms of the

building . The tables were arranged in a style calculated to please the most fastidious , and the numerous and handsome Masonic devices wrought in the confectionery were greatly admired , and furnished a fruitful topic of wonder and remark . We may safely say that they were unsurpassed in

point of beauty of design and taste in arrangement ; and Mr . Coffee , the caterer , was well rewarded for his anxious trouble by the well-merited enconiums of the distinguished patrons and patronesses of the ball . The cloth having been removed , the Provincial

Grand Master proposed the usual loyal toasts , which were received with cheers . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master then proposed " The Health of Lord Dunboyne , P . G . M ., " which met with a cordial reception , and was drunk with all the Masonic honours . Thc D . P . G . M next gave " The

Ladies , " which elicited great cheering , and was honoured with "Three Elevens and Three Distincts . " Dancing was then resumed , and kept up with much vigour and enthusiasm until a few minutes after four o ' clock , when the company separated .

Theatrical.

THEATRICAL .

ST . J AMES ' S . —After a successful run " Fernando " will on this evening be withdrawn , when a new nautical burlesque , by F . C . Burnard , entitled " Poll and my Partner Joe , " will be produced , in which the talented actress , Mrs . John Wood , and the full company will appear , and for which Miss Caroline

Parkes and Miss Emma Chambers have been specially engaged . The famous comedy , " Secret Service , " by J . R . Blanche * , will also be revived . HAVMARKET . —It is with great pleasure we announce that the ever-popular Mr . Sothern will re-appear 011 Monday next at this fashionable

theatre . An entirely new comedy drama , in four acts , entitled "An English Gentleman ; or , the Squire's Last Shilling , " will be produced , with entirely new scenery by O'Connor and Morris . "Mischief Making" will precede this new drama , and Charles Matthews' farce , "My Wife's Mother , " will conclude thc programme .

THE Blackheath Lodge , No . 1320 , will be consecrated on Wednesday , May 10 th , at 3 o ' clock p . m ., at the "Crown" Tavern , Blackheath , by Bro . H , Muggeridge . SMALL-POX , FEVERS , SKIN DISEASES . —

The predisposition to is prevented by Lamplough s 1 'yrelic Saline . Vitalising and invigorating , its effects are remarkable in their cure and prevention , 'lake it ns directed . Sold by chemists and the maker , II . Lamplough , 11 3 , Ifolbom-liill . — [ Advt . ]