The Grand Masonic Ball, Dublin.

things . The si g ns by which the objects and character of Freemasonry are all symbolized and expressed ; the rising sun and many other devices , were executed with a taste and skill that could not easily be surpassed . The Leinster Hall was fitted up as a ballroom , and in some respects was decorated similarly to the grand transept . At the end , a handsome and

spacious orchestra had been erected , and over it were suspended the flags of Great Britain . Hig h up above the gallery was the principal device , in gas , consisting of an immense representation of the three national symbols—the Rose , the Shamrock , and the Thistle . In front of the orchestra was a trophy of French arms of the 14 th and 15 th centuries , very effectively

arranged , and on either side was a large figure in bronze . Between the p illars were suspended flags of different countries and the symbols of the Order , to illustrate the extent and power of the fraternity , which , in spite of insolent ecclesiastical fulminations , comprises some of the best and wisest of the earth , and exercises a benignant influence upon all who

acknowledge its obligations . To exhaust the points of interest which met every g lance would be simply impossible . Everything which could fascinate the si g ht or ravish the mind , in the resources of ornamentation , that wealth could procure or luxury desire—in short , everything which could realize Oriental loveliness in the scene was introduced , and yet with a judgment , a

cultivated sense of harmony , that never offended the most exacting taste . Wherever the visitor turned he was dazzled with brilliant constellations of li g hts , with g littering arms , bright colours , and the choicest treasures of Flora , while groups of " fair women and brave men , " in the graceful mazes of the waltz , or standing in easy conversation , completed a picture

whose every attribute was felicity , every feature splendour , and " when music arose , with her voluptuous swell , " half drowning the harmonious hum of human voices and the soft murmur of waters playing gently in the fountains , the occasion was indeed one to enchant the worshipper of sensuous beauty , and transport his thoughts " where flowers , and founts , and nymphs ,

and semi-gods , and all the Graces find their old abode . " The Grand Concert Hall was fitted up as as a supperroom , and nothing which art could do to refine the vulgar but indispensable operations which remind us of our mortality , to tempt the epicure , or delight the gourmand , was omitted . The balconies were hung with emblems of the Order , and at each end was

constructed a troph y of old arms formerly used by the Kni ghts Templars . The tables were covered with viands ofthemost expensive and recherche description , many of which were sent from famous establishments in London and Paris , and comprising rare delicacies , and altogether the supper was worth y of Gun tor ' s most gifted cuisinier . The hall on the opposite side was also

fitted up as a supper-room , while refreshments for the Royal party were provided in an apartment upstairs , which was sumptuousl y furnished , and laid out with exquisite taste . The visitors began to arrive about nine o ' clock , the members and officers of the Masonic body wearing the insignia of their order and rank , and the uniforms of naval and military men adding

considerably to the splendour of the spectacle . The Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master were received and installed with the usual formalities , About 11 o ' clock His Royal Highness Prince Arthur arrived , accompanied b y the Lord Lieutenant and the Countess S pe ncer , Lieutenant-Colonel El phinstonc , C . B ., and Lieutenant Pickard , V . C ., Aides-de-Camp

in attendance ; Lord and Lady Dc Vesci and the Honourable Misses Vescy , Lord Suffield , Lord and Lady Charles Bruce , Lady Sarah Spencer , Hon . II . Bourke , Mr . John Leslie , Captain Wcllcsley , Major Whyte Melville , Mr . II . Seymour , Mr . E . Ross , and the following members of the Household : —Captain and Mrs . Brydges , Mr . II . A . Lascellcs , Captain and

Airs . I . Campbell , Mr . A . Seymour , Captain Donaldson , and Colonel M'Donnell . The Royal party having been conducted to the dais , the National Anthem was performed , after which dancing commenced . The ball was opened by Prince Arthur and the Countess Spencer having as there vis-a-vh the Lord Lieutenant

and the Marchioness of Droglieda . Supper was served between twelve and one o ' clock , after which dancing was renewed with spirit , and kept up for some time . The Royal party did not leave till a late hour , and were escorted to the Viceregal Lodge by a detachment of Dragoons . Altogether there must have been upwards of 2 , 500 persons present .

Ihe following was the dancing programme : Quadrille , " New Irish , " Mooncy ; valse , " Soldaten Lcider , " Gung'l ; galop , "Kclipsc , " Coote ; lancers , "Original , *" Hart ; valse , "Venus Heigcn , " Gung'l ; galop , ' 'Fox Hunters , " Tinney ; mazurka , "Rivulet , " D'Albert ; quadrille , "St . Patrick's , "' Laurent ; valse , " Morgonblattcr , " Strauss ; galop , "Flick Flock , " Marriott ; lancers , "Echoes » f London , " Coote ; valse"Ciaribel" Coote ; quadrille

, , , " Cameronian , " D'Albert ; valse , " Fruhlings Lieder , " Gung'l ; galop . ^ "Burlesque , " Cassidy ; lancers , " Somebody ' s Luggage , " Coote ; valse , " Voices of tha Night , " F . Quin , Grand Organist ; galop , "Midnight , " Harris ; mazurka , "Violetta , " Kuhncr ; quadrille , "Colleen Aroon , " F . Godfrey ; valse ; " Kate Kearney , " Coote ; galop , " Marion , " Gung'l ; lancers , " English , " Coote ; galop , " Iris , " Faust . God save the Quetn .

Masonic Antiquities, Records, And Bibliography.

Masonic Antiquities , Records , and Bibliography .

SPECIMENS FROM A MASONIC QUARRY . BY WM . JAMES H UGHAN , P . M ., No . 131 TKURO , SPECIMEN NO . 1 . —OPERATIVE MASONIC LODGES .

ST . JOHN'S , BANFF , SCOTLAND . ( Continued from last iveek . ) We shall now offer to our readers for perusal , a series of interesting and important minutes relating to the Royal Arch , Knig ht Te mplar , and other degrees ; after which , we intend giving a resume of the wholeand then institute another search among the

, materials in our Masonic Quarry for a suitable specimen for the next article . It will be seen that , assuming the labours of this lodge to be a fair representative of how the " hi g her degrees " were worked in Scotland , the institution of the Grand Conclave of the Relig ious and Military Order of the Temple , A . D . 1811 , and of the Supreme

Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry , August 28 th , 1817 , were necessary , expedient , and beneficial , when viewed either as respects the ceremonies , or laws of the degrees in question . But we will present the records without further delay : — " 1779 . Att the Anuall meeting of the Operative Lodge

of Banff , Proceeded to call over the List and Collect the Quarter pence . " It was unanimously agreed to by All the Royal Arch and Super-Excellent masons of the Lodge , for the love and favour they hear to George Smith , present Treasurer of the Lodge , and for the Services he has done to Give him these two Branches of Masonry Gratis .

"Resolved that George Ogston shall be allowed for Entring six Members and Passing six Fellow Crafts as the expences he has been at upon that Account , the Sum of Ten Shillings Str ., and also to Give him these two Branches of Royal Arch and Super Excellent Gratis , and Likewise to James Smith , Dt . Mr . in Turreff for his good offices to the Lodge . " " Resolutions of the Evening Meeting of St . John ' s day ,

1780 : — " It is Resolved that the Master do collect all the Members Names belonging to this Lodge , whose uaines are not inserted in the Books of the Grand Lodge , and that he transmitt the same to Edenburgh acordingly , and get the same recorded properly , and get a Certiticatc of the same . And what money can be spared out of the Box the

Recomend to the ollice hearers to pay off the Debts of the Lodge , as far as the same will go . "The Lodge has allowed George Ogston Five Shillings Ster ., which he lost by making a Fellow Craft who died soon after he was Passed " "Att the Annual Meeting of the Operative Lodge of Banff , One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty one Years ,

Proceeded to call over the Members names , and to Collect the Quarter pence . [ Here follows a list of the names of 35 Royal Areh Masons , 7 Mark Masters , 9 Masters , 27 Mark Masons , 2 G Fellow Crafts , 41 Apprentices . ] " After Colecting the Quarter pence , the Meeting Proceeded to elect the Office Bearers , when John Rhind was

Elected Master , James Robertson , Sencor Warden , Geo , Naughtie , Juneor Warden , George Smith , Treasurer . "Att the Evening Meeting , 1 st , Resolved that the Petition from some Members in Doun ( the present town of MeDtiu" ) bo Refered to the Comitee Cliosen at tin ' s Evening Meeting , and a Minute made in the Books for the Members that has joined the St . Andrew ' s Lodge of Banff .

" 2 nd Resolution . It was ordered by the Meeting that an Advertisement should be put into the Aberdeen Journal warning all Absent Brethren to come and pay up their Quarter pennice once in the three years , or they would bo scored oil' the Books and have no more title to the fund .

( Signed ) " Jon . v KIIVND , Master . " "Operative Lodge , Banff , 31 st . January , 1781 . The Comitee having met and taken under their consideration the Memorial road upon St . John ' s Day , and referred to them b y the Annual Meeting then held , which Memorial humbl y proposes that the following Grievances be taken into

Consideration . " In the first place whither it is proper , or not , that any Member belonging to this Lodge should , without any recomendation from us , join the St . Andrew ' s Lodge of this Toun , which some of them has done and Advised others to follow their Example , and to consider whither or not they shall be allowed to Continue members of our Lodge and

members of the St . Andrew ' s Lodge at the same time Considering the terms upon which the St . A ndrew ' s Lodge and us parted . "The Comitee apprehending that such conduct is contrary to the Spirit and Meaning of our Charter , have come to the following Resolutions : —That after this date they unanimously agree that if any Members belonging to this

Lodge join the St . Andrew's Lodge of this loun , they will be expounged from our Society and to have no more boneiito from it afterwards , nor will they he allowed to sit and vote with us ; and with respect to those who have already gone oil " , they request the Master to write to the Grand Lodge and get their opinion how we are to proceed with

them , aud delays giving any Sentence against them untill we have a return from the Grand Lodge . "And orders this Minute to be intimated to the Brethren in and about the Toun wcthiii the space of twenty-four hours . ( Signed ) "JOHN RHINU , Mr . " "Resolution of the Operative Lodge of Hani !' , 7 th January , 1782 . "

Masonic Antiquities, Records, And Bibliography.

_ " Resolved , that Robert Smith is to make a Seal for the Diplomas , of any Device that the Master gives him ; In lue for which he is to be made an Entred Apprentice , he paying Two and Sixpence to the Grand Lodge , and Three Shillings for Entertainment , at the Discration of tbo Meeting . ( Signed ) ' JOHN RIIIND , Mr . " " At Banff , 6 th May , 1794 , at a monthly meeting , inter

alia , Compeared James Lawrence Portsoy , agreeable to his request , was passed Fellow Craft and Mark Mason , and afterwards raised to the sublime degree of Master and Mark Mr , and paid into the funds the sum of 17 s . ? 4 d . sterling , being the ordinary dues . " At same time , Compeard Wm . Mortimer and John Robb , both in Banff , agreeable to their request , received the high

degree of Knight Templar , and paid into the fund One Shilling each , with the ordinary Trate to the meeting . ( Signed ) " J . SELLAR , Dept . Mr . " "At Banff , 5 Deer ., 1794 , in the lodge , at a meeting specially called , Mr . Nicol iu the chair , Compeared Adam Elder Alex Jaffry and John M'Cown and reed , the high degrees of Royal Arch Knight Templer and Malta ;

sametime Compeared Donald M'Kenzie , and reed . Knights of Templer and Malta , and Brs . John Watson , James Reid , and Wm . Ewing reed . Knights of Malta , each having paid the stated dues . " At Banff , 27 January , 1795 , in the Lodge , at a meeting specialy called , Mr . John Nicol in the chair , Compeared Daneel Ross , in Banff , Alex Moir , these and John Sherras ,

servt . at Mr . Ross , ventner there and agreeable to their Requests , was duly reed , and admitted to the high degrees of Royal Arch , Knight Templar , and Knight of Malta , and paid into the Fund each the sum of Sixteen Sliill . Ster ., and are hereby admitted and Initiated to the above grand secrets day and date as above ; likewise Chas . Simpson admitted to the high degree of Knight Malta , and paid into the fund

the sum of Two Sliills . Stc .-., and is hereby admitted as such to that high degree , and submit to same accordingly . " " At Banff , 1 Deer ., 1795 , in the Lodge , at a Monthly Meeting , Mr . John Nicol in the chair . —Compeared the following Brethren , viz ., Neal Farquharson , Malta ; Geo . Jamison , Templer & Malta ; Jas . Robertson , Jr , Royal Arch , Templer and Malta ; and Geo . Ogg , Royal Arch , Templer

& Malta , and agreeable to their request was raised to the above High degrees , and paid into the Fund accordingly the full dues of said Stapes , as p Cash Book , page 55 th . Sametime Compeared Candidates for Admission , viz ., George Strachan , Banff , John Jamison , Gelly Mill , & Geo . Taylor , and agreeable to their fomer Petitions and Recomedations , was Reed , and duly Entred Members of this Lodge , and paid

into the fund Each the sum of , viz ., G . S ., G . T ., £ 1 4 s ., and T . T ., £ 0 19 s . Ster ., and 2 s . 6 d . to the Grand Lodge each , with Clerk and Officer dues , and submitt to all the Laws of the Lodge , | made and to be made . " " At Banff , 29 Deer , 1795 , in the Lodge , at a Meeting specialy called , Mr . John Nicol in the chair . — Compeared the foiling members , viz ., Geo . Taylor , Forgland , John

Allan , Ship Mr ., Banff , and Thos . Seal , Sailor there , and agreeable to their request , was admitted to the high Degrees of Royal Arch , Suparextent , Knight Templer & Malta , and paid into the fund Each their respective moneys According to the Degrees as above . Compeared Geo . Strachan Brewry , agreeable to bis request was mad Mark Mason & raised to the sublime Degree of Master & Mark , and paid into the

fund accordingly . " "At Banff , 17 Deer ., 179 G , In the Lodge , At a Royal Arch Meeting specialy called , Mr . John Nicol iu the chair . — Compeared Brothers Thos . Russall , John Ironside , Walter Allan , Peter Joass , Geo . Gordon , and Alex . Stevenson , and agreeable to their particular request and desire , they were admitted , after going through the regular forms , To the

High Degrees of Royal Arch , Knights Templar & Malta , Each having paid into the Fund the sum of Sixteen Shillings Ster ., and they are hereby initiated as such to tho said degrees . ( Signed ) "JOHN NICOL , Mr . " "At Banff , 20 Dec . 179 C , Mr . John Nicol in the chair . " Inter alia . Compeared Brothers William Frazer and John Morison , and agreeable to their particular request was

advanced to the high degrees of Royal Arch , Knights Templr and Malta , and initiated as such , and brot . forward on the books accoidinglv , thev having each paid the full dues to the lodge . " "At Band ' , 23 rd February , 1799 , in a lodge at a meeting of the Committee , Mr . A . Grant in the chair . " Inter alia . Re : d . an application from the Fraserburgh

Lodge requesting the high degrees of Royal Arch , Superexcellent , Knights Templar and Malta . " Agreed to give them t lieir request , them paying into the fund Three Pounds ster . ALBXU . GHAUT , Mr . " "At Banff , 4 th February , 1800 , Committee Meeting , Mr . Alex , in the chair . " Inter alia . That the Keith Lodge receive the degrees of

Knights of Temple and Malta , for the sum of Two Guineas to the fund and the same petty dues as our own members . " "At Banff , 13 th Feb , 1800 , in the Lodge . "At the General Aiinuall Meeting of Royal Arch and Templars and Malta , Mr . Alex . Mitchell in the chair—Compaeired , agreeable to their former request granted , the follow , ing members of the St . James ' s Lodge of Keith , viz ., David

Sutherland , James Roy , Geo . Russall , Geo . Brauder , and Alex . Shaw , and agreeable to their former request received the high degrees of Knights Templar and Malta , and paid from their lodge therefor to our fund the sum agreed on , beiiif : Two Guineas , with all the other petty dues . " Same time , John Milne , Mason , Banff , and Alex . Reid , Mason , and agreeable to their former request received tlm high degrees of Royal Arch and Knights Tempi , and Malta ,

their money being paid full dues , ill the year J JJJJ , for the said degrees , as per cash book . " Likewise , Alex . Leveny , Wm . Smith , Andw . Wall , Geo . Brody , Wm . Reid , and James Sim reed , the high degrees ol Royal Arch Knight Temr . and Malta , and John Morison tin degree of Knight of Malta , all the above having paid tin 1 full dues . As also lir . William Mackie received the high degree of Knight » f Malta . AI . XKU . MITCIIICI ., Mr .