Masonic Balls At Gibraltar.

MASONIC BALLS AT GIBRALTAR .

The Balls given by the Freemasons of Gibraltar have invariably taken a high stand amongst the enjoyments of the place , and when it was announced that the members of the Lodge of Friendship intended to entertain their friends , a pleasant evening was confidently anticipated .

Never was public expectation more thoroughly realised than last night , when the lodge sustained its title by opening the doors of the Theatre Royal to about 300 guests . It is almost unnecessary to mention the theatre by name , seeing that so complete a transformation had been

effected within its walls that , except for the presence of the well-known boxes , its very oldest acquaintances might have been forgiven for cutting the grimy edifice dead . We are quite aware that we shall succeed only in conveying a faint idea of the elegance and

beauty of the decorations , each one appropriate in itself and in keeping with the rest , but we must do our best , premising that in a long experience of Gibraltar we have never seen the Theatre so admirably arranged , whether for comfort or for effect , as was the case on that night . The 'unsightly passage which leads to the

body of the House was draped with gay bunting , and unwonted carpet rendered the staircases pleasant , the eye and the foot being impartially benefited thereby . Over the entrance door of the ball room drooped the British and Russian Standards , their union a" happy thought" in reference to that recent matrimonial alliance

between the two nations which has so particularly attracted the notice of the world at large . The upper end of the room had been converted into a canopy of glowing colours , beneath and at the termination of which stood , on a dais , the throne destined later on to be occupied by H . E . the

Governor . On either side were the Wardens ' pedestals , on one of which rested the Bible , betokening Christian Masonry , and on the other the Book of the Constitutions of the celebrated Craft . To the right and left below the dais were pillars bearing two globes , the celestial and terrestrial ,

and beyond those again were other emblems , from which none but the initiated may raise the veil . Behind all was a mirror , which as the evening wore on reflected the beauties of the room in every sense of the word , as well as those

beings of sterner stuff " , who , if not so elegant , are quite as necessary in a ball room as the fairer half of the human race . From the ceiling were festooned huge Union Jacks , and along the front of the boxes hunrr the banners of the various

Christian Orders of Masonry , interspersed , with admirable taste , with numerous Masonicemblems , including our domestic friends , the ox and the cock , those more ferocious representatives of the inhabitants of the world , the eagle and the lion and , last but not least of tamed animals , man

himself . Mingled at intervals amongst these were devices representing the jewels of the officers of the Lodge , and at the extreme end , facing the canopy , was a complete suit of armour , with the spurs and sword of a Knight Templar . Underneath the Governor ' s box was an illuminated

scroll " Friendship , 278 . Ihe coup dccil , of which we have given but a scanty idea , must have been seen to be appreciated , and the effect produced at the expense of so much exertion and trouble , reflects the highest credit upon the Ball Committee , under the invaluable personal superintendence of Bro . J . B . Imossi .

At a quarter past nine the arrival was announced of H . E . the Governor , attended by Lieut-Colonel Smith , Gren . Guards , Assistant Military Secretary , and Lieuts . Lake and Warde , Aides-de-Camp , and accompanied by Major de Winton , It . A ., and Mrs . de Winton , and Earl Grosvenor .

At the door His Excellency was received by the Director of the Ceremonies , Bro . W . Henry , and the Deacons , Bros . Evjenth and J . B . Imossi , by whom he was conducted to his box . H . E . the Governor was now conducted into the Bali-Room and led up between the two linss

of Masons , where the following address was read and presented by the Worshipful Master : — " Gibraltar , 18 th February , 1874 . " Your Excellency , " It is with feelings of great gratification that the officers and members of the Lodge of Friend-

Masonic Balls At Gibraltar.

ship , whom I have the honour so represent as their Master , beg to welcome you to their festivities this evening , and at the same time to express their sense of the honour you confer upon them by your presence . " It is the sincere hope of the members of this

Lodge that Your Excellency , while kindly accepting their efforts for your entertainment tonight , will also excuse such short-comings as the small numbers of our honoured and ancient fraternity may unavoidably occasion . And it is in this hope , as well as in the firm assurance that our ancient Craft will receive from Your

Excellency the support and regard which it has ever experienced from your predecessors in Gibraltar , that we have the honour to unite in bidding Your Excellency , and those who accompany you , a cordial and fraternal welcome this evening . "

His Excellency briefly replied , expressing the p leasure he experienced in accepting the invitation of the lodge , and the gratification which he felt at meeting the ancient Order for the first

time since his appointment as Governor . Anticipating a genuinely successful ball , he trusted that this would not be the last time he should meet them , and he sincerely hoped that their enjoyment would be commensurate with their efforts

to ensure it . His Excellency was then conducted to the throne at the upper end of the room and presented to the Right Worshipful District Grand Master , Bro . G . P . Cornwell , after which he took his seat on the throne . The brethren having

joined hands and given their chief guests a welcome after the true Masonic fashion , dancing commenced with the Masonic Quadrille and was kept up with unflagging spirit and evident enjoyment till an early hour of the morning , interrupted about midnight by a sumptuous supper , the most

conspicuous items of which were two cakes , most tastefully decorate ! with Masonic signs , from the establishment of Mr . Parody , the ; Esmeralda , in the Main-street . The elegant appointments of the ball room were supplied by Mr . fames Benatar .

The Ball Committee , headed by their indefatigable Secretary , Mr . W . Glassford , worked incessantly for the comfort and enjoyment of their guests , and right well they succeeded—so thoroughly indeed that the Ball given by the Lodge of Friendship will ba remembered by all present as one of the greatest successes of its kind .

Consecration Of A New Lodge At Warminster.

CONSECRATION OF A NEW LODGE AT WARMINSTER .

The Consecration of the Longleat Lodge , No . r 478 , and installation of Lord Henry Thynne , M . P ., as first W . M . took place at the Warminster on Fiiday , the 27 th ult ., when a large number of Masons from all parts of the provinces of Wilts , Somerset , and Hants were present , as

well as many brethren from more distant provinces . Amongst those present were noticed—V . W . the D . P . G . M . Bro . Gabriel Goldney , M . P . ; Bro . Major Bousfield , M . P . ; Bro . V . Fane Benett Stanford , M . P . ; Bro . Terry , W Secretary of the Masonic Benevolent Institution

for aged Masons ; Bro . C . W . Wyndham , P . P . J . G . W . Wilts ; Bro . R . Bradford , P . G . Treasurer , Wilts ; Bro . H . C . Tombs , P . G . Secretary , Wilts ; Bro . It . Stokes , P . P . G . S . W ., Wilts ; Bro . H . Ward , P . P . G . J . W ., Wilts : Bro . C . J . Marshall , P . P . G . J . W ., Wilts and Somerset

Bro . W . Nott , P . P . G . Reg . Wilts ; Bro . S . Gauntlett , P . P . G . S . B . ; Bro . General Doherty , P . S . G . D ., Wilts ; Bro . E . White , P . P . G . W . ; Bro . J . S . Turner , P . P . S . D ., Somerset ; Bro . J . Whatley , P . G . D . C , P . P . G . R ., Somerset ; Bro . T . E . S . Jelley , P . P . D . C ., Wilts , P . P . S . D . G .,

Somerset ; Bro . F . Lord . P . P . G . D ., Wilts ; Bro . J . L . Stothert , P . P . G . S . W ., Somerset ; Bro . W . Parham , P . P . G . R ., Somerset : Bro . M . Messiter , P . P . G . J . D ., Somerset ; Bro . John Chandler , P . G . S . VV ., Wilts ; Bro . Rev . F . King , Prov . Grand Chaplain . The Lodge was formed at

the Town Hall , where it is intended to be regularly held . The V . W . the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Gabriel Goldney , M . P ., was received by a goodly gathering of Provincial Grand Officers , and , after forming in procession , proceeded to the new lodge room , where the V . W . the D . P . G . M .

Consecration Of A New Lodge At Warminster.

opened the lodge in the usual Masonic form . It was hoped and expected that the R . W . the P . G . M ., Bro . Lord Methuen , would have been present , but he was compelled to go to London , consequent on the disastrous intelligence received from Ashantee , and the uncertainty

as to any ill having befallen his only son , who had gallantly volunteered his services to act under Sir Garnet Wolseley . The ceremony of consecration was then very impressively performed by Bro . Terry , the Worthy Secretary of the Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged

Masons . The ceremony of installation of Bro . Lord Henry Thynne , M . P ., as the First Master of the Lodge , was then performed by the D . P . G . M ., assisted by Bro . Terry . The W . M . then invested the following brethren as officers for the ensuing year—Bros . John Toone , S . W . j

G . Pike , J . W . ; Henry Hardick , Treasurer ; G . Bush , Secretary ; T . Ponting , S . D . ; S . ] . Haden , J . D . ; S . Cross , I . G . ; John Tew , Tyler . Bro . F . King , Prov . Grand Chaplain , performed his part of the ceremony , and Bro . H . Taylor , P . P . G . O ., Wilts , presided at the organ , and ,

aided by the musical brethren , added much to the impressiveness of the services . We have good ground for believing a large number of brethren and gentlemen of rank and position in the county are likely immediately to become members of the lodge , and we doubt not , under

the able rule of such a truly Masonic and generous-hearted W . M . as Lord Henry Thymic is known to be , assisted by such active and discreet officers as he has been pleased to appoint , the lodge will speedily rank as one of the first in the province with regard not o : i ! y to

numbers , but especially as to influence and liberality towards the Masonic charities . After the labours of the day the brethren adjourned to the large room of the Town Hall , where a most recherche and substantial banquet had been laid . About 100 brethren sat down to

do full justice to the excellent catering of Mrs . Pike , of the Bath Anns , to whom every credit is due for the sumptuous entertainment . The usual Masonic and loyal toasts were given and responded to , ami the harmony , under the management of Bro . Taylor , conduced much to

the happiness of the brethren . We may add that a collection in aid of the Masonic charities was made during the evening , and realised £ 10 5 s . We are informed that Bro . Major Bousefield , ftl . P . for Bath , has been pleased to present

to the lodge the requisite firing glasses . We w ill only add , in conclusion , that we wish—as we are sure all our readers will do—¦ " Long life and success to the Longleat Lodge . " Bro . Geo Kenning supplied the furniture .

CONSECRATION OF A NEW LODGE AT CUCKFIELD . Wednesday , the 1 ith March , was a red letter day in connection with Freemasonry in the province of Sussex , it being the day set apart for consecrating a new lodge , entitled the Ockenden Lodge , at the Talbot Hotel , Cuckfield . There was a very large gathering of brethren from all

parts of Sussex , including the Worshi pful D . P . G . M . Bro . Furner ( the Right W . Prov . G . M . Bro . Lord Pelham was prevented b y ill health from attending ) , Bros . Tatham , P . G . Treasurer ; Dixon , P . G . D . of Ceremonies ; Branslev Roberts , Assistant Director of

Ceremonies , Turner , Grand Steward ; and T . Hughes , P . Grand Tyler . In addition to the above officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , we observed the following brethren : —Bros . W . W . Burrell , W . M . designate of the nesv lodge , Major Meek ( High Sheriff' of Sussex ) , T . S .

Byass , It . Mead , McCorrogher , Chaplain , Sergison , C . It . Burrell , Gallop , E . Bright , G . Ford , Eberall , Stride , Robinson , James Curtis , Devin , Broadbridge , W . It . Wood , P . Nicholson , W . Hudson , P . It . Wilkinson , G . Day , F . Noakes , Molyneuxe , It . Elltnan , W . Reada , E . Lafneat , E . Loeoek , C . Vaughan , C . Lloyd , E .

Carpenter , George Smith , Walter Smith , H . Davey Golding , Reed , J . Fabian , V . P . Freeman , W . Kune , J . M . Cunningham , It . G . Clutton , It . Croskey , G . W . Wilier ., C . E . Saunders , & c . The W . Prov . D . G . M ., Bro . Furner presided at the opening of the lodge , Bro . W . It . Wood , acting as S . W ., and Bro . Molyneuxe as J . W . The varied and interesting ceremony of conse-