The Masonic Female Orphan School, Dublin.

THE MASONIC FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL , DUBLIN .

ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES . The annual recurrence of this event is now looked forward to with interest and pleasure by a large section of the community , and probably the most brilliant assemblage ever yet gathered together in the great Concert Hall of the

Exhibition Palace , Dublin , was that which congregated on Wednesday , the 12 th inst , to witness the distribution of prizes to the pupils of the admirably-conducted Female Orphan School of the Masonic Order in Ireland . Apart from the attraction of observing the progress made by

an Institution so benevolent in its conception , the reunion is ever made the occasion of a brilliant display by the Fraternity , whose members are to be found in every quarter of the globe , anxious to aid a worthy and deserving brother , and always ready to extend the hand of

unobtrusive charity . As in recent years , the gathering was held in the Exhibition Palace , the only building in the city capable of accommodating the multitude of friends who had signified their intention of being present . The number of tickets actuall y disposed of was , we understand , upwards of 7 . 000 .

Shortly after seven o ' clock the doors were thrown open , and in a remarkably short space of time the large concert-hall , where the business part of the programme was to be transacted , was thronged to excess , while thousands had to content themselves with the thoughtful arrangements made by the Committee of Management for promenading in the glass transept . The

interior of the concert-hall was a scene of wondrous animation and gaiety—the gorgeous insignia of the Brotherhood , the bright and manycoloured dresses of the ladies , who were present in great numbers and all in evening dress , and the simple but chaste decorations , formed the

details of a picture which few could witness and forget . During the hour which elapsed before the proceedings proper commenced the bands of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the 8 th Hussars performed a choice selection of music , to the thorough enjoyment of all who crowded the

transept , the Ltinster Hal ! , and the galleries . Punctually at eijht the brethren invited to occupy places on the platform , and who had assembled in one of the adjoining rooms , formed a procession , and conducted the Deputy Grand Master from the Leinster Hall to the Grand Concert Mali in the following order , the band

of the Royal Irish Constabularyplaying a Masonic march specially composed for the occasion by Bro . John Dunne , W . M ., Mus . Doc , introducing the Masonic song by the late Bro . Dr . Smith : — " Should the changes of life ere compel me to roam , In a lodge of Freemasons I'll sure find a home ; There the rich and the poor on a level do meet , And brother each brother doth cordiallv greet . "

ORDER OF I'ROCKSSIOX . Mcwarvls . Grand Steward . Officers of Country Lodges . Officers of Dublin lodges , according to seniority ,

the junior first . Officers and Members of the Grand Master ' s Lodge . The Vicc-lVesidcn's , Honorary Officers , and Committees

of the Orphan School . Provincial Grand Officers . Past Grand Officers . Representatives from Foreign Grand Lodges . Grand Inner Guard . Grand Organist . Grand Supei

intendent of Works . The Grand Deacons , with their Wands . The Grand Chaplains . The Grand Treasurer . The Grand Secretary . The Grand Wardens . The Grand Sword-licarcr , carrying the Sword . The Deputy Grand Secretary , with the Book of Consli

lutions . Deputy Grand Master It . W . Shcklcton , Esc ] . Past Deputy Grand Masters . Thi Grand Director of Ceremonies , with his Wand Stewards .

On ascending the platform , the brethren filed off according to lodges , and took their respective places . The pupils of the School , accompanied by the pupils of the Boys' School , then entered the room and occupied the seats provided for them on the p ' atforni , the Grand Organist , Bro . Francis Quin , presiding at the organ . Jn the ui a oidable absence , owing to ilines-,

The Masonic Female Orphan School, Dublin.

of the Worshipful his Grace the Duke of Leinster , Grand Master of the Craft in Ireland , the chair was occupied by the R . W . Bro . Robert Wm . Shekleton , Deputy Grand Master . On the post of honour being taken , the President was saluted , according to ancient usage ,

with " n on the third coming down , " the word of command being given by Bro . Lord Viscount Powerscourt . A portion of the 100 th Psalm having been sung by the entire assemblage , and prayers having been read by Bro . the Rev . John J . MacSorley , one of the Grand Chaplains ,

The Deputy Grand Master said a very unpleasant task devolved upon him—to intimate that his Most Worshipful Grace , their Grand Master , the Duke of Leinster , was unable to be present that evening . He ( Bro . Shekleton ) regretted this on various grounds . First , on

account of the cause that kept' him from amongst them ; and , secondly , because it is thus my lot , as his Deputy , to take the chair which he has so worthily filled on so many occasions . At a late hour on the previous evening he had received a communication from his Grace stating

that with all his nursing for the past ten days , he had not been able to recover himself sufficiently to attend on that occasion . It was too late to give public announcement of this fact , and he wrote to his Grace asking him to strive to be with them at the opening , even for a few

minutes , and quite recently an answer had come to hand in the following words : — " I assure you I much regret not being able to attend to my duty this evening . Although much better , the d : > ctor will not allow me to go out at night yet . " In expressing his unfeigned regret

at the absence of his Grace , whose presence had lent dignity and prestige to many of their assemblies , he was sure that he was expressing the sentiments of every one in the room . ( Hear . ) Whether they regarded the Duke in his Masonic , in his public , or in his private character , he was

alike respected and beloved . As a nobleman resident amongst them , he had set a bright example to those of his high order ; as President , he had always manifested the greatest possible interest in the success of the Orphan School , while the fact that he had occupied for

58 years the exalted office of Grand Master , proved the estimation in which he was held by every member of the Craft in Ireland . ( Mcar . ) He was assured that all present , as well as the brethren throughout the land , would sympathise with his Grace in his present indisposition .

Bro . Edmond Digges LaTouche , Honorary Secretary , submitted the report of the past year of the Committee having the management of the Schools , but which wc have not space to

insert . Bro . Viscount Powerscourt in rising to move the resolution that the report be adopted , said Brethren , ladies , and gentlemen , before ad vertting to the object of the resolution which has been put into my hand to move , I would say one

or two words upon the subject of the Craft generally . Freemasonry has had many burdens put upon its shoulders which it has no real right to bear . As a so-called " secret society , " it has been classed with other combinations which aimed at the overthrow of law and order , and it has been

said by many people that such schemes were among its tenets . I have had long discussions about it with gentlemen outside the Order , both at home and abroad , and notably with a distinguished foreigner , who made out that the revolutions in Italy and other nations were fostered and encouraged by Freemasons . I pointed out

that our constitutions are directly opposed to any subversion of the powers that be , and that any person conspiring in any way would be looked upon as unworthy to assist in a lodge ; and that liberal constitutional government . ; look upon our Craft as a beneficial and harmless institution . ( Hear . ) The true work of Freemasons is that which we are assembled here to celebrate

tonight—chanty . ' 1 here is only one answer to those who say that Freemasonry is a secret society in the dangerous sense , ang that is—look at our Constitution , examine it and tell me if you found anything in it breathing any oilier sentiment except " Peace on earth , goodwill toward men ?" ( Hear and applair . ;^ . ) The symbol r . f the square-

The Masonic Female Orphan School, Dublin.

is to show that we endeavour to square our actions , and the trowel and compass that we act with justice and forbearance in all dealings with our fellow-men . ( Hear . ) There are some benevolent ladies and gentlemen who have taken upon themselves to help in the work of charity we are here to celebrate to-night , who deserve our warmest thanks for their disinterested exertions

undertaking the management and surveillance of the Female Orphan Schools , and to whose sacrifice of their time and money we are indebted for the efficient state in which we find those institutions . I think you will agree with me that the ladies who have put their hearts into the

good work desire most highly the best thanks we can offer them for the interest they take in keeping up the credit of the Order —( hear , hear)—in providing education for the children of our poor brethren . I hope that the sight of the orphans of deceased poor Freemasons

tonight may induce some of the charitably disposed here to look upon those Schools as worthy of support , and may make them think that the ancient Craft is doing some good in rescuing these poor children from a life of ignorance and misery , and giving them an opportunity of

becoming useful members of society . Bro . Sir John Marcus Stewart , Bart ., Prov . Grand Master of Tyrone , seconded the resolution , which was put to the meeting , and adopted unanimously . A number of the pupils then performed several

selections of pianoforte music in a very finished style . They were very warmly applauded . At the conclusion of the musical portion of the programme , Bro . Major-General Dunne said he had been unexpectedly called upon to propose a vote of thanks to their Deputy Grand Master , who presided

in the absence of his Grace the Duke of Leinster . He was sure they all regretted the cause of his Grace ' s absence , and they were , doubtless , equally certain , from their knowledge of his Grace ' s general attention to , and love of , the Masonic Order , that he would have been present with them if it were

possible . ( Applause . ) The meeting had been very fortunate , however , in the chairman who had presided in his Grace ' s absence . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . William Fctherston H , Prov . Grand Master of Westmeath , seconded the motion , which was put to the meeting by Viscount Powerscourt , and

adopted with acclamation . Bro . Shekleton returned thanks for the unparalleled honour conferred upon him , and assured the brethren he considered the position he occupied one of the most distinguished . ( Applause . )

This concluded the proceedings in the large Concert Hall , and the procession then re-formed , and the Deputy Grand Master was conducted to a dais erected at the northern end of the nave , where he presented the prizes awarded at the annual examination .

At the conclusion of this interesting ceremony , the bands performed some music for promenade , ot which those present availed themselves . The transept and Leinster Hall were brilliantly illuminated by a multitude of gas-jets , and some very beautiful

and appropriate design ? in gas , such as the square and compass , and the rose , thistle , and shamrock combined , were displayed in different parts of the building . The proceedings did not terminate until an advanced hour .

Tin : man who didn ' t believe in advertising has gone into partnership with the sheriff , ar . d they are going to have an auction .

BREAKFAST . — EPPS ' S COCOA . — Gratefu 1 and Comforting . —The very agreeable character of th is preparation has rcii'l-rcl il a general favourite . The Civil Service Gazette remarks : - " I » v a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition , and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa , Mr . Epps has provided otir breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save usmany heavy doclors'bills . " Each packet is labelled— J AMFS Krrs AMI Co ., Homeopathic Chemist ;; , London . AIs * -, makers of Epps ' s t ' aeaoinc . a very light , thin , evening beverage . —IAdvt . 1

CROSBY ' S BALSAMIC COUGH ELIXER . —Opiates Narcotics , and Squills are too often invoked to give relief in Coughs , Colds , and all Pulmonary diseases . Instead of such fallacious remedies , which yield momentary relief at the expense of enfeebling the digestive organs and thus increasing that debility which lies at the root of the malady , modern science points to Crosby ' s Balsamic Cough Elixer , as the true remcdy .--. SVAr / Testimonial . Dr . Rookc , Scarborough , author of the " Anti-I . aucet , " says : "I have

repeatedl y observed how v .-ry lapidly and invariably it subdued cough . Pain , and irritation of the chest in cases of pulmonary consumption , and I can , with the greatest confidence , recommend it as a most valuable adjunct to an otherwise strengthening treatment for this disease . " —This medicine , which is free from opium and squills , not only allays the local irritation , but improves digestion and strengthens the

constitution Hence it is used with the most signal success in Asthmas , Uronchitis , Consumption , Coughs , Influenza , Night Sweats of Consumption , Quinsy , anil all affections of the throad and chest . Sold by ail respectable Chemists and Patent Medicine Healers in bottles at is . rid ., ^ s . od . and ns each , and wholesale bv J AS . M . CKUSHV , Chemist , Scarborough . v , ' Invalids should read Crosby ' s Prize 'IVeaii ^ e in " l > i *< ' : i * es of ihe [ . un-- ; and Air-Vcssels , " a copy of which can LP-J obtained cialU uluuv respectableChemii > t .-- [ Advt . 1