A Masonic Ball At Georgetown British Guiana.

nnd white drapery , which covered thc stems of bunches of flowers disposed around them . The eastern end of the room , in front of thc orchestra , was draped with white and crimson , and bore monograms containing combinations of initials appropriate to the occasion . Thc centrepiece

consisted of a trophy of flags , surrounding the 1 ' iince of Wales' plumes , resting on a handsomely g ilded star . A large quantity of rare and beautiful plants imparted to this end of the room a gardenlike and delightfully cool and refreshing appearance . The sides of the room above the arches

were covered with Masonic devices florally decorated and the roof was studded with silver stars arranged lo represent several of the best known constellations . Thc appearance of the well-lighted aud brilliantly decorated room , enlivened with the moving figures of gaily dressed ladies and jewel

bedecked Alasons was dazzling beyond description . The guests were received by thc Worshipful Master Jacobs seated on his throne , wearing thc regalia of office , and supported on his right by Senior Warden Van Eeden and on his left by Junior Warden Hamilton , Immediately after the

arrival of his Excellency and Mrs . Longden , the first quadrille was arranged , and from that time till fiveo ' clock the following inorningthe floor was alive with thc dancers' busy feet . In the opening quadrille the Masons of the Blue Lodge formed two sets at the head or eastern end of thc hall ; the " Master ' s" quadrille was made up as follows : —

Worshipful Master Jacobs Mrs . Longden The Governor Miss Jacobs Senior Warden Van Eeden Miss Klicn , Junior Warden Hamilton Mrs . Van Eeden Worshipful Past Master Imlach Mrs . Jeffrey Senior Deacon McOowan Mrs . Phillips Worshipful Master Bracker , Concordia

Lodge , Surinam Mrs . McGowan Inner Guard Lambert Mrs . Luckie .

There were four Masonic quadrilles on the proprame . The first was that of the Blue Lodge ; the second , No . 5 on the programe , the Royal Arch ; the third , No . 11 on the programme , the Knight Templars ; andthefourth , No . iS the Rosicrucians . When the programme was half gone through , the

company formed a procession , and—The Worshipful Master and His Excellency the Governor leading the way , marched to the fine old tune of " Thc Roast Beef of Old England , " to the supper tables which were spread in thc shape of an immense horse shoe in the Billiard Room downstairs ,

a few snug side tables being placed on the southern gallery . After a due time spent in recruiting exhausted nature , the Worshipful Master roscand gave as the first toast "The Queen , Patroness of the Craft . " The next toast was " The Prince of Wales the Worshipful Grand Master of Great Britain . " In

proposing this toast , thc Worshipful Master said" Masonry is not only one of thc oldest but one of the most honourable of institutions , as it has existed from time immemorial , and it tends lo make all who strictly adhere to its precepts upright and truthful ; and to so high an eminence has its credit

been advanced , that in all ages monarchsthcmselves have been promoters of the craft , have not thought it derogatory to their dignity to exchange the sceptre for thc trowel , partaken of our mysteries , and joined in ourassemblies . And wc have what I am stating to you gloriously exemplified in our

present Worshipful Grand Master ; for what greater honour could any institution desire , or where is the other that can boast of so high a distinction as having the heir to one of the greatest kingdoms , as their ruler and guide . In the speech of our W . G . M . which he gave on the day of his

installation in presence of some 7 , 000 or 8 , 000 Masons , he then said that he considered that the greatestlionour which could beconferrcd on him had been conferred on him in placing him in thc chair , and I would ask you if that is not sufficient to satisfy thc pride of any member of the Craft And to display our

loyalty and our delight wc are giving this ball in honour of so great an event . I know that the Brethren will join me heartily in this toast , but I would also urge upon them to perform their duties as Masons with fidelity and zeal , ancl so lessen the arduous duties of our W . G . M . Your Excellency ,

Ladies and Gentlemen , Brethren of the craft , I give you thc Most Worshipful Grand Master of Great Britain His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales . " Tlie toast was most enthusiastically received , and after the uninitiated had expended their untutored cheers , the Worshi pful Master called on all

Masons present to receive thc toast with "Grand Honours" the time to be taken from W . P . M . Imlach . The " Grand Honours" were a surprise to most of the guests , and the solemn , regular , and rhynuhical clapping of hands created quite a sensation .

'Ihe third toast , " The Grand Officers of Cheat Britain , " was received by the Masons with " Honours in ' . be ftvst Degree . " The fourth toast was " The Governor , " The Worshipful Master on proposing it said;—

A Masonic Ball At Georgetown British Guiana.

We have , like good and loyal subjects duly honoured the National Toast , and I have now much gratification in proposing the health of Governor Longden . 1 : is an easy matter , gentlemen , to get a hearty response to a toast like this , for no eulogiuin of mine could increase the regard and respect which

His Excellency , since his arrival among us , lias won from all classes of society . Thc position of the Governor of a British Colony is not abed of roses . John Bull is a great grumbler , and I take you all to witness that his children in this Colony bear him a strong family likeness in this respect , but in spite

of our disposition to make ourselves happy by being dissatisfied , we must all confess that under the rule of our present Governor , we have had little opportunity to indulge in our favourite pastime . ^ Through thc exercise of his energy , ability , and kindness , he has given evidence of his desire to do everything

in his power to promote the welfare of thc Colony , and it is for us to acknowledge our appreciation of his zeal and discretion , and to express the wish which is general amongst us , that the remaining portion of Governor Longden ' s regime here may be as happy and prosperous as that already past ,

and that when the time comes for him to depart from our shores , it will be to assume even a higher and more exalted position in her Majesty ' s service . Thc toast was most loyally received and the Governor in returning thanks , after alluding to the magnificence of thc entertainment and the grandeur

ofthe hospitality shown the guests , remarked on the kind and friendly reception he had always met with in every part of the Colony he had visited . He finished his remarks by some complimentary comments on the order of Freemasonry , and on the conduct of the Brethren , and sat down amid much

applause . In proposing the next toast " Mrs . Longden , " the Worshipful Master spoke as follows : Perhaps you fancy you received the last toast with as much enthusiasm as you could possibly display , but I think you will receive the present toast

with even greater warmth and louder cheers . The last toast was the Governor ; this one is his partner in life—Mrs . Longden . The influence of a Governor of this Colony in political and official matters is almost unbounded , but great as it is , it is quite equalled by the influence his wife can bring to beat

en social circles ; so powerful and valuable can this become , that a Governor without a wife maybe regarded as only half a Governor , the better half of him being wanting , and in the opinion of many persons , especially ladies , Her Majesty the Queen should carefully exclude such incomplete creatures

as Bachelors from Colonial Governorships . However , at thc present moment , we have every reason to be satisfied with our Governor ' s qualifications in this respect . The lady who presides at Government House is the life and soul of local society , and her cheerful drawing-room is the great

centre of attraction where both young and old always meet with a courteous and friendly reception . As a community we owe a great deal to her exertions to relieve the monotony of our existence ; her well-earned popularity is certain to go on increasing as long as she remains in her present

honoured position , and we shall always ^ remember and look back upon the days of her Government with a keen and lively pleasure . The Governor returned thanks for Mrs . Longden , and amidst cheers from the gentlemen and gratified smiles from the ladies , admitted his good fortunein

having had since thc Queen had been pleased to entrust him with thc charge of one of her colonies , thc companionship of one so valuable to him in thc social duties of his position . He thanked thc company warmly for the complimentary manner in which they had received the toast .

The next toast was "The Concordia Lodge , Surinam , " in proposing which , thc Worshipful Master spoke of the hospitality dispensed by that Lodge to thc Dcmcrara Brethren on a recent occasion . Brother Barnett in behalf of W . M . Bracker , who docs not speak English with much fluency ,

returned thanks in a neat speech for thc honour that had just been done their Lodge . Thc last toast on thc list was " Thc Ladies , " which , thc Worshipful Master introduced wilh some humourous remarks , describing a wife ' s importunity to arrive at her husband ' s Masons' Secret .

After detailing the interesting domestic colloquies , he proceeded . '' Wc Masons are often upbraid eel with ungallant conduct , because we do not receive the fair sex into our Craft , but although the severe and rigid rules of our Order deny us the co-operation of our dear sisters there is no saving what may

come to pass in course of time . Ladies are making headway in every direction , they arc taking degrees in medicine , as well as in law , and by and bye it is just possible tlieymay be taking degrees in Freemasonry ; and on some future occasion when

the Lodge are entertaining their friends , there may probably be a Worshipful Mistress in thc chair , ancl amongst thc quests an honourable Attorney-Generaless , ancl a talented and fashionable Crown Solicitress . How I envy his Excellency the plea-

A Masonic Ball At Georgetown British Guiana.

sant task he will have of presenting some fair and gushing applicant to a comfortable medical or leeal appointment ! These will be happy times for Masons , when they come round ; we shall then be able to take to the Lodge our daughters , our wives and those who are notour wives—just yet . But the contemplation of so much happiness I can see is

making some of the younger Brethren envious of the rising generation , so I shall not harass their tender feelings any longer but ask you to join me in the toast—The Ladies . Immcdiatly after this toast , which was received with unbounded enthusiasm , the company returned to thc Ball Room .

To satisfy thc curious in such matters we annex here thc copy of the Dance Programme , adding thc names of the music selected . The ball was opened by the Militia Band under Mr . Fricke ; the second dance was played by the band ofthe 1 st West , under Mr . Kershaw , and the two bands took the dances alternately to the end ofthe programme , doing their respective leaders very much credit : — .

PROGRAMME : 1 . Qci . idrillc La Fille d'Madame Angot 2 . Valse .-. Ilydropaten . 3 . Lancers Somebody ' s Luggage . 4 . Galop Violet . 5 . Quadrille Chickamanga . 6 . Valse Sylvto .

7 . Mazurka Madelin . 8 . Galop Sluttgarlcl Krcnig . 9 . Quadrille Imperial . 10 . Valse Hesperus Klange . 11 . Quadrille / Richmond . 12 . Polka Gkeckcn . 13 . Galop Hit or Miss .

14 . Lancers Varsity . 15 . Valse Blue Danube . 16 . Quadrille Imperial . 17 . Galop Reiter . rS . Quadrille La Pinole . 19 . Schottisch Highland . 2 i . Valse Geraldine .

21 . Galop Flick and Flock . 22 . Lancers German Lancers . 23 . Valse Armoret . 24 . Galop . Always Joyful .

Christmas Morning.

CHRISTMAS MORNING .

Now merry bells 1 and Christmas chimes ! Awaken thoughts of happy times , And joys long run away . And by our thoughts of those old bells , A momentary cloud dispels Some brightness of to-day .

For Christmas Day , and Christmas cheer , Are wont to rouse sad thoughts each year , Even wilh hearty friends . But hearty friends , and hearty fare , And hearty homes with love to share , Are joys Old Christmas sends .

And Faith , and Hope , and happy deed , And kindliness of heart proceed From Christmas , every year . And Charity ! that always lends Such beaming aid to make amends For dull or stormy days ,

Shall help us to unite The Three—Our Faith ! and Hope ! and Charity !—With Peace !— which Christmas sends . BRO . G . TIDCOMUE , Jun .

Masonic Obituary For 1875.

MASONIC OBITUARY FOR 1875 .

The deaths of the following Brethren have been recorded in our columns during thc past year : — Bros . S . B . King ; E . Collingwood ; Capt . \ V . H . Lee ; J . Higgin ; Llewellyn Evans , late President of thc Board of General Purposes ; Scrj .-Major Dyer ; F . M . Cowley ; Wm . Ibbetson ; E .

Sillifant ; J . Pout ; C . Oldroyd ; J . Peace ; J . Jones ; D . J . Hill ; R . Limpus ; G . Pymm ; E . G . Willoughby ; F . Robinson Hood ; J . Holmes Fudge ; J . AV . Reed ; W . A . Musgrave ; W . Goodycr ; Rev . A . Holmes ; D . W . Savage ; Capt . Bridges ; Benjamin Taylor ; Win . Dobson ; Dr . Shannon ; J .

Holland ; C . T . Walmislcy ; W . Robertson ; Geo . Stuttard ; T . Haworth ; A . IV . O'Neil ; R . Battersby ; J . S . Rcdfcin ; S . P . Brabner ; W . Bulley ; Battersby ; Townsend ; D . Brandwood ; E . H . Finney , jun . ; G . Jones ; W . H . Gresham ; H . W .

Nicholson ; Capt . C . Lovctdo ; D . Mitchell ; A . A . Shapland ; J . Freeman ; Alderman Paterson . ; The Grand Prior , Order of Malta ; D . D . Beck ; J . Savage , P . G . D . ; J . Franklin ; J . Chambers ; T . Routledgc .

BRO . thc Karl of Shrewsbury ha- fixed Wednesday , the 16 th of February , for the annual dinner of the Uritith Orphan Asylum , to be held at the London Tavern .