Mark Masonry.

seeking to find more ways of doing good , and of benefitting those who through misfortune , were unhappily in reduced circumstances . We cannot do anything like

justice to Bro . Binckes eloquence , and must therefore simply state that the brethren heard his magnificent eulogium of Sir F . M . Williams ( their Prov . Grand Master )

with delight , and most rapturously applauded his most graceful tribute to a Mason , held in high esteem , -wherever hc is known , and universally beloved and

respected throughout thc province . Thc worthy Secretary of thc Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , did not forget the cause of Masonic charity , and we feel sure

the stirring words which fell from his lips , in the advocacy of its peculiar claims at the present time , will result in Bro . G . Brown ' s taking up with him a goodly list of contributors at the next Festival from Cornwall .

Bro . E . T . Carlyon , P . M . yS , the Craft Grand Secretary for Cornwall , then proposed the health of thc Prov . G . Master . This excellent brother , who is a most

careful discriminator of character , and one of the oldest and best Masons in the province , spoke so much to thc point in favour of Sir ¥ . M . Williams' claims to he considered the

most liberal Mason of all others in the far West of England , that those present who knew thc truth of such a statement were delighted , and most cnthiisiasti ' callv *

endorsed all the words so sincerely uttered by Bro . Carlyon , who not content even Avith acknowledging his belief in Sir F . M . Williams being the most fitting successor to

thc late esteemed Prov . Grand Master of Cornwall , expressed his regret that for thc present his claims had been set aside . Bro . Carlyon however most strongly expressed

Jus high sense of the many good qualities possessed by the distinguished brother appointed to succeed the lamented Bro . Augustus Smith , and felt sure he would to

his utmost be found a Mason worthy of the name , only that the brethren had so long looked upon Sir F . M . Williams , Bart ., M . P . as their future I ' rov . Grain ! Master . — _ _ ~ . * ...... *

, ... _ . , .., that naturally they could not help being disappointed at seeing al ! their hopes for the present frustrated .

Sir hredcrick thanked the brethren for the kind way > in which they had received the hearty proposition made by his friend Bro . Carlyon . Whatever good he had

been able to do , had been cheerfully rendered , and hc hoped to do still more on behalf of an Institution which he was so warmly attached to . He hoped also , that

thc Grand Secretary , Bro . Binckes , would find Cornwall ix-ady to support him in his desire to raise a goodly sum for the Royal Masonic Institution for Bovs during the

ens-u-ng year , and he trusted that as Mark Masters , all present would do their utmost to aid thc Stewards with their subscriptions . Relative to Bro . Carlyon ' s remarks

respecting himself , and thc Craft Prov . Grand Lodge , he felt bound to say that the Grand Master ' s appointment was to him on-e hc highly approved of from the bottom

Mark Masonry.

of his heart , and would have his most thorough support , for a more excellent noblemen could not be selected , hc knew him intimately , and felt sure that his many

virtues had only to be known to secure for him the hearty good wishes of all the Freemasons in Cornwall . He hoped thc brethren would rally round their new Prov .

Grand Master , and as he intended to do , be present on all occasions , and strive to show their appreciation ofthe appointment made by thc M . W . the Grand Master .

The brethren cheered these words as they deserved , though the brethren were in no wise responsible for the introduction of so irrelevant a matter to the meeting in hand .

Wc may say , it entirely resulted from the statement made by the D . Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Rogers , ( who is to be the Deputy of the ncw Prov . Grand Master , )

when in Prov . Gr . Mark Lodge , and hence it was quite natural that he and they should say a few words on the subject . It had onc good effect . It showed us still brighter

characters . The thorough unselfishness of Sir E . M . Williams , and how delighted he was to obey his lawful superiors in thc Craft , irrespective of his own claims to

preferment . The other toasts we cannot now stay to describe . Bro . Hughan then pronounces his intercstimr observations on the

Mark Degree which will be given in an ensuing number of thc FRFJCMASOX , and so for the time we sav Adieu !

Masonic Ball At Darlington.

MASONIC BALL AT DARLINGTON .

On the 13 tli inst , a Grand Full Dress Masonic Ball , promoted by the brethren of Restoration Lodge ( Xo . in . ) took placein the Central I lull , Darlington . The

Restoration was founded about 113 years ago , and now enjoys the distinction of holding a centenary jewel granted , by the Grand Lodge in virtue of having attained

its hundredth birthday . During its long lease of life , thc Restoration has passed through man }* vicissitudes , but it has all

along held a high rank in Masonic circles , both for its attainments and for its respectability . Its register has always contained the names of some of the most influential

inhabitants of the town , but it never was in a more health )* and vigorous condition than at present . The brethren , some time ago , acquired thc old Baptist Chapel in

Archer-street as a lodge-room , thc cost of thc purchase being about a £ 1 , 000 , raised by shares among the brethren . Thc work of reconstructing the building to adapt it

for the purposes of thc lodge , involved a considerable outlay . This work was carried out with such thoroughness that the lodge is now onc of the most handsome and

convenient in the North of England . There is still a trifle of debt remaining to be cleared off , and it was resolved to apply

the proceeds of the ball to this purpose . One of the primary objects ofthe ball was to do honour to W . M . John Morrell , who has been most zealous and attentive in the

Masonic Ball At Darlington.

discharge of his duties during his year of office . It is , indeed , largely due to his efforts that the Restoration Lodge has

made such exceptional progress during the past year , and it will be difficult to find one who will occupy the chair with greater difficulty .

The ball was held under thc most distinguished auspices , and was in all respects a signal success . Although thc severity of the weather doubtless interfered with the attendance from neighbouring towns , the

elite of Darlington was well represented . The Masters of the Ceremonies were Bros .. Robert Hudson , Grand Director of

Ceremonies for thc Province of Durham ; J . li . Mac Nay , P . P . J . G . G . ; and J . W . Marshall , P . G . O . Thc Stewards were : —Bros . F .

Mcwburn , Dr . Arrowsmith , Dr . Watt , R . A . Luck , John Morrell , J . IT . Grcavcson Christopher Jackson , W . Bell , B . Boulton , Mr . J . S . Trotter , Charles Willman , Dr .

Canncy , Mr . William Nelson , Mr . T . C . Davidson , Dr . Blackett , and Mr . Charles Ianson , jun . The Central Hall was tastefully , althongh

not profusely decorated . The most prominent object in the room was the orchestra , which occupied the middle ofthe floor , and was octagonal in shape , with a canopy

of evergreens . Prom either side and from thc ends of thc hall banners and flags of different nations werc suspended , and gracefully relieved here and there by a judicious

distribution of evergreens . The form of tlie hall docs not otherwise afford much cope for ornate treatment . On the platform , which was arranged and furnished as

a drawing-room , there were a number of plants in bloom , —there were other decorative accessories that arrested attention .

Among these was thc portrait of Bro . Blackett , one of the oldest Masters of the lodge , which is justly regarded as one of the best works of the artist—Bewick . This

picture is thc property of the Restoration Lodge . On cither side of the platform and in the centre , were the tracing boards of the lodge , which , doubtless , served to

whet thc curiosity of those unacquainted with the mysteries of Speculative Masonry . Over the centre of the platform , a noble

banner , bearing the inscription " audi , vide , tace , " was suspended , and at the other end ofthe hall over the doorway , hung another banner of thc late Prince Consort .

Ihc company began to arrive about nine o ' clock , and by half-past that hour the ballroom wore a gay and animated appearance , the brethren present wearing their insignia of

office , which relieved thc otherwise sombre appearance of full dress , while the ladies appeared , as usual , in nearly all the colours of thc rainbow .

Dancing was begun about half-past nine o ' clock , to thc excellent music of Thrush ' s ( of York ) excellent band , whicli merits special praise for thc finished and artistic

character of its performance . Shortly before twelve o ' clock , an adjournment was made to the supper-room , which was seated to accommodate fifty . Suppe .