Grand Masonic Fete.

GRAND MASONIC FETE .

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES TO THE PUPILS OF THE MASONIC FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL , DUNLIN *

This most interesting and brilliant ceremonial took place last evening in the Exhibition Palace . The theatre of this enchanting spectacle was

fittingly chosen amid the collected products of the arts and sciences which Masonry has , from the foundation of the world , fostered and promoted . Both the useful and ornamental everywhere met the eye—the silent , instructive poetry

of the picture , or the statue and the appliances for daily use in the various departments of handicraft—while the ear was charmed hy the enlivening strains of music , and the playing of the cascades emitting a million jets of spray .

The base of the orchestra , or platform , was adorned liy shrubs and rare exotics , which vvere also deposited in other parts of the building , contributing to complete the harmonious whole . The proceedings were of the most animated and

attractive character , and reflected the highest credit on the members of the grand and venerable Oreler whom they ' . vere organized . If prool were required of the excellence of the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Mascns , it was

admirably furnished last evening ; in the immense crowd of ladies and brethren who had assembled in such a benevolent cause as in support of the orphan daughters of their deceased brethren . The array of respectably clad ,

intelligent-looking young girls , who occupied the iront seats on the platform oi the great Concert Hall , and for whose support the assembly of last evening was convened , proved that lhe members of the -Masonic Order not onlv felt themselves bound

together utiruig life , but were nol at liberty to forget the orphans of brethren wiio were unable to leave means oi subsistence to their children . Nothing could be more encouraging to the members of ihe < > rder than the happy laces that

were ranged along tne platform enjo' -iiig lo trie full the pleasure 01 their patrons . The hall was thronged to excess with ladies ami brethren— - the latter wearing the imposing insignia ofthe Masonic Order , and the eli ' eet was really very pleasing to the eve , whatever way it aimed .

i . he bimiaul eos . uune ol the ladies mmg ' . cil admirably with tlie no less bright decorations oi the brethren , over their otiierwi . se sombre attire . I'he Exhibition Committee kiiaily I lire ' ., open the entire buiiuing for die ceremonial : but ihey felt themselves bound lo limit the number oi

visitors . lt is , however , satisiaoiory lo keovv that the full ijuol . t of -j . ^ oo delects were taken up , and that fully half as many more might have been disposed of , so numerous were lhe applications . From very small beginnings , the annual

meetings 01 the supporters oi this excellent institution have so increased in dimensions that even the Exhibition Palace can scarcel y contain dam alt . We may state , and truly , dial no uistiiiitiiin cm summon together so manv and

so -iiiluelitial patior . s as the Masonic Female Oiphaii School , ami vve Irusi that soon we can say that the Masonic boy * Orphaa . - . ch ' .:. ' will oe on the same footing . From about a do / en or so the girls have quadrupled in number , and

irom being taught so much as would be nece-sary to remove them very little above the iov . er ranks in life , as formerly ; tile present inmates of the institution are filled for higher spheres , and many who have recently left it are

in positions above which , had their parents lived , they could hardly have aspiied . The school is admirably managed , and ive were glad to see by an incident that occurred last night , that not merely school discipline but fatherly

kindness and tenderness are brought to bear on the young orphans . Bro . Samuel B . Oldham , secretary of the school , was surprised as well as , we _ are sure , delighted , al being made the recipient of a beautiful ormolu clock , the gift of

the pupils , as a testimony of his kindness and attention to them . The gift was graceful , and , well deserved , besides being admirabl y calculated to maintain the confidence of its supporters in the management of the institution . We trust soon to see an annual meeting of the kind

Grand Masonic Fete.

for both the Masonic Female and Boys' Schools . Before the proceedings commenced , the meeting was enlivened with the performance of admirable programmes of music by the bands of the ist Royal Dragoons under thc direction of Mr . Heidlemann , and of the Royal Irish

Constabulary , under Bro . J . P . Clarke , both bands performing both before and after die ceremonial , while the company enjoyed an agreeable promenade . 'I'he doors were opened at seven o ' clock , and Ave rarely witnessed any edifice filled so speedily as was the Concert-hall and

the Palace itself on this occasion , the managers having kindly thrown open the Picture Galleries Loan Museum , and entire building for inspection . At eight o ' clock the brethren to occupy places on the platform , about 250 assembled in the

corridor off ( lie Leinster Hall , and a procession having been formed , it conducted the Grand Mastcr from the Leinster Hall to the Grand Concert-hall in the following order along a raised platform in the centre of the hall :- — Stewards .

Grant ! . ' Mewarci . Officcis cf Ountry Lodges . Oflicers of Dublin Ledges , according to seniority , the junior first . Officers and Members of the ( Jrand . Master ' s Lodee .

Provincial Grand Oflicers . Past Grand Officers . Representatives from ' . Foreign Grand Lodges . The Vice-Presidents , Honorary Ollieers , and Committees of lhe Orphan School . Grand Inner Guard , ( band Organist . Grand

Siipeniite . 'Kient oi Works . The Grand Deacons , with their Wands . 'i'he Grand Chaplains . The Gr . nul Treasurer . The Grand Secretary . 'i'he i ir . u-d Wardens .

1 iv Grand Swoni-ncarer . carrying tlie Sword . 'I'he Depuly Grand Secretary , with the Liu ! ., of Constitutions . : '[{ V . GRAND MASTER . The Deputy Grand Mailer . J ' ast Deputy Grand Masters .

Lie Gianu Duertor o ! C r-uionie- ' . with his Wand . Stewards .

On ascending the pialibim the bivlhri _ . ii f . ied on , according lo i-. d"v .- . and ccupied I ' ve positions assigned lo diem by the stewards , tile chair having been ( alien by the MAC his Grace the Duke < f Leinster , Grand Master .

1 no Gr . vau . viasiei" ' v . s men saluted , ace miing to ancient custom , by eleven on lhe third coming down . I [ is reception was cordial i . i the extreme , arid su it . should be arter a reign of sixty vears , during whicli he has been re-elected every \ evr . In that period the protjivss 01

. Masonry : n this country has beer : marvellous , not only as to numbers , but with regard to the social position of its member-. The pupils ol lhe school then enten-d the room , two by t . vo , conducted by Pro . Edmund La Louche ( hen . sec . ; , and Bro . Samuel B . Oldham ( assistant

sec . j , e . nd act oinpanicl by Miss Wo .. id , matron . and . Mis . ; Cuthb .-n . resident teacher . The girls ' . vere nt-ady attired in o . ' ue , with lyliite opera cloaks , anel u , oked , h-add ' . y , orig in , and cheerful , audi vvere accommodated with seats on either side of lhe chair . A portion of tlie Hundredth I ' sah / i was then sung by the entire assembly , wilh truly grand effect .

lhe R . \\ . Robt . AVilliam Sheckleton , Deputy Grand Master , rose and said : —My Lord Duke , Ladies , and Brethren—Holding by virtue of my office as your grace ' s depiity , theposition ofSenior V . P . of the Alasonic Female Orphan School , I come forward to initiate the proceedings this

evening . It has been our custom for some years past , as most of those who hear me are aware , to hold , a meeting annually , and at a more seasonable period , for the purpose of presenting the pupils with the prizes which they had been awarded at the examinations . When that

system was inaugurated our assemblage was small , our ( Jrand Lodge-room in Dame-street , being sufficient for our requirements . By degrees our proceedings became invested with so much interest , not merely to the members of the Order but to the general public , that of late the

Grand Masonic Fete.

number of those desiring to take part in or be present at our ceremonial has become so great that we were unable to procure any edifice sufficiently capacious , except the one in which we are now assembled . During the earlier part of the year the executive of the Exhibition could

not accord us permission to hold an annual gathering , and it was only at the beginning of this month they were in a position to promise us the use cf the building for this one evening , on the condition , however , of our restricting the number of our tickets of admission far below

our usual average , from an apprehension of injury to . some oi' the inestimable works of art entrusted to their care if the building were overcrowded in its present limited available space , lt was at first suggested lo abandon the holding of any meeting this year , in consequence of the

inclement season : but knowing from past experience that such assemblies are attended with signal benefit , financially and otherwise , to the school , and also operate most advantageously on the Order itself by bringing it and its principles so prominently before the public , the Board of

Governors determined to brave the consequences of incurring the displeasure , mayhap , of some oi the fair sisterhood , who might be unable lo procure tickets , owing to the limit placed on our powers of admission , and to hold our reunion at all hazards . I may mention ,

as resulting from one of our meetings , that a donation of ^ , 250 was made to each of the schools recently by a lady who was present at one of these celebrations . ( Loud applause ) . I have thought it but fair to that Board of which I

am now ihe spokesman , to set it right with those wiio may be unaware of the difficulties it has haci to contend with , and 10 bespeak , if such be necessary , the cordial support of all whom I have the honour to address . On former occasions it

devolved on our r .-spectcd Honorary Secretary to read die annual report ; but as that report has been in circulation amongst the Governors lor some months , we have emitted that feature from our programme---an omission most acceptable , as I know to the worthy brother to

whom i have aiiuded . For those who have not had an opportunity of seeing that report I shall very brieiiy summarise it . The Governors have good reason to congratulate themselves , not merer ,- ou thc continued prosperity at the institution in a monetary point of view ,

but . ¦ : !•; : on tne niari ; ed progress in education of their adopted children , 'i'he health of lhe pupiis has , as indeed lheir looks betoken , been vein . i . rkabiy good . During the fell scourge that visited our city in the early part of this year , and spread terror through all ranks and classes ,

our orphan ctiaiges , by die Divine protection ol the Giv . a Architect of the Universe , enjoyed , with one exception , immunity from that loathsome malady , and in dial one instance the attack was of a very mild type , and passed away many months since , leaving no ill-effects behind . The

answering oi tne pupils at the examination was marked b y singular proficiency , as testified to by all the examiners ; and from a perusal of the question-papers , and the number answered , 1 ni !) " frankly admit that very many ofthe Governors , myself , too , among the number , despite my

eariy training m Alma Mater -would have fared badly in the way of prizes in a competitive examination against our pupils . W ' e continue to have the most satisfactory reports ofthe former inmates of lhe school , and from time to time we receive the most gratifying communications from those who

have left the shelterof its walls and entered on the battle of life . There is only one circumstance whicli causes us regret , and that is our inability to admit all the helpless ones appealing to us for admission in the names of our departed brethren , an inability , too , caused not by want

of means , but by want of accommodation . The enlargement of the Institution engages the anxious attention of the Board ; and though we are at present hampered by some legal difficulties , I trust that we shall ere long be

in a position to open our portals wide for all who claim our aid ; and that , instead of being obliged , as at present , to select a limited number from the list of candidates , we cau cheer each widowed mother ' s heart by the