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Article MASONIC EESTIYITIES. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Eestiyities.
present . The ball took place in the magnificent Town Hall of the borough , the use of the wnole suite of rooms having been generously allowed free by the worthy mayor Wm . Pilkington , Esq . The lofty proportions of the hall-room , its architectural beauties , its large space , and its massive and brilliantly lighted gaseliers , were sufficient to strike the beholder with admiration , but the additions the Brethren had made combined to render the scene one of unequalled splendour and beauty . The decorations were of the most tasteful description . On entering the
vestibule , a brilliantly illuininatedMasonic device met the eye ; the spacious staircase was lined with emblems of the Order , and at the foot were two Tylers with drawn swords ; the corridor was adorned with choice ferns and rare flowering plants from the conservatories of Bros . Dickinson ( Ouzehead House ) and Brock-Hollinshead ( Billinge Scar ) . At the east end of the ball-room was placed the orchestra , which was decorated ' with , evergreens , interspersed among which were a number of gaily coloured Chinese lanterns . At the west end of the room
surmounting a mirror of large size , was a trophy composed of the British and French flags , while on the other sides of the room were placed other large mirrors , with the English and Prussian flags intertwined in a graceful manner , and a number of the banners of the Craft , Boyal Arch and Knights Templar . These were arranged as trophies over the handsome marble chimney pieces , and in other parts of the room were placed a large number of other banners with discriminating taste , and materially added to the general effect . The windows and doorways were draped
with pink hangings , and surmounted with evergreens and flowers . To whatever length were we to go in our description , we could not do justice to the subject . After the company had arrived , the coup cV ceil was magnificent in the extreme ; the beauty of the ladies , their elegant attire , the badges and costumes of the Craft , Boyal Arch Masons , Knights Templar , and of several Provincial Grand Officers , and the scarlet uniforms of many military gentlemen , presented an ensemble of remarkable splendour and gaiety . The Brethren mustered more
numerously than at any preceding ball in Blackburn , hut the ladies were in a minority . About half-past eight o ' clock , Wand ' s band ( from Manchester ) struck up for the first dance , a quadrille , in which his worship the mayor and the mayoress joined . After this succeeded polka , waltz , Lancers , & c . & c . with unabated vigour , until about five o ' clock next morning . The company comprised the leading Brethren of the town and district , and many visiting Brethren from distant places . Between eleven and twelve o ' clock , the supper-rooms were thrown open , and there a
profusion of viands of the most . recherche character were provided by Bro . Bolton , of the Old Bull Hotel . These rooms were also tastefully decorated . The efforts of the hand were the subject of warm commendation during the evening—seldom have we had the gratification to listen to a better—and its excellence largely enhanced the evening ' s enjoyments . The stewards deserve unqualified approbation—they were untiring in their exertions , and the masters of the ceremonies , especially , were unceasing in devotion to their duties , and were entitled to a large
share of the gratitude of the visitors . The only deficiency in the ball was in the number of guests , but what lessened the surplus increased the comfort of the visitors . The committee will , we fear , have no surplus , but will have to rely on extraneous donations to meet the expenses . With this exception , there never was a more happy and successful ball in Blackburn , and there were never greater regrets than when the near approach of morning hailed the coming day , and proclaimed the close of a season the return of which is to be looked for in the future as " one of the green spots in
memory ' s waste . " The patronesses were the Countess of Zetland , Lady Fielden , Lady Arabella Hesketh , the Mayoress , Mrs . Brock-Hollinshead , & c . Among the patrons and those present were Bros , the Earl of Zetland , G . M . ; Lord Panmure , D . G . M . ; Stephen Blair , G . M . East Lancashire ; Le Gendre U . Starkie , G . M . West Lancashire ; A . H . Boyds , D . G . M . East Lancashire ; Sir Thomas Hesketh ,
Bart ., D . G . M . East Lancashire ; II . Brock-Hollinshead , Prov . J . G . W . East Lancashire ; T . Littledale , Prov . S . G . W . West Lancashire ; M . Dawes , P . Prov . S . G . W . East Lancashire ; Sir William Fielden , Bart . ; James Hey wood , F . R . S . ; Capt . Thornton , 7 th Royals ; Lieut . Forrest , Oth Lancashire ; Thos . Parker , P . M . No . 148 , and Prov . G . S . B . Lancashire ; — Carrig , P . M . No . 189 ; J . Yates , W . M . No . 336 ; Wm . Harrison , W . M . No . 432 , and E . C . Hugh de
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Eestiyities.
present . The ball took place in the magnificent Town Hall of the borough , the use of the wnole suite of rooms having been generously allowed free by the worthy mayor Wm . Pilkington , Esq . The lofty proportions of the hall-room , its architectural beauties , its large space , and its massive and brilliantly lighted gaseliers , were sufficient to strike the beholder with admiration , but the additions the Brethren had made combined to render the scene one of unequalled splendour and beauty . The decorations were of the most tasteful description . On entering the
vestibule , a brilliantly illuininatedMasonic device met the eye ; the spacious staircase was lined with emblems of the Order , and at the foot were two Tylers with drawn swords ; the corridor was adorned with choice ferns and rare flowering plants from the conservatories of Bros . Dickinson ( Ouzehead House ) and Brock-Hollinshead ( Billinge Scar ) . At the east end of the ball-room was placed the orchestra , which was decorated ' with , evergreens , interspersed among which were a number of gaily coloured Chinese lanterns . At the west end of the room
surmounting a mirror of large size , was a trophy composed of the British and French flags , while on the other sides of the room were placed other large mirrors , with the English and Prussian flags intertwined in a graceful manner , and a number of the banners of the Craft , Boyal Arch and Knights Templar . These were arranged as trophies over the handsome marble chimney pieces , and in other parts of the room were placed a large number of other banners with discriminating taste , and materially added to the general effect . The windows and doorways were draped
with pink hangings , and surmounted with evergreens and flowers . To whatever length were we to go in our description , we could not do justice to the subject . After the company had arrived , the coup cV ceil was magnificent in the extreme ; the beauty of the ladies , their elegant attire , the badges and costumes of the Craft , Boyal Arch Masons , Knights Templar , and of several Provincial Grand Officers , and the scarlet uniforms of many military gentlemen , presented an ensemble of remarkable splendour and gaiety . The Brethren mustered more
numerously than at any preceding ball in Blackburn , hut the ladies were in a minority . About half-past eight o ' clock , Wand ' s band ( from Manchester ) struck up for the first dance , a quadrille , in which his worship the mayor and the mayoress joined . After this succeeded polka , waltz , Lancers , & c . & c . with unabated vigour , until about five o ' clock next morning . The company comprised the leading Brethren of the town and district , and many visiting Brethren from distant places . Between eleven and twelve o ' clock , the supper-rooms were thrown open , and there a
profusion of viands of the most . recherche character were provided by Bro . Bolton , of the Old Bull Hotel . These rooms were also tastefully decorated . The efforts of the hand were the subject of warm commendation during the evening—seldom have we had the gratification to listen to a better—and its excellence largely enhanced the evening ' s enjoyments . The stewards deserve unqualified approbation—they were untiring in their exertions , and the masters of the ceremonies , especially , were unceasing in devotion to their duties , and were entitled to a large
share of the gratitude of the visitors . The only deficiency in the ball was in the number of guests , but what lessened the surplus increased the comfort of the visitors . The committee will , we fear , have no surplus , but will have to rely on extraneous donations to meet the expenses . With this exception , there never was a more happy and successful ball in Blackburn , and there were never greater regrets than when the near approach of morning hailed the coming day , and proclaimed the close of a season the return of which is to be looked for in the future as " one of the green spots in
memory ' s waste . " The patronesses were the Countess of Zetland , Lady Fielden , Lady Arabella Hesketh , the Mayoress , Mrs . Brock-Hollinshead , & c . Among the patrons and those present were Bros , the Earl of Zetland , G . M . ; Lord Panmure , D . G . M . ; Stephen Blair , G . M . East Lancashire ; Le Gendre U . Starkie , G . M . West Lancashire ; A . H . Boyds , D . G . M . East Lancashire ; Sir Thomas Hesketh ,
Bart ., D . G . M . East Lancashire ; II . Brock-Hollinshead , Prov . J . G . W . East Lancashire ; T . Littledale , Prov . S . G . W . West Lancashire ; M . Dawes , P . Prov . S . G . W . East Lancashire ; Sir William Fielden , Bart . ; James Hey wood , F . R . S . ; Capt . Thornton , 7 th Royals ; Lieut . Forrest , Oth Lancashire ; Thos . Parker , P . M . No . 148 , and Prov . G . S . B . Lancashire ; — Carrig , P . M . No . 189 ; J . Yates , W . M . No . 336 ; Wm . Harrison , W . M . No . 432 , and E . C . Hugh de