Masonic Festivities.

mens of the choice ti * opical and hardy ferns—including the variegated reed or bamboo fern , maiden hair , fennel , flowering heath , and winter cherry—were arrayed afc intervals , their dark green foliage and graceful form being set off admirably by the cut flowers . We have surely said enough to show that this prosaic matter of eating and drinking had been invested with poetical

surroundings ; and that the spectacle should have been eagerly visited is nofc a matter for especial wonder . Over 400 persons paid for the pleasure of it alone . The guests numbered about 300 , and there was a pretty fair balance of the sexes . Above stairs , the committee-room was set apart as a tea and coffee room ; the Council chamber as a promenade and card room ; the

Mayor ' s parlour was devoted to the purpose of fche Committee , aud the ladies were accommodated with the two retiring rooms over the main entrance . Overhead , the members of the Order found a hat and coat room ; and beneath , the office of the Borough Treasurer offered accommodation to non-Masons . The company began to arrive about half-past eight o ' clockand up to half-past

, ten these arrivals were continuous . Dancing was opened near the hour of nine . Bro . 0 . J . Tate ' s band occupied the right wing of the orchestra , and the band of the l-12 fch the left ; ancl the music was played alternately . All the members of the order wore Masonic clothing . The company adjourned to the supper room in relays , from aboufc half-past eleven to near two o ' clock ; ancl

their comfort and delectation was administered to wifch celerity , without inordinate bustle and , as an inevitable consequence , confusion . The coup cVoiil at the hei ght of the ball was of rich and varied colouring . A few of the guests left soon after two o ' clock ; but for very long after that the great majority remained ; and it was well nigh four before the merry scamper " Sir Soger " told that the Masonic Ballot 1871 had run its happy length :

FESTIVAL BALL OF ST . JOHN'S LODGE , STOAY . The annual ball of St . John's Lodge , No . 216 , came oil ' on the evening of Friday , Jaunu-. iry 27 th , in the Town Hal ! , Stow , which had been tastefully decorated for the occasion , under the superintendence of Bro . Gerrard , of Torsonce . The materials of ornamentation were evergreens and artificial flowers , which , wrought into festoons , were hung gracefully athwart the hall , crossing at the Gasalievsand also formed into panels the

, on walls , the centres being tilled up with Masonic emblems & c . The whole , with the gay dresses of the Indies , and the full Masonic costumes of the gentlemen , had a very pleasing effect , under the brilliant gas-light . Between eight and nine o'clock the carriages brought in the ladies , and the lodge having been opened in another room , by R . AA . M . Kerr , at half-past nine the stewards ushered in the Grand Substitute Master of Scotland '

M . W . , Bro . Henry Ine-lis , of Torsonce , who expressed pleasure afc being again present at " the annual ball of 216 . The proceedings were then opened by him leading off the Grand March . There were aboufc forty couples present , including brethren from Grand and other lodges , Edinburgh , ^ Portobello , London , & c , and ladies from Edinburgh , Galashiels * Landerand district around StowBrosMiddletou '

, , . . , Duff , and Harper acted as Musters of Ceremonies , and under their excellent arrangements , with the exception of an interval for supper and refreshment of tea , & c , dancing in an very harmonious and enjoyable maimer , was kept up till an advanced hour iu the morning-, when the lodge was closed . The music was provided by the Messrs . Kennedy ' s Quadrille hand .

NEW EDUCATIONAL SENSATIONS . —Education is made much of here . Some ofthe schools are ver / fine . I went oyer the Lincoln ' grammar , ' or , as wc should call it , ' national' school , though the scholars remain longer than they do with us . Ifc bas more than 1 , 000 bovsin attendance , and is divided into ten grades or standards , the lowest being the tenth . All but two aro taught by mistresses . It is curious to see strapping young fellows

Masonic Festivities.

of sixteen , with an incipient moustache , quietly obedient to a woman , The discipline is excellent . I never saw a school in better order . The writing of the tenth grade , where the children were six or seven years of age , was very good . The attainments of the scholars , so far as I could examine into them in two visits , where aboufc equal to those of a very good national school in England . I

asked one of the mistresses what work most of the children in her ' grade' were intended for . ' AA ^ ork I' she replied , 'we don't work here , we use our brains . '—[ From ihe People ' s Magazine , of February , 1870 , an excellent Publication—Ed . F . M . " ]

Poetry.

Poetry .

A BROKEN LINK . BY B-EKTIE LAWEEJ-WT . Down to tbe margin of the shadowy river , Thy feet are pressing now ; And the bright glory from the upper temple Is resting on thy brow . Soon shall the hand that mine so oft has folded

Sweep o'er a harp of gold ; And thy worn feet , with all their wanderings ended , ¦ Rest in the Master ' s fold . But I shall be so lonely I When the morning Breaks up in one glad wave , How dim its light shall seem , because its shining Fallefch across thy grave !

And when the stars are dead along the brow of Heaven , And gathering tern pests moan , My heart shall echo back their bitter wailinf , For I shall be alone . No more my friend . The angel bands have won thee , And far from earth ' s regret , In the bright city with its many mansions

, Thou wiifc afc last forget—Forget the heart that in its holiest holy Enshrined thee all life's years Forgot the Gyes eo wearily uplookiiig Through mists of gathering tears . And yet farewell ; I will not seek to keep tln-e , But let life's severed bands

Draw my oppressed and fainting spirit nearer Ifcs boose nofc made with hands . And when beside my lonely hearthstone kneeling , I hush my heart for peayer , Nearer shall seem that bright , cebstial citv , Because thou dwellest there .

"The First Great Light In Masonry."

"THE FIRST GREAT LIGHT IN MASONRY . "

" This sacred bcok upon the aitar , Tbe first great light in Masonry , AA hose glory ages cannot alter , It- shines through vast eternity . "This sacred hook is Heaven's express To guide us to fche Indue above , In paths of truth and righteousness ,

Through faith , and hope , and perfect love . "For ever be this book my guide , It bids me in this lodge to-night : To pray the peace of God to abide On East and West , on left ami right . "Now to the East I lift mine eyes , Whore is enthroned our Solomon

, Dispensing knowledge which 1 prize , The wisdom of King David ' s son . " Wifch reverence I shall take a place AA'ith ( filters of the mystic tie , Humbly permitted by His grace AVith them to raise the prayerful eye . "