Masonic Festivities.

were elegantly decorated for the occasion . We almost despair of conveying to our distant readers even an idea of the dazzling appearance they presented when lighted up by innumerable chandeliers and candelabra . We can only attempt a faint description of the scene . Tbe double entrance to the hall on either side of the eastern

end was through arches of palm leaves . The front of the music gallery was covered with various brightcoloured flags , in the centre of which , resting on a background of scarlet cloth , was a five-pointed star four feet across , composed of innumerable small balls of silvered glass , which reflected the light thrown upon them

in a very brilliant manner and formed altogether a most splendid ornament . " Under this , ou a dais , were arranged many Masonic devices and emblems which it would be difficult to describe to the uninitiated , but which by their grouping produced a very pleasing effect . Radiating from the largo chandelier in the centre of the ceiling

were six long wreaths of flowers reaching to tho next rows of lights . The ten windows in the south side of the room were draped with curtains of red and white cloth depending from large rosettes over tho centre of each window , and between the windows and springing up so as to form an arch over each were the long

tapering feathery branches of the cabbage palm , tho lowest end of which rested on ornamental brackets bearing a number of graceful statuettes . Under these were various Masonic devices about two feet in length , composed of flowers , such as thc triangle , double triangle , triple tan , and the forty-seventh problem of Euclid , & o . The

arches on the other side of the room leading into the gallery were draped in a somewhat similar manner to the windows , having , in addition , pendent from the centre of each and attached to long spear-headed staves , the banners of the Union encampment of Knight Templars . Three of these were private ones bearing the names and coats of arms of their owners , the Sir ^ Knights Oliver ,

Imlaeh , and Daly ; the others were tho banners of the Order . The long gallery was hung with Chinese lanterns , but the most elaborate decoration appeared to have been reserved for the west end of the room . Here was erected a lofty crescent-shaped screen divided into four compartments , each of which was richly draped with festoons of the Masonic colours , viz ., white , blue ,

purple , ancl scarlet ; each angle was surmounted by a coronet , ancl from the point of each sprung a long spearheaded staff bearing a banner , the centre one being the device of the Knight Templars , aud the others the emblems of the man , the lion , the ox , and the eagle . Prom the centre of the screen hnng the Masonic coatof-arms , and beneath this were bouqnefcs of the choicest

flowers arranged in ornamental vases . At either horn of the crescent there stood a tall column of white marble with gilded capital , on which rested a globe . The tout ensemble was perfect , and it was universally admitted that the rooms had never before been so elegantly arranged . The guests began to assemble shortly before nine

o ' clock , and a few minutes after that hour his Excellency the Governor and famil y arrived . Mrs . Hincks was met at the door by the Worshipful Master of the Union Lodge , who , preceded by the Inner Guard , and accompanied b y his Deacons , escorted the lady to her seat at the west end of thc room , immediately in front of the screen—the fraternity forming a . double line to receive their she

guest as passed to her place . Dancing commenced immediately to the music of the string band of the Georgetown Militia . The ball was opened by the Worshipful Master and Mrs . Ready , the

Masonic Festivities.

Governor ' s daughter . The quadrille at the upper end of the room being composed , so far as the gentlemen were concerned , of officers of the Union Lodge . After this was over , several of the fraternity disappeared , but shortly presented themselves in the more elaborate costume of tho Knights Templars . Another quadrille was then formed , in which were none but the Sir Knights

and their fair partners . An exception , however , being made in favour of his Excellency the Governor , who led off this dance with Mrs . Ingram . About this time the ball-room presented an exceedingly gay and picturesque appearance . ISTearly four hundred lights threw a flood of illumination on tho numerous banners and other decorations , and the bright dresses of

the ladies , mingled with the uniforms of the military , the semi-eastern costumes of the Sir Knights , ancl the varied insignia of the Masons , combined to produce a magnificent effect . Between twelve and one o ' clock an elegant supper was served , after which dancing was resumed , and thc rosy-fingered morn had nearly tinged the eastern sky before the last devotee of Terpsichore

had quitten the festive scene . As nearly as we could judge , there were about three hundred persons present , and but one feeling , and that of pleasure , seemed to animate all at the unceasing attention and kindness of the Worshipful Master and his mystic fraternity .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COURT . —The Queen returned to Windsor from Scotland on Saturday , accompanied by the youthful members of her family , including the infant son of the Prince and Princess of Wales . Her Majesty appeared to be in excellent health , and though no state or ceremony was observed iu greeting her return to the old castle of her ancestors , she graciously

acknowledged the salutations of the crowds who lined the streets from the railway station to the castle gate . The Princess Louise , who is said to have been suffering from an attack of typhoid fever , was not sufficiently well to undertake the through journey . Her Eoyal Highness alighted at Carlisle on Friday night , and remained in the Border city until Saturday , when she resumed

her journey southwards . Prince Alfred has gone to Bonn to prosecute his studies . A telegram was received from Hesse Darmstadt on Tuesday , announcing that her Royal Highness the Princess Alice of Hesse was safely delivered of a daughter in the course of the day . The Prince ancl Princess of Wales are still on the continent . GENERAL HOME NEWS . —The mortality of London is on . the

increase . Last week it rose as hi < , h as 1 , 409 , which is an excess of 210 deaths above the average number . Bronchitis and phthisis were active sources of death , and the mortality was very severe among the young . The births for the week were 2 , 031 , which is 105 more than the previous year . -The return issued by the Statistical Oflice of the Poor-law Board shows that though an increase of pauperism has taken place in the

cotton districts , it is , compared with the two previous statements , in a decreasing ratio—2 , 520 last week against 3 , 970 and 6 , 580 in the third and second weeks of the past month . The unions which now exhibit the largest accessions are Bury , 540 ; Haslingden , 420 ; Manchester , 310 ; and Todmoi-den , 360 . On the other hand , several unions have decreased : Blackburn by

170 , Oldham by 220 , Stockport by 280 , and two or three others by smaller numbers . The adult able-bodied paupers are now 27 , 439 ; last week 1 , 091 came on the rates . The week ' s disbursement for outdoor relief was £ 6 , 194 ; this , of course , being in addition to any assistance in money or in goods granted by the local relief committees . At the meeting of the Central Executive Relief Committee on Monday , Lord Derby