Masonic Festivities

MASONIC FESTIVITIES

YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . GRAND MASONIC BALL AT SHEEEIELD . This annual gathering took place on Tuesday , the 3 rd inst ., in the Cutlers' Hall , and was undoubtedly the most gay and fashionable gathering of the season . The brethren mustered in large force , ancl -with their friends , numbering about 200 ,

participated heartily in the dances of the evening to the exhilirating strains of Mr . Freemantle ' s effective quadrille band . The brethren were clothed in the regalia characteristic ofthe various degrees through which they had passed , and their attire mingling with the variously coloured uniforms of the military gentlemen and the gay dresses of the ladies , produced a dazzling effect . The following were amongst the brethren present : — Eight Hon . Lord WharncliffeJohn BrownMayor of Sheffield ;

, , Major Lee , Capt . H . Webster , P . M . ; Capt . J . B . White , Chesterfield ; Lieut . Waterhouse , Lieut . Turton , Lieut . Mosely , Drs . Williams and Bennett , Worksop ; S . Arden , W . M . 162 ; E . Drury , W . M . 373 ; W . E , Parker , W . M . 1241 , Worksop ; G . Wilkinson , Hull ; J . Shaw and H . Goatley , Eotherham ; Sergt .-Major Thomas , J . W . Dixon , P . Z ., P . M . ; T . Danby , P . Z ., P . M . ; Wm . Whitejun . P . M . Prov . G . D . C ; G . StuartP . Prov . G . Org . ;

, , , , Geo . Eadon , P . M . ; Alex . Hay , P . M . ; J . Haywood , Walter Jackson , E . A . Heeley , J . S . Pratt , E . Arnison , E . P . Hornby , F . Marriott , Fredk . Primrose , XV . Howson , H . Machen , W . Tornlinson , T . Eichardson , H . J . Garnett , W . Marples , J . Eedfern , J . Haxworth , T . Hydes , W . McMaster , & c . Amongst the

non-masons were Colonel Jeffcoek , Capts . T . E . and F . Viekers , Lieut . Boyd , Capt . Prest , Lieut . Broomhead , Ensign Bright , Lieut . Newman ( 16 th Lancers ) , Ensign Natorp , and the elite of the town and neighbourhood . Bro . Prideaux , of the King ' s Head , was entrusted with the duty of providing the refreshments necessary to counteract the fatigue and heat of the ball-room , and at midnight the company entered the reception room , where a profuse and elegant supper

was spread out ; one side of the room being occupied by a long table and the other side by numerous lesser tables placed diagonally , so as to economise space . The bill of fare included boar's head , boiled turkeys , boiled fowls , tongues , roast fowls , plains , roast beef , pressed beef , pigeon pies , veal and ham pies , t-paul d'agneau , salads , gelatines , jellies , blancmange , creams , maids of honour , general pastry , sandwich pastry , & c . ; and the wines were all of excellent quality .

The Stewards for the evening were : —for the ball—Bros . Major Lea , Henry Harrison , Septimus Arden , Wm . White , jun ., Joseph Haywood , Thomas Turton , E . Arthur Heeley , Elisor Drury , W . E . Parker , Walter Jackson , J . Stevens Pratt , and John Oxley , jun . For music and dancing—Bros . Alexander Hay , Graham Stuart , and John Kent Turner . For supper and wine : Bros . E . P . Hornby , H . J . Garnett , and Eobert Arnison . Dancing was kept up with unflagging vigour until a very late hour in the morning , when all separated after spending a very agreeable evening .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

GRAND CHAPTER . QUARTERLY CONVOCATION . The Quarterly Convocation was held in the Temple on Wednesday last , there being present Comps . Thomas Hem-y Hall , as Z . ; John Havers , as H . ; George W . K . Potter , as I . ; Wm . Gray Clarke , E . ; Richard XV . Jennings , N . ; John Huyshe , as

Pr . Soj .,- W . K . Eyland Bedford , 1 st Assist . Soj . ; Thomas Gole , as 2 nd Assist . Soj . ; iEneas J . Mclntyre , Reg . ; John Creaton , Sword Bearer ; Theodore E . Ladd , Dir . of Ce ' rs . ; S . B . Wilson , P . Standard Bearer ; Nicholas Bradford , P . Dir . of Cers . ; Rd . J . Spiers , P . Standard Bearer ; John Savage , P . Sword Bearer ; Wm . Pulteney Scott , P . Assist . Soj . ; John Symonds , P .

Standard Bearer ; Joseph Smith , P . Dir . of Cers . ; Abraham A . Le Veau , F . Dir . of Cers .

The usual formalities having been gone through , and the report of the General Committee received , a petition was read for a warrant for a Royal Arch Chapter to be attached to lodge 9 SS , Constantinople , but it appearing that the petition was only signed by four Royal Arch Masons , resident at Constantinople , and there had been some dissension in the lodge ( which , by the bye , ought to be settled by the Provincial Grand Lodge ) , it was

resolved to adjourn the consideration of the petition until the next quarterly convocation of Grand Chapter . Comp . H . G . WARREN then brought forward two resolutions , one for reducing the fee for a Royal Arch Charter from five guineas to three , and the other for reducing the exaltation fee from three guineas to one . Comp . Warren argued his two

resolutions together on the ground that the present fees were prohibitive and against the spirit of the Book of Constitutions , declared Eoyal Arch Masonry to consist of three degrees , including the Eoyal Arch , which , therefore , became the unalienable right of every brother , and ought to be placed within his reach on the most moderate terms . He also argued that their revenues were likely to he increased rather than diminished by the proposed reductions .

Comp . G . Statis seconded the first , and Comp . Hintman the second resolution . Comp . Savage , P . G . S . B . opposed on the ground that the connection between Craft and Eoyal Arch Masonry ivas only theoretical ancl , in fact , they were two distinct associations . He looked upon the first motion as altogether unnecessary , as it was only a first expense never to be repeated , and did not think any

alteration was requisite , either io increase or decrease the revenue . As regarded the second motion , he looked upon it as an attack upon the resources of the private Chapters , which pay 15 s . to Grand Chapter for exaltation , and did not think it desirable to endeavour by lower rates to increase the number of members in the Order .

Comp . SPIEES expressed his regret that he could not agree to tbe reduction for exaltation to one guinea , but thought it ought not to exceed two , and that the period at which the degree might be conferred should be shortened . Both the motions having been negatived , not more than eight or ten companions voting in the whole , Comp . Warren declined

to proceed with his third motion for annual returns from the Chapters . The Convocation was then closed and adjourned .

METROPOLITAN . CONSECRATION OF THE TEMPEEANCE CHAPTEE , ( No . ' * 983 i ^\ This new chapter was formally consecrated at the Plough Tavern , Plough-bridge , Eotherhithe , on Tuesday , the 3 rd inst . The ceremony was performed by Comp . W . Watson , in his

usual perfect manner . He was assisted by Comp . Matthew Cooke , who performed the music . After the ceremony the Principals were installed and the officers invested as follows : — Comps . G . Bolton , M . E . Z . ; D . R . Farmer , H . ; John Hollins , J . ; John Thomas , E . ; Searle , N . ; Simmons , P . Soj . ; who appointed Comps . Cartwrigltt and Arnold his two assistants .

The following brethren , of the mother lodge , were then exalted to the sublime degree of Eoyal Arch Masons , viz ., Bros . Tibbals , Truslow , Brown , Wingfield , Stahr , and Mills . The visitors present were Comps . W . Piatt , H . 90 ; J . Downs , Crystal Palace ; Penny , P . Z . ; Walters , Hasler , Peckham , and Collington , of the Hope Chapter ( No . 248 ) . After the chapter was closed ,

the companions adjourned to banquet , and spent a very pleasant and agreeable evening .