Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

LIVERPOOL GRAND MASONIC BALL . — The twelfth annual hall of the brethren of the western division of Lancashire took place ( by the kind permission of the mayor and council ) on Tuesday week , at the Town Hall . The proceeds of the ball were to be applied in aid of the funds of the AVest Lancashire Institution for the Education and Advancement in Life of Children of Distressed Freemasons , an institution which has progressed so satisfactorily as to _ surpass the most sanguine

expectations of its original promoters . The funds of the charity now amount to upwards of £ 3 , 500 , and it is said that by strenuous efforts , and by the aid of the increasing subscriptions , the interest of the sinking fund will enable the governors of the institution to dispense its laudable aid to those who are in need without any diminution in the present funds of the charity . It appears the children are taught in the Collegiate Institution , the Liverpool Institute , and several other private academies in the town and suburbs . It

is worthy of remark that the charity , although it only professes to educate and start the children of Masons in life , does with a noble and benevolent care watch and foster its objects till they reach the age of twenty-one . AVe have alluded to a strenuous effort being required to maintain the present flourishing position of the funds of the institution , for we are informed that several additional applications for relief will be submitted to the r . ext meeting of governors ofthe institution . During the eveningthe splendid suite of rooms

, , which have recently been redecorated , presented a gay and gorgeous scene . The taste , the elegant dresses , and the charming appearance of the ladies , added to the variety of costume worn by the brethren , who appeared in the full Masonic clothing of their rank and orders to which they belonged , produced a splendid effect , and caused the ball to be one of the finest ever held in the provinces . The musical arrangements , as well as the two orchestras , were under the direction of Bro . G . A . AAlelopoIski Phillipps , and the

following was the programme of the dances for the evening -. — Polkas : Under the Rose , the Butterflies' Ball , the Masonic , the Frozen Fountain . A alses . Sultana , thc Corn Flower , Lurline , Dinorah , Satanella . Quadrilles : The Juno , Off to Charlestown , Erin-go-Bragh , American . Galops : 'The Schiller , Hig-htown Rifle Contest ( by G . A . AV . Phillipps ) , Purreux , & c . The refreshments , which were provided by Bro . Morrish , of the Merchants ' Dining Rooms , were abundant , and of a very superior description . In addition to the usual Mayor's dining-room being

tastefully set apart for the substantial provision , a coffee-room was added adjoining , as well as an excellent supper in the waiting-room of the Council Chamber . The company present spoke in flattering terms of the ample and excellent provision made for their entertainment . There were about 400 persons present , which , it is said , is much fewer in number than have attended any ball held in connection with the charity . It is therefore very probable that the funds of the institution , instead of being augmented , will suffer from this

praiseworthy effort to advance its position . SHEFFIELD . —The Britannia Lodge ( No . 1 G 2 ) gave their fifth annual ball iu the Cutlers' Hall , on AA eilnesday , the 23 rd January . It was by far the most successful ball hitherto given , and reflected the greatest credit upon the brethren , who had the management of the different departments . A niost fashionable and elegantly dressed company , numbering upwards of two hundred of the elite of the town and neihbourhoodwith many visitors from a distance

g , , assembled abouthalt-past nine o ' clock , and , assisted by the enlivening strains of a splendid band , danced with great spirit until twelve o ' clock , ivhen they adjourned to the saloon , and partook of a sumptuous collation , after which they returned with renewed vigour to the dance , and did not separate till half-past four in the morning . ST . JAMES ' S UNION LODGE . —The fifth annual ball of this lodge in aid of Masonic Charities was held at AA'illis's Rooms , King-street ,

St . James ' s , on Thursday evening , the 24 th ult ., Bro . C Jackson , W . M ., President , Bro . J . Gurton , P . M ., Vice-President . The rooms were filled with a distingue company , and dancing commenced to the enlivening strains of Bro . Adams ' s excellent band . Many of the ladies had their dresses trimmed profusely with Coventry ribbons ; their generous motive for so doing of course enhanced both dress and wearer iu the estimation of every Mason . In the course ofthe evening the company adjourned to a sumptuous supper ,

and having paid devoted attention to the various edibles , Bro . Jackson called their attention to several toasts , foremost of which , of course , was " Our Gracious Queen . " The band again "discoursed sweet melody , " and dancing was resumed and kept up with spirit till an early hour . Much praise is due to the several Stewards for their admirable arrangements , as also to Messrs . Willis ' s stall ' , under the able management of Bro . Paine . " All went merry as & marriage bell , " and every one seemed to be highly satisfied with the evening ' s enjoyi ? . ent . AVe trust that , from the proceeds , we may hear that the St . James ' s Lodge commands a goodly balance in the banker's hands .

Masonic Festivities.

BRO . BEAULAR ' S BALL . —The twenty-fifth annual ball of this veteran brother took place at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , and was attended by about 150 ladies and gentlemen—a large proportion of the latter being members of the Order . Several songs were sung in the intervals of dancing , ancl added to the pleasure of the company . NUNEATON , AVARWICKSIURE . —A Masonic ball was given at Nuneaton , on the 22 nd January , in aid of the general funds for the

distressed weavers at Coventry and neighbourhood ; about 160 were present , and a most successful result followed the exertions of the brethren . Mr . Newdegate , M . P ., brought a large party , and most ably supported the Masons . Amongst the brethren were Bro . Chas . W . Elkington , D . Prov . G . M . of the province ; Bro . the Honourable C . L . Butler , Bro . Royd , D . Prov . G . M . AVorcestershire ; Bros . Nason , Denes , R . Nason , Tribe , Penton , & c . The whole arrangements reflected the greatest credit upon the members .

OLD CONCORD LODGE (_ N O . 201 ) . —The annual ball of this lodge took place at the Queen ' s Concert Rooms , Hanover-square , on Thursday , the 31 st January , and was attended by a very numerous , and elegant company , the officers of the lodge and many of the visitors appearing in their collars and jewels . AA'hen the refreshment-rooms were thrown open , about 300 ladies and gentlemen partook of supper , which was well served by Mr . AAlthers , the

wines , which were of superior quality , being supplied by Bro . Nicholson . Bro . Bradley's band of twenty performers ivas very much admired , and gave great satisfaction , while Bro . H . A .. Taylor , as M . C ., performed his duties in a very efficient manner . The Board of Stewards , consisting of Bros . Laughlin , president . Swainston , Nicholson , AA aters , Davis , Corben , Dixson , Perkins , Stubbs , Maddick , and Elgee , with Bro . Emmons , Hon . Sec , carried out all the arrangements to perfection . AVe are happy to add there will be a considerable surplus for Masonic charity .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . GEORGE ROBERT ROAVE , M . D ., F . S . A . This well-known brother , who was so suddenly taken from us on Thursday week , was a pupil of the celebrated Dr . Abernethy , and became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in England in the year 1812 . On the breaking out of the Peninsular war he was appointed one of the army surgeons , and his skill in that series of contests won for him the regard and esteem of some ofthe highest military authorities . After he relinquished the service he proceeded to the degree of M . D ., and in 1840

became a Member of the Royal College of Physicians cf London . Our Into brother was also , at the time of his decease , a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and ofthe London Medical Society , Honorary Physician to the Koyal Dramatic College , and a Director of the Reliance and East of England Life Assurance Companies . He was the author of A Treatise on Nervous Diseases , which lias passed through no less than sixteen editions ; another work , On some Important Diseases of Females—with Caseswhich has reached a second editionSome Observations on Cancer

, ; , 2 > i'i _ ited in The Lancet , in 1 S 13 ; and The Abcmcthian Oration , also in the same periodical , in 1840 . Thus fur his public and professional life ; and now we turn to his Masonic career . He was initiated into Masonry in the Stoi-tford Lodge ( No . 532 ) , held at Bishops Stafford , on the 4 th of September , 1832 ; . joined the Eoyal Naval Lodge ( No . 70 ) on the 4 th of June , 1833 ; the Old Dundee Lodge ( No . 18 ) on the 3 rd of February , 1835 ; was the founder and first AV . M . of the ChigweJl Lodge ( No . C 83 ) , ivhose warrant- is dated 18 th of August . 1 S 3 S ; and joined the Hope and Unity Lod '

ge , Romford ( No . 250 ) , on the 21 st of May , 1840 ; in 1810 . he was appointed S . G . D . of Grand Lodge , and Sword Bearer in Grand Chapter . AV ' s have not been able to trace in what chapter he was exalted ; but he was one of the founders of the Essex Chapter ( No . 313 ) , opened at Chelmsford , in 1848 , and was for many years D . Prov . G . M . for Essex , under the Prov . G . M . Bvo . Rowland Alston . The loss of Bro . Dr . Rowe will be widely felt . About his own property at Chigwell , he was looked up to aud courted both by thc poor and rich , and of the former have lost in him kind friend and

many a sympathiser . His neighbours who needed not- his aid have also a great share of regret , for in him they possessed a genial friend , a man of science , aud a polished gentleman . To his brother Masons the loss seems irreparable . He was widely known , and much beloved iu the Craft ; and if ever a pure Masonicspirit has taken wing to those blest mansions from whence all goodness emanates , our Bro . Dr . Rowe has wended his way to the Grand Lodge above , accompanied by many a widow ' s prayer and orphan ' s blessing . Our brother died very suddenly , being struck with apoplexy , and in half an hour after the attack , had ceased to exist . He was seventy years of age , and has left a widow and daughter to bemoan their loss , and for whom many a brother sheds a tear of sympathy .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

ill . ! COURT . —Her Majesty and family have returned from AAlndsor to Buckingham Palace . On Tuesday Her Majest y opened Parliament with the usual state . A statement that the Queen intends spending her birthday this year at Balmoral is denied upon authority . It is understood that the Queen will hold a Drawing-room at St . James ' s Palace , on Thursdiiv , the 21 st of March next .