Royal Arch.

would incite them to give their support to maintain the high position of the Chapter , Comp . Captain Powell then proposed " The health of Comp . Hassall , Quartermaster , R . A ., " as that Companion was about to leave for a distant station , assuring him that he would at all times command the respect and well wishes of his brethren , and that they should ever be happy to hear ofhis welfare . Comp . Hassall most heartily thanked the Companions for the kindness he had received at their hands , and trusted his conduct would be such as to merit a continuance of their respect towards

Mm . The healths of the junior officers of the Chapter were severally given and responded to , and tho Companions parted earl }' . PROVINCIAL CHAPTER . WOLVJBBHAMPIOX . —St . Peter ' s Chapter ( No . 607 ) . —A meeting of this Chapter

was holden at the Star and Garter , on April 13 th , when Bro . T . Walker was exalted to this supreme degree . Four other brethren were on the list , but did not attend in time , The officers performed their duties in a very efficient manner , all beiug present except the P . S ., whose duties were admirably fulfilled by Bro . F . Gough , who acted as P . S . at tho request of the M . E . Z ., H . Lewis , The installation of officers for the ensuing year will tako place at the meeting on tho second Tuesday in June , they are , G . Hudson , Z . ; E . H . A . Gwynue , H . ; Lewis , J .: Harris , Treasurer ; Warner , E . ; R . Hudson , N . ; F , Gough , P . S . ; Jones , Jan .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

MASONIC BALL AT WORCESTER . On Thursday , April 28 th , the brethren of tho Worcester Lodge of Freemasons ( No . 319 ) gave a grand Masonic ball in the Guildhall of that city , and the pleasant remembrances of a similar entertainment , given by them eight years ago , caused the hall to be crowded , overcrowded indeed , by the nobility , gentry , and elite of the neighbourhood . Tho hall iras crowded—the four hundred and fortassembled

y , and the orchestra , could hardly find space for operations . The arrangements were characterized by the best taste . The staircase was converted into a conservatory , and the dancing hall hung with pink and white drapery , flags , aud the banners of the Lodge . Lady Diana Pakington opened the ball with the Worshipful Master , Bro . John Barber , M . A ., aud the dancing proceeded with great spirit . The scene was a very effective one—the Masonic garments of the brethren and the gay dresses of the ladiesmaking the general appearance much more brilliant than that

, of au ordinary ball room . The lower hall was fitted up as a supper room , and displayed great elegance and splendour . The throne of the Graud Master , with its blue and silver canopy , appropriately decorated and surmounted by a gas illumination , showing Masonic and loyal devices ; the gorgeous banner of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire ; the rayed gas stars ; the Royal Arch on twin burnished pillars of brass ; and a whole host of glittering Masonic emblems ; the black and white banner of Beauseant ; a legend of bannerets ; and an illuminated

shield with a Maltese Cross , made the old walls gayer than they had been for many a year . Below the supper tables , furnished with a capital collation , were three ' ' great lights " raised on Corinthian , Doric , and Ionian pedestals , and numerous gigantic electro-silver candelabra , with statuettes for vases . There noble aud gentle feasted and drank appropriate toasts , after which dancing was resumed with renewed energy till half-past four , aud the coming dawn sent the company home to dream of the delights of the Masonic ball and to long for the next ,