Knights Templar.

( 7 th Royal Fusiliers ); Capt . J . Clery ( 100 th P . W . R . C . ); Capt . G . Macartney ( 100 th P . W . R . C ); Lieut . Graydon Smith ( 7 th Royal Fusiliers ) . The Knts . then proceeded to the annual election of an Eminent Commander , Treasurer , and Equerry , in accordance with the statutes of the Order , and the bye-laws of this encampment , when the unanimous voice of the encampment Ai-as as follows : — Sir Knt . Ingram ( 1 st Capt . ) , Em . Com . ; Sir Knts . AVeir , Treasurer ; Romero , Equerry . The Sir Knts . separated at an early hour , proposing to meet one another in the evening at a grand Masonic ball , to be given by Lodge 178 , ivith the co-operation of the brethren of the Garrison .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

TEMPLE LODGE BALL ( NO . 118 ) . —This spirited and dashing ball , the ball of the season , 1861 , took place on Thursday , 7 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , Lincoln ' s-inn-fields , when all the resources of Messrs . Shrewsbury and Elkington's establishment were called into requisition . Dancing commenced at halfpast nine , under the efficient direction of Bro . Frampton , as M . C ., with Bro . Adams' splendid band , and was continued with much energy until half-past twelve , when the company , to the number of

180 , adjourned to the supper-rooms , presided over by Bro . Farthing , AV . M ., and Treas . to the ball , and Bro . Thomas Beard , Hon . Sec . The tables were absolutely loaded ivith dainties to please the eye , or tempt the appetite ; the Ai-iues aud refreshments altogether were of the first quality , and met with the unqualified approbation of all present ; in fact , the arrangements made by the . Stewards , for the gratification and comfort of their friends , ivere first-class , and elicited great praise for their foresight and judgment . After the

toasts of " The Queen , " & c , Bro . Farthing , W . M ., rose to propose the toast of the evening , — "Prosperity to the Temple Lodge Ball , " Avhich Avas drunk amidst great applause . He said the ball bad hitherto been held at Eadley's Hotel , but the members having outgrown the accommodation , the Stewards had decided on removing thence to more convenient and roomy quarters—had this met their approbation ? ( Loud cries of Yes , yes . ) Well , then , he ivould tell them that by their presence that evening they ivere doing a vast amount of good , while enjoying themselves , and thus contributing to the happiness of others . He Avas happy to say there Avould be a

good surplus , after paying all necessary expenses , to give to those who needed it , namely , —the Masonic Charities . The next toast , " The Ladies , " was given by the AA ' . M-, in a happy and facetious vein , being duly honoured and responded to by Bro . P . M . AA ynn <) . Dancing was then resumed ivith augmented spirit in the hall , and continued until five o'clock , finishing with the good old English dance of Sir Roger de Coverley : still the company lingered , loth to depart from such a pleasant reunion , where , AA-e may venture to say ,

all had thoroughly enjoyed themselves . BURY , LANCASHIRE . —The fourth annual Masonic ball in aid of the London and Provincial Charities came off here on Thursday evening , 31 st instant , in the spacious concert-hall erected in this town some years ago at the cost of the Earl of Derby , when there Avere present from 90 to 100 persons , mostly members of our glorious Craft , who , with their wives and daughters , presented a picturesque and noble appearance . Several provincial officers ,

past and present , in full dress , who , with the Royal Arch and Knights Templar degrees , contrasted with the chaste ' blue-trimmed white aprons , the simple and pure badges of innocents , worn by the Masters and Past Masters of the district , gave the scene a gorgeous appearance ; and as they undulated to the melodious notes of a fine quadrille band , the hall presented the appearance of a fairyland , nor did the music cease , nor the revellers disappear , until "the cock had thrice done salutation to the morn . " The refreshments were well served by mine host of tho Derby . The projectors and executors of the undertaking have no cause for regret , as it has answered their expectations in all respects .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COURT . —On Thursday , Her Majesty received addresses from the two Houses of Parliament . Her Majesty , the Prince Consort , and Princess Alice visited St . James's Theatre . On Friday , the Queen , with the Princesses Alice and Helena , visited the South Kensington Museum , and in the evening , the Queen and the Princesses Alice and Louisa were present at the performances of the Royal English Opera , Covent Garden . On Saturday , Her Majesty had a dinner part and on Sundayattended Divine worshiin the chapel of

y ; , p the Palace . It being the twenty-first anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne , a selection of music was performed iu the evening . On Monday , the Queen , Prince Consort , and Prineess Alice visited the Haymarket Theatre . On Tuesday , the Queen had a dinner party . The following being Ash Wednesday , was passed

in quietude . His Royal Highness the Prince of AVales , attended by Major-General the Hon . R . Bruce and Major Teesdale , arrived , on Saturday , on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Hardwicke , at AAlmpole-hall , near Royston . On Monday , the Cambridgeshire hounds met at Hardwicke , when there was a large assemblage of lovers of the chase . The Prince of Wales , the Earl of Hardwicke , Major-General the Hon . R . Bruce , Lord Royston , Major Teesdale , ic , were present at the " meet . "

iMrEEiAL PARLIAMENT . —In the House of Lords , on Thursday , nothing was done beyond carrying up the reply to Her Majesty's speech . On Friday , on the motion of Lord Granville , a Committee was appointed to inquire into the manner of conducting the busi- > ness of the House . On Monday , the Lord Chancellor introduced a bill into the House of Lords to repeal obsolete statutes . He made the pleasant announcement that " the expurgated edition would not exceed one-fourth the size of the present . On Tuesday a bill was

introduced for preventing the forging of trade marks . On Thursday , in the House of Commons , the Chancellor of the Exchequer brought forward resolutions relative to the Bank of England . He proposed that the remuneration of the Bank for the management of the public debt should be , for a fixed period of twenty-five years , at the rate of £ 300 per annum per million for the first 600 millions , and £ 150 for the excess beyond 600 millions ; that the payment of £ 4000 per annum as " house money" and of £ 1579 on account of

, South Sea Debt , should cease and determine . The effect ivould be to place the annual remuneration of the Bank on the x'resent amount of debt iu round numbers at about £ 200 , 000 a year , and to save about £ 50 , 000 a year to the public . The measure had been agreed to by the Bank proprietors in tho morning . The resolutions were passed , and Sir C . Lewis brought in a bill for equalising the rating throughout England and Wales . The most interesting topic under discussion was the motion of Lord Pahnerston for the appointment of

a select committee to consider the best means of facilitating public business . Mr . Horsham proposed an amendment , which he subsequently withdrew , and the motion was ultimately agreed to . On Friday there Avas a discussion in the Houss on the grant to the Mysore

Princes , and Sir Charles AVood entered pretty fully into an explanation of his conduct in the matter , and stated he was fully convince !? of the justice of the claims of the Princes to the amount granted them . Mr . H . B . Sheridan put several questions to Lord J . Russell , ivhich gave Mr . Collier an opportunity of delivering a brief , but forcible , speech in explanation of the true meaning and intent of the extradition treaty with America , in reference to the case of Anderson . Mr . AYarner also pertinently

revived the recollection of the fact that , some years ago , the American authorities refused to deliver up an Irishman Avho was charged with the murder of bis landlord , on the ground that the offence was one of a political character . Lord Pahnerston , in reply , made the gratifying announcement that on the 9 th of January the Duke of Newcastle wrote to the Governor-General of Canada , directing him not to surrender Anderson . His lordship , amid the cheers of the Housevery strongly expressed the opinion that a

, person arrested under the treaty must be proved to be guilty of a crime according to the laws of the country in which he is captured . A Committee was appointed to inquire into the working of the Poor Laiv . The Chancellor of the Exchequer brought in a measure for facilitating the operations of Savings' Banks , and for giving the people opportunity to deposit small savings at any money order office on 25- per cent , interest . —On Monday , a bill was brought in to enable the corporation to sell the site of Newgate-market for

building purposes . An important announcement was made by Sir G . C . Lewis , to the effect thathe did not intend to bring forward a measure of corporation reform this session—only a bill for the settlement of the question of the coal dues . Mr . Ayrton gave notice of his intention to move for the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the local government and taxation of the metropolis , and to consider whether it would not be expedient to constitute ] , it into J [ a county . After some explanations between

Mr . BaillieandSir Charles Wood , on the finances of India , Sir Richard Bethell brought in his bill for a reform in the Courts of Bankruptcy , by which the proceedings in . bankruptcy and insolvency are to be assimilated together . —On Tuesday , Lord John Russell was interrogated on three American questions—Mexico , San Juan , and the extradition case . His lordship gave a sketch of the state of anarchy which exists in the former country , but was disposed to take a somewhat hopeful view

of the overthrow of Miramon , and the elevation of the Juarez Government to power . Upon the San Juan question he intimated that Her Majesty ' s Ministers had made certain reasonable proposals to the American Government , of the naturo of ivhich he would say nothing until the correspondence had been conrpleted . No communication had passed between the tAvo Governments relative to the fugitive slave Anderson beyond the original demand made for his extradition . An interesting discussion took place on the Rochdale County Court case , the point of which was the refusal of the judge