Masonic Festivities.

present . From time immemorial the highest class residents , illustrious visitors , and officers of both services have ever been eager to enrol their names in the archives of the lodge , and the muster-roll can tell of brethren who have gained for themselves a proud niche in the temple of fame , and of many whose deeds are household words in the naval and military annals of England ' s

history , though many , alas too many ! have now passed away to the Grand Lodge above . The theatre at Gibraltar , never at any time , either externally or internally , a very imposing or cleanly building , under the skilful hands of the ball committee , was , by means of flags , evergreens , Masonic banners , mirrors , and lights , completely transformed . The pit was , of

course , boarded over ; at the extreme end of the stage a dais had been erected , carpeted with rich Moorish rugs ; on the centre of the dais was placed a oouch covered with white and blue satin , for the special use of the Hon . Lady Airey ; over tho dais was an elegant canop 3 , formed of large flags , so arranged and' so ornamented with smaller Templar and Masonic banners as to convey the impression that the dais formed the entrance to a large tent ; on each side of the dais , but still under the canopy , were mirrors , couches , marble Masonic pillars , globes ,

lights , & c . the Governor's box , situated in the centre of the house , had been converted into an elegant little boudoir , richly draped -with Moorish cloth , and hung with girandoles . On papier-mache tables wero placed opera-glasses , silver and Moorish trays , with various perfumes and bouquets of flowers . Bound the house , in all available positions , wore placed flagsand evergreens and

mirrors , interspersed with Knight Templar banners , royal arch wands , and various other emblems of the mystic craft . The passages and staircases were draped with flags , and the stairs covered with crimson cloth . Precisely at 9 . 30 p . m . H . E . Sir Richard Airoy , G . C . B ., and the Hon . Lady Airey arrived , and were received at the entrance of the house by the Dir . of Cers ., Bro . and the Stewards

Gilbard , , and by them conducted to bis Excellency ' s box . The appearance of the distinguished guests was the signal for " God save tho Queen" from the band . At this moment tho scene in the house was especially charming , all the boxes being crowded with ladies standing up in the full blaze of beauty , elegant dresses , and rich jewellery . As the strains of " the National Anthem died away the Masonic march was heard , and the procession of Masons entered the ballroom from a side entrance in tho following order : —

Two Tylers with drawn Swords . Entered Apprentices . Fellow Crafts . Master Masons . Steward . Inner Guard . —Treasurer-Secretary with Book of Constitutions .

Junior-Deacon . —Senior-Deacon . Junior-Warden . —Senior-Warden , The Worshipful Master . Provincial Grand Officers according to rank Deputy Provincial Grand Master . The Provincial Grand Master . Ko 3 al Arch Companions according to rank . Knights Templars . Knights of Malta . Princes of the Kosc Croix .

After making a circuit of the room the procession halted in front of the dais in a double line , facing inwards , the Worshipful Master and his wardens falling out and taking their position at the foot of the dais , the Templars , Knights of Malta , and the Princes of the Eose Croix at this moment drawing their swords , and forming the arch of steel . This movement being complete , the Dir . of Cers . proceeded to request the honour of Lady Airey ' s presence in the ball-room . Her Ladyship , accompanied by his Excellency , descended and entering the ball-room

Masonic Festivities.

of the more distinguished guests , the whole procession being marshalled , as usual , by the indefatigable Dir . of Cers ., Bro . Gilbard , his Stewards and Pursuivants . On Lady Airey taking the place at the table reserved for her tho Worshipful Master presented her with a white satin apron , trimmed with blue ribbon and silver bullion tassels and cord , the facsimile of a Master Mason ' s apron

on which was printed in gilt letters the menu of tho supper , and underneath the flap of the apron were printed in gilt letters the names of the brethren of the lodge subscribing to the ball . Her Ladyship was pleased to accept this as a slight memento of the entertainment ; and the Worshipful Master having intimated that the lodge was indebted to the wife of the Senior-Warden

for the design and execution of this very characteristic little ornament , Lady Airey most kindly addressed a few complimentary words to that lady . Shortly after supper Lady Airey and his Excellency were conducted to their carriage by tho senior officers of the lodge , to whom they expressed their entire approbation of all the arrangements of the evening .

Dancing was kept up with great spirit till half-past three in the morning , when " God save the Queen" wasplayed . Upwards of 300 guests were present . — Court Journal

passed up through the double line of Masons to the extreme edge of the arch of steel , where she wasreceived by the Worshipful Master Bro . R . Leighfc Brown , the S . W ., Bro . Balfour Cockburn , and the Acting J . W ., Bro . R . H . Wallace , the W . M . making the following speech : — "Lady Airey—As Worshipful Master of the Lodge of

Friendship , I welcome you under the arch of steel . In the name of the officers and members of the lodge I beg to thank yon for gracing our meeting to-night with your presence , and we accept it as an augury that our efforts to please our friends will prove as successful as on the former occasions when your Ladyship and his Excellency Sir Richard Airey have honoured us with your

countenance and support . " Lady Airey having gracefully acknowledged the complimentary welcome , was at once led to her seat on the dais , a few bars of " God save the Queen" being played . Dancing was at once commenced . A few minutes before midnight the supper-room , iu which a most elegant and recherche repast had been laid , under the direction of the

premier chef of the Club-House Hotel , was thrown open , tho Worshipful Master conducting Lady Airey , and Sir Richard Airey leading in Mrs . Balfour Cockburn , the Senior-Warden and officers attending with a select party

South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA .

NATAL . The annual festivals of our two local lodges of this Craft—the Port Natal and Caledonian—were lately celebrated . The installation of officers for the Caledoniad first took place in the lodge room , Field street at 11 a . m . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Harry Escombe ,

P . M . The following are the officers for the year : —J . Johnstone , R . W . M . ; J . Crawford , D . M . ; J . Hampton , Sub . M . ; J . D . Witherspoon , S . W . ; A . Slattor J . W . ; J . C . Zeeman , Treas .: W . Shorfct , Sec ; D . Crabb S . D . ; S . Trent , J . D . J- Giles , S . S . ; J . Robertson J . S . ; G . Pullock Org . ; E . Leech I . G . ; L . Jacobs O . G . After the ceremony the brethren adjourned for refreshment , and in the

evening they assembled at tho annual banquet in the Phoenix Hotel , where they wore well catered for , and enjoyed themselves thoroughly . The installation of officers of the Port Natal Lodge took place at 3 p . m ., in the lodge room , Field street , where there was a largo muster of brethren . Bro . Harry Escombe was re-elected as W . M . ; and appointed the following officers : —D . Hull , jun . S . W . ; G . Pay , J . W . ; J . S . Steel , S . D . ; T . Edwards , J . D . ; J