Ireland.

IRELAND .

MASONIC FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM . ANNUAI DlSTEIBUTION OP PEIZES . The very interesting ceremony of distributing the annual prizes to the children of this school took place on Wednesday , Jan . 28 , in the Antieut Concert Rooms , Great Brunswick-street , and was witnessed by a large assemblage of ladies and gentlemenThe Concert-room presented a most brilliant appearance

. , decorated , as it was , with flags , bearing the emblems of the Masonic Order , and brilliantly lighted with gas jets which represented the compass and square , and other devices . At a quarter before eight o'clock the Grand Officers , the Representatives from foreign and Provincial Grand Lodges , and the Masters , AVardens , and Secretaries of the several Dublin lodges assembled in the Tuning Room , and formed a procession , which

entered the hall , the band playing a march . The Grand Master , his Grace the Duke of Leinster , took the chair . The Honorary Secretary and Assistant Secretaries then entered the room , accompanied by the pupils , about thirty-two in number , who were followed by the medical attendant . The girls were seated on either side of the platform , and presented a healthy , intelligent appearance . They were neatly dressed , and evidently well cared for . The DeputGrand MasterDr

y , . Townsend , having conducted the ceremony of saluting the Grand Master , according to ancient usage , the Senior Grand Chaplain read prayers . The children then sang , in very good style , the Doxology and Sanetus . Bro . LA TOUCHE , the Honorary Secretary , then said , this was the third occasion on which he came forward to read the report of the society , hut , he would add , this was the first time he had to announce that the annual income was less than that

of the preceding year . He greatly regretted to say that a considerable portion of that diminution rested with the contributors of small sums . He thought every one present would agree with hhn that the merits of the Masonic Female School entitled the institution to the support of every brother of the Order , not only to receive the £ l and £ 10 of the rich and affluent , but the shillings and crowns of the poor and indigent . It was , therefore , a source of extreme regret that the contribution of small

sums was this year considerably less than in I 860 ; but he did not think they had any cause of apprehension when they saw so wide-spread and deep an interest taken in the success of the Masonic Female Orphan School . It must have been gratifying to the Most AVorshipful Grand Master , who , he might say , had stood sponsor to the Institution , to the Deputy Grand Master , who had guided its infant steps , and to the other Grand Officers of the Orderwho had taken an interest in its foundation and

, development , to see the fruit of their exertions . His endeavour Avould be to tread in the steps of those who had preceded him , and to develope , as far as he could , the Masonic Female Orphan School . This large and influential assembly showed that its merits aud claims to regard were not unrecognised ; and he trusted that the contributions , in future , would more than counterbalance the falling-off in the income of last year . It was thought by many that public demonstrations of this kind would

be pernicious to the youthful minds of the pupils , but the majority thought that the sagacious and wise admonitions which they would hear , and the kind and sympathising voices of those who took an interest in them , would more than counterbalance any evil , and encourage them to prove that they were worthy of the interest they evoked . ( Applause . ) He would now , with these observations , read for them the

ANNUAI REPORT . " The Governors of the Masonic Female Orphan School have the gratification to announce that the institution has been made to prosper in their hands during the past year ; that both the numbers and the zeal of its supporters have increased , and that the list of subscribers , annually enlarging , evinces that there are now many more than in former years , who take an interest in the

welfare of the orphans [ of their brethren and companions , and seek to do them good . " The Governors believe that the school was never in a state of higher efficiency than it is at present ; and although the revenue for the year 1860 exceeded that for 1861 , yet , upon comparing the balance-sheets of those years , it will be found thatthe receipts of the former year included a bequest of £ 100 . It will likewise he observed that during the past year there has been an increase in the amount of the subscriptions

received from annual governors , as well as in those received from Masonic lodges . "The additions to the school-house have been completed , at an expense exceeding the sum of £ 900 . The Governors feel the fullest confidence that the fraternal and sympathising cooperation of the brethren , will enable them speedily to replace the money , which , for the foregoing purpose , has been withdrawn from the funded property of the schooland which they

, believe to have been judiciously and economically expended . " The enlargement of the building rendered the painting of the institution and the purchase of some additional furniture necessary , the cost of which forms a large item in the account for this year , although purchased with all due consideration for the limited funds of the institution . " The increased number of inmates , and the high price of

provisions , have produced an increase in the ordinary expenditure of the school ; but an examination of the accounts will show that the average expenses have not been more than in former years ; a result which the Governors feel to he due to the economic and judicious management of Mrs . Noble , the vigilant superintendence of the Finance Committee , and tha efficient zeal ancl intelligence of Brother Oldham , the Assistant , Secretarv .

" The new code of rules has been found to work well , and the . dispensing with the personal attendance of governors at the . election of candidates for admission has given great satisfaction , and stimulated the interest felt in the school , especially ou the . part of those Governors who were unable to attend personally upon such occasions . " The literary progress of the girls during the year has been satisfactory , and at the examinations , held under the

superintendence of the Education Committee , aided by several brethren who kindly lent their valuable assistance , the proficiency of the pupils in music and writing , ancl their answering in grammar and arithmetic , were such as to reflect the highest credit both , upon the teachers and scholars . " The Governors desire to impress upon those who are unacquainted with tbe system of education adopted in the school , that while the mental attainments of most of the pupils will

fully qualify them to fill with credit the important position of governesses , their education in the more practical duties of life is not neglected , as the girls are accustomed to perform all the domestic duties of the establishment , as well as to make and mend their own clothes . They are trained in habits of industry , subordination , discipline , cleanliness , and regularity . Thispart of their instruction is confined to Mrs . Noble , whose unwearied activity and zeal entitle her , in every respect , to the

confidence and approbation of the Governors , and have secured for her the filial affection of many of the orphans who have experienced her maternal kindness in the Institution , and regard her as a mother , and the school as a home . In the discharge of her onerous duties she is superintended by the Ladies' Committee , whose valuable services the Governors highly appreciate , and who have reported favourably of the progressive improvement of the girls in needlework—that most important branch of female education .

" The Governors are thankful to say , that no infectious or severe disease appeared amongst the inmates of the school during the past year . The institution is still indebted to Dr . Speedy for the services which he has , for many years , gratuitously accorded to the pupils . " During the year 1861 eight girls have obtained admission to the school , which now contains thirty-four inmates . Of these only nine are the orphans of brethren of Dublin Lodges ; three

are orphans of military brethren , while twenty-three are orphans of brethren of Country lodges . The Governors mention these facts to show the great claim the Institution possesses on the brethren of country lodges . "Through the exertions of the Apprentice Committee , an eligible situation has been procurred for one of the pupils , Maria Dunne , and the Governors have reason to hope that situations , equally suitable , will be speedily provided for some of the other

girls . The accounts from the former inmates of the school continue to be most satisfactory , and indicate their grateful affection for the home in which they passed so many of their youthful years . " Jane Conolly still occupies the same position referred to in former reports , and annually remits £ 1 out of her salary to the school . Lydia Lawder continues in charge of a large and impoatant school at AVoolwich , the numbers in attendance at which have been doubled since her appointment :