Masonic Female Orphan School, Dublin.

MASONIC FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL , DUBLIN .

The annual meeting of the friends and supporters of this truly admirable and benevolent institution was held last evening in the large Concert-hall of the Exhibition Palace , Dublin , the remainder of tho building being thrown open for the purposes of a promenade for those who were unable to obtain admittance to the hall in which the proceedings took place , aud these were not a few . The doors were open shortly before seven o'clock , and we venture to say that never was that concert-hall so

rapidly filled in every part as on this occasion . In a very few minutes every seat in the gallery and the body of tbe hall was occupied by as respectable and numerous an assembly of ladies and gentlemen as ever gathered there on any charitable mission . There was not even standing-room for numbers who sought admittance , of whom there were as many enjoying the promenade outside in the nave as there were witnessing the proceedings . There were certainly over five thousand persons present of all

classes , and the respectability of the meeting , as well as its praiseworthy object , and the visible proofs of the good effected by the Order , were abundant answers to the calumnies and attacks of its enemies . It is but a comparatively few years since these annual meetings were inaugurated in tbe Rotmido , and the experiment proved a great success , strengthening not only the hands of those engaged with the school , but adding to the strength of the ancient and honoured Order . On this occasion

some limit had to be placed on the number of tickets , so great was the demand for them , and very many were disappointed in meeting a refusal . In fact , judging by the crowded state of the building last evening , the attendance would appear to have

reached proportions which it would be difficult to extend . The assembly was brilliant and fashionable , the varied-coloured dresses of the ladies contrasting and adding to tho effect of the rich scarfs , jewellery , and other paraphernalia of the brethren by whom they were accompanied , and the scene was gay and animated in the extreme . In the nave , the scene u as equally gay and animated , the building being brilliantly illuminated with vast numbers of gas jets , including some Masonic devices , placed

in conspicuous positions—the crowds promenading adding greatly to the tout ensemble . It is unnecessary for us to say a word as to the objects of tbe institution or the Order by which it is supported . The forty orphan girls , and nearly a dozen orphan boys of deceased brethren , who wero present , sufficiently commend both . From the opening the doors until the commencement of the proceedings , and also after the prizes had been distributed , a very choice selection of music was

played in the nave promenade by the bands of tho 8 th Hussars , under the direction of Bro . T . Martin , and of the Royal Irish Constabulary , under the direction of Bro . Harry Hardy , whose performance gave very great satisfaction , and served to enliven the assembly during the meeting . At eight o'clock , the brethren who were expected to occupy places on the platform , assembled in the small concert-room , and a procession having been formedit was conducted bthe DeputGrand Master

, y y from the Leinster Hall to the Grand Concert Hall , tho band of the Royal Irish Constabulary playing a Masonic March ( specially composed for the occasion by Bro . Johu Dunne , Mus . Doc , ~\ VM , 50 ) , introducing the Masonic song , by the late Bro . Dr .

Smith" Should the changes of life o ' er compel me to roam , In a Lodge of Freemasons I'll sure find a home ; There the rich and the poor on a level do meet , And brother each brother doth cordially greet . " On ascending the platform the brethren filed off into seats pointed out by the Stewards , and the chair was taken by the Right AVorshipful Bro . Robert AVilliam Shekleton , Deputy Grand MaBter .

The pupils of the school , accompanied by tbe pupils of the boys' school , then entered the room , and occupied the seats provided for them in front ( of the platform , the Grand Organist playing a voluntary as they marched along . The children of both sexes loiked remarkably healthy , were respectably clad , and their faces bore au intelligent and happy appearance . In every respect they evinced the care taken of themand

re-, flected much credit on those in whose charge they were placed . The entire scene in the hall wore a most imposing and magnificent appearance . The children having taking their seats , Bro . Viscount Powerscourt , Junior Grand AA' arden , called upon

Masonic Female Orphan School, Dublin.

the brethren present to give the Deputy Grand Master the customary salute , which was given according to ancient usage . The 100 th Psalm was then sung , with organ acconipaniement , by the vast assembly , and Bro . the Rev . J . J . MucSorley , Grand Chaplain , offered up prayers . The Deputy Grand Master said that a very unpleasant task had devolved upon him , to intimate to the meeting that his AVorshipful Grace , their Grand Master , tbe Duke of Leinster , was unable to be present that evening . He regretted his Grace ' s

absence on various grounds—first , on account of the cause which kept him from amongst them ; and , secondly , because it was thus his lot , as deputy , to take tho chair which the Grand Master had so worthily filled on so many previous oecasions . At a late hour last night he had received a communication from his Grace , stating that he had not been able to recover sufficiently to attend on this occasion . Yet , in expressing his unfeigned regret at the absence of his Grace , whose presence had lent

dignity and prestige to many of their assemblies , he was sure he was expressing the sentiments of every one iu the hall , and whether they regarded the Duke in his public or private character , he was alike respected and beloved as a nobleman resident amongst them who had set such a bright example to those of his own high order . As their Grand Master he had always manifested the greatest possible interest and paternal care in the success of the Female Orphan School , aud the fact that he had

been elected fifty-eight successive years to the exalted office of Grand Master , proved the estimation in which ho was held by every member of the Craft in Ireland . Ho was sure that all present , as well as the brethren absent , would sympathise with his Grace in his present indisposition . Bro . E . Digges La 'louche , Hon . Sec . to the Masonic Orphan School , then read tbe report . Some of the ils then played the following selections on the

pup pianoforte admirably , and were awarded loud applause : —Duet , " La Bouqnetiero " ( Maefarren ) . Solo , " Invitation pour hi dause " ( Chopin ) . R . AV . Bro . Viscount Powerscourt , Junior Grand Warden and Prov . Grand Master of Wicklow and AVexford . then proposed the following resolution : —

" That tho report now road be adopted , printed , and circulated , and that the thanks of this meeting are due to the members of the Ladies' Education , Finance , and Apprentice Committees of the Institution , and also to the medical officers of the school , for the zealous and efficient manner in which they have discharged the duties devolving upon them , and for the lively interest they manifest in everything conducive to the prosperity and progress of the pupils of the Masonic Femala Orphan School . "

He said—Before adverting to the object of the resolution , I wish to say one or two words on the subject of the craft generally . Freemasonry had had many burdens placed upon its shoulders which it had no right to bear . These were notions put forward by people who do not understand , or who wilfully misunderstand the objects of Freemasonry . As a so-called " secret society , " it has been classed with other combinations which aimed at the overthrow of law and order ; mid it has been

said by many people that such schemes were among its tenets . I have had long discussions about it with foreigners , and notably with a distinguished foreigner , who made out that the revolutions iu Italy and other countries wove fostered and encouraged by Freemasons . I pointed out that our constitution was directly opposed to any subversion of tho powers that be , and that any person conspiring iu any way would be looked upon as uuwoi'thy to sit in a lodge , and that liberally constituted Governments

look on our Craft as a beneficent and harmless institution . The true work of Freemasonry is that which we are assembled to celebrate to-night—viz ., charity . There is only one answer to any of those who say that Freemasonry is a secret society in the dangerous sense , and that is—look at our constitution , examine it freely , and tell me if you find anything in it breathing any other sentiment except " Peace on earth , good will towards men . " The symbol of the square is to show that we endeavour

to square our actions ; and the level and compass , that we act with justice and forbearance in all dealings with our fellow-men . There are some benevolent ladies and gentlemen who have taken upon themselves to help in the work of charity which we are here to celebrate to-night , and who deserve our warmest thanks for their disinterested exertions in undertaking the management and surveillance of the Female Orphan Schools , and to whose