Ancient And Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

POBTSMOVTII . —Royal Naval Chapter of S . P . Rose Croix . The annual meeting of this chapter was held on Monday , the 14 th inst ., to elect the M . AV . S . for the ensuing year , -when 111 . Bro . J . Rankin Stebbing was unanimously elected to that high ancl distinguished office . Tbe installation is to take place in April , when it is understood that tbe learned and illustrious Bro . Dr . leeson will honour the chapter with an official visit , ancl install the M . AV . S . elect .

Ireland.

IRELAND .

COEK . —A Masonic fancy dress ball , under tbe auspices of the members of the first lodge of Ireland , took place on AA ' ednesday , January 16 th , at the Cork Athenanun . The interior of the building was very elegantly fitted up and decorated for the occasioii . Wreaths of foliage were gracefully twined around the pillars in each side , and festoons of flowers were hung across the great hall , from gallery to gallery . On the organ platform were arranged a number of evergreens , which had been kindly supplied by Bro .

Horace Townsend , of AAfoodside , and D . L . Sancliford , of Blackrock , ancl among the foliage of these were hung some hundreds of small orange-coloured lamps , which gave to that part of the building the appearance of a minature orange grove . The scene was rendered still more pleasing by a pretty little fountain and jet of eau de Cologne placed in front , which diffused a grateful perfume around . This was lent for the occasion by Bro . J . Dyas , of AVintbrop-street . The Masonic shields and other emblems arranged around tho hall

contributed much to the general effect of tbe decorations . At the head ofthe hall , immediately under the platform , was placed a very handsome Masonic chair , for the accommodation of the president of the lodge , and around it were arranged a number of pillars and other objects symbolical ofthe order . The company was very numerous , and comprised a great portion of the rank and fashion of the county , as well as a large number of officers of different regiments stationed in and around Cork , whose gay uniforms minglad in brilliant contrast

with the dark dresses of the civilians and the elegant costumes of the ladies . A number of gentlemen also displayed Masonic aprons , collars , and other insignia . Tho fancy dresses were very scarce , being confined to about half a dozen , which ivere , however , well selected , and were handsome and striking . One gentlemen appeared as a Chinese Mandarin , ancl inarched up and clown the hall in the intervals between the dances , with the most complete gravity , carrying a Chinese sun-shade . Among the other costumes were those of a- Garibaldian soldier , a Cavalier of Charles the Second ' s time , and an Eastern costume . The band of the 15 th Regiment was in attendance , ancl also a string band .

Poetry.

Poetry .

TO MASONRY , BY BEO . WILLIAM MAET 1 N , P . M . AND PBOV . S . 3 . B . I would not be as many are , Without the grip and sign AA'hich gives to me a pleasure far Surpassing ought of time .

Give me the Mason's mystic grip When meeting North or South , likewise the word which cannot sli p But from a brother ' s mouth . It tells of truth , of holy truth , In past and

ages gone ; Soothing age , refreshing youth , And blessing every one . Oh , happy Art ! that gives to all AVho tread in thy fair ways A rock from which they cannot fall . That stands through endless days .

The Brother who believes in thee , Maintaining all thy laws , A truly good man he must be , For tbine ' s a sacred cause .

Poetry.

A cause of love , whose every plan In depths of goodness lies , Approved by all—e ' en Solomon The wisest of the wise . Then Masonry , thou science dear , That teacheth nought but-love , Keep , ob , keep nn in thy sphere

Till we reach the lodge above . Guide us ( as thou ere hast thy sons From the early clays of time ) , To cling to Him unto the last , The Architect Divine . Great Ay ton in Cleveland .

The Lupracaun, Or Fairy Shoemaker.

THE LUPRACAUN , OR FAIRY SHOEMAKER .

{ A Rhyme for the Children . ) BV WILLIAM ALLINGnAM . I . little Cowboy , what have you heard , Up on the lonely rath ' s green mound ? Only the plaintive yellow bird

Sighing in sultry fields around , Chary , chary , chary , che-ee ! Only the grasshopper and the bee ! " Tip-tap , rip-rap , Tiek-a-tack-too Scarlet leather sewn together , This will make a shoe , leftrightpull it tight ;

, , Summer clays are warm ! Underground in winter , laughing at the storm !" lay your ear close to the hill . Do you not catch the tiny clamour—Busy click of elfin hammer , ; Afoice of the lupracaun singing shrill As he merrillies his trade ?

y p He ' s a span And a quarter in height . Get him in sight , hold him tight , Ancl youre a made Man !

II You watch your cattle the summer day , Sup on potatoes , sleep in the hay ; How should you like to roll in your carriage , And look for a duchess's daughter in marriage ? Seize the Shoemaker—so you may ! " Big boots a-hunting , Sandals in the hall ,

White for a wedding , feast , And pink for a ball . This way , that way , So wo make a shoe ; Getting rich every stitch , Tick-tack-too !" Nine and ninety treasure-crocks 'This keen miser-fairy hath

, Hid in mountains , woods , and rocks , Ruin and round-tow'r , cave , and rath , And where the cormorants build ; From times of old Guarded by him ; Each of them fill'd Full to the brim AVith Gold !

Ill I caught him at work one clay , myself , In the castle-ditch where foxglove grows , — A wrinkled , wizen'd , and bearded elf , Spectacles stuck on bis pointed nose , Silver buckles to his hose ,

Leather apron—shoe in his lap" Rip-rap , tip-tap , Tack-tack-too ! A grig skipp'd upon my cup ,