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flourishing institution will doubtless be very considerably augmented by the result . This annual gathering of the brethren , while it is oue of the finest displays periodically held in the town , is looked forward to with warm interest by the Craft and the fair sox , as a reunion of one great family , bound together hy the sacred ties of brotherhood . It appears that there are now eight children recipients of the charity , who , after being educated , are placed to some trade or profession by the aid of the funds of the institution , ivhich are iu a prosperous state ; indeed such is

the pecuniary position of the charity , that applicants for benefits are warmly invited . Shortly after nine o'clock the company began fo arrive , and were received at the grand staircase ( so much admired by Her Majesty when on a visit to Liverpool ) , by several of the coinmittee . The staircase is adorned by an admirable marble statue of the late George Canning , once M . P . for the borough ; and excellent portraits of Bro . Joshua AYalniisley , the founder and treasurer of the institution , and Bro . Horatio Gambell , P . Prov . G . Purs , of Lancashire , the indefatigable

secretary , were also exhibited . Bro . G . AA . AVielopolski Phillipp ' s two excellent quadrille bands were iu attendance , and gave great satisfaction . Tho rooms presented a gay and fascinating scene , the ladies elegantly attired , the brethren dressed in all their insignia of rank aud office ; a number ofthe brethren appearing in thc full uniform of the various rifle corps to which they belong . The ball was under the patronage of the Countess of Zetland ; the Hon . Mrs . AA'ellington Cotton ; Lady Arabella Hesketh ; the Hon . Mrs . Booth : AVilbraham ; the Right Honthe Earl of Zetland , M . AV . G . M . of England ; the Right Hon . Lord Pan . mure , D . G . M . of England ; Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , Esq ., R . W .

Prov . G . M . of AVest Lancashire ; Sir AVatkin AYillianis AVynn , Bart ., R . AV . Prov . G . M . of Shropshire and North Wales ; Lieut . Col . George Augustus Vernon , R . AAL Prov . G . M . of Staffordshire ; Sir Thomas George Hesketh , Bart ., R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . of AVest Lancashire ; Stephen Blair , Esq ., R . W . Prov . G . M . of East Lancashire ; Albert H . Royds , Esq ., R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . of East Lancashire : G . Crawford Antrobus , Esq ., R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . of Chester ; E . H . Dymoek , Esq ., R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . of Shropshire and North AValesThomas Littledaic VAVProv

; , Esq ., .. . S . G . AV . of AA est Lancashire ; Matthew Dawes , Esq ., V . AV . P . Prov . S . G . AV . of East Lancashire ; James Billiuge , Esq ., V . AV . P . Prov . J . G . AV . of AVest Lancashire ; the Hon . Major Wellington Cotton , V . W . Prov . S . G . AV . of Cheshire ; William Courtonay Cruttenden , Esq ., V . AV . Prov . G-, Reg . of Cheshire ; the Right Hon . Lord Skelmorsdalo , AMY Prov . S . G . D . of AVest Lancashire . Thc arrangements were in every respect excellent , and great praise is duo to the coinmittee and their zealous secretary , Bro "

Allcnder , P . M ., No . 368 , and Prov . G . Steward , of AVest Lancashire , for the creditable manner in which everything passed off . Bro . Morrish , of the Merchants' Dining Rooms , supplied the refreshments iu excellent style . The usual overcrowding of thc mayor ' s dining room , where thc refreshments arc supplied on these occasions , was overcome by leaving open in addition tho coffee room , and placing a substantial cold collation in the council chamber . Some idea ofthe magnificence of the ball maj' be gathered from the fact that there were upwards of eight hundred persons

present , five hundred of whom at least were dancing in the large hall at one time . The result must necessarily yield a large surplus for the funds of the institution . The ball closed at five o ' clock on tho following morning , with many expressions of delight and satisfaction at the proceedings .

BRO . G . GENGE'S CONCERT AND BALL . This especial favourite of the public gave his annual concert and ball on Tuesday evening , January 17 th , to a full and fashionable assemblage of his friends and brethren . Tho principal vocalists were Misses S . Cole , Eyles , Emma Martyn , Mcdora Collins , Lofflor , Annie Cox , AVarcup ( pupil of Bro . George Gongc ); Bros . AVinn , Lawler , AA . Distin , and a Bro . Molchior AVinter , who made his first public appearance in London , gave the romance from " Martha" with such good effect as to

receive an encore . One of the events of the evening was the debut of a pupil of Bro . Gouge ' s—Miss AVircup . This young lady possesses a soprano voice of pure quality , powerful and flexible ; she has evidently been well trained , and in Glover ' s song of " The Blind Girl to her Harp , " was most successful , taking with her the most enthusiastic plaudits . She does credit to her clever master . All parties wore delighted with the musical treat ivhich had been afforded them , and the large majoaity retired to enjoy the mazy dance , tripping it on the light fantastic toe till a very early hour told it was time to depart .

BRO . JOHN DISTIN'S FAREAVELL CONCERT AT EXETER HALL . AA e beg to call the attention of our musical friends to the grand farewell concert of Bro . Distin on tho 1 st February next . This artist has served his country well as a trumpeter sonic fifty years and more , commencing his career in the Devon Militia as a boy , then in the foot Guards , then in George the Fourth ' s private band , when at his death ho and others were all sent to the riht about without a pension . After a

g long service under the crown he had to commence a new career as a solo and orchestra trumpeter , and with his sous , giving concerts throughout tho kingdom . The caso of Bro . Distin deserves the support of the British public . Few men have made sweeter noises in the world , and now—having lost , from great and continued pressure , the whole of his front teeth—ho seeks to obtain some sort of provision by moans of a concert to exempt him from the sullorings of an indifferently provided

Masonic Festivities.

for old age . The trumpet is an instrument by ivhich but little can be accumulated , however long tho service . AVho can forget old John Distin ' s " Soldier tired of war ' s alarms , " or " Let the bright seraphim iu burning row , Their loud uplifted angel trumpets blow . " In how many ears these words will awaken the echo of Distin's trumpet as its music soaredtriumphing and dallying with its strength and

, sweetness—how it sympathised with the singer in her highest flights in the clays of vocalists past , and gone and forgotten by the present generation . It is now to be hoped that many high in the land will patronise the old musician , and contribute to the fund to be raised for tho worn out artist on this occasion . Madame Catherine Hayes , Miss Georgina Stabbach , several glee unions , and a host of talent of the highest order have volunteered their services on this interesting occasion . —Era .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COURT . —Her Majesty , with the Prince Consort and the Princesses Alice and Helena , left AVindsor on Monday morning and arrived at Buckingham Palace at twelve o ' clock . A Privy Council was held at three , at which the royal speech was approved . The new Groat Seal of England was submitted to her Majesty in Council , approved of , and delivered to the custody of thc Lord Chancellor . The old Seal , by the Queen ' s commandwas defacedHer Majestthen ricked the list of sheriffs

, . y p for the counties of England and Wales for the present year . On Tuesday the Queen in state opened tho new session of Parliament . The streets were as crowded with spectators as usual , notwithstanding the day was anything but " Queen ' s weather , " being cold aud wet . Directly after the ceremony the Royal Family returned to AVindsor , whore they arrived early in the afternoon . Some of the Orleans princesses have been visiting the Queen this week .

IMPEHIAL PARLIAMENT . —On Tuesday the second session of the sixth Parliament summoned by tho present Sovereign was opened by the Queen in person . Shortly after tivo o ' clock the Commons , summoned by the Usher of the Black Rod , arrived at the House of Lords , and her Majesty forthwith read tho royal speech , ivhich commenced by stating that our relations with foreign powers continue to be on a friendly and satisfactory footing . An invitation has been received from Austria and France for England to join in the Congress for the settlement of Italian

affairs ; ivhether in Congress or in separate ncgociation , the Queen ' s government will endeavour to obtain for tho people of Italy freedom from foreign interference by force of arms in their internal concerns . The speech touches upon the measures in progress for extending the commercial intercourse between France aud England ; and the joint expedition to China which is in preparation . Thc dispute with America will , it is not doubted , be amicably arranged , and the country is congratulated on the termination of the Indian revolt .

Some important topics are thus introduced at the end of tho speech . " I have accepted with gratification and pride , the extensive offers of voluntary service which I have received from my subjects . This manifestation of public spirit has added an important element to our system of national defence . Measures will be laid before you for amending tho laws which regulate the representation of the people in Parliament , and for placing that representation upon a broader and firmer basis . I earnestly recommend you to resume your labours for the improvement of our jurisprudence , and particularly in regard to bankruptcy , tho transfer of laud , the consolidation of the statutes , ancl such a further fusion of law and equity as may be necessary to insure that in every

suit , the rights of the parties may bo satisfactorily determined by the court in which the suit is commenced . I am deeply gratified to observe that thc great interests of the country are generally in a sound and thriving condition ; that pauperism and crime have diminished ; and that , throughout the whole of my Empire , both in tho United Kingdom and in my colonies and possessions beyond sea , there reigns a spirit of loyalty , of contentment , of order , and of obedience to tbe law . In the HOUSK of LORDS the address was moved by Lord FitzwiUiam

and seconded by Lord Truro . Lord Grey [ moved an amendment , but subsequently allowed it to be negatived . Lord Derbystrongly deprecated thepolicy of the government with reference to tho commercial treaty , and called upon them to furnish more information with respect to tho part they had taken in Italian affairs . The House of Lords , like the people of England , are in favour of nonintervention . In tho HOUSE of COMMONS the address was moved by Mr . St . Aubyn , and seconded by Lord Henley . Tho two speeches were little more than a repetition of

the royal speech . Mr . Disraeli said that he had no wish to move an amendment , and that any reform bill the government might introduce ivould receive thc candid consideration of the opposition . AVith respect to the commercial treaty , Mr . Disraeli admitted that it was a sign of the most cordial feeling of friendship between England aud France ; bub believed that a treaty was utterly unnecessary for the purposes ivhich were held in view , aud that the policy of the Coalition Cabinet would shako to its centre the commercial system which had been at length

established by a liberal administration . As to the foreign policy of the government , abundant opportunities will presently occur for discussing the subject at greater length ; but in the . meantime Mr . Disraeli pointed out that we arc not yet in possession of sufficient reasons to justify tho