Masonic Festivities.

flags . On the steps of the altar were the collars of the order of crimson and gold . With these emblems of the fraternity of masonry was the furniture of the order judiciously laid out . The walls of the building were draped in white calicoes with p ink cross bars . The effect of the manner in which Bro . Dicks had arranged the colors was to form masonic designs the whole length of the walls of the building . In the centre of the "bays or panels of the walls were shields , emblazoned in gold

and colored tinsel , each shield bearing a distinctive mark of masonry of some kind or other . On the pillars were banners , masonic devices , and masonic emblems . The centre of the room was profusely decorated with devices of every description . The whole of the ceiling was festooned , but festooned in a manner somewhat unique and original . Immediately in the centre of the room was suspended from the ceiling what one would suppose to be a monster flower basketbut the idea

, attaching to the same was quite another thing . A masonic idea was at the bottom of it , for from this flower basket —as we call it for want of a better name—shot forth festoons and evergreens of flowers to the remotest corner of the room . The flower basket itself was a piece of workmanship . Its base was encircled in blue , crimson , and white . At intervals there were masonic devicesneatly

, worked , and being composed of gold on a blue ground , the effect was beautiful . From the basket were suspended stalactites of gold and silver and blue . The idea was a novel one , and Bro . Dicks' ingenuity was remarked on in the -course of the evening a great many times . The orchestra was erected immediately over the entrance , and was a little

chefd ' ceuvre of workmanship . It was in excellent keeping with the decorations of the other parts of the building , and was constructed after the fashion of a royal opera box . In front wore the royal arms , while the orchestra itself was draped in white calico with bars of crimson at intervals . The gallery of the exchange was occupied by ladies who , although not dancing , appeared to take interest in the brilliant scene immediately before them . The room when lighted up presented a very beautiful

appearance , and later in the evening , when filled by gaily dressed ladies , . the brilliant hues of feminine attire being judiciously relieved by the sombre evening dress of gentlemen , and the whole scene . enlivened by tbe magic power of the sweet music of the band of the First Life Guards , it was most heart-stirring , and must have satisfied all that were in any way connected with affair . The . tout ensemble was of a description rarely to be seen in any provincial town . On every hand was to be heard commendation in

praise of the manner in which Bro . Dicks had decorated tbe room , and we must say Bro . Dicks is entitled to the thanks of those who attended such a splendid re-union as that of Thursday night for the patience and skill displayed in the decorations . The stewards of the ball were indefatigable in providing for the comfort of those present , and the Hon . Sec . ( Dr . Griffith ) , was almost ubiquitousso earnest was he in his endeavours to make

, the gathering a happy one . Nor must we forget the valuable services rendered by Bros . J . E . G . Bradford , and R . S . Edmonds , who performed the duties of Masters of the Ceremonies . The company began to arrive shortly before ten o ' clock . dancing commenced soon after , and was carried on with spirit up to a late hour .

Masonic Assembly At Ayr, Scotland.

MASONIC ASSEMBLY AT AYR , SCOTLAND .

The Town-hall of Ayr was , on Friday night , the 14 th inst ., the scene of another of those annual Masonic reunions for which the Ayr St . Paul Lodge has long been famed . The party numbered about forty couples , and all being in full dress , an arrangement highly favourable for au effective display of Masonic regalia , the assembly

presented a gay aspect , especially so during the promenade which preceded the dancing . While the crimson and dark blue of St . Paul were the predominating hues of the livery worn on this occasion , the Board of Grand Stewards in the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and the sister lodges in town , were also represented b y individual members of these bodies respectively .

The decoration of the rooms , a work that for the second time had been entrusted to Bros . Wood , David Alexander , Neil Murcbie , William Morton , and W . Shearer , was at once chaste and effective—the disposition of the illumi-

Masonic Assembly At Ayr, Scotland.

nated cube and other purely Masonic furniture being such as to render their appearance all the mere attractive . As on former occasions under the present rule , the whole proceedings of the evening Avere under the direction of the Master , Bro . William D . Chambers , whose long experience in such matters , coupled with the unanimity

and sociability of his colleagues , ensured the success of the present ball . At a little before high twelve , and while the mazes of the dance were being threaded by the happy throng , preparations Avere made for firing a Masonic salute in honour of the fair participants in the night ' s enjoyment ; and all having retired to the

tearoom , the lodge guns Avere brought into request , much to the astonishment of those to whom a sight of the mystic ordnance lvas a novelty . "The health of the R . W . M . and the ball committee " was proposed by Bro . Glass , P . M ., Avho , besides complimenting the brethren charged with the arrangements

for the assembly upon the success which had crowned their efforts , paid a eulogistic tribute to the tact and ability which Bro . Chambers continued to exhibit in filling the highest office in the lodge—sentiments that Avere heartily endorsed by the brethren . It is more than half a century since the well-known antiquarian and former Master of Ayr St . Paul ' s , Joseph

Train , wrote the once popular song , "Ayrshire Lasses , " to Avhich music was composed by Hugh , Earl of Eglinton ; and to show that the sons of St . Paul had not ceased to hold in admiration tho subjects of their deceased laureate ' s muse , the brethren gave a most enthusiastic response to the toast which , on the invitation of Bro . D . Murray Lyon , they were called on to dedicate to their

fair guests—the compliment being , on the part of the ladies , gracefully acknowledged by Bro . James Houston . Resuming the dance , the brethren prolonged their celebration of this , the sixty-ninth anniversary of the lodge , till the silvery orb had well ni gh pierced the Avesteru horizon , when with wishes for the success of " our next assembly , " the gratified company separated .

Her Majesty's Theatre And Bro. S. May.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE AND BRO . S . MAY .

It will be m the recollection of our readers that Bro . May , the well-known costumier , was one of the greatest sufferers by the conflagration at Her Majesty ' s Theatre , having had the whole of his magnificent wardrobe , estimated at several thousand pounds , utterly destroyed . We have on a previous occasion borne testimony to the eminent services rendered b y Bro . May to our Masonic

charities , whereby the three institutions benefited to the extent of eight hundred pounds ; and if we advert again to the subject , it is simply for the purpose of reminding the brethren that an appropriate opportunity is now unhappily afforded of doing honour to so worthy a brother . Recognising the worth , kindness , and many excellent qualities of Bro . Maymore especiallthe

, y readiness invariably evinced by him in the relief of distress when brought to his notice , and in rendering assistance in every case of calamity or misfortune , a committee has been formed for the purpose of evidencing substantially the estimation and regard in which he is held by the various classes of the community amongst whom he has so long and ? o worthil y laboured . To this

end the leading members of the theatrical profession at present iu Loudon have proffered their assistance at a morning perform : ! nee to tako place oti Wednesday next , the 4 th March , at Drnry-lano Theatre . The bill of fare ( see advertisement ) is certainly one of the strongest that could have been devised , and cannot fail to commend itself to the attention of the public , amongst whom we hope to see our Masonic friends muster numerously on the occasion . An adjourned meeting of the committee was 5 seM at