Ireland.

IRELAND .

MASONIC EEMALE ORPHAN" SCHOOL . BITHIN the last few years the annual distribution of prizes to the pupils of the Masonic Female Orphan School , at Burlington Road , Dublin , has assumed the character of a vei-y magnificent and interesting ceremony . The Freemasons of Ireland have endeavoured to carry out the principle of Charity , which is one of the noblest features of their grand and

time-honoured society , and , although they have not yet been enabled to provide for the support and education of all the orphans and their members , they support a really excellent school , creditable alike to the institution with which it is connected and to tho governors charged with the duties of supervision . It is not long ago since the orphan pupils were placed in the fine building on the Burlington Road , but since that time the funds at the disposal of the governors have been largely augmentedthe number of ils has been considerablincreased

, pup y , and tho standard of education has been elevated . The school not only commands the sympathy of Masons , but deserves the support of the public . Until recently the Round Room of the Rotundo , or the Antient Concert Room , in Great Brunswick Street , have been the scene of the distribution of prizes , but for last night , the large Concert Hall of the Exhibition Building was chosen as giving increased accommodation , and the result has proved the wisdom of tho selection . A grander ceremony than that of yesterday evening has never been witnessed

in Dublin . The demand for tickets was unparalleled , and the committee were obliged to limit the number of admissions . The entire immense space at their disposal was densely crowded , and judiciously and orderly as were the arrangements made by Bro . Joseph Manning , T . C ., Grand Director of Ceremonies , attentive and courteous as were the stewards , it was found to be no easy matter to provide seats for all who were present . The large Concert Hall , it must be premised , is by no means the same apartment whose walls were hung with paintings , and whose floor was covered with pianos during the late International Exhibition . The

space has been considerably extended . A wooden partition reaching a considerable distance into the southern transept , greatly augments the area . A gallery of great depth , and of very elegant appearance , reaches along three sides of the Hall . The orchestra has been improved and decorated . The splendid organ has been painted and gilt , comfortable seats have been placed , and the accoustic defects have been remedied , for the partition in the transept confines the sound , without creating an echo , and without occasioning the slightest difficulty to a speaker

or singer of ordinary power . The beautiful arrangement of sunlights in the ceiling illuminates the hall most pleasantly and perfectly , but powerful as the lights are , there is no glare , and the fine proportions of this splendid apartment are shown to the very best advantage . Even on the opening day of the late International Exhibition the place did not present so brilliant an appearance as last night . Masonic emblems and flags of various descriptions covered the walls ; the orchestra was set off by hangings of crimson ; and both the galleries and

the lower part presented an unique combination of colours , from the b ight dresses of the ladies and the rich and strange attire of the various orders of Freemasonry . When the long procession was passing slowly through the central passage , or when the vast assembly , which could not have numbered less than three thousand persons , rose by a spontaneous impulse as the National Anthem was being played , the spectacle became most attractive and imposing . At a quarter after seven o ' clock the doors were thrown and long before eiht

open , g o ' clock :, the hour fixed for commencing the ceremony , the room was densely packed but so admirable is the arrangements for ventilation that there was no uncomfortable heat , as the sunlights are useful , not only for illuminating the ball , but for purif ying the atmosphere . Before the 2 ' 1-0 per proceedings of the evening began , the fine band of the 5 th Dragoon Guards , under the direction of Bro . James Lee , bandmaster , performed a selection of music with very fine effect .