Masonic Festivities.

nation was powerful and intense , and the dome of manycoloured glass was stained with the white radiance of tbe lights below . The smaller fountains were also at play , and iu their cool waters the gold fish darted to and fro , hiding beneath some moss-grown stone , or under the welcome shade of some overhanging shrub . The tenants of the aviaries , in all the splendour of their tropical plumage , half terrified , flew wildly about , or

gazed in a kind of Wank amazement at the unwonted spectacle . But , much as art had done to transform the Palace into a home of beauty , it yet derived its main loveliness and charm from the smiles of nature . The stately exotic--, with their spreading branches , from almost every clime , tho graceful plants of the conservatory , the flowers in all the freshness of vernal bloom that occupied every spare nook , and brightened every recess , realized a degree of beauty aud refinement as different from the

affluent brilliancy of light and gilding around as the bank of primroses from the miserable daub of the scene-painter , while gentle creepers twined gracefully round the stern iron pillars , and peeped out from tlie glittering lances . The Leinster Hall was fitted up as a boll-room , and in some respects was decorated , similarly to the grand transept . At the end , a handsome and spacious orchestra , had been erected , and over it were suspended the flags of Great Britain . High up above the gallery was

the principal device , in gas , consisting of an immense representation of the three national symbols—the Rose , the Shamrock , and fhe Thistle . In front of the orchestra was a trophy of French arms of the 14 th and 15 th centuries , very effectively arranged , and on cither side was a large figure in bronze . Between the pillars were suspended flags of different countries and the symbols of the Order , to illustrate the extent and power of the fraternitywhichin spite of insolent ecclesiastical

, , fulminations , comprises some of the best and wisest of the earth , and exercises a benignant influence upon all who acknowledge its obligations . To exhaust the points of interest which met every glance would be simply impossible . Everything which could fascinate the sight or ravish the mind , in there sources of ornamentation , that wealth could procure or luxury desire—in short , everything which could realise Oriental loveliness in the

scene was introduced andyet with ajudgment , a cultivated sense of harmony that never offended the most exacting taste . The gorgeous spectacle which presented itself was one that can live only in the memories of those who saw it , for tbe pencil of the artist , and the description of the wordmonger , must fall to perpetuate its bewildering beauties . AVherever the visitor turned he was dazzled with brilliant constellations of lights , with littering armsbriht coloursand the choicest treasures

g , g , of Flora , while groups of " fair women and brave men , " in the graceful mazes of the waltz , or stmding iu easy conversation , completed a picture whose every attribute was felicity , every feature splendour ; and " when music arose , with its voluptuous swell , " half drowning tbe harmonious hum of human voices , ^ and the soft mnrmer of waters playing gently in the fountains , the occasion was indeed one to enchant the worshipper of beaut

sensuous y , and transport his thoughts " where flowers , and founts , and nymphs , and semi-gods , and all the Graces find their old abode . " The transition from the ajsthetic to the material , from the transcendental to the practical , may appear rather violent , but is sometimes irresistible . The grand concert hall was fitted up as a supper-room , and nothing , which art could do to refine the vulgar but indispensable opeiations which remind us of our mortalitto temt tbe epicureor deliht

y , p , g the gourmand , was omitted . The balconies were hung with the emblems of the Order , and at each end was constructed a trophy of old arms formerly used by the Knights Templars . The tables were covered with viands of the most expensive and recherche description , many of which were sent from famous establishments iu London and Paris , and comprising rare delicaciesandaltogether the was worthof Gunter'most

, _ supper y s gifted cuisinier . Vases of beautiful flowers were so disposed as to heighten the pleasing effect , and by their " perfume delicate appeased the finest sense ; " and all the accessories were in perfect keeping . The hall on the opposite side was also fitted up as a supper-room , while refreshments for the royal party were provided in an apartment upstairs , which was sumptuously furnishedand laid out with exquisite tastethe late being

, , p srqjplied by Messrs . Waterhouse , of Dame-street . The Grand Officers assembled at nine o ' clock , wearing the collars , aprons , and other badges of their respective Orders . At a quarter to ten o'clock a procession was formed , awaiting the arrival ofthe Grand Master , his Grace the Duke of Leinster , in the smaller concert-room , consisting of the P . D . G . M . the Hon .

Judge ' Tovvusend aud other Grand Officers , preceded by the Stewards selected to attend at the dais . Having marched into the ballroom , the P . D . G . M . took his seat until the arrival of the G . M . was notified to him . At a quarter-past ten o'clock the G . Officers proceeded to meet the M . AV . the G . M . at the door and conducted his Grace along the Statuary Hall to tho dais , where , on taking his seat , the G . Master , was saluted

according to ancient form by tbe brethren assembled . Bro . Alderman Manning acted as Dir . of Cers . About 11 o ' clock his Royal Highness Prince Arthur arrived , accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant and the Countess Spencer , Lieutenant-Colonel Elphinstone , C . B ., and Lieutenant Pickard , V . C ., Aides-de-Camp in attendance ; Lord and Lady De A esci and the Honourable Misses Y'esci , Lord Suffield , Lord and Lady Charles BraceLady Sarah S HonHBourkeMrJohn

, pencer , . . , . . Leslie , Captain AVellesley , Major A \ liyte Melvdle , Mr . H . Seymour , Mr . E . Kos-, and the following members of tbe Household and Staff : —Hon . Major and Mrs . Boyle , and the Hon . Mrs-Caulfield , Hon . H . Leeson , Mr . C . S . Roundell , Mr . Courtenay Boyle , Colonel Forster , Captain Villiers , Mr . L . Balfour , Captain Laseelles , Captain and Mrs . F . Campbell , Miss Brabazon , Mr . A . Seymour , Captain Donaldson , and Colonel M'Donnell .

His-Royal Highness was attired in evening costume , and wore the Star of St . Patrick , and the Garter and Ribbon of the Bath . The Viceregal party were received by the G . Master , his Grace the Duke of Leinster , the D . G . Master , and other Grand . Officers , and , having been conducted to the dais , the National Anthem was performed , after which dancing commenced . The ball was opened by Prince Arthur and the Countess Spencer , having as their vis-a-vis the Lord Lieutenant and the

Marchioness of Drogheda . Supper was served between 12 and 1 o ' clock , after which dancing was renewed with spirit and kept up until a late hour . There were above three thousand present , and the general arrangements were admirably planned and carried out , and . the immense company were manifestly satisfied with them in . every detail . The following brethren acted as a Committee of

Management : — GRAND OETICETCS . — Bros . M . W . His Grace the Duke of Leinster , G . M . ; R . W . Sir Edward Borough , Bart ., D . G . M . ; R . W . the Hon . Judge Townsend , P . D . G . M . ; R . W . the Right Hon . Lord Athluninev , S . G . AY' . ; R . YV . Sir Edward Grogan ,. Bart ., J . G . AV . ; R . A \ " . Bushe . G . Treas . ; R . AV . Maxwell C . Close , G . Sec ; AY . Charles A . Cameron , U . D ., S . G . D . ; AV .. Edmund R . Digues la ToucheJ . G . D . ; AV . Charles Astley

, , G . Supt . of Works ; AV . Alderman Manning , G . Dir . of Cer . ; . A \ . Theophilus St . George , G . Steward ; W . George Hepburn , G . S . B . ; VV . Francis Qnin , G . Org . ; W . Stuart Nassau Lane , G . I . G . ; W . Charles T . Walmisley , D . G . See . MASTERS AND SECRETARIES OE DUBLIN LODG-ES . —Bro . Capt , John If . Healey , Acting Master G . M . L . The following A \ . M . 's : —Bros . Edward M'Clure , Lodge 2 ; George A . John , 4 ;

George W . K . Drewitt , 6 ; Echlin Molyneux , Q . C ., 11 ; Denis P . Browne , 12 ; Alex . D . Kennedy , 25 ; John Clare , 50 ; William Roper , J . P ., 53 ; James H . North , 93 ; Joseph D . Cope , 100 ; AVilliam James M'Coy , 120 ; Henry Parkinson , 125 ; Graham . Lemon , 126 ; Lieut .-Colonel \\ . S . Snow , 141 ; Matthew Good , 153 ; . Maurice E . Solomons , 15 S ; YVilliam M'Gee , 171 ; John Wilson , 2-X-5 ; Charles Meagher , 500 ; Charles H . G . Emerson , 620 ; Thomas M'Govern , 666 ; Charles C . Macnamara , 728 .

The following Secretaries : —Bros . John Gallic , 2 ; Samuel B . Oldham , 4 ; John A . Hogau , 6 ; Henry Ebbs . 11 ; Maurice Keutingp , 12 ; James V . Maekey , J . P ., 5 Q ; Arthur It . Oldham , 53 ; Henry Cleere , 93 ; T . H . Atkinson , 100 ; Andrew Moir , 120 ; Robert Thacker , 125 ; Thomas F . Eustace , 126 ; Robert AV . Shekleton , 141 ; Charles C . Walmisley , 143 -, William Scott , 153 ; Percival Jones , 158 ; Joseph S . AVilson , 171 ; George T . AVhitcstone , 245 ; AVilliam Allen , 494 ; William F . Collins , 500 ;

Captain Joshua Pim , 620 ; John Griffin , 666 ; Captain A . V . Davoren , 721 . In pursuance of the power vested in the above Committee , the following brethren were added to their number : —Bros , the Marquis of AVatertbrd , K . P . ; Earl of Charlemont , K . P . ; Earl of Bective ; Lord Dunboyno ; Lord Clonbrock ; Lord Bellew ; , Lord Kihvorth ; Lord Kenlis ; Sir James Stewart , Bart ., V . L . ; Sir J . L . Cotter , Bart ., D . L . ; Sir J . AV . Hort , Bart ., D . L . ; Sir

John Marcus Stewart , Bart ., D . L ., Sir Malby Crofton , Bart . ; Sir Charles Lanyou ; Sir John Barrington , D . L . ; Hon . D . JR .. Punket , Q . C . ; Hon . More Smyth , D . L . ; Hon . Robert King , Lieut . Col . M'Gregor , 65 th Reg . ; Superintendent of Stores ; S ..