Aa all good things should end with a climax, it is very fitting that the ball given annually by the Freemasons in support of their excellent charities shall be the final public event of the dancing season. The great numerical strength of the international brotherhood, the magnificent regalia of the numerous orders, degrees, and lodges, and the mystic meaning which can be thrown into the decorations as well as the excellent principles of philanthropy and brotherly love which are typified in the ceremonies and insignia of the order all tend to make this meeting the crowning event of the season of balls. The gathering at the Masonic Hall on Thursday evening was generally acknowledged to eclipse even the successes of former years. The arrange monts had been made by " Committes, of which the Right Worshipful Grand Mester Cornelius Thorne was the President, R. W. Bro. C. J. Holliday, Hon. Treasurer, and R. W. Bro. Drummond Hay, Hon. Secretary. "The Hall was decorated under the superintendence of a Committee consisting of W, Bros. T. W. Kingsmill, T. Pember: ton, N. P. Anderson, J. D.' Bishop and 'H. Cook, and Bros. T. W. Wright and G. R. Wingrove. The programme and arrangements for the band were made by Bros. G. B. Fentum, W. C. Howard, C. J. Holliday and A. Middleton; and the Invitation Committee consisted W. Bros. W.
Short, D. C. Jansen, C. Penfold, Drum: mond Hay and J. L.' Hammond, The whole building was magnificently decorated. Abore the porch shone a bright star of jets, and within, above the motto, "Audi, Vide, Race." Pillars, roof and walla throughout the building we hung with festoons of evergreens, and flowers in abundance bloomed in all the rooms; mystic designs, formed of all the dograes of Masonry—Craft, Royal Arch, and Knight Templars—appearing overywhere. At the foot of the stairs was a fountain throwing a high jet of water, amidst evergreens and flowers; at each of the ascent fresh implements and insignia appertaining to Masonry were met with, and at the head of the staircase was a pedestal on which rested the open Bible a The decorations of the imilar to those of last pol wud other masonic emblems, jo, ornamented with fine-
embellished the walls, and the shields of the various lodges, each bearing the name of the Master, hung in a line about it. On the platform, by the organ, sat the membora of the Customs band, and the
those who did not themselves engage in the oilery ab the opposite end afforded for an excellent vantage-ground for ing the brilliant and picturesque low.
The refreshment room was very prettily decorated, and was furnished with everything which might add to the enjoyment of the guests, while in the lower part of the building ® card-room and refreshment room were amply provided with means by which those gentlemen who wore unable or unwilling to find partners for the dances might pleasantly while away the hours. The fit ere the rt time, and he wu hour ests began to assemble at about a quarter Masons in the gorgeo orders and of all ti many elsewhere came in totally eclipsing the sombre hues of their male guests, and bidding fair to outrival even the ball-dresses of the Indies. Gonspicuous among them wore the magnificent regalia of the District Grand Master, and the white cloaks and Maltese crosses of the Knights Templars. Some of the appeared, perhaps, a little over-with their trappings, but the ral effect was magnificent in the On the completion of the march, the firet quadrille was formed, and from that time till about half-past ten the company came in fast, until the room was crowded. The stewards, however, attended to their duties well, and although the limits of the hall were somewhat severely taxed, the dancing was carried on with the greatest spirit, and enjoyment seemed universal, At about midnight the first part of the programme was finished, and the interesting ceremony which is alway: favourite feature in these gatherings was performed. The Knights Templars ranged themselves in lines at the entrance to the ball-room, and formed with their swords an arch of steel, under which the Company, headed by the President of the Ball, the Right Worshipful Grand Master Cornelius Thorne and Madame Flesch, wife of the French Consul-General, passed on their way to the supper room. This room, very prettily decorated, was speedily filled, the tables being laid for 180 persons. An excellent repast was provided, embracing an exceedingly varied list of deli-cades of every kind, In the interval for supper one or two extra danai were improvised to the playing of Mr. Vinay and Dr. Ruogg. As the morning wore on the number of ladies gradually decreased, but many remained till the end, and dancing was kept up with spirit until long past three o'clock; the Customs Band playing throughout with their usual care and good taste. We understand that there were in all 243 subscribers, so that there good reason to hope that when all the expenses have been id there will be a substantial sum remaining to be devoted to ti haritable object for which the ball was originated. One of the features of the evening was a quadrille danced by the Knights Templars in the cloaks of their order. The programme of music was as follows
1—Quadrill Marche—Athalio Mendelssohn, 10—H, Schottische 11—Lancors—Rip 18—Sohottia 19—Galop—Air do 20—Valee—Souviens tol REVIEWERS REVIEWED, To the Editor of the Sm,—Your reviewer has favoured my little books with a longer notice than they either deserve or expected. It will appear perhaps, if after so groat kind-I subject the r i But I am anxious to points which your writer has quite mis. apprehended.
a the first place I decline to be ce: i apologist for the failure of Chri China, It has not failed; it will it cannot fail. As well might we apologize for the failure of the harvest in winter or early spring. It is only aoedtime at prosont in our Mission work, Apology may be urgently needed to account for the comparative apathy Ohrintians as to the triumph of thei 3 but none for the failure of that which has g forth conquering and to conquer. Thi the tone which, I had intended to maine tain in my two books China as a Mission Field," and "The Ohehkiang Mission and am sorry to have been misunderstood, With reference to the small book of verse, your reviewer is somewhat ungenorous. ' He credits mo with the ambition rival the Laureate; instead of thinking it possible that I wished to interest the good people of Shanghai. My idea in bringing the few remaining copies of my little book here, was that the discussions of Chinese scenery with which the book abounds, would in some measure please dwellers in this dreary flat; and as being written in China, and in great measure about China, would be generously dealt with.
But I am specially concerned to notice the somewhat flippant allusion at the close of the review, toa book not received at all
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.