Ireland.

IRELAND .

THE GRAND MASONIC BALL AT DUBLIN" IN HONOUR OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF AVALES . ( From Saunders' Neios-Lelier . ) The Rotnmlo perli . ip . s- never witnessed a more brilliant scene of the kind than that which on the evening of the 28 th ult ., blazed within its walls . Many vivid scenes and various stirring

recollections are associated with the Round Room ; but in its future history a palm of excellence , so far as festive entertainments are concerned , will be , without doubt , accorded to the Masonic Ball of 1 SG 3 , given to celebrate the marriage of the Heir Apparent to the Crown . That loyal purpose , as all our readers are aware , constituted the primary object of the ball . It is needless to refer to the titles to respect possessed by the

Order of Freemasons . An ancient and honourable Order , it embraces all creeds within its charitable arms . Its ranks have , iu past ages , been dignified by the membership of kings , princes , tmd potentates , Its roots strike deep into the ground , spreading far and wide among the ranks of the people . The late auspicious marriage of the Prince of AA'ales , whilst it evoked expressions of loyalty from all quarters , afforded to the Masonic body of

Ireland an opportunity of evincing their earnest feelings which was not to bo passed over . A ball was selected as the form of paying this special homage . But while loyalty to the Crown was the moving spring of the celebration , it was also intended to have other practical results . Those beneficent sentiments which form so essential a characteristic of Freemasonry , ancl which form a sort of golden link binding the uninitiated aud

the initiated in its mysteries together , came into operation as a natural consequence of tho original design . The ball has had the effect of benefiting society in general by stimulating trade ; and by its instrumentality a special benefit will he conferred upon the Masonic Female Orphan School . The i-esidue of the proceeds of the occasion , after the payment of all expenses , will ' be given to tho fmv . ls of that institution . These were the aims of

the projectors of the bull ; the result of their efforts , and indeed of the sympiity and support of a large , powerful , ancl influential circle , was the magnificent display of that night . From the first , indeed , it was regarded as a certain success ,

participation in its honours and festivities was sought after to an extraordinary extent , and the early closure of the ticket list attested the estimation in which it was held . The names of its subscribers , aud of those who attended it , contain evidence enough of the value of the patronage which it received . The noble Duke who is at once the head of the aristocracy of Ireland and the Grand Master of the Masonic Order in that country

, . mil his Excellency tho Lord Lieutenant , the Queen's representative—tho two most distinguislnul perronages in the realmhonoured the ball by their presence . Tho rank and fashion of the city and country were also most fully represented . The leading members of the Masonic Order , were of course present . The number , variety , brHUmee and rarity of their decorations would alone have formed a dazzling feature within any walls .

The charms of beauty , and the life and animation presented by such an assemblage—features with which no human art can ¦ compare—formed , indeed , the essentials of a resplendent picture , in which those glittering details of ornament were , after all , anly the accessories . Tho tout ensemble was a feast to the eye , a charming picture of social life—and a grand testimony in honour of the Prince . The success which was anticipated

beforehand fairly exceeded anticipations . The last grand Masonic Ball , it may be added , was given in 1852 , and was attended by the late Earl of Eglinton , then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland . It has been surpassed by the ball of 18 ( 13 , The appearance of the suite of rooms , apart from any other ¦ element , was quite unexampled , in the Rotundo at least . Never efore was the round room arrayed in such dazzling glory—in

plumage of so varied and brilliant colours . Never were ballrooms , drawing-room , and refreshment room in that building more finely ancl tastefully fitted out . The rooms , spacious as they were , with difficulty contained the assemblage . The crush occasionally rendered dancing very difficult , and promenading a mere hypothesis ; but the splendid dresses , tlie brilliant uniforms , and gorgeous Masonic decorations afforded through the

organs of sight compensation for the difficulty of motion . The number of persons present was above fifteen hundred . The decorations of the rooms was entrusted to the Messrs . Fry , of Westmorland-street , and all the resources of their

establishment were employed to render the style of ornamentation worthy of the occasion . It would be difficult to conceive anything intended merely to serve a temporary purpose , more brilliant ancl effective , and , at the same time , characterised by greater elegance and tastet ' ulness than the manner in which tho Round Room was fitted up . Festoons of flowers and evergreens , handsome trophies of flags , tho royal arms of England and Denmark , the various orders of knighthood , Masonic

devices in great variety , graceful statues filling every niche , and gleaming mirrors reflecting all the surrounding objects , combined to present a scene of dazzling brilliancy that has been rarely surpassed . At the western side of the room a dais or elevated platform was constructed , on which wore placed the Grand Master's throne , and chairs for the Deputy Grand Master and his excellency the Lord Lieutenant . These were splendid chairs of carved oakwith morocco lining'that for the Grand

, , Master being of remarkable size . The dais was covered by a tent erection of crimson and white , surmounted by a Prince's plume in crystal , which , being lighted up from behind , shone and sparkled as if it were formed of precious stones . At either side of the plume were two trophies of flags , and lower down the arms of the Duke of Leinster and of the Lord Lieutenant

beautifully emblazoned . Immediately opposite to tho thus a . large double staircase ascended to the gallery , which was thus made easily accessible to the guests , and commanded a complete view of the living panorama below . The staircase was handsomely draped , so as to form a sort of alcove underneath , which was furnished with couches and easy chairs , and tastefully decorated . On the front of the alcove the Royal arms of England were displayed , the arms of Denmark and of the

Prince of AVales being suspended higher up at either side , and above all , two trophies of flags were erected corresponding with those at the opposite side of the room . Large pier glasses were ' inserted at the basement of the five pillars at each side , and the capitals of the pillars , the windows , aud the gallery was wreathed with festoons of evergreens , and displayed numerous flags , banners , and Masonic devices . The arches between the pillars below tho gallery were each ornamented with a statne ,

and the gallery underneath was hung with crimson drapery with pelmets from which handsome Masonic devices were suspended . These latter formed one . of the most attractive as they were the most characteristic feature of the decorations ; whilst equally prominent and beautiful were the various orders of knighthood handsomely emblazoned which were placed in the windows over the gallery . These included the order of the Elephant , which is the Danish order of knighthood ; tho Star and Cross of Denmark , the Stars of India and of Saxony , ancl the British orders of the Garter , the Shamrock , and the Thistle . Seats

covered with crimson cloth were ranged round tlie room , and the portion of the floor surrounding the circular space reserved for the dancers were carpeted . The round room was connected with the pillar room by a small antechamber , which was lined with blue and white and hung with crimsom curtains . The decoration of the pillar room was the same in character as that already described , consisting chiefly of Masonic devices , banners , and evergreens . The manner in which the pillars were wreathed

with garlands of evergreens was very effective , and the general appearance of the room was . exceedingly beautiful and pleasing . There was a refreshment room below the stairs on a level with the round room , the principal feature of which was that the walls were hung with flags Irom the Ajax . The large apartment up stairs was converted into a supper room , which was hung with crimson curtains and profusely ornamented with Masonic devices and flags of various kinds . The Lord

Lieutenant ' s table was furnished with handsome articles of plate ancl Bohemian glass , and the tables were covered with numberless Masonic arches and other emblems , executed with no mean artistic skill in that fragile material , crystallised sugar . It would involve a wearisome repetition of details if we attempted to describe every feature of the elaborate decoration of the suite of rooms which was so effectually accomplished by the

Messrs . Fry . We have therefore merely indicated the general character of the oinamention employed , ancl the arrangement of which does so much credit to the taste of the managing committee and of the eminent firm by whom these instructions

were carried out . The lighting and the illuminations—not the least important element in the sueess of a festivity of this description—were entrusted to Mr . William Daniel , of Mary-street , in conjunction with Mr . Mooney , of Ormond Quay . The front entrance facing Sackville-street was illuminated . In the centre was a large