Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

Bito . ADAMS ' ASNUAL BALL . —This delightful annual re-union—the twenty * third , a proof of the estimation in Avhich Bro . Adams is held—took place at Willis ' s Rooms , King-street , St . James ' s , on Tuesday the Sth instant , Avhen nearly fifty ladies and gentlemen Avere present , a large number of the latter being members of the ancient Craft . The music , under the immediate direction of Bro . Adams , Avas most excellent , anel dancing ivas kept up AA'ith great spirit until someivhat late in the morning .

LivEiU'OOL .- -The proceeds of this ball , which was held in January last , at tho ToAvn Hall , for the benefit of the AVest Lancashire Institution for the Education anel Advancement of Children of Distressed Alasous , reached the handsome sum of one hunch-eel and fifty-four pounds and a few shillings . The funds of the . institution are in a flourishing condition , the interest alone being ample for the education of those children Avho are entitled to the benefit . The origin and establishment of the present Liverpool institution are clue to Bro . Joshua Walmsley , AVIIO takes a great interest in its success , and has expended a considerable amount of time and money in its formation ancl development .

EDINBUBGII . —The annual Social Meeting , Concert , and Ball , of the Lodge of Journeymen ( Xo . S ) , took place in the now Freemason ' s Hall , George Street , on Friday , Alarch 4 th . The Hall Avas beautifully decorated , and from the rich ball dresses of the ladies , and the Alasonic costume of the brethren , presented throughout the evening a most brilliant appearance . UpAvards of 320 persons AA'ere present . The chair AVUS occupied by Bro . AA m . Hunter , the Master of the Lodge . After a supply of refreshments , the chairman gave an introductory address , in the course oi which he said that he considered it fitting that the Lodge Journeymen should be

the first constituted body to hold a meeting in the new Hall , after its consecration and inauguration , as for more than 150 years it had not merely professed , but hael actively taught aud practised the principles of Alasonry , and had sent forth brethren to all parts of the world to scatter its moral and scientific light , and bind men more closely together in the endearing ties of its brotherhood . On the previous Thursday , the Hall had been solemnly dedicated to charity and benevolence . The Lodge Journeymen had its origin in regard to these very virtues . At the

commencement of last century the Journeymen connected AA'ith the Lodge and Incorporation of Mary ' s Chapel of this city , considered that sufficient relief Avas not extended to the poor AvidoAvs and orphans of the Incorporation , and finding their remonstrances and their efforts to obtain redress ineffectual , they held a meeting , constituted themselves into a Society , ancl raised a fund for the benefit of the poor and needy . Great ii-ere the difficulties and obstructions ivith which they had at first to contend , but still they battled on , ancl finally overcame them all .

From that time doM-nwai-ds they had unremittingly prosecuted their mission of charity and benevolence . Through all the vicissitudes of time , through all the commotions in church aud state , ancl through all the seasons of national calamity , the Journeymen , in the dark aud pestilential retreats of the old toivn , had continued their exertions to promote peace and goodwill among men , to soothe the bed of suffering humanity , ancl console the bereaved heart of the ivieloAV and the orphan . It ivas fitting , then , that the Journeymen should be one of the very

first associations to assemble in a neiv temple specially devoted to Masonry and to charity . Bro . A . Kerr then delivered an instructive address on the subject " Where there ' s a -will there ' s a Avay ; " and Bro . George Lorimer gave an interesting sketch ofthe origin and career of the Lodge Journeymen . The concert , ivhich Avas conducted principally by brethren of the Lodge , AA'as excellent . The floor ha \ 'ing been cleared , and tho orchestra reinforced by a portion of tbe band of the 16 th ltoyal Lancers , dancing commenced about eleven o ' clock , and AA as kept up with unabating spirit till five next morning .