Our Eighth Volume.

OUR EIGHTH VOLUME .

THIS week we have great pleasure in presenting to our readers the opening number of our Eighth Volume . "We have no intention of boring them with eulogistic comments on the success which has attended our efforts thus far , but it is well that wo should make this an opportunity for tendering to them our heartfelt thanks for tho

veryconsiderable , and we rejoice to say , consistently increasing , support they have been pleased to accord our efforts on behalf of Freemasonry . We have striven within the modest limits of what our Gallic neighbours might perchance describe , if it were thoir ense , as our " petit possible , "

to promote the welfare of the Craft , and we feel that we may take the flattering unction to our souls that these efforts of ours have met with a fair measure of success . At all events , while the great majority of our old friends remain to us , the number of new ones who have so kindly come forward to

aid us , is , we may almost venture to say , a daily increasing one . This is most encouraging , for the pursuit of journalism , and especially of Masonic journalism , is not unattended with difficulties , and by no means free from disappointments . Of course , we should like to see Masonic

literature more generally recognised among the Graft , but under the circumstances we have described , we have but slight ground for dissatisfaction , and even if we had any , we should feel it to be imperatively our duty to be silent . We strive to do our best , but literature is not a ware

that can be unduly pushed . We can only hope that those we appeal to will appreciate our labours , and as we have steadfastly adhered to the programme we first marked out for ourselves , we must suppose that this appreciation has been exhibited . At all events , until satisfactory cause is shown ,

we shall continue in the same path , in the hope and belief that , as volume succeeds volume , we shall find our friends and supporters , as has been the case hitherto , continually as well as considerably on the increase . In one important particular we have been obliged , for the present , to break

a series of contributions which , when complete , will be of the greatest value to the Craft . Wc allude , of course , to the momentary discontinuance of the Warrants of the Ancient Lodges . This , however , is explained by the absence of Bro . John Constable , to whose untiring efforts in procuring : them we have been thus far indebted . On his

return , however , which may be looked for in the autumn , we shall , with his assistance , resume their publication . It is possible we might have found means to continue the series in his absence , but to have done so would manifestly have been an act of grave injustice and discourtesy to a

brother who has laboured so assiduously to assist us . As regards the future , we look forward to it with confidence , and we can only hope that when the time comes for us to

announce the commencement of a fresh volume , that our friends will be as kindly disposed towards us as they are now . At all events , we shall spare no effort to secure so desirable a consummation .

Masonic Fete In Dublin.

MASONIC FETE IN DUBLIN .

ON Thursday of last week there was a grand Masonic ^ gathering in the Exhibition Palace at Dublin , the occasion being the annual distribution of prizes to the Dublin Masonic Female Orphan Asylum , and the Boys ' School attached to it . The absence of the Duke of

Abercorn , K .. G ., the Grand Master , was a subject of general regret , and equally so the continued illness of his wife ,

Masonic Fete In Dublin.

which was the cause of such absence . However , the Craft found a most efficient President in Bro . Robert W . Shekleton , Q . C ., the Deputy Grand Master , who was ably supported by Bros . Robert Warren , Grand Treasurer , the Rev . John James MacSorley , Grand Chaplain , Alderman

Joseph Manning , Grand Senior , and Theophilus E . St . George , Grand Junior Deacon , George A . Stephens , Grand Superintendent of Works , George Moyers , Grand Director of Ceremonies , H . Minchin , G . Swd . Bearer , 0 . 0 . Grandison , G . Org ., James Creed Meredith G . I . G ., S . B . Oldham D . G .

Secretary and Treasurer , and Archibald St . George Assist . Secretary . Among the representatives of Foreign Grand Lodges were Bros . Dr . Philip 0 . Smyloy , Prussia , Captain George Huband , Alabama , U . S . A ., George Hill Major , Quebec , and James H . Neilson , Egypt . There wore

likewise in attendance a numerous array of brethren both from the capital and the provinces . A procession having been formed , and Bro . Shekleton having taken the chair , thafc worthy and worshipful brother , after feelingly alluding to the absence of the Grand Master , and the cause which

prevented his presiding , spoke afc some length as to the merits of the Institution whose Festival was being that day celebrated , after which , Bro . Chaworth Ferguson read the report for the year then closing , from which it appeared that both financially and educationally the Asylum was in

a very flourishing' state . It had added £ 2 , 000 India 4 per cent . Stock to its invested moneys , and tho pupils who had been trained in ifc were proving themselves worthy of the care and attention bestowed on them . Moreover , the health of the School had been most satisfactory . The

report further stated that it was in contemplation to enlarge the School , the number of girls being at present forty-five , and it is hoped it may be found possible to increase this to sixty . With this view , negotiations are in progress for obtaining a suitable site for the enlarged premises , and

plans are being prepared by the architect . This must involve a large additional expenditure , and a hope was expressed that the Craft would increase the support already extended to ifc , so as to meet the increased outlay . Bro . James Spaight , Limerick , proposed , and Bro .

Hugh Holmes , Q . C ., seconded the adoption of the report , which was agreed to unanimously , as was a resolution moved by Bro . Captain King Harman , M . P ., and seconded by Bro . Thos . M'Mullen , of Cork , inviting the further cooperation of the Masonic body in support of the Asylum . A

selection of music having been performed by the pupils , and the National Anthem having been sung , the procession was reformed and marched to a dais in the glass building , where the prizes and certificates were distributed to tho successful pupils , both girls and boys . Having regard to

the space afc our command , ifc will be impossible to give the list in full , but the chief prizes were awarded as follow : —The Ffennell Prize , value £ Z , for Scripture and History to Frances Smith ; Gertrude Gill , who gained ifc last year , receiving a Certificate . The Astley Prizes , 1 st ;

Division , English , went to ( 1 ) Gertrude Gill , ( 2 ) Frances Smith ; and Second Division , French , ( 1 ) Frances Smith , ( 2 ) Gertrude Gill . The Nagle Prizes , for the highest general proficiency in Classes I . and IL , were carried off in Class I . by Gertrude Gill , and in Class II . bv Sophia

Fenton . The Good Conduct Medals , presented by Bro . Samuel B . Oldham , and awarded by the votes of the pupils themselves , were given to Jane Crymble ( silver medal ) ,

and Henrietta Richards ( bronze medal ) . The proceedings , which were enlivened at intervals by the organ and the band of the 21 st Fusileers , were brought to a close shortly afterwards .