Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball At The Mansion House.

JUVENILE FANCY DRESS BALL AT THE MANSION HOUSE .

For some time the year ' s festivities at the Mansion House

have been very appropriately inaugurated by a juvenile fancy dress ball , and nothing could have been more successful than the one which took place on the 4 th inst ., when , on the invitation of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress ( Bro . Alderman and Mrs . Knight ) , over 900 guests , mostly juveniles , were present . The character of the guests imparted a freshening

atmosphere into the Mansion House apartments . Their finelycontrasting costumes , all brightness and colour , their chubby countenances overspread with a curiously mingled expression of wonder and enjoyment , their effervescent spirits , ceaseless motion , and never-tiring admiration , made the brilliant scene one of exceptional interest . An assembly of little ones under such circumstances possesses features of

attraction peculiarly its own . I here is apparent that all-pervading adoration of nursery lore that elevates its heroes and heroines far above every-day fiction , and endows their representatives with a halo of reflex glory from the realms of fancy . The walls of the ballroom become as limitless as those of the fairies' domain , or of its charming borderland , whence come Red Riding Hood

and her relatives in elemental rhyme hand-in-hand with the dainty creations of Kate Greenaway and Richard Caldecott . And surely there is no more striking example of the eternal fitness of things than that a successor of Dick Whittington , himself a perpetual associate with mere ethereal beings , should prompt the pageant , and give its participants a temporary habitation . This year was

specially marked by the fact that the family of the Lord Major actively shared the pleasures provided , no less than four of its younger members being numbered with the juvenile masquers , whilst their elders assumed part of the responsibility of the arrangements , and were indefatigable in stimulating the merriment of their nine hundred guests . r We regret that the pages of the Freemason will

not admit of a full description of the fairy-like scene and endless variety of costume and character , and the marvellous kaleidoscopic effects produced b y the incessant movement of such a mass of colour , but a few of the most noticeable we cannot omit . The reception by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress was itself a splendid spectacle . Wearing his robes and chain , Bro . Alderman Knight was

accompanied by Mrs . Knight ( who wore a lovely pink broche silk ) , Mr . and Mrs . H . M . Knight , Miss Knight , Miss Ada Knight ( in ordinary evening dress ) , Miss Edith Knight as " Mother Hubbard , " a younger sister as "Little Red Riding Hood , " Master Sydney Knight as "Dick Whittington , " Master Charles Knight in a handsome Court dress , and Master Louis Cottrell as "Tom

Tucker . " To swell the procession every country and every clime had been laid under tribute ; "Dick Whittington and his sweetheart Alice ; " and of gay cavaliers of all periods , the slashed doublet of silk and flowing peruke predominating in popularity . In one family , that of Bro . Edward Terry , was brought together the ends of the earth ; for one of his little daughters was

made up with wonderful minuteness as an Indian hunter , looking remarkably picturesque in a deerskin costume , with head-dress of bright feathers and necklace of coloured beads , a rifle slung in true huntsman fashion across the shoulders ; and a second daughter appeared as an Oriental slave girl , her sunbrowned visage half obscured by her envelopment of white lawn , against which her eyes shone

out with piercing blackness . Another family group , comprising ^ Spring , Summer , Autumn , and Winter , made a charming " ensemble . " With unflagging zest a long programme comprising twenty dances was footed merrily to the strains of the band of the Hon . Artillery Company , under the direction of Signor G . Tamplini , the music being the newest and liveliest . At the

head of the room a set was now and then joined by the Lord Mayor , who even infused additional spirit into a schottische rendered to the quickest of time . Considerable divesion was caused late in the evening by the introduction of Bro . L'ffncr with Chang , the Chinese giant , and Mite , one of the American Midgets , under his charge . Drawing-room entertainments of a pleasantly-diversified

description were given during the evening . Punch and Judy—that never-dying drama—was performed at intervals in the saloon , and never failed to elicit shrieks of laughter . The living marionettes of Professor Clarence appeared in numerous amusing characters , and their songs were keenly relished ; and one of the drawing-rooms was occupied by

Professor Daniels , whose vocal selections and banjo accompaniments always had an extensive auditory . But the climax was reached when Lieutenant Cole in the Egyptian Hall introduced his merry folk and talking automata and provoked peal after peal of mirth with his ventriloquial powers . Supper was served in the old ball-room by Messrs . King and Brymer . Among those present we noticed the following brethren

and members of their families : — Bro . T . Beard . Bro . and Mrs . A . Brookman ; Master A . Brookman and Master E . Anderton , court pages of the sixteenth century ; Miss Edith Anderton , Kate Greenaway dress . Bro . E . Coleman . Bro . and Mrs . D . Evans ; Master Lauto Evans"Boy

, Blue ; " Miss Oueenie Evans , " Bo Peep ; " Miss Tibbie Evans , " Little Red Riding Hood . " Bro . and Mrs . H . J . Felton ; Master C . Fellon , " Voung Marlowe ; " Miss Ethel Felton , " Miss Hardcastle . " Bro . and Mrs . F . Green ; Master F . Hadvn-Green . naee

of the Court of Charles 11 ., costume of ruby velvet ; Miss Kathleen Hadyn-Green , " Titania " ( " Midsummer Night ' s Dream " ); Miss Nora Haydn-Green , "Fairy Butterfly . " Bro . Ex-Sheriff Hutton ; Miss Clara Hutton ; Master S . P . Hutton , Neapolitan fisher boy ; Miss Gertrude Hutton , Italian contadina ; Miss Sissylt Pritchard , Vendean

peasant . . Bro . the Rev . VV . Taylor Jones ; the Rev . VV . Taylor Jones , jun . ; Mrs . VV . Taylor Jones ; Miss Dibdin ; Master E . W . T . Jones , " Prince Hal , " purple velvet tunic , green silk hose , cap and feather ; Master H . G . T . Jones , " Robin Hood , " green tunic , scarlet . hose , buff boots , bow , arrows , and baldrick , hat and feathers . Bro . J . Judd ; Mrs . Judd ; Missjudd . Bro . George Kenning ( master Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers' Company ) , and Mrs . George Kenning ; Master

Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball At The Mansion House.

F . R . Kenning , Neapolitan fisher boy ; Miss Florence Kenning , " Lydia Languish . " Bro . U . Knell ; Master A . U . Knell , gentleman Charles II . period , black velvet , gold trimmings , cardinal hose , bows , and feather .

Bro . H . B . Marshall and Mrs . Marshall ; Misss Elsie Marshall , French flower girl . Bro . and Mrs . Dresser Rogers ; Miss Ethel Rogers , " Princess Too Too ; " Miss Anita Rogers , "Winter ;" Miss Marion Rogers , Kate Greenway's " " Pet . " Bro . and Mrs . E . VV . Stillwcll ; Master Stillwell , sailor ; Miss Stillwcll , * ' Queen of the Roses . " Bro . Major T . Davies Scwell and Mrs . Singer ; Master

T . P . Singer , Zouave , blue jacket , braided red and gold , vest ditto , blue sash , red baggy trousers , and high white gaiters , red fez cap , and blue tassel ; Master S . D . Sewell , " Patience , " black velveteen jacket and knee breeches , steel buttons , deep lace collar and cuffs , Tam-o ' -Shanter cap , lily in hand . 13 ro . and Mrs . C . Spurgeon ; Master C . Spurgeon , jack tar ; Miss Ada Theresa Spurgeon and Miss Florence

Spurgeon , fishwives , dresses made of fancy prints . Bro . Alderman Staples and Mrs . Staples ; Master S . Staples , Spanish muleteer in gala dress ; Miss Ada Staples , vivandiere . Bro . E . F . Storr . Bro . and Mrs . E . Terry ; Master H . Terry , "Dr . Panglos , " from Colman's " Heir-at-Law ; " Miss Nellie Terry , Arab woman ; Miss Maggie Terry , "Miami , " an Indian huntress .

Bro . George Vickcry ; Mrs . G . Vickery ; the Masters Vickei _ ,. Bro . and Mrs . S . White ; Master C . White , Incroyablc ; Master E . White , Puritan soldier ; Miss C . L . White , Norwegian peasant .

Bro . Alderman Whitehead and Mrs . Whitehead ; Master VV . J . Whitehead , " Sir Garnet Wolseley , " British general ' s uniform ; Miss Leila Isabel Whitehead , Spanish gipsy . Bro . and Mrs . J . E . VValford , Miss Walford , Miss Agnes Walford .

Festival And Presentation At North Shields.

FESTIVAL AND PRESENTATION AT NORTH SHIELDS .

The annual festival in connection with St . George ' s Lodge , No . 431 , was held in the Albion Hotel , on the gth inst . The banquet , to which nearly sixty brethren sat down , was of a most sumptuous character . The chair was occupied by Bro . W . J . Ward , W . M ., and the vice-chair by Bro . Henry Gibson , S . W . Among those supporting the VV . M . were Bros . W . Tinzell , P . M .,

P . P . G . S . W . ; j . G . Tulloch , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ; John Harcuss , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . j T . Robson , P . M ., P . P . G . J . VV . ; J . Robinson , P . M . ; Jas . Rcddam , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; No . 240 . The Worshipful Master gave the following toasts in succession : "TheOueen , " "The M . W . Grand Master of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., " "The M . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , the R . W .

D . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom , and the Officers of Grand Lodge of England ; " The R . W . Prov . Grand Master of Northumberland , the Rt . Hon . Earl Percy , M . P ., V . W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . H . Holmes , and Officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Northumberland . Bro . VV . TINZELL , in felicitous terms , proposed "The R . W . Prov . Grand Master and Officers of Durham , "

coupled with the name of Bro . James Roddam . Bro . RODDAM , in responding , complimented the VV . M . on his accession for the second time to the chair of K . S . Bro . TULLOCH next proposed in eulogistic terms "The VV . M . of St . George ' s Lodge , Bro . J . VV . Ward , " a gentleman who , he said , was eminently fitted to guide the destinies of the lodge , and than whom there was not a

more thorough-going and devoted Mason in the wide province of Northumberland , and , what was more , he lived and carried out the highest principles of the Craft , both inside and outside the lodge . The toast was received with great enthusiasm . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in responding , thanked the brethren for the heartiness and cordiality with which they had received the toast . St . George's Lodge occupied the

premier position in the province , and it would be his study during his year of office not only to maintain that position , but to extend and solidify it . Bro . ROBSON , P . M ., proposed " The Immediate Past Master of St . George ' s Lodge , Bro . VV . B . Maclearon . " In the absence of that brother , Bro . TULLOCH responded . The remaining toasts were " The Masonic Charities , "

" The Visiting Lodges , " " The Past Officers of St . George ' s Lodge , " " The Present Officers of St . George ' s Lodge , " " Our Absent Brethren , " and " Our Next Merry Meeting . " One of the most numerously attended , successful , and harmonious festivals in connection with St . George ' s Lodge , North Shields , was brought to a close by the brethren

joining in singing " Auld Lang Syne . " The installation of the VV . M . took place on New Year ' s Day , the Installing Master being Bro . VV . B . Maclearon , there being a very numerous attendance of the brethren . The VV . M , elect having been presented to the officiating Master , & c , was duly installed in the chair of K . S . The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year :

Bros . H . Gibson , S . VV . ; Alfred Robson , J . VV . ; J . VV . Davison , Treas . ; J . G . Tulloch , Sec . ; VV . Carnaby , S . D . ; C . L . Taws , J . D . ; T . Robson , Dir . of Cer . ; VV . Reed , Org . ; G . P . Hepple , I . G . ; G . H . Heslop and James Martin , Stewards ; and J . Robertson , Tyler . The Worshipful Master then presented Bro . Tulloch with a handsome set of provincial clothing and jewel , and a

chaste and elegant Past Master ' s jewel , the latter bearing the following inscription : " Presented to Bro . John Graham Tulloch , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., by bis friends in connection with St . George ' s Lodge , No . 431 , in recognition of his valuable services during the past thirty years North Shields , Jan . 1 , 1 SS 3 . " Bro . Perkins also presented Bro . Tulloch with the balance

of subscriptions which had been received from the members , amounting to £ 5 . This year ' s festival will be long remembered by all who were privileged to be present in the Albion Hotel on Tuesday night , and among one of the most pleasing memories will be the splendour and amplitude of the repast , and the courtesy and attention of the host and hostess , and their staff of waiters , which included members of the Craft .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN ALLEN , P . M . 1297 . As the Freemason goes to press early on Friday morning , we were unable last week to record the death of Bro . John Allen , principal sub-editor of the Morning Post , which occurred on the previous evening . Bro . Alien had been ill for a few weeks past , but a fatal termination of the asthma with which he suffered was not anticipated till two or three days before it occurred , and when it was known throusrh the

columns of the Morning Post on Friday morning , became the principal topic of conversation in newspaper circles . Bro . Allen during a connection of many years with the press had won the affection , esteem , and respect of all with whom he had to do ; and a more faithful officer to his employers , a more just or generous colleague , was not to bo found on the newspaper press . In the family and social circles , too , he won a sincere and lasting affection . He

brought up a large family , the members of which have displayed great natural talent in the walks they have severally selected , and have followed in the footsteps of their father 111 knowing how to respect themselves , and so securino- the respect of others . In whatever quarter Bro . Allen's death was mentioned it elicited but one feeling of regret and sorrow , and it was generally confessed that the press and society had never lost a better man .

Among Freemasons , by whom he was widely known , a similar feeling was exhibited , and it was immediately proposed that the lod ges to which he belonged should follow his remains to the grave . Bro . Allen was the first initiate in the West Kent Lod ge , No . 1297 , which was consecrated on the 26 th of February , 1 S 70 , at Forest-hill . He was put into office in the next year , and he worked his way up till he became Master of the lodge in 1 S 75—a rapid promotion

, which was a proof of the assiduity with which he performed his Masonic duties . While in the chair he worked all the ceremonies , and he also installed his successor the following year . He remained true to his lodge till his death , and was present at its last meeting on 2 Sth October , 1 SS 2 . He was a founder of the Orpheus Lodge , No . 1706 , of which he was also a member to the last . When the Gallery Lodge was consecrated , on the 13 th August , 1 SS 1 , he visitor

was a , and from his long association with newspaper men , for the convenience of whom this lodge was specially established , he felt that he could not allow such a body to be in existence without being one of its component parts . At the first emergency meeting of the lodge , the following week , he was therefore , at his own particular request , proposed and elected a member , and being a Past Master of the West Kent Lodge , was asked if he would accept the collar and the duties

perform of Past Master of the lodge during the first Master ' s year . This he readily agreed to do , and not only so , but after his investiture he regularly discharged the duties of his office , which , seeing that there were thirteen initiates during that year , were not light . He attended the installation meeting of the lodge on the gth December last , and assisted in the induction of his old friend , Bro . H . Bussey , in the chairand lent

, his collar and jewel for the investiture of the l . P . M . At the banquet which followed at Freemasons' Tavern , Bro . Allen passed a most pleasant evening , having by his side , as his visitor , the brother . who is his executor and trustce . Bro . Thomas Preston , a brother as well known and as « rcatly respected as Bro . Allen himself . Bro . Allen was one of the numcrousbrethren who were present at the installation of the Prince of Wales as M . W . G . Master , in April , iS ?* . and he

also attended the Grand Festival banquet which followed , sitting during the evening by Bro . Edward Ledger , the proprietor of the Era . Bro . Allen was always very proud of having been present at that wonderful assemblage of Sooo Masons , and when it was decided to have a commemoration jewel struck became one of the purchasers , and this jewel he always subsequently wore in lodge . While his loss is deeply mourned , the hope is fondly entertained that many and true he

men as good as may join the Masonic Order , and if such be the case the Craft need never fear that it will become a thing of the past . The funeral of Bro . Allen took place on Wednesday , at Nimhead cemetery . Besides deceased ' s family and relatives , deputations from each of his lodges were invited to join the mourning parting at the house . Two brethren were appointed by each lodge to perform this duty : Bros .

Gardner , VV . ftl ., and VVoodrow , Sec . West Kent ; Bros . John Hodge , VV . M ., and W . A . Barrett , P . M ., Orpheus ; and Bros . H . K . F . Bussey , VV . M ., andR . J . Albery , Secretary , Gallery . lira . Allen having been many years a resident in the district of St . Marks , Kennington , at which church he and his family were worshippers , the body was first conveyed to that sacred edifice , and the first partof the funeral service was there performed , 'lhe brethren of the lodges , with

together numerous representatives of the London and Provincial press not connected gith Masonry , the proprietors , and all the staff of the Morning Post , attended the funeral at the cemetery , and met it at the gates and followed the body to the grave where the last rites were performed . The coffin , which was of polished oak , was covered with floral wreaths , including , besides the family wreaths , a handsomecross from Sir Algernon Borthwick and

wreaths lrom Mrs . Preston , Mr . T . S . l ' ownend , Mr C Dunphic , Bro . Barrett , Mr . Christie , and others . The following are the names of some of those forming the procession : In the first carriage , Messrs . T . Y . Allen , John Allen , Charles Allen , Rev . Mr . Montgomery , Vicar of St . Mark's , Kennington ( who performed the service ); second carriage , Messrs . Joseph Allen , Thomas Allen , C . B . Cook , A . Christie ; third carriage , Messrs . Thos . Preston ,

Dickson , Humphrey , Barrett ; fourth carriage , Messrs . H . E F P , USS ( . ?; 1 < - J- Albery , VV . F . Gardner , J . C . Woodrow . Mr . VV . Hardman , chairman of the Surrey Sessions , followed in his own carriage . Among the others who met the body at the gates and followed the cortege were Sir Algernon Borthwick , Messrs . VV . H . Langley , Montague Vizetelly , Collagan ( Publisher of the Morning Post ) , Charles H . Scott , Charles WilliamsOzwald Willson V

, Markwick , R . H . Crowden , R . S . Chant , Francis Duff , I . Thomas , George Welsh , H . Coulter , VV . S . Seabrook , W M . Duckworth , J . C . Duckworth , VV . T . Perkins , John While , J . T . Townend , Jas . Walker , VV . Macdonald , E . E Peacock , HerbertWright , Thomas Wright , Robert Redman * James Adair , Robt . Hancock , David Moffatt F C *

, Massey , H . VV . Massey , and H . Massey ( Freetnason ) . The ladies who followed were Mrs . VV . ' 1 . Perkins Mrs Seabrook , Mrs . H . Massey , and Miss Massey . ' There were also a large number of the employes of the Morning Post , amongst whom Bro . Allen was deservedly held in high esteem .