Channel Islands.

into a museum of rich and rare works of art of various descriptions , kindly lent for the occasion . Among the many pictures may be ennumerated a splendid painting by Sehalkeu , one of David after the slaying of Goliath , one of Lucretia from the school of Rubens , and others , contributed by the Bailiff ; a large collection of water-colour drawings by the late accomplished local artist Le Cuppelain ; two fine paintings , a " Battle Field , " and the " Infant Saviour" supposed to be a Murillolent b

, , y Colonel Touxel ; a fine portrait of General Corbet , who in 1781 betrayed the island to Rullecourt , contributed by H . L . Manuel Esq . ; aud this was appropriately supplemented by the official list of the forces under the French invader signed by his own hand , supplied by Col . Le Couteur , Q . A . D . C ., who also sent a portrait of Charles II . which Avas most singularly pierced by three bullets during the battle of St . Helier , in 1781 .

Paintings were also contributed by Mr . Stirling and many others . Among the curiosities may be mentioned a Russian artillery helmet , a bronze ornament , and many other things from Col . Le Couteur ; a large case of Cornish metallic ores , and Jersey geological specimens from R . A . Peacock , Esq ., magnificent Chinese silk dressing- gown formerly worn by the Taeping-• General , with many other articles of virtue from Mr . Deslandes ; ¦

a very fine Chinese helmet , Japanese teatray , a cigar box from Canton , a Avriting case from Jeddo , a gorgeous writing table such as is used by Chinese princes , & c , from Captain Brooker , R . N . ; carvings in wood , representing the royal family of China and others , richly ornamented , a Chinese lantern , and other articles obtained at the taking of Ningpo by the crew of the Jersey ship Jeddolent by Captain Mauger ;

, Chinese joss , made from the cane of the bambco , Avith a large ¦ case of miscellaneous curiosities from Mr . Rose ; a magnificent pair of buffalo horns from Mr . Stirling ; Chinese ornaments , & c , from Col . Touxel ; a fine model of A ^ ietoria College from Charles Home , Esq . ; a neat model of Victoria Tower , Guernsey ; an '" Infant Samuel" ( the second attempt at sculpture of any description , and the first executed in marble ) , contributed by the

artist , Mr . C . Thorn , an amateur ; a large number of valuable articles from the extensive collection of Capt . Saumarez , R . N ., ¦ among which may be especially named a fine set of bronzes . These are but a small portion of the interesting contents of this

rooms , which Avas a great source of attraction . The limited selection thus made from the extensive collections existing in Jersey , and the liberal offers of their owners , give promise that in the course of next year an exhibition confined to works of art may be formed , by which the Freemasons will be enabled to lay a rich treat before the inhabitants , thus carrying out one portion of their profession , namely , the cultivation of the mind by a study of art and scienceas well as the promotion of sentiments

, of morality and virtue , the enlargement of the social feelings , the relief of distress , and a due regard and maintenance of their -hidden mysteries . On leaving this room visitors crossed the hall into an anteroom on the left , in Avhich were some rich specimens of needlework , which , being framed and glazed and hanging on'the walls , were by many supposed to be paintings , executed by Mesdames

Le Feuvre and Le Sueur . Here , too , was a powerful microscope belonging to Master Blackbird , who kindly attended to exhibit it . In one corner of the room was the post office , presided over by a lady , who delivered a letter to all applicants on payment of the postage . The Registration office was closed , but on it was the following placard : " The Registry office is removed to the Rector ' s and the Registrar ' s . " Of course many ladies inquired' for the Avhereabouts of these officialswhose services

, might ho required in nine cases of importance , and after having been satisfied , they resolved to reconsider the subject . A isitors now entered the large room of the Temple proper , which , to those acquainted with the building , and accustomed to see it with the Masonic furniture , appeared greatly diminished iu size , owing to the stalk , behind each of which considerable space was required for the stowage of articles , to replace such

as might be disposed of ; these were rather heavily decorated with evergreens , flags , and flowers , and laden with an immense collection of goods for sale , many of which were valuable . An enumeration of even the principal of them is impossible , but mention must be made of a few at the first stall , the generous contribution of W . Massey , Esq ., by whom they had been made . They consisted of two large models of churches in cardboard ,

the carving and tracery of which are exquisite and elaborate , executed with a penknife . In this art he may safely challenge competition , as also in the preparation of sea-weeds , of which he gave two large wreaths , a crown and another device , so

arranged as to have the appearance of paintings . I he formerwere disposed of by ballot at £ 5 each , and the latter were marked £ 2 each . The stalls were presided over by the following ladies , who certainly exerted themselves to the utmost in recommending their wares , and in competition as to which should be the first to pounce upon gentlemen as they entered with well-filled pockets , and to solicit them to join in the numerous lotteries

constantly in progress . Indeed , it is impossible to over-estimate the services and labours of the ladies , who boi-e with the greatest good temper the occasional severe pressure of the crowd , and the inconvenience to which they must thus have been subjected . The main object was ever kept in view , and on every side hearty enjoyment and fun prevailed , with which no obstacles seemed to interfere . The stalls were in charge of Mesdames Ed . C . Malet De

Carteret , C . Le Sueur , J . Durell , H . L . Manuel , J . Le Cronier , E . Pixley , E . J . Bellingham , Beamer , A esconte , C . Donaldson , P . AV . Le Quesne . —La Cloche and C . G . Renouf ; Mesdemoiselles G . Deslandes , Renouf , Laverty , Thompson ,,. Marett , Brooks , Le Couteur , Le Cronier , Le Quesne , Simon , Ginestet , Ricketts , and others . Oa the dais , at the east end of the room , was a magnificent wedding-cakefrom which various articleswell wrapped up

, , , were obtained by inserting the hand , after payment of a small fee . This proved highly attractive . It need hardly be said that the lodge-room was the centre of attraction , and Avas generally crowded ; the fair vendors were ubiquitous , even resorting to the ante-room Avith articles to be sold or raffled for , and few could resist their winning smiles , their persuasive eloquence , and in some cases almost their

physical force . Returning to the entrance hall , visitors ascended the staircase to view the chastely decorated "Royal Arch Chapter Room , " which , duly furnished with the implements of the Craft , was in complete order , and to some of the ladies appeared a satisfactory solution of their curiosity , except that they would like to know the secret , which they fancied must lie in the mysterious initials over the chairs of the Principals , I . T . N . O . T . G . A . O . T . U . Again descending to the basement , the banqueting room was

entered , in which were some good engravings , contributed by Bro . Dr . Hopkins and others ; also views of Hong Kong and Shanghai , lent by Capt . Mauger . A portion of this room was devoted to the sale of refreshments in charge of Bro . Long , Avhile at the end was a Delphic grotto , fitted up with interesting cases of animals , a model of a Druidical Temple , & c , in which , on payment of Id ., fortunes were told . Another penny gave admission to an apartment on the rightfitted up with Masonic

, emblems ; here , by aid of a stereoscope , persons could witness how , when , and where ( on dit ) cowans are converted into Freemasons . Of course this was a source of much interest to the ladies , who seldum lose an opportunity of prying into the " mysteries . " At the other end of this long room was a raised platform for a variety of performances during the three days , namelthe amateur Cesarean Christie Minstrelsthe menagerie

y , , of performing- wild beasts , warranted not to bite , and a concert . These were attended by crowds , which necessitated extra repetitions of the performances . Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the gentlevnem . who took part in them , especially the first . The blackened faces and tho peculiarities of nigger dress so disguised them , that they were recognised by but few even of their friends . On Thursday , the last day of the fete , an

additional amusement was provided out of doors in the grounds of the institution , under the direction of Captain Mitford , consisting of competition in athletic sports for prizes kindly furnished by the ladies from the unsold articles at their stalls . The youths of the naval training school , who attended in a body , were the most successful in carrying off most of these prizes , the Managing Committee kindly gave these lads free admission

to all parts of the exhibition , from which their circumstances would otherwise have debarred them , and further displayed their liberality by returning the entrance fee to several private soldiers who had paid at the door . As the weather was fine , the athletic sports were witnessed by three or four hundred of the visitors , who were thus advantageously withdrawn from the rooms at a time when the pressure was greatest . On Thursday evening the anxiety to hear the Christie Minstrels was so great

that they repeated their performance thrice , that none might go away disappointed . Among them Bro . George Perrot particularly distinguished himself , as recorded in a local journal , Avherein it is stated , " we should say he has missed his vocation ,