THE MASONIC BALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2919, 31 January 1884, Page 5

THE MASONIC BALL.

Tho iibovo ball, which took placo on Friday night, and which, closed tho proceedings m connoction with tho festival, will long bo ro-' oiomborcd by those lodica und gonllomoii who were privileged to onjqy it. Several letters of apology wero rocoived from prominent mombore of the craft, and among them one from His Excollency Sir William Jervois, oxprossini? his dcop regret that prior engagements prevented him accepting tho invitation to bo present. Hie Committee had been fortunate m obtaining tho use of tho High School, kindly placed at their disposal. Tho work of! decoration was carried out m a very creditable manner. Tho ball-room was brilliantly lightod, und decorutod with ovoi'greene interwoven with festoons of beautiful Mowers, hothouse foliage and pot plants. Every provision wns made that could bo for tho ladies, tho sex being omnipotent, as they always should bo. As early us half -pnst eight o'clock tho company begun to arrive, mid were received at tho entrance by the Btowarda nnd escorted to tho dressing-room. Boforo 9 o'clodk over •«) ladies hud iirrivod and wore soatcd round the ballroom, nnd soon after the " Groml March of the Druids " was commenced by tho band, ami tho procession entered, preceded by a herald. Then camo tho Knights Templars, 16 m number, who halted half-way down tho room taking open column. They formed tho Arch of Stool, and tho Grand Prior of |Now Zealand, Sir Knt. Dcnmor, entered, followod by tho 'officers of tho (Jnvnd Lodge, tho members of tho Royal Arch Hose Croix and othor degrees. Tho Knights Twnplars with Uieir rich tunics, eushoe and iluwiug mantles ennobled with tho

red cross of the Order, their jewels of office, &c. ; tho Grand Lodge m their costly regalia of gold lace ; the superb collars of the Kose Droix, tho rich sashes and aprons of the Royal Arch and others degrees had a very pretty effect), and the picture 119 they entered the hall room was one of the most striking charactw and delighted everyone who witnessed it. The procession being over, the introductions commenced. Tho scene at this tima -was very rich. We could not m words give any idea of the spectacle, made up as it was of youth and beauty m the most bewitching toilettes, enlivened by music divine. It certainly formed a picture neper to be forgotten — a " dream of fair women" enshrouded m riuh velvets, brocades, silks and satins, covered with costly lace, with jewels sparkling with rich gems of various hues, with silken sasher. of many colors and adornings. These with their bright and Bparkling eyes, and merry happy voices, the beautiful flowers giving iorth their deliciouß perfumes and a beautii'ul mass of color, formed a most charming picture. Our reverie was interrupted by the band, whose introduction to the Quadrille announced tho first dance. For this there were eight sets, in-ranged as follows :— No. 1, all composed of officers of tho Grand lodge; No. 2, Knights Templars ; No. 3, Master Masons ; No. 4, Royal Arch j No. 5, Knights Templars ; No. 6, Bose Croix ; No. 7, Mark Masons ; and No. 8, Master Masons. These different groups were nicely arranged, and the mingling of regalia and uniforms with the elegantly al.tired ladies, made up a scene of surpassing gaiety and animation. Among the many very beautiful toilettes were the following: — A very haedsome lady •was attired as an Eastern princess m a very elegant dross of maize-colored satin, interwoven with ruby velvet and pink quilted silk, richly einbiwdered down the front with gold, train skirt, and beautiful head-dress to match. Another costume was of crimson satin, the skirt being of a lighter shade, elegantly trimmed with black lace. A white wig completed this becoming costume. A fair young girl, fit to bo a daughter of the gads, wore an exquisite costume of pale blue satin, skirt and body, the skirt being draped with silk, shoes, stockings and sash to match, fan of blue and silver. Another charming toilet was of pink moire silk, very gracefully draped with white tulle. A striking combination was of canarycolored striped satin and moire, very elegantly trimmed with cerise satin, a ceri3e* satin vest laced ocrofis the front, the 'vhole being richly trimmed with lace and flowers ; diamond ornaments. A tall and graceful lady wore a dress of pink nun's veiling, bodice of black velvet, skirt intermixed mrSlx pink and black, trimmed with white laco ; beautiful shell ornaments, pink plume m hair. This dress- was very stylish and elegant. Another dres3 was of lavender and white Indian muslin, lavender satin body, the whole being handsomely trimmed with lace; gold ornaments and head dress of flowers. A striking device that attracted much attention was of cream Indian muslin with quilted cerise satin front, satin body, collar of the Elizabuthan style, adorned peith pearls, the train very gracefully trimmed with satin and white flowers. A very costly and clegnnt toilet was composed of black silk velver;, rich sash draped at back, trimmings of Iloniton lace, with diamond ornaments, flower;! m hair. A handsome dress of pink satin was richly trimmed with flounces of cream lace ; necklet of black velvet, with a diamond 3tar ; wreath of flowers m the hair, and diamond earrings. Another very attractive toilet was of cream silk and rich, broche body, pointed back and front, being laced down the back, with short skirt trimmed with bice and poppies ; diamond ornaments and pearls. There was v very reficed dress, and a relief among so much color, of white striped satin and moire, white satin bodice, the skirt heing richly trimmod with white flowers; peul ornaments . A dress representing a lady of the fifteenth century was of rich black s"ilk, with brocha trimmings and Maltese lace, aod flowers m the hair. A pleasant costume was that of Patience, a very handsome cream colored sateen, augc-colored satin polonnaise, scarlet flowers, with straw hat tastefully trimmed. A Gipsy was very prettily represented, her skirt and bodice being scarlet, with a unique hcad-dresH of scarlet adorned with coins. One lady looked beautiful m a handsome dress of black satin, (rimmed with shaded cardinal and black lace ; silver ornament), and flowers m the hair. A young lady's costume was of white silk, overskirt of tulle draped with, garlands of different colored roses, bodice of rich broche trimmed with lace, tullo and roses. A very : fashionable dress was of ruby silk, handsomely made and triinnied with rich cream lace, rubj cord and tassels ; flowers and gold ornaments. A youthful lady wore a very pretty dross of white nun's veiling trimmed with kilting, Vandyke flounce, dciep lace falling below a body of white satin ; pearl ornaments. Another costly and hiindsome toilet was a blaok velvet bodice and train, the front of rich broche trimmed with Spanish laco ; diamond ornaments, and Chine, crape shawl. Two handsome brunettes wei« very richly attired m black satin trimmed with exquisite lace draped with garlands of flowers, gold and silver ornaments. Another cliarming dress was of blnck satin trimmed with silver lace and fringe, silver coronet, and veil attached ; gold and silver ornaments. A striking costume was ono of peach-colored silk, richly trimmed with a sash of colored satin flowers ; pearl ornaments. A peasant's dress was of scarlet, nun's veiling, with blncl; velvet bodico, white chemisette, long sleeves, muslin cap, and fancy white apron. A pretty girl was attired m a delicate blue dress, tho skirt being adorned with pearls ; bue hat with blue and drab plumes ; pearl ornaments. A charming blondo was dressed m crimson satin deliriously mixed with white lace, a fairy picture. Another handscmo toilet was of blue moire, vory gratefully trimmed with w hite moiro and lace ; gold and diamond ornaments ; flowuss m hair. A very pretty costume was worn by a petite lady, and was of white, cashnwre trimmed with gold braid. There wero many other charming and beautiful dresses of every conceivable description which could charm tho heart of man. The time was when wo dared to hint our opinion us to the bollo of tho ball, but on this occasion the task is not only very difficult, but perhaps impolitic, sa great a display of beauty and bright eyes was thorc. The opinions I'.ud tastes of our raalo friends varied, maty we fear from interested motives, — Ab lampi; burn silont with unconscious light, So modont easo m beauty shines most bright ; Unaitninsf charms with edge resistless fall, And fiho who moans no mischief, uiakoa it all. The buffet was m ono of tho corridors, atid contained everything that the most fastidious could desire, tho champagnes and wines being of the very best brands and deserved tho warmest expression of commendation. In front oi; the buffet were tho two supper rooms.. Tho tables wero very tastefully arranged, and contained ovevy delicacy that could bo procured, among them being an abundance of hothouse grapes. Tho dishes were intersporscd with rich vases and eporgncs ■ filled with choice flowers and fruit. Soups, , tea and coffee wero served all through the night, tho attendants being most attentive Tho Stewards did everything m their power to make overyono happy and comfort able, und wo:^ rowurded with success, tho ununinious opinion being that it wiis the most huccossi'ul IhiU evor held m Timnrii.

A liif|;e number of tho guostf left by l,he Ex])rcss train on Saturday. They woi-o escorted to tlio station by niaiiy of the lending ltiemberiof the craft. A spociiil carriage wns placed ot thoir disposal by Mr .Tones, ami all oxprnssed thcniselvcs dolighto d with their very pleasant visit.