On Friday being the Birth-Day of the _Prince of Wales_, and the Anniversary of the Accession of the House of _Hanover_, and also of the Surrender of the _Havanna_, which was the immediate Means of bringing about the Peace; at One o'Clock the Guns at the Castle and Town Batteries were Fired; and in the Evening his Excellency the Governor gave a Ball at Concert Hall. There were present about 240 Gentlemen and Ladies; the Ball was opened by General _Shirley_ and the Governor's Lady about 8 o'Clock; the Country Dances began about nine, and about ten a Supper Room was opened, where was a very handsome Collation. The Ladies made a brilliant Appearance, and the Company expressed the highest Pleasure and Satisfaction on the Occasion, and broke up about two in the Morning. The whole was conducted with the greatest Order, Elegance and Decorum. * * * * * The great military "occasion" of those days was the annual parade of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. In June, 1763, that Company celebrated its one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary. In the "Boston Post-Boy" of June 13 we have this account:-- Monday last, agreeable to ancient Custom, the Artillery Company of the Province, appeared under Arms, being the Anniversary of the Election of Officers for the Company: A Sermon was preached by the Rev'd Mr. _Balch_ of _Dedham_, at the Old Brick Meeting-House, where his Excellency the Governor, the Members of his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives, with a Number of other Gentlemen, attended; after which they proceeded to Faneuil-Hall, where an elegant Dinner was provided; and in the Afternoon the following Gentlemen were chosen for the ensuing Year, viz. _Thomas Marshall_, Esq; Captain, Mr. _Josiah Waters_, Lieutenant, Mr. _Jeremiah Belknap_, Ensign. In the Evening a plentiful Repast was given by the Officers newly elected, at Faneuil-Hall; where many loyal Healths were drank. * * * * * After the great fire in Boston in March, 1760, this item appeared in the "Gazette" of May 19:-- We hear that _Charles Ward Apthorp_, Esq; of _N.-York_, Merchant, upon hearing of the Calamity which had befallen this Town by the late dreadful Fire, generously ordered his Agent here to pay to the Gentlemen appointed to receive the Donations of charitable dispos'd Persons the Sum of _One Hundred_ Pounds, L.M. for the Relief of the Sufferers. Mr. Apthorp, of New York, made this generous donation--a large sum for that time--for the relief of the sufferers of his native place. * * * * * On the 30th of March, 1761, the "Boston Gazette" prints the following among its items of news:--