Summer Festival Of The Domatic Lodge, No. 177.

and their friends might participate , he at once suggested their coming to Kempton Park , and it appeared to have given universal satisfaction . If he might judge from what had been seen at this festal board , the endeavours of the committee to ensure their comfort , and } iappiness had been in the highest degree successful . When he

mentioned to the directors their desire to come hex-e , they most readily fell in with the view , and did everything th ° y possibly cnnld to facilitate the arrangements for a thorough day ' s enjoyment . He might say this waswt the only friendly gathering to which Kempton Park had been devoted . Dnring several summers past they had

given permission to some hundreds of poor school children to visit Kempton Park , in order to enjoy " a day in the country ; " and he was pleased to see at this festive board many friends , particularly Mr . VV . J . Innes and Mr . John Moore , who had enabled those children to be regaled in a manner which had gladdened

their young hearts . They had not restricted this privilege to any district , and the children had como from all parts of the metropolis . Next Friday a large number wer « coming from Bayswater . He mentioned this because he thought it was a cheering si 'n of the times , that although the place of recreation was a race course , yet

they had received applications from clergymen that children might come there , and they had on nearly every occasion been accompanied by the clemy themselves . He felt very pleased that—no doubt in conseqnence of the fine weather—some 40 or 50 guests had turned up more than had been expected , and h « hoped they would take that

circumstance into consideration if there shonld happen to have been any shortcomings in the arrangements . Bro . Ferguson then , in felicitous terms , proposed the health of the W . M ., the presiding genius of the day . Bro . Price had ingratiated himself into their favonr by his good looks , his kindly feeling and urbanity , and the interest he had

taken in preparing and assisting to carry out this entertainment . He was very pleased to be a Past Master nnder so distinguished a W . M . as Bro . Harry Nelson Price , who now presided over the Domatio Lodge ; nnd if the members only followed the example he had set them , there was little likelihood of the prosperity of the Lodge

diminishing in any way . The Worshipful Master returned his sincere thanks for the very hearty manner in which they had received his health . He was exceedingly glad to find they had so thoroughly enj"yed themselves . The ground , however , had proved so attractive as to entice the ladies away , and as he disliked talking

to empty benches , he would merely thank them once more for the cordial manner in which they had received the toast , so flatteringly proposed by Bro . Ferguson . Mr . Goodfellow then gave the health of the Stewards , on whose behalf Bros . H . J . Chapman and J . E . Spurrell responded . During the banquet the military band played

outside the Pavilion , and the concert dnring dessert was under the able direction of Brother Carl Rieohelmann , assisted by Madame Riechelmann , and Bros . Wilford Morgan , Packer , and Owen . The company then dispersed about the grounds and avenues , and shortly afterwards the younger amongst the guests—and for that

matter some of the elders also—again assembled in the Pavilion , and for some two hours or more shared in the pleasures of the dance . This portion of the day ' s programme was carried out with the same attention to orderly arrangement as all preceding entertainments

had been , and afforded general satisfaction . Kempton Park was left in solitude before the " witching hour of night , " and the members and friends of the " Domatic" returned to London , cari'ying with them delightful reminiscences of what was in every respect a red letter day in the annals of the Lodge .

Stability Lodge, No. 217.

STABILITY LODGE , No . 217 .

THE pages of history inform us that the ancient Athenians occu . pied themselves from time to time either in learning or devising some novel thing . What these new things were , however , have not been disclosed to ua of modern date . We must therefore pass them over . There are in onr day persons—not a few—who concern themselves , more particularly at this season of the year , as to

where they shall go , when they shall go , and , moreover , with whom they shall go ? As a rule , the result culminates in leaving Old England for a season . Thus the Channel is passed , and the farfamed beauties of the Continent are sought for , and when found are often , too often , disappointing in the extreme . Scenes more

enchanting are to be found within a few hours' ride of our own peaceful abodes , and in the county probably in which we reside . To those in " city pent , " and who from necessity are daily compelled to mingle With the " madding crowd , " who havo to rise early , take late rest , and eat the bread of carefulness , a brief cessation from all this is

indeed a privilege , and as snch appreciated . The brethren of the above popular Lodge cultivate this idea ; indeed , have done so for some years past , and therefore , as a result thereof , have " a day's outing , " at some locality which possesses scenic attractions , and is , moreover , easy of access ; a most indispensable desideratum . The

brethren of the Stability Lodge ' or some years paat—we think wisel y—have selected Sheppertor whereat to spend a happy ° " ay . Theieare peculiar attractions associated with that ancient hamlet which do not pall upon th ; senses ; on the contrary , they unfold themselves , season after eea-jon , iu a garb that charms and

exhilarales , inasmuch as they are ever pleasing , ever new . The ted letter day" happened to fab this year on Wednesday last , a lovely one in the extreme , and as warm as conld possibly be desired . The putting aside for a single day Masonic observances , an "d making im outing a socia . oneandif we may be

, , flowed to use the phrase , a < : family one , " is to be commended , at > d deserves imitation . There is a vast amount of significance comprehended in the word " social ; " there is much more in the words . famil y association . " We arc aware that Freemasonry is to all

i ^ ieiits and purposes essentially a sc . ial , as well as a sacred order . Relatively , however , it can be extended under the circumstances ot an onting , " for the term is now as familiar in one ' s month as household words , to embrace the whole members of a family . The

Stability Lodge, No. 217.

" annual onting " of the Stability Lodge is now an established fact , and is anticipated with much interest by those who form the happy party—by no means a small one , inasmuch as it extends itself at each recurring season . The preliminaries associated with snch a party are various , and occupy t r m » and necessitate much labour in order to

result in success . In Sonth London , wherein very many of the members x-eside , we may mention that Brother Tennant , of Peckham Park Road , who does nothing by halves , and who considers that everything worth doing is worth doing well , made preparations for a large contingent , for whom he thoughtfully

provided the means of conveyance to and from the Waterloo Station . When it is borne in mind the calls this brother has on his valuable time , the self-abnegation involved presents itself to demonstration . The Waterloo Station was the tryst ing place , and ot eleven o'clock the special train steamed therefrom ; the Ship Hotel , Halliford

being reached at high noon . Mrs . Stone , the hostess , provided a most excellent dinner for her visitors , which was much appreciated . On removal of the cloth , the Worshipful Master , Brother Wright , in brief but excellent remarks , proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts , which were right heartily pledged . Bro . Taylor proposed tho

health of the Chairman , which was responded to in a clever speech . The Chairman said he regretted , owing to circumstances of a varied character , many brethren were prevented from being present . The paramount one , in many instances , being the elections on at that moment in and near the metropolis . He concluded by

proposing the health of their respected Secretary Bro . Nixon , to whom they were all much indebted . The clerical labour involved over snch an outing was moat arduous , and occupied much time ; he , therefore , hoped they would pledge the toast in a manner observable among the members of the Stability Lodge . This appeal was heartily

responded to , and the toast was honoured well , and equally well acknowledged . The Worshipful Master said that the next toast wonld be that of the Ladies ; he would call on Bro . Brinton to propose it .

Bro . Brinton very much regretted having been called on to propose this toast . There were many brethren in the room who possessed oratorial abilities , to whom the ageeable task conld better have been entrusted . But as be had been called on be would state

that he yielded to no one in the estimation in which he held the Ladies . Their qualities and virtues were beyond all praise and human estimate . The speaker at some length proceeded to dilate on the subject , and concluded amid much applause . Bro . Tennant jun ., on behalf . of the Ladies , made his maiden speech , in a most

appropriate and happy vein , auguring well as to his powers of oratory for the future . Shortly afterwards an adjournment was made for the purpose of enjoying the bean'ies of the surrounding country . On the completion of this inspection tea was served . At 8 . 10 p . tn the excursionists returned from Shepperton , but did not reach Waterloo

until ten o clock , having been detained on the line two hours , over a distance of twenty-six miles . Putting aside this contretemps a most delightful day's enjoyment was undoubtedly spent . Among those present were Bros . G . S . Wright . Bro . G . A . and Miss Taylor , Bro . and Mrs . Adding . on , Bro . and Mrs . Tennant , Bro . Tennant jun . and

Miss Tarror . Bx-o . and Mrs . Eckersall , Bro . and Mrs . Fuchs , Bro . Bues , Miss and Miss J . Ward , Bro . and Miss Cowley , Bro . and Mrs . Vickery , Bro . and Airs . Elsarn , Bro . and Mrs . Wilson , Bro . D . Rose and his daughter Mrs . Parker , Bro . and Mrs . Finch , Bro . Beaufort and Miss Pillor , Bros . J . J . Brinton , J . Nixon , Hinks , Garner , and many others .

Masonic Presentation.

MASONIC PRESENTATION .

ON Wednesday , the 30 th ult ., the Portsmouth Temperance Lodge presented Miss Robinson , as a token of esteem and appreciation of many kindnesses , with a handsome terra-cotta bust of Her Majesty , at the Lodge . room ( the sailor boys' room at the Soldiers ' Institute ) . The W . M . of the Lodge , Bn > . J . Palmer , presided , and ther-e was a large attendance of the brethren . The W . M . thanked

Miss Robinson for her presence , as he knew what the exertion cost her . He had been deputed to make the presentation as a mark of esteem for her assistance at the foundation , for her allowing them to meet there rent free , and , above all , for her general character and Christian disposition in uplifting the downcast and oppressed . Thev

esteemed the great work of her life in seeking to humanise and Christianise the soldier ' and sailors , in providing that institute for their comfort , and so avoiding those temptations which surrounded them on their joining the service . They had often heard her sentiments of loyalty , and knew that the name of the Queen was beloved

by her ; and the presentation was doubly appropriate , for Her Majesty was tho mother of tho first Freemason of the Empire , and the first Grand Master who ever granted a foundation for the establishment of a Temperance Lodge , and whose name would be honourably handed down to posterity . HH nnveiled the bust , and

expressed a hope that Mis ^ Robinson ' s life would long be spared to continue her useful and Chris ! ian work . Miss Robinson suitably replied , and said she felt the higher gratification because they were now celebrating their beloved Queen ' s jubilee . She . hi p- > d that they would allow the bnst to form part of the fnrniture of their very

beautiful Lodge-room . They had fonght for the name of Temperance Lodge , but it was a name worth fighting for , and although sho was a red-hot teetotaler , she commended them for admitting nonabstaining members , for they conld show that they could carry on their functions with as much dignity and credit as the

n'm-abstaiuing Lodges . Though women did not like Freemasonry , no wife or mother could object to a husband or son joining such a Lodge , and for that reason she wished them every success . She claimed for religion what they claimed for Freemasonry , and prayed that their lives might be more than ever in accordance with the principles

¦ hey professed . At Miss Robinson ' s request a verse of the National Anthem was sung , and then the W . M . thank * d Miss Robinson for lUowing them to use the bust in the Lodge-room , adding that it . vonld perpetually remind them of two good women—her whom it represented , and her to whom it belonged .