Masonic Festivities.

this p lace was charming , and embraced a largo tract of country rjiie river Porrett , winding through the meads , presented a pleasing picture , and , in the valley below , the eye rested on the village of Stowey , with smaller surrounding parishes , the green fields , the uugathered hay , and waving corn combining to make up a delightful landscape . In the distance was the Channel , Burnham and the Holmes . By the aid of a glass the houses and streets of Burnham were distinguished with ease . Hih

g above the spot on ivhich the party were located was another rano'e of hills , the steep sides being covered with ferns , grass , and the low bushes on ivhich grow the wortle berries , which are hawked through the streets of toivns in Somerset , by vendors who now ancl then spasmodically shout out " worts . " It was originally intended to hold the pic-nic at Cockercombe ; that arrangement was alteredbut not generally known to the

, party . The result was that some went to Cockercombe , ancl others proceeded to Quantock farm . The band , which had left Bridgwater some time before the visitors , in a large van , did not arrive on the ground until after a portion of the visitors . As the company were rather scattered , the band commenced playing immediately , the sound of the music speedily drawing the company together . Dinner over , the band struck up for dancing ,

and soon a goodly number of couples were footing it with hearty good will . Skittles were also provided , at which many persons p layed . Tli 3 amusements continued until tea time , when the evening meal was partaken of . Gipsey fires were lighted , and the kettles boiled , the young gentlemen having an opportunity of showing their gallantry by " handing the kettle . " Dancing was again commenced after tea , ancl enjoyed for two or three lours . About eight o ' clock the operation of "packing up " commenced , and the parties began to leave the ground . Previous to their doing so , Mr . AA * . Symons called for three cheers

for Captain Bridges , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Somerset , for his kindness and courtesy in allowing his band to attend . Three hearty cheers were given . Captain Bridges said he was delighted to see so numerous , respectable , and intelligent a company , and he trusted they had enjoyed themselves . ( Hear , hear ) . If he had added to their pleasure he was very glad indeed , and if he could ever render any service personallyor contribute to their gratification by allowing the

, band to be present , he should be happy to do so . ( Cheers ) . The gallant captain ' s carriage left the field amid much cheering . The return journey then commenced . AVe regret to record an accident which happened to Mrs . Harden , the wife of Mr . Frederick Harden , of Bridgewater . She was riding in a dogcart , sitting behind with her husband . The clog cart was drawn by two horses driven tandem , and when just beyond Keenthorne ,

tlie horses running at a moderate pace , one of the wheels went over a heap of stones carelessly left in the road , overturning the vehicle , smashing the shafts , and throwing down one of the horses . There was a spring cart passing at the time , and Mrs . Harden fell close to it ; she had , however , the presence of mind to move her head aside , and the "' wheel passed without hurting her . She was speedily picked up and found to be severly

wounded in the face , blood flowing profusely . Captain Bridges and many other gentlemen who were driving behind quickly came up , ancl the horses were extricated . Mrs . Harden was assisted to a spring van , in which Mr . AV . Mole ancl a party of friends were riding , and conveyed to her home . She was found to he severely wounded over the eye . Mr . Parsons , surgeon , was speedily in attendance , and sewed up the wound . Mrs . Harden sustained some severe bruises , as also did her husband . Prom enquiries made , we learn she is progressing favourably towards recovery .

Notes On Music And The Drama.

NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA .

Before the opera houses are empty of foreign music , we \ Alhenceum ) are beginning to hoar of projects and engagements ni contemplation for the winter season . Tlie Royal English Opera , it is said , will begin with a new work by Mr . AVallace ( and Mr . Planche ?) , and it is said earlier than usual , with a view of regaling the latest guests to the ExhibitionAmong

, ihe singers added to the company Miss Parepa and Mdme . Laura Baxter are named . For the present nothing is to be heard of the " Limited Liability" company ; nor , we fancy , is the theatre of its operations decided on .

Notes On Music And The Drama.

Our autumn musical festivals do not promise any novelty worth much attention , and , iu fact , the provincial season may he expected to suffer from the counter-distractions of the Great Exhibition and the American war . Neither Leeds nor Bradford this year makes any sign . Preston , for its Guild , will rely mainly , we ( Athencenm ) hear , on the Messiah and TElijah , the

town being singularly poor for a Lancashire town in resources of its own . Teresa Milanollo , thc charming violinist who enchanted the musical world some twenty years ago , and who is now the wife of a naval officer of Brussels , intends , it is said , to return to her profession , and to give a series of concerts next winter

in the principal cities of Europe . The theatres next Christinas will be unable to boast of any of the beautiful scenery of Mr . Telbin . This gentleman started on Tuesday morning for a professional tour in Egypt and the Desert , and will be away more than three months . The Figaro Programme states that Mdlle . Titiens is engaged for the winter Italian Opera season at Paris .

Letters announce that M . Fechter , with an English company , may give a series of English representations in Paris in late autumn , ere his Lyceum labours commence . AA'hat railroads may do for music and drama is beginning to show itself in Prance as well as elsewhere . It is now becoming a fashion for a provincial town to bespeak a piece which is succeeding in Paris . Angers , we perceive , went up to the capital a

few evenings since , to enjoy the Lalla Rookh of M . David . The manager of the Opera Comique , touched by the wholesale compliment , exhibited a new drop scene , displaying the town of Angers . This is something like the device of an Amphitryon , who , by way of treating friends from a distance , should invite them to look at themselves in the glass .

The new operas already announced for production next winter in Germany are the following : —At the theatre of Carlsruhe , " The Children of the Heath , " by Rubinstein ; at the theatre of Baden Baden , " Beatrice , " by Benedict and Berlioz . Mr . Otto Goldschmidt and Mdme . Lind-Goldschmidt have left London on a visit to Mdme . Goldschmidt ' s native country .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COUET . —It is announced that the Queen will leave for the Continent on the 1 st of September . After spending a few days with her uncle , the King of the Belgians , her Majesty , who will travel incognito as the Duchess of Lancaster , will proceed to the little state of Gotha , where she will remain in seclusion for some weeks . The Prince of AVales will be the companion of his Royal mother for a short time , ancl will afterwards

proceed on a visit to the Crown Prince ancl Crown Princess of Prussia . His Royal Highness will remain abroad beyond the time of his coming of age—au event which it is not intended to celebrate by Court festivities . IMEEEIAL PAELiAtUEifT . —In the I-IotrsE OE LOEDS on Thursday , the 31 st ult ., a few bills were advanced a stage . On Friday ,

Lord Shaftesbury presented a petition from the Cotton Supply Association , in favour of the plans of the Madras Irrigation Company . The noble Earl also moved for certain returns , ancl , after some conversation , the motion was agreed to . A lai'ge humber of hills were advanced a stage , including the Union Relief Aid Bill , which was read a first time . —On Saturday , on

the motion of Earl Russell , the Union Relief Aid Bill was read a second time , upon the understanding that the discussion , if any , should be taken in committee on the measure this day . The Appropriation Bill and some other bills were read a third