Turkey.

A MASONIC PIC-NIC ON THE BOSPIIOBUS . The brethren of the recently formed Leinster Lodge ( No . 166 ) , under the Irish jurisdiction , meeting at Buynkdere , near the Black Sea entrance of the Bosphorus , bad a delightful pic-nic on the 1 st July , at the charming valley of Unkiar Iskellesi , on the Asiatic shore , celebrated as the spot where a Russian army was once encamped , and the treaty between that power and the Porte signed in 1833 .

In order to make the affair as attractive as possible the brethren brought their families , and invited the AV . Masters and Wardens of tho four English lodges of Constantinople to be present . Bro . Richardson , of the Leinster Lodge , with commendable liberality , kindly placed at the disposal of the lodge the Chesapeake steamer , which conveyed the company from Constantinople and adjacent Bosphorus villages to the scene of the fete . An excellent brass hand was in attendance

, and during the day "discoursed sweet music" to the pleasure of all present . The dejeuner a la fourchette was laid out on a long table ¦ under a noble grove of plane trees , whose age may be counted by centuries . To preserve those present from being incommoded by a curious crowd—for the spectacle of " Giaours " and their families enjoying themselves in this way is new to the simple

Turks and stolid Armenians who dwell in the vicinity—the local authorities detached a force of Zapties ( Turkish police ) , who kept the wondering crowd of natives back to a reasonable distance , but allowing them sufficient opportunity to see what was going on . Between the trees a number of banners of different

nationalities were suspended , and ample provision was made for the comfort and convenience of all present . The chair was well filled by the W . M ., Bro . J . Smorfitt ; the fare provided was as varied and excellent as the most fastidious could desire , and the supply of wines of- a description rarely to be met with in a Constantinopolitan entertainment . After ample justice had been done to the dejeuner , the W . M ., after a bugler called attentionproposed as the first toast ' ' The Queen and Craft "

, , followed by " His Imperial Majesty the Sultan . " Bro . O'Connor , in some brief but very excellent remarks , proposed " The Visitors , " which was responded to by Bro . Herdman Bey , who expressed the great gratification he had experienced ; from what he had witnessed at their meeting that day , he hoped to be with them on many other similar occasions . The AV . M . proposed the "M . W . G . M . of Ireland , the Duke of Leinster

, " which was loudly cheered . AV . Bro . Evans , AV . M . of the Oriental Lodge ( No . 687 ) , in a very humorous speech , proposed "The Ladies . " Bro . Rev . H . J . Knapp , S . AV . of the Bulwer Lodge ( No . 891 ) , returned thanks , and after some very amusing remarks on the presence of ladies and juveniles at a Masonic festival , the worthy brother drew attention at some length to the excellences of the Order , the great advantage it conferred societ

upon y , and its great success in this quarter . His address , which was a very full and eloquent Masonic one , was very attentively listened to and very loudly applauded . Bro , AV . Knight proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " and congratulated him on the great success which had attended his exertions ; he had never been present at a more enjoyable entertainment , nor could he conceive of anything being better conducted .

The AV . M . briefly returned thanks , saying how much pleased he was to see so many around him , and hoped they would enjoy many such gatherings . The company then adjourned to the greensward , where dancing was kept up for some time to the strains of the band , the juveniles indul ging in cricket , foot ball , and other games , while some of the more sedate enjoyed stroll the

a up lovely valley , visiting the exquisite marble kiosk of the Viceroy of jsgypt , from whence a view is obtained for miles around of the Bosphorus of surpassing beauty . _ The company finall y embarked on tho Chesapeake about six o ' clock , and returned to Buynkdere , the neighbouring villages , and the capital , after having spent a day of unmixed pleasure .

The arrangements reflected the utmost credit on the brethren . It is gratifying to know that the Leinster Lodge is in a most flourishing state ; although only a short time in existence , it numbers upwards of fifty members . CELEBRATION OE THE FESTIVAL OE ST . JOIIN AT CONSTANTINOPLE . The various lod ges of Constantinople—the English , French Uerman , Italian , aud Greek , united to celebrate the Midsummer

Festival by a grand banquet , under the presidency of the R . AV . Sir Henry L . Bulwer , the district G . M . of England in that capital . The banquet was held at the Masonic Temple , in Pera , on the 24 th June , and nearly 200 brethren were present . The arrangements were carried out under a joint committee of tho AV . M . ' s and Secretaries of the lodges . The R . W . Chairman was supported at the principal table by

Bros . J . P . Brown , F . D . S . G . W ., as Vice-president ; AV . W . Evans , AV . M . Oriental Lodge ( No . 687 ) , and D . S . G . W . ; C . Green , AV . M . Deutscher Bund ( No . 819 ); H . Harvey , D . G . Reg ., AV . M . Bulwer Lodge ( No . 891 ); A . D . Schinas , Arete Lodge ( No . 1011 ); L . Amiable , of l'Union d'Orient ( French ) Lodge ; A . Venezzeani , Italia ; A . Kolander , Germania ; AV . E . Tinney , Hyde Clarke Lodge , Alexandria ; C . AV . Hoyland , G .

Laurie A . Thompson , A . de Caetro , Wilkinson , & c . Amongst the general company , were Bros . Franco Effendi , Atta Bey , Toros Bey , Baronak Bey , Mehemet Bey > Halmy Effendi , Lutfullah Hadji , Riskullah Hassein Effendi , F . Guarracino , N . Camondo , and D . Fernandez . A number of Turkish naval and military brethren in uniform , contributed considerably to the brilliant effect of the

scene . Bro . Abd-el-Kader , who is a French Mason , was unavoidably absent . The R . W . CITAIEMAN , in proposing the first toast , "His Majesty the Sultan , " said ho would only briefly allude to their principle of always respecting the sovereign of the country . The toast was loudly cheered . Bro . J . P . BROWN said it afforded him great satisfaction in proposing to such an assembly of brethren as he had tbe

honour of addressing the next toast , consisting , as they did , of so many different nationalities happily united by a common bond . He was certain they would heartily respond to " The Grand Masters and Grand Lodges of all Nations . " The toast was drank with full Masonic honours .

Bro . AMIABLE , in proposing the next toast , expressed the great satisfaction he felt certain every brother present must have at not only seeing such a truly Masonic display as they now participated in , but having as their President on the occasion so eminent a brother as Sir H . L . Bulwer . ( Cheers . ) Occupying as he did a position of such great importance , distinguished not merely in the diplomatic circle as an able and upriht representative of his countryhe was pre-eminent for

g , his high intellectual accomplishments which , united with a most genial disposition , calm judgment , and devoted attachment to the principles of our Order , placed him in the foremost ranks of those who dignified the highest grades of Masonry . ( Cheers . ) They felt deeply indebted to him for hi 3 presence that evening , knowing how keen an interest he felt in whatever contributed to the advancement of the common

eause , to the promotion of that fraternal feeling which cemented them together in that holy alliance , the benefits of which diffused happiness around them in the circle in which they were called on to move . ( Cheers . ) The services the R . AV . Bro . had already rendered , not only to his own District Grand Lodge and the lodges under his jurisdiction , were known and appreciated ; but he would be wanting in the proper discharge of the pleasing duty that devolved upon him in

proposing the toast , if he did not , on behalf of the brethren of other jurisdictions , heartily acknowledge the kindness , the courtesy , and generous consideration with which every lodge in this empire—he would add every Mason—was treated by their R . W . Bro . They trusted to see him long filling the post he now adorned , and that , under his judicious rule , Masonry in the East would continuo to progress even in a greater ratio than it had already done . Such meetings as the present would

have the happiest effect . Brethren of different rites and tongues would practically be brought to understand what they had learned in theory—that the principles they held were universal , that distinctions of nationalities vanished before the sublime truth of their common brotherhood , and that they held forth the right hand of fellowship truly in deed as well as word . ( Cheers . ) He saw before him many eminent brethren

who had rendered good service in the cause , and who could well appreciate the value of such countenance as they received from their excellent President . It was unnecessary for him to add moro in asking them to drink " The Health of the Right Worshipful Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer , District Grand Master of England in Turkey . " The toast was drank with fall Masonic honours . Bro . Sir H . L . B ULWEB , in returning thanks for the very