Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

SUMMER BANQUET OF THE EUPHRATES LODGE . Summer Banquets having become so frequently introduced in Masonic assemblies , it would seem almost a necessity for the brethren to have at least one summer treat , when they can meet and entertain their wives and sweethearts , as well as their Masonic friends ; that through these meetings , harmony , and friendship among the members are promoted needs scarcely any comment , but another more cogent reason is the

presence of the ladies on such occasions . As we all know ladies cannot join the Craft itself , it is obvious that by the presence of the ladies at these festivals , they become acquainted with the various Masonic and other charities with which our Order has ever since its existence been so nobly associated . The members of Euphrates ( No . 212 ) , a City Lodge of long standing and great influence , held their summer banquet on Wednesdaythe 19 that the Bald Paced Stag HotelBuckhurst

, , , Hill , AVoodford , the kindly host of which Bro . Henry Lock , is their immediate P . M . Bro . J . C . Frank , AV . M ., presided The brethren mustered in support of their esteemed and respected Master , and all seemed very highly to appreciate the beautiful and romantic scenery about this spot . The dinner was served at three o ' clock in Bro . Lock ' s usual excellent style , and which met with the approbation of all present ; everything

, includiug the wines being of the first quality . Dinner over , the company adjourned for half an hour to the pleasant grounds of the hotel , and ou their return an elegant dessert was served , which met with universal approbation , the table being ornamented with a profusion of elegant bouquets and beautiful flowers in most tasteful style . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and heartily responded to , being interspersed

with some excellent songs , after which the majority of the company finished a delightful day by engaging in the heathful pastime of dancing , till the clock striking ten warned them that it was time to depart . In the unavoidable absenceof the S . AV ., the vice . -cbair was most ably filled by Bro . Thomas Hammond , the much esteemed J . W ., many compliments being paid to him b y all who witnessed his zeal and energy in looking after the comforts of those in the west , and also for his ability displayed in assisting in the multifarious arrangements for the festivity .

THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL or THE DOJIATIC LODGE , ( NO . 177 . ) Never , since the annual summer gatherings , or summer Festivals as they are termed , were commenced in the Domatie Lodge , has there been such a successful ancl happy gathering as that which took place on Thursday , the 20 th inst ., under the presidency oi Pro . J . Walford , the present VV . Master of the Lodge . Upon that Brother had devolved nearly all the trouble of brinainoabout so happy a resultancl as lie remarked in one of " his

, speeches , it was no easy matter to please the whole of the brethren of one of the largest , if not the largest Lodge in England . Starting by 4-horse omnibuses , provided by the London General Omnibus Co ., from Andorton ' sHotel , Fleet Street , ( the meeting place of the Lodge ) , at 11 o ' clock , they proceeded to tho King ' s Head , Ghigwell , kept by Bro . Basham , and as the day was beautiful and fineand every one in capital spirits an enjoyable

, ride was made the most of . Several of the brethren accompanied the party in their own private traps . The following is a list of those present : —Past Masters , Bros . Foulger , Frederick Smith , AA'illiam Carpenter , Henry Elwes ( late Secretary ) , Michael Haydon , Harry Putter , and Bro . Baker ( one of the oldest P . M . ' s ) . Officers , Bros . J . Walford , VV . M . : Ferguson , S . AV . ; Tims , J . AV . ; Everett , J . D . ; Amos

Treadwell , I . G . A'isitors . Bros . James Boyd , Assist . Grand Purs . ; R . Motion , 1 \ Prov . G . W ., Essex ; Major Finney , 255 ; Stevens , 19 ; Hedington ( Great Eastern Railway ); Theodore Foulger , P . M ., Confidence Lodge ; Dr . Walter Woodman , J . AV . Royal Standard Lodge ; Charles AVoodman , Etonian ; James Everson , 511 ; and Aston , Temple l . odge . Members , Bros . Crane , R . FordGilesB . Cool- HeathFordFountainSullivanArnold

, , ,, , , , , , Chudleigh , Acrason , Hancock , AVm . Wigmore , Goodfellow , Bontright , E . B . Clark , Nasielski , Ralph , AVilling . Chas . E . Thompson , and others . After a delightful journey the brethren arrived at their destination about one o'clock , when luncheon was partaken of , and between that time and the dinner hour the lovely gardens attached to Bro . Basham ' s were visited , ami greatly admired by

some of the brethren , whilst others engaged in various out-deor games , or passed the time very pleasantly hy strolling in the fields and romantic walks , and by admiring the scenery . A dinner , which consisted of every delicacy in season , capital wines and dessert , was then partaken of , and the way in which it was served called forth the highest encomiums upon the host and hostess , for nothing in fact could have been better . AVhen the cloth was removed ,

Bro . Foulger said he would not occupy their time with long toasts , but there were a few it was usual and proper to give . He was glad to find that Her Majesty , feeling her presence would revive trade , had lately come more amongst them ; he had , therefore , great pleasure in proposing her health . The health of the M . AV . G . M . of Masons , the Marquis of Ripon , was the next toast . His lordship had discharged the

important duties imposed upon him with faithfulness . He was sure they ivould all agree he had deserved the title—that of Marquis—which had recently been conferred upon him . This and the proceeding toasts were enthusiastically received . The AV . M . then proposed " The Earl cf Carnarvon , D . G . M , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the rest of the Grand Officers , past and present , " coupled with the name of Bro . James Boyd .

They were fortunate in having two Grand Officers , members of the Domatie Lodge ; and after alluding to the able manner in which the Grand Officers had discharged their duties , he concluded by proposing their health . Bro . James Boyd , Assist . G . Purst ., in responding , said he agreed with the Master that short speeches ought to be the order of the ' day . He had experienced a great deal of pleasure in being present that day , and thanked them all in the name of the Grand Officers , and in his own . He regretted he was not a member of their lodge , for he had been associated with it

as a constant visitor , for about 20 years . Bro . Foulger proposed the health of "The W . M ., Bro . AValford " and he said the duty of doing so was an exceedingly pleasing one . He asked them to drink it in bumpers , for he had exerted himself very much to make the Festival what it was , and was sure they would all say it had turned out to be , viz ., —a success . In the person ot their W . M ., he felt they had a good Masterand one who studied their interests in every

, possible way , and who also studied Masonry . The toast was well received . The W . M . said they would pardon him if he were not able to express himself in a sufficiently thankful way for the honour they had been pleased to do him . If they would believe him , it was no small matter to be the AV . M . of the Domatie Lodge , and although he might not always have been able to give satisfaction ,

to every one of the 80 or 90 persons who sat down to dinner at lodge , yet he hoped he had been able to do so that day . He was rather sorry tho Mastership of the lodge was of so short duration , for if it were like some appointments , for three or four years , he ivould better learn how to please them and suit everybody before he retired from office . He was glad to be able to say that he believed his uame was cordially and kindly remembered . After some other appropriate remarks , he concluded

by proposing the " Past Masters . " liro . AV . Carpenter replied in a happy speech , and said , after being 30 years a Past Master , he was very glad indeed to come igain amongst them . To " The A'isitors , " Bros . Motion , and M ajor Finney responded The other toasts were the "Officers and Stewards , " the " Ladies , " and " The Press . " *; To the latter , the representative of " The Freemasons' Magazine " responded , and a most delightful day was brought to a close , and the brethren returned to town .

No AVO > 'D 1 _ B . —Mr . Smee , in a recent report to the Gresham Assurance Company , on the causes of death in 1 , 000 cases where claims had been made on the society , expresses his belief that diseases of the digestive organs greatly exceed in England the relative number found iu other countries . This can scarcely be a matter of wonder when we reflect how utterly void we are of care or curiosity on the subject , and that our rulers are even more oblivious than ourselves . In factthe duty of an

English-, man of the 19 th century is to fill his stomach—with what . it does not matter—and we are often inclined , under the circumstances , to envy the inhabitants of Skilzland , who , when dinner time came , handed their empty stomachs to the waiter , and received them attain full . Food Journal .