A Masonic Pic-Nic.

fowl , and peas , and cauliflower , and pies , and tarts , and "ditherinstuff , " as our brother from " Walmsley Fowt " called the jellies ? . And is there not something besides water to wash down with ? Hear how the corks are flying ! See how many brethren are on their feet , takidg a glass of wine with each other ,

which we hold to be a plausible excuse for " cocking the little finger . " Why , dear heart ! the ladies are following suit . They can even afford a pause in a most glorious cackle , in order to " take a glass of wine with sister So-and-so . " What about curtain lectures after such

a proceeding as that ? We can tell you , inquisitive reader , that , hot as was the weather , " ample justice , " as a penny-a-liners say , " was done to the good things provided ; " and Bro . Yarwood knows how to cater for even the

epicures of the compass and square . A most enjoyable programme of pleasantries brought the . feast to a close . The health of the " Worshipful Mistress , and the rest of the sisterhood , followed ; and it was not without a little delightful surprise that the company received the information that "Brother

Ab-o-th ' -Yate will respond . " That worthy being present did return thanks on behalf of the ladies , whom he characterised as " them that blows us up "—pointing out the additional pleasure a man must receive from his pastimes being shared by those nearest and dearest to him ; and what a tendency such gatherings as

those had to smooth a brother ' s way to the domestic " perch" when he has been oblivious of the swift " rolling of the moments . " Th' " Old Rib " ( bless her bonnet !) cried " hear , hear , " as might have been expected , and a geneial settling down of viands was the natural result .

After dinner , to the lake ! The steamer has been chartered for a pleasant sail on the gently swelling water . The union-jack is aloft and floating over such a figure-head as it is not privileged to do every day . The band plays its liveliest airs ; and brothers and

sisters are footing it merrily over a few inches of space . Song follows dance ; jest is flashed , and story told . Who could have believed that they had been four times round the lake in so short a time ! Time ! Why , it is an hour later than we expected . It is quite time to enter upon the ordeal of " sitting for your portrait , " and the order is given to land . Oh bother it !

But what fun it is grouping on the lawn with the camera pointing at them like a sort of facetious cannon that was going to fire jokeR . Who could get such a crew to look sedate , or even be still , when there is enough to make them laugh ? Now a head will bob up where it is not looked for . Another will

A Masonic Pic-Nic.

as unexpectedly go out of sight , and immediately a pair of strong boots will be exhibited in the vicinity of a sister ' s bonnet . The irrepressible " seller of meat" indulges himself with a dance while the operator ' s head is turhed . Sister So-and-So is observed to

squint in her effort to look serious , and genera ' decorum suffers . Then there is plenty of whispering soing on , as if subdued articulation interfered less DO ' with the steadiness of the head than loud talking . " Bro . Lafosse , " who happens to be tho operator , gets impatient , and , we imagine , swears in French .

Now the group appear to be still , and " Steady , now , steady ,. now ! " enjoins them to remains so . How provolung ! A pair of old women interpose themselves between the group and the camera , and a squad of children have generously introduced their diminutive forms as the principal figures in the back ground .

"Clear out theie ! Get away ! " and again the operators head is hidden beneath the mysterious hood . "All right ! Steady , now ! There ! " The thing is done at last ; but to make sure of a good " negative" the process is - repeated three times . " Thank you ! " and brothers and sisters breathe again ; the camera is consigned to a place of safety , and the group disperses to meet again over tea . " What time will there for another dance ? " is

eargerly asked . The day has flown over so very , very rapidly ; but , surely , when the cups and saucers have ceased their clattering , we can have a couple of hours' whirl upon the board . No ; the sun is going down ; he is already flushing the bosom of the Lake with his crimson glory . In another hour we must take our departure , or we shall not reach home til f

midnight . Hail the steamer ! Get on board ! Are we all here ? Whistle , and away , through nobody feels tired . Why cannot we have another day ? Oh , the journey homeward ! The singing and swinging—the chatting and laughing—the baiting at wayside " caravansaries "—the uphill toil and the downhill rush ! What an exciting thirjg it is to be

' ' on the road . " What—home already ? Yes ; there is the lamp over the door , and there is the ostler lounging in the "fowt . " There is bustle about the houae ; the " Blue Tiger" is rousing himself to give us welcome , and , with " a parting glass , " we are reluctantly bringing to a close one of the pleasantest days of our lives . How long will it be before picnic comes round again !

Bro.Yarker And The Supreme Council.

BRO . YARKER AND THE SUPREME COUNCIL .

We have been requested to publish ; the following correspondence : — The 111 . Bro . Thevenot , Sec . Gen . of the Grand Orient of France . Dear Sir and 111 . Bro . —We have just received information that John Yarker , who was recently expelled from the Ancient and Accepted Eite , has opened a spurious body at Manchester , called by him