The Days When We Go Gipsying.

THE DAYS WHEN WE GO GIPSYING .

FROM THE MASONIC MONTHLY MAGAZINE . WHEN the hawthorn blossom thickens on the hedge rows , and the evenings lengthen ont into tho pnrplo and gold of summer sunsets , it is not nnnntnral that tho brethren of " ye mystic tie , " like other sensible folk , should hie away to fresh fields and pastures now , and seek thoso healthful enjoyments in which all

rational people who have the time and means at their disposal indulge afc this season ot the year . Tbns it is thafc when tlie labour of the Lodge has ended for the term , and the period of the summer recess is announced , brethren cast about them for somo sequestered spot at which they may spend " a happy day " in tho combination of Masonic work and pleasure , the society of those whom no mortals

more heartily adore , and companionship of friends whose presence has not yet been Felt within the sacred precincts of the Lodge . At the fag end of the season ifc is only to be expected that indoor operations should grow somewhat irksome and monotonous . Ifc goes against our sense of cosy comfort , when brilliant gleams of sunshine pierce through the chinks in the shutters and between the folds of

the curtains , blending strongly with the Masonic lights to which our eyes have been so accustomed all through the winter . The atmosphere of the Lodge-room , too , becomes stuffy and oppressive ; while the brethren , earnest as they may be in their Masonic vocation , find it preferable to spend the cool hours of evening at the country-side , amongst the flower-besprinkled fields or on the sea-shore , where the

balmy breezes invigorate and refresh both body and mind after the fatigues of a heavy day of business-life in the city . It can be no matter for surprise , therefore , that when the " leafy month of June" sets in , and smiling Nature tempts people of every class to revel in her charms , we , too , should feel disposed to share the delights and participate in the opportunities afforded for out-door

relaxation . On these grounds , amongst others , the summer excursions of our Masonio brethren must be regarded as an excellent institution . There are many , we know , who hold adverse views to our own upon these points , but we are content to differ with them . To our mind Freemasonry should not be maintained in the old and selfish s-rooves which characterised it in years gone by ; and in saying

ao , we fcrnst the very " strict observance " section of onr readers will not accuse ns of revolutionary tendencies in our esponsal of these very agreeable " innovations" into Masonic life . We have our Masonio balls , of whioh the fair sex form an essential and charming part , adding grace to onr pleasures by their winning smiles and manners , and relieving , in the too brief interval , the monotony of our

arduous year of duty . True , these reunions are ostensibl y in aid of the Charities of which we are so justly proud , and many of them yield good fruit in behalf of those grand institutions whioh are the landmarks of the Craft . Our bazaars produce a like effect ; but because the summer excursions are scarcely so ambitious in their aims , and have recreative enjoyment as their simple

recommendation , we yet believe they act as a wonderful tonic to the health and temper of those who have all the year through to transact the bnsiness within tyled doors . We are fortified in these views by recollections of enchanting drives through hedge-land and across moor and heath , along by peaceful villages , and the uphill and down which undulate the country side , to some secluded nook which considerate

Stewards have " booked " as the scene of the day ' s festivities . Some affluent brother , whose fair demesne is at other times shut out from the vulgar gaze , graciously permits the brethren an opportunity of taking their wives , sisters , and sweethearts to a sylvan corner of his estate , where the pic-nic can be heartil y enjoyed ; and while the veterans hold sweet converse on those hidden mysteries with which

they are so familiar , the yonnger branches may ramble through flower-carpeted dells , or dance upon the closely-shaven greensward , or join in all those merry gambols in which most hearts delight when in the vigour of youth and health . Or , perhaps , the scene is at the waterside , where the merry company muster on the landing-stage , and , after the bustle of getting " under way" has subsided , tne

steamboat glides swiftly and gladly along the silent highway of the river , bound for some bowery haven on the banks , where a round of pleasure has been devised for the assembled guests . On a fine day such a trip is , to our mind , more enjoyable than by road , for we escape the dust and noise ; and , moreover , the party is all together , which is rendered impracticable in the arrangement of a procession

of conveyances . Moreover , the ripple of mirth competes with the cadences of music on board , while jewels and eyes , strings of pearls , and laughing rows of teeth , vie wifch each other for the palm of lustre and purity—and who need say which are the winners ? Arrived afc onr destination , there is a fresh and agieeable surprise in the considerate care which the Stewards have evidently bestowed

upon the arrangements . _ In the case of an inland trip snch as we have pictured , there is invariabl y selected an hostelry at which the regular business can be transacted before entering npon the more lightsome pleasures of the *» ry whilst if the river is taken this routine of duty is provided for by due notice given to " mine host" near the chosen locale , or we

Dave even known it gone throngh in one of the saloons on board . It must be confessed thafc such labonr is brought within the lowest reasonable limit , and the Junior Warden is nofc slow to pronounce J » s welcome " call . " Then beneath some snowy tent , with bright ' "fees and snnny smiles adding abnormal zest to the Fourth Degree , *» l goes "merry as a marriage bell , " amidst those social amenities lt

is so immensely to the advantage of society to cultivate , and especiall y those , part of whose profession it is to promote and increase the happiness of all around us . And if the Worshipfnl i aster i who presides so urbanely , has the prudence to advise—and o set the example to the Past Masters who support him—as little To ' tl ^ t * " ° P ° " -Pral"d ' speeches as is consistent with the comrt of his gnests , there follows ample opportunity for the exercise of 03 e pleasantries which happy folks of either sex and every age

The Days When We Go Gipsying.

know how to improvise and enjoy when placed in similar circumstances . A cheery sight indeed it is when a couple of hundred or more of joyons beings "ire brought together under auspices such as these , when hearts boat , happily in the enjoyment of wholesome and refined hilarity . Thero is seldom a cloud to darken the sunshine of inch scenes , nnd at tho close of the ( lay , when the company return ,

with visages freshened by the country breezes and lighted up with the smiles of sweet contentment , begotten of cordial companionship all round , need it he doubted tho effect will be to cement old friendships , to create new ones , and to knit together in the bond of common amity all who are either directly or indirectly connected with the Lodge ? Wo are reminded

that—A little nonsense now and then Is relished by the wisest men , and it has been proved incontestibly that those Lodges which lay themselves out for an occasional day like this , " within the limits of becoming mirth , " are not only more prosperous , bnt contain within themselves more of the elements of fellowship and good-will , which

are so essential to the wellbeing of the Fraternity , than those whioh do not . Wo therefore hail with pleasure tho announcement by many of our Metropolitan Lodges of their intention to repeat those summer excursions which in times gone by have been productive of so much social and fraternal amenity ; and whether tho road is taken , or the Maria Wood bears her gladsome freights to some judiciously-selected spot by the margin along the banks of the Thames , they may be

equally fortunate both as regards weather and attendance . We hear of the contemplated amalgamation of certain Lodges in this happy and beneficent entertainment during the ensuing summer months ; and let the old croakers say what they will in opposition to them , we still believe the occasional admission of the fair sex into some of tho " privileges " —not to say the " mysteries "—of the Order , so far from militating against the interests of the Craft , will invest ifc with additional vigour and inestimable advantage in every respect .

It will be seen from the notice we publish elsewhere of the business to he transacted at the Quarterly Court of the Boys' School , on Monday , that it is proposed to submit a

motion giving Bro . Binckes , the Secretary , an addition of £ 100 per annum to his salary . Such a testimony as this to the value of his indefatigable exertions on behalf of the School he has been connected with since 1861 is no more

than might have been expected , and , we may add , no more than the said exertions justify . The services of both Bro . Terry and Bro . Hedges have received similar recognition , and Bro . Binckes ' s connection with ' * Our Boys " exceeds , by several years , the more limited periods over which the

Secretaryships of his fellow labourers jointly extend . To Bro . Binckes , moreover , with all deference to the other two , the Craft undoubtedly owes the prominence which its Charities have enjoyed of late years . All work hard ; but , being the

oldest official , he certainly has led the way in the accumulation of big subscription lists . We hope and trust the resolution will experience that hearty ancl unanimous reception it so richly deserves .

The French Government has awarded , through the medium of our Foreign Office , a gold medal each to the first and second coxswains , and a silver medal to each of the crew of the Albert Edward lifeboat , Clacton-on-Sea , in recognition of their gallant services in rescuing the crew

of the J rench fishing lugger , Le Madelaine , of Boulogne , which was lost on the Gunfleet Sands , on 23 rd October last . It will doubtless be in the recollection of our readers that this is one of tho two lifeboats presented by Grand Lodge , in commemoration of the safe return from India of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales M . W . G . M .

We are desirous of drawing the attention of those of our readers who may visit Belgium during the present holiday season , tothefact that on landing at Antwerp , and during their stay there , they will find excellent accommodation at the Hotel de Hollande , proprietors Messrs . Stroobants and Son ,

2 and 4 Stoof-straat , close to the Quay , where passengers disembark from the Harwich , Hull , Grimsby , and London steamboats . The catering leaves nothing to be desired , and tbe charges are most moderate , while the civility and attention of Messrs . Stroobants , who both speak

English fluently , are worthy of all praise . One other feature deserves mention . The proprietoi * s are careful that the guests who honour them with their patronage , and are desirous of being guided through the city and shown its principal attractions , shall suffer none of tlie troublesome , and oftentimes extortionate charges which that chief of the

pests of the modern traveller , the Commissionaire , knows so well how to levy . Having some experience of the Netherlands and Belgium , we have all the greater pleasure in noticing the Hotel de Hollande , and its genial and obliging hosts , the Stroobants , father and son .