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Article GRAND FESTIVAL OF THE ORDER. ← Page 12 of 18 →
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Grand Festival Of The Order.
After the announcement of this toast , the stewards entered in procession , each bearing his wand of office , at the head of the female children , who walked , two deep , to the number of between 70 and 80 , with their matron and governesses , three times round the hall , the organ , at which Sir George Smart presided , sending forth the while a sacred strain of melancholy and peculiar beauty . The children then sung a hymn composed for the occasion . * This hymn was sung in exquisite
unison . A plaintive strain is best when given thus , unfettered by the combinations of art . It is the heart ' s own melody" The sort of sound we echo with a tear . " AVhen the organ had ceased , and the last infant accents had died away , a short silence of a solemn character ensued , during which the soul drank deep of the generous excitement of the moment . The whole assembly then arose and gave expression to their enthusiasm by a simultaneous burst of applause . It was evident that many a manly heart was full , and many a stern eye was
wet' Sunt lacrymieierum , et roentem mortalia tangunt . " But it was " the joy of grief ; " the tear for the fatherless was brightened by the heart-glow of pride , that the dying prayer and the last dearest wish of the poor Mason for the protection of his little ones were not forgotten by the Brethren he had left behind . The interesting train passed once more round the hall in graceful review , smiling innocently , and smiled upon , and then departed , bke the last sweet beam of a
summer sunset . Touching indeed was the scene ; we witnessed the tear in the eyes of more than one military Brother . Brother Cardozo , whose long continued indisposition had caused his regretted absence from Masonic duties , ventured upon this occasion to resume his place , and walked in the procession ; his feelings nearly overcame our warm-hearted friend , but his joy repaid the effort , and we are gratified since to learn that he did not suffer by the exertion .
I he noble Chairman again rose , and said— " Brethren , having now seen the objects of your love , I trust you feel satisfied with them and with yourselves ( cheers ) . Allow me to propose to you the health of an esteemed Brother , whose exertions have contributed much to forward the interests of the institution of the Female School . I will give you the health of ' Brother Ramsbottom , the treasurer . '" Brother Ramsbottom returned thanks . He almost thought that his health was drunk more as a customary mark of courtesy to an officer of
the institution , than as a tribute to the efficient manner in which he had fulfilled the duties of his office . To a merit like the latter he could scarcely lay claim . It was certainly consoling to him that even the small service he had been enabled to render the institution , was more than appreciated by his Masonic Brethren . He had been treasurer for a number of years , and he should feel proud and happy to continue in that office so long as lie should be deemed worthof the confidence of
y those he had the honour to serve ( cheers ) . He needed not to appeal to the feelings of the Brethren assembled for the interesting objects of their solicitude and regard who had just presented themselves ; those poor children had already made a much stronger appeal than he could attempt to make ( hear , hear ) . He trusted their appearance had given
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Grand Festival Of The Order.
After the announcement of this toast , the stewards entered in procession , each bearing his wand of office , at the head of the female children , who walked , two deep , to the number of between 70 and 80 , with their matron and governesses , three times round the hall , the organ , at which Sir George Smart presided , sending forth the while a sacred strain of melancholy and peculiar beauty . The children then sung a hymn composed for the occasion . * This hymn was sung in exquisite
unison . A plaintive strain is best when given thus , unfettered by the combinations of art . It is the heart ' s own melody" The sort of sound we echo with a tear . " AVhen the organ had ceased , and the last infant accents had died away , a short silence of a solemn character ensued , during which the soul drank deep of the generous excitement of the moment . The whole assembly then arose and gave expression to their enthusiasm by a simultaneous burst of applause . It was evident that many a manly heart was full , and many a stern eye was
wet' Sunt lacrymieierum , et roentem mortalia tangunt . " But it was " the joy of grief ; " the tear for the fatherless was brightened by the heart-glow of pride , that the dying prayer and the last dearest wish of the poor Mason for the protection of his little ones were not forgotten by the Brethren he had left behind . The interesting train passed once more round the hall in graceful review , smiling innocently , and smiled upon , and then departed , bke the last sweet beam of a
summer sunset . Touching indeed was the scene ; we witnessed the tear in the eyes of more than one military Brother . Brother Cardozo , whose long continued indisposition had caused his regretted absence from Masonic duties , ventured upon this occasion to resume his place , and walked in the procession ; his feelings nearly overcame our warm-hearted friend , but his joy repaid the effort , and we are gratified since to learn that he did not suffer by the exertion .
I he noble Chairman again rose , and said— " Brethren , having now seen the objects of your love , I trust you feel satisfied with them and with yourselves ( cheers ) . Allow me to propose to you the health of an esteemed Brother , whose exertions have contributed much to forward the interests of the institution of the Female School . I will give you the health of ' Brother Ramsbottom , the treasurer . '" Brother Ramsbottom returned thanks . He almost thought that his health was drunk more as a customary mark of courtesy to an officer of
the institution , than as a tribute to the efficient manner in which he had fulfilled the duties of his office . To a merit like the latter he could scarcely lay claim . It was certainly consoling to him that even the small service he had been enabled to render the institution , was more than appreciated by his Masonic Brethren . He had been treasurer for a number of years , and he should feel proud and happy to continue in that office so long as lie should be deemed worthof the confidence of
y those he had the honour to serve ( cheers ) . He needed not to appeal to the feelings of the Brethren assembled for the interesting objects of their solicitude and regard who had just presented themselves ; those poor children had already made a much stronger appeal than he could attempt to make ( hear , hear ) . He trusted their appearance had given