The hydraulic press., 1859-07-02
st. Johns Day at Camptonville.

Nv oOAA 5 Lay III OdmQCOuVule.
The Masonic fraternity at Camptonville
had a very interesting celebration of st.
Johns Day last Friday the oath of June.
The members of Gravel Range Lodge and OF
Lafayette Royal Arch Chapter, Camptonville,
with deputations from Manzanita Lodge,
North San Juan, and group of Knights
Tempiars, in all upwards of hundred, join
ed in procession, headed by the San Juan
Brass Band, at an early hour in the morning,
and after marching through the town pro-
ceeded to a commodiods pavilion built ex-
pressly for the occasion. Here large audi
ence OF ladies and gentlemen was collected;
and as the mystic brotherhood, clad in their
rich regalia of white, blue, scarlet purple
| and gold, filed into the room, the scene pre-
seated was gay and attractive. After music
from the band, and singing by the choir, A.
b. Dibble ESqr,, the orator of the day, was
introduced to the assembage and proceeded
with his eloquent task. In point of ability
this address was far beyond the average ora
torical efforts usual to such occasions, and
commanded the closest attention to the end,
Tie did not attempt an elaborate and boast
fnl history of Masonry from period anter-
ior to the flood, but made fine argument
to prove its great beauty and usefulness
contending-that unless it really supplied
some radical want of society, it could not
maintain its vitality century after century,
surviving empires and systems numberless,
and embracing the whole earth within its
charitable circle.
AT the conclusion of the address and after
an ode from the choir and a prayer fro m
Rev. B. n. Seymour, the venerable o. III.
Dibble began the interesting ceremony of
installing the officers elect of Lafayette
Chapter No "a R. A. NJ, which was recently
chartered. The officers were as follows: J.
P. Brown, NJ E. II. P.j W. II. Foy, E. K; H.
s. Everett, f. s.; A. Moore, C. of H.. r.
Munt, p. s.; V. G. McMurray, R. A. c.: J. NJ.
Black, NJ Sd "; j. Bradford, NJ ed v; w.
Stevenson, NJ lst "; S. Alexander Treas ;
W. Elwell, Secty.;W w. W. Thompson, Guard.
The choir sang another ode, Rev. B. N.
Seymour pronounced benediction, and the
audience was dismissed, the fraternity re-
turning in procession to their Hail. At six
o'clock P. NJ fine dinner was served up at
the pavilion to about $50 guests. Later in
the evening the celebration wound up with
ball. The pavilion was brilliantly illumi<
mated, not only by suspended lamps but by
the smiles and personal graces ofabout eighty
ladies. The Masonic brotherhood turned
out in full force, their snowy regalia adding
much to the picturesqueness of the scene.
The music was of superior character, and
kept in delighted motion fifteen sets Of dan
GERS at time, until nearly daybreak.
Taken altogether, the celebration was the
most successful and interesting one of tho
kind that has ever occurred in this part of
the mountains. 1t reflects infinite credit
upon the Masons of Camptonville, under
whose auspices it originated and was con-
Quoted.
One pretty feature of the day, which de-
serves especial notice, was dancing foun- :
tain of clear cool water, in front of one of
the principal hotels. Swimming in the basin
was good sized full-rigged model of the
ship of war Constitution. The whole route
of the procession was kept nicely spsinkled.