Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1860-06-28
LOCAL AND COUNTY NEWS.
Litchfeld.

1
LOCAL AND COUNTY NEWS
Litchfield.
The celebration of the anniversary Of st
John by the st. Paul's Lodge No. II, Masonic
of this village came off on Tuesday Of this weei
as announced, and was, we have every reason to
believe, one of the most successful and satlsfac'
tory celebrations ever held by the Masonic ira:
teruitv in this town or in the State.
The day was everything that could be desired
warm but cloudy, and in the crowded church
where the Grafton was delivered, and under the
canvas where the dinner was discussed, it was
at no time so uncomfortable that the large gath.
ering were unable to to give their undivided at,
tention to each!
About two hundred Masons, ROBBED in their
various badges of Office and rank, formed in pro
cession from Buckley's Hall, and with Tompkins
excellent Band from Waterbury, (of which VIC
have more to say elsewhere,) marched and coun
termarched through North street and thence to
the Congregational Church where the appointed
religious and literary exercises Of the day were
held. . -
The voluntary upon the Organ upon the en-
trance of the procession was executed with the
usual brilliancy and good taste of the organist
Mr.. Howard E. Gates,-the choir rendered theil
services in such excellent spirit of harmony Of
sweet sounds as to be universally commended
and the Grafton by Rev. Mr.. Wiley of Water
bury far exceeded in brilliancy, power and elo
quence even the highest expectations of his nu
merous friends here.
1t was an elaborate and eloquent defence and
exaltation of the order of Free Masonry
couched in the most elegant language and enrich
ed by the most cogent and beautiful thought and
argument, and delivered with grace that is the
highest criterion, to us, of true oratory. We are
sorry that our crowded columns will not admit
OF even brief synopsis which we had prepared
of the address, but we certainly should suppose
that the members of the order could not permit
the opportunity Of securing the preservation Of
the Grafton entire in book form, with Mr.. Viii
leys consent. ..
At the close Of the exercises in the Church
the procession again formed, and marched nc
cording to- programme through South street
Scott avenue, Meadow and West streets unit
they reached the tent upon Central Park, wher,
Messrs Crossman & Spencer, the popular host
of Ltchfeld, whose fame as caterers for tn
wants Of the inner individual is as extensive a
their fame as mime hosts" had provided a,
ample entertainment for the hungry and thirst
craftsmen.
The table was decorated with elcgan. boquet
and flowers, among the finest of which we nc
ticed was one from Winsted, said to contai
one hundred and ten particles of flowers, whic
was appropriately presented 70 the Grand Maste
of the State. After partaking vigorously of tn
substantials and delicacies of the table, tn
spread" wasn't exactly removed, but several o
" the cloth" were called up to respond to variou
toasts. The Rev. Mr.. Chandler of Norwalk res
ponded to the sentiment of &" the anniversary W,
celebrate" -Rev. Mr.. Booth of Litchfield to him
self-Rev. Mr.. Benedict of Bridgeport to "Ou
Sister Lodges" in an amusing and brillian
speech Of half an hour which was decidedly tn,
gem of the day-Rev. Mr.. Hudson of Ltch6el,
to the Memory of Gen. Putnam, and the Rev
Mr.. Ross Of Goshen in a speech laudatory o
Free Masonry from an outside view. The eve
excellent and entertaining Uncle" Stephel
Deming replied to sentiment, rememberin,
kindly the elder members of the Fraternity. ant
"The Press"-who are always supposed to earl
their dinner by speaking for was graceful
ly responded to by Mr.. Cooke of the Waterbur,
American, and the Enquiring individual wa
also enquired for, and responded in his usua
happy manner! ~,
Several volunteer toasts were proposed, one o
which brought out Major Harvey of Litchfeld
who made capital Masonic speech, at the clos
Of which the brotherhood sung parting hymn,
and then separated.
Altogether it was, as we have said, a brilliau
and successful affair." and we give this extende,
account Of it, as of interest to our readers gene
rally, and to remind them too, that wheneve
Litchfeld tries to do good thing, it is done
Aside from this, the celebration appeared t.
give great satisfaction and interest to all tn
members of the Fraternity present, and reflect.
we are free to say, great credit upon the Ma on
of Ltchfield who received so handsomely thei
brethren from abroad. A sentiment which wa
offered by Mayor Bradley of Waterbury at tn
close of the dinner exercises and the heart
affirmative response which it received, ampl
evinced that this. was the feeling of all tn
brethren" who were present. So mote it be
We do not learn of any particular al
rangements for celebrating the coming annive
sary Of our National Independence in Litchfelt
Undoubtedly the usual amount Of patriotism wi
be felt, and the usual quantity ofpowder expent
ed, while many will seek the occasion of the da
for retirement and recreation in the hume
GUS delightful spots in the outskirts of tn
town or in some of the patriotic village
l about that celebrate" 1t has been propose
8 that a general picnic be held in th
d central Park, where the Masonic Fraternit
; nave Just celebrated their anniversary of S
It 'ohn Sand We learn that if such is the desir
Oh our citizens, the tables and the tent then use
J. can be easily replaced.
T. Cor hoe o,.~,