The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-09
MASONIC FETE CHAMPETRE.
A Lively Day at Boulevard Grove

a Lively Lay at boulevard GrOves
Yesterday afternoon and evening the members OF
the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity Of Free and
Accepted Masons, undey the Jurisdiction Of the Most
Worthy United Grand Lodge Of the State Of New
York, celebrated their annual reunion with grand
picnic or r5te cnanapetre, at Boulevard Grove,
Brooklyn, E. D, For the information Of the 'un-
initiated" it will probably be well to state that this
entertainment was conducted under the auspices OF
the colored wing Of the Masonic brotherhood, and
that its patrons were solely persons of African
lineage. Not more than half dozen Of the descend.
ants of Japheth were on the ground and these, to-
gether with trio OF metropolitans attired In blue
and bearing slaves, appeared to be present on bust
ness And perhaps twas well twas so avery select
and exclusive" for those for whose pleasure and re-.
creation the festival was gotten up appeared to enjoy
themselves as well II not better than they could have
done with crowd Of gaping Caucasians surround
ing or mingling with them. Everything event
merry as marriage BELL" and great many mar.
riageable bellies went merriy too and came away IN
q similar Mood, and doubtless in some instances
with the hsmeneal CONTRACT fairly open. r'"''s Ma
The weather was charfningly suitable to the occa-
sion, and the grounds were in excellent order, and
with social company present, the day was devoted
to enjoyment and the Interchange Of courtesies. 1t
was four O'Clock before any considerable number OF
the picnickians were at the grove but from that
HOuT ulue OClOCk III tney Cdulo
in bugges and by the street railroad cars. AT six
O'Clock about four or five hundred pleasure seekers
were hard at work enjoying themselves at clam
the turf meath the leay trees and lastly though to
decidedly predominatfng extent in dancing on the
sIchore. The company present was, with few excep-
POTtaens, an. and while displaying in A. ma:
Of their attire to the latest fashion bulletins, there
were also 2. number Of '.old jokers'' present
tended 10 flourish in, and without intending any
sarcasm) appeared like ''the light OF other days,n
though perhaps not quite 50 fat Ss dark
greensh brown variety Of shade and color. With
hats that would have concealed the wearer' ~ "
bushel," and these old gents shuffled round among
the throng with sun.faded umbrellas under their
arms and were indscriminately greeted by, the
number OF these fogies had their conjuga part
ners with them, attred In the plain old cos
with bonnets Of undoubted coal scuttle procvities
and proportions. The later editions OF these antique
works were also on hand. exquisitely gotten up in
leather finishes and Illuminated with gold. They
were represented in almost every shade and tint
blood flushing richly beneath the semi-transparent
skin and the pale white that showed the blue veins
have been Ohellos had not the accident OF birth"
made them American citizens, nirted with and cav
altered women who might have bamboozled Mark
sixty sail Of Egyptian vessels, Cleopatra did
Fortunately, however, for ordinary mortals the
Antony and these courtly ladies' whose inflnite var
ETY." perchance ''age could not wither nor custom
stale,n content themselves by ensaving the hearts
Of modern "Augustuses." and the "George Washing
tons" Of to-day; and instead OF picnicking on the
Nile in a sixty Dared galley, with poop OF gold,
TO KISS were pleased to go to Boulevard Grove for
days amusement at fste chdmpetre.
But though those who had assembled yesterday
were not immortaized by Shakespeare, they we're
doubtless as happy, beng devoid, apparently, OF
anxiety concerning Kingdoms and crowns, and filed
places In the community much more consonant with
this progressive age and its institutions. They
troubled no one, and enjoyed themselves 10 the
fullest extent. and TO the music OF champagne
Charlie" and Captain yinksn "chased with nyng
feet the silver hours,r until midnight, at which
seasonable time they betook themselves to their
homes with pleasing recolectlons OF q day harmless
ly and enjoyably spent.