The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-08
MASONIC FESTIVITIES.
d BANQUET TO ALBERT PIKE.
INTERESTING INCIDENTS

Under the auspices of the Grand Consistory
there was given, last evening" at Masonic Hall, a
banquet in honor of Albert Pike, sovereign grand
| commander supreme council, Scotch Rite Masonry
who has been for some time past 10 this city upon
| important business relating 10 the order, aud TO
whom, on the eve of bis departure, his brethren
desired to tender some such token Of their appre.
citation OF his usefulness as Mason, and his no.
bility as man. The table, arranged to seat pre-
cisely one hundred guests was laid in the form Of
three sides Of square, the center chair of the
head table being occupied by the iustrous guest.
Upon his right sat Generals Harry Hays and
Buekner, upon his left Grand Master s. NJ.
Todd, Deputy Grand Master by. R. Swasey,
N. W. G. Master Abel J. Norwood, r. w. Grand
Treasurer j. @. Bachelor, and numerous other
distinguished members of the order. The bill Of
faTo wac rotten undsr the dirAotions of
Brother Miller, the well known restaurateur OF
st. Charles street, and comprised game fish aud
meats, the raTest fruits aud desserts, and wines
such as even connoisseurs rarely tind set upon
public table. Grace having been offered by the
r. W. j. c. GOrdy, the compsny addressed itself
with vigOr TO the good things rapidly placed upon
the table by active walters, and for a while the
clatter OF knives, forks and glasses reigned su-
pTeme. But all delights cloy and when the
table was cleared and cigars aud wine came ex.
cluslyely in order, we venture to say no com.
paDy was ever more ready TO enter upon
tOastDg campaign. The first toast was: The
President ef the United States.n
To this General J. B. Steedman was to have
responded. But unfortunately he had been pre-
vented by slight indispOsiJon from attending
the festivities. In his absence, Bro. Charles
Case was called upon, aud delivered some excel.
lent remarks eulogizing the chief magistrate of
the nation, both as q ruler and as q Mason.
The second toast The Grand Master Of the
State of Louisiana" was briefly responded to by
h. W. Abel j. Norwood, who excused himself
aprl fI,rTra
"Our Invited Guest" the third toast elected
from i'll. Bro. Albert Pike, an eloquent address
fuli OF wisdom, Of poetic fervor, Of historical
lore, which We only regret our inability TO have
reported entire. "The Supreme Council A. and 4,
Rite," The Grand Consistory of Louisiana" !" and
The Grand Orient of France were responded to
respectively by III. Bro. Walker, m. Bro. s. N
TODD and Sub. p. Jos. Santini, after which a
song by Bro. Mackenzie, varied the entertainment.
The Grand COmmandery of Louisiana " was
next proposed and responded to by Sub. P JOS
2. Honor, and " The Grand Chapter of Lou
isianan by Grand High Priest II. P. Buckley.
Bro. W. X. Floyd sang the " Wearin' of the
Green " with more than his usual good taste aud
effect, and Bro. Edwin Adams rected Hamlet's
soliloquy To Be or Not 10 Be-" in telling man
ner, which brought forth vOciferous applause
The following toasts were given and responded to
in order, viz:
"Albert Pike Council PIP. of J. and Albert Pike
Lodge Of Perfection III. Bro. Emmet D. Craig.
3" The Constituent Lodges Of Louisiana BRO.
G. H. Luzenberg.
Universal Masonry "-R. W. S. o. scruggs.
"The State of Louisiana Sub. P Harry T.
Hays.
'Absent Friends Sub. P. Geo. W. Race.
The Press, the Fourth Estate I'm the ma
voidable absence of Col. J. o. Nixon, who was
TO have responded 10 this tosst, Bro. Geo. T..
Catlin, Of the CRESCENT, replied TO the sentiment.
The regular tOasts of the evening were con.
cluded by that familiar and always welcome one
' woman" TO which sinh p s. b. Buckner re-
sponded appropriately, Introducing in the course
Of his remarks some rare little gems of poetry
At the tine we left the hall the festivities were
still in progress. We feel positively assured that
in the minds Of both hosts and guests the memory
of that joyous occasion, marked by naught but
frateTnsl feeling, will ever live fresh and green.