The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-07-20

Visit of the Hugh DE Paycn q 0mmnndery
The long expected visit of the famous Mel
rose Commandery of knights Templar to Port
land came off yesterday, and surpassed even
the most extrayagant expectations of our peo-
pie as to the good time coming. The Mel
rose Sir knights left for Portland an hour and
half behind the regular forenoon train from
Boston, and arrived here at O'Clock p. NJ,
only half an hour behind the regular train.
They numbered one hundred and fourteen,
with six members Of the De Molay Comman-
derry of Boston, making one hundred and TWEEN
ty in all, and were accompanied by Gilmore's
Band of twenty-five pieces, led by Arbuckle.
They were met at South Berwick by Sir Knight
Belknap, of the Portland Commandery, aad
ON their arrival in the city were received by
the Sir Knights of the Portland Commandery,
Stephen Berry Commander, near foot of State
street, and at once escorted to the magnificent
steamer Ella, Capt. Mitchell, lying at Union
wharf
A vast throng of citizens attended the pro-
cession to the wharf, and cheered the depart.
ure of the gay party who had embarked. =
The following is the list Of the officers of the
visiting Commandery:
F. j. Foss, Commander. ttAai5HE
Thomas Winship, Generalissimo
j. ID. Waite, Captain General.
J.B. Norton, Major. s,l.5hssN
Six Captains. 4ls d llsE1g ~. ft
The Commandery drills as battalion, and
made splendid appearance, their uniforms
being gold-trimmed throughout. In this con-
neetion we may mention that Howard NJ Dow,
the pianist, and the eyer-glorious Barnabee, of
Boston, was among the visiting party. Among
the other notables in Masonry present, were
DR.. Dodge, Of this city, Past Right Eminent
Grand Commander of Maine, and Right Emf
nent Grand Commander Charles Ell. Mcclellan
of Bath, and j. w. Bailou, Grand Senior
Warden, also OF Bath. e EEseMh
Excellent dispatch was had to Little Che
beague Island. and more joyial party never
sailed down the beautiful harbor, nor was ever
more gladstone sunshine OF grateful breeze, az
aeeompaniments. Arriving at the island the two
Communicates marched straight to refresh
ments,' welcomed by all the odors of the com
ing feast and by the especially CHEEKY words of
Capt. George W. Parker, of the Portlanders.. =
To many of the visitors, the clam-bake,
which was under the charge of Mr.. L. w. At
wood, and 'done to- turn" was complete
novelty; but they skirmished close up in the
front ranks and expressed themselves thor
oughly delighted with the good things "drawn
over the GOALS" Nor must we forget the ex.
cellent sin tent" of fruit compound, canvass
backed, and redolent of warmth and temper
ate hliarity, but never unduly exciting, and,
therefore, harmless. After the bank had dis
counted with utter disregard of possible ssre-
turn days." and the pipe of peace was being
smoked, loud calls were made for public ex-
pressions of in-dwelling faith. Among the
first who was made to mount the irnproyised
platform was our genial Masonic elder, Mr..
Ira Berry, whose especial province it was to
relate, in his inimitable way, story almost
classic with him, and which never fails to be
received with tumultuous applause. Nobody
who is not well up in the "ritualism" of story
telling could execute this episode. Next came
Barnabee, who summarily sent all his hearers
to grass, and walked off without opposition.
Farmer Allen" of Wakefield, next "sacrific-
ed himself on the inverted wooden pail, and
following him were Mr. Waite, of Charleston,
and Capt. Parker, of the Blues.
After countless groups stood and sat for pic
lures, and at five o'clock, the party embarked
for the city again. "sa 2 -sts
The yachts sunnyside, Juliet and others
honored the occasion by dropping anchor and
sending emmisaries on shore, and saluted as
the steamer turned homeward. Leaving the
Island Gilmore's Band played "Grand Dutch
ers," whose refrain was caught up by the Port
land Band, who surpassed themselves in rem
dering the good things. In the cabin of the
Ella an anxious and excited throng called out
barnabee, and he gave them several Of his
choicest songs and stories, to the infinite de-
hgh4 OF all who got within hearing. The boat
arrived q few minutes before six, and the
knights quickly formed, and to the alternate