The Portland daily press., 1873-03-19

DEDICATION OF NEW HALL.-LaSt even
ing the newly fitted and very elegant hall in
Clapp's block, for the use of Bramhall and
Munioy Lodges K. of p, was dedicated with
the interesting exercises of that Order A por-
ton of the exercises were conducted previous
to the admission of the ladies and other invited
friends, and when all were admitted the exer-
cises went on according to usage. The grand
officers were received under escort of Mavoshen
Lodge of Biddeford, in full regalia, and Chan
celor Commander Hanson presided. Supreme
Vice Chancellor S. S. DAVIS of Nashua, N. H.,
was introduced and delivered a very we'll writ
ten address, explanatory of the objects and
principles of this new Order, from which we
gather these statistics: The Order was founded
in Washington, d. c., on Feb. 10, 1864, during
the darkest period of the late civil war, and It's
growth has been unprecedented since that time,
for at the tclose of the year 1871 there existed
867 lodges, with membership of 1927, and
there are now about 1000 lodges and more than
100000 members.
Charity and Benevolence, and it is illustrated
by and takes its name from the well known
classical story of Damon and Pythias, or the
test of friendship. We should like to give the
whole of this excellent address did room allow
AT its conclusion very beautiful regalia was
presented to Chancellor F. B. Hanson of this
city, by comrade G. w. Bean. He was taken
completely by surprise, but returned thanks in
a neat manner. Comrades Pinkham of Do
yer, Austin Edgerly of Biddeford, Beals of
Lewiston, M. L. Stevens and Franklin Fox of
this city, and V. Chancellor Parker of Lewis
ton, all made eloquent witty and interesting
speeches. A male quartette, consisting of
Messrs, Fernald, Cloudman, Merrill and Turkey
appropriate music during the evening. The
hall was crowded during the exercises, and all
seemed to enjoy the occasion highly.
THE SCOUTS OF THE PRAIRIE.-The scream
ing farce of ''Scouts of the Prairie was given at
Music Hall last evening. The auditorium was
packed by the largest audience ever seen with
in its walls Our limits forbid description of
the play. In fact it was inexpressibly funny.
The burlesaues on pathos were ludcrous in the
extreme. The actors fully entered into the
spirit of their parts, and seemed to comprehend
all the requirements of burlesque. This was
particularly noticeable in the cases of the Gel.
tic gentlemen who assumed the roles of the red
men of the plains. They were delightfully."-
dirty, and whooped and said "ugh'' on the
slightest proyocation, all of which we take to
be characteristic of the Indian. We would
canton the troupe on one point Unless it has
a large capital it surely cannot afford the vast
amount expended for gunpowder.
The Comedietta, "Love's Battle" was very
entertaining, and the dancing of Morlacchi was
fine. In fact, in both plays the actors did well.
The players who assumed the character parts
of the Irishman and the Dutchman were notably
excellent. The Scouts of the Prairie" is of
the blood and thunder order, and abounds in
improbabilities, but it is very amusing and we
predict crowded house tonight.
P.S. A friend informs us that the 'Scouts
of the Prairies' is not farce, but ga great
moral and sensational picture of real life on the
border" However that may be, we feel safe in
saying, in the words of Joe Bagstock, that it is
''devilish amusing" ----.-.