CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 171, 17 February 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON NEWS.

THE ODD-FELLOW'S BALL.

On Thursday evening the Loyal Charleston Lodge, M.LT.1.0.0.F., held their opening ball and supper at N"ahr and Curtis's Umpire Hotel, Princes street. The large room of the Bijou Theatre was fitted up for the occasion the performances being suspended for this night, and the stage having been thrown in, formed as large a danceroom as any on the West-Coast. It was tastefully decorated with ferns and evergreens, while wreaths of tastei'uUymade artificial flowers of every shade and hue were suspended in every direction, forming a perfect bower of beauty, which extorted praises from every one who beheld it, and if thanks could have repaid Messrs Nahr and Curtis for the trouble they had undergone, th y would have been abundantly repaid. The dancing commenced at eleven o'clock, and about 2JD persons were present, a great number of whom were ladies, and when dancing commenced the scene was brilliant in the extreme. In every direction the picturesque insignia of the order was displayed, while the lights reflecting on the showy and sparkling dresses of the brethren, mingled with the uniforms of the volunteers, which harmonised admirably with those worn by the ladies, gave an animation and a zesfc to the scene rarely witnessed on the West' Coast. The programme was a lone one, and dancing having commenced punctually at the hour named; the room was soon filled with votaries of Terpsichore, who " footed a measure " to the fine music of the band. " All went merry as a marriage bell," and the stewards were indefatigable in their exertions, till—even dancers will get hungry and stewards will tire—supper was announced, and here was a sight that

would have made old Epicurus himself smile with pleasure. Every delicacy and dainty that money could purchase was spread out, and at two o'clock the dancers and their partners took their seats at tho tah!e. Brother Meredith, N.G., taking the chair, supported en h's right by our newly arrived Magistrle, Mr Warden Li^ntband; Brother Collings.G.M., occupied the vice-chair, supported on the right by Brother Tyrrell, N.G., of the Loyal Westport Lodge, who was present on the occaaion.

The chairman proposed the various loyal and usual toasts of the evening, in responding to that of the M.U.1.0.0.F.; Grand Master Collings, iu a lengthened address, spoke upon the rise and progress of the Order. He dwelt upon its value as a benefit society, and as an institution having for its object the relief of the sick and suffering, and the protection of the widow and orphan. The aim of the order was to extend the right hand of brotherhood aud friendship all over the world, and in no civilised place was the order unknown. Let any brother visit a distant land, he would in all probability find among t'io residents brtt'iren who would aid him in his endeavors, and assist him in his efforts, without reference to creed, sect, or nation. The Manchester Uuity stood pre-eminent in number and resources having a sinking fund of over two millins sterling, and a floatHi:? capital amounting to several hundreds of thousand pounds. The stand which the Order had taken in Charleston was creditable in every sense, as it comprised within its ranks nearly all the leading men of the town and neighborhood. It was but a short time since it had been started, and through the exertions of a few zealous individuals, prominent among whom were the c'lairman, and several other brethren of the Order. After a few other remarks, the vice-chairman concluded by again drinking " Prosperity to the Manchester Unity Independent -Order of Oddfellows." Various other toasts were drunk, and the dancing was kept up till a late hour. We sincerely hope that it will be our pleasing duty to chronicle at their next annual ball a marked addition to to the numbers of the present lodge, although mustering strong at present, the short time the lodge has been open —only about five months —and numbering now about 60 (members.