The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-27


bountful COLLATION. had been spread il having been pre-
pared BY Chss u Thompson, the skful caterer OF sour
House Ia the course Of the merry scene, h. w John
Dove gave
'.our sister Grand Lodge OF the District of Columbia
Though small dimensions she Yields an in
uenc by her zeal and talents sarPasng the most extern
M W. Grand Master b. b French responded with the
following:
"oari,a.ernal union q Free Masons and glorious
union Of ireemen--inay they be perpetual"
The President was toasted and responded The compa-
ny proceeded to the splendid collation. al Stewards Factory
prepared by the city, the military and the Fire Association
the following gentlemen acting as committees, VIZ D. ID
Denoon and ]. NJ. Darlington, on the part OF the city
council Caps. w. M. Elliott, Ro. M Nimmo, and J. b;
oantorih, on the part OF the military; and Fry and
W. c. Waltha on the part OF the Fire Association Our
other engagements prevented from enjoying these
merry collaiions,
Atsi, p. m, the capitol and the surrounding space
were htup by brilliant fireworks, "bombs bursting IN arr
&c on the semi circle in front OF The southern portlco
The day closed with magnificent Masonic ball at the
Union Hotel, beginning at 9, P Nh and ending about q
Witnessed The front OF the hotel beautifully deco.
rated with washington" in words OF fire. and sun OF
resplendent brilancy, Tie, gay costumes OF the Ma
sons IN their grand enlree the ranspafences and other
decorations in the ballroom, the flashes Of beauty rarey
supposedly from al least three hundred pairs OF eyes, the
presence Of the President Of the United States and Gov
ernor Of Virginia. with their suites, The music Of the
armory band but better far the music oil sweet tongues,
attuned 10 joy and happnessthese are few Of the ea
to III up chmond auS the counties
towns pesonated by their brightest jewels; and Mr.
Crawford might have selected unequaed models for the
lovely statue OF Virginia. which is to decorate the Wash
ngton monument Before the dancing began Mr. Trgg,
the part Of the ladies' OF Richmond in appropriate
address, presented rich banner the Knights Tempar,
which Mr.. August received in eloquent terms. The
splendid supper we shall not begin TO describe.
We have not yet recovered from the excitement OF the
day composure sufficient to group together integlbe
outline OF this Virginia and Washington Jefe We have
thrown the crude materials into holch potch, and
shall be lucky if our readers draw from them any
idea OF the We have similar ceremonies in
this country and among "the rest OF mankind, but we
never witnessed beautiful panorama than
hbited during the touching Masonic ceremonies Of Fri
day We stood OF. the steps OF earth leading to
the pit below In rear were the Chief Magistrates OF
the Union and our State, the legislature, and other dis
tngushed personages. On each side the two i'm
mense stagings filled with women and men, like NAM
moth flower beds; around us was mass OF human be-
ngs ladies' and all, pressing 70 the very verge Of the
Masons guarding the sacred depose, and in the distance
the bright plumes and gering arms OF the military just
below us in the pit the Masons OF high rank with
their regaa, tools, and burning tapers, and the mighty
stone suspended over their heads, as if threatening 10
crush them. There awful solemnity and pic
turesque beauty in the whole scene which have
seen eqnaed From thousands OF hearts arose 10 Heaven
thanks for the mercifu preservation from harm acc
dent, and OF praise and Joy for the high privilege Of be-
ginning monument TO Washington under such auspi.
cious circumstances Heaven seemed to smile on the
work for. just as the Masonic ceremonies commenced,
the lowering clouds were opened and the bright rays OF
the sun fell upon and gilded the consecrated spot
We speak what know, when we declare that great
credit is due TO Governor Floyd for the energy and
legislature have been carried out in beginning this great
work the 22d of February, 1850. May the same
mark his future efforts TO the classic pile during
his administration