Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-02-27
The Last Of the Sens Of Malta.

OGte, dnaer mortgage, or he Properly OF
Pro Patria Loage-iSpords, Spears, Baf-
tres, Crowns, Sceptres, Muskets, Gongs,
Speaking Trnmpets, Horns, Croacns OF
Honor, the "Sacred Both" and Mystic
Volume" Furniture, Regaiia and Sym
bols, under tho Hammer.
The "ancient and honorable order of the
Sons of Malta," which is represented as being
"ancient because the memory of man knoweth
not its origin, and honorable because the great
and wise Of every age have been numbered
with its firm friends and steadfast supporters, /"
came to complete if not inglorious end, on
Saturday forenoon. The furniture of Pro Patria
Lodge, the largest, most thoroughly equipped,
and most famous in the United States, was sold
at auction, under mortgage, at eleven o'clock,
together with all the regalia and warlike i'm
plements which seem to have entered largely
into the initiatory services of this mystic
brotherhood.
The sale occurred in the lodge-room, spa
cious hall at 8l4 Broadway, the first floor from
the roof and the fifth from the earth. The
hall was fitted up in a peculiar style of ele-
gance. The floor was richly carpeted, and
the room was surrounded by long sofas, while
the walls were decor ated with twenty -four
knights in armor, with tapestry, and with the
been the symbol of the order.
The articles sold were classified as follows:
1st, the useful; I'd, the instrumental; Sd, the
ornamental and mystical. Under the first
head were sold the sofas, chairs, carpets, &c,
one of the carpets containing three hundred
yards, and selling for seventy-five cents the
yard, half what it cost. Under the second
started at $50 and sold at $50. Also, a Chi
nese Gong, which, the brothers assert, was
formerly owned by the Emperor Chow Chow,
and which brought $11. An immense tin
trumpet and quantity of horns were also
sold. for q triae.
Under the third head were sold five "blood-
less swords" When the auctioneer reached
at the top of his voice: "Now, let the stranger
feel the highth Of the sword, Now, stranger,
be strong and brave, and leap with all your
might, for this will put your courage to the
test stn'-whereupOn, those who appeared to
understand it, laughed heartily, and outsiders
concluded that this must nave been a part of
the initiation ceremonies.
According to the handful, these swords
were "made of Damascus steel, and used in
the terrible wars of the knights of Malta,
with roast beef and plum pudding, eighteen
hundred years before the deluge;" and ''were
presented to Pro Patria Lodge by Alexander
the Great" Among them was said to be the
celebrated sword which was suspended by a
single thread. The purchasers, however, did
not seem TO be impressed with their great
value, for the five swords only brought five
dollars.
Then there were five terrible tin spears.
which were sold In a lot for four shillings
Then seven helmets, said to have descended
from the Crusaders under Peter the Hermit,
with vizors complete, were also sold in a lot
for the same amount. Then came the mail
and armOr, which went on ike easy terms,
five or six shilliDgs paying for the whole.
Next were sold eight rusty muskets, with
fixed bayonets, for four shillings each Sew
eral hundred dominoes, with cowls, black and
white, were sold at twelve and fifteen cents
apiece. The Rugged Path was not cold,
but judging from its appearance, the ''stran-
gers" who passed over it must have had a
rough journey over the rollers.
After the furniture and other articles named
had been sold, the auctioneer withdrew to the
back room, and proceeded to sell regalia,
which he said must not be exposed to the gaze
of the uninitiated. The mystic volume, said
to be large illustrated octave work, was sold
unseen.
The sacred bath" however, was displayed
TO the crowd. 1t sold for 81 so, and appeared
to be nothing more nor less than a large
punch bowl.
In conclusion. the brothers Joined in a
song, to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne," be-
ginning
"when old Maltesia nrst was born"
The crowd dispersed; and thus ends the
mystic brotherhood of the /. o. S. M.-Neu
York Post.