The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-03-30
LOCAL DEPARTMENT.

vxtaTrs TENPLAR-ELB0ASr ESrHRrAIs.
,,rSr.--The second annual levee of Column
bil Commandery, Knights Tcmplar, Of this
civ, was held last night At the National
Theatre, and in point OF brllllancy, elegance |
and interest, II was, without doubt, (the In |
nnguratIon ball cxccpted,) the grandest |
affair Of the season. Tho company present |
was composed OF large majority OF the
most prominent merchants and business
men OF tho community, eminent strangers
now in the city, representatives Of the army
and navy, and, Indeed, everybody who could
heavy rains which prevailed during the eve
ming.
occasion by flooring over the orchestra seats
with the spring door made for the building,
which was first used at Marinis May soiree
last year. The front OF the dress circle and
gallery tiers were tastefully decorated with
dags, cvergrccns and flowers, and the fronts
of The private boxes were beautifully fcs-
tooncl with flags and gay-colored ribbons.
Around the front OF the dress circle were
hung number Of fine pictures that added
to the beauty OF the decorations, which were
arranged with skllful hands and an artists
eve. During the carly part OF the evening
the drop curtain Of the theatre was lowered,
and the Knights on arriving proceeded TO
the stage by the rear way for the purpose Of
taking position for the drill.
The ladies, upon arriving, were taken In
charge by the reception committee, and
escorted to the SCREEN room" Of the theatre,
which was used as the ladies' dressing room.
This reception committee had been selected
from among the best looking gentlemen Of
the Commnndery, and, in charge Of the gal
liant knight, Genl Balloch, performed their
duties admirably. Their names werei Sir
Knights George W. Balloch, VIM. II. Earle,
u. s. Burnett, William L. Cowan, Charles
4, Appel, II. @. Burr, George NJ. Hunter,
j. H. Russell, John A. Duren, J. J. Patter-
son, J. Ii, Nii,aolay, and wiAiam A. Yates.
\: nine o'clo>'S, the splendid band under
the dictatorship OF SIR Knight Louis ,. W.
Weber, announced IL 1t the festivities would
commence. and AT The sound Of bugles the
curtain rolled up, disclosing the knights In
full uniform drawn up in lie on the stage
with their beautiful banner q ud Iemplars
nag In the ranks. On the right ~ the stage
was delegation of the Knights OF wash
ington Commandery OF this city, among
whom were Past Grand Commander b. b.
French, Eminent Commander ]. B. VIII,
Generalisgimo Z. W. W. Griffin, and othei
prominent knights Of Washington Com
mandery. The Knights of Columbia Com
mandery were In charge OF Eminent Com
mander J. Daniels.
At the word of command they nhrchet
down the dancing pavilion and were flaed Il
hollow square, the delegation from wash
ington Commandery wheeling into line al
having been given and responded to, Eminent
Commander Daniels, In brief address, wei.
coined the visiting Knights, In the course oil
his remarks taking occasion to refer to the
previous levces of the Knights Tcmplar OF
Washington, and hoped that these social
gatherings, so productive of good feeling,
would continue to be held.
In, ugip no "a Welpnmpl Com
mander French and his brother Knights
This address was responded TO by PAS
Grand Eminent Commander u, b, French,
in few eloquent remarks, In which he rc'
turned the thanks of his Commandery fof
the cordial welcome, and felicltated Column
bia Commandery upon the brilliant assem-
blagc of the wealth and beauty of Washing
ton, who had gathered to do honor 10 the
organization.
The order was then given, and the knights
went through the various and intricate evo
buttons o. the Templar's drill, all of tn,
figures of which, although pcrpleXing, wert
performed with great precision and rapidity
The drill being concluded a tablcau in tn
form of a cross was formed by the Knights
and the drop curtain fell amid long cor
tiuucd applause from the large audience {
ladies and gentlemen assembled In the dre'
circle and parquettc seats.
When the Knights had dispersed the Gu
cent dancing pavilion, the entire area
which was level with the stage and nice
prepared and waXcd for the votaries of ter
sichore. At the rear Of the stage was
large cross (the emblem Of the Order) bea
tifully formed with gas gets.
All being in readiness, the master of Gel
monies, Sir Knight George A. Bates, ga
the order for the dance to commence. r
sound of the buge was the signal for &
vast throng of ladies and gentlemen, W
had been impatiently waiting, TO take posse
sion Of the dancing floor, aud to the deligi
full music performed by weber's band, d
merry dancers trlpped away the happy hou
in Iuadrille, polka, waltz, and all the fas
ionable dances of the day. The music W
really good, comprising many OF Ofenbacl
faVorte airs from the popular operas Of Il
eminent composer.
Sir Knight George Bates, as master
ceremonies, gave universal satisfaction
the perfect system maintained and the col
teous manner In which he performed the
duous duties of his position. In his endcG
ors he was ably seconded by the floor co
mittec, Sir Knights W. II. Glascott, f.
Wilcox, G. McGown, W. II. lIocke, J.
Wall, Master Masons II. W. Brelsford, s.
Wrsley, and that courteous and gentleman
Mason Professor HoratiO Bates.
At IL O'Clock the company proceeded
the suppCr-roOm, which was the brillia
marniacently laid tables had been prcpar
by that prince OF caterers, Joseph II. sha
field. The tables were crowded with eve
possible deliCaCy that could be called f
and the elegant manner in which the sun,
was served rebounds to the credit of
shafiield, and was remarked by all W
partoOk of the choice repast. Great ere
is due the committee of arrangements
selecting Mr.. Shafiield a. the caterer for /
occasion, and he really seems to have
ccllcd himself In preparing the supper.
After due Justice had been done the cho
cdbles, dancing was resumed, and It was
the early hours of to-day when Profess
Weber and his musical assistants conclut
in thc mornInr.' Tho COMMITTEES Of orran
ments who Ind charge Of The details of /
rrand occasion WA, headed by Sir KnIl
Noble d. Larurr. to whose untirInp indus
and energy. with that of LIs coadiutors
Inc committee. Sir Knights Daniel I. Jon
viii A, Short. Dr. IN. Ford. r r.,
crniv and n ~ Ur,n,nc w. Ill.,, a. H. -, ,,r -