The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-12-21
THE MASONIC TEMPLE.
CEREKoNF OF LAYING THE CORNER
STONE.
An Impos ns Pageant-The Addresses Oh
Grand Master Blake and General her-
shaw-A Gala Day for the CIaft.

Grand Master Blake and General Ker-
shaw-A Gala Day FOR the Craft.
The ceremony Of laying The cornerstone OF
the new Masonic Temple, at the southeast cor
ngr Of King and Wentworth streets, was per-
formed yesterday morning with an ectat most
gratifying and creditable to the large assem-
blage of the Craft in the city. For days past
the important event, looked forward 10 Win
peculiar interest By thousands OF the order
throughout the State, had been foreshadowed.
and the seady gathering Of the delegates
from every working lodge attested the prioe
which the Masons felt upon the &C.
cason. For years the question of erect
ing temple in this city, worthy
of the Grand Lodge and The strength
of The Craft in the State, had been discussed,
and after essaying every scheme, definite plans
had been formed, AMI the Grand Lodge,
stretching every nerve towards the great goal,
had, at length, begun the temple. The Grand
East was to be permanently. located IN TINS
city. The estimates and designs OF the Weii-
known architect, Mr.. John H. DevereuX, were
accepted, and the workmen were soon pnlhhs
down the oli hall. In lis stead Las arisen
building of imposing appearance, AMI one OF
the most picturesqu. in The city. The cere-
monylf laying the cornerstone OF lhi5 edloce
was fixed for the annual communication of the
Grand Lodge, to be held on the 2lst oi NO
vember last, but when the time drew on
pes,ilence was raging in the city, AID the
meeting of the Grand Lodge was postponed
until last Tuesday.
THE GATHERING N THE CITY
for the past few days has been something un-
usual even for the season. Trains from the
country have come in da ly crowded with Wis
c-itors, and the hotels aud boarding-houses are,
! one and all, crowded to their utmost capacity.
The "single fare" privilege extended to Mas
ter M,sons for the visit has proved a consid-
cradle attraction, inducing numbers OF OAR
country brethren 10 pay their visit to the city
at once. At every corner and through the
thoroughfares they are 10 te seen, and when
not engaged in the Grand Loige every depart
ment Of trade feels The influence CT their pres
ence. The Hayne-street firms have no time to
spare, and thos, on the Bay are even as bad.
The streets seem 10 grow narrower, and the
King-street stores are TOO small to accomno-
date the thronging purchasers.
- THE PREPARATIONS
for the honors OF the Gay were attractive and
imposing. In King street, opposite Holiness
Bookstore, had been erected the speakers
stand, about SIX feet from the ground. 1t was
forty feet long and twenty feet wide, built like
q ship, the raised dals for the speaker forming
the PROV, AMI setting ont half way across
Wentworth street. Around the ba!ustradc OF
the stand white cloth was tackled, and ftom
the framework overhead depended large
flags, forming handsome drapery with their
rctly-colored fJlis. The small dais fer the
speaker was ornamented with small silken
colors, anil around the stand hung wreaths of
evergreens, incIosing the plumb, square and
level, and other N ,soaic insignia. At the end
of the stand, corresponding to the stern fthe
ship, were steps for ascending 1t, and upon the
stand were chairs and the we'll known Masonic
organ. short distance TO the rear OF the
stand large rope hal been stretched across
the street, from which there hung heavy flags
oakyery nation. The wonder OF the day, row.
ever, was the
GRAND TRIUMPHAL ARCH,
planned and erected by the architect OF the
temple, Mr. Devereux, after the molel OF the
great arch erected by Constantine the Greaf,
over the Via Sacra at Rome. The present.
arch Is little larger than the original, and
consists of one large arch with smaller arch
connecting at either and. Itstretches .-cm the
centre of the new temple 10 the store opposi;>
on King street, the large arch spanning the
stretch proper distance Of forty feet, aud
the two smaller ones making span o;
ten feet over either sidewalk. The main
arch rises forty feet above the pavement, and
is supported at lis junction with the other
two by two pillars, while the arches formed
beneath the top OF the Structure made three
sides,af hexasop, with either end resting
upon the opposite buildings. Tie imposing
work of the mechanics was handsomely Sec
onded by
who speedily transformed the rough work
into the grandest aud handsomest triumphal
structure ever seen in Charleston. The wood
work was covered with white cloth, looking,
at distance, like solid marble. Around the
edges the white was relieved in a striking
manner by continuous borders OF evergreen,
and over the face OF the arches were hung, In
the open spaces, wreaths and garlands, en-
closing the keystone, the star, the forty
seventh problem OF Euclid, the horn of plenty,
aud other Masonic emblems, all tastefuliy
and beautifully made. The pillars, within
easy reach TO all, were transformed into
living columns with green leaves and branches
enough 10 make the city trees feel naked aud
ashamed. TIE work was neatly and thoroughly
done, AMI spoke volumes for the taste aud
industry OF those conducting the operations.
THE GRAND BUILDING
was a'so adorned for the occasion, and smiled
withSts green front through network ofeVef-
green decorations. Continuous feStoons OF
cedar, varied by pavi-colored flowers, clung
to the walls of the first story, with the point CT
support at each pillar, and the spaces enclJsad
by the festoons being decked with handsome
wreathS. The seconl story was decorated n
q similar manner, with the addition of fl tss
and large branches OF evergreens hanging
from be windows. At
THE NORTHEAST CORNER