Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-09-03

hall and of all the halls and passages
on both this and the principal floor
above are laid with black and white
marble tiles, in patterns, with borders,
and there is continuous wanscoat-
ing, four feet in height, of the finest
Lisbon marble, highly polished to the
various halls.
Two magnificent stairways lead to
the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter
rooms, lodge halls and the asylum OF
The Commandcry. The e'Grand Secrc-
tary and Grand Treasurer's and the
Grand Lodge Library and numerous
other Offices are situated on the right
and southern side of the main hail.
Walking to the northeast corner OF
the structure, the suite of rooms
of the Grand Master of Masons OF
Pennsylvania is encountered. They
are three in number, and consist of "a
reception, private secretarys's and his
own room, all of which are elaborate.
ly fitted up and would charm Solomon
himself could he but once have an OPP
portunity of reclining in one of the
richly carved divans and surveying
the architects and masons' handwork.
Among the numerous apartments none
attract more attention than
THE EGYPTIAN HALL.
1t is a marvel of massive grandeur
and solidity, with twelve elephantine
columns extending around the hall,
and are fac similes of those in the
principal temples on the Nile. Each
of the walls of the hall is divided by
columns, which stand clear of it, into
five sections, all of which are enriched
with panel decorations, consisting OF
variegated borders. The master is
well provided for in this hall, as his
throne or chair is OF the richest and
most imposing description. His ped
estal, contrary TO the conventional
Masonic rule, is placed at the right OF
the throne, thus giving him an unob.
structed view Of bis brethren. 1t i6
hanked on either side by two myster-
GUS looking Sphynxes, who gaze with
a solemn air OF authority upon the
surroundings. This ball has a seating
capacity for 250 persons. Wandering
around among the labyrintbian passa.
ges OF this huge pile of mortar curl
ously carved door, with symbolic dec.
orations, is met in the northeast cor.
ner of the principal floor. Once thrown
| omen tho interior nf thn
NORMAL HALL
is visible. This is largo apartment,
richly wainscottcd, and is furnished
with quaint and substantial styles OF
furniture. 1t is well ventilated, and
has accommodation for over one hun
dred persons. Not great distance
from this is the Ionic Hall. Its style
is pure, graceful and elegant, but une-
laborate. Its natural ventilation is
perfect, by its exposure on two sides
by numerous windows to the open air.
It's furniture is composed exclusively
of wood, and the beauty Of the room
is further enhanced by twenty odd
marble columns, carved and plain,
which extended around its walls 1t
is seventy five feet long by fifty feet
wide, and is thirty feet high. Next
in dimensions and beauty Of design is
the Banqueting Hall, on the north
side of the structure. This hall is
l50 feet in length by so feet in breadth,
and will seat comfortably upwards of
ive hundred persons. 1t will be used
during the dedicatory ceremonies, and
is now being rapidly overhauled. The
sixteen unique columns that stretch
through it in pairs give grand aspect,
and when its heavily carved tables
groan beneath tho bountiful repast
that will be spread for the distinguish
ed guests, and its immense chandeliers
are illuminated, il will show off to
greater advantage. The cuisine de-
partment Of this hall is located in the
basement beneath, and in size and ap-
pointments will compare favorably
with the largest hotels in the country.
Next inpoint of interest to the body
Masonic, as well as the stranger, Is
the Grand Lodge Hail. Every feature
Of this large chamber is of interest,
from its massive columns down to the
heavily tiled floor Of marble. It's arch
itectural style throughout is purely
Corinthian, the distinguishing feature
of which is the deep and polished capi-
tai, together with q larger cornice
than is observed in the other orders.
Its dimensions are in keeping with
the purposes for which it was designed,
its length being l07 feet, heighth so
feet and width 81 feet. The ventila-
ton and light are admirable. The
furniture will be rich and will consist
of walnut and cedar chairs, divans,
&C., covered with blue velvet. The
facades of the east and west of the
chamber are decorated with orna-
mcnts representing vessels, Of corn,
vino and oil, and over the grand east,
standing out in bold relief, is the in
evitablo square and compass. Over
the grand south and grand west is the
sun Mt high noon and shedding his
parting rays at oventide.
ASYLUM OF CoMMANDERIEs.
Another and beautiful feature of the
Temple is the Asylum of tho Com.
manderies, which is located at the east
end of the principal floor. tits of the
Gothic stylo Of Architecture, and is,
without a doubt, ono of the handsom-
est apartments in the temple II is
reached by two stairways, which lead
TO vestibule, whore are placed foun-
tains, which will flow ice water in It's
season. Tho Gothic Hall, the Rcd
Cross or Council Chamber, tho Cen
tral Main Hall, Northwest Hall, Re
gala Room, Oriental Hall and the
Grand lodge Library, each of which,
If mentioned in detail, would fill col.
umn, are splendidly arranged apart
ments, both as regards size, fitting
up and their styles Of architecture =
They will soon be thrown open to the
public, and then will remain closed
until tho grand event (tbc dedication
day) rolls round. On the evening OF
September 25th there will be grand