Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-09-30


cts adjoining. On this side Of the base.
mer1t. Adjacent TO the Kitchen, all the coal
used is received on the Cuthbert street
front. and is carried thence on railway to
the bins placed conveniently for Che heading
AID cooking apparatus.
THE KNIGHTS TENPLAR APARTMENTS.
Ascending to the upper floor, the visitor
reaches the portion OF the building devoted
to those gallant and envied brethren Of tho
Graft, The Masonic Knights Templar. Their
meetfng-room Is known as the Asylum, and
it has adjacent council chamber, drill
room, banquet ball, smaller rooms intended
for the regalia and assembly rooms Of the
five Conia,anderles, and all the auxiliary
apartments necessary for the services and
work of this renowned Order. The Asy-
lum is ninety feet long, forty-five feet wide
and forty feet high, and extends across the
building from North to South. The central
stairway, coming mp from the principal floor,
terminates in double flight at the vestibule
to the Asylum, where there are two foun-
tains, constructed of variegated marbles.
This vsstibule opaDs-by series Of
doorWavs-upon the assembly and re-
gala rooms, which are upon the
Southern side. Entering the Asylum Il is
found to be Gothic hall, the only one in
the Temple, the groins and pointed arches,
the pinnacles and spires appearing in every
part. Here ars displayed the cross and
crown, the emblems of the Knights, aud
thew appear In all the decorations. The
chandeliers are all made of crosses and
crowns, which thus are represented brill
antly illuminated. On pine forms the
wainscoting. which is finished ia blue and
c,rmine. The furniture, Gothic in all its
decorations, is covered with green leather.
Two lines of seats extend a. ouDd the Asy-
lam, the rear one being raised considers
bic distance above the one In front 80 Is TO
display more fully the figures of sill the un-
formed Knights. A lofty platform bea' s.
the richly ornamented seals of the princi-
pal officers, the Commander, Generalissimo,
Captain. General, and Prelate, while behind
these is the organ.
s In the Red Cross degree, the first of the
knightly orders, necesssr adjunct is the
council chamber. This is an apartment
west of the asylum, and is 40 feet long, Is
feet wide and 25 feet high, with all the nee
essary facilities for the pilgrim, warriors. a
wide avenue extends entirely around the
asylum, and in it are placed three tents for
the guards. The banquet ball OF the
Knights Templar adjoins these apartments,
and is IS feet long, IS feet wide and 20 feet
high. From this southern end Of the asy-
lum the hsll IS approached by an arched
porch Of very fine construction, deeply re-
cessed and having portcullis door in the
center of the recess. Through this a broad
stairway ascepds to the ball above. This
banquet hall will seat $50 persons and has
all tue culinary attachments necessary. 1t,
like all these apartments, is decorated with
the Templar emblems. No windows open
upon thes9 halls and the gas fixtures are
elaborate. A number of other rooms Of
similar size are connected with the asylum,
among them being one to contain the ban
neSs of the Communicates, which will be
from the ceiling In the regalia
and assembly rooms each knight will have
his closet for keeping his uniform and arms.
THE GRAND LODGE LIBRARY.
The library room is located in the south
eastern corner of the 6rss floor, its archi-
lecture being Italian Renaissance. 1t is 90
ees long, 40 feet wide. and 80 feet high,
md is amply lighted by Windows on The
IouCh and east. A row of columns divides
t, they being placed in pairs. 1t is fitted up
If the room, whilst there are also newspa-
Ter stands, reading tables, and other arti-
les of library furniture. Here ara placed |
he six statues from the Grand Lodge |
Room of the Chestnut So Get hail, repre- |
enting Faith, Hope, and Charity, Wisdom,
strength, and Beauty. There are alcoves
n either side of the entrance, one of them |
'eing fitted up rs an Office for the sacgets-
les of lodges. This apartment is intsnded |
Or use as well as ornament, and will be the
spnstory Of complete Masonic Library,
the plans of the Grand Lodge can be
carried out. 1t is the intention
D gather together here every publication
hat can be procured which alates to Free
Masonry, and especially the publications of
Il Masonic bodies in this country. A nu-
leus has already been formed, there being
considerable library that was at the old
alls, whilst frequent purchases are made
I'D books are presented by persons inter-
sted in the project. During 1872 about
3G5 we're expended for Masonic works of
,rity. 1t is the intention 10 keep the ews-
spers of Philade phia aud other cities, and
$50 all Masonic periodical publications, on
ie..
On Saturday from Nm. to 5P. NJ. the
emple will be open to receive visiting
edges ard members, who viii haV5 the op-
ortunity of thoroughly inspecting the
ork.
On Monday the Royal Arch Masons will
adcate their portion of the grand struc-
lrs--!he Grand Chapter taking possession
its Hall with appropriate ceremonies,
with grand banquet.
Tuesday, Sept. 30, tee festivities will
ose by the Knights Templar dedicating
ieir Asylum. From this moment till the
I'd of this grand Masonic Fete, the joy and
10 pride of MasoDs will swell an0 grow,
I'd The admiration of every beholder in
ease. j.