The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-08-28
county are highly erstiaed IL the nomination

i IL
al resident Of BatHing ham county, TIo
recently spent q week liz town, went, away
thoroughly Disguised with life In Danville.
He said he could tiud no one who had time
| to talk to him, and caught himself eating
faster, walking faster. and sleeping less, He
thinks his heart gave ten beats per minute
more than usnsl, and wonders that there are
any old men here, sG
His Honor Judge Alexander Rives Is hold
ing court here this week. ALPHA.
@I
KNIGHTS TEMpLAR-A GENsssE DAMASCUS
SwoRD.-Among the many, and probably
one of the greatest, curiosities held by any
Commandery ia Philadelphia. Is the beauti-
full Damascus weapon 10 possession Of Phil
adelphia Commaudery, No. 9, and which is
carried upon all great occasions by Mr.. Wit
liam Penn Walters, the grand sword-bearer
Of the Commandery, who values the weapon
so highly that he refuses to accept any other
position, ard has even declined to be Emf.
nent Commander. A sketch Of the history
or description of.the sword has never been
published, and Sir Mark MuckJe is the only
gentleman who is supposed to know the full
history Of it.
Below Will be found condensed descrip-
ton Of its loss and recovery: Away back in
the fifties the sword was presented to Phila-
delpha Commandery BY widow lady who
was not cognizsnt where the article had
originally come from. It was kept In The
asylum Of the Commapdery for some time,
and one day was missed, but no one ever
knew who took it or how it got outside.
Fifteen years rolled around. when Sir Wal.
tiers. who, 10 conjunction with Sir George
". Kendrick and others, had been active in
p; pbibadeI Gamma n6pry ais.
covered the missing sword in pawnhroker's
shop. The broker id not know who
pawnet 1t, and SO the mystery remains dark
even unto to-day. The sword is about
three feet long, and curves like an Oriental
weapon.
II is what is called true Damascus blade,
and will bend double, and spring back with
such force as TO almost raise one of his feet.
The edge is so keen that one blow with It
would sever mans head from his body.
The blade is gided on both sides, anti marks
thereon lead to the belief that the weapon
was made before America was discovered.
The handle is of solid gold, inlaid with
ivory, and is very massive. The scabbard
is of steel, the end inclosed In heavy gold
setting. On the upper end of the scaobard
is the following insert ption: William
Williams, Esq, member Of Parliament, and
John CHARLES White, Esq, IN testimony OF
their friendship, present this sword to Colo
mel Flames Hamilton, who inspired by free
dom combined the noble ardor to- promote the
welfare Of Columbia, with an enlightened
| regard to British interests" The name of
F. Richards & Co., London, is inscribed uu-
der this. On the sword are numerous fig
ures of Orientas and Indians, and the coat
ofarns of the present Duke of Hamilton,
with the word "Thorough" suspended
from the bottom. The following inscrip.
tons are also upon the sword: " RepubIica
de Columbia" d" Memo me lmpune Laces'
Sit" The latter quotation is in circle sur
| rounding knight in full armor on horse.
| back. There is 8 representation of Christ
with Mary at his bed; and Joseph, who the
Scriptures say was his father, and the wo-
men who discovered him. Gabriel is repre-.
Seuted upon it as blowing trumpet, while
! immediately beneath is a female figure repre-
Senting "Justice with drawn sword.