The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-13

PLEASANT EXPERIENCES OF BOSTON KNIGHT
TEMPLAR IN yIRGINIA-HIs RECEPTION AND
ENTERTAINMENT IN RICHMOND.
[From the Boston GIobel
M,. Editor Sir,-Permit an errant Knight
of De Molay and a wauderer from Boston to
relate few Of bis experiences in this beau
tiful city while on brief trip for pleasure
and recreation. l left Boston for Richmond,
as my objective point, for quiet tour OF o6.
servation in Virginia. and without any ex.
pectaton of even being recognized, much
less be.ieged, by single person in this dis
tant quarter. You may, therefore, imasine
nv CONSERVATION when [ found myself,
the moment touched the soil Of
the Old Dominion, the object of spe'
cial attention on the part of almost
every one | met. / was at loss for
some time how to account for this, and
for time thought the people might have
mistaken me for General Grant, Ben. Butler,
Sergeant Bates, Eli Perkins, or Susan b.
Anthony; but l was not long left in doubt
az to the real meaning Of the extraordinary
attentions paid me, for on my arrival at the
hotel was waited upon by committee Of
Richmond Knights Templar, beaded by the
Eminent Commander Of their Commandery,
Sir Knight William E. Tanner, and Sir
Knight o. NJ. Marshall, who tooz me quite
by surprise. These gentlemen, whom at
once recognized as having been among the
guests of the De Molay Commandery at the
Bunker Hill Centennial, proceeded to inform
me, very unceremoniously, that they bad
come TO take charge Of my person and see
that / suffered no detrimept during my
sojourp in the capital of the late Con-
federscy. They explained that this was an
absolute necessity by the situation, because
| was q stranger, and therefore they took
me in, &c. Iconclnded resistance would be
ia vain, and surrendered, like Lee at Apo.
r,attox, to 6 overpoweriDg numbers" OF
course expected to be par0ied, but soon
learned that was TO be kept close prisoner
and held as a hostage for the good behavior
OF De Mosar Commandery. Prison-life is OF
course lrk some, aud although was the same
dss conducted to the Libby, and bad no
chance of escape, I found my captors most
aeniaI and clever sci of ,whoe-souied rebels,
who. while they kept strict watch upon me,
did not for moment restrict my liberty OF
speech or fetter my free actions. Z ~
HoNoas TO TIE REPRESENTATIVE OF MASONRY
s-G-.s ..., In BOSTON. 'uss.T
But, TO be more serious. you feel that It is
almost sacrilege, 10 VIEW vi tno spt.l'o'e. .
manner in which we have been received ana
ieted by our brother Sir In ights OF ibis city,
to indulge in badinsge OF this sort, fspe-
cialiy as it was not to me ersouslly these
bosors were paid, but to De Moaay COM
and the Templarst OF Boston,
through me, their, humble re presentatiFe.
Taking this correct view of the uat tert De-
to act my part to the test OF my
ability, aud assure you, Mr.. Ed. For, at WAS
no easy task.. T have never N, u more
or warm-hearted people, have
pow been in their beautiful citys wh ea IS q
perfect paradise, for nearly Q. week, sn q iney
have scarcely given me q 'moments resi-.
Their attentions have been!se overpowe sing,
and al the same time SO delicate, and I oetr
.e+s Of Kindness SO Spontaneous, thatl I sn-
not lind words IL, which to express my g. M'
,i,ude. And these attentions were by 10 .
means confined to the Masonic fraternity sna .
Sir Knights. but the citizens with whom L,
.ame in contact seemed TO be actuated by tbe
,ane kindly spirit. Eminent Commander
rapner was particularly attentive, and TOOK
,ood care that should miss nothing that
vas worth seeiDg fD aor about Richmond.
We drove to every point Of interest--to Aol-