Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-09-06
Alexandria.

Alexandria.
In the north side of the new market edice is
located an institution, on the possession o
which all of the local population justly pride
tbcmselves-this is the old Washington l. odge,
No, 80, +. A. NJ, presided over By tue im-
mortal himself, aud in whose honor it was
named Subsequently, however, the oesslon of
Alexandria 10 the District rendered necessary
change in the title, and the old Masonic
branch was rechristened as the Alexandria
Washington L dg2, No. %. Through the very
kind courtesy Of MIR. Stewart and faniliarly
Known as Shad, moreover, a local character down
here, as much SO as is (not Abdul Brad, the
Duke Adams, 10 Washngton-the many mys.
t,res ofthis graud old repository OF kevolu-
tionsry relics, aud, at the same time, the ST.
lenrly Impressive character OF the l. ,dge rooms
themselves were opened to my rapt attention.
Not, as yet, having been Initiated into the mys-
,erious language and details, Incident to Ma
soury, am terribly at fault 10 describing prop
erIy what was seeo, but can only resolve to out
face lidicuIe in this regard, and to beg, at the
same time. "for charity
The first lodge ro0m--there are two OF them
is called, feel tempted to hazard, the B.ue
Chamber. The carpet, In this long, spacious
apartment, the curtains, the furniture hDlsh-
everything-is blue, and the suorays piercing
those many shades, all closed, has the effect
of dashipg the entire room with blush air.
at once novel and impressive Here may be seen
the chair of state which was occupied 80 often
bv Washington as the Grand Master OF the
lodge, aud still retained in aso the gave with
which be ruled proceedings 10 the inner temple;
also the two "esser Lights belonging, of
course, to the lodge, and carried 10 the funeral
procession which escorted the remains OF the
immortal to their last resting place This same
room fairly teens with relics OF every descrlp
ton, AMI continues 10 the custody of the old
lodge. Washiugton's chamber clock is here;
il is curious piece of mechanism. wrought by
George Medhurst London aud has its pen
duum hung 10 the center; still retained in
its oIdeo condition, the hands yet point at Il g
hour when the fist and best of Presidents
breathed his lasl-twenty minutes after ten
o'clock, ION the evening, as history tells US, OF
December IA, 1891
There is also painting of Washington, exc
cuted 10 1894 by order of his lodge; also, a
painting OF Lne Marquis de Lafayette, executed
when the distinguished was but twenty. TWO
years of age, aud presented to Washington;
also, the lodge charter, dated 1888, aud the
pictures Of the members, who constituted the
lodge 10 1904 all grouped 10 one frame; also,
small likeness of DR.. f. Z. Dick, who read the
service at the grave OF Washington. Two cases,
having glass doors, are located oD the lett SIDE
OF the room, aud contain the following array of
relics, grateful sight for the patriot Of to
day-(ceDtenna pilgrims please take notice }
A piece of Washington cotic and coffin cloth;
boot strap or garter; piece OF Braddock' coat,
worn at the time of his death; Washington S
wedding gloves; piece of his tent at nrktown;
stick of sealing wax found in his escrtolre, aud
last used by him; box made OF the wood OF
Shakspeare's famous mulberry tree, and under
the branches whereof the bard delighted to SIT
and mediate; Washington's penknite, given
him by his mother when he was twelve years
of age, and kept by the great ian untli ne was
ffty-six; a cupping instrument belonging o
Washington; his field compass. his h"id
spurs; Masonic apron worked by Mrs Cen
era Lafayette, and presented to WashIog-
ton; button of the kind fashionable at
Washington's first inauguration, 10 llo9; an
Iudian tomahawk Of stoue. found on the bills
surrounding the Ksuawha river; copy OF a
printed invitation aud plate found 10 Washing
tou's effects; the right haad glove worn by
Washington while 10 mourning TOR bis mother;
Washipgton's pruning knife; button from the
first inauguration; medal of Washington, pre-
sented to him by D. Eccleston Lancaster, esq.,,
the founder of free schools in England; silver
dollar of 1899; piece OF the old vault which re-
eeived Washington 8 remains, and few other
reminders OF those days which are supposed 10
have tried mems souls.
In vet another mysterious chamber, whose
prevailing color my minds eye, or more prop
ery. perhaps my eyes miud, does not at this
minute recall, may be seen, among an army OF
such, the following additional relics: paint
iuy of Thomas, Sixth Lord of Fairfax, who en-
ployed Washiugton as Ills surveyor; COLLECTOR D
of hueIy wrought glassware belonging to the
lodge; Masonic apron belonging to Brother Dr.
James Craik, surgeon general OF the revolu.
tionary war: a trio ofletters, written by the ltD-
mortal. and dated respectively December 2o,
1883, June l9 1884, and November II, 1899.
this last one only one short month prior to his
death;) aud the two following wrltiogs OF olden
times, whose several prescriptions shall end
this inventory Que Of these is az admttance
to a gentleman S ball, aud is written on the re
verse of the eight ofspadcs, (provlng that even
In those days there were prohclents 10 the
handling of deck.) 1t reads:
Ticket for the Geutlemen's Free Masons'
Ball, to be given at the Market House ID
freuerlckSbur', on M0unaY, Tue AoIu Dcceunl' :
DAVID BLAIR, Secretary, 1867.
The other is document OF more stable tenor
Shipped, by the grace of God, 10 good or
der aud well condi,inu, by William Lee 10 aud
upon the good ship called the Friendship,
whereof is mas cr under God, for this present
voyage William Romaiu. and now riding {, OF
suchor 10 the rivrr Thames, aud, by G' $
grace, bound for rsi1ia. to say Oaa CASE
one trunk, one uox Of merchandise, belnt
N rk' d AID numbered as in the margln, anc
are to BE- delivered iu like coed order and vel
conditioned at the aforesaid Pv,t of Va, toe
dangers Of the seas only aocepted,) uoto Mrs
Anne Washington at Pope's Greek, Potomas
River, or to hlr assigns, freight for the sd good
being pd with plim .ge aud average accu,tou
ed 10 witness whereof the Master or Purse
OF the sd ship hath affirmed to 3 bills of L..dlni
all OF this tenor aud date; the one of which
A.. L Al 49, -