Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-11-17
KNIGHTS TEMPLARS.
GRAND BANQUET.
DEPARTURE OF VISITING KNIGHTS

When preparations Tor the reception OF the
Grand Commaudery Of Virginia, Knights lem
plars, were first commenced, the subject whch
caused The most trouble and difficulty 10 tie
committees Of Old Dominion Commsndcry,
having the matter in charge, was the want OF =
hall large enough to entertain ali Of their yiS!
tors ut banquet Various expedisnts were
suggested, among them the erection Of u mou
ster teut 90 Royal street. the use Of the ". 4
u. freight depot, &c. Finally it was proposed
to fl up the large framed building on Lee street,
in the rear OF tho Mansion House, but when
| the committee came to look at ils coEdllou,
| they almost despaired OF makiog anything Of
it. However, to work they went, and BY dlnt
ofdrainage, whitewashiDg and much hard work,
| they finally got /! dry aud clean. There still
| remained, however, the rough board walls and
uasight!y rattsrs and beams Nothlog dauni-
ed the committee worked like bees, day aad
night in season aud out OF season, and inaiiy
accomplished their desire by mesamcrphoslng
the old framed barracks into the fairy palace
which greeted the eyes Of the guests as they
catered the door last night. Large a,gs, repro
sentDg all tie nations Of the earth, were sus-
pended from the ceiling and tied back in grace
full folds, forming two lcug arches extending
the entire length Of the room. The pillars sup
porting the roof were wrapped with the lem.
p|ar coors aud decorated With sgoal aud small
rational flags, while on the walls hung shields
covering crossed swords ADD bearing the vari-
Gus emblens of Templarsm aad hcraliry. At
short distances throughout the hall pennsuts
hung from the ceiling bearing the Damcs OF HE
various subordinate Communicates ofthe Stale.
About seventy or eighty cages containing Ca
nary birds were hung round the room, while
hanging Baskets bouquets and pyramids Of
flowers lent beauty to the scene. The grand
centre piece OF flowers was most superb pyra
mid, above which, suspended from the ceiling,
was snow white dove, bearing in its beak i
spris OF green, typical Of the olive branch oil
peace. At the head Of the room, land just back
of the seat CT the Grand Commander, there
were suspended on either side, full length por.
traits CT Washington and Lafayette, both IL
Masonic regaa. Between the two pictures
was perchcd large American eagle, havirg
pendent from bis beak Latin cross. The cen!rt
table was set 10 the torm.of a cross, with thu
seats for the Grand Commandery and Counc
Officers placed around the head and arms, while
the lower seats were filed by members Of suj.
ordinate Communicates. There we're four ether
tables, extending the whole length Of the room,
Two on each side oil the main table
The tables themselves were arranged il the
most magnificent style. each guest having 4
button hole bouquet placed beside his plate sud
being provided with PROGRAMME and bill Q!
isre which :or lis unique design and beautiful
finish deserves more than passing notice. Il
is in the shape OF shield bearing Oh its out
side surface Maltese cross and q crown VIII
the inscription. Old Dominion Commandery
No. IL, *. H., Alexandria, Va" Inside, upon
leaves tied up with ribbon, ere the Roster oi
the Graod Commandery Of Virginia. The st
OF visiting Communicates, the full ist Of TIE
officers ana Sir Knights of Old Dominion
Conmaudery, the programme oil tie exercises
consequent upon the meeting Of the Grand
CommaGdery, and The bill Of fare for the bau-
4Get. The whole forms most Interesting
and beautiful souvenir OF the festive nccaslou,
aud was highly priZsd by the visitors. & i:
the design and work Of Sir James r. hlcy
arder, the POI ular Recorder eli Old Dominion
ComMandery, and reflects great credit upon
his taste AID ingenuity.
Ofthe creature comforts oil the OCCASION the
following bill OF !are will speak more cioupcul'
| II Than anything the reporter could say
l.aw Oysters in Ice Boats.
| ROASTS.
Turkey, Duck,
| Cranberry Sauce. i.utrsnt jelly.
Iig-Grape Jelly.
ENTREES
Baked liam, Oysters Fried, Ok Tongue,
Chicken Salad, Lobster Salad.
RELIsHEs.
Celery, i'rou;h Mustard, Mixed Pickles,
Worcestershire Sauce, l1orse Hadi>h,
Chow. Chow, Cold Siaw, Picked Eggs,
Walut Catsup, Tomato Catsup.
Fruit, Jelly, Sponge, Pound, Marble, Orange,
Macaroon, Fancy Form
nEsERT.
Jcllics-Shcrry Wine, Brandy, Strawberry
! Fruits. aud Nuts,
| Malaga Grapes, California Grapes, G7angts &,
Apples, Almonds, Eilbsrts, aud
English Walnuts,
French Rolls and Old Virginia Biscuit
Tea, CSages. and Chocolate.
Champagne Punch, Claret pauch, Puocir Il.
kubeD, Old Domion Punch.
Clar.t Sherry, Ausgzuschcuder Gerslcnsat,
& h N pagnc.
| Cigars.
Shortly after seven O'Clock the guests ar
rived and matching 10, in single lie under the
lead of Grand Commander Withers, and es.
corted by Eminent Commander Reed and the
Sir Euig hts Of Old Dominion Commaodery,
they took their places at the tables. As soou
as all were in their seats, the company vas
called to order By, hEinent Commander Reed,
who gave the order to remove helmets, after
which Sir Knight Georgia.. Musbbach of Cd
Dominion Commandery delivered az address
of welcome to the visitors. He said:
EMINENT SIR AID SIR kNIGHTs-Thc Grand
Commaldery of Virginia did wise thing, and
fit and advantage of our order in this State,
when few years ago it left the beaten track