Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-14

llSIS. lleS6 vert AsaSh NSH
mandery, No. /, and Memphis, No. 4.
The drill continued for about two
hours. the time being equally devided
between the two. Memphis Comman-
derv. Nc. 4.-The drill of this com-
mandery was as zeal perfect as any
military drill we have ever seen.
There were twenty knights Of this
cemmandery in the ranks and for an
hour they performed the evolu-
lions without a single mistake
and with few breaks in the
accuracy and percision Of their
movements. They had been we'll
drilled and had evidently come to
Knoxville with the intention o fcarry-
ing off the prize. The greater mum
Der of them are middle aged men and
they carried themselves like veterans.
Cheer after cheer went up from the
immense crowd of spectators at the
performance of each difficult move
ment. These knights should be
proud Of their achievements. Nash
Vile C~ommandery, No. 1.-The drill
squad of this splendid commandary
consisted of eighteen members and
their training has been close and ac
curate. They have carried off the
prize in more than one competitive
drill in former years. The Knights
Templar tactics when exempliiCd are
indeed beautiful. The movements are
graceful and natural and the Nashville
Commandery is thoroughly acquainted
with them and but little more prac-
tice would make the knights well
nigh perfect in the manual.
1t was nearly seven o'clock in the
afternoon when the contest was de-
olared ended and the multitude
moved back to the city.
The banquet given that night was
deliberately described. 1t was perhaps
the most elegant affair of the kind
ever given in East Tennessee, if not
in the state or the south. A few
features of the occasion arc thus
described:
Crossing the bridge connecting the
Lamar house with the Opera-house
and entering the latter, a fairy scene,
as if created by the wand OF some
magician, burst upon u view.
The hall, by removing the staging
and benches, was transformed into a
vast reception room. The main tables
in the center were arranged in the
shape of a double cross, while smaller
tables were ranged under the galleries,
but all on the main floor of the hall.
The w~ainscoating of the galleries was
divided into sixteen panels each sep.
Grated from the other by flags hung
crosswise, while each center contained
a templar emblem surrounded by
wreaths and capped by small banners.
Between the bronze pillars supporting
the galleries were graceful festoons of
evergreens, and from the center of
each hung baskets or ferns and flowers,
while each pillar was decorated with
exquisite flower crowns. These orna-
mentations we're the haudiwork of the
ladies who served on the committee
of decoration, under the directions OF
Miss Carrie Bell.
The stage was transformed into a
garden, and from the front and center
was suspended a gorgeous butterfly Of
immense proportions, made entirely of
flowers and shaded into the brilliant
tints of a natural butterfly. This was
the work of Mr.. NJ. Nicholson, and
well did he deserve the praise bestow-
ed upon it by all present.
But the floral decorations which
eclipsed anything ever seen in this
city, and which have never been ex-
celled anywhere in this union, were
furnished by our whole-souled, pub
lie spirited fellow citizen, Hon. Perez
Dickinson. They were his contribu-
ton and helpe'l DO little to beautify
the hall. But, while Mr.. Dickinson
deserves all praise for his liberality
the man who designed, shaped and
perfected them into things Of joy and
beauty, is the superintendent of Mr.,
Dickinson's island, VIM. Hall, Esq
Knoxville has much talent, but We
assert, without hesitation and without
fear Of contradiction, that for skill in
execution and talent in designing
floral decorations, Mr.. Hall has no su,
periOr in this country.
The following is a list of the deco.
r%ations: In the center of the table
stood a temple some five OF SIX feet
high, approached by three steps on all
sides, made Of the leaves of Colen:
and white flowers; seven columns sup
ported an oval dome, and the whole
was surmOunted by a cross and crown
The whole structure was made o.
flowers and leaves and blended Sc
harmoniously that it had the appear.
ance of mosaic. On another table
stood a double Maltese cross, beddeC
in a foundation representing unhewr
stones. This was made out ofhowers
arranged TO resemble the hues of thu
rainbow. On another table was
Templar cross with triangle; at an
other place a square, a trOwel and
wreath. On each side Of the beauti
full butterfly already mentioned, there
was also a magnificent star and
square and compass.
Mr.. James d. Cowan also contrib
3 ute6 a pyramid Of ferns and flower
something like six feet high.
The tables groaned under the great
est variety Of luxuries.
AT a late hour that evening tn.
E prize sword won ythe Memphis Com
mapdeFy, was formally presented b.
Right Eminent Commander Of Ohio
j. X. Neal, as chairman Of the com
mittee of judges, amid vociferou
cheers. Hon. H. II. Ingersoll, 0
Knoxville, then delivered a chaste an,
I classic address, which had the tru
rino &C o.o4-v .La-k - mbsc mn