The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-30
Providence Journal.I
knightly Tokens.

The excursion OF Saint Johns Com
mandery, Knights Templar, to Richmond,
Va, in May last, and their lavish reception
and entertainment by the Richmond and
st. Andrews Communicates OF that city,
rs we'll as the extension OF courteses by
De MOlay Commandery OF Washington,
BcauSant COmmandery Of Baltimore, and
Fredericksburg Commandery Of that
town, on their passage thither, are
recorded and enthusiastically admitted
TO have been the most delightful,
the most elaborate, and freighted with
the most heartfelt and spontaneous outflow
OF knightly spirit and fraternal cordiality,
coupled with generous and mSinted eX-
pcnditurc OF time and resources, i'm the his
tory OF the COmmandery. And this whole
s0uled and continuous outpouing Of hos
pitality was not confined TO the Sir Knights,
for the fair ladies OF the party met with the
most delicate and attentive recognition
from their southern sisters and the recep-
tion committees, composed in part Of Sir
knights. And il was the most natural
thing in the world, after the st. Johns
and their ladies had reached home, that the
latter should quietly, perscveringly. and
with cOmmendable enthusiasm, set about,
by holding private meetings and other
means best known to them, TO devise some
expression of gratitude and recognition Of
the pslitc attention and indeiatigable as
siduity OF their hosts, which should serve
as Il memento Of the occasion. To their
credit be it said, the committee, consisting
OF Mrs. Slllman White, Mrs. Fitz James
Rice, and Miss Matte GortOn, had COM
pletcd the arrangements for the manufac-
ture and design Of the proposed tokens ere
the Sir Knights had fairly inaugurated their
plans for similarly paying tribute to the
liberality, courtesy, and attention of their
entertainers. But the knowledge Of each
others intentions interpOsed no obstacle
TO the preparation OF an elaborate and taste
full collection OF testimonials without re-
gard TO cost, with beauty Of design and
finished workmanship, and at n brilliant
gathering OF the Knights, ladies, and
friends on the evening Of the 18th instant
the tokens were placed on exhibition, and
awakened general admiration and satisfac-
tion with the taste and good judgment OF
the committees.
on TO RICHMOND.
On the afternoon of Thursday, 18th in
slant, the special committee OF the Com
mandery, consisting OF Eminent Com
mander, Sir George Ii. Rhodes X. +. Sir
George III. Burnham; Z. z. Sir Stillman
White; Sir Knights John HesthcOte,
Thomas +. Arnold, and William l.. Walker,
left Providence in the afternoon direct for
Richmond, and arrived at their destination
about noon on Friday, bearing with them
the emblems Of esteem and appreciation.
by some occult means 0or the visit was
believed to be unheralded), delegation OF
Richmond COmmandcry WAS at the depot,
and escorted The Providence Knights to the
hotel. Subsequently, the city and its envi-
rOns were viewed under escort OF the Rich
monds, who lost no opportunity to extend
even the slightest courtesy. The preSenta-
ton of the testimonials took place in st. Al
bans Hall, Richmond Commandery holding
a regular conclave on that evening. The
delegation met with 4 warm reception from
the Sir Knights OF Richmond and st. An
dreW's Communicates upon its entrance,
Eminent Commanders ISaacs, Tower, and
Thomas Evans extending graceful and cor
dial greetings. At the proper moment
Eminent Commander Rhodes, Of st. Johns,
stepped forward, and in touching and elO-
qucnt phrase bcsought Commanders Tower
and Evans, in behalf Of their respective
lodges. TO receive the testimonials from the
Providence CommandeTy. They consisted
of two full sets Of officers Jewels, SIX
teen in each set, OF solid gold, and OF the
finest workmanship, and also handsomely
engrosscd testimonials in coIors, enclosed
in neat, tasteful frames. The recipients
were thoroughly surprised, and their re-
sponses were made with the most touching
and vet gratifying evidences Of emotion
and deep feeling. Then the members OF
the Ladies' Reception Committee, thcfayor-
cd seven being Sir Geo. 4. Hundley Chair
mani. Sir knights William j. Gentry, +.
c. Stacy, William c. Schaefier, +. ID. Dun
lop, II. Z. Macomber, and l.. d. Crenshaw,
were summoned TO the front, and Z. Il.
Sir Stillman White, OF st. Johns, pre-
sented them, in behalf Of the ladies
of Providence who participated in
the pilgrimage, with seven gold Knights
Tenplar charms, handsomely mounted,
with the names OF the recipients thereon
and the inscription, "From the Ladies OF
Saint Johns COmnandery." The charms
were i'm the form OF q cross and locket,
and were OF the most chaste and artistic
workmanship. The septettc made pleasant
responses, and the ceremonies were over.
The ST. Johns were then conducted to the
bauquet-hall, where a fine collation. was
served. and thence to the Westmorelsnd
Club. which is one Of the most elegant and
aristocratic in the South. The Grand
Master of Virginia, Peyton 5. Cole,
Grand Commander OF Knights Tenn
plar Regnault, and other distinguished
members of the order were met and pre-
sented there. The following day Past
Commander Of Richmond Commandery,
Sir William L. Tanner, invited the party
To his elegant residence, where they were
royally entertained for an hour or two, and
then the water-wOTks, Hollywood ceme-
fery. the Commercial Club, the State-house,
and. indeed, every conceivable spot OF his
toric interest or local pride, was visited,
and n continual round of courtesies and
freo-hearted hospitality were encountered.
ON Sunday the st. Johns attended service
at the old 81. Johns church famous in
being the place where Patrick Henry
made hls grand patriotic speechl, ana
met with a pleasant reception from the
nastor. Rev. Mr.. Weddell, and the congre-
1ation. after the service, the recognition
being exceedingly pleasant and affecting 10
Yhe visitors. ON the following Monday the
Saint Johns, by invitation OF the Richmond
Communicates, accompanied them 10 lork-
town, and occupied pleasant quarters VITA
them in camp, the tent set apart for them
being fitted up with every convenience OBJ
tainable and every attention being shown
TO their comfort and enjoyment OF the
celebration. The Saint Johns joined
with their guests in the Masonic
procession and laying Of the cornerstone,
and ON the following day were present al
the musical exercises in compliment TO the
French and German visitors. While ut
Yorktown the st. Johns meG the Frede-
ricksburg Commandery, from whom they
...-..i..od Lrl.rhll,. Attention on flair lOIlr-