Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-08-26
EDITORIAL coRa.sponDIncs.


EDITORIAL coRREsp0xDEncE.
A Hint of the 5plendors Astounding
In San Francisco The Procession
"A Few Notes of Templar Week
California Hospitality.
DEAR HERALp;--The current has been
very eventful week for San Francisco.
For the first time in my experiences Of
the city have been reminded of the
stir and life and teeming multitudes Of
Broadway, New York City, on a gala
day. While the attendance of Sir
Knights from the East has not been as
great as was expected, the Pacific Coast
acquitted itself royalty both in the num-
bers of their representation and in the
splendid character OF their uniforms and
insignia The procession, which could
not claim anything approaching to the
$1,000 Sir Knights who were in line in
the last demonstration held in Chicago,
was nevertheless goodly and striking
pageant, by far the most brilliant and
imposing which was ever witnessed on
this coast. The estimates of the num-
Der of the Sir Knights in line range
from five to seven thousand, including
the bands. As TO the strangers who
were brought to the city in their wake,
fifty thousand is moderate estimate.
The week opened by devotional SER
vices at the pavilion on Sunday. Three
o'clock was the hour appointed for the
ceremonial. As early as twelve tho
people began TO pour into the immense
edifice-a wise precaution, as the event
proved. This was not q case Of the first
being last and the last first, according
to the scriptural precedent. Those who
came late had the modification OF find
ing every inch Of standing room, even,
already occupied. was amongst those
who thus found themselves excluded.
However. il goes without saying that
the Pavilion had been gorgeously deco
rated. 1t must have been an interest
ing spectacle to see the Californians,
who are not exceptionally given to de.
votion, on their marrow bones for the
quite considerable time taken up in
prayer. Use is said to make perfect,
and lady informs me that from tho
platform she could clearly discern the
fact that many Of the worshipers were
tyros at kneeling, The Sunday lsmon-
stration was success from every point
OF view and clearly foreshad owed a
brilliant outcome for the procession.
A PEsIrEsrIAL PROGRESS DEooRA-
TIoNs.
No one who has not visited San Fran.
cisco during the past year or so, can
have any idea OF the hardships attend
ing the faithful going through OF
marching and, quite as bad, standing
programme which consumed some six or
seven hours. The cobble stones of this
gracious city once felt of can never be
forgotten. Perhaps the ragged and torn
wooden roadways are even worse.
Many a loyal Sir Knight will date ruined
feet, corns, bunions and contusions
innumerable from that long and merci-
less tramp. They applied themselves to
the task, however, with the stoicism of
heroes. One old templar, who must have
weighed fully three hundred pounds,
walked every foo. of the way with the
lightness of foot OF a sixteen year old
boy.
Never in her history has San Fran
cisco been SO profusely decorated as on
the present occasion. While in the
mass these embellishments may right
fully be described az OF the cheap and
nasty order, there are many exceptions
to this rule. Looking down any of the
principal streets one is forcibly i'm
pressed with the idea of legion of
Chinese wash yards having been struck
by lightning, Millions of little stream.
ers and square pieces of muslin, inscribed
with the Templar's cross and leading
notices, ornament Market, Montgomery
and every other noteworthy avenue of
the city. To great extent, were it not
for the effigies and notices inscribed on
them, they would remind one of pro.
fusion of baby linen hung out to dry.
The general effect is gay rather than
impressive. Occasionally, as notably in
the case of Bancrofts store on Market
street, the embellishments show lavish
money outlay and marked good taste.
There has been but limited employ
ment of bunting in festooning buildings,
the intention OF the great mass OF those
who have decorated being evidently to
get off as cheaply as they could, while
appearing to do their part in giving
holiday aspect to the city. Aprofusion of
honest American flags floating from the
leading business houses has done much
to relieve the otherwise tawdry aspect
of many of the streets.
THE PROCESSION.
Through the courtesy of Gen. Bouton
! was afforded capital view of the pro.
cession from his windows on the Market
street front of the Baldwin Hotel No
more perfect site could have been Sc
lected, as the view embraced the whole
sweep of thoroughfare from the corner
Of Montgomery and Market streets to
the Pavilion, | shall not attempt to
rival in minuteness the detailed accounts
Of the procession which have appeared
in the San Francisco newspapers. Suf-
fee it to say that with the exception OF
the turn out to welcome Alexis, which |
witnessed in New York eleven years
ago, it surpassed everything in my recol-
lection. The uniform of the knights
Templar is garish and martial, and the
effect of masses of elegant fellows clad
in black. with waving white and black
plumes, with bright sashes and belts, |