The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-07-08
TRENTON LETTER.

IhENtON LEAlEn
One of the finest, largest and most
magnificent parades of the kind that ever
took place in this city, was that of the
Sir Knight Templars, which took place
on Wednesday, June Gath.
There were sixteen Communicates OF
! that order in procession, and each COM
pany had band of music in attendance.
| Twelve of these bands were of first-class
brass instruments and the remaining
we're excellent drum and fife corps. The
day was not oppressively hot, but the
temperature of the weather favorable to
first-class marching orders.
Early on Wednesday morning, the
small boy was on hand in anticipation of
a grand holiday. Public schools opened
for half of the day only, the domestic did
her marketing early in view Of big din
ner, our general merchants commenced
decorating their establishments soon after
breakfast, and at A. M. the first drum
was heard at the head of our Trenton
Commandery, to escort the first arrival
from the Clinton street depot. About 8
A. M, our visiting bodies commenced
to arrive and from that hour up to noon,
it was marching and countermarchlug on
the principal streets of our city, accom-
panied with the continual and attractive
music of the several brass bands then on
constant duty.
1t would be difficult to state which
Commandery, as they arrived, looked the,
finest and which band played the best
music. They were all and each fine set
of men. To abbreviate, they were on
par with each other. The uniform of the
order was such as to lift man up in
stature, as we'll as in appearance. We
never conceived body of men could be
brought together on such uniformity of
style.
When the old town clock struck twelve
at noon, the Corson Commandery, of As
bury Park, brought up in the rear as in
vited guests, and still think there was
company that came later, for about l
o'clock John Chapman was guiding
newly arrived party down Warren street
to Washington Hall, in which big din
ner was spread for all companies who
were not quartered at our hotels. 1t was
generally admitted that we took care of
the boys before and after the parade, as
far as the dinner appetite and the quepch-
ing of the thirst were concerned.
From to 3 o'clock, ranks were broken
loose and the streets of tho city had the
appearance of a general and complete
holiday. We all mixed and mingled to-
gether, as il we were of one fraternity.
The Sir Knight made himself agreeable
with those in citizen dress, and our citi-
zens manifested spirit of hospitality
toward the plumed gentlemen. During
the hour from to 8, very impressive
ceremonies were being performed at the
dedication of the Palestine Asylum, at
the new Temple, superb structure of
magnificent design and workmanship.
Ats P. M. sharp, the line of the long
anticipated parade commenced to form on
East Hanover street, facing Greene. In
less than one hour the main body moved
and by o'clock the whole procession was
in motion. Your correspondent took his
stand at the foot of the Greene street
hill and the opening into Broad street.
What beautiful spectacle we witnessed.
A novel sight to us and duplicate we
do not expect to witness for some time to
come: and the order and system and
precision in their march, were equal to
that of the highest military order. 1t
did not take long for this body of men
to cut over Broad street. through Mar
ket, and return through Lamberton street
for it was noticed that there was COM
paratively short interval between the
rear on the Assanpink of Greene street,
and the head of the parade on the As
sanpink of Warren street. A few minu-
tes later we located ourselves before
Vansant's Drug Store, on State street,
and took final view on their straight
course in the direction of the Normal
School. BY this time these tight-laced
fellows began to show little fatigue.
1t was not until 6 O'Clock and after that
the main line broke ranks, after having
been reviewed by the chief heads OF the
Communicates, on tho balcony of the
American House. We were present at
the dissolution of the parade, and 1t was
done with as little confusion as in its
formation three hours previous. We ad.
mire the skill and discipline of these Sir
Knights, as marchers. They showed ex-
cellent drill-the home and State Com
manderies, as we'll as those from abroad,
and our Jersey boys presented as dignifed
an appearance as those from the National
Capitol, or from the keystone State.
At p. NJ, quetness and rest reigned
throughout the city, as VIC were all at our
evening lunch, but that inevitable brass
band turned up again, preparatory to the
great Masonic ball, as special pro-
gramme of the evening. The electric
lights shone forth their lustric lights, and
by 8 p M. the main entrance was opened,
leading from the street into the hall, in
which the ball was being inaugurated for
the evening, A canvas canopy was erect
ed at the street entrance, convenient to
those who came in coaches and for those
who were attired in their evening dress.
We were on hand when the first carriage
arrived. The toilettes were elegant and
much admired by a thousand sight-seers,
anxious to get glimpse of the same.
1t seemed that nature had smiled on
this royal occasion, all during the day,
away into the late hours of the evening.
The moon never shone more beautiful than
that night; the weather was favorable to