The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1885-01-07

Arrangements are being made on very
extensive scale for the ball and dedication
ceremonies, at the new Light Infantry
| Armory, to be held on tho evening of the
| goth instant. The building is nearly ready,
and exceeds all expectations, even those of
the corps and its most enthusiastic friends.
How are you getting along with the
work on the new armory? VIII you have
it ready for occupancy by the Goth ?" asked
THE CRITIC of Mr.. W. b. Gray, of Gray &
Paige, tho architects for tho Washington
Light Infantry Corps new armory, this
morning.
Nicely" replied Mr.. Gray, "aud as TO
being ready for occupancy by the Goth, why
we are putting on the finishing touches al
ready. am on my way there now If
You will accompany mo you can see tor
YOURSELF The invitation to visit the new
armory in company with this gentleman
was Of course accepted. "The Infantry
Corps has been buAeted about this city
long enough" said Mr.. Gray, as he per-
ambulated leisurely toward the armory
building.
They deserve this grand armory aud
am glad to SEQ them have it. During the
past few years the corps has been moved
ever, they have been we'll paid for their
adversities, and on the twentieth day of
this month the boys will stack arms in one
OF the finest arm0ries in the country, and
there they will remain with the best
wishes Of us ALL" BY this tune the armory
had been reached An entrance was Of
fected through tho main Fifteenth street
doorway, north Of the opera house ap.
pIoaches.
The door, which is seven feet wide is
level with the street and can be entered
oasily by the corps in column of tours.
Just above the entrance, chiseled in con-
cave block of red granite, are tho letters
"W. L. l. G." forming monogram. Pass
ing down short flight of steps short turn
10 the right brings the visitor to the en-
trance of the arinory proper.
This is the armory," said Mr.. Gray.
what do you think of it?"
A first glance into that spacious room
would be apt TO cause any person to express
wonder at its immense dimensions. The
dimensions are SO feet wide by lib feet long.
The ceilings, which are Is feet high, are OF
tongue and groove boards, laid of in panels
by mouldings. The centre of each panel
is painted sky.blue. The mouldings are
of darker shade, making very pretty
and tasteful contrast.
The immense apartment with its grace
tions presents as attractive ballroom and
drillroom as could be desired.
1t has been designed and every detail
carried out with the greatest care aud re-
gard for the comfort and perfection of tho
ballroom.
Five.nch girders pass across the room,
and each girder is supported by an iron
pillar eight feet high. The room Is en-
circled by a panelcd Misunderstanding,
neatly PAINTED.
Come, let me show you the facilities"
said Mr.. Gray, as he led the way towards
door on the left in the rear of the armory.
This is to be the lOcker-r0om. and it Is
eleven feet by twenty-five feet. Each
member is to have his own locker. There
Is room enough here for double the mem
beers, and here is tho kitchen, fourteen feet
square, and which will be used only on
such occasions as receptions balls, etc."
These two rooms which are communica-
ting, are the only rooms in the rear Of the
armory, and both have doors which open
into the armory room. Between these
doors the gun-rack will be placed.
About midway on tho left on entering
is the music stand; at the west end or front
Of the armory are four communicating
rooms for the accommodation of the
officers Each room has a door opening
into the aimory. Passing out into the
dnnSAb dhCouuluB TWO nights OF bUhlr5,
brings the visitor to the Coouel's room
and library, while on the floor above are
the honorary members and quartermas-
ter's rooms.a The rooms above these will be
used by tho quartermaster as storerooms.
The members of the Infantry have been
somewhat impatient to get into the new
armory, and members visit 1t daily TO watch
the progress of the work. There will be
every attraction possible for the Infantry
in their new quarters, and not much diff
Guilty will be experienced hereafter in Sc
curing full company on drill nights.
The armory in exterior design, interior
arrangements and facilities is the equal of
any in the country erected for an organ
ization of similar size.
The invitations to the Light Infantry
reception aud ball are very neatly engraved
and artistically designed.
They are the work of Mr.. J. G. Entwistle
and represent an encampment scene, with
sentinels on duty, picture of the armory
and opera-house building on n PLAGUE in
the foreground, and is surrounded by ban
ners and laurel leaves.
Further back there is a statue of a NOM
Der of the Light Infantry in full dress
uniform and soldierly attitude on pedestal
inscribed, "Orgsnized September ~, 1896"
This card bears the following inscription
Dedication of the Washington Light
Infantry Corps new armory. Reception
and ball, Tuesday evening, January 30,
1885. The pleasure Of your company
is requested. Dancing at nine"