Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-01-15

Ne@tueV Will TAIL III INC western pOrLlOn
warmer in western portion tonight, Thurs
day warmer; northeasterly winds, becoming
southerly.
A ROYAL BANoUET.--It was gen
orally conceded that Alexandria Coun
Gil, Royal Arcanum, succeeded last
night in eclipsing everything in the
banquet line seen heresbouts for long
time. 10 fact it was about the ne PIN,
ultra of feasts, for surely nothing was
left undone which would have aug
mented the enjoyment of any one
The committee having it in charge
went to considerable pains, performed
much labor, and when the guests were
ushered into tho banqueting hall the
smile indicative of appreciation was
upon the countenance of each. Here
tofore the room on the first floor OF
Odd Fellows Hall, on north Columbus
street, has been used for these annual
gatherings, but on this occasion it was
deemed best to have larger hall. and
the Armory of the Alexandria Light
Infantry, on south Royal street filled
the bill admirably. This spacious room
was decorated in a most elaborate
manner. Evergreens and ferns were
everywhere. while there was no end of
buntiu.r in the way of flags. festoons,
steamers, &C., while suggestive mot
toes, INTEL: cible and unintelligible to
the minated, decorated the walls. In
short every ava liable part of the walls
and ceiling was taStefully ornamented.
The tables were arranged SO as to run
north, south, east and vest, and ut an
early hour in the night they were
loaded with the choicest viands, fruits,
nuts, cakes, confectionaries, &C., and
everything placed in readiness for the
guests. There was the greatest pro-
fusion of eatables, all prepared in the
highest style OF the culinary art under
the supervision of Mrs. Bohraus, of the
Concordia. The council held regular
meeting before the feast, at which Grand
Regent John J. Jameson installed the
following officers fol- the ensuing year:
j. X. z. Lash. regent; Daniel Ruben,
vice president; Ed B. Kemp, orator;
George w. Dix, chaplain Thomas
Moss, treasurer; James E. Alexander,
secretary F. J. Pollard, collector;
William Hunter, guide; and Fred.
Grilbortzer, sentry. Several new mem
bers were initiated. About half-past
nine O'Clock the members and their
invited guests proceeded from Odd
Fellows Hall to Armory Hall. Those
having the banquet in charge had
perfected their arrangements in such Il
manner that the assembly of two
hundred and twenty-six persons were
handled with ease and precision.
There was not the slightest confusion
nor blunder, but every one was usher
ed to his place at the tables with an
ease which looked as though this part
of the programme had been rehearsed.
Regent J. X. P. Lash raped the COM
pany to order, when Rev. J. T. Will
iiams, of NJ. E. Church South, invoked
a blessing, after which merry converse
ton and Che clatter of passing dishes
began and continued until the banquet
had been duly discussed. In the midst
of the feast the hall was suddenly and
for an instant illumined by flash of
light which might have caused the COM
pany to suppose the hall had been
struck by lightning had a thunder
cloud been passing over. 1t was the
flash, however, from Mr.. Phillips's pho
tographng apparatus. He had entered
the hall for the purpose of making pic
lures of the banquet scene, and 1t was
a picture worth taking, as there never
was more congenial company gathered
around the festive board. The men,
bers of the council seemed to be en-
gagged in good-natured rivalry as to
who could be the most attentive to
their guests, and they anticipated their
every desiie. Finally the plying Of
knives and forks ceased and the curling
of smoke from fragrant cigars an
nounced that the feast was about at an
end, and all present leaned back in their
chairs and became auditors when the
ruler of the feast, Regent Lash, called
apou Grand Regent J. J. Jameson, who
made fey well-timed and happy re-
marks which we're much relished.
The Alexandria Glee Club Tor Leonada
Quartette) Messrs. Frank Smith, Louis
Monroe, Archie Nails and Gordon
Phillips-then rendered acceptable
vocal music. James B. Blanks, Of
Petersburg, Past Grand Regent of the
State of Virginia, was the next speaker.
His remarks, as they always are, were
pointed and entertaining. The Alex.
andria Musical Association then rem
dered excellent instrumental music,
after which Past Grand Regent W. F.
Irvine, of Norfolk, addressed the COM
pany. His familiarity with the origin
and growth of the order always makes
him an interesting speaker. The Glee
Club again favored the company with
some selections. Rev. T. h. Rice, Rev.
c. f. Ball aud Rev. D. H. Kern fol-
lowed in appropriate remarks, and at
about midnight the company adjourned.
Rev. J. NJ Nourse pronounced the
benediction. Grand Regent e. B. Ey-
non, of the District of Columbia, and
Past Grand Regent ]. D. Terrill, Of
Washington, were present. Alexandria
Council nov numbers 3l4 members.
Niue new applications were presented
last night.
The committee having the banquet
in charge were Messrs. J. j. Jameson,
Thomas Moss, A. G. Uhler. H. K.
JH;ol5 D w Arnold Gaoroo JTb1ar apd