The times., 1899-12-15
THE GRAND MASTERS BANQUET
Concluding Function of the Ami
Nersary Ceremomies.

Concluding Function of the Ami
versaFy Ceremonies.
banquet at the Ebbitt House. given by
the Virginia Grand Lodge 10 the Grand
Masters and special grand representatives
OF all the Grand Lodges in America, ended
the festivities Of the evening and the ami
versary ceremonies. The company num-
bered nearly two hundred. the flower OF the
Masonic fraternity OF the country. Every
State and Territory in the Union, except
Pennsylvania, was represented, and there
were in addition prominent Masons from
Canada, Nova Scotia, England, and Bel
gium-
At 80 o'clock the grand officers Of the
fraternity. the receiving ladies, and invited
guests entered the dining room. The hall
was profusely decorated. IN the centre Of
each OF the fifteen tables set stood large
jar OF ferns and LaFrance roses Ferns
were scattered along the sides Of the room
and cuttings were arranged at intervals on
The walls. Smilax was entwined among the
large paintings and over the door arches
At one end Of the banquet hall was the
table of the Virginia Grand Lodge Recep-
tion Committee. Grand Master Duke acted
as informal master of ceremonies of the
occasion. He was surrounded by the other
officers Of the Virginia Grand Lodge and
the ladies Of The party.
The occasion was, like the reception at
Willards s. entirely informal. Songs and
Outbursts Of applause at the patriotic airs
OF the orchestra broke gaily into the pro-
gramme at frequent intervals Columbia
and America" were both sung enthusiast
tically by the entire company standing,
during the evening. The speeches were
tuned 10 the occasion, impromptu and
happy.
The menu OF the banquet attracted much
attention 1t had as a cover design pic
ture Of George Washington in the Masonic
regalia and the costume worn by him as
master Of the Alexandria Lodge
Il was not until late hour in the morn
ing that the last speech was made and the
company joined in the last parting song.
MAJOR Courtney. Of Virginia, was the
toastmaster. He introduced first Mr. Duke,
who extended the most cordial welcome
Of the Virginia fraternity 10 all the repre-
sentatives from the several American
lodges and those present from abroad.
Among the other speakers were Grand Sec
retarY Bromweil, OF Ohio; W. T. Wright,
OF Colorado; Thomas B. Flint, Of Nova
Scotia Kruger, OF Belgium; Armstrong
Of Alabama; Drummond, Of Missouri;
Lodge. Of Michigan, and Henderson, Of the
District Of Columbia.
Those present were Grand Master Duke
OF Virginia. Major Courtney, Of Virginia,
Grand Marshal N Charge; Robert Nhlte,
Of West Virginia, the Virginia Grand Lodge
officers, the ladies OF the Virginia party,
Mrs. J. ". Eryan, Of New Jersey; Mrs.
James z. Moore, New Jersey; Mrs. John H.
wilkins, Of New Jersey; Mrs. A. r. Court
ney, Of Richmond; Mrs. Charles Woods Of
Missouri: J. II. Drummond, p. G. Nj,
Maine McLain, G. NJ, OF New Hampshire;
Shryock, G. NJ. Maryland; Wright,
C. NJ, Florida; Kruger. Representative
G. NJ Belgium: McCreary, 2. G. NJ,
Texas; Olcott p G. N, Washington;
Harper, P C. NJ, Kentucky; Armstrong,
G. s. Alabama; Rice, p. G. NJ, Indiana;
Ewing. P.GM., New Jersey; Briggs, G. NJ,
Missouri. LOOMS. G. NJ. Kansas; Lodge,
G. NJ. Michigan; HungerfoTd, D. G. NJ,
Canada; BuTnard, G. NJ. Colorado; Steb-
bins. 6. NJ. Minnesota; J. II. Small, Jrg
G. NJ. Washington. D. c.; White, p. G. NJ,
West Virginia; Noy, G. NJ, Vermont;
Smith. G. NJ, Arkansas; Lambert C. NJ,
Iowa: Egleton. G.. NJ, Oklahoma; Kyser,
G. NJ. Nebraska; Fleet, 6. NJ, Nova
Scotia; Riddle. G. NJ, South Dakota; Will
Jams. G. NJ Alabama; Black, G. NJ, Dela-
ware; Shannon, p. G. N, Georgia; White
C. NJ. South Carolina; Governor Atkinson
p. G. NJ, West Virginia; Choate, g. NJ
Maine; Simon. G.. NJ, Oregon; Poe R
G. NJ. New Mexico; Murrow, G. s. In
dian Territory; Noble, G. NJ, North Caro-
lima: Lybarger. G. n, Ohio; Murdock, G.
II. Utah. and Robinson, G. NJ, West Viz