Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-12-14

come from abroad Virginia Masons "a
sight" His eloquen: peroration wal
greeted with prolonged applause.
The committee on the Masonic Fem
pie stated that they would present theil
report on Friday.
The Grad Treasurer then presented
his report.
The election of officers, which is al
ways held on the second day of the
session, was postponed until Friday. as
the Grand Lodge is 10 be a. Mount Yer.
non most of today.
The Grand Lodge then adjourned till
o'clock this morning.
The members of the lodge, accom-
panied by their guests and headed by
Grand Master Duke and the officers Of
the Grand Lodge, filed out Of the Opera
House and marched to Armory Hall
where bounteous repast prepared by
the ladies' committee, under the aus
pices of Alexandria Washington Lodge
and Andew Jackson Lodge, was await.
ing them.
This morning short session was held
and committees were appointed. The
Grand Lodge then was called off till to-
morrow at noon.
THE BANQUET LAST NIGHT.
The banquet last night was the most
colossal ever held in Alexandria, and
Armory Hall never shown to better ad:
vantage, The building was aglow both
inside and out, and the decorations all
over the front and completely covering
the interior, illumined by many electric
bulbs, made a picture exceeding in
dazzling effect anything ever before
witnessed in old Alexandria. Seven
tables and another across the east,
reaching the entire length OF the hall
loaded with the tempting viands and
arranged in most inviting manner by
the deft hands of Alex ndria ladies,
greeted the guests as they entered,
while enlivenipg music by Haley's
Band thrilled them all. The hall, as
stated, was profusely decorated with
American flags. red, white, and blue
bunting, gracefully draped from the
ceiling and upon the walls. From the
rafters there extended loops of vali=
colored incandescent lamps, which shed
a mellow light over thu imposing scene,
while bouquets of cut flowers and pot
ted plants spread their sweet perfume
throughout the hall. Directly back of
the tostmaster's seat was suspended a
huge electric squire and compass
inclosing the letter &c." symbolic of the
order, and large portraits OF George
Washington adorned the walls. At
The center OF the head table sat Toast
master DR.. William NJ. Smith, the
chairman of the committee on arrange
ments, under whose direction the din.
ner was rendered. A fragrant carna-
ton was laid beside each plate. The
company, about half-past ten o'clock,
after leaving the Opera House, entered
Armory Hall to the strains of popular
airs rendered by Haley's orchestra.
Officers of the Grand Lodge took
seats at the head table, surrounded
Toastmaster Smith, with Grand Mas
ter Duke, of Virginia, who called the
assembly to order, upon his right, and
Grand Master J. Henry Small, of the
District of Columbia, upon his left.
When the guests had seated themselves
about the board, Toastmaster Smith
called upon Rev. P. P. Philips, rector
of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and
chaplain Il of Alexandria Washington
Lodge, to invoke divine blessing. The
brethren were then hidden to accept the
Offering extended by the local Masons,
which consisted OF an elaborate menu,
made up ss follows: Oysters raw and
fried, roast turkey, ham, tongue, chick
en- and potato salads, slaw, cranberry
sauce, pickles, olives, ice Dream, cakes,
coffee, tea, chocolate and cigars.