The Reception Of The M.W.G.M. In The United States.

by President Washington , and the gravel used was then presented to him by Valentine Reintzel , who afterwards became the first Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia . The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia

was organised December 11 th , 1810 , by delegates from Federal Ledge , Potomoctac Lodge , Culumbia Lodge , and Naval Lodge , of Washington , and Brook Lodge , of Alexandria . Among the older lights of Masonry in the

District may be mentioned Arthur McCormack , Joseph Ingle , John Mountz , William Lambert , Daniel Kurtz , T . Corcoran , jun ., R . C . Weighton , William W . Seaton , and Robert Keyworth . Henry Clay presided over a Masonic convention held there to consider the formation of a National

Grand Lodge , a proposition which has since been warmly advocated , but never accomplished . Lafayette was a distinguished Mason , and his reception by his Masonic brethren , on his return to this country , was the means of causing large

accessions to the Craft from among those wlio are ever ready to adapt anything which savours of social rank . These additions did not prove of any real value to the Fraternity . The Marchioness de Lafayette did not show

the narrow prejudice which some of her sex profess to cherish towards the mystic order , since she embroidered with her own hands a most elaborate and beautiful Master ' s apron , which , in 1784 , she sent as present to General Washington . This apron , which is of satin and adorned Avith all the

principal Masonic emblems , now occupies a conspicuous place in the Grand Master ' s room in the Masonic Hall in Philadelphia . The corner-stone of the Masonic Temple at the corner of Four-and-a-Half Street , aud Louisiana

Avenue , was laid in 1826 , the address being delivered by Grand Master W . W . Seaton . The anti-Masonic excitement soon after arose , and but little was done in Masonry here for a number of years . At length , however , there was a revival

of interest which has steadily progressed to the present time . Prominent among those who have contributed to the present prosperity of the Fraternity here should be mentioned the names of the late Past Grand Master , B . B . French , Charles

Frailley , and George C . Whiting . Nor should we omit the names of those Masons ivho were officially residing here and lent the influence of

their exalted positions to the advancement of the Craft . Such were Presidents Monroe , Jackson ,. Tyler , Polk , Buchanan and Johnson ; and to these may be added Houston , Dunlap , Dawson , Cass , Quitman , Shields , Giddings , Cobb and Hall , and a host of other leading men in Congressional and official life .

The Craft in the District of Columbia now embraces a Grand Lodge , and nineteen subordinate Lodges , a Grand Chapter , and seven subordinate Chapters , three Commanderies of Knights Templar , and various bodies connected witli the Scottish Rite . The total membership is about twentyfive hundred .

The Masonic Hall Association , under whose auspices the noble edifice at the corner of Ninth and F streets has been erected , was incorporated by Congress in April , 1864 . The corner-stone of the Temple was laid May 20 , 1868 , and the

Temple was dedicated May 20 , 1870 , the address on the occasion being delivered by Bro . Ben . Perley Poore .

This Temple not only provides most admirably for all the wants of the Masonic order in its spacious and snvnpfcnonsly furnished halls , but , in . its magnificent ball and music rooms , it supplies a much needed desideratum to society in W

ashington—a central , well-arranged , and every way convenient and suitable place for lectures , fairs , concerts , banquets , balls and assemblies . In the spacious and magnificent ball-room , the-Fraternity , on the 10 th of April ,

entertained-Earl de Grey , Grand Master of Masons of England , at a splendid banquet , to which were invited tomeet him all the Grand Masters of Masons of the United States , besides Lord Tenterden , Sir John

MacDonald , Colonel Bernard , Mr . le Strange , of the British Legation , Senators , Representatives , and other celebrities in political and social life , who are also brothers of the Mystic Tie . The Earl was first received and welcomed in .

the Grand Lodge , and the brethren presented to him : after which the company descended to the banquet hall , where after the pretty ceremony of the opening a " table lodge , " the festivities were ' kept up till two o ' clock in the morning . The

proceedings were marked throughout by decoram and good taste , and the Fraternity has just reason to feel proud of the magnificent success achieved on this occasion .