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Article VISIT TO CINCINNATI, OHIO. ← Page 3 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Visit To Cincinnati, Ohio.
are . only approximate , not having taken any measurement of them . Opening on the western landing at the head of the stairs are heavy double folding doors , which lead into a hall 12 ft . wide , and 25 ft . Ions ' . 10 ft . of the ceilino- at the west of
this hall comes down to within 15 ft . of the floor , to make room above for the organ loft , and on this end wall the artists have displayed a magnificent piece of work embodying the double-headed Prussian eagle , the symbol of the rite , surrounded
by the banners of the Order . Upon the lower ceiling is the motto , " Procul , 0 , procul este profane . '' To the right of the hall described above are a fair sized reception room , an armoury , and a room for candidates . As means of entrance to the
main hall there are , on both ends of its eastern wall one large door and one of ordinary size , the latter nearest the side walls , and used for the purpose of reaching the stage , and of entering or leaving the main hall without disturbing the body
at work . We now enter the main hall , the pride and glory of all Ancient and Accepted Masons . Before us , at the western end of the room , is a stage fully 24 ft . to the proscenimn , a width or opening of about 20 ft ., and a depth of some 15 ft .
Three steps , having a rise of 2 | ft ., bring us to the floor of the stage . The proscenium of this stage is a model of excellence . For 6 ft . in depth it is enriched with actual and deep panels , beautifully gilded and painted , and bears at its outer edge
a twisted fluted column , ending with a light capital , from which springs an arch of the same twisted fluting . From the apex of the proscenium to the ceiling of the hall is 8 ft . or more . Over the centre
of the stage is a crowned double-headed eagle , the symbol of the 33 rd grade , 4 ft . high , well proportioned , and carved out of solid wood , the wings and body of dark bronze , the talons and beak of gold , and in its talons it holds a two-edged golden
sword . The crown is of gold and scarlet . Above the eagle is a circular opening in which is displayed the jewel of the grade being worked , lit up by means of a gas jet directly behind it . At the eastern end is the organ loft , and running from it
on each side is a gallery 12 ft . wide ; the entire gallery is surrounded by a heavy but neat bulustre . The organ is not inferior to any used in the city in any church , and is presided over by a firstclass
organist , whose services were kept in requisition all the time , music being required in every degree of this rite ; From the gallery depend black
hangings , which extend all round three sides of the room and form avenues round the room to the stage and ante-rooms . All the woodwork is painted a brilliant white . Now look at the ceiling and upper portion of the walls , at the outer edo-e
of the ceiling are grained arches , springing from the side walls and forming coves , in which are beautifuly frescoed , in colours , the grade jewels from four degrees to thirty-two degrees . The size of the main hall from the wall at the
back of the organ to the rear of the stage , is about 75 ft ., 40 ft . in width , and from 35 ft . to 40 ft . high . The scenery employed numbers sis or eight , and are elegant and laboured gems of art . Each scene is attached to single frames , which fit the opening
of the stage , and the change is made by a brother standing on a bridge above the borders , each scene being balanced by counter wei ghts . One scene represents a perspective continuation of the hall , with its gallery , & c . Another , an Oriental palace , with columns and elegant details .
A third , romantic and delightful natural scenery . A fourth , the solemn crucifixion . A fifth , Christ ' s glorious ascension from the tomb , & c . We now go below , and , into the secret vault ; by a rather difficult passage and through many doors we
wend our way , and at last find ourselves in a vaulted room , 40 ft . long and 25 ft . wide , the walls and ceiling frescoed in imitation of solid granite blocks . At the extreme end of the room is a small stage , having a neat procenium , inside
of which are drawing curtains of scarlet cloth . This room is lighted by shaded gas jets over silverplated triangles , the jets being formed of three , five , seven , and nine , forming triangles . In the rear of the stage is a representation of the
burning bush which Moses saw on the mount . A small organ is used in this room . Ascendinoagain , and going through the main hall , on ascending a flight of steps we enter through a door and find ourselves in a room , gloomy and funeral , used for a C . of R ., and as the J . R .
Further upward and turning to the left we find ourselves in a beautiful little grotto , where closely imitated are several arches of irregular and mosscovered rock , and through the angle of which trickles a small stream of Ohio river water . From
the roof of the cave hang stalactites glistening like those Dame Nature herself created for the beauty of her own underground homes . This apartment is truly enchanting . The next apartment is called the Bridge Room . The east wall
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Visit To Cincinnati, Ohio.
are . only approximate , not having taken any measurement of them . Opening on the western landing at the head of the stairs are heavy double folding doors , which lead into a hall 12 ft . wide , and 25 ft . Ions ' . 10 ft . of the ceilino- at the west of
this hall comes down to within 15 ft . of the floor , to make room above for the organ loft , and on this end wall the artists have displayed a magnificent piece of work embodying the double-headed Prussian eagle , the symbol of the rite , surrounded
by the banners of the Order . Upon the lower ceiling is the motto , " Procul , 0 , procul este profane . '' To the right of the hall described above are a fair sized reception room , an armoury , and a room for candidates . As means of entrance to the
main hall there are , on both ends of its eastern wall one large door and one of ordinary size , the latter nearest the side walls , and used for the purpose of reaching the stage , and of entering or leaving the main hall without disturbing the body
at work . We now enter the main hall , the pride and glory of all Ancient and Accepted Masons . Before us , at the western end of the room , is a stage fully 24 ft . to the proscenimn , a width or opening of about 20 ft ., and a depth of some 15 ft .
Three steps , having a rise of 2 | ft ., bring us to the floor of the stage . The proscenium of this stage is a model of excellence . For 6 ft . in depth it is enriched with actual and deep panels , beautifully gilded and painted , and bears at its outer edge
a twisted fluted column , ending with a light capital , from which springs an arch of the same twisted fluting . From the apex of the proscenium to the ceiling of the hall is 8 ft . or more . Over the centre
of the stage is a crowned double-headed eagle , the symbol of the 33 rd grade , 4 ft . high , well proportioned , and carved out of solid wood , the wings and body of dark bronze , the talons and beak of gold , and in its talons it holds a two-edged golden
sword . The crown is of gold and scarlet . Above the eagle is a circular opening in which is displayed the jewel of the grade being worked , lit up by means of a gas jet directly behind it . At the eastern end is the organ loft , and running from it
on each side is a gallery 12 ft . wide ; the entire gallery is surrounded by a heavy but neat bulustre . The organ is not inferior to any used in the city in any church , and is presided over by a firstclass
organist , whose services were kept in requisition all the time , music being required in every degree of this rite ; From the gallery depend black
hangings , which extend all round three sides of the room and form avenues round the room to the stage and ante-rooms . All the woodwork is painted a brilliant white . Now look at the ceiling and upper portion of the walls , at the outer edo-e
of the ceiling are grained arches , springing from the side walls and forming coves , in which are beautifuly frescoed , in colours , the grade jewels from four degrees to thirty-two degrees . The size of the main hall from the wall at the
back of the organ to the rear of the stage , is about 75 ft ., 40 ft . in width , and from 35 ft . to 40 ft . high . The scenery employed numbers sis or eight , and are elegant and laboured gems of art . Each scene is attached to single frames , which fit the opening
of the stage , and the change is made by a brother standing on a bridge above the borders , each scene being balanced by counter wei ghts . One scene represents a perspective continuation of the hall , with its gallery , & c . Another , an Oriental palace , with columns and elegant details .
A third , romantic and delightful natural scenery . A fourth , the solemn crucifixion . A fifth , Christ ' s glorious ascension from the tomb , & c . We now go below , and , into the secret vault ; by a rather difficult passage and through many doors we
wend our way , and at last find ourselves in a vaulted room , 40 ft . long and 25 ft . wide , the walls and ceiling frescoed in imitation of solid granite blocks . At the extreme end of the room is a small stage , having a neat procenium , inside
of which are drawing curtains of scarlet cloth . This room is lighted by shaded gas jets over silverplated triangles , the jets being formed of three , five , seven , and nine , forming triangles . In the rear of the stage is a representation of the
burning bush which Moses saw on the mount . A small organ is used in this room . Ascendinoagain , and going through the main hall , on ascending a flight of steps we enter through a door and find ourselves in a room , gloomy and funeral , used for a C . of R ., and as the J . R .
Further upward and turning to the left we find ourselves in a beautiful little grotto , where closely imitated are several arches of irregular and mosscovered rock , and through the angle of which trickles a small stream of Ohio river water . From
the roof of the cave hang stalactites glistening like those Dame Nature herself created for the beauty of her own underground homes . This apartment is truly enchanting . The next apartment is called the Bridge Room . The east wall