Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-09
Governor Fairbanks Reception.

The reception given by Governor Fair.
banks and his estimable lady to the state
officers and members of the last and present
General Assemblies, at the Pavilion Wednes-
day evening, was decidedly pleasant affair :
and, although there was slight fall of rain
during part OF the evening, very large
number OF the state officers, Representatives
Senators, and many citizens of Montpelier
responded to the cards of invitation previ-
ously issued.
The floral decorations were profuse and
elegant, and the parlors were transformed
into bowers of beauty by the sklful hands
of those who had charge of the matter. A
large collection of beautiful flowers was
brought from the Governors gardens at st.
Johnsbury by his gardener, and these, in
connection with those furnished by our
own people, were most tastefully arranged
throughout the parlors and halls by Mr. J.V.
Babcock, who was assisted by Mrs. George
Shepard Miss Alice French and others.
Directly at the head of the stairs, in the
hall, were placed two large stands of flow
ers consisting mainly of pansies and VERDE
mas arranged in very attractive form. The
mantels in the double parors were hand
somely decorated-one with variety of
flowers from the Governors home gardens,
consisting of cactus, roses, tube-roses, green
house ferns, etc., the whole surmounted by
beautiful specimens of pampas grass the
other mantel was profusely ornamented with
ferns and flowers furnished by our home
people. Over the doorway between the
larger parlors was magnificent hanging
basket-the contribution OF Mrs. Loomis
In the dining-room we noticed pyramidal
stand composed wholly of nasturtions-most
exquisite in its make up and as beautiful
floral ornament as we ever saw. Besides
these there was an abundance Of lighter
floral trimmings. The upper and lower bal
comics of the hotel were illuminated with
Chinese lanterns, and the whole exterior of
the building gave unmistakable hints of the
reign of pleasure within its walls.
Mr.. |. p Dana, of Montpelier, acted as
first usher for the occasion, and he was
ably assisted by Messrs. j. C. Houghton,
Jr., f. w. Bailey, NJ. c. Kinson, Peter
Mitchell, j. V. Babcock and c. A. Reed,
who performed the duties of the positions
assigned them with due courtesy and grace
AT half-past eight o'clock the guests were
ushered into the parlor, where they were re-
ceived by Governor and Mrs. Fairbanks,
and Governor-elect Proctor and his lady, as
sisted by Hon. George Nichols, Secretary of
State, Col. Hastings, of the Governors
staff, and Col. T. S. Peck, of the First Regi-
ment. As the evening wore on the guests
began to arrive in large numbers, and soon
the spacious parlors were filled to overflow
ing. From the reception room the guests
were ushered into the dining room, where
they partook of refreshments prepared by
Mr. 7. o. Bailey, of the Pavilion. The
four beautifully laden tables were decorated
with large and beautiful bouquets composed
OF carnation pinks, pampas grass exquisite
callas and many other varieties of flowers.
Throughout the entire evening was inter
spersed music by the Montpelier Cornet Band.
Among the distinguished guests present
were Hon. J. A. Page and lady, Quarter
master'General Kingsley, General w. w.
Grout Hon. l.. p. Poland, Hon. Justin S.
Morrill,, Judge Redfeld of the Supreme
Court, and IL. p. Spencer, Superintendent
of the State Prison, and lady.
The brilliant success attendant upon
the reception, and the hearty approval it
has met with at the hands of all who were
permitted to enjoy it, demonstrates the fact
that theidea of Governor Fairbanks in taking
this Z" new departure " was most happy
one. Such occasions can but be helpful in
strengthening the social relations between
our Legislators, and we trust this is but the
forerunner Of similar gatherings in the years
TO come.