New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-02-22
THE DECORATIONS

Half an hour before the arrival Of the COM
pany the vast interior OF Gilmorcs Garden was brill
iantly decorated scene. illuminated by calcium
Hghts large chandelier rehectors and the
countless colored lights that span the mid
die space In magnificent arches. II
a work Of art worthy of observation before the
masters aad fancy guests arrived animate the
scene. The Arion Society expended one OF the com
nittee said, about $4,000 on the floral and scenic
decorations arrangements and acgorcal professions
aud the other special features Of the entertainments
Arriving by the Madison-avc. entrance, and passing
the bower OF evtrgrcens and flowers and plants that
screened the entrance from the floor the first thing to
attract the eyes Of the spectator was the vast scenic
picture covering the remote entire east era OF
the garden Here was brilliantly cOloed canvas l2S
feet long and 40 feet high The scene It represented was
the interior OF vast cavern. the hoor oil
which was q lake which floated two en'r-
nous dophinz, their hugh gaping mouths, blood
red fronting the INTERIOR and being near the promenade
alleys while their tails stretched away toward the
centre Of the picture and were lost in the distance
Tho lefr-hand dOlphn's silver scales gistencd IN tie
glare Of the calcium light and his great eyes,
formed OF red aud white tnsel, glowed hercely Tue
other dolphin was clothed IN gold scales ond
had n fiery eye To the silver dolphin was
assigned the duty OF disGocging the procession
through his mouth, sixteen feet tall by four
teen feet wide. The shores OF tho cavern
were lined with great sca-shes and moses IrO-
cal plans formed supports TO the border OF
flowers that surInounted the cavern, repTeiei'-
ing beautifully. but yaScy, the earth and free
cir above Giant panses, fIschas, buttcFcups' DAT
Sizes and tTaiin. vines Wero lhtef"cN th
Above the flowers was blue kauze TO repre-
sent the atmosphere, IL which appeared TO hoai
elephantine birds aud butterflies. Facing the right
and left hand promenade ALLEYS were imaginative
scenes repre- sehting glimpses into This
was designed by Lafayette W. S"aycy, whose design was
accented competition IN which sixteen artists TOOK
part He also designed the decorative border In blue red
and gold which adorned the front o the gallery hoXes
At intervals OF twelve feet on this border were comic
panel, illustrating the story Of the African who hunted
the elephant sequel being the elephant that hunted
an African: then long series OF the peasant WHO took
gist TO mill and tied his donkey 10 one or the Wind
sweeps to the discontinue of the donkey and finally
series illustrating learned professor III pursuit OF
the novel bug.
The floral and evergreen decorations very elabo-
rate and beautiful and by Hanft Brothers. The
sixty columns bordering the dancing floor and the
promenade were entirely concealed In evergreons ana OF
the base OF each, fronting the hoor were TAN vases
hlled with rarest plants and flowers Hanging rustic
baskets OF flowers hung between the columns next 10 the
boxes and balcony seats, while artisticaIy
formed balls Of flowers were suspended III
tho arches lining the floor. I0oped festoons
Of evergreen contributed to the decorations bordering
the floor and high up each column was shield, bear
ing the portrait comic charsceI these ana tne
exterior facing OF the promenade pars being wei pre-
served relics of last years ball.
The work OF the florist was avished especially on the
Madlsonavc end o. tie Garden. opposite the dolphin
scene Here the two rustic cottages were pehutl-
fully decorated with cvergrrens. ana IN front
Of them, bordering tho floor WAS the moral
bower which was the headquarters OF the FLOOR CON-
mIttee. From the floor this floral background
made a fine appearance. In 'front.' OF inc oo"cF
was suspended a carnation star bearing the words
a J.. in Whit
Garden the fountain out Of bed OF the choicest
poted flowers floral snip, fI ragged being suspended
above IL.
An amusing feature Of the decorations was parody
on the canary bird-csge. From each atch % 'e prom"
cnadc hung cage OF hoopshrt supplied win
a wooden bottom. IN each OF these seddte Shaugud'
rooster looked disnited aud przLied. there D-rame
familiar with the strange scene ana Occasionally
Strengthened up TO his full height ana ei""c", III r.
spOnse to the call Of some other cdged o4o"e'.
kelzePs orCnestra WAS IN Handsomely ue'oi"'e"
balcony on the south side above the boxes ana LeiDods
promenade band was similarly placed on 'he norm s"e
At9 O'clock the Floor Committee, III the costume OF
Waenstep: the Lobby Committee, dressed IKE SheIr
Ali. and the otLer committees marched on 'Ne "'oi,
performed several eFold''ohT' al" 'r"
the bail Only the masters ana 'ho'o
IN fame, dress were allow ed the door before midnight
For the TWO hours 10 O'Clock until H. the scene
was one OF almost lpdcscribabe brancy for carnival
and something that has never before been seen III 'e
York. The balconies were crowded TO the walls, ana
we're dcnse with several thousand LADIES ana gen
tlemon On the floor the crowd OF mdshet7
WAS 90 great that Waiting was almost an
impossibnDty. Every conceivable costume was TO De
seen and some Of them were very beautiful while others
were irresstibly funny. company OF ten OF 'Wei'e
resprcscnted the monstrostes OF Barnums' sho"
the tattooed man, the giant GIRL Behot t"ihs
etc A band OF clowns performed all sorts OF
c,rcus tricks on the dancing floor. Several
~ he
,,on One Of them was placarded az the man
who drank 5000 quarts Of beer IN 1000
ouarter hours" Forty men dressed as monkeys were
10 have performed slackropc stretching across the
floor Two Of them descended on this and found that II
was too slack The others then appeared on 'he hoor
In body and went through great variety oil antics
several gentlemen repre- .cnted a PACK Of cards
Al ouartrr of u there was great flourish OF tFnm-
pct- the silver dolphin opened his mouth ana as
.,tt.cd the procession that wa the E"t i'",u'
a. ia a az tlt