Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-07
STATE RECEPTION.
BRILLIANT GATHERING OF CITIZENS
OF CALIFORNIA.
First Public Reception Given by Governor
and Mrs. George C. Perkins
Last Evening.

At the Agricultural Pavilion last evening
Governor George G. Perkins and wife gave
their first public reception Some s, 600 invi-
tations had been issued, and the attendance
was the largest ever known on similar occa-
sion in the Capital City. 1t was informal as
to dress, but the costumery of large num-
Der of guests was nevertheless exceedingly
rich and elaborate. The reception took place
in the two upper halls of the Pavilion, one be-
ing used as the ballroom, and the other in
which to serve
THE COLLATION..
The small hall upon the east was converted
into supper-room, in which was spread an
elegant collation. by w. F. Peterson, caterer
The bill of fare, which purposely did not rep
resent complete supper, was nevertheless
marked for its variety and the manner in
which the food was served, and adds credit to
the good judgment and skill of the caterer
The tables were four in number, each so
feet, and the collation. was served from II A.
NJ until o'clock this morning.
The substantials and delicacies provided
consisted in the main of roast turkey and
Jelly, roast chicken la crecon,
boiled ham ornamented, boiled smoked
tongue, chicken salad, variety of assorted
relishes, wine jellies, boskets, ice cream in
variety, orange ice, fruits in full variety, can
dies in variety, large sortment of small
cakes, ham, tongue and egg sandwiches, cof-
fee and tea.
The tables were handsomely ornamented
The chief pieces being Temple of Liberty
three feet six inches in hight, the dome being
upheld by six tri colored pillars resting upon
a hexagonal base in colors, which in turn was
supported by imitation rock work in sugar
Within the temple stood figure representing
the Goddess of Liberty. Temple of Justice
consisting of dome supported by six pillars
upon an ornamented base resting on rock
work, the figure being that of Justice
with her scales. Both these temples
were surmounted with ornamental work
which was elegantly designed and very
artistic in execution. The brig Cali
| fornia and steamer Constitution, two
| large pieces done in nugget and clear sugar
| The ships rested upon foaming sea, imi-
| tated with sponge sugar. which sea was sup
ported upon pedestal overhanging an open
| balcony, and which in turn was upheld by a
grotto Of rock work eight Charlotte russo
motto pieces, made Of pastry. resting upon
ornamental sugar bases, and tastefully orna-
mented with gelatiDous ornamentations
| eight macaroon pyramids, besides other orna-
mentations in cake, etc. The kitchen for the
! supper-room was cut off from the north end
| of this smaller hall. A partition cut off some
I thirty feet of the south end of the same hall
which was covered with white cloth and fes-
TONED with flags. This left room 3Ox50
feet, which was utilized as a punch-room,
where variety of punches were freely served
The service in the supper'room and at all
the tables was by colored walters, who
understood their duties. The various de-
partments of the supper-room were under the
supervisor of attaches Of MIR. Peterson, and
| the whole under his immediate direction.
THE DECORATIONS.
The purposes of decoration of the interior
of public buildings is always to improve upon
the effect made upon the minds of spectators.
| Such elegant apartments as the Senate and
Assembly Chambers at the State Capitol
cannot be improved upon by decoration, their
architecture being marred by any attempt to
drape upon the walls or to improve the gem
eral effect of the finish of the rooms Several
such efforts have been made, and in all in
stances have proven failures and offensive to
eyes that love to dwell upon the beautiful.
The only exception within the history of this
portion of the Senate Chamber by besuowal
OF the floral wealth of Sacramento about the
desks and stands upon the occasion of the re-
ception of Mrs. General Grant. This was
not strictly within the line of decoration. By
comparing the barnlike structure known as
the Pavilion with the elegant Chambers above
mentioned, the effectiveness of decoration
properly worked out is fully appreciated
The Pavilion, unlike the State building,
hos architectural Oft D..
rem of beauty, devoid of grace, cold
cherries, and an offense to every elevated
judgment, such building, to be at all fit
for the use to which it was put last evening"
needed to be deliberately decorated its de-
fects far as possible obliterated, its chilly
interior warmed, its harsh severity toned
down, and its immense emptiness relieved, if
such expression can he pardoned. A COM
plete accomplishment of these things is
simply impossible Although it has often been
attempted, no one has succeeded so well in the
efforts made as George Boyne, who was the
decorator for the reception last evening. A
description of these decorations forms an in
teresting part of the account of this first re-
ception of the Governor.
Beginning with the supper-room, it is OBJ
served that less effort was made here than
elsewhere and the main floor. The windows
were hung, and the panels between them,
with eleven signal flags, just enough to break
the otherwise dreary monotony OF the blank
eastern wall. The archways were hung with
large national f1ags-seveu in number-thus
making the western wall of that room almost
an unbroken line of flags, which being caught
up and draped to the supporting columns on
each side, produced quite a pleasing effect
and did much to relieve their otherwise heavy
and cold appearance. At the north end of
the supper-room, and just over the entrance
to the kitchen, was displayed large gilt
star, fanked by four handsome streamers and
four parti-colored signals.
THE MAIN HALL.
The main hall presented greater evidence
of the decorators handiwork and the exercise
Of his taste. Such material as his store of
decorations afforded, and such as could posi-
bly, be procured from other sources, were be-
slowed upon this hall, the largest upon the
Pacific coast, excepting only the Mechanics |
Pavilion at San Francisco. The effect, while |
not what could be desired, was nevertheless |
quite pleasing, and lent to the barren hall |
something of the nature of cheerfulness. |
Upon the four walls of the hall were placed |
forty-eight large banners with the coat-of
arms of as many States and Territories. !
These hung mostly in the panels and above !
the windows, and being large and parti-col- |
ored, served to cover much Of the roughness |
of the walls. On each banner was emblszoned |
the name of the State or Territory signiied. |
Upon the ceiling, the entire length and width |
of the hall, were lines of banners. diamond |
figure within the immense square, the center |
of which was the central chandelier. The |
diamond and the square were formed and
outlined by gay-colored pendent banners,
bearing the coats of-arms OF one hun
bred nations, States aud places, such as
Holland. Guatemala, Otaheite, Uruguay, |
Costa Rica, Lippe-Schauenburg, Ecuador,
Japan, Portugal, Spain, Bayern, Schwar
burg, Prussia Baden, Hamburg, Anholt,
Siam, Saxony. Austria, Central America,
England, Waldeck, Liberia, Peru,
Egypt, Greece, Jersey, Tunis, Hon
duras, Bremen, Bolivia, Argentine Re
public, Italy, Paraguay, Frankfort,
Venezuela, Belgium, Norway, Persia, San
Salvador, Denmark, New Grenada, Domini-
ca, Corsica, Morocco, SAKE Coburg Gotha,