Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-07

ii. A weaver h. Il. Carson.
+ J. n Porter W. K. 0rmsby.
G. McNe
= c. F. Crocker San Francisco. +
+ j. W. Wilmington, San francisco. r
r ID. J. Jackson, San Francisco.
n. d. Rideout Marysville. r
I. + + r + + + + + + r r + + + + t
Dancing, once begun, soon became general
and with the pure white of the floor setting
off by contrast the costumery of the dancers
and rejecting back wealth of softened light
to the blazing chandeliers above, and bring
ing the decorations in all their varied
hues, into bold relief, the floor, the walls, the
whole hall changed from quiet to animation,
from sober severity to life and vivacity.
THE SCENE.
Later, when the guests had fully arrived
the scene was one which, to the quiet OBJ
server. presented Kaleidoscope picture of
great brilliancy. The spacious hall, trans
formed by the mingline masses of people into
a reception chamber of no ordinary character
and taking on much of beauty and impress 1,
iveness. was filed by that generous fiutter and
hum which marks the cordial mingling of a
great body of ladies and gentlemen in social
equality, who find their surroundings
free from the restraints and formalties which
rule upon less public and more formal occa-
slons,
The throng of moving people in ever
char ging figures upon the floor, was an inter
esting study as viewed from the gallery.
There were dignifed women and fair young
girlsengaged in promenade and social converse
with stately chaperons and vivacious
attendants ; groups that chatted merrily on
some lively theme knots of gentlemen
who debated on more weiehty topics; couples
that found enough in each others society to
fully absorb their personal attention Legis-
IatArs and rItizape yplo avqIlpl al the
tunity to exchange views upon sub
jects of current political interest;
misses and matrons in faultless tot
lettes, indicating that esthetic taste in dress
which marks this period as one in which
the art is cultivated in a high degree ladies,
middle-aged and young, the simplicity aud
tastefuness of whose attire signifed their
recognition and approval of the informal
character OF the reception as regards dress.
GROUPS OF MEN,
Who were content to observe, and hosts of
women, content to be observed misses and
youths, bellies and gallants, who were free to
engage heartily-as they did-in those tan
talizing 1rtations, which the earlier days Of
life find so irresistible; men and women,
solemn, reserved and apparently anxious for
that time to elapse which good breeding indi-
Gates should pass before a guest can
retire without apology; men and
women, for whom Times wings
seemed much too fleet; men and women,
whose consciousness of their own attractive
appearance was evident men and women
who adorned the scene, and those. too, who
formed the contrast to them which made
both conspicuous. There were quiet tete-a-
tetes in retired corners ; the sparkle of wit
and keen repartee which mark the spot where
humor presides and vivacity rules the chat
ter of gossip here, and the rotund tones of
argument there; the labored effort to enter.
tain yonder the ease Of culture and refine
ment here; the loquacity of the men and
youths who came to take part, the quiet and
reserve of age and retiring habit which pre-.
fers to look on. All these and still |
other characteristics marked the group
ings in the great hall, and went to
make up representative congregation of |
people whose walks of life indicate that they /
are members of that free guild-Ameriean 81
ciety. congregation OF citizens of Califor- |
mia, marked by such characteristics, and |
brought together under such circumstances as
to make the festivities engaged lin by it a