The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-05-06

the Ric0m0nu 1Deatre Witnessed sucll Il
brilliant scene as that presented within its
walls last night, when the Richmond medi-
cal profession and prominent citizens gave
their welcome reception to the assemblage
OF eminent visiting doctors and their fair
companions. The orchestra circle had
been floOred over and the Theatre
resplendantly decorated for the oc.
casion. AT 0 o'clock the invited
guests begIu to assemble, when the large
orchestra, directed by Professor Reinhardt,
and occupying the centre Of the dress
circle, struck up their opening overture.
The scene at this time was beyond the
power OF a passing description, where
beautiful women and gorgeous costumes
promenaded with eminent men. Governor
Holiday was present and commDgled So
cialy with the guests, giving all a hearty
welcome in the name OF the medical pro-
fe>sion OF Richmond, OF whom he was on
this occasion an honored guest.
THE LADY PATRONS
to whose energy and indefatigabe zeal is due
in greater part the success OF an entertain.
ment 50 thoroughly creditabIe to the city
were Mrs. Lewis y. Webb, MIS-. j. Adair
Pleasauts, Mrs. NJ. F. Peasants. Mrs Dr.
Cullen, Mrs. DR.. Brock, Mrs. Dr. Cum
ningbam, Mis-. Dr. Crcnshaw, Nine. &. de
Sibourg, Mr.. James Branch, Mrs. TIarley
Norton, Mis-. Russell Robinson. Mrs. Caskie
CabelI.
These ladies managed this affair with he
same marked ability that distinguished the
conduct Of The colonial ball gwen at the
same place on February %, 1876 Two OF
them, MIS-. Webb and Mrs. j. AGalr Pleas.
ants, we're patrOnesSes on that occasion.
Now, a. then, they all worked with will IN
preparation, and presided last evening in
the reception OF that vast tbrOng Of visitors
with grace that was both becoming and
effective. They wore white.rosetic bldges
with yeIOw-iibb)n s.reamer>, as did also
THE COMMITTEES
of medical gentlemen and citizens having
general management Of the entertainment.
They were +. ID. Cunningham, VI. D., }.
B. McCaw, NJ. D., J. :. ID. Cullen, VI. D.,
Hunter Mcclure, VI. d., J. Graltan CabeIl,
VI. d., c. W. p. Brock, VI. d., l.. Il. Ed
wards. VI. d., General Joseph K. Anderson,
John y. Branch, Esq. Edward ID. Price,
Esq. Gcorge Ross, n. d., L. B. iIorndOn,
VI. D., George Ben. Johnston, VI. D.. J. a.
White, NJ d.. Christopher TOmpkins, NJ.
D., II. VI. Taylor, VI. d., Colonel j. l.. Car
rington, Lewis Ginter, Esq, Claiborne
Watkins, E>q., and John II. Montague, E>q.
THE DECORATIONS.
The Theatre was beautifully and clabo.
rately decorated by Mr.. Her, OF Washington,
under general direction OF Mr. c. J.. Sic.
gel, with flags, >treamers, bunting, shields,
pennants, and the like. II presented indeed
an enchanting scene.
Looking from the stage, the toM ensemble
and general effect given by the many and
different designs were beautifully artistic.
From four United States flags which sur
mounted the whole, at the centre Of the
dome, parti.cOlOrcd streameTS were grace
fully festooned to the pillars OF the first gal.
lerv. and these were interllced with other co.
lored streamerS crossing from the railing OF
the upper gallery. In the centre of the dress
circle the Virginia coat-of.armS, painted by
Elder, and framed in red, with gold fIingc,
formed a striking centre-pIece, while directly
above, on the ratings OF the two galleries,
shields OF the Union, surmOuned by golden
eagles. and edged around with maDy-col-
ored flags, were effective and tasteful. The
ratings Of the dress-circle and galleries
were literally clothed in fl ,gs OF all nations
and goId.friDged bunting, relieved at inter
walls with shields OF various designs. Look
nants and banners Of all the different states
hung upon the wall formed a brilliant
background for the dazzling scene pre-
sented. The private boxes were decorated
with lace curtains and United States flags.
On either side OF the stage and just in rear
Of the proscenium was punch bow table,
over " hich was an arbor canopy surmount-
ed at the apex by pineapple. Pendant
above this was 0 floral triangle, containing
the humorous and suggestive prescription
II SUN. QUAINT. SUI.
A balustrade scene with centre entrance
divided the main floor over The Orche>tra
from the stage proper, upon which tables
beautifully set by the ladies grOlned under
tho burden OF substantial comfort, and con-
| fectiOnS.
Looking ffrom the front Of the Theatre
the background OF 4 riyer-scenc, VIII
wood, on either side. gave picturesque
effect to The supper-tlblcs, they seeming a.
il the bountiful spread OF some mammoth
picnic.
A handsome column Of flowers made and
presented by Mr.. Lewis, the Governors
gardener, through Mrs. Caskic CabelI
and placed in the centre OF the Theatre,
was an attractive feature OF decorr
tion. IL was about four feet in height
with A base Of two and half feet in dame
/ ter, having the word "NIrginia' ngenl
Ously wrough; in white candy TUT flOWer>
| over the front entrance 10 the orche>tri
| floor was festOoned the handsome nlg O
the Guard OF the Commonwealth. TWO
! large floral epcrgnc placed on the two end
Of the centre.tabe, and given, one by Mr
John Morton and the other by Mr. JOhn
Laird to Mrs. james Il. Branch, were yer!
| beautiful indeed.
LADY STRANGERS.
Among the fair strangers, Of whom there
were a large number present, we notice,
Mss Rankin. a beautiful belle Of Pittsburgh
Pa. most becomingly attired In pink bro
c,ded silk; Mrs. DR.. Daley. Of the same
city: Mrs. DR.. Berkeley, OF New York, in
rich brocaded satin OF pale lavender, viii
let ornaments; Mrs. Or. Brewster, oI
MASSACHUSETTS,, in black silk, point
d'Alepc)n. and blush-cOlOred roses,
with pearl ornaments; Miss scott. Of
~. Louis, Miss Mudd OF the same city
Miss DungI,on OF Philadelphia, tastefulll
alfred in green silk Miss Williamson, OF
Philadelphia, in white satin Mrs. Bulkiey
~ New York. in a delicate pink satin
Mrs. Harwood, OF New York, in black silk
Mrs. DR.. Atkinson, styled "the mothel
OF the Association" Mrs. DR.. sayre oI
New York, in black satin; Mr.. DR.
Thomas b. Evans, OF Baltimore, black
satin, old gold en- tabiier, Jacqatno
roses, diamond Iocket, with a most eiegan
toilet. and hair powdered Ia pompadow
Mrs. r. c. johnson, Of Boston, in one o
Worth's handsome dresses, black brocade(
silk. trimmed with Brussels lace. handsome
diamond ornaments; Mrs. DIR. Ridgeley, o
Philadelphia, crimson satin, with corn'coi
ored trimmings, spanish lace, and diamonds
Mrs. DR.. Parsons, OF Portsmouth, y. ii.
llirht.blue satin over red-a handsome
costume: Mrs. BrOadhead, OF New YORK