The Portland daily press., 1885-02-07
AUGUSTUS RECEPTION.
Gov. Robie, His Council and the
Legislature Honored.
One Of the Most Brilliant Society
Events at the Capital.
Partial List Of the Prominent Per-
sons Present.
Especial to the Press.)

| One of the most brilliant and successful
events of the kind that ever took place in this
city, was the reception by the citizens OF Au-
| gusta to the Governor and Council, and the
members of the Legislature, at Granite Hall,
this evening.
| The cards of invitation that were Issued
read as folIows
The honor Of your company Is requested on Fri
day evening February 6th 1881, at half past eight
o'clock, at reception rendered the Governor and
Of Augusta, at Granite Hall, Augusta. The favor
! or an answer is requested
Reception Committee-Mr. and Mrs. s. g. White
mouse, Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Lambard, Mr.. and
Mrs. Selden Connor, Mr.. and Mrs. j. Manchester
Haynes, Mr.. and Mrs. Oscar Holway.
executive Committee-Mr. and Mrs. a. s. Os-
y. +. Parrott. Mr.. and Mrs. j. II. Manley Mr.. and
Mrs. James E. Fuller.
There were some eighteen hundred invita-.
tions Issued, and, as the result, when the re-
ceptjon exercises took place, there were nearly
eight hundred on the floor and in the galleries.
The guests commenced assembling at an early
hour, and from half past eight to half past
nine the reception committee which stood in
the south part of the hall received them as
fast as the company arrived and were present.
ed. In the meanwhile Pullen's orchestra of
this city, consisting of fifteen pieces discours-
ed for the promenaders some of the choicest
selections from their repertoire.
The hall was not only handsomely and elab-
orately decorated. but it was done in excellent
taste. The decorations were furnished by the
celebrated Boston Decorating Company,
George Nelson Beal, manager. The calcium
lights used were furnished by J. j. Ridgeway
Of Boston. The decorations were superior to
any ever used by Mr.. Beal at Augusta, Bath,
Lewiston, Portland, etc. The entryways lead
ing to the hall, also the doorway, were draped
with flags, shields, banners and festcons Of
bunting. When in the hall and gazing at
the stage, the decorations consisted OF mas
sve metallic brilliant of several thousand
pieces OF every color. 1t was of six feet diam
eter. On the right and left were two others Of
three feet diameter. Both were encircled
with scroll, pink and white moss paper, with
festoons of green moss paper. radiating towards
the central points. The background of scene
two curtains 15x20 feet, each of old gold
and crimson velvet. At the extreme
right and left we're two large vases of flowers,
one and one-half feet high, elegantly painted
by Thomas G. Seavey OF Boston. At the front
of the stage, right and left, were two private
boxes, expressly designed for invited guests,
the centre used by the orchestra, the front
OF the stage being raised so as to form bal
cony the entire length and trimmed with pink
fresco drapery, festoons with green moss paper,
and on top of the balcony miniature flags of all
nations crossed at all points.
The gallery decorations consisted of the
front portion of the gallery draped with pearl
and scarlet satin. caught up with posettes of
the same color. At the left side near the stage
was the Governors reception tent, from a ten
IT. circle on the gallery extending up to q point
forming the roof of the same, silver dart and
two beautiful silk flags crossed; also whore it
left the gallery from the circle to the hoor'were
UdItencess of pearl color bordered with scarlet
satin extending to the floor, leaving an OPEN
ing to enter the interior of the tent, where
table with flowers and a fine set of elegant
furniture for the Governors guests.
Radiating from the centre of the ceiling
were "a streamers of scarlet and white, and
four blue with stars the entire length, each rs
feet long, to all parts of the side cornce of the
hall.
The sides Of the hall were festooned with
red. white and blue bunting. In rear of the
gallery United States coat Of arms, flags and
banners of heraldry we're placed between all
the loops of the bunting.
The beauty of the decorations attracted gen.
eral admiration, as they were entirely new.
The guests, SO far as the sterner sex was
concerned, were Of all shades of politics The
tout ensemble, when viewed from the galleries,
presented gorgeous spectacle, especially when
the gay, festal disciples of terpsichore danced
on the joyous hours. 1t was an assemblage Of
fair women and brave men. Without under
taking to make invidious distinctions, 1t may
be said that the display OF dresses as q whole
was above the average. Many toilettes of the
more fashionable ladies were elegant, several
being directly from Paris. There was a
dazzling display OF diamonds in necklaces and
pendants. Several charming young misses
who were debutdntes in society received large
share of attention.
The gentlemen were in their best attires, and
many of them wore boutonnieres. Bangor and
Portland furnished the largest number of
guests.
Dancing commenced at half past nine to the
soul-inspiring music of Pullen's orchestra. The
floor director was Silas W. Wyman, to whom
much of the success of tho occasion was due.
He was assisted by Fl. P. Milliken, John Il.
Avery, j. W. Fogler, L. @. Cornish, WIS.
Choate and Bon Wilson, who served as aids.
The order of dances was as follows:
l. Promenade. s. Portland Fancy.
2. Lancers. 8. Waltz, Redowa and
3. Promenade Polka
4. Quadrille. 10. Quadrille.
B. Promenade. IL Waltz
6. Lancers. 12 Waltz
z. Waltz.
Governor Robie was attended by his person-