Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-02
Grand Display Of Beauty and Bril-
lIancy Last Night.
FITz LEES RECEPTION.
Crowds Presented to Him
and TO HE Wife.
GUESTS AND DRESSES.
&mt Of Che Notable People; Some Dresses
that Ladies Wore, &c.

As far rs historical research has been
made Richmond has rarely been called
- gay capital" In the first year of
the war, when brilliant men from all
parts Of the South were assembled here !;
when the town was filled with army
officers wearing spotless uniforms gilt.
tering in untarnished go,a-oraid and
brass buttons; when " Confederate in
dependence was thing not to be
questioned--inthoss early, happy, hope
full days, ere the liation Of blood be-
gan, Richmond was more the gay cspi-
tai than she has ger been since, or,
probably ever was before. Truth 10
tell, it has nevef had as high a
reputation in that espect rs at its
predecessor -Williahsburg-thoughits its
ante-beIiHm record nay have been
somewhat of an Improvement on
its later one. lid. where beauty
abounds, where thers is very respect
able wealth here a the seat Of gov
crnment. where the Governor resides; ;
and where the Genera Assembly meets
on an average about one year; here
where a great many stnngers spend the
winter. there has been deplorable and
aforementioned lack of jublic balls and
like affairs, where peope from all parts
Of the State and frnh other States
could be brought Together upon plea
SAINT footing. How % ch Richmond has
lost 0y neglect Of hsb interests, not to
say obvious duties, inhis respect, those
/ VINO know most of tlblic affairs can
i hest realias.
THE LEE 1iLL.
So Doubtless General fitz Lee, in
living Is consent to an Inauguration
Sall afie declining a parade, felt that
ers wasan opportunity of doing good,
IL performing a public service, Of be-
& irripg ne dull life ol Richmond and
fusippnt it some Of the vigor, sound
|nse, cd good feeling which it seems
10 dtinguish his administration.
An auguration bal was first talked
( 10 City Democratic Committee.
riclusion there reached was that
Z an affair not for political Or
<: Jon, but for private citizens.
) Colonel John b. Purcell aud a
associates resolved to push the
aking. They went on the streets,
Z the guarantee fund, made all the
tements, and last night had the
Considering that they had no
precedents to guide them, and
q heir rnsarrces and time we're limit
iAs D reasonable persons will concede
& bey achieved a marvellous sue
q THE ARMoRY.
be First-Regiment Armory stands
he southeast corner Of Marshall and
nth streets. IL is OF brick, stuc-
and its towers anG battlements at
proclaim that it is military build
1t was erected by the city Of
ond for the use of her volunteer
and is one of the wisest invest
Of municipal money ever made.
and Acknowledgements of its
military uses--it has served the
for public occasions as no other
bg here could have served them.
he first floor of the Armory there
company and officers rooms
B each side of wide hallway.
rooms were last night used for
and dressiDg-rooms, &c.
b the first floor to the second
re two broad stairways. These
pto q spacious " landing or
and the hall is then before you.
hll Tor drill-room) is 90 by 100
Of lofty pitch. The roof is
on two sides there are win
the light comes from ICON
ns " of gas-burners overhead,
e west end of the hall lover the
here is a gallery.
feet south of the Armory is
lall, and over this open space
Cas for this occasion thrown.
ball purposes the two build
made one. The Armory
for the reception and ball 4;
all for the SUPPER. Sanger
itself a great establishment
restaurant and saloon equip
a it's proprietor, Mr.. @. l..
S the general manager and
for furnishing everything to
ere two band-stands in the
They were against the walls
each other. One was
q brass band, which fur
enade music; the other by
Fa. which furnished the
end of the hall, against
opposite the great door Of
dais for General Lee and
Tas Just two steps above
stream Of people who
iesented went upon this
and of at the other.
DRATIoNs.
,verfally good limner
decorations. There
attempt at it here.
Grating began at the
into the hall. ex-
and over the bridge,
all. Mr.. Reh, OF
he decorator, and
game from his city.
and hundreds OF
sh:-ipes there were
,tes, arms OF all
= i'd eagles float
fair, with scrolls
=. were hanging
vir,ere were lace
~, and lsmbre-
sslyors and here
.palms Of VIC
bl,, in the ocean
%.
a the steps
40 ballroom
2-foot-high
kom South
- Dawson.
By birth,
4 the war,