The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-12
A SILVER WEDDING.
THE UNION LEAGUE CLUBS TWEEN
TY-FlFTH ANNIVERSARY.
Loan Exhibition OF Art Master-Pleces--
Display of Genius In Culinary Skill
Two Thousand People Entertained
A Distinguished Assemblage.
special Correspondence Of The Appeal.


Its silver wedding, or rather its twenty
fifth anniversary, by the Union League
club, on Monday evening, was certainly
one Of the most brilliant and successful en-
tertainments OF the entire season. The
splendid clubhouse, the finest in this
country, and as think OF ii, probably one
Of the finest in The world, presented most
dazzling and beautiful sight on this memora-
BILE occasion. The extremely spacious hall
ways and staircases were throngcd with
gorgeously dressed and very pretty women,
army and naval officers in bright and gilt
tering uniforms, and an endless number of
well known and distinguished celebrities.
In the library, which is in the eastern
wing, Eau PREMIER" President Depew,
gracious and graceful in manner, received
the guests, and for that matter the mem
bers too, for who would lose the oppor-
tunity OF meeting so bright and charmnga
man rs Mr.. Depew. Full of tact and "bon-
hommie, with the requisite amount of Dig
nifty, he had something pleasant and appro-
pirate tosay TO everyone. Particularly notice.
able was this when at one time Henry Vii
lard, Mayor Hewitt, Max o. Rel Gen. Abner
Doubleday and half dozen others more
or less prominent were presented in quick
succession and exchanged courtesies with
the aiiable president. At the opposite
side OF the building, on the same floor as
the library, is the picture gallery and the
ballroom. A splendid collection Of paint
ings-mostly OF modern French artists
were loaned for the occasion by members
of.the club, and when IL is remembered
that there are three noble examples OF
Breton, an unusually fine Bonguereal,
some striking military pictures by DeNeu-
vile and Detaille ntheir best style, re-
markable work Of Geromes, and what is
rarest ofal a Delacroix, it may be imagined
that the club numbers some fine art col
lectors among ITS members. The original
"llunt Ball at Pau" by Jules Stewart,
hangs in the ballroom opposite Jean Paul
Iaurens' picture OF Columbus. Eastman
Johnsons "Gossips," which brought such
a fine price at the Stewart sale, is also seen,
ON a beam in the farmhouse
seriously conversing, continue to evoke
the greatest admiration. One is sure TO
hear somebody say, "llow cutop' Cum
ming, isn't III" or something OF that sort
when they are looking at 1t. Diaz, Daubig-
ny and Dupre, powerful trio OF land
scapists." are represented by good work.
| Ii would not be fair 10 omit slight men,
| ton of Broton's "Le Soir." This is large
canvas representing three women who
have been at work all day in the fields.
II Is lust about dusk, or after sunset. One
OF the women, an admirable figure, Is
standing, and is stretching out her arms,
| while her companions are resting ON the
ground. Breton's characteristic strength
and his great feeling for color left an i'm
preston too deep TO DO obliterated even
by the brilliant and festive scene that WIS
going on all about the surroundings. Adj
Joining the gallery is the ballroom, and
on the stage there iorty or fifty Of Thomas
men played the most fascinating
dance music. When they struck up
ia Gitna," there was an irresistible
influence 10 dance, and with the aid d
this delicious music nothing less than day
light itself could prevent the numbers Of
young people from yielding. On the
ground floor Bernstein's band was playing
promenade music all the while. The view,
pictorially, was excellent at the head OF
the second staircase. Just below IL was
seen the constantly changing procession
moving 10 and fro through the hallway
between the library and picture gallery,
while further on and below were seen tho
fresh arrivals as they swarmed up the
grand escalier," behind which the enor-
nous stained glass window makes so beau
tiful a background. Tho flood Of music
from tho bands, the brilliant and beautiful
asscmblage, the tasteful decorations, all
combined 10 form an animated and daz-
King picture. Two OF tho upper floors
were devoted 10 feasting and, apropos, 10
might be well for Monsieur f.ucullus 10
look 10 his laurels In the future. Tho
grand dining.room, without n chair or tn
Die In Il, IA one Of tho handsomcst rooms
or halls in this city, but exquisitely deco
rated and brilliantly lighted, as II was last
night, Il made one think OF fairy tales 10
look at H. Mover has there been such dis
play Of artistic talent In the culinary or
confectionery art as was seen on
tho tables. Almost every scasonablc fish
was there, In the most pictursquely cor
rect environment. All the hidden and ter
rible mysteries Of tho deep, sca scrpents.
devil fish. submarine freaks, and the like,
were only toothsome adjuncts 10 some
proud salmon or boasliul red snapper. A
saddle Of bear" evenly Drowned and
glis,cning with polish OF jelly, rested on
n sacchafinely north Polar scene. There
miniature bruins frolicked aud Rambolcd
In their artlcsa Arctic way. Filcts inasquc-
raded AZ nongat; becl-tonguc put on tho
disguise Of candicd beels, and our old
friend the oyster was fooling US in every
way possible There were several small
dinner.rooms for tho committees and
large dning.room for the president and
his distinguished guests. A small regi-
mcnt Of ebon hucd attendants satisfied tho
varied aud various wishes Of the 1000 In
yadens. There was no speech making
nothing. In fact, 10 Interfere with any
ones enjoyment Of the celebration In his
own sweet way. Tho magnificent toilets
Of the ladies', the blaze Of their diamonds,
and the beauty Of their faces, give thcm
the hest part In our recollection Of a most
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