Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-05

velvet. Over the arches and above and be-
tween these trophies are gracefully draped
the flags of all nations, the Stars and Stripes
of course predominating.
In general way this scheme is carried
out in the decoration of the fronts of the seq
ond and third galleries. On the front of the
second gallery, however, the suits of armor
are full sized and OF FURNISHED silver plate,
and on the shields are represented the arms
of all the nations of the world, instead of the
States of the Union, and each is trimmed
with flags of the nation represented. Gold
and jeweled crowns surmount the shields.
ARMY CORPS CoLoRs.
lively draped with flags, in the folds of
which are hung the insignia in gold of
each United States Army Corps, mounted
upon disks of blue and scarlet silk velvet.
Large terra Gotta vases, placed at short in
tervals along the upper parapet, are filled
with Towering plants. All of the support
ing pillars are heavily festooned with smi-
lax and laurel, and in the whole plan of
decoration the softening, toning influence of
dark green foliage is artistically employed.
The richest and most striking features OF
| the gallery decorations are the long lines of
silk and satin gold-embroidered banners.
| from gilt and silver ornamented staffs, at
tached, at an acute angle, to the $50 pillars
supporting the first and second galleries.
They are trimmed with deep gold fringe and
studded with jewels. Upon each of them is
embroidered in gold the coat of arms of one
of the leading nations of the world, the
American colors alternating with those of
the other nations.
PERFECT' HARMONY.
The decorations on the eight immense
Corinthian columns, are in perfect harmony
with their towering proportions. Beginning
at the bases of the capitals, eight broad gar
lands of laurels are entwined, right and left
crossing each other, but twice in their
descent, On the glistening white surface of
the columns and between the garlands, are
attached single Southern palm leaves, pro-
ducing a novel and unique effect.
These great masses of green give tone and
relief to the brilliant coloring which char
acterizes the decorations. Among the
effective features of the decorations are the
cardinal, old gold and peacock blue plush
dadoes which are tastefully draped, IA feet
| high, about the maroon bases ofthe columns.
Forty feet above these are suspended large
shields painted in the national colors.
Stretching across the extreme east end of
the court is great high-terraced conserva-
leafed palms, ten and fifteen feet in height,
orange trees, rare tropical plants in bloom,
bushes of superbly beautiful roses, La
France, Marechal Neil, Jackqueminot,
American Beauty and all the other varieties
now in season; hyacinths, lilies of the
valley, white and purple violets, tulips,
carnations, all their soft colorings har-
moniously blended, present scene of
beauty upon which the eye rests gratefully.
FLORAL PICTURES.
Other strikingly handsome features of the
interior scene are eight large panels upon
which are represented in floral pictures the
executive departments of the Government.
They are eight by ten feet in dimension and
are suspended at even distances from the
front of the lower gallery. The State De-
partment is represented by an open book,
upon which are lettered in immortelles the
words, a scroll and roll of manuscript in
scribed, Department of State" The en-
blem of the War Depal tment is a mounted
cannon with a pyramid of cannon balls
On the Navy Department panel is a COM
plete model of the United States dispatch
boat Dolphin, perfect in every detail, with
her name on the bow.
On the panel of the Department of JUS
tice are shown the scales of justice and an
open law book, across the pages of which is
the l1dJlu 7 ldJ 1u6
Postofice Department es represented bv a
mail bag lettered ''U. S. M" and letter
with postmark dated "March 4, 1882 and
addressed to "Benj. Harrison, Washing
ton, D. G.
On the Treasury Department panel is the
representation of a large safe with combi-
nation lock carried out in detail. The In
terror Department is represented by log
cabin with stump of tree into which an
axe has been driven, and the Agricultural
Department by a pillow and a sheaf of wheat
All of these emblematical designs are in
half relief and are constructed of only the
choicest flowers.
A THOUSAND sTREAMERs.
From the topmost peak of each of the
three sections of the roof of the building, a
sheer 150 feet from the floor, radiate a
thousand streamers of red, white and blue
bunting. alternating with garlands of ever
greens, and forming an immense canopy.
From the center Of the middle canopy,
depends, probably the largest and most
complete piece of floral decoration ever
seen. 1t is full rugged, three-masted ship,
representing the Ship of State. 1t is 80
feet long, and perfect model in every de-
tail. Tens of thousands of choice flowers
were used in its construction. 1t is a
marvel of graceful beauty.
From the center of each of the canopies
overspreading the end sections of the court
depends a floral ball, Is feet in diameter,
mass of brilliant color. Twelve immense
chandeliers of white and colored incan-
descent lights, 20 great arc lights, as many
powerful Lsmbuquin gas lanterns, and from
the highest gallery score OF calcium lights
with their ever shifting colors combine to
food the great hall with clarifying radi-
ance.
Taken as q whole or in detail the decora-