Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-05

led spread cages, laid in gold, surmount
shields, back of which are clustered and
draped six silk American flags four feet long,
the whole trophy trimmed with garlands
smilax and roses. Alternating with these
are miniature suits of steel and gilt Roman
arnor, bristling with ancient battle axes
spears and swords, mounted on shields of
purple, black, scarlet and blue velvet. Over
the arches, above and between these trophies
were gracefully draped the flags of all
nations, the Stars and Stripes predominating.
In a general way this scheme was carried
out in the decoration of the fronts of the sec
ond and third galleries. On the front of the
second gallery
Suits OF Armor
full sized, of FURNISHED silver plate. On
the shields are represented the arms of all
nations of the world each trimmed with the
flags of the nations represented. Gold and
jewelled crowns surmount the shields The
third and highest gallery was effectively
draped with flags, in the folds of which hung
the insignia in gold of each of the United
states army corps mounted upon discs of
blue and scarlet silk velvet Large terra
Gotta vases were placed at short intervals
along the upper parapet filled with Towering
heavily festooned with smilax and laurel. On
the whole the plan of the decoration was
softening and toning and the influence of
dark green foliage was srtistically employed.
The richest and most striking features of
the gallery decorations are long lines of silk
and satin
Gold Embroidered Banners.
These are six feet in length and are pendant
from gilt and silver ornameHted stats at.
tached at al acute angle to the fifteen pillars
supporting the first and second galleries.
They are trimmed with deep gold fringe
studded with jewels. Upon each is embroid-
cred the coat of arms of the leading nations
of the world, the American coors alternating
with those of other nations The deeora-
lions on the eight immense Corinthian col
umns are in perfect harmony with their tow
ering proportions.
Stretching across the extreme east end Of
the court is great high terraced conserv-
,tory. The scene is one of striking beauty
-broad-leafed palms 10 to l5 feet high,
orange trees, tropical plants IN bloom, bushes
Of superbly beautiful roses, hyacinths,
lilies of the valley, white and purple volets,
tulips and carnations, all the coloring har-
moniously blended. With the other
Strikingly Handsome Features
Of the interior scene are eight large panel.
upon which is represented in floral the pic
ture Of the executive departments of the
government. They are sxl0 feet and are
suspended at even distances from the front
lover gallery. The State department: is re-
presented by an open book upon which are
tiers ia immortelles and scroll roll manu-
script inscribed department of State The
emblem of the war department is mounted
cannon with pyramid of cannon balls. On
;he navy department panel is a complete
model of the U. S, dispatch boat Dolphin.
IN the panel of the department of justice
sre shown the scales Of justice and an open
law book, across the pages Of which is the
ATTN inscription fat ia tisia-" The post
Office department is represented by a mail
Dag lettered III. s, NJ and a letter With
postmark dated March 4, 1889" addressed
Benjamin Harrison, Washington, ID. c.
The treasury department panel is the re-
presentation of a large safe With combination
lock carried out in de all. The interior de-
partment is represented By log cabin with
the stump Of a tree into which an axe i.
driven. The agricultural department is re-
PRESENTED by plow ard sheaf of wheat
All these emblematical designs in the
carefully constructed and choicest catfosers.
From the topmost peak on each Of the
three sections of the roof of the building
one hundred and fifty feet from the foo,
sung thousands Of streamers. red, hite and
blue bunting alternating garland, forming
an immense canopy. From the centre and
middle Of the canopy depends. probably
tae largest and mos, complete piece of
Floral Decorations
ever seen A full rigsed, three masted
ship, representing the Ship of State, thirty