The record-union., 1891-01-10
A SCENE OF BEAUTY.
How the Capitol Appeared Last Night
Charming Decora tiOns

How the Capitol Appeared Last Night
Charming Decorations.
AT at early hour in the evening the
Capitol building and grounds were bathed
in a flood of light from electric and gas
lamps. All the rooms in the building
were brilliantly lighted, as well as the in
terror of the great central dome overlook
ing the rotunda. Within the space of one
day and a half the interior of the impos-
ing structure had undergone a remark
able change. Immediately after the in
augural ceremonies on Thursday the
work of preparation for the grand ball
began at the Capitol. A large force of
men had been engaged for the occasion,
and the Senate and Assembly Chambers
were soon cleared of chairs and desks,
and the task OF decorating the entire
building i'll q manner betting the occa-
sion was begun. Major Ennis, Chairman
OF the Committee on Decorations, deter
mined that, so far as lay in his power
with the means and time at his command,
the noble building should be arrayed in
fitting costume to receive and entertain
the distinguished men and lovely women
from all over the State, who had gathered
to honor the new Governor and particle
pate in the joyous festivities incident to
his entering upon the duties of his high
Office.
10 one NlSlblIlg the III lD6 dIUGr-
noon, in the bright sunshine of a Califor-
mia midwinter day, the delicate garb of
clinging vine and plant and shrub, with
which the interior was being clothed,
seemed in perfect harmony with the deep
green OF the lawns and trees outside.
What q glorious ensemble and appeal to
the stranger from inhoSpitable cline!
The work of decoration began at the
very portals of the building. Att the main
M-Street entrance temporary portal was
erected and draped with flags. The hall
ways of the entire lower floor were ap-
propriated for the dinner tables, which
Were made as attractive as sparklinglglass
and rare confections could make them.
AL the tables were enlivened and beauti-
fed by
RARE HoT-HoUSE PLANTS
And flowers, and the table specially re-
served for the Governor and staff, King
kalakaua and other notables was diStin-
guished by having seats only on one side,
the other being a mass of rare eXoticS of
endless variety, charming to the senses
by their sweet fragrance, as well as by
their great beauty. On the alcoyeS of the
rotunda, on the lower floor, were grouped
palms and shrubs and potted plants OF
many species.
The chandeliers on the stairways lead
ing TO the upper floor of the rotunda were
beautifully festooned with smilax, and
giant palms stood sentinel at the different
landings. The doorway into the upper
rotunda was festooned with eyergreens,
and from the center of the arch depended
hanging basket, covered with moss and
filled with orchids and trailing vines. a
beautiful effect was produced by festoon-
ing the chandeliers on the railing around
the rotunda with smilax and gorgeous
clusters of deep-yellow begonia, oppo-
site to each chandelier being a large
dracpna ON a pedestal cleyerly hid from
view.
DECORATIONS IN THE LIBRARY
Were not profuse, but very pleasing in
their effect. The main effort was CEN
tered i'll nlassing lot of plants and flow
ers III q great bed of mess in the center of
the library rotunda, which elected many
ordinations of delight from the fair por-
ton of the throng. The mirrors and
doorways Were all festooned with snilax,
and in the embrasures OF the upper floor
was circle of palms. The decorations
of the railways of the second floor con-
sisted principally of California fan palms
and sago palms.
THE DANCING HALLS.
The Senate and Assembly chambers
are SO nearly perfect in their proportions
and in the blending of harmonious colors
that any adyentitious aid to their beauty
would seem supeTtiuous, but no one who
saw the lovely and artistic result of the
decorators art last night would hesitate
to admit that for the gala occasion their
claim to perfection had been improved
upon. 1t needed all-howers and music
and women-to make the scene complete.
In the Senate chamber temporary
platform had been erected around the
Speakers stand, on which were seats for
= favored few. Around this platform