The morning call., 1893-04-18

In the Roman Revival" opened last
evening at the Mechanics Pavilion by the
Olympic Athletic Club, San Francisco NAV
we'll take pride.
Though the Pavilion has been the scene
Of hundreds of elaborate entertainments
kirmesses, fancy fairs and the like. it has
never witnessed anything approaching this.
either In magnitude or in the interest it has
excited.
In the Eastern States, the leading papers
have been calling particular attention to
this entertainment as peculiar sign of the
times on the Pacific Coast. at marks"
saws a New York daily, "the interest at
taehed to physical culture in California,
and may be considered a notable apotheosis
OF clean athletics on the Pacific Coast"
AEy references to the Roman Revival in
the local prints have been greedily copied
by the Eastern and interior press, and
numerous visitors to San Francisco have
resulted. Special trains are being run to
the city from leading points during this
event 10 accommodate these visitors.
But. naturally enough, it was in the city
and immediate suburbs that that interest cuI-
minated, TO which the overwhelming success
Of last evening must be attributed.
The elite of the "bay cities" were present
at the Pavilion last night and were mani
nous in wonder and approval.
1t would be strange, indeed, il il had
been otherwise, for the idea of the great
SPECTACULAR games sprang from the most
popular and promising athletic organization
OF the city, and no expense or labor has
been wanting to carry it into execution.
Local talent of the highest order. local So
eiety and local capital contributed to last
nights success.
Conceived several years ago in the brain
OF President of the Olympic Club William
Greer Harrison, the germ of the revival"
has experienced a steady growth.
The Coliseum of last night, in all its elab-
crate appointments and classic exercises,
did not spring iull-grown from the brain of
this modern Jove. 1t had been welcomed
and fostered for years.
But it was only when the Olympic Club,
on entrance into its new home on Post
street, was confronted by the phan tom of a
$4,000 debt that President Harrison re-
solved to use his pet project to exercise an
incubus which threatened to seriously
handicap his club.
The members, over POO in number, and
drawn from the best blood aud sine in the
city. were in full touch with their presi-
dent and responded heartily to his sugges-
ton.
Specialists in every branch of knowledge
affecting the venture were engaged and
about two months ago the Roman Rev-
val" which made its debut before society
last night. was fairly born.
The only rigid condition laid down in the
preparations was as strict an adherence to
the ancient Roman prototypes as possible
ROme's Coliseum was reproduced by
skilled carpenters and decorators; Rome's
music was copied as nearly rs modern
knowledge allowed; libraries were ran
sacked for perfect representations of cos
tunes and for information regarding forms,
games, speeches and other accessories to an
ideal portrayal Of Rome in its palmy days
Talent was not lacking, and offers of
assistance came pouring 10 from all sides.
The original idea grew larger, and, to
utilize the preferred aid of society In par
licuar. 1t was decided to hold a fair in the
upper galleries Of the Pavilion. This fair,
with its original and, in some cases, 'Ro-
msnesque" bJoths will be running all day
long.
Everything, however, has been subordin.
sted 10 the Roman revival keynote, and
lovers Of the novel and antique-to be para
dnxical-fOund their Utopia last night at
the Pavilion.
The fatteTing reception given the enter
tainment. despite the inconvenience of a
first night" crowd, must have gone far
toward compensating the promoters for
their lsbors.
They must also have scented the soothing
promise of favorable financial outcome
viii will not ..detract from their acknoWl-
edged artistic success.