The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1893-04-29
THE EDITORS BANQUET.
THE MAGNIFICENT SPREAD COM
--ARY TO THE PRESS.
CAafO4

O"fJ4
Given by the Citizens of New Berne-.-
In Hall of Softly Brilliant Light
and Superb Beauty.-Eloquent Re-
tponses to Commercial and Patriotic
Tosssts.
The banquet given by the citi-
zens of New Berne to the members
of the Press was ideally perfect and
realistically delightful. It was an
entertainment which, in no particu-
lar, could have been excelled. In
deed, to equal it would be a stu
pendous undertaking for any town
or city; for the combined taste and
culture which characterize the mag
nifcent-hearted and hospitable peo-
pie of historic and classic New
Berne, are found in few, if any,
other places on this globe. The
gentlemen of the city exacted lib
eral tribute from the illimitable re-
sources Of the fertile farms, gar
dens, gene preserves and splendid
rivers of the vicinity to supply the
tables, while the ladies of New
Berne, who are Justly famed for
their elegant culture and accom-
plished taste, as we'll as beauty of
person, directed their unreserved
efforts to the arrangement and dec
GRAFTON of the banquet hall. This
was their expression of welcome to
the Press Association. Their well
come was thus harmoniously beau
tiful and graceful; and while
many members of the State press
possess the talent of fluent and
happy expression in language, none
SO far have been able to give ade-
quate expression to the boundless
admiration and appreciation they
have for the welcoming work of the
ladies.
The banquet was spread in the
lsrge and lofty Y. M. G. A. audito
rum and gymnasium, at one end o
which is stage and at the othel
end gallery. The arrangement o
the tables was an artistic piece o
work. While there were at leas
fifteen tables which intercepted ant
crossed each other all througl
the hall, there were few seats whicl
did not command full view of tn
auditorium, and there was no sea
that did not command large view
Overhead decorations we're of multi
colored banners, streamers and flag
so profusely bestowed as to almos
obscure the ceiling from view, an
I so draped and blended as to pre-
/ duce moving Kaleidoscope effec
The decorative work on th
\ tables was of howers-gorg'
Gus and choice roses an
1 rich evergreens, grown on tt
many beautiful lawns and floral ga
dens of the city, in glorious bloor
The centre piece, in front of the se
= of the toast master, was a super
pyramid of choice cut roses, bri
:: liant but restful and tender in hu
( crowned by cluster of large cal
ID lilies. On each end of every tab
IS; there was a large floral cluster
native roses and flowers, the pre-
tiest and sweetest on earth, differil
in beauty from the Queen piece on
as they differed in dimension
Covers were laid for about one hu
no dred guests. and by each cover W
DC. delicate button-hole bouquet &C
veying the compliments of
donors.
The illumination of the hall "
bright, but deliciously soft. II
effect was produced by a com
nation of gas jets, electric incand
cents and nun erous large pia
n, lamps over which we're shades
various softening .colors. The
Elections of the rays of liz
from these lamps, combined with
,nt. rays from the stronger lights
the multi colored canopy abe
caused q general effect of in
scribable softness and beat
tied Added to all this was the addltio
ZEN, zen. and superior charm of the prese
1cf Of of New Berne's ladies who occup
seats on the stage at one end of
hall and in the gallery at the OF
end. At the beginning of the b
the quet, the seats opposite covers "
's 10 occupied by men exclusively; b.
and number of the gentlemen frie
1tly ,taSy of two young ladies, who were
covered in the galaxy of g1
{. and beauty in the halc'
Misses Emma Katie Jones
ore Kathleen Bryan, by persis
QlSI appeals and pleadings finally
duced them to consent to c
and down and occupy seats on the
IONS IONS quet floor. The banquet thus b'
graced by the participation OF
r. dies, left nothing conceivable t
. wished for.
- The menu did not appear on
=, toast cards, it apparently being
served for the delightful surpri
caused. 1t included the follo'
courses:
Oysters on half shell; fish 81
LT l