The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-18

corner OF the library confused heap of
box, myrtle, acacia and laurel festoons lies
awaiting the hands which will to-day
stretch the ropes of green from pillar to
cornice and from vaulted roof to flower
decked wall.
Above the organ to the west of the great
hall a marble bust of ST. Cecilia, framed
in dazz ling aureole of silver, looks down
upon a mountain of captive balloons
which are to float above the clusters OF
incandescent lights.
Yesterday afternoon one of these
same balloons gave an exhi bition of the
perverse and FESTIVE spirit for which its
kind is famous. Detaching itself from the
immense bunch OF which it had formed
part this unruly globe of scarlet rubber
genial habitat amid the carved rafters of
the roof, whence it was brought down to
earth again, with much ado and no small
risk of life and limb by one of the
workmen.
The great hall will be a charming sight.
From the galleries and between the arches
of the colonnade which surrounds the
magnificent apartment hang priceless
Oriental draperies of gorgeous though
harmonious hues and of fabulous price.
The arches themselves are outlined in
tiny incanGescent lights, and will be
twined with feathery garlands of snilax
and myrtle. From the center of the
domed roof will be noticed colossal Ian
tern of crimson tissue with framework
of gilded metal and hanging from it huge
golden basket overf1owing with Marechal
Mel roses held in place by graceful bows
of cardinal red and surah silk.
Along the walls of the hall, separated
by shields of green outlined in glIttering
butterflies of silver and cardinal gauZe
with bodies formed of incandescent
globes, are four large bas-reiiefs in plaster
composition, representing music, paint
Ing, poetry and the drama. The work on
these reliefs is exceedingly artistic, the
prevailing tint being a very pale nile
green touched here and there with silver
leaf The space occupied by the relief
MUSIC" was much admired by number
OF art critics yesterday, all praising highly
the realistic grouping of the instruments
aud scrolls which form the center of the
design.
The guestroom, with one or two apart
ments adjoining, has been set apart for
the use OF the ladies as a place in which to
put the finishing touches to their toilets.
while one of the north parfors will be
used by the gentlemen as a smoking
room. The apartments once occupied by
Mrs. Hopkins will be general rendezvous
and ''wall-fower" headquarters, the
dancers taking possession of the remain
The scene tonight promises to be bril-
liant in the extreme. The King of the
Carnival, Amedee Joullin, in a sixteenth
century costume of black velvet and satin.
trimmed with gold braid, will take his
stand on the crimson draped throne, while
about him will be grouped his attendants,
all more or less richly and uniquely at
tired. The ladies are somewhat reticent
regarding their costumes, but the gentle
men made no demurrer when questioned
as to what they were going to wear
George Bromley, the court poet is to
read poem, and TO be sort of poem in
color himself, since his costume will be a
rather audacious combination of shrimp
pink satin and wine-colored velvet. Alfred
Bowler, the lord cham berlaln, will read
the royal proclamation, his special type of
manly beauty being admirably set off by a
flowing robe of cardinal broadcloth faced
with ermine. The other members of the
royal retinue will be arrayed in costumes
as rich III material as artistic in design.
There were many tickets for the Mardi
Gras issued yesterday. The chairs for the
spectators, who are not required to march,
are all in place. There will be a cosLumer
on hand with masks and dominoes, and
also dresser for those who will need
making up. Ladies who go upon the floor
must all wear masks. The invitation COM
mlttee will be on hand all day to issue
tickets for applicants.
1t has been decided to close all doors 10
the building, except the Mason-street en-
trance, and to erect an awning from the
carriage door to the street, as it is feared
some accident might happen in driving
around the house, on account of the steep
ness of the grade.
Prince Louis of Savoy and Chevalier
Alessandro Bertolini, captain royal Italian