The San Francisco call., 1897-04-21
GOWNS AND DECORATIONS.
In Point of Magnificence All For
mer Fiestas Have Been
ExCeiled.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, April 20.-In
point of beauty of decorations and magnif-
cencs of costumes the fiesta of '97 excels
any OF its predecessors.
Hazards Pavilion, the scene OF the
baile mascara tonight, was ablaze with
electric lights and the fiesta coiors-yei-
low, green and red-that typify in this
annual merry-making the orange, olive
and wine. The interior of the building
was covered soIidly in yellow as back
ground for the other colors. From the
center of the ceiling ropes of smilax were
carried to the corners of the room hung
with numerous red Japanese lanterns
filled with the same graceful vine, giving
the effect of hanging baskets of growing
p lants. At the center, whence these lines
diyerged. long pendent Of Japanese um-
brellas was arranged. graduating in size
from twelve to Two feet, and at every
point of each shone a colored electric
light. Where the ropes We're fastened at
the corners two umbrellas were hung and
lighted IN the same way.
The proscenium arch in front of the
stage was effectively ornamented with
fiesta flags and red lanterns. The Queens
throne was covered with red satin and on
each side of the broad stairs leading up to
it wei re solid beds of flowers of the same
brilliant hue. On either side of this STAIR
way below the throne the musicians were
screened from the dancers by bamboo
trellises filled in with broad -ieaved palms
and teathery ferns. The entrance at the
opposite end of the room was concealed in
a similar manner.
From the gallery and balcony lanterns
and pennants futtered in profusion. while
the supporting pillars was twined thickiy
with ivy, and across each alternate arch
extended low bamb boo fence massed with
green foliage and palms.
The general effect of this com bination
OF brillian. color was gorgeous and strik-
ing, consistent with the spirit of the merry
maskers rather than dignified and ele-
CANT. In the decorations were 90 um brel-
las ano 1000 lanterns, and nobody knows
how many thousand Of electric lights were
used.
This with the ornament ton of the
carriages for the Queen and court, the
Jonathan and Athletic Club turnouts and
several other of the most attractive fea-
lures OF La Fiesta, was uesigne by Mrs.
Annie Bancroft's artistic taste.
1t is questionable whether real roy atty
is clothed in richer fabrics on ceremonial
occasions than were Queen Francesca and
her mimic court. the costumes of the
brilliant reign OF Louis XVI of France
were the ones her Majesty chose for her
prime minister and the lords ana ladies
in waiting, with the privilege of wide lati-
tude in the exercise of individual taste.
The Queens coronation robe was ia sh-
ioned OF cream brocade, heavy with gold
thread. The bodice was cut square in the
neck. trim mmed with gold passementerie.
the sleeves short, revealing the upper part
of the arm. The bodice front is cascaded
with rare old lace, which with her dia.
monds is an heirloom in her family.
From light gold lace collar in the
back fall yards and yards of purple vel
vet in the regal train. This is lined with
cream satin, trimmed with ermine and
fastened at the shoulder with diamond
pins.
A jeweled girdle encircled the waist;
the handle OF her scepter and crown were
set with diamonds and pearls. A dia-
mond necklace clasped the white throat
OF the girl queen, and the lace front of
her bodice was caught with the same
glowing gems.
Queen Francescas uncle, John f.
Frances, previous to his departure for
Europe, presented her with the crown