The morning times., 1897-03-05
LIKE ALADDIN's CAVE.
Ballroom q Very Poem of Light
and Color.

ahu NOiOi'
The details OF the decoration OF the
ball are easy to describe, when compared
with giving an adequate impression of the
result. AS already said, the decoration,
both in color and design, was unique.
Yellow and white, and green took the
place in the general thought of the artists,
but there were many concets in lights
and complimentary colors, which We're
entirely elusive of description. Last night
was the first opportunity presented OF
seeing what art could add to the beauty
of the eight interior, massive pillars. The
bases We're draped in billowing white cloth
to the height of about ten feet, over the
top of which appeared potted plants,
flowers. and vines. Among th9Ee were
placed a number of incandeScent lights, in
vari-colored bulbs, which made curious
and marvellous tints on the shades of the
leaves and flowers. BY this device the
massive pillars appeared TO be set In
gigantic iardiniereS. The dark yellow and
white of these columns were in pleasing
harmony with the yellow and white OF the
general display.
Tht pillars of the balconies were draped
in white. over the arches these coiored
materials were made to conform to the
curves and were gracefully loOped a the
| highest point OF the arch. AT the capital
of each column was a cluster of white
electric lights and from this cluster two
pendants streamcd way of the same col
| ored Illumination. Just above the capital
| was a circlet of cedar intermingied with
| ivy and snilaX, the circular form being
marked out by brilliant points OF light
red, white and blue.
AT the line of capitals of the second gal
| lery, all around the hall, were arc lights
| at proper distances. At the capitals above
| and below were wreathS Of evergreen, some
| massed and some trailing down the col
umns. This charming effect on the two
! balconies was heightened by being re-
! lieyed against the inner wall of the build
| ing, which, although covered with white
| and green, was lighted dimly enough to
make a good background and perspective.
| The ratings of the balconies were rich in
! cut flowers and ferns. The cut flowers
were lavishly disposed at the second bal
cony and in the basin Of the fountain.
over this scene there were three new
| features of the ceiling. One hundred thou
sand yards of white formed the new
ceiling. 1t was formed into three domes,
| at the center, east and west ends. With
| in the dome was a circle OF brilliant white
| electric lights.
At the west end the special decora ton
was the American flag, over the second
| balcony, behind which an ingenious de-
! vice kept the stars and bars in motion, CIV
! ing the effect of fntermitting stars and
| appearing and reappearing streams OF red,
white, and blue fire.
At the east end was the gorgeous Col
den Gate" typical Of the original, and
otter the Worlds Fair design. 1t was an
archway of yellow, the conccntric circles
receding, the material being yellow chaille
shirred The facade of the archway was
! also of yellow, but in fluted designs. Each
Of the receding arches was marked out by
| fifty electric lights, which shone with
| brilliant effect. The archway rested on
a base Of yellow, supported by Doric
| columns.
The special feature at the south end was
the design of Mckinley ard Hobart in
letters of red, white, and blue, the ma
| terial of the letters being incandescent
lights.
Perhaps the most effective of all the
conccits was the fountain and It's hasfn.
1t was filled with ferns and tropical
plants, the rocks in the center being pro-
fusely covered with aZaleas, iaponicas and
Towering plants. Every feature of this
decoration was broughtout and accentuated
by myriads of scintillating electric points,
which cleaned through flower and foliage
with suggestion Of the bower OF Spen-
ser's Faerie Queen.
The space between the upper balcony
and the ceiling was covered with green
md with baskets and wreaths of cut flow