Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-19
Brightly Illuminated and Decorated on
a MaSn 6Cent Scale.
NEARLY THREE HUNDRED GUESTS
Most OF the Leaders OF Society I'm
che Gatherinx-3cautifu Women
in Most Elaborate Gowns-Dctails
of thc Interesting Event.

Mrs A. Oldncld Brown. took place at the
Jefferson last night.
II was an occasion not often afforded
and lt may be a long time before a SINH
lar occasion can lay claim to the pres
ence OF so many distinguished men and
women
The second floor OF the jefferson, which
was cut OF from the other parts Of the
house with great floral screens. had been
transformed by Messrs. Harvey & Co..
the florists. into a veritable bower. Co.
lossal banks Of palms were ranged along
the galleries surrounding the rotunda
Here and there groups Of ferns. of giant
lilies. and azaleas decorated the parlors
and Railways: evergreen ropes were
twined across the face of the gallery ana
across the court, and clusters Of American
Beauty roses were in every parlor.
Three hundred invitations had been is
sued and a conservative estimate places
the number Of guests who were present
last night at 26o-a remarkable fact, in
consideration of the inclemency Of the
weather. 1t was one of the most brilliant
and representative gatherings ever seen
at a social function in this city. and num-
bered men prominent in evo-y walk of life.
THE GUESTS ARRIVE.
It was almost 10 o'clock before the
guests began 20 arrive. The time from
93O 10 10 o'clock had been announced for
a reception. the dance to follow; but it
was well toward the hour when the in
roll of ri trrne ant
side and the hum of voices, mingled with
laughter foretold the gathering of the
crowds. Before long they streamed into
the western dining-rOom. which had been
arranged as a reception-room. and where
Major Ginter, with Miss Arents. M. and
Mrs. a. Oldheld Brown, Mrs. c. V. Car
rington. Mrs. Hunter Mcclure. Mrs. Gra-
ham Hobson, and Mrs. Adolphus Blair
awaited their coming.
THE BEAUTIFUL DECORATION.
The reception party was established
just I'm front Of the recess at the Jeffer
son-street end Of the room. In the back
ground, and TO either side. were massed
a large number of palms and ferns. with
pink azaleas i'm the centre and partly
hidden behind the leaves. with a curtain
Of interlacing asparagus between the
main columns, drawn to one side and
caught with a huge bunch Of American
Beauty roses the whole producing
beautiful effect. The entire second floor
was aglow with thousands Of mean
descent lights the glare of which was
softened by the banks Of ferns and
palms. which were distributed through
out the rooms and banked along the bal
comics. screening the view from the ro-
tunda.
Huge screens of smilax with American
Beauty roses cut off the floor from All
entrances to the other parts of the house
and in the recesses of the Railways were
handsome beds Of lilies, azaleas, ana
ferns which were the first glimpse OF
the decorations that the guests received.
The middle and eastern dnlng-rooms
were converted into ballroom, and
Professor Thilow's orchestra was sta
toned under the clock, amidst circle OF
tai palms
THE RECEIVING PARTY.
During the reception Miss Arents stood
Oh Major Ginter's right hand. She was
dressed I'm a very handsome gown OF
black satin with point lace. Her jewels
were diamonds, and she wore large
bunch Of violets.
on Major Ginter's left hand stood Mrs.
Brown, who wore a gown Of yellow more
trimmed in black. She wore exquisite
Jewels and carried a large bouquet OF
American Beauty roses.
Mrs Mcclure. who stood on Mrs.
Browns left, wore a striking gown OF
black velvet trimmed with point lace.
Fully 260 persons passed a.ong the line
but IL was done i'm a leisurely way and
with little of the usual formality.
THE DANCING BEGINS.
shortly after 1890 the notes of the first
dance sounded from behind the palms
The men chose their partners and the
ball began Two-steps and waltzes alter
mated. and each found the floor filled
with color and animation. Handsome
costumes of many delicate hues pink
green. blue. and fluffy white, moved
rhythmicaly around the hail in time
with the music Of the orchestra. There
were ten dances on the first half of the
programme, and at the end the guests
filed into the grand court. which had been
converted into a magnificent supper-room.
IN THE BANQUET HALL.
The garden Of the court had been
boarded over TO a level with the arcade
and covered with white drugget. In
the centre loomed up the magnificent
statue of jefferson, rallied of by four
square posts covered with asparagus and
connected with thin ropes OF the same
plant TO the north and south Of the
statue. just outside the enclosure. were
huge trOughs OF maiden-hair and other
delicate ferns. Overhead hundreds of
red white and blue electric bulbs peeped
out from garlands Of smilax. strung from
side TO side Of the court. Giant
palms and ferns were disposed with ad-
mirable effects. and profusion OF Hover
Ing plants were clustered about the ar
cade and the arcade parlors. Screens OF
smilax and roses shut off all the ave-
nues to the court. save the one by which
the guests entered when the clear notes or
the bugle call announced that ali was
ready.
SIX AT A TABLE.
Fifty tables, each arranged 10 accom-
modate six persons were spread IN the
court. and a large table for Major Ginter
and the guests Of the evening stood just
IN front Of the hall leading from the
Frauklln-street entrance to the court.
Beneath the arches Of this passage the
orchestra was seated and during the
supper the following selections were
played:
March. Dress Parade"
Selection, In Gay New York"
Waltz "Andalusia."
Garoite. "Anaire DAmour"
Selection. Faust"
Patrol. Return OF the Troup."
Overture, Fest"
Medley. "Our Southern Girls"
THE MENU.
The menu WAS as follows:
Blue Point oysters.
Bouillon IN Tasse.
Celery. Salted Almonds owes
Oyster Pattics.