Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-21

THE wEsTMoRELAND TENDERS IT'S
FAIR FRIENDS A RECEPTION.
SCENE OF BRILLIlNCY And BEAUTY.
The Handsome CIub-House Deco
rated With Exquisite Taste and
Throneed Throughout the Eve
ning-An Elaborate supper.

was one Of the most brilliant and de-
iightful entertainments given In Richmond
in many years.
IL was few minutes past 3 o'clock
when the first carriage drew up at the
entrance to the temporary covered way
leading from the curbstone to the door
of the beautiful clubhouse, corner of
Grace and Sixth streets, and from that
hour until nearly midnight the arrival
of guests was constant 1t was far be-
yond the latter hour when the last de-
parted, and the club-rooms lights were
turned low.
The last reception of this character
given by the club was three years ago.
ami the members have every year since
had it in mind to have their fair friends
partake of their hospitality. Again. the
time and circumstances have not been
found opportune. 1t seemed as if last
nights reception. I'm the brilliancy,
beauty. and cordiality that characterized
II. was to make up for the omission Of
former years. That it succeeded in doing
so could not be doubted.
CLUBHOUSE MADE BEAUTIFUL.
The sight. that met the eyes Of the
guests on entering the broad hall was
beautiful in a way that satisfied the most
| critical. captivated the most aesthetic
taste. Sweeping festoons Of smilaX, re-
| lieved by nosegays Of pinks. extended
in portiere fashion from the ceiling TO the
floor about the doorways leading TO the
l lf,.4.. ~.
the chandeliers were wreathed in sni-
lax, and pink shades softened the glow
Of the lights. The double stairway at
the rear Of the hall was also decorated
| with smilax and pinks, furnishing back
| ground, when viewed from the entrance,
| like a scene from German opera.
| The decorations I'm the main parlors
We're also i'm green and pink, sweeping
festoons of smllax and pinks and potted
plants. and artistic pink shades to the
chandeliers carrying ont the idea. The
veranda in the rear of the parlors was
| covered in with canvas. and furnished
with rugs. lounging chairs. a pretty little
stove. and tall lamps. whose light was
subdued by heavy shades, making an ex-
| quisite bower, where tete-a-tetes were
easily possible, and in constant progress
| throughout the evening. The east ver-
anda was similarly covered in, and fur
| nished. and decorated with the national
colors and the Virginia coat of arms.
IN THE DINING-ROOM.
The dining-room was decorated in the
universal pink and green, and In the GEN.
tire of the room the beautiful crystal
punch-bowl occupied the place OF honor
| on table of massive oak. In one corner
OF the room the First Regiment Band
was stationed. hidden from view by a
screen Of palms and other potted plants,
and throughout the evening strains of
music. popular and classic. rose above
animated conversation and merry laugh
| ter over the mantel in the dnlng-room
is a beautiful stag's head, mounted. pre-
sented to the club by Mr. James Perrine
| Barney.
Upstairs. in the private dining-rooms,
where punch was served throughout the
| evening. the decorati tions were lavish and
| artistic. Mr.. Williamson Talley. under
whose supervision the work of decorating
was DONE received many congratulations
upon the exceedingly happy manner in
which his artistic ideas were expressed.
especially upon the appearance of the
ladies' private dining-room on this floor.
| The decorations here were Of the simplest
character, but harmonized thoroughly
with the elegant simplicity Of the oaken
1uInlSHllES. IuItU WdS ttlNtu IN TINS
room. also throughout the evening.
In the dining-room in the basement the
decorations were extremely simple
palms, with here and there festoons Of
smilax and pinks. being placed about the
| room and on the walls. and chandeliers
while on each of the tables was a mag
nificent centrepiece Of roses and carna-
tions.
The glow Of a hundred candles, soft
ened by their pink shades, was flashed
back from cut-gass, and silver in the
greatest profusion. and the tables We're
trembling beneath their burdens Of de-
licacies. The menu was a triumph Of
the art Of the caterer. and embraced the
majority OF the dishes that are thought
TO stand first in the esteem Of the gour-
mand. saddles Of mutton. Virginia ham,
salmon. oysters. birds, terrapin, ices,
fruits. and cakes, and punch and cham
paene in abundance.
A BRILLIANT COMPANY.
The rooms were thronged with the wit,
beauty. and fashion of Richmond society.
aud neighboring cities contributed to en-
hance the brilliancy of the assemblage.
Governor Tyler and Mrs. Tyler and their
daughter. Miss Belle Tyler; Attorney
General Montague and Mrs. Montague
We're among the distinguished guests, and
were the recipients Of marked attention.
The guests were received in the front
parlor by Mr. and Mrs. Henry l.. Cabell,
Colonel and Mrs. G. OBJ. Cowardin, Mr..
and Mrs. j. b. Mosby. Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles Davenport, Judge James Keith
and Mrs. Keith. Dr. and Mrs. George
Ross Mr.. and Mrs. Frank ID. Williams,
Mr.. and Mrs John B. Purcell. Mrs. Fitz-
hugh Lee. Mrs Eugene Massie. Miss
Mary +. Hill, Miss Annie Gray, Miss CAL
vim Bragg. Mr.. Linwood Antrim, Mr.. Nir-
elnius Newton. Mr.. Granville Valentine.
Afr Cunningham Hall, and Mr.. Charles
L. Williams.
THE COSTUMES.
Mrs. Cabell wore white silk and duchess
lace and pearls.
Mrs. Cowardin black satin. duchess
lace. and diamonds.
Mrs Mosby. black silk and white chif-
fon trimmings
Mrs. Davenport, yellow satin, point lace,
and diamonds.
Mrs. Keith, black satin and duchess
lace.
Mrs. Ross. black brocaded satin, duchess
lace. and diamonds.
Mrs. Williams, white satin and lace
trimmings.
Mrs. purcell. black velvet, duchess lace.
and family pearls.
Mrs. Lee. black satin and point lace.
Mrs Massie, white satin and rose point
lace.
Miss Gray. white organdie and blue silk.
Miss HILL white organdie over green
silk
Miss Bragg, black satin and cerise
trimmings.