Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-02

there "her beauty and her chivalry."
stately. Queenly women: lovely girls
just budding into womanhOod: distin-
guished statesmen; learned men Of law:
gallant soldiers-of such was the gather
ing composed. The pure white light. oc-
casionally relieved by the illumination
from some colored shade, reflected adj
mIrably the varied tents Of handsome
gowns, silks and satins shimmered be-
th the rays. and i'm remote corners.
and behind banks Of potted plants.
burned low the lamp upon its massive
PEDESTAL screening the whole with the
meuowness Of its glow
Soft and low the music played. the
strains Of a dreamy waltz stealing out
from behind perfect garden bower:
morrily the laughter sounded from sill
very voices. as sweet as the tones from
the stringed instruments, when touched
iy master-hand, while ladies fair and
gallant men promenaded with stately
@tcp, or with languid grace engaged in
that Small talk" little nothings that
<erro 10 cause a pretty smile. and may
tap the arch of brows but which Is
Quite appropriate for the fOrmality OF
such occasions.
Virginia has always been able TO boast
o. her distinguished men and fair wO-
men. and il is on such occasions as that
~ last evening that they are brought
together and seen 10 the best advantage
I'm that assemblage were men of intel
lect, men who have made the laws Of
the Commonwealth. who have been at
The helm of the ship Of State when she
plunged through more angry seas than
ever encountered by those who have di-
rected her rudder in the present genera
uon' there were soldiers, now grown gray.
who fought through four years of as
bloody a war as known i'm the worlds
history and who came out of that
mighty struggle bearing the marks and
scars that told more cloquently than
words Of their heroism, and that to-day
stamp them as the warriors they are.
And there We're women. true daughters
OF Virginia, as beautiful as any who
lend their gracious presence 10 social
functions in any land and who were but
typical Of the gentle women for which
the state is famed.
MANSION MADE BEAUTIFUL.
The decorations were IN perfect taste
and the snowy display of colors. so often
adopted in similar entertainments, was
lacking. The ceilings and walls Of the
mansion, elegant in their conception, ]
needed no touch Of the decorators art I
10 enhance their beauty. The decorations |
We're those Of nature, and every entrance |
was almost converted into an archway |
of living green. POtted plants of every |
description were tastefully arranged, the !
verdant hue Of beautiful ferns and palms |
being relieved by the blossoms of flowers |
o. q brighter color Nothing could have |
been pretuer in the way Of decorations |
than the beautiful plants which met the |
eye az every turn.
The Observation-Disclosures j. H. Thurs
bank Of ferns and palms just at the /
front Of the stairway ON the southern
eide OF the large hall They discOursed !
beautiful music. strains that did not |
smack Of the street or the concert hail,
bui which are more familiar 10 the ears
OF those who rather love the classical
Many "a beautiful waltz foated out from
this leafy bower. and many "a dainty foot
could scarce restrain from following the
movement Of the dance.
THOSE WHO RECEIVED
The first visitors began to arrive at 3
o'clock. Mr.. j. Hoge Tyler. Jr., was near
the entrance 10 receive them. They were
shown 20 rooms where hats and wraps
were laid aside. after which they pro-
ceeded 10 the rear parlor on the northern
side Of the mansion. where Colonel G.
OBJ COwardin introduced each 10 the
FFfti 4ANls lUt EAtsAH WIZ AHfn pro- |
s-uted 20 the ladies' who were receiving.
They were Mesdames }. Hoge Tyler A.
!. Montague. j. Taylor Ellyson. George
Vs. Miles. W. r. Wharton. Henry NJ.
Tyler, Misses Belle Tyler, Sue Hampton
Tyler, Mary Phlegar. Mary Baskerun.
Julia Tyler and Evelyn Tyler. The two
ladies are the Governors Sis
tiers. Mrs. Echols was not present. as
she Is in mourning, and Mrs. c. OBJ.
Cowardin. who was also TO have as
'isted IN receiving, was prevented from
being present by a severe cold, from
which she has been suffering for more
than a week.
Among the first 10 arrive were Colonel
Marion J.. Dawson OF this city, and Colo
mel King T.. Harmon, Of Pulaski, mem
bers Of the Governors star. They Were
both In fun uniform. After being pre-
sented, they assisted Colonel Cowardin,
chief Of stan, in the reception OF the
'Nesis. The reception began at o'clock