Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-13
THE WEEK QUITEGAY
THE PACE SET FOR SOCIETY A
RATHER FAST ONE.
MRS. DOOLBYS BRILLIANT RECEPTION
One of the Most Elaborate Enter
tafnments OF the Winter With n
Large Number of Cuests-Teas,
Luncheons, Personals, &c.

On account OF the approach Of Valen'
tine's-Day with Lent, not far off, Tho
pace set for society last week was a
rather fast one. OF all the entertain
ments given tho most brilliant was the
reception on Wednesday evening by
Major and Mrs. James Il Doolsy. The
pleasure Of being entertained in their
beautiful suburban home, Maymont,
brought out Richmond Society in full
force. About o'clock that evening
the graceful sweep OF tho drive lead
ing from the high granite wall and iron
gate bounding Major Dooleys grounds
10 the lofty porte cochers at the house
was lined with procession OF carriages,
while over tho hills beyond were con-
stantly appearing the lights OF the new
arrivals. Tho house itself presented a
brilliant appearance to the guests as they
drove up. Every window in all It's wings
and turrets was ablaze with light In bril-
liant contrast with the softer moonlight
playing on the broad expanse OF tho river
that flows at the foot OF May Mont
The house within was transformed into
a tropical conservatory. Tall branching
palms were grouped here and there about
The halls and parlors. Camelias, orchids,
roses. and lilies. cut and growing, were
massed about the mantels and tables, and
q dazzling array of electric-lights played
on the rich silken hangings and rurni-
ture; on the beautiful satins, sort silks,
and velvets Of the women in the throng OF
guests that filed the halls, parlors, ana
dining-room, and loitered here and there
on the broad stairway and landings on
the landing at the head of the steps the
Jefferson orchestra was placed, ana
played throughout the entertainment.
Mrs. Dooley received In tho pink parlor
that opens from the hall. Her gown was
one OF the works Of art from the Worth
establishment with front of
oream-colored brOcade embroidered
In silver, cOrsage draped with exquisite
lace and court train Of green satin fall
ing from Just below the shoulders. Mag
nincent opals and diamonds and large
bouquet Of lilies of the valley completed
her costume. The rest of the receiving
party were Mrs. Judge Lewis. white satin, |
with trimming OF beautiful lace and chif- |
fon and diamond ornaments; Mrs. James |
Aston Cabell, blue velvet and chiffon |
trimming; Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee, black vel |
vet: Miss Florence Claybrook Elder, in |
beautiful gown OF pink silk with soft, |
shirred trimmings Of embroidered NOUS |
seline dc sole, Testout roses; Miss Sue |
Wexford, black satin and pink chiffon; |
Miss Sara Lewis, MORE velour Of a deli |
cate rose-pink, with lace trimming, !
Testout roses; Mrs. Randolph Peyton, !
white satin and old family lace and dia- |
monds; Miss Heth, violet satin, with !
overdress Of old lace, yellow satin gar
niture, and bouquet OF American Beauty |
roses. Miss Heth Is the daughter of Cen |
eral Harry Heth. of Washington. She |
came TO Richmond On Tuesday especially |
10 attend the reception, and by her pres
ence added greatly to the pleasure Of the |
occasion.
From the reception-room the guests |
gradually drifted back 10 the dining /
room. On the dining-room table there |
was arranged a feast for the eyes as well |
eS for the palate. The centrepiece was !
q mammoth cut-glass stand Of Testout |
roses, mignonette, and dropping ferns;
candles in silver candelabra. with pink /
shades threw q rich. pink glow over all |
the table, which was beautifully orna- |
mented with silver and cut-glass dishes |
OF bonbons of every rainbow color: salads |
sayly garnished in green and pink. and |
bowls OF vari-colored and vari-shaped |
ices, an ice dolphin filed with oysters; a /
miniature tree filed with cooked birds. |
having their feather suits skilfully put |
over them, and a number OF beautiful |
dishes and platters made OF spun can
dies. One OF the most beautiful OF these,
which was filled with gilt cups OF lobster
salad, was a shell-shaped dish OF dark
green candy, ornamented at one side by
cluster Of exquisitely- tinted pink roses.
The arrangement OF the table, the pro-
viding Of the wines, ices, and so on, was
superintendent I'm person by Maresi. Of
New York.
One feature of the entertainment that
added greatly to the pleasure OF the re-
ception was the absence OF crowdng.
There were three hundred guests or more
at one time on the first floor Of Major
Dooley's home; but the admirable ar
range by which, on opening the folding
doors, all the apartments were thrown
into one spacious hall. left plenty Of room
for every one.
Major Dooleys house itself is always a
delight 10 his guests. The exterior was
admirably planned by Mr. Egerton
Rogers, who, with Major Dooley, chose
as the site a hill 20 the south of Rich
mond, commanding a splendid view OF
James river.
The large, square hall which the guests
first enter has massive oak stairway,
oak wainscoung. and Neutrality-suspicious. oaA
ceiling, with tapestry, curtains. and rugs
Df deep, rich, Persian tints. The first OBJ
lect 10 arrest the attention here Is the
gorgeous Tiffany window over the hrst
landing Of the stairway, which throws
down into the hall food OF warm light
md color The design is figure or me
Bavious in benedictory attitude, and bear
Ing underneath the inscription, peace be
TO THIS house." wrought In opalescent
siass Of jewel-llke brisliancy OF coloring.
BY the front doorway, at one side OF the
staircase. there is another beautiful stain
.d-giags window. This Is OF cathedral
rlaea. and represents the weli-known pic ,
ure. the Pitcher OF Tears. Directly OPP
oosite between two doors. is the fire
slace, magnificent piece Of carving in
I'D oak. IL was brought 70 this country
from some early English manor house,
and is now nearly black with age. Among
he other treasures in the hall are an &
antique carved chair Of old oak, a Fle-
mish chair with quaint carved figures az
The back. and a han clock beautiful IN G
shade and ornamented with armolu work
Ind i1iaid woods, which is the duplicate
Df a clock In the Louvre.
Tho library. opening into tho hail on
The left. has. Ike the hall. been furnished
oy Major and Mrs. Do0ley in the perfect (,
taste which leaves nothing 10 offend ana :
everything 20 charm the eye. The wood =,
work Is Of mahogany with bookcases IN
he Colonial style running around the Z
'ovs walls and an adjoining octagon {