Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-11-03
GAYETY AT The CAPITAL.
Brilliant Reception at the state House
Bali at the Golden E1eecc-Occa-
sion a Great success.

Montpelier Oct. T.-Montpeller's gayest
night the gayest of the session. the gay
est in its history. These are the first
words which suggest themselves in an at
tempt to describe the closing festvity OF
ladies' week. This week, which is ever
growing in popular favor tonight has es-
tablishcd a standard to which but few
can attain, and none are likely TO sdrpas-
To say that the reception and ball Of
Gov. and Mrs. f. c. Smith are Il complete
success is but to apply common words &c
success of rare occurrence.
The attendance at the capitol has ncvcl
been 50 large at any former reception
From $3.50 to l0Ij a solid line reached from
the governors room back to the Senate
chamber and still others waited for a
chance to shake the hand of the first lady
Of Vermont.
During all this time Representatives.
hall, the corridors, the executive chamber
and the reception rooms were filed witt
chatting thronE, some of the men being
In uniform some IN dress suits and many
In the dress of common citizens.
Among them were scattered the faire.
faces and laboratc gowns Of the ladies
all forming a scene of which the ancient
capitols of Europe might well boast.
Not that there was that lavish wealth
ana snowy pomp which clusters around
royalty. but there was beauty, a rich
ness charm, a hospitality and good
cheer which pervaded alike the heart OF
the official society people and the simple
fox.
1t was impossible to shake hands with
all In the two hours allotted for the re-
ccption and it was nearly II o'clock be-
fore the end Of the procession passed the
hostess and her assistants.
THE COSTUMES or THE LADIES.
Mrs. Gov f.. C. Smith wore a white
duchcsse satin gown with point lace trim
ming and diamond ornaments. Mrs
Bates gown was black satin with jet
trimmings and she wore cameo and pearl
ornaments. Mrs. j. Gregory Smith wore
silver gray brocddCd satin with diamond
ornaments Mrs. Ormsbec was clad in ViO-
let SILK with diamonds; Mrs. Woodbury. in
black grenadne with white trimming and
diamonds; Mrs Grout in violet silk and
chiffon with diamonds; Mrs. Stranahan
with white duchessc broCaded satin lace
trimming and sea pearl and diamond or
uamcnts, Mrs. Mansur in black satin with
lace trimming with diamonds, Mis-. FISK,
yellow silk with black velvet trimmings
The scenes at the Golden Fleece were
different but no less brilliant five hun
drcd tickets for admission to the floor and
four hundred for admission to the gallery
W re issued by Gov. and Mrs. Smith and
apparently every invitation was accepted
Here, arranged in couples on the dance
floor, Keeping time to the beautiful music
the rich gowns, the feminine beauty and
the sturdy manhood were displayed 10
better effect
Dr ". ) Webb brought from his cons
servatories at Shelburne Farms II carload
Of palms and a large supply of cut flowers
which his head gardener arranged at tho
State House ana Golden Fleece" giving
these places an added charm.
n 4 Ia
palms and ferns were arranged opposite
the entrance before which the receiving
party stood, In the back ground were
grouped the State flag and the regimcntd
flag Of the first Vermont Regiment, |. $
V. ON II table in the chamber was &
large oval basket filled with roses the gift
of the governors staff to Mrs. Smith
while every one of the receiving party
held beautiful bouquet of roses also
the gift of the staff Mrs. Smith stood a
the head ana arranged in crescent form
were those who assisted in receiving Il!
follows:
Mrs. Gov. Smith, Mrs. Lieut.-Gov. Bates
Mrs. j. Gregory Smith, Mrs. Gov. Pin
gree, Mrs. GOV. Ormsbee, Mrs Gov
Woodbury.. Mrs, Gov, Grout, Mrs. Lieut..
Coy. Underwood, Mrs, Lieut. -Gov. Stran
ahan, Mrs. Lieut. Gov. Mansur and Mrs
Lieut.. Gov. Fisk.
The guests were introduced by Gov
Smiths staff composed of AdJt,-Gcn. +. >
Peck, Gems. Gilmore and Bates, Surgeon
General O. w Peck and Coils. Booth
stranahan, Chaffee Bingham, j. q. Brow
lInman, G. 3 Emery. w. II. Brown an,
Nelson. Gen. Estey, brigade commando
of the Vermont Nauonal Guard, assisted
the staff.
AT the Golden Fleece. where the bal
was held immense palms and cut flower
were arranged around the han and tn
decorations consisted of flags, the Yer
mont coat of arms, and bunting graceful
ly festooned about the walls and ceiling
In the gallery opposite the entrance wer
stationed the Montpelier orchestra, wh'
4 furnished music.
The floor manager was Charles + Lowe
and J. Edward Bailey. 9. G. Bancroft
Ralph b. Denny and w. S. Smith servet
as his aides.
I Members from Company II, served a
ushers, Dancing commenced as soon a
the reception at the State House was over
There was no card of dances but the or
chestra furnished music for variou
dances until the early morning hours
when the party returned to their home
and the festivities were ended. Vernon
society was represented by large delega
tons from Burlington. St, Adams, Rut
land, Brattleboro, Bennington, Randolph
and smaller delegations from nearly ever,
Vermont town and the party of Mrs
W. Seward Webb with friends from Ney
York.
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