The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-04-20
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GRIND BILL TND
Il MUSICALE
Ut HRBOR VILLH,
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
sos Broadway, April 19.

Oakland Office San Francisco Call.
sos Broadway, April 10.
4 RBOR VILLA, the palatial home or
II Francis NJ. Smith, whom the pubic
n has designated the "Borax King OF
this country was last evening the
scene Of g ball, musicale and fete that
from the point Of brilliancy. color and
wealth equaled anything of the kind ever
before attempted in California Arbor
Villa, after more than four years Of build
ing, has just been finished IN its perfect
entirety. and last evening was the occa-
sion upon which Mr.. Smith and his fam
lily took the opportunity TO extend to some
400 Of their friends the invitation 10 &C
cept Of the hospitality of their new home
The residence, which is surrounded by
a rolling wealth of beautiful grounds, is
situated on Piedmont Heights. 1t has
been built at a cost Of over a million Of
dollars and for a residence Of its kind
only has its equal in the summer homes
of the New York milIonaires Of Newport
Every mechanical convenience for COM
fort and luxury, every beauty of the dec
orative art, and, in fact, every possible
perfection in house building that wealth
can command or suggest is within the
walls Of Arbor Villa
For month Oakland society has talked
Of nothing else than the coming ball, and
there was quite q little uneasiness until
the invitations had been sent out. More
than q thousand people availed them
selves of the hospitality OF Arbor VIVA
last evening and were participants in a
social gathering that Will remain green IN
their memories for years to come The
invitations were not limited solely to the
exclusive set of Oakland, for the social
leaders of San Francisco, Berkeley, Ala
media and other places about the bay
were present.
The guests began 10 arrive shortly after
o'clock, and for more than two hours a
long train Of carriages continued 10 roll
up to the handsome pOrte-cocnere and
deposit their loads Of well groomed men
and women. The Efghth-aVenue car line,
of which Mr.. Smith is the controller. was
run for the special convenience OF ms
guests, and several hundred awaited them
selves Of this means OF getting TO Arbor
Villa from Oakland. AS rapidly as the
guests arrived they were shown 10 the
second floor where they deposited their
wraps prior 10 descending TO the main oc-
tagonal hallway. where Mr.. and Mrs.
Smith, with their friends VINO assisted
them in receiving, were stationed In ad-
ditiOn 10 the host and hostess those VINO
helped TO receive were: Mrs. Pedar Saith
er, Mrs Edwin Goodall, Mrs Henry
Wetherbee Mrs. H c. Taft, Mrs. H
Trowbridge and Miss Grace Sperry
The entire house was thrown open 70
the guests who were lavish in their ad-
miratton Of its beauty, but who were
poweriess to express in words their ap-
pEeclaLOn OF us AELlSLlC pELLtCl4O44- 1 4iC
general effect is hard oak with carved
tlnfshings and inlaid floors. From each
side Of the OCtagonal hallway opens a Sc
ries of rooms finished in different kinds
of woods, with tapestries, paintings and
furnishings TO harmOriZe. The decOra-
tons last evening were oak leaves, ferns
and American Beauty roses. OF these
there was the greatest profusion, espe-
ciauy in the banquet hall. where thou
sands Of roses were used On the second
floor IS the Aeolian pipe-orgen OF TWO
manuals and pedals and which contains
twenty-sevel stops and accessories Ihis
one feature Of luxury at ArbOr villa was
built at the cost OF many thousands OF
dollars.
steal programme, which was under the
direction OF A NJ. Benham OF the First
Congregational Church. Oakland was
rendered. II consisted Of eight selections,
which were contributed by the following
of the guests: W. D. Wood. E D. Gran
dali, Putnam Griswold. H. L Taylor, DR..
Misses Lucy and Alice Moffitt. Miss Jean
Mary Hush, Miss Florence Hush, Mrs.
Martin Schultz. Miss j. Virginie de Ere
merry Mrs Carroll Nicholson Miss Eta
Marvin and Signor GaIvani. At the con-
clpsion OF the musicale the younger of
the guests betOok themselves TO the grand
ballroom and theater combined, where
they enjoyed the pleasures Of the may
waltz and blithesone two-step. The mu-
sic for the dance was furnished by an
orchestra eTnbOwered from sight behind
ported plants. During the earlier part Of
the evening light. refreshments such as
ices and other dainty things were served.
Al 10 O'Clock the banquet was announced
and the guests betook themselves TO the
banquet hall where every delicacy both
solid and liquid, known &c the conception
OF Partisan chef was served in the
greatest abundance.
A notable feature of the gathering was
the fact that Mrs. Smith on this occa-
sion established the rule that there should
De no punch bowl available for the young
people. who were solaced with delightful
lemonade There was light wine for the
elder gentlemen.
After the banquet the pleasure contfn-
ued. Many returned 10 the dance while
others sought the retirement OF the con-
servatory, where ripping waters and the
perfume Of rare flowers made a veritabIe
falryland. The billiard room the smok
ing den, the Louis Quinze drawing-room
the ytne-coyered verandas and the many
art suggestive crooks and corners of Ar
Dor Villa were filed by the pleasure
seeking guests: The revelry continued
until the small hours Of the morning
when, after one Of the most enjoyable SO.
cial occasions in the history Of the STATE