Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-02-27
THURSDAY EVENING. FEE. AZ, 1902

royalty OF the Wsldort'Astoria I'D NO"
York last night, over twelve hundred
editors. publishers, soldiers, sailors,
statesmen, financiers and others among
the most prominent 10 various walks
Of American life having assembled TO
do MIN honor at the invitation OF the
"New Yorker Stasts-Zsitung," the
foremost representative OF German
journalism in this country. Doubtless
rs handsome dinner could have been
given before, but doubtless such one
never was, snd Mr.. Ridder, represent
ing the Staats-Zsituug, is to be con-
graduated for his magnificent achieve
ment. The grand ballroom of the mag
nificent hotel, splendid as 1t ordinarily
is, was transformed into Veritaoie
dresmland OF fragrance and floral
beauty, the spacious corridors, tne
famed Aston Gallery and the EAST
Room, with all their adjoining ante
rooms, we're thrown into the huge suite
of entertainment, and all were
powered In roses and palms, while
thousands OF electric lamps, shaded oy
pink silk, shed a gentle radiance over
all. Though all the guests were men,
the two spacious galleries were filed
by the women friends and relatives OF
the diners to the number OF several
hundred, and their richly elaborate
gowns did much to enhance the lavish
beauty of a picture already made bril-
liant By the beauty Of the decorations
and the many gorgeous uniforms OF the
soldiers. sailors and dlplomates present.
At one end of the ballroom, 10 the up
per gallery, au orchestra played while
the various courses were being served.
The grand ballroom was trans
formed into o vision OF fairyland.
The decorators had been at work
for DAYS with their plans, and when
the guests filed into their places
a chorus of delight went up at The
enhancing sight that met their gaze.
Behind the dais at which the Prince
and the principal guests were TO Blu
were draped huge American and Ger
man Aags. Above them was the
Prussian eagle done 10 white, yellow,
red and blue electric light bulbs simply
empowered In masses OF huge lilies and
amiIax. Down each of the huge pillars
traied luxuriaDt masses OF smilax,
which was also used profusely on both
rows of boxes. Over the rail OF eacn
OF the boxes 10 the lower tier large feros
ran a riot of green, while sgainst their
background deep red roses loomed
richly forth. The Princes table was
simply banked with American Beauty
roses, while more roses protruded 10
profusion from half a dozen beautiful
cut glass vases placed ct appropriate
intervals. TIE front Of the table below
the roses was draped with smilax. AS
the Prince took bis seat the electric
light was flashed into the Prusslan eagle
above him, and the power was also In
creased in every one Of the 1900 To-
cande cent lights that burned 10
the room. 1t gave special brilliaucy
to an already attractive scene.
The nine long tables running the length
OF the ballroom glowed with La France
roses, amid which sinuous trail OF
smilax wound. Upon each plata lay
white rose. Above all this dream OF
green and pink and rose red smiled the
work of one OF Americas foremost
mural painters. But the decorations
did not stop here. The broad hall to
the ballroom was msssed with green's
and potted palms, and the Astor Gal.
lsry, into which twenty-eight tables OF
guests erfowed, was decked in keep
ing with the more gorgeous scene 10 the
larger hall. 1t is safe to say that no
more elaborate or beautiful decorations
were ever seen at semi-publc dinner
In this country. There was felicitous
exchange of greetings between Prince
Henry and tue men who spoke for the
journalistic craft, aud the affair claims
rank ss one OF the rotabe incidents
of the American tour of the German
Prince.
AS HERETOFORE stated Mr.. Gooch, OF
Uantnob1 has {ntroduoad n htu Z. ~