The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-23
SCENES IN THE
BANQUET HALL
Guests Gather Early and Chat
Pleasantly in the Assembly
Room.

1t was 7:l5 o'clock when the guests
begun to file into the temple. ana BY
o'clock the assembly room on the second
floor was fairly damned with prominent
business men, lawyers, doctors and pub
lie officials.
The members of the Executive Com
mttee of the Chamber were on hand
to receive the guests, and TO bid them
welcome, and they played their part IN
q most gracious manner. Hats and coats
were checked in the cloak room, ana
ali seemed to desire to free themselves
of every possible care and enter heartily
Into what gave even at this early hour,
Every promise of being an evening OF
unstlnted pleasure.
A splendid orchestra made fine music
nj the end of the assembly room while
the guests chattcd and waited until the
appointed hour for entering the ban
guct hall.
ii was nearly $50 when President
Eghert G.. Leigh. of the Chamber. led
The way, with Toastmaster Wyndham X.
Meredith on his arm, and in a few mo-
ments the steps had been assembled and
all We're seated around twelve long tables
underneath brilliant lights, and amid
the perfume of fragrant flowers.
ell OeL dDleS.
The tables were admirably arranged,
and the three hundred guests who were
present at the brilliant function could
readily see and hear all that went on.
The speakers table was on the south
ern side of the hall in the centre on an
elevation, and to the right and left of
this were two on a parallel line. The
other ten were set crosswise the hall so
that by turning slightly all the guests
could face the speakers and hear them
distinctly. The scene was brilliant and
lively from the start. While tho Eplcn-
did menu was being served in courses
by an army of trained walters men
chatted merrily while the orchestra dis
coursed appropriate airs to the inspira-
ton and delight of all
The decorations were beautiful and
appropriate, ard the menu was all that
the strictest epcurian could wish. Tall,
fresh green palms waved about the
walks on every. side, while on every
table were roses, carnations and other
flowers fresh from the gardens.
The speakers table presented n strk-
ingly e1s,,ve picture. Back against tho
wall, anu directly behinr those who, dur
ing the later hours entertained the
guests with feast of reason" was n
perfect garden Of everEreens and grow
ing palms. while in front Of the toast
master was a great bank of red carna-
tons.
Along on tho table were other flowers,
while soft light was furnished by cut
glass chandeliers burning white candles.
AS the banquet progressed. the sound
of merry laughter, the clatter Of voices
and the din of happy conversation indi-
Gated that the party was thoroughly con-
genial, and that all those seated were
greatly enjoying the evening,
At the Speakers Table.
1t was n distinguished gathering that
sat behind the speakers table ana faced
the great and happy thronE in front.
There were business brains ana ga
gacity: fine legal acumen. judicial capac-
ity. brilliant craftsmanship and munich
pal enterprise all were represented.
Toastmaster Wyndham Z. Meredith, one
OF the cleverest of his time. sat in the
middle, and TO his right were, In the
order named. ranged to his left, Prasi-
dent Egbert @. Leigh, of the chamber:
Mr.. John G. Freeman Mayor Carlton
Mccarthy, Judge Bcv. r. Crump Judge
John ii Ingram, Judge r. Carter Scott
Judge S. p. Witt and Vice president
Mar; Gunst, of the Board Of Aldermen
To his loft were Mr.. Joseph Bryan, Mr.
John u. Branch, Lieutennnt- Governor J
TAYLOR E1lysop, former Governor a. j.
Montague, Hon Henry G. Stuart Judge
George J.. Christian and President r.
Lee Peters, of the Common Council,
They chattcd pleasantly with one an
Other while those at the tables on the
mpln floor were Keeping up a conVersn-
lion which sounded as though thous-
and merry voices were in action
The members OF the two branches OF
Inc Council, for tho most part, secured