The San Francisco call., 1909-02-24
Ballroom Decorations, Bowers
and ArbOrs Are AbsO-
Iutely Perfect
Smart Set Turns Out in Force
GOwned in Clever Masque
Costumes
Kirmess Posters, Part ofScheme
of Walls, Popular Fea-
ture of Affair

The mardi gras at the St Francis
last evening closed the social season
for san Francisco in a manner that
suggested the foreign carnivsls more
than any entertainment probably ever
given in the city. The decorations and
the costumes rivaled the Partisan fetes
in their brilliant and artistic design.
while the arrangements We're perfected
in a way that brought the old world
nearer 10 the west and reminded the
dancers Of the traditional spirit Of
mardi gras.
The posters covering the walls and
the grotesque faces peering from the
mirrors made the entrance to the ball
room appear enchanted. while in the
garden scene. also at the entrance, a
real Mephisto poured lemonade in a
mysterious arbor. The arbor was
formed of apple boughs and the rich
coloring Of the ripe fruit framed the
queer inclosure where the satanic one
dispensed the lemonade. Quite as at
1ractive but in simple floral setting, a
Punchinello poured the punch.
KIRMEsS POSTERS
The kirmess posters were a part of
the scheme of adornment, and as each
OF the subjects was recognized there
was a murmur of surprise among the
guests The poster OF Miss Harriet
Alexander in her Spanish costume was
the center of attraction. while several
of the others outlined against the real
tapestry Of the walls We're treated to
compliment and comparison with the
originals. The posters made very
effective entrance and were an indica-
tion Of the unusual decoration in the
large auditorium The boxes on each
side Of the ballroom We're draped with
the carnival cOlors and myriads of
colOred roses were fastened on a sway
ing background Of net The wonderful
ceiling was also Of white net covered
with flowers and a lattice OF green
leaves. The effect was indescribably
pretty and transformed the ballroom
almost into fairy playground
The net was studded with flowers
and carnival favOrs while the masks
D. were suspended with fantastic skill
from every available point, adding
their significance of merry abandon TO
the spirit OF the occasion. The lights
were Varicolored and each weird swing
ing face was lighted within by purple,
green or yellow glow. These festoons
OF cOlored lights gave grotesque at
mosphere to the scene impossible to
imagine without a glimpse of the ball
room in its holiday splendor.
BIG CHINESE DRAGON
At one side OF the room a great
Chinese dragon was intertwined be-
tween pillars and its gorgon face and
long green and gold length completed
the suggestion OF a foreign carnival.
The costumes were a marvel OF in
genuity and cleverness. while the
groups were noticeable feature of
the affair. The single costumes We're
remarkable for variety, but the groups
were among the cleverest ever seen
at any carnival
The three cigarette men in their
white suits and monocles were a trio
that made a sensation wherever they
walked. and the automobile with the
two babies Miss Suzanne kirkpatrick
and Miss Harriet Alexander, was given
4 large space for their perambulations,
The nurse, who filled her mission very
oleverly, watching her young charges
with an interest that was convincingly
real was Miss Marian Miller.
Mrs. c. o. AIexander's costume as a
French poster was a chic combination
OF black satin and jet with flashing
rhinestones for ornament.
The dinners were a notable part of
the festivity. and among those who
entertained at elaborate parties We're
the following:
In honor Of Miss Katherine Donohoe
Mr. and Mrs. r. /. Coleman entertained
The following friends at dinner:
Mrs. Frederick McNear Harold Bingham
Athol Mclean Charles y. FELTON, Jr.
Miss Margaret Newball Miss Martha Calhoun
Raymond Armsby John Kittle
Miss Helen Irwin Miss Florence Hopkins