The San Francisco call., 1909-10-20
POMPs OF CARNIVAL TIDE IS
HOLDING CITY IN 'THRALL
Don Gasp Receives Key From Mayor and Gree Queen Vega
In the Presence of Vast Multitude

The sign and seal OF San Fran
cisco's lusty life, the act that linked
the good old town with the good new
one and pledged that, after all the
cruel test of flame, the men and women
of San Francisco are worthy of the
high name the world gives them, was
embraced in the show of ceremony, the
pomp of make believe, that held 10000
people enthralled for over an hour be-
fore the royal coronation court in
Union square yesterday noon while
Don Gaspar de .Portola and Queen
vergilia received the pledges of their
subjects and themselves pledged the
city and her guests TO a merry week.
The sailors of six nations stood at
attention before the stand when Mayor
TAYLOR. on behalf of the citizens he
represents, presented the great golden
key of the city to the king of the
festival: our own jackies and thou
sands OF our soldier boys guarded
each side of the big square while Don
Gaspar and Queen Nergilia were
presented and their reign inaugurated;
these and all of them. with the as
sembled citizens, ssluted with steel or
acclaiming voices as the royal leaders
Of the fete, followed by their ministers
of state. passed between the rigid
ranks of the warriors to their banquet
at the st. francis.
Joy MARKS THE CEREMONY
Joy and the bright colors of JOY
marked the ceremony throughout.
With all its courtliness Mayor Taylor's S
speech had a tenor of bantering that
showed how near the surface of this
seeming gravity lay the fever of the
coming festival, and in the words and
acts Of all there was the pulse of rev.
eIry beating throughout the forced re-
straint.
This ceremony marks an epoch in
the life of San Francisco p. 7. Clay,
chairman of the general Portola COM
mittee, said to a fellow member as
they followed in the train of the royal
pair to the banquet hall. And the null
titude, in their spirit and expression.
showed that the words were true.
The great grand stand constructed
opposite the court platform was
crowded TO capacity a half hour before
Don Gaspar's arrival with fully 5000
people. The square itself, roped of
TO keep the mobs surging around the
park from crushing in across the grass
Dl8LS ana the space reserved 1OE Ine
evening pyrotechnic display. was
fringed from railing tot the buildings
bounding IL with a dense mass OF peo-
pie which flowed out into each side
streee and hung from poles and avn
ings to view the spectacle. The Union
Square hotel. the University of Cali
-fornia club and other buildings held
crowds at each window, and upon the
roofs there was not standing room in
the spaces from which view could be
obtained of the court stand.
The St. Francis hotel indeed, was
alive with spectators. Along the roofs
a happy throng cast out long red and
yellow paper streamers, which floated
down on the crowds below. The bal
almost hidden in the carnival colors
and each Of the many windows held its
interested occupants.
PORTOLA SPIRIT EVERYWHERE
The whole air, in fact, was filled
with the Portola spirit echoing with
cheers, vibrant with a care free thrill
that the bright nights will turn into
revelry.
The first sight that rewarded the
waiting throngs was that of Mayor
Taylor. his wife. Miss Agnes Taylor.
his granddaughter and Mrs. Harry Nc
Kannay, wife OF the mayors secretary.
The four ascended the court stand
steps and We're received by the men,
hers of the executive committee of the
Portola festival, all of whom were
waiting there.
Next TO the tune OF lively music,
United states troops. Infantry and ar