Evening journal., 1911-12-02
RARE BEAUTY
in DANCE SCENE
Mrs. duPOnt'S Reception in
Gu. cnt Guiding One Of
GranGeSt Functions
BEAUTIFUL EOOM IS
USED FOR FIRST TINE

The formal opening of the new du-
Pont ball room last night by Mrs.
Lammot DUPONT was a function bril-
liantly worthy of the importance of
the event. which will mark in VIII
mington annals the beginning of a
greater social activity to accompany
the awakening of the city in indus
trial and commercial lines. Six hun
dred guests, many of them from Phil
adelpnia. New York and Washington
were hidden to the first ball in the
DUPONT building, The great structure
was flooded with light from base 10
summit, attracting a crowd of on
lockers as the long array of automo-
biles and carriages drew up to the
awning and afforded a Glimpse Of ex-
quisitely dressed women, and men in
evening clothes.
Four elevators took the guests to
the upper corridor, which is richly
finished in beautifully marked Siena
marble, with panelled walls and cell
ing, and tessellated tiled floors car
rying out the effect of the marble
The dressing rooms finished in Cir
cassian walnut, with panelled walls
which will ultimately be given a de-
corative treatment. are in the same
elaborate and luxurious treatment as
the corridor and ball room.
The guests were so interested In
the new building last night that stroll
ing around the lobbies and inspecting
the ball room dining room and draw
ing room, We'd with the dancing in
attraction.
The beauty of the ball room brought
an involuntary exclamation of de-
light to the lips of the entering
guests. The four great arches, which
structurally give the advantage Of
unobstructed floor space, are a most
ornamental feature OF the room and
were much admired. The whole ef-
feet Of the room was of a creamy
! whiteness, rendered softly luminous
! by the flood of indirect light from the
! inverted domes of the great bronze
chandeliers. The walls are finished
with ornamental plaster, and the
wood and metal work is white. The
only contrast comes in the Circas-
sian walnut doors and polished floor
Green was the only color allowed in
the decorations last night, which were
of southern smilax and palms. The
stage, where Cooks Orchestra, OF
Philadelphia. was stationed, was
screened with smilax and banked with
palms. With the handsome gowns OF
the women. the ensemble was a scene
of rare beauty. Many of the guests
remarked that it was the most
splendid social gathering that had
ever been seen in Wilmington.
Mrs. Lammot DUPONT was assisted
in receiving by her daughter, Mrs.
Charles Copeland, Mrs. William Win
der Laird, Mrs. H. Rodney Sharp, and
Mrs. r r. NJ. Carpenter. The receiy-
ing party were stationed at the right
of the main entrance to the ball room
on a temporarily erected platform
banked with palms.
Supper was served in the dining
room, by Caterer John Holland, OF
Philadelphia The floral decorations
were by Potter and Boyd
The view of the city from the ball
room and dining room windows Is
superb in the daytime, and even las'
night, the city lights made a very
attractive panorama.
The guests visited some Of the new
offices in the unfinished building
am -ng them the offices Of Alfred /
dupont. vice-president Of the DUPONT
de Nemours Company
Many dinner parties preceded the
great event of the evening.
Mr.. and Mrs. George p. Bissell gave
a dinner OF sixteen covers for Miss
, Mary Thompson and Miss KATHERINE
Thompson. Mr.. and Mrs. F. L. Con
nable gave a dinner at Nemours- Tit
Misses Draper also entertained at
. dinner party and Mrs James f Nield'
entertained at dinner OF seVera
. covers
. The transf rmation of the ballroom
: from an unfinished hall to a palatia
/, apartment, accomplished in fey
hours yesterday by two hundred work
men, was very nearly Cinderella-god
mother magic. The dining room hoo
did not receive its final coat Of shella
until late in the day, and decorator
were busy until evening.