Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 8.djvu/87

 Hon. Rodney Wallace.

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��associated as Councilor for three years, and to give their friends here an oppor- tunity to spend an evening socially with His Excellency. Some 450 cards of in- vitaton were sent out, including about 700 persons, and nearly 600 were present on Thursday evening. The storm and blizzard-like weather that reached this city early in the afternoon prevented the attendance of some of Mr. Wallace's business associates from abroad. The intention v/as to give all a pleasant, social evening, and the re- sult was a full realization of the pleasure anticipated for some days,



Guests were received at the west en- ti'ance over which a canopy was erected. The steps, hall-ways and stairs were all carpeted. The Common Council room was used as a dressing room for the ladies, the Aldermen's room for the gentlemen, and the Mayor's office was reserved for Governor Long and Coun- cilor Wallace. On entering the hall the guests were presented to Councilor Wallace, Mrs. Wallace and Governor Long, who stood in the centre on the east side — Messrs. Herbert L Wallace, George R. Wallace, Charles E. Ware, Jr., Harris C. Hartwell, James Phillips, Jr., B. D. Dwinnell, Dr. E. P. Miller and M. L. Gate officiating as ushers. After the greetings the time was spent socially, listening to the excellent music furnished by Russell's Orchestra, fourteen pieces stationed on the stage, and many enjoyed dancing from 10.30 till about I o'clock.

��Among the distinguished guests were the following from out of town : Coun- cilor Joseph Davis and wife of Lynn, Councilor Matthew W. Gushing of Middleboro, Councilor Nathaniel Wales of Stoughton, Councilor Rufus D. Woods of Enfield, Congressman-elect William Whiting of Holyoke, Coun- cilor-elect Eben A. Hall of the Green- field Gazette and Courier, Secretary of State Henry B. Peirce of Abington, Rev. E. A. Horton of Boston ( formerly of Leominster), Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Edwards and Prof Henry M. Tyler and

��wife ( formerly of this city) of North- ampton, Dr. F. A. Harris, wife and Miss Gage, Mrs. Glover ( Governor Long's mother-in-law), William B. Wood and wife, Superintendeni John Adams (of the Fitchburg Railroad) and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Shepley, all of Boston ; N. D. White and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. White of Winch- endon, John S. Baldwin of the Worces- ter Spy, J. B. Hall of the Worcester Gazette, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Mer- riam and daughter of Leominster.

An attempt to describe the hall as it appeared on this occasion cannot be otherwise than unsatisfactory. To ap- preciate the brilliant scene one must see not only the gay decorations and the beautiful flowers and plants, but also the happy people and the elegant and tasty dresses of the ladies, in the full light of the extra burners placed in the centre of the hall for this reception.

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��The entire floor was carpeted, and the hall was divided into two sections — reception room and dining room — by pink and white buating. The walls of the entire hall were decorated with dra- peries, cottons, pink and white buntings, etc., and festooned with two thousand yards of laurel and hanging baskets of flowers, while a splendid collection of pot plants, orange and lemon trees, and growing grapes, from Mr. Wallace's private conservatory added much to the grand effect of the designs.

The most elaborate work was in the front of the stage, at the right of the stage and on the right and left centres of the hall. Above all, over the stage was a gilt carved eagle surmounting the State coat of arms. On either side flags were festooned and ornamented with sprays of holly. In the rear of the platform were palm trees, while in front dracinas, and laurel, with a beautiful orange tree in each comer, each bear- ing nearly twenty oranges. On the right Avail of the hall, the draperies were sur- mounted by four medallions represent- ing the elements — Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. In the right centre was the large painting representing Crete, above which was the motto "Amicus inter

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