The entire floor was carpeted, and the hall was divided into two
sections--reception room and dining room--by pink and white
bunting. The walls of the entire hall were decorated with
draperies, 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 corner, each
bearing nearly twenty oranges. On the right wall of the hall,
the draperies were surmounted by four medallions representing
the elements--Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. In the right centre
was the large painting representing Crete, above which was the
motto "Amicus inter Amicos." In the foreground was a pedestal
surmounted by a bust of Ariadne, flanked on each side by growing
grapes, with two Roman altars burning incense through the entire
evening.

On the left centre wall was a large painting representing
Antium, the home of Nero and Temple of Fortuna, with the Appollo
Belvidere on a pedestal in the foreground, flanked with two
standing vases with burning incense. Above the painting was the