Guests were received at the west entrance 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 Councilor 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 I. 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 1 o’clock.

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Among the distinguished guests were the following from out of town:  Councilor Joseph Davis and wife of Lynn, Councilor Matthew W. Cushing of Middleboro, Councilor Nathaniel Wales of Stoughton, Councilor Rufus D. Woods of Enfield, Congressman-elect William Whiting of Holyoke, Councilor-elect Eben A. Hall of the Greenfield 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 Northampton, Dr. F.A.  Harris, wife and Miss Gage, Mrs. Glover (Governor Long’s mother-in-law), William B. Wood and wife, Superintendent 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 Winchendon, John S. Baldwin of the Worcester Spy, J.B.  Hall of the Worcester Gazette, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Merriam and daughter of Leominster.

An attempt to describe the hall as it appeared on this occasion cannot be otherwise than unsatisfactory.  To appreciate 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 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