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 motto “Gaudeamus Igitur,” resting on a gilt lyre and torch.  Medallions representing Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter surmounted the draperies on this side of the hall.

One of the most admired features of the decorations was the design on the floor at the right of the stage.  A pedestal, some ten feet high, was surmounted by a beautiful specimen of the American eagle.  On either side of the eagle was a perfect flag made of natural flowers—­violets, carnations and tube roses—­with a shield of similar flowers in the centre.  The entire pedestal was banked by pots of growing plants—­including palms, dracinas, ponisettas in full bloom, etc.

The dining room was also handsomely decorated with flags, draperies and flowers, while the table itself was elegantly laid with exquisitely decorated china and silver, and ornamented by beautiful bouquets, candelabra, and epergnes.  Supper was served through the entire evening, guests entering at the right from the reception apartment and passing through to the west side of the hall.”

The completeness of all these arrangements were largely due to the taste and energy of his son, Mr. Herbert I. Wallace, who had the whole matter in charge.

In 1884 Mr. Wallace was chosen delegate from this district to the Republican Convention held at Chicago in June, which resulted in the nomination of James G. Blaine and John A. Logan.  Like most of the delegates from Massachusetts, Mr. Wallace was in favor of Senator Edmunds of Vermont.  But when he saw that Mr. Blaine’s nomination was inevitable, he joined in making it unanimous.  He did not go with those who bolted the nomination, because it was not his first choice, but he supported it with his purse, his voice, and his vote, as appears from the following synopsis of a brief address which he made at a ratification meeting, held in the City Hall, Fitchburg, July 11, 1884, which I clip from the Fitchburg Sentinel of the next day: