Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-07-31
{ f'rem cite Bos.on Duly Advertiser. !
CoMMuNICATIoN.
PLEN DID FETE.

II wSs well knOwn time since that the
eonrteous as well as gallant Comwoilore Bsin-
bridge had issued cards OF invitation to very large.
circle of ladies' and gentlemen of his acuna;n,aus.
to visit the line oi battle ship Independence ,,u-
ring the present week-and that accoryii civ or. AZ
Preparations were making for the reception Of the
company. Thursday last was the day selected
Tor this rnsnlosRble occurrence in the fashinnshle
world aud rs it proved TO be delightful weather
the boats Of ,ne snip early as four o'clock in
the afternoon, IN admirable order for their ac-
cOmmoiaton, began fill with the guests t,estin-
ed 20 partase of The Comnoiore's enter tairmeo l.
1 he carmen were Handsomely dressed and cfecnra-
tedtor the day, anh the boats continued 10 ply with
great raptiity between the ship ard the shore un-
al about seven ia the evening. at which pc
riot nearly three hundred and fifty fnslhioa1bies.
both lsI'es aud gentlemen had been conducted on
boar,'.
The arrangements of the vessel we're equally
remarkable tor hospitality and goal taste All
that part OF tie upper deck AS far forward rs the
mainmas' completely lued aud covered with
the flags of different nations, disposed in such
manner to produce sudden and striking MS
well 81 novel aud beautiful effect. Convenient
seats for the company were placed alo7e the sides
OF the deck, and the gun-cariiagcs were embe!-
lished wth Aowers-whiIe large band of must
cians were stationed upon an elevated seat, half
surrounding the mainmas thus converting the whole
area, between this spot and the Stern galleries in
10 splendid nasal bali room, OF one hundred feet
in length.
The cotillions commenced rs soon as the COM
papy had generally assembled, and continued With
occasional intermssions until about eleven O'Clock
IN the evening. Numerous ships ianthorn- and
a great multitvde of candles disposed tastefny
roaud the captern, which transformed il iato a
brilliant standing chandelier, produced an album
lSnt and appropriate light for the ball deck. Be-
low, the Commodore's two cabins were prepared
tor the company; the after one was fitted IN for
the ladies apartment and the gentlemea had q
cold collation. in the forward cabin ut which both
welcome and abundance presided. succession OF
agreeable refreshments npon the upper deck,
comprising al! the variety of fruits which the sea-
son affords. cakes, choice wines and other ronors
seemed to be almost unremtted. The evening
was uncomr.ony mild and delightful. and series
of splendid fireworks displayed from small
United States vessel, anchored near the Indepen.
dencc, contributed much TO heishten the spirit oil
the scene.
The excitement of this occaion, arising from
the singular anti ssmeWh hat contsrient assocations
which the novelties necessarily attending it. were
calculated 90 awaken, was extremely interesting
and powerful.
The deck Of n ran Of war; theatre OF com.
hat and { slaughter, converted into a place of I'll
others best adapted sperRduce IDEAS of the pies
sures of peace aud innocent recr,ation the con-
seriousness that such u deck had during the late
war thus become the scene OF bloody conflict and
the conviction that happy peace had now almost
ot,iterated the imprr ssi0H-the very guns of the
ship and their carriages transformed into ecsy
and elegant seats for ladies' the rnusscts board
ing-pkes and pistols, contrasted with the beauty,
ste aud fashion ci The belles their wit and AM
nation as well the eaiety presented to view O.
yer The whole area the generous feeli.gs of the
commodore and his officers, beamiDg from tic
eye, aHd expressed in their polite and gsulIeman-
! Ike demeanor, opposed 10 the rugged, weather
| beaten vissgcs Of the sailors many Of whom were
al o -ca the fa ward art OF the deck tnos, he
festi'ity, and with whom cronpei Of is re .re-
quently intermixed-were circumstances wen suit.
ed TO Che indulgence of great animation Of feeling
without aving much leisure to anaiyze the causes
| by which it was produced.
The ship Independence is one of the most tho
! roughly built wei! as most elegant specimens o.
architecture which this country has yet, probs
| ably ever offer TO the admiration of naval con
| nosseurs AS she erected in our vicinity We
| feel some pride in bchoding her and contemplating
| her beauties. And we are free to express tht
| ho9e or TO indulge The expectation tnat like oul
| own Co1lSntution size will on some fortunate day
delight the inhabitants of BOSTON, By realizing al
their antcpations OF her brilliant and ssul des
| tiny.