Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-21
New Yonx, Scptember Ia

- go ~ i (ASIljE GARDEN
After several postponeinents, on account ~
the weather. the splendid Fete river -, ~. -
La fayette took place ON Tuesday evening
III was The m1st magnificent one ever piiven
10 give an adequate description. At an,
time, would be impossible, and, at present :.
very feeble sketch indeed mus, serve 70 convsv
an idea of 4 festival, which realizes All H.. -.
read of lin the Persian Tales or Arab;an W;.h..
winch dazzled the eye aud bewiIdered tbe Trno'
sInat'nn, and which produced so rnauy mower.
'ul co'nh'nations, by magnificent pretarati,ms
asto set description almost at defiance.
Originally, Castle Garden was not peneraJIv
aHPr'Fea' or considered a suitable place for the
festival. Juttmg into the sea, at scme distance
from the line of the Battery, and connecte cd Vii.
the shore by long bridge il was si,n,,os;.I th.
the bleak AIR from the water find;n.r lie nor
through the embrasures of the Battery xvonla
nave chilled the galaxy OF beauty, expected At
me 'esuvai, and rendered the whole Jun ami
''ioifo'o"ous. The approach also of dark night
was considered mar1spieiot,s, If not tfa n drerops
i'ut all these imaginary disadvantages faded AT
the touch OF the magic wand which directed he
whole arrangements.
Ihe managers having obtained nerro;ss;,,,,,
from the Corporation 10 have entire s.onrn,nt
OF ftie Battery for the occasion, ordered !, L,n,,
cerfidor Tor carriages to be built leading from
e'reenvich street, and another leading to Bridge
street for foot passengers, which enabled eacb
to reach the grand portal of the Castle witbovt
the least delay or confusion the crowd nc5 &C
sariiy assembled on the OCCASION being outsid..
oi me FENCES, and having full view of The com
pany entering and departing. Lamps were
piaced on the corridor at equal distances. afford
ing clear, full light 10 all; and in {, ont ~ III.
Castle a triangle of great height was erected
hiied with colii-d lamps, and having a brilliant
star on top. The bridge which was rooted with
canvass and carpeted, ornamentea with branch
es oil cyprus and cedar, and well lit up, served
as peasant promenade. On the top several
,lags were displayed, the large wliie one of
France floating proudly on the breeze Ono each
SIDE the massive entrance of the Castle, were
Two neat houses, furnished for the accommoda-
ton or ladies and gentlemen, and a place
OF deposit tor hats, shawls, &e.sArriyiuq in the
centre OF the Castle, the blaze of beauty and or
neat winch met the eye on every side, trans6x
&c, me oehoider with wonder and admiration
i ne aera OF the Castle had been fluored for the.
occasion. In addition to the broad circular,yalIx
on 'ne Parapet or terrace, kind of hanging GAL
iery was erected, having seats with light uat,i
sades at the extremity hese were filed will,
brilliantly dressed females, and the coup Tasy
on entering was strikingfy magnificent, In the
centre heavy column was erected fo Which
was attached the cords of the canvass GOVERNS
the whole OF the Castle. No part of the car,v ass
was seen, being lined with flags of every nation.
and various colored bunting--Thirteen large IL
Illuminated pillars, composed ofcolored linen with
conceal tops, were placed at equal distances.
reaching from the base of the gallery to the
summit and producing beautiful and almost
magical effect; between each there were me-
taiiions bearing inscriptions and Gags of every
State IN the Union. The centre pillar or staff
winch supported the highly ornamcntcd roof,
was tastef,fiiy decoratedwith hags, and circet,
from winch was su :. ended number of brilliant
~ cur chandeliers. Ut thc top of the illuplna-
tea pitlars, were clusters of brass lamps and
beautiful glass lamps, with painted landscapes.
were interspersed throughout the Castle--thes
Whoe oiaze consisting OF about FIVE fhousand
lights, beng at once full, dazzling and effective.
Opposite the grand entrance, was superb MIR;
qaee erected for the General and suite. CONNIE
sed oil white and blue muslin ornauented ap6
embesiIed with great tastc-It was eleoantJv
FURNISHED and decorated with paintings, bustS,
nc. &C. On each side was piece of brass ar
ti'ieTy, hammers, spOuges, sc. A substantial
brick building had been erected over the portal. (
having rooms for refreshments, &c. A large
painting was exhibited over The entrance. re-.
presenting emoier1s OF Liberty, &C. but after the
General had entered, it was rolled np, and be.
hind IT was exhibited a Transparency represent.
ing the Castle of lie Grange, in France, under
meath was written his home. The efFect. of tb;s.
well timed and deIica4e memenfo. was very
pieasinG-in the midst of his national family r.
reminded him OF bis native land and those in
mates who shared in his pleasure by snt;cipa
AR through the embrasures ran under fhe walls
OF the Castle. The Music was in a gallery a.
yer the entrance, and The superior. band from
west Point, played their best pieces between
each cofilIion. The dancing commenced of am
early hour, and although the number present
was considerable, we should say between 6 and
1000, there was still abundant room for the dis
play Of taste and skill in G.ose who tripp'd Il on
the eight fantastic toc.n
We never saw ladies more brilliantly dressed
every thing that fashion ard elcGance could
devise, were used ON the occasion.--'Fheir head
dresses were principally of flowers with orna-
menied combs. and some with phnics of Ostrich
feathers. White and black lace dresses over sa-
TN, were mostly wotB, with profusion of steel
ornaments md neck chains Of gold, suspended
to which were beautiful gold and silver badge
medals, bearinga correct likeness Of la Fayoue,
manufactured for The occasion, The gentlemen
had suspended from the button iiole of their
coats, similar likeness, and, with the ladies,
had the same stamped on their gloves. a belt
or sash, witlia likeness of the General, and en-
twined with chaplet Of roses, also formed part
OF the dress Of the ladies. The General and
suite entered about ten O'Clock, and were re-