Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-09-21
Fran the N. Y. Eveaing Post, Sept. Is.
FETE AT Ca sTLE GARDEN. z

! After, several postpone ments, oD ace
. coun, ofthe weather, the splendid iete
| given to General La Fayet.e took
place last evening, tie delay having
| given time for extensive preparations.
| We hazard nothing in saying that It
was the most gnifcent fete, givenun-
der cover 10 the world.
TO give an adequate description, at
| any time would be impossible, and, at
| present very feeble sketch indeed
must serve to convey an idea OF tests
val, which realizes all that We read OF
| in the Persiaa Tales or ArabiaD Nights.
which dazzied the eye and be~ildered
the imagination, and which produced
/ SO many powerful combinations, by
magnificent preparations, as to set des-
cripsioD almost at defiance.
Originally, Castle Garden was not
generally approved. or considered
suitable place for the festival. Jutting
INTO the sea, at some distance from the
line Of the battery, and connected with
the shore BY long bridge, it was sup.
posed that the bleak air from the wa.
ter. finding it's way through the embra.
cures of the Battery, would have chill
ed the galaxy of beauty expected at the
festival, and rendered tie whole dull
and moDotonous. The approach also
of dark nj ght, was considered lnaus.
picious, if not dangerous. But all thesc
imaginary disadvantages faded at the
touch Of the magic wand which direct
/ ed the whole arrangements.
The managers having obtained per.
mission from the Corporation to have
entire command of the Battery for the
occasion, ordered il" g corridor for
carriages to be buiit leading from
Greenwich.sirees, and another leading
to Bridge street for foot passengers,
which enabled each to reach the Grand
delay or confusion; the crowd pecessa.
rily assembled on the occasion being
outside Of the fences, and having full
view OF the company entering and De.
parting. Lamps we're placed on the
corridor at equal distances, affording a
clear, full light to sIl; and in front of
the Castle triangle = great height
was erected. filled with colored lamps
and having brilliant star on the top.
The bridge which was rooted with can.
vas and carpeted, ornamented with
cyprus and cedar, and we'll lit up, serv
ed as pleasant promenade. On the
top several flags were displayed, the
large white one Of France floating
proudly 90 the breeze. On each side
the massive entrance of the castle, were
two neat houses furnished foS the &C.
commoaaton OF ladies and gentlemen,
and place of deposit Tor hats shawls,
&c. Arriving N the centre Of the Cas-
tie, the blaze of beauty and ornamen.
which met The eye ON every side. trans.
fixed the beholder with wonder ard
admiration. Tie area Of tie Castle
had been loored for the occasion. In
addition TO the broad circular walk on
the parapet or terrace, kind of hang.
ing gallery was erected, having seats
with light palisades at the extremity.
These were FLIED with brilliantly dress.
ed females, and the coup dgH Cd en-
terlng was ssrikingly magnificent. In
the centre heavy column Was erected,
TO which was attached the cords of the
canvas covering the whole Of the Castle.
No part OF the canvas was seen, being
lined with flags Of every nation, and
various colored bunting-Thirtee large
Illuminated pillars, composed of color.
ed linen with conical tops, were placed
at equal distances, reaching from the
base Of the gallery to the summit, and
producing beautiful and almost magi.
cal effect; between each there were
medalliops bearing inscriptions and |
flags of every state in the Union.
The centre pillar or staff WATCH sup.
ported the highly ornamented roof, was
tastefully decorated with flags, and a
circlet from which wss suspended a
number of brilliantly cot chandeliers. |
At the top of the Illuminated pillars,
were clusters OF brass lamps, and beau
tiful glass lamps, with painted land
scapes, were interpreted throughout
the Costle; the whole blaze consisting
of about five thousand lights, being at
once foil, dazzling and effective. OPP
posite the grand entrance, was superb |
Marquee erected for the General and
suite, composed Of white and blue mus
lin, ornanented and embelli.hed with
great taste: 1t was elegantly furnished
and decorated with paintings, busts,
&c. &c. On each side was piece |
of brass artillery. ramn>ers, spoDges,
sc. A substantial brick building had
been erected over the portal, having