The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-09-08
DOMESTIC.
NATIONAL COMPLIMENT.

/ NATIONAL. COMPLAINANT.
NORFOLK. Aug. 2O.-As national com
pllment, no less than mark Of their ndl-
yidnal consideration and respect for the
officers of his most Christian M esty's
+ Squadron, al present on visit To our wa
ters. The Officers of The u. States army
stationed at Fortress Monroe, gave them a
Boil on Friday evening last, which rtvalied
~ spl.udons any hing Of the Kind winch
"e have been accustomed to. Nothing
that taste could devise or liberallty supply
was omitted To give eelat 10 the occasion
and 10 render The honor intended To be
paid TO the gallant Frenchmcn, in the high
.st degree distinguished and Impressive
The invitations we're very extensive, incln-
ding The fashionable society and many res
prctabIc heads of families of this town and
! the vicinity of The Garrison generally, and
the officers % the u. S. Navy. The Ball
was given ia the newly erected large brick
building contiguous 10 the parade ground,
IN which are apartments finely adapted for
the purpose. The bali room which is of
lofty pitch, and Sufficiently large to accom-
modaic with ease, furty couple at a time,
WAS prepared IN an elegant style for the
occasion, and handsomely decorated with
| llags, of which the banners of the two Ia
tiOns intcrtwined were disposed ia festoons
along the Cornice of the room or otherwise
tastefolly Displayed A number of chan
deliers were suspended from the ceiling and
clusters of lights supported by gilt forms
representing the .1herlcan Star and the
fI'nr de LIS of France, were arranged al
ternaicIy along the walls, The whole she'd
ding, as may be supposed, brilliant light,
and giving full effect tn the charms Of beat
y aud the rich display Of splendid dresses
By O'Clock, the Guests, in honor of
whom the feat was gwen, probably 100 III
number) aud the Invited company genrtal-
~, had asse -abicd at the ball room, aud the
music struck NJ from an excellent orches-
ira condoctDd by Lochesi Except at the
ball giyea W thi, place IN honor of Genrlal
LAFAYETTE, Ne have never witnessed IN
our part of the country on any similar OF
cas0n, so large and brilliant an assembage
the number as well AS we could Judge
was at least three hundred. The ladies', Il
mong whom we're many who might vie
with the HmiS, were elegantly alired,
and il would be Impossible to overlook the
fine appearance Of the French and Ametl-
can officers in their superb full dress unl-
forms with whom they mingled in the
graceful movements of the dance.
The French officers, though generally
strangers To the company, appeared to en-
Joy themselves 10 the utmost of thrir " ish-
~, and We're In their turn extremely agree
able II was II subject of much regret that
/ Admiral JURiEN, first in command Of TIA,
squadron, was prevented by his indsrosl-
tlon from honorlng the bali with his pres
ence.
Al half past eleven O'clock the company
were ushered into the supper room, In pass
ing 10 " hich they were detained for fen
pnntes in the poriico to see AN exhibition
of fine fire works which had been prepared
for the occasion. The supper was set out
IN An apartment of the same Dimensions as
the bail room. and by judicious arrange
ment of the tables, all the ladies' were ac-
rommodated with seats at the same time
The supper table was beautifully ornament
ted exhibited an admirable display gifts
various delcaces aud luxurles. The room
was decorated with number of emblem
atlCal devices, and the avenues brtN cen the
tables surnpunted with arehways, cnir in
ed with leaves ofthr oak, the grape and the
NY. Supper ended, the ladies again repaiI-
cd 10 the taIl room, aud the dancing con-
tinued until two O'Clock, at which time the
Company retired, delighted with thcir even
mg's entertainment, and more especially
Win lbt elegant ST it III NIlcn III Was con
Quoted. and the genuine hospitality and dis
finGushcd pollleness with which they were
entertained
But while admirinG the exterior splendor
of the scene, II IS Impossible to be regard
less Of lis m0rui effect. To see in peace,
th'sc whose duty il j. in war to meet only
IN deadly strife, minGiing together 10 inter
changes of cordial ci, iliry, hospitality and
good feeling. is calculated To- eX III the mil !
tary character 10 no subordinate degree To
the fame acquired by achievements it, arms.
The squadron being ON the eve of drpar-
ture, several parties of ladies and gentle
men who had made acquaintarccs with the
officers, visited it the next day to take their
leave, and were received with great cordial
here has been shoTt, but sufficiently pro-
tracted to admit of their making the most
favourable Impressions and exciting II gen
er-l md sincere regret nj their departure.
The French squadron in Hampton Roads
are all unmoored and hove short. and will
pat To sea the first fair Wind. We under.
stand that all except the Ecnus, 60 gun
ship, the Nymph and Themis 4 Is, will sail
direct for France, & that these will accom-.
whence they will return to the West India
station.
Communication.
was much surprised at the appearance
in your paper Of the Goth inst of the follow.
inn ,,,ft,