The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-03-13
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TIE GREEK BALL
The ball given last evening nj the Park Thea.
he, for the doubly patriotic purpose OF honor
ing the birthday OF the great father of his
country, and for contributing 10 The fund which
Our benevolent citizens are accommodating to
alleviate the distrcsses ofth suffering Greeks,
and, il possible. 10 accelerate their march 10
freedom and independence WAS all that could
have been anticipated or desired. The compa-
ny began to assemble few minutes before <
O'Clock and continue 10 arrive until II, when
the number of ladies and gentlemen was about
two thousand.
The spectacle on entering the Theatre was
beautiful and imposing. On either hand in the
lobby, apartments for refreshments were cree
ted by Mr.. Niblo. IN front ofboth Of which stood
a colossal golden pillar, surmouned by his
huge New-iears punch bowls, large enough
Tor two contcndlng fleets of Ihputians 10
fight the battle of Trafalgar over in miniature
But on entering the box doors, the first glimpse
At the rich and dazzling decorations, surpassed
the most gorgeous legends Of oriental romance.
The entrance was through the doors ofthe CEN
ter-boxes and the whole area comprising the
superficial surface of the pit, the whole stage, 10
say nothing of the three tiers Of boxes, beautiful
by decorated and filled with ladies' g. gentlemen
lighted by thirteen chandeliers, several of which
were ofimmense size, great variety OF lamps,
! and n line of tapcrs thicky studded upon a cor
nice around the whole extent of the oblong cir
Gle And the bright eyes and splendid dresses
| of the fairy forms that foaed through the mazcs
of the dance, threw back floods OF silver light.
poured from the glitterng walls
The entire fronts OF the lower tier of boxN
were taken out--lcyel with which was the TEN.
poraIy floor extending over the pit to the back
of the stage. The room was divided into two
compartments by splendid crimson draperv,
| festooned under the arch Of the stage and cx-
tending entirely across TO the boxes on either
side At these points stood two pyramdal mon
| nfncnial paintings surmounted with bustS of
! BozzARIs and BYRoE-oyer the former ofwhich
| hung the portrait of WAsHEGTOS, and over the
| latter that Of LAFAYETTE. In the front Of the
! centre OF the boxes hung MorSes superb allepo-
real portrait of Lafayette escircledn iih wreath
| OF flowers, and decorated with banners and flags.
| This fine picture was surnontcd with II medal
| lion painting representing the bust Of Washing.
| ton, the Genius of Liberty, and the American
| Eagle with cofnucopias--cmblems OF peace and
plenty. Aloft, IN the centre Of the ceiling, and
! above the great chandelier, was a circle of me-
| dailIon portraits of ancient Grccian heroes aud
philosophers, supported by festoons of flowers,
aud from which were suspended tine banners of
all civilized nations, representing that ihe cause
! Of Greecc Is the cause ofall. ATouad the upper
tier ofboxes. splendid and diversified banners OF
the several Societies OF this city were graceful
| ~ interminged. In the centre OF the arch over
| the proceniunl, surrounded with standards
was the allegorical painting which we have be.
fore mentioned illustrative oithc spirit Of Greece
| arising from the runs OF its former greatness,
| and contendmg against the tyranny of lis for
lner oppressors, like Leonidas of old at the pass
| OF Ihermopyloc. This idea is depicted in
the painting by the ruins OF temples and stat
ueS, crumbled by The hand OF Time, and falling
| amidst fire and smoke. Above this picture, the
PhoniX IS rising from the nest of spicy
flames which fable has made the grave OF the
old bird. and the life spring OF the new. I'm the
| foreground is Il youthful Grccian warrior bear
ing white banner and the cap of Liberty, with
iris inscription" LIBERTY TO GREECE" With
one foot he tramplcs ON the Turkish banner,
bearing the inscription ofSLtyEEY AND CHAINS"
! J he other foot stands upon the breast of a fallen
Turk, who with his scimetar valnly struggled
| to oppose him. On the ruins scattered around
/ are msCribed--" TAXATION EHE RMuRYLE'' =
designed and painted by H. Scinagie. Under
this painting, you passed 10 the Stagepart of the
f StIVe hail, enclosed with appropriate paintings
representing an animated aud classical grove,
or celestial bower, characteristic of a Grccian
festival; the trees partially envsloped with ligh
Clouds. AMI hung with feStoonS and garlands OF
flowers. Among the trees in the perspective,
we're vases and fountains. at suitable distances,
and III various situations On the right, as you
entered, IN recess were seated the " gentlemen
OF strings and symphonies who ever and-on,
opened upon the brilliant assembla2e their
"yoes OF violins.' The rear ofthe stage form
ing the grand centre OF the whole. represented
the interesting and beautiful remains of Grecan
Temples and Monuments painted by Mr.. Eyers.
/ IN 0ugh the arches and broken columns, form
ing the central point OF the view, was splendid
view OF Athens. painted by Mr.. Wilkins. This
painting was as fresh and fair and beautiful as "A
natural landscape, and reminded of the lines
OF the noble Bard -
Yet are thy skies as blue, thy crags as wild
Sweet ARE thy groves, and We rdant are thy fields,
Thine olive ripe, when Minerva smiled.
And still his honed wealth llymcitus yields,
There the blithc bee his fragrant fortress builds,
The free-horn wandcrer oftby mountain air
Apollo still thy long, long summer yields
Still IN his beam Mcndelfs marbles glare;
Art Glory, Freedom fail, but Nature still is fair
'one realm of wonder spreads around,
And all the muses. tales truly told,
Till the aches, with gazing to behold
The earliest dreams have dwolt upon
Each hill and dale, each deepening glen and VOID
Defes the power which crushed Ny temples COMO