The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-07-16
Price TWO Cents.
Portsmouth. n. IA.
Portsmouth. n. IA.
Correspondence Of the lieald.l
PORTSMOUTH, n III. July TO-, 1872
L. s. NQpy Officers on, The Ith of .Gtl1

DEAR Bennett -
In cruising about on the 18th of July to see what
fun was going on, my eye fell upon the tfgate Con-
gress, sitting with the grace and majesty of an Ala
botras IN Portsmouth harbor, with flags streaming
from every mast head. On board went. The o.
hcers and crew were all in their gala dress, aud
gay OF heart. Decks were chalky white, and guns
shining black. Every thing was ready for fight at
moments warning; fifty long % Founders were ready
pointed TO hurl defiance and destruction at an enc
my; and yet they seemed as if they were only there
to ornament the beautiful decks of that splendid
trigate. There room for dozen mere of paix-
han calibre, but the: Navy Commissioners would ra-
ther let the rust gnaw them at Boston than have
them mounted in thslr places.
When the sun reached his meridian the frigate
opened her heavy battery in honor OF the day tol-
lowed by the batteries of the Fort and Navy Yard
In the afternoon in an hours time, all the spar
deck abaii the malnmas was converted into a Gu
nous and splendid ball room, canopied and curtain
ed by the flags of all nations. Glittering muskets.
lastly arranged, served as candelebras, battle and
signal lanterns for chandeers--shot boxes for otto
mans-cushions covered with flags over the matches.
for divans, strewed with flowers where the iatigued
could lounge and the sentimental make love. And
still, amidst all this the guns were clear and looked
devices as the floors OF Pompean house.
At five O'Clock the officers appeared on deck, in
full dress and the in their whitest frocks, to
receive the officers of the Yard Marine Barracks.
Fort, and Engineer Corps, all in their gterng uni
forms. Five barges gided to the Shore and return
ed freighed with the elite Of Portsmouth And so
of did they repeat the expedition, that you might
suppose the city contained another belle or beaux
Fathers and mothers, and daughters bellies and
beauX, old and young, all hocked to this novel
scene Of amusement. Several OF the wives of the
officers had assembled here 10 take a three-year
farewell of their husbands. Among them was the
charming lady of the gallant commander, who preri-
ded as lady hostess with queenly elegance, ABLY
sustained either side by the accomplished ladies'
OF the other officers
At half past five the first Lieutenant of Apollo
form, led off the Captains lady, to open the ball
dance he went, with the lady of the I'd Lieutenant,
wlthsas much gallantry and elasticity as when he
trod the decks OF the States, with the immortal De-
catur IN her victorious conflict with the Macedo-
dian Quickly all the gay were moving TO the m,i-
slCsm numerous cotIlous.
This was intended for an afternoon ball, that the
ladies might not be caught upon the water after
dark, IN this uncertain climate. But enjoyment put
the climate at defiance, and on they danced, and
whirled to the graceful waltz-Hirted between the
guns-lounged upon the dIvans-talked sentiment,
and made love--drank punch and champagne cool
ed of with ice creams and substantlas-and thus
they kept it up till midnight.
The cabin, wardroom, and staterooms, all had
their groups OF lovers, Cupid required many eyes
as Argus, 10 watch them all. An emphatic saluta-
ton OF the lips, in of the staterooms produced
uprorous laughter. ''What ascamp TO kiss so oudv'
exclaimed lady. The only wrong that appeared to
her. was the exposure. A sensible lady that Ano-
ther exclaimed IN suppressed tone, don't squeeze
me SO hard MIR. C"*"*".' No objection was made
to the squeeze. but only to It's strength. Ano-
Their sensible girl! But shorty aiterward she
declined waltzng, because II looked too much
like hugglns. 81 am surprised that you object
to 1t on that account, said handsome mildly know
ngly. She looked guilty, and took his arm for a
promenade young married lady, who had re-
ceived the devoted attentions ola rosy checked mid
| dy for some time, and would have given The world
| to waltz had she known how, .aid ''should ever a
daughter Of hers waltz she would her legs off,"
81 thought ladies had no legs" said the MILDLY
She put her handkerchief to her face, make him
believe that she was blushDg at the idpsis Hagns.
Ladies of the south fond of waltzng," she
marked TO elegant girl that had Just ceased her
graceful whrls. "And the gentlemen ought TO be-"
said one OF herbeaux significantly. " am, at least"
said the beautiful waltZer with air OF defiance.
" Zone but officers could have got up such splen-
did affair as this exclaimed beautiful gill; with
delight beaming in her eyes. "What irresistible
fellows they are l' g You prefer buttons TO brains,"
said her jealous attendant. ''No sir" she quickly
replied, 81 prefer the combination of three Be-
brains, bravery and beauty, which we find in the
officers"
Though there were many that could not Join in
the waltz, there were many more that could some
that figured prc-eminently last winter in Washing
ton. There was the glorious Miss w. who has been
admired and courted by so many eminent men, and
her less commanding but beautiful sister, with eyes
large and black the 32pound balls that roll be-
tween the cannon Miss :. of Salem, who was a
belle among the bellies last winter in Washington,
when the nation was so superbly represented in the
bail rooms, and badly in the halls of Congress;
| the Joyous and graceful Mrs. b., and The gay and
majestic Mrs. Z. from the same place that beauti-
| tut ~ Jpn, Mrs w. OF New York-aye, and many OF
| the northern ladies' who had seen the world whirl-
Ger; ~ lEI.,s scene, - " ''
observing an llai '~g0rg. Lying, sitting and
| standing, grouped together IN every manner did
they look on with delight the last, and make their
| remarks 6 say, Tom, who is that craft with such
beautiful mastering frock on, full aft and catheads
| for all the world like round shot dipped in -four 20
That's the puTser's wife. She carries zoo many
| guns for him, though he is fine man and gives us
| good tobacco" ''Tom, do You know what lofty
one that is. wa,zing with our 9Th Luii. with head
rails that shine white California pearls every
time she opens her mouth" THAT'S the daughter
of one of our old Secretaries and The only good he
ever did us was sending such merry girl on board
| to dance with gallant officers. wish they could
| always have such chance. " Aud who is the
| he might hght hs scgar in her black eyes-she is
| well built TOO. either for sailing or service" And
| our I'd I.uh can't keep clear of the Commodore's
| daugher-I don't blame him for she is a beautiful
clipper though she has got a commander Of her
own" iou don't say that child is married p,
| eyes and has child of her own.' % She has no
foot" mo, but she has four inches, and that's
enough for her TO waltz with like the great Miss
Fanny" The wife OF our junior Luti beats Fam
ny-she goes il great"
| left them at It at half past eleven.
ARIEL.
MURDEKrss.-NIargaret Dunden, Of Java Erie county
was committed TO prison the 27th u be tried for
administering arsenic to her husband in consequence OF