The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-24

For some days pastv invitations had been circu
lated by number of the families, and gentlemen
resident at this popular house. among their selected
friends, for soiree on Friday evening last which,
it was understood, was to be given grand
scale. From the excitement which has recently
been created in favor of this establishment-hither
to in such high Misunderstanding out Of the shame
less and unfounded rumors, which had no exist
ence in the minds of those at all acquainted with
the respectable parties, and but hours rage with
Madam Rumor's gaping throng, it was generally
understood that the affair was getting up as COM
piment to Mrs. Howard but we learn that the
soiree was one previously contemplated by the
guests of the hotel though it is quite probable the
circumstances alluded to above, stimulated those
engaged IN II TO produce an entertainment, which,
for style and splendor, has far exceeded any thing
OF the kisd We have ever witnessed In this rePuo-
lican country. The rooms opened were all those
on the main floor of the Hotel, the entire front on
Broadway having been thrown together az parors
and dancing rooms, presenting range OF lOO feet;
The first room, on the corner OF Broadway and
Maiden Lane, was used as the reception room,
and was decorated with costly mirrors and paint.
ings; amongst which the celebrated painting OF
Conrad and Medora-a superb full length picture
was conspicuous. This painting, 1t may be re-
membered, was the one which attracted such at
tenuon, when displayed IN the rooms OF Presi-
dent Tyler, during his stay at Towards, From the
reception room, the company, passed through the
next two richly decorated parlors TO the dancing
rooms-the first of which was ordinarily used as
the ladies' dining hall, and was ornamented IN the
most tasteful and expensive style, WIN mcn paint
evergreens most beautifully arranged. The adloin-
ing room, to the north of the ladies dining hall, OF
equal size. presented most magnificent cs, effect.
mounted with Turkish wreaths, interlaced with
various coors, and illuminated with about one
hundred and fifty lights In which ever way the
mirrors, extending from the floor to the
ceiling, which seemed to lend not only
enchantment to the view, but extent OF view
Of the main staircase on the Broadway entrance,
was hung with massive crimson silk damask, pre-,
sentng the appearance OF royal tent, as we read
of such ancient displays in romance. The rooms
private entrance on Maiden lane, were all opened
as dressing and card rooms, and appropriately iur
nshed The band, which was Dodsworth's best,
was arranged at the head OF the principal dancing
room in such manner that the music was equally
heard throughout the rooms occupied and OF Itself
possessed charm which quite enraptured the To-
vers of music, We heard the music OF the Postn
hon particularly prai sed; he principal dancing
hall connects with the long marble tiled dining
hall, which had been shut Oft by rich damask cur
tans, which at half past eleven rose at the signal
of the band, who played march while the de-
lighted company promenaded around the gorgeous
table, which was arranged in style never surpass
ed if equalled on any slmila occasion. It were IN
vain attempt description Of the spendor OF this
feature of the entertainment. tastefuy and de-
Hcately arranged wreath OF myrtle formed border
to the cloth, and the table, which extended the en-
tire length of the hall, was completely filled with
dishes and ornamental pieces, which none but the
artists who formed them could have named. The
word was soon spread that the decorations and
confectionery ornaments were designed tor this
first and only appearance, and the example being
set by the managers, the fairy temples, castles,
beasts and birds, were despoied of their magic CO.
vering, and 10 they disclosed, each and every OF
them, yiands as agreeable to the taste as their out
composition of supper table decorations voted
a decided improvement. The arrange ments OF the
affair, we learn were under the entire direction OF
Mrs. Howard, and the table wholly got up
within the establishment without foreign aid: The
company amply proved the estlmable qualities OF
the table, and paid just tribute to the excellence
of the wines, which gtest remarked were OF the
rarest sorts, and if Bacchus squeezed the grapes he
must have had the goddesses of Plenty for his
landmarks.
When the guests returned from the feast, dane
ing was resumed, and at this time Mrs Howard
made her appearance, and was warmly greeted BY
her numerous friends. She led off the first qua
dre with one of the leading managers and twas
evident that she was quite as much at home IN gra-
cling the Ball, she happy in directing the al
engagements for it.
The STATEN ISLAND MuRDER.-The examlna-
tien in the case of Polly Rodine closed yesterday
evening She is fully committed for trial.
RAIL ROAD AccIpENT.-Ye sterday afternoon,
as the two O'Clock train from this city was pro-
ceedng to Elizabethtown, when about half mile
from the Newark depot, it came in contact with
colored man, who was discovered by the engineer
lying across the track; but SO great was the fog,
that il was impossible to stop the train in time TO
prevent the collision. He was carried short dis
lance by the scaper, and it is supposed he was
crushed TO death by the ash pan of the engine
The coroner was instantly summoned, and an in
quest was being held when the left. The man
was supposed to have been drunk.
FRE-A fire broke out at IL o'clock last night
IN the paper hanging warehouse, 1926 Pearl street
The fire was extinguished without much damage
being done.
TRAVEL ON THE OcEAN.-The Great Western |
and her monster mate, the Great Britain, will make
ten voyages this year. The French steamers will
make twenty. This will give us more than two
steamers each month
Quick PAssAGE.-The Patrick Henry, Captain
Delano, arrived last night from Liverpool, with adj
wees to the 26th ult. At this rate, we shall re-
ceive later news from Europe some time next
week.
WHAT NExr7-The packet ship Oxford, Captain
Rathbone, from Liverpool, arrived last Monday,
came within hour Of beating the Britannia Out
of weeks news The steamers must take care
of their heels.
PACKET SHIP ZURICH This ship, for her beauty.
has already received the name Of the " Fair Zu-
rich" When she dipped into the East River
Monday bay looked more like Lake Zurich
in its tranquility than the Bay of Naples. Allmusl
see the fair Zurich before she goes TO France.
NAvAL.-Lst of officers attached to the u. S.
ship prebe, which sailed on Sunday from Boston
on special service:-
Commander, Thomas w. Fennelon Lieutenans, James
Finday Schenck, Geo. Prentiss, H. T. Wngae, Chas
w Pickering Acting Master G. 3. Van Allstne furser
George F. Sawyer Passed Assistant Surgeon, Wetson
kellogg Passed Midshipman, Henry A. Clemson Mid
shpmen w Z Hopkins, II @ Brown, Hunter Davidson