The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-21

vafevehcles broughtte the door fair ladies', accom-
panied by gentlemen. The former were conducted
into dressing room on the west end and servants
relieved the. latter. OF their,coaksand hats, which
were hung up on hooks and laid upon tables II
looked as II the old clo'" merchants OF Chatham
street mad opened one extensive mart for this partl-
cuar occasion. Captain Goddard. of the Auxiliary
Iuard, and MIR. Woodward, the Deputy Marshal OF
the District, were the masters Of ceremonies on the
oJ.ea wal, aud from the highly creditabe manner in
whiJi they conducted themselves, one would hard
~ nave supposed that they were the re 10 maintain
peace and preserve order
IL was nearly O'Clock before the GREAT mass of
the visitors, passing from the dressing rooms into
the reception room, were introduced to the pres;
dent and the ladies' OF his family With his usual
characteristic and systematic politeness he Lad a
smile, bow, and pressure of the hand for every
one who approached. Some were satisfied with
looking at his attendants, and by the crowd were
forced TO take up the line OF march for another scene
The chandeliers were lighted with the best cam
phine, and the glass drops flashed forth the pristine
colorsand their blended hues. Two large pier mir
rors seemed to increase the number and besides
were very convent for, as the more modest of the
hrong were reluctant to gaze beauty full in the face,
ney viewed It In the angle OF reflection.
There stood the President. Near his person was
his lady, dressed in rich white satin dress, trim
med with blonde lace, becomingly high in the neck;
head dress, scarlet velvet Turkish turban trimmed
with pearls and silver lace; on each side Of her
temples were pendant raven curs. Mrs. Secretary
Walker wore rich plaid silk, and braided hair
Mrs. Secretary Mason, dark silk dress, rich lace
cape, hair braided Mrs. J. Knox Walker, very
handsome light striped silk, free from extra trim
ming; no head dress, save white japonca on each
side, and hair braided. Mrs. General Macomb in
second mourning These appeared to be the ladies'
In attendance, and dispensers Of the honors There
were others who occupied he sofas during the eve
ming, as embellishments to the picture. Music lent
It's charms, drowning the incessant hum OF CONVEX
sation, SO audible in the intervals. II appeared
from the hundreds OF smiling faces, and the rich
and that poverty was but name. People
of every size, from Wentworth down-of every
profession, from the Judge to the cordwainer--of
every age, from seventy to fourteen-and of all
conditions. The clerks under the government had
IN convoy, ladies as handsome as those leaning on
the arms OF their chiefs, superior officers. All
were "levelled up" and it would have done De To-
quevllle good to see this display Of the republican
masses AS 1t IN contrast to the white kidded
hands OF the gentlemen, and the white vests and
olack dress coats we noticed two farmers, not car
ing about etiquette, making their way through the
clouds OF perfume, (not SO sweet to them as the
new mown hay,) with their snuff colored overcoats
on their honest backs, and their substantial hats in
their fingers. They were either exempted from
the rules, or escaped the notice Of the janitors.-
However, they shook his Excellency by the hand,
admIrlng eyes in another direction.
But the east room was the great promenade and
mere II was SO light that day, IT he had been pre-
sent, would have been outshone. The larger mum.
Der OF LADIES' appeared to be Strangers but some OF
them will long be remembered for the peculiarly
OF dress, and their extreme beauty. We read, in
the Oldest printed book that Ahasuerus, who reign
ed from India even into Ethiopia, over hundred
and twenty-seven provinces, iwho banished his
wife Vashti,) gave commandment to his servants,
!" Let there be fair young virgins sought for the
King" From these, the most lovely in all his do
MAINS ne selected one to share the throne OF Shus
han. Now, had this old monarch been here, he
would have been sorely perplcxed in the choice of
a, queen. lady,. with Roman features, white
skirt, scarlet velvet body, and large white plume,
attracted much attention: Not far behind her was
an helress, ut is said, with scarlet spotted, Polka
muslin dress, with her hair neatly braided. Another
wore very rich turban, white muslin dress, her
head wreath of artificial flowers, and necklace
Of small canoes. A dress of black velvet enclo-
sing perfect beauty, with white ruffled wristbands,
and a small ruffle around the nee k, and a black
ostrich feather waving. from her head, excited
admratlon-it was decidedly one OF the richest
percePhbe, A belle, residing near the capital,
was the Esther; she was dressed in blue satin
skirt, and overshirt Of white thule; hair perfectly
plain. lady from an adjoining city, with auburn
head dress, and was followed by housewife IN
becoming calico, and silver spectaces. II was not
uncommon to see single gentlemen gallanting mar
RED LADIES', whom they loaned for "briet hour"
" Everybody and hls wife" were there. Judging
from the satin slippers, the artificial and natural
flowers, In the form OF boquetsand head ornaments,
the perfumes, the various styles of dress, the
white Gloves etc., the dealers in such goods had ef-
iected extensive sales previous to the levee. 1t
must not be omitted that large number OF the la
dies presented bare arms and bare necks as far as
the utmost verge of decency would permit sligo
whose arm shs lady gsnsmss e on
course, replied, "and /" -; and here the re-
mainder Of the sentence was lost but from his
close attention to her, it is properly nferble that
ne SAID, And 60 for sweet eighteen" Two la
dies, sharing gentleman between them, pointed out
how we Sa ~ 's sn ssd
hm nan sh hsI is now gaywhsa
HIM" SAID another and the tide set IN that drec-
ton. There stood the ex-Postmaster General, the /
Great Decapitator, bending like true worshipper
sweet breathing OF conversation was in his neigh
borhood. Five minutes from that time Mr.. Gran 4
ger had companion, and with her joined the pro-
menade Helss, OF the Union, who looked sleeker
than before he obtained the public printing, was
primmed for the occasion, and mixed in joyousy.-
The Vice President was all to himself; that is,
without lncumbrance travelling wherever he likes
and taking survey Of the bright and blooming pre-
lad suffered his whskers to grow, was very at
entive to the handsome wife Of clerk in one Of
ne Departments; and her husband walked behind
With lady not much her inferior in appearance
'urn-the one looking through his gold spectacles,
md the other straining his almost sightless orbs-
we're there; not, however, to ofcate, for prayer in
ne East Room, at that time. would bave been as I
- WO.OohC 90 uiC uiSpldy VI Id6uIoH WOuiu NC III
church on Sabbath. But it was an excellent school
or instruction in human nature. Judge Shields was
vreathed in smiles all the evening; it would have
,een impoite to intrude into the bevy OF ladies',
II which he was the life, we can only Judge
u the agreeableness OF his conversation by
he happy effect it continually Produced
drs. Hamilton, the Oldest lady in the room,
vas plainly dressed in black satin, and u high
crowned muslin cap. She was accompanied, not
y young man, but one her junior. As she looked
i the carpet, she pointed to the fgure--the Amer-
AN eagle, with outstretched wings-and made re-
mark which excited smile of appreciation. Corco.
an, the Barring Of the Administration, looked
IS bright as dollar. We did not see
Secretary, Walker; he might have been there;
'erhaps he was covered up for the night in
arIf documents. There were foreign
nlnist RS in court costumes, and but four or five
ulcers Of our army in uniform. Members OF both
Houses of Congress-Judges Of the Supreme Court
heads Of bureaus-officers of the Navy, clerks,