The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-08-28
THE GRAND FANCY DRESS BALL
AT THE
OCEAN HOUSE, NEWPORT.
TIL r FE AZURE
OF THE
SHiONABLE SEASON.
he Philosophy of the Watering Place.

The Philosophy of the Watering Place.
OUR DAGUERREOTYPE SKETCH.
The point towards which the fashionable world at the
North have been looking forward weeks is
at length past the fancy ball Is The kings and
cooks knights and nuns danes and dandes fairies and
hends have again their Shells the insects Of
fashion tting about in all their variety Of butterfly
plumsge Every thing propitious while the
rangements for the ball In progress Nature
ed to aid the project Of PLEASURE the weather all
that could possibly be desired of the little
tous dsappointments which apt to to mar
In degree the pleasure Of the scene happened
this OCCASION but all seemed to oombnet give ecla and
add pleasure to gaisty The weather for days
previous to the ball oharmng the evenings delight
fuI-a bright moon and comfortable atmosphere; so
that all who arrived at Newport were In good temper
and entered at upon the work Of preparation with
cheerful zest. The town became full, and the public
houses than FULL days before the 25th All
the cottages in the vicinity Of the hotels engaged
by the landlords who obliged to coOnze dodgers in
them until ut length they all full and the publ
cans under the necessity Of turning from their
doors loads and loads Of shionabes who were after
each arrival to be driving around town, eagerly
enquiring for place to lodge Some Of the know
ing had written in advance and secured
But the number Of these few compared with those
who wandered about seeking place to rest them
selves, and enjoy the comforts () and delights Of the
for the present, centre Of fashion.
Some of the pleasure seekers had brought fancy
dresses for the OCCASION but by the greater number
had to depend upon the oostumers; and in due time
Messrs. Taylor and Gould opened their wardrobes and
exposed their brilliant dresses for the inspection the
public Mr. Taylor being professional costumer, lat
SO Prince stree of knew what dresses provide
for the occasion. Wednesday evening and the ball
told the best story for his taste We were pre-
pared to discover In the picture which the cosumed
assemblage would present that kind Of shabby Anery
which the tnsel and faded colors of theatrical
wardrobes frequently, indeed almost always present
But nothing of the kind appeared The dresses were
many of them neY, and made Of rich material the
ornaments all bright and whore brliancy was
desired for effect 1t to be brought out To
those who enjoy ludcrous scenes nothing could be
amusing In the whole affair than the at the costu
mer's rooms. There perfect medley Of humanity
The nations Of almost all Europe and America were
represented by the applicants for fancy In one
corner of the room might DO a French gentle
man costumed as Sam Slick, and wearing mag
ndcent pair Of moustaches, while opposite him was
Grand Turk In q quandary, 1. g., gentleman half
dressed in the sarb of the Turk consulting rar as to
whether he had better appear monk In another
part OF the room to be brgand, looking dag
against French boat1an and hume
sought the hair dressers to Mr. Dibbee
rectons about his but his story is cut short
Chinese gentleman who wants flesh coored head with
long tail: smooth faced youngster seeks q huge
beard and heavy mousaches- directions given how
and red faces, redder still. shylock brandishes mis-
knife hermit wraps himself In his gown, while Hamlet
hauls pile of clothes for remnant of his costume
and jostles against astrologsr in mystical robe
and ali in loud tones about their dresses Some
speak Eng sh some French, some Italian and Germany
@ silent wms every rev moments ladies pass the
their fancy suits All Is confusion and noise The only
composed man In the is the himself Who
perfectly used scenes moves about as quietly
" there noise, uproar, confusion.
By the way speaking Of selecting costumes reminds
may as well be given here. A young gentleman who
had intended to appear at the ball. his costume
s and now he had got il on it Occurred to him tSss
he might well have bit Of fun in advance: so get
ting some choice friends to accompany him, they all
proceeded to favorite resort known the Tea Gar
dens and the end Of the matter was that friend
got merry and then convival, and then-forgetfu He
time the next day, when he aroused himself and pro.
decided to the hotel to attend the ball. When told
hours since he was and we left him in the
enjoyment Of firm belief that his friends trying
to duPe him into belief that the ball was over Rip
did our hero Of the Tea gardens but all this Of
| the way.
On Wednesday dinner was served at the Ocean House
earlier than usual In order that the large dining hall
might be given up to the decorators VINO soon hung
| IL with evsrgreens and beautiful flowers The or.
chesra was raised about four feet from the floor and
magnificent arbor thrown it, Fifteen chandeliers
were suspended from the ceiling and complete belt
| Of wax candles, which were placed at short in
tervas entirely around the room, at right height
| TO shine to the best possible advantage. The eff
feet OF this arrangement needs to be seen to be
| appreciated The light from the chandeliers was, Of
course very great but being sofened by shades 1t need
ed the beautiful little sparkling gems which surrounded
the room to add life to the scene AS the bright orna
hack bs @s when thew reosveS and tS
| reflection was caught up, and intercepted a hun
dred times before it reached its There
perfect appearance Of splendor in everything; 1t
was really dcult to conceive that this was but mock
grandeur; and, indeed, it not. Fortunes
upon forms OF beauty and many would might his
| days in comfort and contentment upon the Income
which would afforded by the interest upon the value
Of the ornaments which we're there displayed All were
gay-hsppywhat could real lords, ladies' ssges
40 more
WE'LL all was at length prepared and the musicians,
Camerons band being In their places, the ball COM
menced First came quadrlle then q waltz and then
the polka And these dances alternating made up the
before the magnificent at height OF beau
ty. We regretted. that could not attain a
made shit Of ths elevation which chair afforded
and a. we Toasted our eyes, thought Of the kind
sderaton which by accident heard expressed
press by Miss belle Of Baltimore while at
tea, and dreaming that one OF the prenn ohels
within ear shot remarked to friend that she hoped
the press well provided for and added that there
should be- place prepared from which they could
look down upon the whole beauty Of the scene would
that all with whom have deal considerable,
thought WEB because added the BELLE ought have
good description oft or course her kind had
In view the good description but matter, 1t
well thought o. even So nj We saw mors beauty In GER
tain face at subsequent period Of the evening
than we should have discovered had not by accident
sat nearly opposite IT at the tea table Well the chair
aforesaid being brought into requisiton we got view
Of the whole scene. Nodding pumes, streaming RI
bands and all Of gay head gear toated In every
direction Polite courtiers meditative Students pro.
found philosophers bold robbers suky trgands, bloody
the paths Of beautiful stately danes gay
flower girls peasant maidens and gay youths Of botn