Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-08-19
Communications.
Correspondence OF the Gazette.
BERKELEY sPR4NGs-FANCY BALL.

it requires, to withdraw few short hours from
Ithegay and busy idleness which steals away
our time here, and devote them 10 any thing
which requires mental exertion. But have
promised-what is more, | have promised an
Editor, and what is still more, have resolved
TO miss the Ball tonight, rather than trudge
through the cotilions with the recollection Of
broken promise heavy on my soul.
The present season is the most brilliant thai
Bath has known for many years. The CON-
pany has been fairly estimated at FIVE hun
dred souls, and from appearances it will not
diminish much for several weeks. Visitors OF
the olden time say, it reminds them Of forty
years ago, while the younger ones, who can
spare thought from the present, are remind.
led of-next summer. 1t has seldom been my
fortune TO mingle in q company, where gay
good humor and gentle courtesy were SO uni
versal. The parlors. prominades and assem-
blies are sparkling with animated beauty, and
buzzng with the blended voices that are Tor
should Beg ever soft, gentle, and low, and the
deeper notes Of whiskered and obsequious
beaux. Last night the Fancy Ball Of the season
cameof, and asst was the first opportuny have
ever had of witnessing such a show, was
much amused, and will enliven my letter by
sketching the ball room, and a few o. the
characters who figured most conspicuously.
] must confess was somewhat bewildered on
entering the large, brilliantly lighted, and crow
ded assembly room, but reassuming my self
possession, Sc, about taking notes of the CO.'S
TUNED dancers, who were tipping to the live
ly and toe-stirriDg music-and here they are:
Miss P, of L------n, Va, in beau
tiful costume, personated Persian Princess
With eyes, dark as the midnight time,
Yet lighted like a summer cline,
And never lovher brow was given,
To Hour of an Eastern heaven.
Miss B, of Virginia, appeared as a
Shepherdess, and well the hat and flowery
crook became her--in truth she looked little
like real Shepherdess, but more like one OF
those of whom poets delight to sing
As sweet as the breeze FER beds of balm,
As happy and gay as the gameseme lamb.
Miss k, Of Pittsburg, wore the be-
coming costume Of a Sorren;ine Peasant Girl,
She looked indeed daughter of that land,
Where the Poets lip and the Painters hand
Are most divine
Miss L. P, of III, Va,
as Roman Peasant
o she was beautiful, and on her cheek
Glowed the rich tint of bright Italia's Girls,
And the dark tresses on her forehead meek,
In glossy curls
Shone like Ravens wings spread DER vase
ofpearls.
Miss J--n, OF Annapolis, as Swiss
Peasant. THIS tasteful costume attracted
much attention.
--And then her face
So lovely yet so arch, so full of mrth,
The OVERLOOKING of an innocent heart.
Miss l., Of Mart;nsburg, wore an ele-
giant Polish dress of crimson and white.
With swan like grace she moved among
The joyous dancers may throng,
With fairy foot that shone like snow
And fell as mute on the earth below.
Miss S-----n, of Baltimore, played the
charming character of village coquette.
Joyas mirth lit up her face,
Bright before with every grace,
Fun and frolic in her eye,
Mingled with loves witchery.
Miss lis, of Baltimore, as Gipsey
"a very pretty and becoming dress.
Beneath the dark arched brow her bright eyes
glowed,
Like the stellar gems that spangle nights blue
throne.
Miss = H, of Baltimore, as the
Cracovian Maid.
-Beautiful as youth,
Wasted like Hebe and with dams step,
As she with sandals newly laced would rise
To hunt the fawn through the woods Of Thessaly,
Miss D., of Hagerstown, as Wood
Nymph-
And ne 'er did Grecian chsel trace
A nymph maiden, or grace
Of finer form or lovlier face.
Miss P--n, of Baltimore, as Spanish
lady, was much admired.
Let them boast of the land Of the olive and vine,
The maids of the Arno, the Ebro, and Rhine
Yet after all, the graceful veil and mantilla
are far more graceful when they clothe the
fair brow and faultless form Of an American
beauty.
Miss W, of B., as Fortune tel
Ter, looked uncommonly well and supported
her part admirably, often did rosy lips whls-
per the question to her
Say by what spell above, below,
In stars that wink, or flowers that blow,
May discover, e'er night be over
Whether my love loves me or no'---
Miss H, of J--n, Va, as Poca-
hontas,
A lovely Indian Girl, fawn-like child
Ofgreen savannahs and the leafy wild.
This was one Of the most original and COM
Al ayortnn, and rnn