The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-30
FROM CINCINNATI.

CINCINNATI, May ~, 1850.
To the Editor of The National Era:
About two years since, portion of our enter
prising citizens determined TO build in our city,
hotel commensurate with her size, business, and
necessities On Saturday, May 4th, their trus-
tees received from the architect En- edifce cover
ing an area of 40 600 square feet and completed in
every way worthy Of the name il bears Within
this great public palace were gathered on Friday
evening, Sd, some 900 to 20 900 OF our good peo
pie, to celebrate by an "opening soiree" the en-
trance of the Burnet House" upon its useful
career.
For two weeks previous this fee bad been the
theme of constant remark, and while economical
papas talked gravely of the unwarrantabe ex-
pense Of SO demanded for tickets tailors and
mantua makers were dyipea TO death upon vest
ments for the occasion.
With Friday evening came pouring rain,
and half past nine o'clock found Third street,
between Race and Vine streets, thronged with
horses and conveyances, struggling in inextrica-
bic confusion.
A dense crowd of dripping citizens filled the wide
Jagged pavement around the house, and covered
its long flights Of broad stone steps with forest
of streaming umbrellas. Through this living lane
as driver after driver emerged from the mass, and
triumphantly let down his steps, the bundled ar
rivals assembled, quickly crossed the columned
porch, passed the doorway, and stood at once
upon the marble floor beneath blaze Of light
and in the midst Of moving figures which, at the
moment, seemed ali confusion Then following
the indication Of portly manager the continued
line of new corners streamed down the long hall,
hurried up the staircase, turned, and scattering
| the ladies in the line Of dressing rooms whose
doors opened as they passed, the gentlemen went
on, and down and back to close behind the en-
trance where they relieved themselves Of over
coats and caps, and in the mirrored parlor next,
being gloved, were by assiduous attendants duly
brushed. Stopping only to straighten standing
collars, and brush stray hairs, the streams Of
spotless vests and smooth cravats stretched out,
and up, and back along the upper hall, and took
its charge again those shspeless bundess now
metamorphosed to forms Of grace, sttired with
that elegance which but perfected taste or ample
means can produce.
And now the crowd grew thick and thicker
New corners hurried to aud fro across the halls
ladies, maids, and walters, few about with in
creased activity, while ready couples threaded
their way down through the stream Of overcoats
and shawls, turned 10 the left, and with the Uni
ted States regimental band crashing some patri.
QUO piece in their very ears entered the ladies
parior Here, wandering across the spacious vel
YET carpet, they rested an instant on the satin
ses.s glanced at the image Of the dazzling chan
aener four times repeated in the tall mirrors that
"a sfohed inches richly gilt, stretched from the
noor up some eighteen feet and, admirine tn,
piano and its tone, passed by connecting door
ln'o the blue furnished LADIES' pirate dra,cing
heading the inscription on the great Bible ly
ing 10 state upon the centre table, they crossed
another hall, visited the Reception Room,
w,'h Its frssh-iookins bouquets strewod in worst
gu upon 'ne carpet and sofas, then, strayina
amidst the six tables, forty feet In length placed
at regular intervals scross the Ladies ordinary,
they saw the light Of hundred burners glisteu