The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-17

XIV
THE CHRISTMAS PARTY AT MONT CRYSTAL
Fin the bri sht goblet. Spread the festive boardi
summon the gay, the youthful and the fair,
Through the loud bail in joyous concert poured,
Let mirth and music sound the dirge OF care.
But ask thou not II happiness be there
" the loud laugh disguise convnlsive throe,
OR If the brow the hearts true livery wear;
Lift not the festsl mask .-enough to know
No scene Of mortal life but teens with mortal woe
Scot.
Ia Maryland and Virginia, from a religious
sentiment or from a superstitious observance
most persons choose to eat their Christmas din
ner at hons Therefore, few invitations to din.
ner on Christmas day are accepted, unless il be
in the case Of the young married sons and daush.
tiers, who meet to dine at the house of the head
of their family. For this reason, the party inyi
ted to spend the holydays at Mont Crystal did
not assemble until the day after Christmas Mont
Crystal and its inmates were in great state to re-
eeive their guests The gold-fringed curtains
hanging from the central arch that divided the
two apartments as folding doors divide them now
were drawn up with golden cord and tassels into
graceful festoons, thus throwing the two rooms into
one magnificent saloon, glowing with its subdued
crimson lights and shadows. Far down the eor.
geous vista, and deep in the burning gloom of its
extremity, was the recess of large bay window,
whose rich drapery Of crimson velvet, fringed with
gold, swept finely down on either side of luxu-
rious sofa placed below Beneath this gorgeous
canopy, and amid the piles of crimson satin cnsh-
iona, reclined the beautiful form of Miss Arm.
strong attended by her governess. Never was
greater contrast in beauty than that pre-
sented by these two young girls, as their fg-
nres were thrown ont into beautiful relief nv the
crimson back ground Of their seat-both so charm
ing yet 80 unlike Louise, reclining, with her
fair, transparent complexion, with her mild blue
eyes and pale gold wavy hair, with her fragile
and dropping form arrayed in white muslin a.
soft and pliable as her gentle disposition; Brit
ANNA standing, with her fierce blue-black eyes
her glistening black tresses curling down her
snowy forehead and carnation cheeks, with her
stately figure, attired In n rich dark, green bro
cade, embroidered with deep border Of variega-
ted nowers--a dress dgnifed a. her own spirited
temper. They were bsantiful contrast. Brit.
ANNA was handsome--Louise. pretty. Brightly
was eiegant--L'uise, graceful Brightly was brill
liant Louise, gentle Brightly, stately - Lou
Use, graceful; Brightly was witty and satirical---
Louise, benevolent and conhding Brightly, su-
dacOus-Louse, timid Brightly lived chiefly on
her iutslect--Louise on her affections in q word,
Brightly was fascinating lovely.
Far up the other end Of the saloon, and facing
the main entrance, stood Mrs Armstrong, her
majestic form arrsyed in the sweeping folds Of
black velvet robe, her rich, abundant hair conf
ned Ia black bugle net On her right hand,
attending her and occasionally converting with
her, stood young man in the black dress Of
clergyman. He was Of delicate form; thin
but highly intellectual fscs, with his pale broad
forehead sofly shaded BY fine, thin, silky black
eurls His manners were gentle and courteous,
and M voice son and swsst. This was Willis
Lisislsy, che nephew OF Mrn Armstrong, and