The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-03
spread wings, and below IL tho inserin.inn Of

S0raccu
French armor Of the time of Henry H. and Henry
Ill. coats OF mall helmets, pixies, ances and hal
berts. Each OF these groups of arms surmounted
by an escutcheon bearing onit an eagle, and having
the words, ''HonneW CT Pdtrie.o At the foot Of
the pillars, all Of which were surrounded with
flowers, were placed large mortars, the mouths of
which were filed with odoriferous flowers The
baustrades OF the two galleries formed Of the
blades OF sabrcs placed perpendicularly, and termi
mated at the top by pistol barrels. The interior
decoration of these galleries was white and orange
forest of lustres, bearing $1,000 wax-ghts, shed
their lustre on the different arms, and produced the
most brilliant effect.
Between the upper part Of the galleries and the
inside Of the Roof hung large garlands, with escutch
cons bearing the names of some of the victori
gained by the French armies since the revolution of
l7s9 Under the galleries, seats were arranged for
the accommodation Of the ladies.
The nave, situated to the right Of the ballroom
on entering, was intended to serve as o conversa-
tion and card-room. The fine architecture of the
hotel was made use of for the decoration Of this
saNe which is of the same size rs the ballroom
The stone gallery at the end opposite the entrance
was covered with crimson velvet drapsry, frnged
with gold the inner part of the walls, between the
columns, was lined with velvet, and adorned with
various arms, representing allegorical designs
military attributes. This saloon was lit up by
$4,000 wax-lights.
The nave on the left served as the supper room.
The table Of the Prince President, in the form of
horseshoe, accommodated eighty persons. Over
the chair Of the Prince was to Be seen the figure of
an immense eagle, with wings extended, the whole
formed Of different warlike weapons In the middle
efthe room were twelve tables, of fifty covers each,
which occupied by parties Of 600 ladies in sue
ccssion. The supper room was opened at midnight.
At the side Of this room, as well as Mt that OF the
conversation room, galleries were fitted up with
sdehoards, to supply lighter refreshments during
the ball.
The grand apartments of the Ecole Mitaire,
which had lately been completely repaired, and
fitted up with great magnifcence, were, with the
exception Of some reserved for the of the
Prince President, all open to the guests. The
stone staircase which leads to these apartments,
lined with crimson hangings, and ornamented with
steel armor. The bathrooms, ante-rooms, and sup
per rooms, exceeded two acres and half, and the
whole of that space filed to overlooking by all
the variety of splendid costumes, whether military,
civilian or feminine, that the gayest capital in Eu-
rope contains.
The number of arms employed in the decorations
was immense; it consisted of "a mortars, 10 large
cannon, 10000 sabres and bayonets, and 10,000 mus
kets and pistols.
The line of carriages extended, at half past ten
o'clock, from the Boulevard DIES ltaliens to the Ecoe
Militaire, and at last the delay in moving on be-
came SO great that numbers of ladies left their
riages some on the Quai dOrsay, and others at the
Invalides, and walked the rest of the way. Car
riages from the Faubourg st. Germain found them
relves similarly impeded Many had not yet set
down their occupants at three in the morning. 1t
was besides almost impossible to get public car
riage during the evening, as nearly all had been
engaged, at prices varying from fifteen francs up
wards. Nor need this be wondered at when the
great number of strangers now in Paris (more than
$4,000 persons,) is considered and that $4,000 in
vtations had been sent out for the ball.
The delay in approaching the festive scene was
not the only disagreement of the evening. From the
crowded state Of the rooms the heat was intense;
and after time, the innumerable wax lights en-
ployed on the occasion became softened, then gut
tered, and at length ran down in miniature fountain
guise, to the utter discontinue of the dress of
many a fair dame, and comforting on the backs and
shoulders of the brilliant uniforms of the patrons of
the ete tint anything but in keeping with the ORR
ginal color.
The President ofthe Republic the Elysee about
clock, carbneers, and by the Avenue
de Margny, the Avenue DIES Champs Elysees, and the
Pont dJena> and thence through the Champ-de- Mars
the Ecole Miitare The passage by the Pont Jena
had been closed at an early hour, and interdict
ed the whole night to all other carriages. The Pre-
sident proceeded at once on alighting, to private
apartments set apart for his use and, after short
delay, entered the ballroom, accompanied by his
staff, by the Marshals Of France, the Princess Ma
thilde, the Marshioness Of Douglas, and the Corps
Dttonl0ftque. He was received with loud applause,
and the music struck up an anthem in his honor.
Every one rose, and cries of g Vive Napoleon" re-
sounded through the crowded rooms for some
minutes. The President, after having several times
saluted the brilliant throng before him, seated him
self in the midst of circle of ladies and officers of
the highest grades covered with orders and stars.
After q few minutes delay the dancing commenced,
orchestra under the direction of Strauss was COM
posed of three hundred and sixty performers. The
quadrile of the Prince, which opened the ball. was
formed of the Prince President, who danced with
General st. Arnaud, with Lady Douglas General
Magnan, with the Princess Mathilde; General Re-
nault, with Nine. Bineau; General Levasseur, with
the Countess de Turgot; General de Lourmel, with
General Espinasse, with Nine. Renault; and Gene.
raj Carrelet, with the Marquse Bartolini.
Dancing then continued with great spirit until
nearly one o'clock, when move was made towards
the supper room The party for the Presidents table,
and the ladies alone. entered at first. The Presi-
dent had on his right Nine. Magnan, and on his left
Mmc. de st. Arnaud.
When the Prince took his place at the table pre-.
pared for him, the ladies entered the other ex-
tremity of the supper ROOM This was one of the
most striking moments of the fete. Let any one
imagine six hundred ladies at table in SO large a
space, Illuminated in the most brilliant manner,
with the glare of the wax lights reflected on the
highly polished armor, the gold and silver plate,
and at tables set out with great taste, in fairy
garden Of flowers. cry Of admiration escaped
from the lookers-on as the curtains which yelled the
two side wings were removed, and revealed the
whole scene to view. Supper was also served in
another lateral room and good were the arrange
ments that, notwithstanding the enormous crowd
there was but little confusion.
The President left at o'clock, but the festivity
continued with, perhaps, greater freedom after
his departure. After the dancing had ceased,
number Of gentlemen eat down in the supper room,
and continued to enjoy themselves until six in the
morning.
On the whole, it may be said, notwithstanding
the height to which expectation was raised by an
ticpatory descriptions, the reality infinitely ex-
ceeded all that could have been imagined.
Many Americans, as matter of course, had been
invited to the f9C, through the kind attention of
Mr. Rives, the Minister Of the United States and
Mr. sandford, his able Secretary of Legation. The
American ladies were much remarked among
them, and it must be said with justice, for they
ranked among the most beautiful of the assembly
l wish could name all Of them but am so hur.
ried by the mail that can only name those now
reeollect Misses Carnes, the elder the belle of
our Partisan circles Miss e. Goodrich Misses Mary
and Helena Doremus, all Of New York Mrs. Evans,
of Philadelphia Miss Sarah Strother, from st.
Louis Miss Peareall, Of New York; Mrs. Brsted,
Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Madeira Ward, whose elegant de-
meanor was much remarked Mrs James Gordon
Bennett. Mrs LaDgdon, Mrs Peabody Mrs. Penni-
man, Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. N. Smith and daughters,
ETC., etc.
Last night the President gave grand dinner at
the Tuileries, at which more than eight hundred