Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-03-18
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR, DATED


The hotels of the city were more than
usually crowded the past week with s,ran-
gers and visitors The celebrations in COM
memoraion of the consolidation of the dis.
tricts into one great city, brought great
many 10 witness and 10 participate in the
ceremonies. Philadelphia is now the largest
city in the Union, though New York may
excel her sometime in population.
She is now max powerful efforts with
her powerful rival, to grapple for the great
trade of the West and the lakes. The Penn
syvania Rail Road has already in measure,
accomplished the first, and the Sunbury and
Erie road will not fail 10 secure the other
On Friday last the celebrations were COM
menced, by an excursion in a steamer around
the city. The Governor, Heads Of Depart
ment, and members of The legislature were
nearly all here by invitation. In the evening
the Grand Ball came of at the Chinese
Museum. The number Of persons present
has been varously estimated at from 5000
10 1000. 1t was certainly magnificent
affair. The company began 10 arrive about
8 o'clock, and the upper saloon was soon
crowded. The galleries were also thronged
with promenadors and lockers on. About
thirty cotillons were on the floor, aad 10
those who are fond Of dancing and gold mu-
| sic, the scene was al once exhiiratIng and
| interesting.
! The saloon was ias,efully and handsomely
decorated, the decorations alone costing
about twelve hundred dollars. Fesoons of
laurel, inerspersed with cameias, hung be-
tween the pillars ana around the galleries.
The stars and stripes, gracefully hung in
various styles, and in every part of the hall,
furnished the most appropriate and beautiful
| drapery. The spaces between the alcoves
under the galleries were occupied by large
mirrors in elegant gilt frames. The gas
! lights betweeu The columns in the galleries,
which ordinarily consist of but single burn
er, were this evening changed 10 represent
stars, composed of numerous small jets OF
| flame.
About - o'clock the signal was given for
supper, which was prepared in the lower
saloon crowd had already gathered
around the doors, and there appeared to be a
perfect jam. AT this iuncture one of the
managers came forward, and stated that la
dies should be first admitted, and gentlemen
without ladies must wait. This was rather
damper for The unfortunate bachelors, and
husbands whose better halves were absent
but as never had any parialiiy for sec
ond table edition of feast, kept in close
contact with beyy of young girls, ard took
by the hand young miss who was in grea
d,nger of beng crushed by the jam. We
were all showed in together, though not an
afraid, without starring the stitching and un
derpinning of number Of dresses, &C.
Four or five tables extended The whole engll
of the room. There was no room for chails
and each ore began TO cut, slash and nncori
for himself While oRe was dipping ul
oysters, another was helping himself out o
the same dish with fork. A third, perhaps
was cutting down candy ornament, scat
terng The fragments among the oysters, ic
creams and ielies. Setting down your tum
bier of champagne, there was no cerlaint,
but you wouId pick up the lady's next
you, and she yours, but, as one OF them re
marked to me, it was all the same, provide
there was something in it. After altendn
10 these little affairs for about thirty minute:
| passed around the room, watching the ope
rations of this, always the most intereslin
part of these entertainments, though il ma
be unsenimenal 10 say SO. We then mad
an effort 10 get into the upper saloon by In
back stairs, and there met crowd forcin
their way down. OF course another Jam wa
the consequence, and some men of roIun
dimensions, with a corresponding vacuum
be filled, gave vent 10 their feelings in mo-
expressive sighs at their detention and ih
pressure of the crowd.
) Having reached the upper saloon in ord'
to get out into the street, we found 1t almo'
hopeless task, in consequence OF the crow
going and coming, on the stairs.
SUPERINTENDENT APPoISTEp.-Goy. BIZ
Ter. appointed MuRRAY WHALLoS, Esq,
Erie, Superintendent of the Franklin Cam
Company's RAILROAD, in place of WIN.