Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-06-16
A FETE ON BOARD THE COLUMBIA.

ANohfOLhJ d., uue If, 1904.
The United States frigate Columbia, the flag
ship of the Home Squadron, has received sail
ing orders. Commodore Newton before Ieay-
ing, was DESTROYS of making some return for
the generous hospitality with which he was
received by the good people of Virginia, and,
accordingly, last night was fixed upon as the
evening for fste on board. The numerous
circle of friends of the officers of the vessel
were invited, and the season was that Joyous
one most appropriate for party upon the
water.
At an early hour, barges were in waiting at
the various landings on the Norfolk and Ports
mouth side, to convey the company on board
the ship, which lay at short distance from
the shore, so that the passages were made with
as they stepped upon the frgate's deck by an
officer, who escorted them to the gun-deck,
and thence to the after cabin, which was fitted
up as dressing room for the ladies. The
gun-deck was place Of general promenade;
while the spar-deck, covered with a spacious
awning, constituted the extensive and brilliant
ballroom, lined and festooned with beaui-
full cluster of national flags.
One extremity of this fairy Saloon might
we'll have attracted the attention and envy of
those classical creations of fancy, alluded to
by one Of our best poets:
s'Sea nymphs leave their coral caves
Deep beneath the ocean waves
Where they string with tasteful care,
Pearls upon their green hair;
Thets's virgin train advances.
Mingiing with our joyous dances.'
The room was admirably illuminated by
pyramid Of light, arranged with singular eff.
feet, and with Taste unquestionable. A circle
of lnusket5 constituted Its base; their barrels
being devoted to the Office of candlesticks-
while the upper portions of the nov ell chande-
lier were formed by q similar ne cromancy,
from a multitude Of bayone,s. Wreathed
about the whole, hung flowers with every de-
scription of leaf and evergreen that is com
posed and arrayed in the ideal triumph of
beauty.
The supper table was arranged in the Com
mOdOre S cabin, and light was prOfusely scat
tered from its numerous fanciful centres raj
iating from among banners tastefully fes
TONED, and Illuminating q scene of various
and elegant bounty.
But who would dwell upon the luxuries Of
the banquet, when such loneliness was nigh to
engross senses more exalted and refined? 1t
would be idle to say that this aquatic gala was
not to be surpassed for its brilliant display of
female grace and attraction under their thou
sand forms of witchery, when it is remember
Ell that on board that noble frigate was con-
centrated SO much Of the beauty of Virginia.
Fashion never glittered in more perfect COM
munion with taste and wit, and intellect
never sparkled from eyes or fell from lips that
more admirably told their stories.
Again the dance went forward and the rev.
elry Of music, and light hearts, was resumed
Again fairy forms Goated among the banners
and again gayety and brightness flashed from
the mazes Of the cotllon. And thus the sc enc
continued until an hour Of which few took
note, for all time was then conferred in the
present. But late or early as may have been
the breaking up, the scene was one that can
not be forgotten. ~
The early part Of the evening had been
cloudy, and some rain had fallen, SO as II
cause many misgivings among the ladies as to
how they were to reach home. When the hour
for leaving, however, arrived, it was found
that the sky was beautifully clear, whilst the
| tuli orbed moon poured down such a food OF
hight as to lmpart the brightness Of midday to
objects, while the thousand lights from the ye,
resounding frigate, shOne brilliantly upon bel
| mass and spars.
And thus the curtain fell on This scene o.
elegant festivity. But it will be long. indeed
ere the splendor of the Coumbia's decks o,
the unsurpassed beauty which swept them q,
| that night will be found among the " din
things OF memory"
Success to the Washington Star, the fayorit
of the navy, is the toast in this quarter.