Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-04-10
Diplomatic Ball.

madness.-Charlest0n Courier.
Diplomatic Ball.
Tie announcement of Ball on Friday
e1ening last, at the Brazilian Embassy, in
honor OF the birthday Of the Empress
naturally createdd great sensation in the
fashionable circles. Young hearts bea1
high with hope, and beauty's cheek was
clothed with smiles ofioy, while the nim-
bic fingers Of mantua makers were tasked
to their utmost ability. White kids and
curling tongs were. in demand and the ''bo-
quet man" had profitable reasons for wish
ing that the birthday OF the Empress came
once month. The Ball was such a relief
to the austere sombreness Of Lent for those
who DE- not
"think Tia, herring hath charm,
Almighty vengeance to disarm."
Even the deyout pleaded the European
relaxation Of mi-carene, and all the hidden
guests looked forward with pleasant anlic-
ipa.lon to the pight Of the Oath. Curious
~ enough, many rot konored with invl-
tations were that day suffering with ex-
cusing influenzas or apologize colds.
The present residence Of the Brazilian
Minister, M. de Carsalo Morera, is the
we'll known mansion at the corner OF X
and 23d streets, facing the newly develop
ed circle on the Avenue, corresponding TO
the round point on the "Acenue DIES
Champs Elysses," at Pals. Built for a
general officer, it has been occupied by the
CHILEAN and the English legations but as
Brazil eclipses its parent Portugal, so does
its present tenant surpass his predecessors
in elegance Of entertainment. No Won
der, then, that bevy OF bells came from
Baltimore, or that when the time of the
festival was struck BY the church clocks,
carriages ratified to this fashionable focus
from all parts Of the Metropolis-aye, from
the far off heights of grandmother George
town.
Servants ii rich livery were in waiting
at the outer door, which admitted guests
into the hall. All of the inner doors were
removed. and i'll their places hung draper
les Of rich danask of varied rolors, loop
ed up at the sides. The hall, like the
other apartments, was decorated with a
protusion OF flowers Dark eyergrcens
were woven into the stair balusters, form
ing a vivid contrast with the hand rail COW
cred with crimson velvct and exotic plants
occupied every vantage ground; many TINT
ed mosaics from the tessalated floor of ma
lures temple, lent rich charm to the gay
scene.
Guests were seteiyyed ssith cotrtly grace
at the entrance, to the two connected draw
wore blue aud white brocade, admirably
adapted to her fragile form, with blue and
silver feathers in her hair. Unfortunately
ignorant Of English, her welcome was, on
" expressed by smiles, cordially interpre-
ted BY her brother NJ. de Costa Aquar
de Andrada, who is acting secretary OF the
legation. The Brazilian diplomatic uni
form IS vcay brilliant, especially when dec
grated with a glitterlng star OF nighthood.
Secretary Doobin, Attorney General
Cushing and other members Of the Cabi-
net were present, and OF course were OBJ
jects Of attention. It could but CRAFTY
Americans to see member of President $
council SO versed in foreign language as to
converse with the representatives Of other
powers in their native tongues, and to
hear their compliments on his Crichton-like
acquaintance with their politics, literature
and customs.
The diplomatic corps We're Of course in
full court attire. All regretted the absence
Of the amiablr Madame dc Bodisco, " hose
regal proportions 50 become the picturesuut
costume Of the Cars choice. The Coun.
tess de Ssrtlges, else an American lady ha'
not yet left her heir to participate in Wash.
ington guiety, and Mr.. Champion. (the
sonation Of bluff John Bully is {
bachelor, Madame Almonte, in blue. bro
cade, accompanied the General, and NJ
Marcoeta brought his accomplished lady
in white silk. The famed. Chevalie
Hulseman represented Austria. BaroI
Grabow, like true Prussian, waltzed I,
perfection. M. Kieckhoefer was an, ex
cellent Belgian substitute for The irrtatabl,
Bosch Spencer, and their was goodl,
sprinkling of secretaries and attaches
What a pity we have no Turkish minister
who accustomed only to yelled faces, ant
to closely enveloped forms, could hav,
watched the gay throng OF beamipg beau
ties, whose angelic eyebrows like bendst
bows y ould have taenaeed his peace
All his Mahometan ideas would have melt
ed away like an autumnal frost, he woult
have pardoned the apple ofering progeni
tor OF such lovl.ness.
| But few Congressman were present.,
Among those, we noticed Senator Douglas
with the facinating Mrs. Pope, who wa
dressed with great elegance-Gov. Fitz
patrick, with his lady, in pink satin-Gen
Shields, Senators Jones and Brodhead.--
Speaker Boyd, was accompanied. by hi
lady, in red crape-Mrs. Gov. Aiken wor
her sparkling diamonds--Mr Clinghan
was gallant as usual-and among the 9th
ers from the lower House we noticed Mr.
Banks, of Massachusetts,, with his accom-
plished lady. i.
Gen. Leslie Combs was accompanied b,
his lady, in pink silk, and Mrs. Bruce.--
With Dr. Morton were Mrs. Morton
wearing the handsoinest dress at the ball
gold embroidered seayes on white tulle
over a corn colored silk. and Miss. Viii,
man, wearing white lace spotted. with. sill
yer. Mrs. Benson wroe a rich brocade
Mrs. Se4ton pink silk, with lace; Mrs
Gwin deep yellow silk; Mrs. Com
Moore tinged embroidered satin.
Among the bellies of the evening wa
Miss Woodbury., Of N. Hampshire, VIII
,yore q Main white dress The same sim