The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-22

INC udWlcys
SMITHvILLE, N. G.
SM1TuvILLE, Brunswick Co., N. c.,
August Is, 1861
The Grand Fancy Ball in Smthviae-Lettsr from
Lady Guest -Stars Of the Evening-Histori-
cal Characters-Comic Creations Of Modern
Writers-Ensem6le Of the BaA-AdUantages Of
SmithviHe as a Watering Place, &c.
You doubtless think have forgotten my promise
Of writing soon, to give you account Of the say
ngs and dongs of our gay little village; but if you
knew the cause you would at once forgive me-
We have all been SO busy preparing for the fancy
ball, and, after it was over, discussing tia hundred
times day, that have not been able to find mo-
ment to wrte even to you; but now that the excite
ment has somewhat subsidized, and that can collect
my scattered senses, wake up your imagination
while you read my feeble description.
The ball took place on the evening Of the Sth,
being given by an esteemed citizen Of ours at his
own house. The time fixed for the arrival Of the
guests was 81 o'clock, but owing to the distance
that many had to traverse-from England, France,
Scotland, Turkey, and other regions as remote-the
hour of nine arrived before the majority Of them
made their appearance. Being among the earliest
after making my obeisance to the fair hostess, took
a stand where had an excellent opportunity Of
noticing the characters as they sevcrally entered
The first which noticed was sprghtly Swiss girl
who-charmingly attired in blue bodice, trimmed
with yellow, yellow skirt, and black stockings, and
to whom the trying headdress Of the peasant girl
was exceedingly becoming-loOked as if it required
only the glimpse Of a snow covered mountain to
bring forth, in O gush Of melody, the "Ranz des
vaches,' which trembled on her lips.
DR.. Peter Pangloss, LID, and ASS, with that
politeness for which he is noted, by his agreeable
manners, and with hospitality lighting up his
rabe countenance, made every one feel perfectly at
their ease, and in his handsome black suit presented
quite contrast to the lovely French peasant girl,
who, attired in gay skirt and crimson bodice hung
upon his arm the impersonation of purity and nno-
cence.
Tripping around in complete Turkish costume,
her full trousers admirably setting off the smallest
feet that ever brushed away the dew from bank of
violets, was to be Zuleika, "the light Of the
harem" her graceful movements and innocent gaiety
enhancing Mr.. Samuel Slick that forgetting him
self in his admirntion he was SO indiscreet as to
wipe his face on his coat-tail-and that coat OH for
the pen of ready writer, to convey to you faint
idea ofthe looks of that immortal garment!-The
material, bed tick; the waist above the shoulder
blades, and the tail growing "small by degrees and
beautifully less" reaching to his heels the trousers
Of the same stuff, at one end came in sight Of his
waistcoat and at the other displayed full six inches
Of bright blue socks, which were garnishcd with
shoes Of the most ponderous description; vest to
correspond; three yards and half OF crimson neck
tie, and, to crown the whole hat twelve inches
high, with half inch rim. Imagine him, whom
nature has not endowed with one grain of
spare flesh, in this costume, particularly when
fatigued in the Dance he squatted at his partners
feet to rest HIMSELF or, when gambolling along in
the promenade, his coat tails nttered gracefully in
the breeze full two yards in the rear.
Enter now in royal robes, white satin, purple vel
ly attended by that embodiment of gallantry, Sir
Walter Raleigh, who having returned from r, Dora
do only the day before displayed in the magnifcencc
of his attire the richness Of the treasures which he
had arrested from the william Spaniards," and al
though he had been out of practice for two three
centuries, in the ease and skill with which he went
through those difficult measures one would have
thought him to have but just graduated under the
latest master who could presume to instruct the
danes and cavaliers Of the court of his stately mis-
tress.
In complete gipsey dress, and moving with the
ooua ss and e
There goes LA File du Regiment" Her white
jacket braided, with hanging sleeves, displayed the
beautiful waist. At her left side was seen drum,
but cannot say, mot drum was heard, for every
now and then q tap was audible, calling her numer-
followers to order. Her short striped petticoat
gave to view two feet which beggar all description,
and her epaulettes and the ornaments in her cap
displayed the regiment to which she belonged.
America! oh, my country! vert thou not fifty
represented by that majestic girl, who in parti-
coored dress, red, white and blue, swept through
the mazes of the dance, waving above her head the
starspanged banner, and causing the heart of every
true American to bound with warmer impulsel
With such leader, who would not follow? Some
kind spirit come to my aid while endeavor family
black, knee breeches, buckles, high.heeled shoes,
and costly lace rufRes, he looked, he spoke, the
courtly, high bred gentleman Of the olden time, and
showed in his movements that il we modeins have
gained In vivacity, have certainly deterioated in
graces and elegance OF motion, and which grace,
alss fear me, We shall never witness again, unless
Sir Roger will favor US with his company at the
next entertainment Of the kind If Captain Craigen
get could have seen the Duchess of Marlborough,
ms attired magnifcently--she moved with graceful
case around the apartment, dispensing everywhere
winning smile, or an appropriate compliment-he
would never have again presumed to call her cold
Sall.' Close in her train was a sprightly Scotch
girl her clustering ringles barely confined by rich
blue snood, and who, from the golden wrest hanging
from her neck, could scarcely have been mistaken
for other than what she was-the lovely "Annot
Lyle"
Attired in the most chaste manner and decked
with the pearls which he had just presented by
his messenger, Amy Robsort exqusitey beautiful
waited the coming Of the taithless Leicester, who
was doubtless detained by the wes of the still
falser villain Varney. She waited in vain, however,
for he came not, but his absence did not seem to dis
ttsS utuCt, tucc WIS 50 mucn, anu constant
demand for her hand la the dance, that she had not
time for the indulgence Of melancholy. Do dream
are my eyes open, or am / seized with Rip Van
Wrinkle trance, and carried back many years to the
times Of the good old Dutch settles for who Is this
that now trips before me- with short skirt blue bod
dice laced over white, and the most bewitchng cap
in tic world Who Is 1t. but that sweet pear that
plump fairy, that cabbage rose bud, Katrine Won
Tassel the heires OF broad acres which caused
poor Ichabods heart to swell within him as he
traverscd them-the bride Of the bold Brpm. Bones
who, however, was not present but whose place was
well supplied by the devoted Bcnedick who entirely
deserted the sarcastic Beatrice and laid his atten-
ton and homage at the feet Of this little duck Of
Dutch beauty. The Stately Beatrice, Handsomely
attircd, would have made Mrs. kean hide her dimn
istled head in perfect despair. Two jolly tars Just
off cruise, danced the sailors hornppe to perfec
iion, and by the fitness OF the nautical phrases with
which they garnished their discourse, showed that
they mnst have long been rovers DER the stormy
main. Brother Jonathan was well represented by
portiy young man in brilliant ant OF curtain calico
A Samuaon y0nfh in hri,by volIayv flannel