Washington sentinel., 1855-03-21

From the Special Correspondence OF the New
York Tribune,
The Fete at Paris on Washington's Birth
day.
PARIS, Saturday, Feb "a, l855.-The ami
versary celebration Of Washington's Birthday.
given by the Americans in this city on Thurs
day evening last, at the Sale Herr, presented
features of so interesting character, as to de-
mand a somewhat detailed account.
This was the first time that ever Washing
toms Birthday had been celebrated in so pub
lie manner in Paris and the privilege thus
to celebrate the name Of a foreigner in France,
is seldom or never attempted, more particular
ly by the citizens of republic. 1t was doubt
ful whether, in view of the late irritating cir
cumstances between France and the United
States on the Cuban question, and in view of
the sympathy of the Americans for Russia,
whether the Government or the diplomatic
corps would be found lending their countenance
to the fete. Yet, to the surprise Of everybody,
in all the grand assemblies, Qeaving out the
official reunions at the Tuilleries,) which have
taken place in Paris since the season COM
menced, this one collected the largest proper
tion of the diplomatic corps of the Cabinet, and
OF the high officials of the Government. Euery
Legation III Paris, from that of Queen Victoria
down to the most Insignificant, was represented
by portion Of all its members; the Cabinet
was nearly complete; considerable number
of the officers of the Emperor's household, and
of others high in power were present, while the
demands from the different foreign embassies
for invitations for distinguished countrymen
were more numerous than the Committee felt
warranted in supplying
A considerable number Of distinguished civil
ians were also present. In fact, this fete was
the great social event of the season, and was
the astonishment of all who were present
Every one asked his neighbor, How is this
that an assemblage of foreigners, of republi
cans, have been able to bring together more
OF the diplomatic corps, and of the Govern
ment officials, than reception at an embassy,
or at the hotel of Cabinet Minister? There
was novelty and an interest in this question
which occupied the attention, no doubt of very
many of the guests at the ball. Was it rever-
ence for the name of Washington, that brought
together such a collection of intelligent people
from all countries, and of all shades Of political
opinion? Was it curiosity to see fete
given under such unusual circumstances, or
curiosity to see American citizens in mass
Was the attendance Of these persons purely a
political movement, and dictated by desire to
treat the American people with as much atten-
ton and delicacy as possible? The Cabinet
attended without doubt at the command of the
Emperor, and M Drouyn de rHuys, Minister
of Foreign Affairs, wrote to the committee a
note, begging for the particulars of the affair,
which he, afterwards published in the govern.
ment journal, with the highest eulogiums
Whatever the explanation may be, the occasion
was one calculated to dissipate the coldness and
the alienation which recent events may have
produced between France and the United
States; and since this was one of the happy re.
suits of the, fete, it was just and appropriate
that it should have taken place around the
altar of the great Washington name before
which political animosities, political opinions,
and nationalism disappear.
The ball was brilliant, and was remarkable
on account of the elegance and costliness of
the toiettes and the beauty OF the ladies. The
room was decorated with the portraits of Wash
ington, La Fayette, Franklin and Pierce. The
portrait of Washington was surmounted by a
painting OF the American flag, on the gold
stripes of which were written the words: "First
in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of
his tellop-citizeisl"-a slight deviation from
the original, which NJ. Bedalliere, Of the Steele,
in his account of the ball, translates faithfully
con-citoyens. The orchestra was led by Strauss,
leader at the Court balls and at the balls
masgues-the supper was sumptuous, the sup
ply Of wines liberal, the rooms decorated with
living flowers. The decorations alone cost
one thousand two hundred francs. The num-
Der of persons present during the course of the
evening was about six hundred. OF these
nearly four hundred we're Americans, the bal.
ance invited guests of other nations.
The Tribune correspondent here gives a list
Of the prominent guests present, embracing
L e Al L r
peror's household, and members of the diplo
matte corps of England, Austria, Prussia,
Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Portugal, Denmark
Sweden, and Norway, Switzerland, Bavaria,
Sardinia, Holland, Hanover, Saxony, Wertem,
burg, Hessee, Electorate, Baden, Freecities,
Germany, Tuscany, Greece, Two Sicies, Mex.
leo, Brazil, Chill, Bolivia, Guatamela, San Sal
vador and Costa Rico. The following portions
Of the list are all we can find room for:
Committee Of Mdnagcment.-Chairma r.
P. Corbin; John Y. Mason, United States
Minister at Paris; Robert M. McLane, United
States Commissioner to China; Duncan Nc
Rae, United States Consul at Paris; Charge
dAffaires de la Legation, od interim, at Paris;
Colonel ] ohm B. Murray, Messrs John Munroe,
N. NJ. Beckwiih, j. S. Ridgway, Judge ]. A.
Constant, N. Berry, ]. A. Post, A. S. Van
Zandt
Cabinet Ministers Present-Messrs Drouyn
de l'Huys, Minister Of Foreign Affairs, and
Madame de rHuy's; NJ. Fould, Minister of
State; Marshal Valiant, Minister Of War; M.
Fortoul, Minister of Public Instruction, and
Madame Fortoul M. Ducos, Minister of Ma
rine M. Magne, Minister Of Public Works
of the Emperor's Houschold.-The Duke de
Bassano, Grand Chamberlain of the Palace
the Duke de Cambaceres, Master Of Ceremo.
MES the Baron de Pierres, Equerry Lieuten-
ant Colonel Fleury, Aid-de-camp of the EN-
peror; NJ. de Varrennes, Prefect Of the Tuille-
ries. OF the ladies Of the Palace, the Duchess
Basseno, the Duchess de Cambacere, the Baro-
ness de Pierres, dame d'honeur daughter of
Colonel Thorn, Of New York; and Madame
de Varennes, lalso an American lady,
Of the Lafayette Famiiy.-Madame George
Washington Lafayette, widow Of the Generals
son the Count Remusat, son.in-law Of La.
fayette Minister under Louis PHILIPPE; the
Countess Remusat and two sons, the Viscount
Paul Remusat, and NJ Pierre Remusat, the
Count Ferdinand de Lasteyrie, grandson OF La
r. Il \