The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-12
TEXAS CLAIMS AND TARIFF REDUCTIONS.
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE,
&C., &C., &c.
Our Washington Correspondence.

wy 0Ss oc.
Our Washington Correspondence.
WAsHSGToN, Feb. s, 1865.
Washington Gaiety-Grand Ball at The Cdyitai-Dis.
tn9asshed Guests Fresent-7he Reueis Of the Might
Bellies Of the BGll-7he "Fsast of Roses,-6c., de-, dc.
The ball of Washington was given last night, aud a
description OF 1t il just what thousands of the readers
of the HERALD would like to have, especially those who
live for the fashion of the world, whose hearts palpitate
ior bathrooms, and whose souls yearn for no higher hea.
ven than a never-endirg whirl in the polka or the waltz.
The saisty Of Warrington reached it's eliminating point
last night, in the annual bali of Wizards Hotel. The
sun Of fashion then rose to its zenith, and for the rest
Of the season wiz DO moving to its setting. This ball
has been eagerly looked forward to by all the dovotees
of pleasure for the last two months, and all expectations
OF it have been fully realized. Everything was done on
an extensive scale. The preparation was extensive, the
women were lovely, and the whole amake up vas
grand. Young and old, grave and gay, all COM
minglny for awhile, let slip the grasp of care,
giving n emory up, that her N~babbling ton que might not
intruGe to break the sweet dissipation of the hour. Dur
ing tbs day tickets were in great demand, aud at the
hour for opening the ball, twelve hundred invitations had
,beeo sent out. The number present during the evening
wss estimated az fifteen hundred, comprising the pride,
the brave and fair Of Washington. Representatives
from abroad, members of the Cabinet, S~eustors, mem
bers OF Congress, Generals and Commodores we're innu-
merable. In the assemblage especially observed, were
Major General Winfield Scott, Mr.. Champion, the British
minister, Secretary Cushing, senators Douglass, Toucey,
Brown, Seward, Houston, and a large representation
from the other house OF Congress. The large dining
hal, OF Wizards Hotel, the ball room, was something
almost beyont description when hlled with the company,
ready Tor the dance. This hall, the largest in Washing
ton, about one hundred and fifty feet long aud
OF the artist and the taste Of the connoisseur.
The floors for the occasion were painted with all the
arrangement of the quadrille, and the frescoed ceilings
lent beatty TO the scene, with its groups OF angels and
its cups Of rosss. A fine band OF musicians occupied
. diais in the centre Of the hall, and sent forth its emil
ventng strains 70 the most distant ear within the room:
ak gorgeous chandeliers ranged through the aall, aud
from their hundred jets Of gas light sent forth . bril-
iisney, dashed back with interest from ,glittering gems
and robes bedecked with geld. At ten O'Clock precisely,
the door Of the ball room was thrown open, aid the
promenade commenced. Every variety OF beauty, every
variety of dress, mingled in the march; here silks and
satins with ease sncased the belle, and
There the frightened stays too straightly laced,
IN sbaleboae bondage, CALLED the slender waist.
The chilling wintry winds whistled through the window
lattice from without, busall was summer and delight with.
in. IL tas feared by some during the dAy, thar the uupro.
pitious weather would lessen the pleasures OF the ball,
and keep away many whose presence would increase the
beauty OF the scene, as new found stars add beauty to
the constellation. These fears the result proved we're
unnecessary, Tor, OF the tickets distributed, there were
room bale Is the last 70 bs thwartsd by storm aud tenn
pest. 1be greater malady is fixed within, 4" that admits
with ia voiuptuoos swell" and the fest Keep time with
each recurring strain The serving maid laments the
cold, ths weather. beaten yeoman 'hurries before the
blast, but in tie heat OF ball room preparation,
Tie soft belle, immured in velvet chair,
ASKS for the slken shoe, and trusts her bosom bare.
As scon as the promenade was finished, the band
"strecA up and coon all were threading the maaes of
The dante. Stony natures were now warmed with ex-
citemeni, and faces as -xpressionless and cold as statues
whom le., like Pygmation, would like to dote upon
Now melt hearts OF flint with fierce desire.
Since art and motion wake the sleeping lire
For although formed with all the powers OF art,
The liieIess belle can never warm the heart:
But when her cbarms are in the dance displayed,
1htn, every heart adores pe lovely maid;
Then as she turns around, from every part,
LIKE p~orcupines shc sends a pier sing dart,
And larthian ike, she wounds as sure behind.
Rtth flowing curls, on ivory neck rsclined.
The dancing continued without Interruption TIL the
~aeaAtng up of the ball, at three O'Clock in the morning.
Here, n Washington, better hours are kept than in New
York, where in reality they q dance all night, till broad
.~aylghi." The company not only filled tho ball room,
hut exteried up stairs INTO the parlors Of the hotel,
which, Tor the evening, we've made the theatre of some
delicious airtatons. Flirtations, however, are private
matter, with which tue baoelins word have no business
to NEEDLE. This portion o. the entertainment, there
ftre, ] shall leave 20 yoar Imagination
To describe the bright particular stars" Ia 4 task,
perhaps, that would he more nouored in the breach
than the observance" n ladies were not, like the other
sex, ambitious Of seeing themselves IN print. This Is a
difficult task, also, Tor who can feel secure u pointing
out the brightest orbs OF night, II he has not given = life
time 10 their study The richest jewel may escape the
~untutored eye, whilst opeo OF inferior birth may catch the
gaze and admiration Even general laws give homage to
Vice II 1t treads on Turkish carpets aud Turks beneath
damask folds, and pass virtue by with disrespect If found
then, is one to be forgiven, II, in his allusion to bali room
bellies, he accidentally and internationally refers to a Re-
gan or q GOneri-, anu torgets Corueia! i snal tnrO
myself upon the generosity Of the latter it she is not in
ciuded 10 the following Catalogue OF beauty:
Pa. Of Massachasests Dressed plainly in white, she
''won golden opinions" from au the company. Aiable
without familiarity, and dignifed without exclusivensss,
all love her for the one, and respect her for the other.
Her attire rich, though plain, calls up TO mind the coup
let once applied % another
When least adorned she may command the heart,
For rich In native beauties, she needs not art.
Mrs. C-tiss, OF New York, dressed in white, ornament.
ed with flowers, very rich and becoming. Although
.a.Arutal tAh farxGn
Her gems but borrowed lustrs from her eyes,
Miss H--k, of Philadelphia. Tall and stately, abe
was every where admired. Dressed in white, ornament
Mrs. William WY, Of Philadelphia. One Of the
loveliest of the bali room.
She looked . goddess and walked a queen.
Dressed in white velvet, sparkling With diamonds.
Mrs. Dan--th, OF New York-Dressed in green silk,
richly trimmed with lace.
Those love her most who know her best.
Miss Eliza CIT, Of washington-The belle of the
beauty at the nations capital. Kichly dressed in blue
silk, with aounces e~daedawith white satin plush, she was
the envy OF the women and the admiration of the men.
When nature stamped thy b~eauteous birth,
60 much perfection in thee shone,
She feared that, too divine for earth
The skies might claim thee for their own;
Therefore, TO guard her dearest wors,
She bads q secret lightning Turk
within those once celestial eyes.
And did those eyes as planets roll,
Thy sister lights would scarce appear;
Ecn suns, which systems now control,
Would twinkle dimfy through their sphere.
Hon. Mr.. C-n, of Kentucky, dressed in black velvet,
exceedingly rich, and her hair without ornament, neatly
dressed and very becoming
Mrs. Senator Icy, OF Connecticut, dressed in rich
brocade, beautifully trimmed with lace, hair elegantly
prnamented with feathers
Mr. Rr~ga,o OF New York, richly dressed in white
moirs sntiaue, and lace ~overskirt, the whole decorated
with point lace berthe and Sewers. Pearls aud a wreath
OF moss rose buds added TO the beauty of ner attire.
There was not q lady In the ballroom more magnificent
w drssssd. Apart from the dress she was much ad.
rnirsd
In some are such ~resistiess grAces found.