Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-06

Board are fairly attributable to Congress
| alone; as the Executive in this case has sim
ply carried out the law with frmness and
fidelity.
We are jealous of the proposed interposition
of the Senate in this matter to the extent to
which it is asked; having far more confidence
in the capacity of the Board professional ex-
perts) to judge of the relative qualifications
and merits of their brother officers, and in the
influences under which they acted in the dis
charge of their trust. That is, we regard the
influences and responsibilities under which
those officers acted, as being much more likely
to lead to wise and just conclusions than the
one-sided personal representations under which
the Senate must act in great measure, if at
all.
In what we write above, we have in view
only the public interest and the good of the
service as a whole.
The Ball at Willards'.-The carnival festiv-
tiles which precede Lent, like an exhibition
of freworks,) always surpass each other in
brilliancy, until the last surpasses them ALL
Brilliant as have been the different festive
scenes Of the past fortnight, each one marked
by some distinguished attraction, the agreea-
BILE features of all were combined in the last
ball of the season-the browning glory of
the whole series-given last night at Willards'
Hotel.
The reputation of the Messrs. Willard, and
the location of their commodious establish
ment, renders it a peculiarly pleasant homo
to the elite of our transient residents, and
such has been the reputation of the " hops"
given there, that this, their annual ball, has
been looked forward to by the 6sou monde
with great interest Nor were those who were
fortunate enough to be present in any way
disappointed, for it was indeed a scene of fes-
tive enjoyment in which even time was cheat
ed of his dues, for the winged hours flew past
unnoticed.
Prominent among the brilliant array in the
reception saloons were Senator Houston ;and
Mr.. Speaker Banks, both boarders at the
hotel We also noticed Mr.. Secretary Guth-
RE, Sidney Webster, Esq, Marshal Hoover,
and full delegations from the Senate, the
House, the Army, the Navy, the Press, and
the Engineers" After a pleasant inter-
change Of salutations, the gay gathering was
summoned to the ball room-a spacious hall
which, with its L, is nearly two hundred feet
in length. The floor was neatly "chalked' +,
in colored devices, and the combined quadrille
bands of Fleet and of Clark furnished exqui-
site music, including Willard's Polka" and
ending with the old fashioned "Virginia Reel."
To even enumerate a 1.-THE of the prominent
percentages present, would require every COL
umn of the "Star," and a supplement into
the bargain. So We will but make mention Of
those who are boarders in the house, and in
whose honor the ball was given: The bellies of
the house, We believe, were Misses Preble,
Claggett and Hays, though all admired Mrs.
Bell, of New York, Mrs. Comins, of Massa.
chusetts, Mrs. Russell Sage, of New York, and
Mrs. Hope, Of Baltimore. Foremost among
the gay throng were Mr.. and Mrs. Senator
Foster; the Hon Chas. King, OF New York,
with Mrs. King, Miss King, and Mrs. Oracle :;
Hon. Mr.. Wood, of Portland, 1.-THE Railroad
King" Of New England,) with Mrs Wood
and Mrs. Adams; Senator Lyman Truln.
bull and lady, of Illinois; Capt. Van vleit,
U. s. A and lady Judge GiIchrist, of the
Court Of Claims, and lady; Hon. Mr.. Strana-
han, Of Brooklyn, with his lady and young
daughter; Mr.. and Mrs Wardell, of New
York city; Col. De Witt, NJ. c. from Massa.
chusetts, and lady; Hon. Mr.. Pringle, of New
York, with his lady and daughter; Capt
Beckworth, U. S. A., with his lady; Mr.. and
Mrs. Blake, and Miss Slater, of ssachusetts;
Hon. DIR. Dickson and lady Hon. Mr. Flag
Ter and lady; Hon. Reverdy johnson, lady,
Miss johnson, and Mrs. Morris; Hon. Mr..
Morgan and daughter Hon. Mr.. Clark and
lady, Of Connecticut Hon. Mr. Brooks, of
South Carolina, and lady; Mr.. Harvey NJ Wat
terson and lady; Hon. Mr. Warren, of Boston.
and lady; Miss Keens and her neice, of Phil
adelphia; Mr.. and Mrs. Haven, of New York.
and daughter; Mr.. and Mrs. Camac, of Phil
adelphia.
with such an array of beauty and fashion
wit and wisdom. 90 at home" an idea can be
formed of the many hundred invited guests
present, all of the food-tide Of enjoyment.
The toilettes Of the ladies were truly spendid,
especially some patterned silks, of delicate
colors, and exquisite finish, surprising the
much Wanted brocades of our grandmother
days. Some superb dresses of tulle, ornsmen.
ted with embroidery, were much admired
while lace Aounces and pulled tulle berthe,
worn by others were equally bewitching
Many Of the bellies wore what is termed the
Er'gons head-dress-a mixture of roses and
velvets, from which hangs pendant flowers o,
feathers, with gold tendrels The fashionabl.
style Of dressing the hair was in having ia,
Sandsauz on the forehead, with the back hal,
divided and rolled from under the temple.
| to the back Of the head where bow Of large
ribbon is placed, with long streaming ends,
hanging down to tho waist. There was not q
great display of jewelry, although many lsdie,
wore diamond crosses and nj ma of rare valua