The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-29
TEE Niagara N M0LAID.


| Grand nail o. the OAcers o. tho United
| From the plymouth and Davenport Journal, Nov ST.
| This eagerly anticipated event came of on the
night Of the 10Th ult at its Royal Hotel Plymouth.
and was the finest affair Of the kind, regarding i as
a private assembly, that we have seen in Plymouth
for many years past The ball was given by Captain
| Hudson, Commander Pennock, and the wardroom
officers of the United States steam frgate Niagara,
10 marx their esteem Of the kindness and hospitality
which have been accorded to them since the Niagara
has been lying in this port; and as fraternal
| demonstration OF sense Of that kindness on the
part Of Brother Jonathan, nothing could have been
more liberal on the part of the American Union
| nothing more gratifying to those who had the
honorend the pleasure Of being present. The ball
and supper parook of the nature Of national fete-
| friendly shake Of the hand by the United States
with the mother country-for it is well understood
that the Inequalities not personal on the part
OF the officers but national and therefore the more
calculated to cement that good friendly feeling
which at present exists and which we heartily pray
may long continue to exist between the two people
| We shall presently advert more in detail to the
| embellishments OF the room, but the motto which
adorned and beautifed the head of the noble ball
| room was one which excited the most pleasurable
emotions in the breasts Of the vsiters and its good
taste is calculated to suggest the most benehcent
| feelings.
The decorations were remarkable for their great
| coed taste, elegant-we might say gorgeous-and
appropriate character, and showed that neither
trouble nor expense was considered In their prepa
ration. The entrance to the staircase was through
festooned with evergreens the green and the Grim
| son contrasting very finely with each other. The
staircase was also profusely decorated with ever
green's. Round the sides of the windows were fes-
| TONED the "Jacks" of England and America in
| harmonious combination, while in the window
| itself was suspended tasteiuly executed
| transparency, in which were combined the
| arms Of the three towDs--Plymouth, Devorport
and Stonehouse On the window seat were
| arranged q number of choice plants. On enter
| ing the ballroom the first thing that attracted
| the attention of the company was the gorgeous
character of the decorations at the top. On cor
nice extending the ROOM above the orchestra
Wa written the quotation from Scripture-"Let
there be peace between thee and me, and between
thy people and my people, for we are brethren"
Below this was another arch, from which extended
thirtyone gas burners on the glass globes OF which
written the of the thirtyone States COM
posing the American Union. Underneath these again
were several large and beautiful stars composed of
swords and bayonets and these were surrounded by
large gas Jets the globes of which were painted
tho rose the thistle and the shamrock the national
embems OF England Scotland and Ireland. The
sides OF the room richly festooned with the flags
Of the various natonsthose on the right hand side
Immediately over the fireplace conveying graceful
and delicate alusion to the approaching union be-
| tween Prince Frederick William and the Princess
| Royal. The flag Of Prussia and the white English
| ensign festooned in harmonious and grace
| ful combination, and, both being white, they
suggested ideas of bridal character. The conceit
was very happy one and attracted great attention.
TN each side Of the centre freplaces were ranged
circular pyramids composed of rifles, bayonets and
cgiasses the first having roses and flowers stuck in
their muzzles. and the top of each being crowned by
large bouquets Of flowers The bottom or entrance OF
the room was decorated with corresponding taste.
On the right hand side were festooned the flags OF
England, France and Egypt; on the LETT those OF
America. Sardinia and Turkey. Above these were
draped two boats unions-American and English
fixed upon crossed boarding pixies and which were
tied in the centres by the pennants OF the two conn
tries In the centre the door was large scroll,
composed Of forty-two bayonets, and over each Of
the other doors and at the sides of the whole were
similar devices, composed of pistols, banners and
evergreens festooning gracefully the whole From the
ceiling over the centre chandelier the pennants
Of the various nations whose flags were used in
the decorations were gracefully suspended,
the other ends being attached TO the sides
of the room, presenting the appearance OF
varously colored circular tent. Four large squares
or sections had been marked on the floor Of the
room. In the two which occupied the top and bot
tom were painted the arms of England and America,
the place OF honor being by courtesy given TO the
former: while in the side compartments were painted
the devices which ornament the navy buttons oil the
two nations. The large passage next To the ball
room and the room also decorated To cores
pond. the whole being made available 10 the accom-
mediation Of the company The effect OF the whole
was very splendid and when the rooms were throng-
ed with the cay and brilliant company the scene
was such ~ j. seldom witnessed.
We must not omit "a state that the decorations
were designed and superintendcd ny Lieut. Beverly
kinnon. Master 0i the Niagara, assisted by Mr. FL
bridge the Pur-er of that ship 70 whose nste and
Judgment they were alike credtghle; that Mr.. j. NJ
Roberts the talented artist # the theatre executed
the paintings on the floor; Mr.. Condy, OF Devon
port managed The ges devices: and that Mr.. j.
Over. II Union street satisfactorily carried out the
Instructions o the two first gentlemen, Tar as
CARDS the operative department.
AZ the time when the company began 10 arrive
Capt Hudson and other officers 81 the Niagara. stood
a. lie top Of the grand staircase and received each
ard all - their vsiters with graceful recognition
The company began 70 arrive carry, and by ten
/ % \ N. ell ffl.a - eufha
early hour for assemblies 10 be 20 well packed IN
Plymouth, but the Company had evidently come pre-
par.d To have a night OF II. And certainly more
brilliant assembly has rarely been brought together.
All that fair aud beautiful was there: and this
personal beauty o which the fair Devcnans can boast
10 very large degree and Of which they may well
be proud sustained by the numerous and gallant
of Mar, OF both services the elegance OF whose
Co~tGme more than ever seemed peculiarly fitting
| 70 add q grace and charm % the whole scene.
! Amongst the nobility that were present were the
| Earl and Countess Of Morley Lord Boringdon.
| Miss Coryton Lord yalletort. the Honorable Mis-
| Macdonald Lady Gcorgiana Romiily and Mr.. Ro-
| mlly. Sir Massey Lopcs and Lady Lopes, MAJOR
| Ibbetson and Lady Adela lbocison, sir Darlington
| Reynolds. the Port Admiral, sir james Hanway
1 Plumridgc. the four Misses Plumridge. Capt Nod.
dali and the officers Of her Majesty ship Agamem-
non the Admiral Superintendent, and all the heads
! Of departments. the Mayor u Plymouth (Mr. r. r.
BulteeD. with his gold chain of Office: Mr. Watson.
| Mayor Of Davenport: Mr.. +. W. Fox IN his official
dress Vice Consul Of the American states, with
couple Of valued orders adonng MS breast; Admiral
4 kingcombe whose active services were denoted by
the medals and clasps with which his person dis
tinguished; Mr.. White, NJ. r., and number Of other
notabilities. The whole army and navy, ~ there
represented, seemed 10 have been In the wars, for
there were few Of the officers whose breasts not
adorned with one or more signs " their past expe-
| renee in the more active service " then country
! The following are the officers Of the United States
frigate Niagara all Of whom present, excepting
| those engaged on duty
| W. l.. Hudson Capt. r. 4. Shock. LIST AZ Eng.
| A. Pennock Com. ". Kellogg. I'd A. Eng.
J. II. North, Lieut.. J. w. Moore, do.
| J. Todd Lieut.. A. Green. 81 Asst Eng.
| J. Guest Lieut.. J. McElmell. do
| W. ID. Whiting. Lieut.. g.. Kutz, do.
| Z. Y. McCaulay. Lieut.. T. X. Fly, do.
| B. Kennon, Lieut. J.w. Hudson, Capt's elk.
| J. G. Palmer, Surgeon. r. Willard. Purser's elk.
| J. G. Edrdge. Purser. J. NJ. Sands, Mast's Mate.