The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-31

IAAJA1s vAVA An Ols &c
Iva xRaugurnaSsn DaI as the Phlladeipsaa
Opora Hssssoe
eUR srBoIAL ruIL ADnLfaiA ooexEsroNsRuoH.
PHLADxLraiA, Jan. Is, 1867.
n AAsgarsion ball ., Tire 0pera House, the night BE-
lore lest was The most splendid 1ss Witnessed In
Phisdepoia No public festival can compare With for
moment sinos the ball given TO Lafayette 81 the Chest
nus street theatre Of yors and the parallel esos Of that
depesdsd chiefly The impressive event Of LaAyestes
presence .I
No more decisive test Of The growth Of this city end
the corresponding deveopemeut Of Tho country can besd
duoed thar the erection OF building like that OF the
Philsdepha Opera House. devoted ~ 10 exclusively 70
purposes or ART. When this really magnificent structure
oonrasted viii the petty theatres that only twenty
years ego che resort Of fashion and the soenes u
the efforts OF the most singers aud sctors
Impossible not TO be struck by the gigantic strides which
this country is making In art vel, as more material
matters.
The torn out On this occasion suob as has never
before been In the Quaker City. From eight o'clock
unti ten Carriages were to be seen making their
slew approach to the Opern House, ia soge hie, and
setting down THEIR elegantly attired occupants in ths
most perfect oroer. large foroe OF police was on the
ground, which kept the crowd that lined Broad sssea
and every avenue 10 tho theatre In chooa ishsu no
reoapulae tho architectural details of the building
which iull description already been given Ia 81
HaAID II 10 enough for 20 say that The general OF
tot Of the house, noble vostbGies It's spacious cor
rdors m hume Gus retiring rooms Its broad ct nrcsses.
and, above all, tn unparalleled saloon, when III up by
gorgeous tandes6ra aud eodeB jets Of gas, WAS inde
scribab'y imposing reminded one OF some brilliant
tee at the Tuleres or at the winter PALACE In H Peters
burg with the exception OF ,ourse OF toe greater rarity
OF military uni orns, the predomlnsnce OF winch nap
pity Does not form one Of our SOCIAL cosraoterssos In
all thAr ndRV nj mi hA
msgpdcence OF Inc teees the graoe and beauty OF the
and the general tone Of good breeding observa
bic Amotgtt the guests-wc question this Dali could
have been tuipsssed by ans royal re uaion.
The coup oil Of the SALE or auditorium, B It called
wber It first bar" upon u Was perfectly dazzling
From peculiarly In tho shape Of tue bu'id-
Ing, III It's details ioroe themselves up,n the specta
tor s once ana leave him but little time study them
searstay. The semi circle s complete a. 70 mako
the house look some what shallow and in this respect
loses By comparison with the New York Academy Of
Music The fronts OF the several circles decorated In
while, which, under the blaze OF magnihcent chandelier,
has rather unpleasant eject hite more relief from
the gliding the judciOus OF neutral tnts, would
the theatre arc papered with red, whioh is well liz up.
but better Colorbuh for Instance might have boon
cbosen These, however small defscs. and detract
but little from the real beauty and speuaor OF the build
ing From three 10 Eve thousand persons ere to be
seep on this occasion, circulating, dsucog or seated
within IL walls Surprise, delxh, and enjoyment wore
infested by ali amoogt the most marked features
Of the evening Every PhusdelphAn seemed 70 rejoice
hepceorh destined 10 rank mongst the most promi
Dept rsctiCDs of hih beloved city
The company was composed Of the "bsst people" OF
Philadelphia, with large sprokltns OF guests from
her places all POSITIONS professions and cAlings wore
represented and all seemef 70 vie with each other In
txosmstiohs OF edmirs;os and Satisfaction The ladies
In great FORCE both 10 number aud besuty Tnelr
teettes rich, elegant and, In many instances I'm
pcral IN their mssbiicence some wore jewels OF rare
value.
Nothing a. / have already stated, could exceed the
bon ten and orderly demeanor which prevailed through
xoA
an assemb' sse was remarkable rhe dressing OF the
men was particularly good, though here and there .
frock coat WAS ooseTvsbse sinansey 70 TIE ored't
Of Philadelphia that amongst 80 vast mass OF people ~
that assembled on th, occasion not single improperly
not solitary act OF rudentas occurred N disturb the 80
vailed.
It's dlfhcult on such occas.ons and amiist 20 many
tboussncs " slas out or par.culsrze ipdviduas VOC
might wander about Tor hours in this uous crowd
without eSoounterps tie celebrities Of the plaza over
heard ons OF the arcnde, danes Of Phistephs INDUCING
In proiuse tkpeesiols Of wonder and admiration tina
probably the ardent from the fact that shs
thought t 10 decline contributing dollar OF her ample
though every person OF TASTE and In the city
roos came forward. Tho lazy was Mrs Doctor Rash
One oibs mos beautiful women present though dresset
with extreme simplicity, Mss Graft. A love- u
daughter of CHARLES Blight small sersston with
her spars ling dak eyes sdy stured In half mourn
ing attracted general attention By her fam sp
pcarsnce and refined bearing mood scarcely add tbs
aliuoe to Mrs Robert Hancock. wilt forbear from the
further parousrzston al names Of moro interest 10 NJ
sent, must not, ho~cvor, omit 10 mention q cerAir
Trclr ehepaitsT Of diplomatic and amofoas notorety
our most dSrinere. Pbadsiphis bellies, should say
that BIO NJ mediIArng another ooussship and ~ conSe
quences"
word Of hearty oongrssustou due 70 the geutlemsu
Who have dsinereeeoy devoted their time, energies
and money 10 the realization of this splendid enterprise
fir,s on The list should be Daw.d m George pepse,
President Of the Academy and last though not least Mr.
Lew, the well known merchsns Of Chestnut street. and
Eavipg borne testimony 10 the and tciaf with
which this brilliant festival passed or must complete
the seeoant By relating some o. Ne amusing oontrs temps
provided for tho recpsoo OF the and the
breaking down with the weight Of their burden consider
change a'uclcs belonging 10 the gentlemen vsit.rs
Tho losers occupy column In tho Leor this morning.
and they held high change a, ,ne Academy At noon
large pile Of garments and head gear remained
there unclaimed, and some portions Of these were re-
stored 10 their proper owners Some went TO the meet
ing with the uucies belonging 10 others expecting that
the latter would initiate tbaR example, and that mus
legitimate exchange might be erec,ed Such, however,
proved 10 be the OF In few instances and macy
were Obliged 70 retire bootees and coatless. The
Bulletin pays,-
Many Who had rot possession Of somebody eses clothing
prudently LETT At home until they what would be the
prospect Of essnns her own missing gsrmsLs and n
llehf complication q matters may be imagined The ma
order he coafssloa worse cooio ded tia; has grown
out Of The perpleSy IN the cloak room We rus. hey MAJ
things look very like they did when Claude Duva think
wsY amused himself BY makirg every In Of
pcdlars take OF his End shoes, and put them In pie
which the Highway stirred vel with pole; he thea
ordered al bands 10 select their property and their
only within three minutes under pain OF instant death.
The Isoies bad also gooa many Casualties 10 lamont
IN lost jewellery ard 10 crashed and dspdated dresses
one lacy lost diamond for which she advertise. . re-
ward.
The next great event Of The fsy world bore will be
the party OF Mrs. Rush, which taxes place to morrow
night. This hexper 10 be quito brilliant a1sir
The Late Mrs. Writ, and how she Reel aimed
her Husband from 1ntemperapee.
from the Albany Statesman, Jan. 70
We yssterday recorded the death OF Mrs. Wr the win
OF the late dstnGuabed and eloquent William Wirt whoss
ahl audn Ioar niun