The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-02-25

The Bsnes Ball, at the Americas Hotel la, = =.
asy night, la homer Of the Anniversary of W.
| ustons birth day, was one of those enterssi.
..as. which out few men have An opportunity a
| pr,ucipasips in more than once In Q life time =
"nen so's company announced that they ioteudeA
| 70 celebrate the 23i of February We were A. oces
prepared to expect something above the ordinarv
I:asts and dances Of the day, but w had not an,s
cipa'ed half that met our view on thsf lons - r.
| remembered night. and We only regret that We
| nave not words At command 70 convey In cu,
asaoeIs tne mssnihcence Of the spectacle present-
| ed on that occasion. Suffice IL to say. thai IN.
attendance was sufficiently large for er;ovmert.s
that goodly number Of the bellies Of our citv vers
In attendance; that the music good the dspc,os
neat ano cnaste, the supper fine. the wine superS
ana the enjoyment universal, unmarried by q ain.
gle unpleasant occurrence. Ipdeed We NAV ssv
thata happier gathering could not have be:,
found; and when the young hoars of the mornjne
arrived and signalied the time for departure, ali
seemed TO regret that old Sol had estirred 90
and that they could not remaia little longer
That our readers may form some idea of The
pains taken to make this celebration an imposinS
one, we will here remark that the windows Of ihs
hotel were brilliantly Illuminated from top 10 bot
tom that the spacious dinipg.room was trans.
formed into terpsictoriaD ball; that the gentle,
mems sitting room was used for the feast, and that
every vacant spot in the house was Appropriated
to the celebration. We append an imperfect Do
scription Of the decorations, IS we saw them
The ball room was magHitcenfly dressed off with
likenesses of distinguished men, flags, streamers.
emblems, ETC., which gave 1t most imposing ap-
pearance. On entering the ball, the first thiBg
that struck the eye, as an excellent portrait Of
Washington, surmounted 5y golden eagle above
which was seen the rising sun, encompassed about
oy thirteen stars, indicative Of the original thr-
teen States while in the back ground was distinct
ly visible the beautiful musket presented to the
company by the National Guards, of Philadelphia,
In leoo-tbe whole Handsomely festooned by hsgs
and sfreamers, forming q magnificent centre Ia
bieaux, while on either side were stacks of mus
ketS, polished SilVerV bright n North end 0f
the room was a stand for the musicians W. hch was
neatly decorated with fags In the rear of the
stand be wall was also adorned with shield and
musical instruments, the western recess having on
1t, 10 large letters. the Richmond Light Infantry
Bues," Overlapping the likenesses Of one-ban Of
the company, while in the eastern recess were to
be seen, in large letters, "Commiss oned May 10th,
1888" directly above the miniatures Of the 70,
dows of the east and west sides of the room were
pOt of distinguished men, the various places
visited by the company since its organization, and
the dates at " hich those visits were made.
Commencing At the north corner of the east
side, running south, and then the west side
from south to north, the inscriptions and figures
were as f1ows: Norfolk, 1907" over the portrait
of Franklin Pierce, President of the United At g.
"Worronigb, INA" General WiDfeId Sc, u.
"Port'mouth, 1920" General Lewis Cass y or,.
town, 1924" Henry Clay "MecklenburR, ls3l"
Daniel w ebster. '.Petersburg lS33," memb r. of
the U. S. Senate. fredericksburg, 1888" @ 3D..
Scott. philadelphia 1863" John G.. Calbt I'm
These decorations, the floor being laid off fol 80
made the room present a most picturesque 4p-
pearance, under the reflection of the brilliant gss
lights, and when the music struck up and the
dance commenced exhibited Q scene of grandeur
to the eye rarely witnessed in life time.
Another attractive feature Of the night, was the
supper table, which groaned beneath Its weight
of yiands, prepared to feast the company and
their guests Two tables were spread full length
in the reception room, one of which was weighed
down with meats, fowls, fish, and game, prepared
In every conceivable manner to ter1pt the appe-
tite-whist the other fairly staggered under its
load of sugar pyramids, delicious creams, rich
cakes, nuts fruits, candies, and sparkling bever-
ages fresh from the ice that invitingly met eye
wherever it gazed. That proprietor Bishop and
his assistant Mr. Lee, did their part nobly, none
will doubt who saw the repast they prepared.
During the night sky rockets were sent mp from
the front of the hotel il to indicate the abode of
pleasure, for the time, where the Blues and their
guests were r. joicinR and feasting, in commence
ration of the birth of him who was first in war,
first in peace and first in the hearts of his coun.
trymen.
The Young Guard Ball, at the first market hall,
is said to have been one of the very best of the
many admirable entertainments heretofore given
by that deservedly popular company. We did not
get opportunity to visit the ball room during
the evening, and can only speak from what we
have heard but friend no was present assures
us, that be never was more gratified at place of
the kind; and that ali who were in attendance
seemed equally as wen pleased as h1nseh Inc
hall appropriately trimmed with flags and
portraits, the music good, and The number Of ladies
very large. Among them were some Of Rich-
moods most comely daughters, who are always TO
| be found doing honor to the Young Guard, be-
cause of the gallant bearing of the members, and
! the high military character of the corps. Under
| the command of Capt Richardson this company
continue to prosper, for his zeal and acquires
| ments, aided by high order OF natural talent,
| give him advantages which but few officers ever
possess. Az late hour of The night an excellent
| supper was served and then the dance was re-
sumed and continued till all were satisfied that
they had amply celebrated the anniversary OF the
| I'D and of the Young Guard. May the company
continue to prosper and give such annual enter"
| tanments for many years to ceme, is the sincere
| wish of all who know its value and can appreci-
| ate the oreauiza alton of citizen soldiers.
| rLAi.ksON ~ ANDERSON a.
~ No IC6 MAIN ST RICHMOND, Va,