Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-04-17
,vbe Fancy Bau in washington.

THE Fancy BaU w
A Fancy Ball. given on Thursday eve
ming, at the residence of Senator Gwin,
fully realized the highest expectations of
those who participated in lis novel pleas
ures, AMI was pronounced one OF the most
magnificent entertainments of the kind
over given in this country, The house
j. large and admirably adapted for a large
gathering; nor had any pain or expense
been spared III preparing and ornamenling
the many spacious apartments thrown
open. a fine band OF music discoursed
inspiring strains for the dancers, and there
was proiusion of refreshments served up
curing lie evening, with sumptuous
supper a! midnight
The guests were announced in their as
summed characters by an usher, and were
received by Mrs. Gwin, who was dressed
as MrqYise Of the Court Of Louis
-XIT. For the benefit Of our lady rea-
ders at distance, We will stale that this
splendid costume was skirt Of white
MORE antique silk, trimmed with deep
ilUunces of rare lace, with train Of cher
ry-coored sajin, trimmed with a ruche CiI
the same ma;erial. The bodice was
trimmed with lace, and The couture was
of shat deliberately arranged AMI powdered
fashion peculiar TO the Old French Court.
She was assisted by her eldest daughter,
becomingly alfred as Greek Girl, and
attended by younger daughter dressed as
d C0urt Page.
The President Of The United States Sec
retaIies Cobb and Thompson, and about
twenty Senators, were Privlledged TO aP-
pear in citizens dress. All other guests
were invited to appea; in fancy costume,
and the variety, brlliancy, and beauty Of
many Of the dresses, made the scene nov
81 AMI interesting.
Prominent among the ladies present
Were: Mrs. Senator Clay, as Mrs. Par
uugton, attended by the wiiful Ike; Mrs.
Senator Thompson, as a Cantonniere;
Mrs. Senator Dovis,as Madame De S'ael;
Mrs. Senator Hale. as a Spanish Ducnna;
Mrs. Senator Douglas, as Aurora; Lady
Ousey, as a French Marchionese; Lady
Napier, as lady Of the Olden Time;
Madame de Stgkcl, as Countess of
Henry the Fourih's reign; Miss Cass, as
a Marqnise Of lhe same reign; Miss Win
DR., as Folly; Miss Hale, as Morning;
Miss Martin, as Vlvaudiere; Miss Brad
ley, as Night; Mrs. Pendleton, as the Star
t3paugled Banner; Mrs. Belser,as Hannah
Irim; Mrs. Greenhow, as a HOusekeep-
er; Mrs. Hughes, as Lille Red Riding
4. ~ h
ant Girl; Mrs. Berg, as an Indian 'rin-
cess; Miss Parker, as The Goddess Of lab
cry; Miss Semmes, as Lady Charlotte
Berkeley; Mis- Ray, as Flower Girl;
Miss Porter, as Madame Pompadour;
Mrs. Evans, as Isabella of Spain; Mrs.
Clayton, as lady of the Republican
Court; Miss Beach, as Gipsey-bui we
have not space 10 further pro!oag this
Ecsd.roll Of beauty.
The costumes of the gentlemen were e.
qually varied and cIcganr,as an enumeration
II few of them will show. Mr.. Cling.
man appeared as gentleman of the 20h
Century, Mr.. Cochrane as Matalor,
Mr.. Keilt as Buckingham, Major Havi-
land as Knight in vertabic armOr, May
or &lagruder as a Highland Chiellain,
Capt Nelson as Falstaf1, Lieut., Mowry
as the knight of Gwyne, Mr.. Hughes as
an Oxford Student, Mr.. Kingman as a
Dipomarst, wearing President Monroe's
court dress, MIR. Towbridge as a Ranch.
Gro, Col. Magrudcr as the King of Prus-
sia, Mr.. J. Buchanan Henry as Sir Roger
de Coverly, MIR. Ledyard as an Egyptian
Officer, Mr.. Gillct as a Fi!iihustero, Mr..
Irving as a Quaker, and the Turkish Of
licers we've present in their full and richly
embroidered uniform.
The effect produced by so large m as
semblage in these varied costumes, which
were generally made of rich materials, and
ornamenlcd with planes, gold lace, and
Jewels, was picturesQuely beautiful; and
while some threaded the mazes Of the
dance. others engaged in humorous con,
vcrsation, often identifying themselves
with the characters which they assumed.
The supper was served up in Gau,ie,'s
best style, and it was daylight out Of
doors before the guests ceased dancing
Washington Union.