Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-04-14
MRS. senator OWNS Fancy ElaII.
From II E washington Union


A fancy ball, given on Tuesday evening at
the residence Of Senator Gwin, fully realized
the highest expectations of those who partici
pated in its novel pleasures, and was pronoun-
ced one of the most magnificent entertainments
of the kind ever given in this country. The
house is large and admirably adapted for large
gathering; nor had any pains or expense b0en
spared in preparing and ornamentiDg the many
spacious apartments thrown open. a fine band
of music discoursed inspiring strains for the
dancers, and there was proiuslon of refresh
ments served up during the evening, with a
sumptuous supper at midnight
The guests were announced in their assumed
characters by an usher, and were received by
Mrs Gwin, who was dressed as larguise Of
the COuFt'of Louis XIV. For the benefit of
our lady readers at distance, we will state that
this splendid costume was skirt of white moire
antique silk, trimmed with deep founces Of
rare lace, with train of cherry satin,
trimmed with luche of the same material
The bodice was trimmed with lace, and the
couture was of that deliberately arranged and
powdered fashion peculiar to the old French
court She was assisted by her eldest daught-
er, becomingly attired as GTeeL Girl, and at
tended by n younger daughter, dressed as u
Court Page.
The President of the United States, Secreta-
ries Cobb and Thompson, and about twenty SEN
ators, were privileged to appear in citizens
dress. All OIucTSSWere lnVltSU 10 appear III IAN
cy costume, and the variety, briiancy, and
beauty of the dresses made the scene novel and
interesting
Prominent among tae ladies present were =
Mrs. Senator Clay as Mrs. Darlington, attended
by the wilful Ike, Mrs. Senator Thompson as a
Cantonniere, Mrs. Senator Davis as Madame De
Stael, Mrs. Senator Hale as a Spanish Duenna,
Mrs. Senator Douglas as Aurora, Lady Ouselcy
as French Warehouses, Lady Napier as La
dy of the 0lden Time, Madame De Stocked as a
Countess of Henry the Fourth's reign, Miss CaSs
as Marquise of the same reign, MISS Hale as
Morning, Mrs. Pendleton as the Star SPangled
Banner, Mrs. Greenhow as Housekeeper, Mrs
Hughes as Little Red Riding Hood, Miss Mech
lin as Spanish Peasant Girl, Mrs. Berg an
Indian Princess, Miss Farmer as the Goddess of
Liberty Miss Semms as Lady Charlotte Beckley,
Miss Ray as Flower Girl, Miss Porter as Mad
ame Pompadour, Mrs. Evans as Isabella of
Spain, Mrs. Clayton us u Lady of the Republi-
can Court, Miss Beach Gipsey-but we
have not space to further prolong this bead-roll
of beauty.
The costumes of the gentlemen were equally
varied aud elegent an enumeration of few
of them will show. Mr.. Clingman appeared as
u Gentleman of the goth Century, Mr. COciIrane
as Matador, Mr. Keitt as Buckingham, Major
Haviland as Knight in veritable Grmor, Mayor
Magrudcr as a Highland Chieflain, Captain
Nelson as FastafF, Lieut. Moury as the Knight
of Gwynne, Mr.. Hughes as an Oxford Student,
Mr.. Kingman as Diplomatist, wearing Presi-
dent Monroc's court dress, Mr.. Towbridge as a
Ranchero, Col. Magruder as the King of PruS-
STA, Mr.. j. Buchanan Henry as Sir Roger de
Coveriy, Mr.. Ledyard Egyptian Officer,
Mr.. GilIet as Fillihustero, Mr. Irving as a
Quaker, and the Turkish officers were present
in their full and richly embroidered uniforms.
The effect produced by so large an assem-
blage in these varied costumes, which were
generally made of rich materials, aud were or
nanonted with plumes, gold lace, and jewels,
was pictnresquely beautiful; and while some
threaded the mazes ofthe dance, others engaged
in humorous conversation, often identifying
themselves with the characters which they as
sumed. The supper was served up in Gautier's
best style, and it was daylight out Of doors be.
fore the guests ceased dancing.