Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-01
THE GAZETTE.
THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL l, 1858.
CAUDLE PARTIES IN NEW 1oRh--
MISS SEDGWICK'S READINGS.


CANDLE PARTIES IN NEW YORK
MISS sEDGWICK'S READINGS.
A correspondent of tho Boston Transcript
writes thus of rather peculiar institution"
of New York society:
"Tbere is an institution here of unrecord-
ed fame; it always thrives In Lent as sub.
stitute for other gaieiies; its origins believed
to be English, though old New Workers claim
it as Dutch. 1t is Caudle; not that species
inmortalized by Douglass Jerrold, but one
quite as spicy and more palatable-msde of
ancient brandy, wine, sugar, oatmeal, raislns,
nutmeg, cinnamon and all sorts Of saccha-
rine and stimulating condiments-made IN
large quantities, ladled out into tea-cups and
complscently imbibed between the hours OF
one and four, p. NJ, ostentatiousiy IN honor
of the advent of an "innocent," who between
the sips is passed round, and of course de-
clared the finest child ever seen. This SIM
ultaneous qualification Of pbiloprog enitl'e-
ness and convivial instinct always brings
csrnation to the cheek of the matron and vol
ubility to her tongue; babylon, though the
occasion, is not the inspiration; gallons Of
caudle disappear; and dowagers momentarily
renew their yonth in drinking the health Of
"that blessed baby"
The Albany Statesman furnishes the fol-
lowing small talk about New York society, for
the information of the rural districts:
"Now that Lent has caused temporary
cessation in the general festivities Of the &C.
called fashionable world-sspecially of the
Episcopal and Catholic Churches--readings
at private houses are coming in vogue, at
hnn Hrnd n
daughters assemble to listen to the interpre-
tations of the best specimens OF "pure old
English undefled."
''Miss Sedgwick, of hereditary Intellectual
fame, following in the wake of Mrs. Ken BILE
Butler, whose career here was success
financially as well as oratorically-has given
quite q number ofthese readings. With most
attractive presence, well-modulated and
sympathetic voice, and thorough cultivation,
this lady has inspired great admiration
reading days of her own selection having
been arranged at the houses Of Mrs. President
King of Columbia College, Mrs. George Ban
croft, Mrs. Parish, and other leaders of the
upper ten. oo &c ,,... ro.a;n.. :. TO-
presented as quite striking-with the num-
Der of private carriages, the ladies dressed In
full visiting costume, and the absence OF the
male element-so pleasant occasionally, as
one of the fair spectators noirely remarked
The occasionally was slightly emphasized,
of course; but certainly this new style OF en-
tertainment is an improvement upon the balls
and parties, which this winter, it is true,
have been rather less frequent than usual
/ am not the Jenkins" and, therefore, cannot
be expected to name the presence and de-
scribe the tout ensemble of the angelic partic-
pants in these readings" which have de-
seryedly become an institution here"
EQUESTRIAN QU.ADRILLESIN BERLIN.
The Berlin correspondent of the London
Times gives the following interesting de-
scription of some equestrian quadrilles per.
formed in the Prussian capital, 10 honor of
the arrival of the Princess Royal of England
"The riding house was fitted up, according
to all accounts, with great taste and lavish
expenditure of banners, trophies of arms and
accoutrements, garlands, wreaths, festoons
of flowers, &C., the intention being to make
it resemble tilting-ground in the close Vlcin-
ity of baronial hall.
The gallery erected for the Prince and
Princess and the other numerous members
of the royal family was richly draped, as it
is described to me, in white, gold and GRIM
son, and opposite to it and the nobility, at
the other end of the riding-house, was anoth-
or for the officers not taking part in the quad
rifle and the musicians of the different regi-
ments. Your readers can fancy themselves
that the shrill and stirring music OF three
cavalry regiments, numbers OF banners and
flags, quantities of evergreena and flowers,
with q plentiful supply OF light from chande-
liers. lustres and lamps, must have pro-
duced an exciting scene, to which must be
added the presence of royalty, and the charm
of "En glands eldest daughter" Among the
yery few civilians and ladies invited to be pre-
sent as guests were Lord and Lady Bloom
field.
Sixteen officers of the Garde du Corps open
ed the ball in full uniform, with silver cul-
rass and helmet (the latter bearing the
spread eagle perched on it, and high JACK
boots: after making the tour Of the arena once
at q walking pace and then at galiop, they
performed the usual quadrille with precision
and correctness, sayeth my Informant, the hg
ure of the moulinet being peculiarly successful.
Then followed the Lapcers' set OF quad
Yllle0, r10QeB IOr TUG ufet timc PSi hePDs'
il received that name, BY Ian cers, d e., by OH
Gers of tba. regiment; such of them as occu-
pied the posts usually assigned to ladies IN
these quadrilles being distinguished by bows
of ribands in the English colors bound on the
arms the gentlemen officers wearing Prussian
bows.
The third quadrille was executed BY the
officers of the Hussars of the Guard. Here
the red uniform braided with gold, the Hun
rarsn boots and close-6ttiug pantaloons. the
red attilas hanging from the shoulder the
isunty calpacs, and the plumes OF heron
feathers waving with the rapid motion, must
have been really brilliant sight. The ar
rapgement of having every couple OF dancing
horses composed Of a dark and OF lighter
mariner added to the effect"
NOTICE-The subscriber, having purchas-
~ ed Of A. L. Gregory his entire Stock OF
Goods and interest in the STOVE and Tin BUSi-
NESS, is prepaI ed TO execute, with Promptness,
all orders for Plain ard Japanned TN WARE,
or other work in his line. He will also keep
on hand an assortment Of Cooking and Parlor
STOVES, Parlor Crates, Safes, Reirigerators,
IU,tor Coolars pum ms &c together with all