Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-12
The Fancy Ball I'm Washington.

The Fancy BAH In warrington.
A Fancy BALL given on Thursday eve
! ming, az the residence of Senator Gwin, fully
realized the highest expectations of those
who participated in its novel pleasures, and
was pronounced one OF the most magnificent
entertainments Of the kind ever given 10 this
country. The house is large and admirably
adapted for large gathering; nor had any
pains or expense been spared IN preparing
and orDamenting the many spacious apart
ments thrown open. A fine band Of music
dscoursed inspiring strains for the dancers,
and there was p profusiOn OF refreshments
served ~ during the evening, with stump,
/ tuOus supper AZ midnight
The guests were announced in their as
sume1 characters by an usher, and were re-
ceived by Mrs Gwiu. who was dressed as
-NqrqniSe Of the Court Of Louis IIV. For the
benefit Of our lady readers at u distance, we
will state that this splendid costume was
skirt of white mOire antique silk, trimmed
with deep f9unces of rare lace, with train
/ Of cherry -coored satin, trimmed with ruche
of the same material. The bodice was
trimmed with lace, and the couture WAS Of
that deliberately arranged and powdered fash.
/ iou peculiar t. the old French Court. She
/ was assisted by her eldest daughter, becom-
/ iugly atrred as a GreeL Girl. and attended
! ty younger daughter, dressed as u Court
/ Page.
Inc President Of the United States, SeCre
/ tares Cobb and Thompson, and about twenty
Senators, were privileged to appear in citi-
Gems dress. All other guests were invited to
appear in fancy costume, and the variety,
brlliancy, and beauty Of many Of the dresses,
made tn. scene novel and interesting.
Prominent among the ladies present were;
Mrs Senator Clay, as Mrs. Darlington, at
tended by the wiiful Ike; Mrs. Senator
Thompson. as Captonniere; Mrs. Senator
Davis, as Madame De S.ael Mrs. Senator
! Hale. a. Spanish Duanua; Mrs. Senator
D)uglas, rs Aurora; Lady OISeley, as q
/ French Marchionese Lady Napier, as a
Lady Of tAe 0.den Time Madame de S'ekel,
as 4 Countess Of Henry the Fourth's reign :;
Miss Cass, as Msrquise of the same reign !;
Miss Winder, as Folly; Miss II ale. as Morn
ing; Miss Martha as Vivaudere Miss
Bradley, as Night; Mrs Pendleton, as the
Star Spangled Banner; Mrs. Belsor, as Han
nah Prim Mrs. Greenhow. az Housekeep-
err; Mrs. Hughes, as Little Red Riding Hood;
Miss Mechio, as a Spanish Peasant Girl ::
Mrs. Berg, as an Indian Princess; Mis-. Par
kerr a. the Goddess OF Liberty; Miss Semmes,
as Lady Charlotte Berkeley; Miss Ray as a
Flower Girl; Miss Porter, as Madame Pom
padyuF; Mrs Evans, as Isabella Of Spain;
| Mrs. Clayton, as lady OF the Republican
Court; Miss Beach, as Gipsey-buE we
have not space 10 further proiong this bead
roll Of beauty.
The costumes Of the gentlemen were equal
y varied aud elegant. 40 sn enumeration Of
few OF them will show. Mr.. CliDgman sp-
poured as gentleman of the 10th Gen.
fury, Mr.. Cochrane as a Matador, Mr.. keltt
rs Buckingham. Major Hsviland as q Knight
in veritahle armor, Mayor Magruder as a
Highland Cheftain, Capt. Nelson a. Falstaif
Lieutenant MowrJ as the Knight of Gwyne,
Mr.. Hughes as on Oxford Student, Mr.
kingmau as q D!plomatist, wearing Presi-
dent Monroe's court dress MIR. Towbridge
as 4 Il ,pchero, Col. Magruder as the King
of Prussia, Mr. j. Buchanan Henry as Sir
Roger de Coverly, Mr.. Ledyard as an Esyp-
tan Oaicer, Mr.. Gllet as FIllibustero. Mr..
Irving as n Quaker, and the Turkish officers
were present in their full and richly embroi-
dered uniforms.
The effect produced by 40 large an assem-
blage in these varied costumes, which were
| generally made Of rich materials, and orna-
meGted with plumes, gold lace, and jewels,
was picturesquely beautifully and while some
threaded the maaes of the dance, others
engaged in humorous conversation, often
! identifying themselves with the characters
which they assumed. The supper was served
up in Gautier'S best style, and it was day
| light out of doors before the guests ceased
/ dancing - mon.