The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-19
Our Special Correspondence.

me general rule that a who stays on shore Is
great deal clever than man who goes 10 sea- may
be applied invariably to the participants puohc
halls of whatever nature and in whatever locality Per
hans your correspondent writing at this hour when the
lights are fed the banquet &C., and the guests-you
know the rest-would be, under ordinary circumstances
the first to give in his adhesion TO such rule
But the Napier ball was not an ordinary
circumstance In the first place, the proprety Of the
compliment was acknowledged, not only in general
way by the country large in view of the able way in
which Lord Napier had discharged his dutss as the re-
preventative Of the British government in the United
States but those who had had the pleasure
Of his lordships acquaintance, and had enjoyed MS
free and generous Inequalities. His predecessor, Mr.
Champion, was O rather crusty bachelor, who
entertained hardly any one except few boon COM
panons, and who succeeded admirably in making himself
almost universally unpopular. The manner Of his exit
from the country contrased with the flowers thrown be-
fore and Lady Napier affords the best indication OF
the difference between the two diplomats.
TheE ball 10 Lord and Lady Napier, now just expi-
red with other things of the past must be recorded as
one of the most brilliant and successful es ever given in
America. rendered by few prominent members or
Congress and private citizens of Washington 1t at once
enlarged itself to the proportions OF national demonstra-
ton and became prominent public topic throughout the
country 1t placed exactly at the height Of the sea-
son. when Washington is full Of fashionable people, and
when the dining out, visiting and dancing aad flirting
portion of the community is at the top wave of its exist
ence The extra excitement Of this ball summoned
rous butterflies Of fashion from the other Cities and the
Washington hotels were quits overrun with guests.
The number Of subscribers, originally limited to three
hundred, was at dcubled-so that an opportunity
was offered for every who desired to participate
The price of the tickets fixed at ten dollars eayn
These bets admitted gentleman and the ladies' OF mis-
family only, and it was required that each lady Should
be supplied with ticket bearing her name. The member
of tickets issued amounted nearly twelve hundred
and necessitated jam. The sale Of tickets wal
obliged to be suspended at yesterday, and
fhe Office of the secretaryef the Committee, Mr Ken
nedy beseged by applicants long after that hour.
In the fashionable circles OF Washington there was
nothing talked Of but the bs-the baI-the hal Other
topics were for the moment laid aside Nobody thought
Of the troubles Of Mr.. Phelps in the House. everybody
thinking about ways and means for the ball. Thurs
day the reception day at the houses of the Ca
binet Ministers, and there one heard Of nothing
but the ball Milline-s, dressmakers, cciGeurs went
crazy abeut the ball The people at Wizards Hotel,
where the affair to come of, assumed diguifed
British aspect wonderful to behold. The Of the Lion
Of Albion was heard every shout of the walters The
blue and ensgns Of Great Britain ard the flag of the
United States oated in grand style from the flag stats
the hotel 1t was high holiday for the bellies and to-
beaux the hairdressers and the mncrs, the taors
The cooks the tavern keepers and the hackmen 1t was
time Of to slow husbands, and heavy fathers,
pvertaxed servants
And Jenkins, too, was in tribulasion jenkins must pa
Tor his ticket. Horrible thought Everybody paid, bu
jenkins he nobody and why be should be requires
% disburse passed his comprehension But he resolves
npon revenge No doubt the outraged Washington edi
t who for have been presented the stern aterna
acfa viru fnru tbiuUo will
have full and due retaliation.
But the eventful hour came, all evenul hours viii
come, IL we will only wait long enough.
Asthe HERALD has already printed the correspondence
between the committee and Lord Napier well as lis
Of theiAvted guests and other preliminary proceedings
this account may be appropriately opened with list
The chief subscribers TO the ball.