The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-15
TIE DIAMOND RAIL,

TIE DIAMOND BAIL.
REvEw OF THE scENR--TuE DRESSES AND DISPLAY
THE EaELEIEG OF TUE FLooR-nANA6EsEsr OF
OLD fo0Ks-sUPPER AND ToILErs-THE rascx's
PARTNERS, ETC., ETC.
how that The grand affair "a over and the mercury Ia
toe fashionable thermometer has subEiaed from The fever
heat at which II has been maintained for The last few
weeks, look more dispassionate!y and quietly
upon the than when surrounded by the glare and
glitter Of the magnificent crowd the mids. OF which
we're recorded first Impressions Like most occasions
OF this character, however, In reviewing the fete We
to throw few shadows the spendor OF
The scene for while the ball theore Ideally promised 10 be-
and was, lar regards the display Of beautiful
toettes uDsurp used supper and be
tful de oraons perfect success, practically the misc
rable Of few innocent old gentlemen and
the and not polite curiosity Of great crowd
pieriersd materially with the realization Of the gay an
ticipations which preceded The event.
In the main notwithstanding these drawbacks, was
worthy OF lis honored object and worthy Of the metro
pois and distinguished vister cannot but carry
away with him the most pleasing "reminiscences Of bis
stoy In New York.
The topography OF the Academy, In Its almost iiimg
table details has already been fully described but there
general picture brilliant and beautiful in s various
afIsc which yet hangs upon the walls Of memory and
requires be before complete idea be had Of
th magnificent epoch In the fashionable record Of
the metropolis To convey ihs idea concsely "a the OBJ
jet Of the present review.
First, them lot the fe-isr imagine himself one OF the
favored three thousand Conforming with ell the details
Or etiquette radiant in the glory OF ball costume, you
have the gauntlet of police and crowd and been &c.
the margin OF the carpet that generously extends
nom The eoorsep the curbstone. Passing the munich
pal ser,nes stationed either side Of the entrances
step brings you the foyer and here begns Of the
beautiful atornment which liz the grand feature Of the
Huge vases, supporting massive bouquets Of
towers are arranged at intervals along tbs passage
from side TO side OF The building Directly
treating the entrance 10 the elegant
painting Suspended representing Queen Victoria in full
riding habit upon mounted charger. The figures are
life size and the size Of the picture BY feet
Toe horse and landscape background painted by
Iandseer and the portrait Of her Majesty the work OF
Count d'orssy, by whom It WAC valued at 81 500 The
picture being brought the United States for exhibition,
became the property Of the late w. Barton And be-
ing most appropriately adapted 10 add TO the complete
Of such occason loaned for the purpose by
Mesrs j. Sahn Co., il whose possession II Ii 81 pre-
sent Other group and landscape paintings adorn this
locality ana the place LIS worthy stepping stone
to the sanctuary within.
The stairs and all the passages carpcted With crm
Cloth, whle flags and flowers, above aud below,
layished with nggard hand give out wealth OF fra
GRANGE and beauty that almost bcwdsrs the senses.
unnecessary TO 60 up stairs to the dressing rooms
aud parors Of the ladies' which upon the door
head 10 the regions usually occupied by the promenade
and rereshmen SALOONS Of the opera and accordingly
enter the respondent ''inner tempe-the sano
rum Here the decorations a scale truly magaa.
cent II seems as yoa were standing on the threshold
OF immense conservatory OF Towers, where If gather
world Of tint and scent that has been brought from
and hath of tba vi~
everywhere Not jutting cornicc pillar pendant
lamp but had wreathed around these offerings Of fair
Flora.
Immense vsses Of china, mighty with pyramida bou
quets loom up in air. fesoons suspended from the
galleries. semcrcle Of COOL green foliage Of growing
pAnts, contrasting brilliantly with large crystal globes
ned with gold and silver nsh extends around the outer
Of seats, while myrsds Of pou and nicd with
floral clusters occupy every spot where their prcsencc
can aGd beauty or fragrance TO the scenc.
| The proscenum 10 edagent under coat OF gid
ine the private boxes have been readorpcd with
curtains OF amber satin trimmed with lace and aside
from their artificial decorations, contain boQusss female
Iovcpess, In which bright eyes, flashing diamonds and
elegant as,ires, predominste above all cisc.
noticeable feature, attracting the upward glance OF
the spectator, allcsorcal representation pendant
from the ceiling about the middle OF the room Of
otenx cordialc between Great Britain and Untsd
ssae<the haniiwork Of Mr.. H. ". Cslyo, the artist d
the Academy. On The left OF the picture America,
Indian squsw, shaking hands with Britannia the
opposite side. Immediately below this fready grasp
arns d New York. surmounsed BY ngure Of Peace,
while the oeors Of both countries blended In amcsbls
relationship and The crest Of his Royal Hghnes recall
| 70 mind the part he 10 81 preseni acting.
Al the extreme end OF The ballroom opposite the
trance, behind red velvet das raised platform Of
three feet srperbly painted arch overooAs grdeu In
which represented long vista Of trees rich with To-
lbse, and forming hitting termination 70 the picture
seen from our standpoint.
Over the stage splendid marquee has been arranged,
covering the operstc machinery that would other
DO vnibe and In the centre OF this has like been
1 painted elegant design.
Around the room On either eide Of the stage. and
the das crimsoo ooered SOFAS lounges and seats al
ready occupied BY the d ID ersme while the
upper tiers cf boxes absorb few hundred more whose
| prescnce from the throng below Is hardly missed
brilliant and beautiful featarc Of the evening s the
light shed from myrsds OF gss Jets that rise circle upon
circle 10 daiAnce thA, appears almost imneasarsble
Brightness the sras Incident Of the festival and not
nook corner In the broad Of the hall bu, Hunt
rated By the penetrating rays
Gradually the Academy has gained the only additional
attraction rcqurcd-thas Of the magnificent men and
women who wing en- mas1 from point 70 point
We ~ common people, have entered irving place. but
the invited guests have como In by the side
eoor on Fourteenth street, and catch gnpscs Of
ray uniforms, pendant orders, dancing plumes flashing
diamonds, clouds lace and elegant women ihey drop
ffcm the side doors into the great There the
sesic form Of Lieut. Gen. Scott supported on either side
BY his accomplished daughters Mrs SCOT, and Mrs Gould
Hoyt, TO whom the crowd yield The way with respect
fui admiration that 10 net 10 be ccoccaei There too
moves rnodest and unsssumlng the handsome ssurc Of
kasrd Fillmore, ex.rrcseent Of The UaIsed states &C
ecnrspled BY his csiImase lady; Professor sorc Of
eiegnihlc fame, with coat decorated with badges OF
honor moves only ittie behind, while celebrities male
and female, OF greater or ios note, come within
range Of every glance All the professions save the cler
cal have their representatives, There are lodges law