Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-24
RICHMOND WHIG.
THE FErE OF THE EMPRESS EUGEYIE.
GRAND MASKED BALL AT me HOTEL D'ALuE.


The spendor of the scene presented night before last
az the bal costume given by the Emperor at the Hotel
dAbc and which, Tor the last two weeks has been the
great topic OF expectation such has scarcely ever
been surpassed The persons invited began TO arrive at
about nine, but before hour had elapsed the
filled. The Emperor made his entry shortly after
eleven in black domino which he only removed dur
ng the evening to substitute for 1t blue one. The En-
press who arrived after attended through the
rooms 10y Prince de Metternch Her Majesty also wore
domino which, to the general surprise, she never took
Of report having affirmed that she 10 appear as D
ana the HuntreSs Her Majesty only remained shoit
time. The costume Of the Princess Mathilde of
unusual description the texture Of her skin
completely darkened TO represent copper cOlOred lG
dian, and 10 suit curiOuSy picturesque attire lightly
fastened together. The Princess Ciotde showed ex-
quse taste in most charming costume of Bergere in
the time of Louis XIV. Prince Napoleon appeared in
domino. The guests received by tue Duke and
DucheS de Tascher Ia Pdgerie, whose courtesy and al
tentOn were uuceaSing.
Dancing commen ed early and continued during the
night, but three quades in particular stood out in bold
relief for their beauty aud originality aud the costumes
OF which have been previously arranged. In the first
presented the characters of the fairy tale which de-
lighted our childhood Pu,s in Boots; the second
composed Of the iIyorte personlgcs OF the Italian Car
nyal, such PugcAlu lO, Hat quln, and the rest ;
while the third in which the four elements at
mp'ed to be inTersonated, gave to the admring spec
tators Of the mos, lovely sights presented in
ballroom. The Courtsss Walew.k represented Water,
being dressed as Uulue. She wore a corouet OF dis
mOnds surmoul,ed 10y couque shell OF diamonds and
opals. Behind tOated on her shoulders marine shrubs.
Air was persouh1d by the Countess de Motny, who
a head-drcSS OF diamonds with wings at the sides, her
hair being powdered with silver whilst behind were to
he seen .Lt piuiOn- The PuaceSs SWishowska repre-
.cutgd Erth Her hculdress composed of creme
lated tower In GOLD oruameuted on side with
tucopio' from which hl flowers and fruits Fire was
represented by the Pucrss CzIrtOriska daughter #
Queen Christina; She wore diadem of lmes of gold,
her hair being powdered with gold, and flames Of the
same metal were ntermlgled with her hair. In each
Quadrie the ladies dressed nealy alike, and in al
dton TO the leaders mentioned above to be
the Countess de Per>iguy, Nine NierJbitowskt, and
Mile Sjyewbofr the Countess de Morny, the Princess
o. Metterlch NINE Nrcrdr cl,i the Countess de
? rtle- the Countess de- Iahel, ye'e, &o.
This last named qulrile was composed solely of la
dies four Of each element ana each four being dressed
aiSe with almost the sole difference that the display Of
diamonds and precious somewhat greater with
OF the ldo, than with Others. But such Was the
admiration excited OILY hv the richness OF the
tunes but 10y the beauty of the ladies' who took part in
IT, that "a universal suppicatiou arose for a repetition Of
the dance and the request most kindly aoccded TO
At O'Clock tbc curtain which hung between the pill
1ar4 OF %" garden corridor wa rtsci and presented
sight the uugutcguce OF which could scarcely have been
imagined unless iu beholdug some picture by Plu W.
roucse. This was the banquet hail. which up TO thar
hour had not been opened The corridor led on to the
.aeriez which extended down both sides OF the hall
A. the further end scenery bad been arrgued TO
vanish into distance; fountain up is wates in the
foreground and ON them electric light adjust
Cd give the wserv spray and fell the sp
petrauce OF ros cd silver The scene was most beau
tfl and called viviy to mind those 8blios only read
o.. in the Arabian Nights. The ctUtc OF the Lal Wa.
reached by two vide ssircases and In its wide expsnse
wera disposed twenty tables elJterag with plate and
crystal, and covered with a supper oil most sumptuou-
description.
TIE attendants consisted solely o, pages attrei in
costume OF the richest kud-siik velvet and hcc-oi
th, Sixteenth Century. party OF musicians also dress
e3 most gorgeou,y played daring the supper
The Emperor sat down az OF the table but did not
remove hi. mask even while taking refreshments Eight
ladies were seated hin the Countess DE- Momy at
one side and tire Countess WaeN Ski 0t the other a.
DO. supper table of the ladies Of the Court were TO be
seen the Princess Clotle aud the Princess Nat!ie.-
As soon as the first party Of guests had withdrawn,
,uote descended and continued until all that pleas
ed had supred. Dancing was resumed afterwards aud
the iete did not terminate until in the morning.
Perhaps there never seen "a more magnificent dis
ulav than on this occasion, IN which every per
son appeared 70 have bestowed much attention to
faithfully carry the various details Of the costumes
adopted. Expense seemed 20 have been totally G>re
arJed both by the gver OF the iete and the invited and
the fsst rough expense OF the entertainment before
Eues had entered tie is estimated al not less than
100000 f,aucs TIE display otdamonds something
wonderful and the dresses were generally remarkable
Tor their fidelity. Among tie costumes noticed for their
historical correctness and pleldor, those worn by
three Eugli,h ohcc,s-Cp. Lumley in the character Of
the la. Or ESSEX, Col. BIruaby Gustavus AdOlphus
and Capt. MlX,y as Francis