New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-12
THE EXPRESSES BALL.


The splondor of the scene presented on Tuesday
night at the Jal costume given by the Empress at the
Hotel dAlbe, and which, for the last few weeks, has
been the great topic Of expectation, was snch az has
scarcely ever been surpassed Tie Emperor made biz
entry shortly after II in black domino, which he only
removed during the evening to substitute for il blue
one. Tie Empress who arrived soon after was at
tended through the rooms by Prince de Metternich.
Her Majesty also wore domino which, to the gen.
eral surprise she never took off report having affirmed
that che to appear as DIANA the lIuntress. Her
Majesty only remained short time The costume of
the Princes Mahlde was Of a most unusual deRcrp-
ton as the texture Of her skin was completely dark
cned 70 Represent q copper-colOTed Indian aud 10 suit
a culiousy picturesque attire, lightly fastened together.
The Princes Cothilde showed exquisite taste in a
most charming costume Of a BeTgere III the time Of
Louis XIV. Prince Napoleon appeared in a domino.
The guests were received by the Duke and Duchess
&c Tascher Ia fageie, whose courtesy and attention
were uuceasng.
Dancing commenced early, and continued during the
night; but three qnadrles in particular stood out in
bold relief for their beauty and originality, and the
tunes OF which bad been previously arranged In the
fist were represented the characters Of the fairy tale
which delighted our childhood, Puss in Boots; the
second was composed Of the ayOte persOnages Of the
Italian Carnival, such as Purchinello Harlequin, and
the rest; while the third in which the four elements
were attempted TO be imIersOHaed. gave TO the adj
mring spectators of the most lovely sights
presented in any ballroom. The Countess Walewska
repre- sented water being dressed as Cndine. She
wore a Coronet of diamonds surno1ned by conch
thel Of diamonds and opas. Behind fOaed on her
shoulders marine shrubs. Air was personied by the
Counters of bOrny, who aheaddrcss of diamonds
with wings at the sides, her bair being powdered with
silver, While behind Were 10 be seen light pmone. The
Princes SwiskOwska represented earth. Her head
dress was composed Of crenclated tower IN gold,
orEamenled Oh eide with cornucopa from which
fell flowers and ilults. Fire wae Represented by the
Princes Czartorisha, daughter Of Queen Christina;
she Il diadem of hanes OF gold and lames of the
same metal were ntorninglcd with her hair. In each
quadrile the ladies' dressed nearly alike and in
addition TO tie leaders mentioned above were be
seen the Countess dc Persgny, Madame Nierbitowsa,
and hadeuOisec Siyewihoit, the Princess de Meter
mich, Madame Nirerdrieoka the Countess de POrtaes
Lab(dOyeTc &c.
The last-named quadrille was composed solely Of
ladies, four for each element ard each four being
dressed alike, with almost the sole difference that the
display Of diamonds and precious stones somewhat
greater with some of the ladies than with others. But
such the admiration excited, not only by the rich
Of the costumes but by the beauty of the ladies'
who took part in IT, TINT universal suppleatOn
for repetition of the dance, and the request most
kindly accedod to.
At . O'Clock the curtain which hung between the
pillars of the garden corridor raised and present-
ed siglt the magnifcenee of which could scarcely
have been imagined, unless III bCh0dlng some picture
bv Paul NorOneee. This was the banquct hai which
to tat hour had not been opened. The corridor led on
TO galleries, which extended down both sides of the
hall. AT the further end, scenery had been arranged
70 to vanish into distance; fountain sent an s
watoI is in the foreground and on them an electric t
was 20 adjusted give the watcry spray ar it rose
and fell the appearance of frosted silver TIE scene
was most beautiful and called wildly TO mind those
abodes only read Of in the Arabian Nights The CEN
tnTof the ball WAS reached by two wide siareaSes
and in its wide eXpnse disposed twenty tables
QlitterinQ with plate and crystal and covered with
supper of a most sumptuous description. The attend
anti consisted solely of pages attred in costume of
the richest kiDd-slk, velvet, ard lace-of the six-
mort gorgeouGly, played during the supper.
The Emperor Fat down at one Of tic tables but did
not remove his mask, even while taking refreshment.
Eight ladies' were seated near him. the Countess de