Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-02-08


ment last evening, which was iargely attended
by throng of distinguished guests
- Editors Stdse The brief paragfaph, above, APP
pearing in one of your city contemporaries, gives
so little idea Of the magnificent ball OF Friday
evening, given bysMr. Riggs, in his palatial
mansion, that one who enjoyed, in every sense,
this truly beautiful fe,s,, feels disposed to add
to the meagre IS ITEM Just quoted a few words
expressive of the pleasure it gave to those SO
/ fortunate as to have been thehospitable bankers
guests. 1t was not at all g reception but an
invited affair for the personal friends of the
host, and the young companions of his charm
! ing daughters. 1t was Washington pricate
life party, if may so say; not Washin gton
jam for 'sdi- tinguished" strangers and Gov
eminent dignitaries. Indeed, we Only observed
of this class, the elegant Mrs Spragne, Mrs.
Senators Morgan and Dickson, and three men,
hers of Congress. The Diplomatic Corps were
fully represented. and wearing their court
dresses and decorations, made an important
feature In the brllliancy of the tout ensemble.
But our eyes rested prin cipally on the inhabi-
tants OF the Capital, whose presence brought
back other days and other such recherche and
select reunions. S453RE st 3. IL aest.
General Ramsay. Admiral Wilkes, Dr. Miller,
Col Harris, Col. Thomas were there, and others
who, being merely private citizens. one does
not feel as if they could take the liberty of men,
tioning their names Nearly all the officers OF
the army and navy present were in uniform,
which added not a little to the full dress effect
of the whole scene. ta.#H
The ball room was a treat to dance in from
its size, and it's smooth bright floor; and
the music from over dozen pieces was
so inspiring that it was difficult tor old
feet to keep still when listening to its strains
The house was decorated with flowers: the
refreshments of course We're lavish, and of the
cos.iisst and rarsst in every respect. There
was no crowd. The fine rooms and barouiel
hall which divides them Were filled Just enough
to display. not to crush the elegan dTesses-and
may some aliusion be made TO these without
seeming invidious, or ia uding on the sa cred
precincts of private life?
1t is temptation to recall the brilliant visions
by describing their successful toilettes, and
shall yield TO it.
First, we will tell that the fair hostess was
attired in black velvet, and her lovely young
daughters in white tulle-the Legitimate Gov err.
ing tor Hebes on earth. and the only sGita BILE
and becoming dress for maidens in the irst
blush of youth. Therefore, other young maid
ems were rs suitably arrayed: and sweetest and
pretties. among them, to our taste were the
Misses l.. R-y, ]. Tt and M. HI fwho was
however, dressed in blue silk, end not white.
only trimmed with white lace, and s. P-eauo
the Misses l.. B-a, who have only recently
came here TO live
PEI haps the most cons en- ouS compile pre- sent
IN imposing presence was Governor and Mrs
Morgan. Mrs. nj. did credit ia the Emuira
State in her magnificent notrs roSe and pons
lace trimmings and diamond ornaments (Sha
held her nrst morning reception that day, which
was crowded with visitors, and then she had
been to dinner party, and yet was fresh to
enjoy the ball.) With her W as her young guest.
Miss j., OF Hartford, sparkling in wit and
beauty. dressed in white ta''ieton, Iooped and
trimmed with flowers very tastefully
Mrs. Captain We, in white MORE. looked as
well as when she was the belle Miss Eft some
few years ago, and has not lost her accessibility
by being mother and happy wife. Long may
she delight her friends with her unusual col
loquial powers.
Mrs. Col. HIS, Marine Corps,} in grey MORE
ana black lace trimmings, was elegant as we
remember her always to be, (anG is lust now in
the proper place for her, doing the nonors with
peculiar grace and ease OF the aristocratic and
famed old residence always occupied by the
head OF the Marine Corps OF the United States
She receives charmingly also on Thursdays
Mrs Capt. A-y was lovely in pink silk and
[Her gallant husband being absent in the dis.
charge OF his onerOus duties, would have been
too happy could he have peeped on her bright
face, and seen what a belle she was.]
Mrs M. Il. Ed, of N Y. lately become a
resident OF Washington, attracted All eyes,
from the briIliancy of her own, and her
,IFrenchy" toilette of white tulle and silk,
Honiton lace and roses. ribbon and narrow
velvet, &c, &c, all arranged with 'aste ana
skill. (She has issued cards for three evening
receptions, beginning Monday)
Mrs. Senator Sprague wore blue silk tunic
trimmed with chenille fringe, over white silk,
richly trimmed with bouillOaS of tulle Her
exquisite form was displayed to great advan-
tage in this dress, which fitted ii admirably
Mrs R-y. Of Washington, was as usual, n
great belle, ard most becomingly alfred in
white embroidered carleton
Mrs. HI. Of Washington. wore black sa tin,
with white roses in her hair.
The lovely Miss K-r. of n. Y, looked very
handsome, a,tired in blue silk trimmed with
white. (She is the guest of ex Mayor BIT at
presently
But We cannot mention all the pretty women
present, for we did not know quite ali of them,
even by name The diplomatic corps must not
be forgotten in this slight sketch for they per.
haps. were really the feature of the evening
the ladies of course, one means in talking thus:
The present representative of the French
Court, Madame Trailhard, has been celebrated
in her native city of New York. from chlld-
bocd mp, for her beauty She was attired in
cloudllke draperies, OF white gauze, with pearl
ornaments. Madame Stoeckl, OF queenlike
presence, arrayed in white and blue brocade,
feathers and diamonds. looked fit successor
to the famous beauty who last represented the
Russian Empire at On; court, and the new
stars here-Mddame Protestar. 81 Spain in
white tulle and roses, with a splendid stom-
acher of diamonds, and Madame Balreda,
(Peru,) whose beauty is thing of settled fact in
Northern circles, spIendidly dressed in white,
win gold colored trimmings, and glittering
with Observation-Disclosures universal attention
and admiratiOn. IShe .sIeceives' on Tuesday
mornings.l England, Austria. Prussia Swa-
den, Denmark, Italy ana Mexico are not rep
resented here at present by the fair SEX Sonora
Lssboa, OF EraZif. has sailed recently on a visit
10 her native land. The few ladies belonging
to The diplomatic Corps fortunately are capa-
bic OF representing them so we'll that number
is OF small consequence-besides these foreign
bachelors OF distinction may be come victims to
the charms Of American syrens, and some of
them have been before: and perhaps they ara
liked all the better for being (ostensiby) heart
whole and open TO conquest.
The cabinet was represented by the Stewards,
the Chases, aud the Wellps's.
The ''German Cotillion" was danced until
after four, and some OF the guests did not get
home until five o'clock. Quite London hours
these which astonish people of Japcnicadom,
and even those who have long lived abroad.
~JOURNEYMEN STONE CUTTERS beg
u3 u.ar meeting will be held ct the shepherds
Hall street aud Lou aiana avenue over Waite,s