The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-08

The EXCHANGE H0P.-Ihe mop gwen AT
the Exchange Hotel on Thursday evening
was one of the most brilliant affairs of the
kind that Richmond has ever boasted Of.
For some days past this hop had been the
all-absorbing topic of Richmond society,
and the fact of it's being the inaugural ot
the gay season, gave it peculiar interest.
All preparations were made by the propri-
etors of the hotel and the managing COM
mittec Of young men of our city to make
the affair worthy of the occasion, and their
success was perfect. The evening of the
party had been an1iouSly looked forward
to, and with fears as to the weather, and
Joy was given to many hearts when it came
with clear sky. As glad as they were,
however, the evening had far advanced be-
fore the guests began to arrive, and it
was fully 10 o'clock before the ball
room doors were thrown open. We might
in vain attempt to give an adequate ides u
the brilliancy Of the scene when thie mas
done. To grand march by Hirsc.oels
fine band, the couples marche: in' anu
under the direction of the co'-niitleeMep
formed themselves into set0ior .ne aae aaeyer
Beauty reigned on all si:11s, and va va bv II
the eve rested it wo-.d be dsHS mns;c M
Light and laugh"f, mirthi h.iinaIed % in the
vonth and bears, were aI .,'nsssu S"aa Ia Inc Inc
enjoyment - : tt, the - 3. 9eth the music struck
dancers orc er,a arrasy sssy fitted in blissful
up, ,S;,Iness c5all save the dance. Flushed
foosgeeks AZ smiling faces, merry music,
and % tbs fulfilling of feet, told that the hop
was ). full blast, and every eye seemed
Iisiled up to contribute its portion Of
,aiety to the happy occasion. The dance
continued until near about midnight,
Ghen supper was announced. The couples
gended their way to the dining-room,
where the liberal hands of the proprietors
# the hotel had laid out for them sump-
uous repast. Plenteous faro was there,
nd pleasant and youthful hearts to share
t. The tables groaned with the weight of
.ood things, and the fair ones who crowded
round them seemed able, with their deli
ate appetites, to do but little towards re-
ieving them. But after they had left, the
to provisions and tightening of
he tables was truly astonishing. My! but
ow the gentlemen do slay eatables after
he ladies disappear. Do the ladies do
ikewisei We would like to know.
The scene in the dining-room, while
qually brilliant, was more pleasing than
nat in the ballroom. The chandeliers
he'd full, warm, and comfortable lustre
pom the well-filled tables; the servants
ew from place to place like magic; young
entlemen We'd with each other in their at
,ntions to those who most deserve them
| this world smiling faces beamed on all
des; and the merry laughter Of young
eople rang through the hall (; all mingling
render the scene fascinating and agree
Die. After supper the dancing was re- I
lmed, and kept up until dropping eyelids, {
ale cheeks, faded flowers, and torn dresses |
armed the youthful jewellers that there
as home to return to, and that the hop,
ke the rest Of the good things and plea 5
Tres of this world, must como to speedy :
Id.
This party was one of the most success
1 and brilliant that we have ever wit.
,ssed In this city, and this we may justly 7
tribute to tho kindness and hospitality Of 4
o proprietors Of the hotel and the efi- 8
ency of the committee. These GENTLE :
on had everything most admirably ar
nged, and from the beginning nothing
ant wrong. The universal opinion Of :
ose who were present Is that tho Ex-
lange Hop was grand success, and the !
,pe Of all II that they may only bo spared :
attend another one half 70 pleasant and I
raaahla y