The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-31
Imperial MarrInEe Ball nt the Winter
IDnIRce ut ST. I1eterRburG. ~ ~

The grand ball of the Emperor at the
Winter Palace, says Il foreign letter
writer, was marvel of brillnncy and
splendor. The magnificent saloons of
the palace were in Il blAZeOf light, and
crowded with the nobility of the en-
pire. All who had the right of entree
TO the court, were invited, and not less
than three thousand ladies and gentle
men were present. The ladies, of
course, were richly dressed, and wore
II profusiOn OF diamonds and splendid
jewelry, while the gentlemen were in
full uniform, every style being repre-
serted, from the army and naVy-Cos-
sack, Georgian and all.
Tho Emperor and Empress and tho
Imperial family entered the grand
Nicholns saloon at about half-past nino
O'Clock, the band playing the march
from Taunhauser. The Emperor at
once advanced to the diplomatic corps
and conversed with each of the heads
of Legations, while the Empress mov-
ed about among and received the salu-
tatiOns of the diplomatic body, convers-
ing in tho most atlable manner, and
not emitting TO say Il word to all. While
this was going on, II quadrille set was
formed by tho Imperial family, the
Grand Duchess FGOdOrOwnn and the
Grand Duke Constantine taking the
head. In this set danced the Prince of
Wales, who was dressed in the uni
form OF British General, and wore Il
number of orders and decorations; the
Grand Duke Heriter, in the red uni
form OF his corps, wearing the broad
Gordon OF the order of the Elephant OF
Denmark; the Crown Prince of Dem
mark, in hussar uniform and, in
short, all the Grand Dukes and Ouch
eSseS present were in the first dance,
and entered into it with great spirit.
The Grand Duchess Feodorowna, the
bride, had on magnificent white silk
dress, Ornamented with pearls and dia-
monds. The diadem upon her head
was composed of diamonds and rubies.
Around her neck she wore a splendid
necklace of diamonds of great size and
brillinncy, and one of pearls. She ap-
peared to be in excellent health and
spirits, and danced through the even
ing with great Zest. She danced with
the Prince OF Wales several times du-
ring the evening. All tho ladies of tho
imperial family wore diadems of beau
tiful designs and great splendOr.
Nowhere in the world is the art of
lighting rooms so well known as i'll
RUSSIA, and certainly in the imperial
palace, on great occasions the VerV
acme of success is obtained. No saloon
could have been more brilliantly light
ed than that in which the dancing took
place, and all this was accomplished
without any addition to the teInpera-
ture of the room, rs would have been
the case if gas instead of wax tapers
had been employed. Ten or twelve
immense chandeliers, pyramids of light,
rows of tapers near the ceiling and on
the columns at the side of the room, and
hundreds of tapers in Candelabras on
all sides, shed flood of light upon The
scene, rivaling the raysIOf the MONDAY
sun in brllliancy and sOftneSs. Under
such Il light the splendid toilets of the
/ Indies IN TNtI Of ? I,a
gentlemen, shone to Il great advantage.
At midnight supper was announced
and the Emperor led the way, followed
by the Empress and the Prince ofWales.
After the Imperial family came the
diplomatic corps and the distinguished
strangers, and then the others of the
party, the members of the Court in adj
vance according to rank. The splendid
Sevres ware of the palace was upon the
tables, and great number OF silver or
| naments, artistically embodying Rus
sian scenes and customs. When all the
company were seated, the Emperor, as
is his custom, passed through all the
tables and saw that the guests were en-.
| jOying themselves. After the supper
there was some more dancing, when
the Emperor and the Imperial family
I retired, which was Il signal for the
breaking up of the ball. During the
evening, Gen. Clay set an excellent ex-
ample to the young men of the diplo,
matte corps, by dancing with eminent
| grace and vigor with some of the prin-
cesses. The veteran Schamyl and his
son were present, and seemed to be
| delighted with the occasion. He Mt.
tractcd no little attention, and was gen.
orally the center OF II nUmber of curious
| spectators. l observed Prince Cor.
schakof in conversation with him
| through an interpreter, evidently great
! ly to the old warriors delight.