The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-10
IHE BALL OF THE FRENCH MINISTER.
Brilliant Assembfage or Fair Women
49, Brave MeA-statesmen and War
men FsRltst a.i- n-~sOisc2les-The


the of the General Of that name WHO was the
companion of Napoleon the First at St. Heona, ana OF
Napoleon the Third when also prisoner OF State
while the Warehouses the daughter of gallant gene
in the old United States army The house now occu-
psd by the French Legation was built and htd up by
W W. Corcoran the banker, and the last pub
lie entertainment given there when his
daughter was married 10 Mr.. Eustis, then a
member of the federal Congress- but afterwards Confede
Secretary OF Legation at Paris 1t Ia spacicu',
aboraely oruamented building, fronting Lafayette
square
Tonight If to impress uponthe guests that this
French festival the carriages rolled in at porte
coer true Partisan style. In front Of the house
there sign Of the gay thrOng within The guests
alghting, were received by servants in full livery,
and escorted through the hal and up the grand
staircase with its bannsers of massive carved oak The
front the second story, used by tho Marquis
his Cabsa de Trdrat set apart as the genemen's
dressing room, where gloves were put on and the
hair brush applied to give the last touch. The
adjacent apartment the the ladies' dressing
room, into which the fair entered in their cocoon
like wrappngs and from which they emerged in the
full glory of evening attire Descending the stair
Gaze again, the guests were shown into the front
drawing room the left of the main hull where stood
the host and hostess
The Marquis attircd in full evening dress, wearing
around his neck the bright scarlet ribbon and decoration
OF Commander Of the Legion Of Honor, while several
other orders graced his breast He is a tall, well made
graceful gentleman and his Partisan politeness
spcuous he received his guests The Marchoness
has already been stated, American by birth and
education. She dress Of white taratan, eabo-
rately trimmed with superb necklace of diamonds and
the cross of some regal Order on her shoulder
The drawing OF the Legation elsso-
in In Whi vrpsts
received threequarer length portraits Of the
present Emperor and of the lovely Empress Eugene,
which were the objects of marked attention. Leading
from the front drawing room is the library which is
fitted with carved oak and not only contains large
collection of standard works. but many rare works
of art, prominent among which is yelled bust.
SO wonderfully executed that it would
that the bust is covered with a white VEIL
Connecting with the library and with the back drawing
room is the dining hall Tonight this is the supper
room and the carved oaken bullets loaded with gas
tronomc wonders Pastries ices and the many palatabIe
delicacies which have made French cooking renowned
the world over, are avshy supplied, with abundance
of rich Burgundy, sparkling Champagne and other wines
of the rrest vintages All the eatables learned are
home productions from the kitchen of the legation
highly appreciated and enjoyed by the guests many
OF whom accustomed to the scanty our Wash
ington hotels.
The drawing rooms the library and the dining hal
on one side Of the main hall of the house On the other
side is Spacious apartment dedicated TO art. II il
lighted from above, and the walls covered with
choice pictures by the first American and European
artists Of generation Al the opposite the door,
in spacions recess, surrounded by flowers stands the
original Greek Slave by Powers A. presiding goddess
for temple gced by the loneliness of the land Above
her gracefully entwned the Stars Stripes and
the trcolorhose glorious ensins that oated over
victories on the two continents
In addition TO these spacious apartments there
Others OF less size. In those fond OF the card
table enjoying their favorite games In another a
host Of politicians were discussing whether not
the President would make further disclosures Of
his policy tomorrow the Virginia delegation.
In another, which evidently the boudor Of the
Warehouses, several couples of young people were
always engaged in earnest conversation neither should
We forget recess in which table graced by
huge punch bowls from which two attendants
rcplcnlshing glasses of compound which appeared &C.
ceptabe 90 all who imbibcd H.
Such another display OF beauty, glare OF Jewels shin.
mer Of silk and satin and wthal u grand crowd and
crush OF crinoline, has been known in Washington
for many day. The generality with which the invita-
tons had been distributed official circles served
render 1t than ordinarily marked and pleasant and
brought together company made up the members of
the House of Representatives, United States Senators
Judges OF the Supreme Court the diplomatic corps and
all the generals aud admirals In Washington oge.
ther with large number Of distinguished officers al a
lower grade from both branches Of the Added
TO these the cions OF many the oldest families OF
New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore.
marked feature the presence OF the osscers Of
the French man ofwsr rAdmrsi dEsiang now at An.
napos They wore The handsome naval uniform of the
empire, with the graceful epauess and the brilliant
Aeca nj h.
veteran boatswain with his broad turned over collar
who appeared 70 take pride IN ,h( gay scene ana VINO
wss well pleased when any Of the passing throng nj.
dressed Few words to him in language Of La Belle
Fane
The guests began assemble about clock though
up TO eleven comparatively few Of the large number in
vted had arrived So admirably had all the minu:e of
arrangements been perfected that although the current
Of gentle folk flowed in more swiftly and unanimously
the hour grew later no one, however much
novice regard TO the evenings programme was at a
moments los how 10 dispose Of himself For the first
two hcun there was nothing especially marked in the
entertainment save n confused tide OF beautiful women
and Their cavaliers - thcy wendell their way
VA and up the grand staircase 10 the retiring rooms
aud later reapppcarcd for presentation 10 the Mar.
aus and Marbioness Mcntholon, who received, has
already been noticed, in the front drawing room i'm.
ncds,ely opposite the base Of the stairway Your
respects paid TO the host and hostess cntcng vista
OF luxury and enjoyment awaited turn which way you
would. Tie special mark and felicity OF this
delightful event undoubtedly result Of the
numbers and variety Of classes through which the
cards OF invitation had been dnused. Here the
majority OF members from both Houses OF Congress,
many OF the Justices Of the supreme Court bench,
our leading Generals and naval ofnccrs dszzhng I
array Of diplomats aud celebrities In every dis.
tingoished walk and position in life. Grave
Senators found themselves talking courtly nonsense
To bcwiichng young LADIES' in the sequestcred
OF an alcoye eminent warriors and stern old scadogs
chatted In knots together and fought many hattie
again by land and sea- foreign and native diplomats