The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-24

IHE SPOISMOOU dUP.-6lCuulOuu IL u
great place for hops, and we will venture
to say that in no city of her size can they
be gotten up in better style or with more
taste. The purity of her society, the ge-
NAL and sociable temperament of her
young people, the kindly disposition of her
hotel proprietors to promote their plea
sure, the gallantry and chivalry of her
young gentlemen, and above all, her great
number Of beautiful and charming ladies,
are all attributes of which she can boast;
and the hop given at the Spotswood last
evening was an occasion upon which they
were well brought forth. Given by Messrs.
Millward & Bro, the liberal proprietors, it
was gotten up under the auspices of the
following-named gentlemen, who consti-
tute the managing committee viz,
Messrs. NJ. J. Dimmock, G. G. Bridges,
James Bridges, S. S. Campbell, G. a. Da-
venport, E. S. Gay, Jr., Philip Haxall,
Robert Jennings, John n. Moore, j. NJ.
McCaw, j. N. Poyner, J. B. Tinsley, Jr.,
John Triplett, G. D. Wise, Peyton Wise,
A. S. Watkins, B. Warwick, and r. G.
White.
At conveniently fashionable hour in
the evening the Spotswood gave signs
of commencing festivities, and grace
full forms enveloped in misty folds of.
white, followed by cavaliers in full
rig, often darkened the ladies' entrance
to the hotel. Nor was it long ere the
handsome bathrooms were well filled with
beings of beauty and youth, and little
feet and big feet were shuffling to the en-
livening strains Of well-played eotiilon.
Music and beauty had begun their spell,
ioy and pleasure had softened all hearts,
and the merry, merry ball was well in mo-
ton. A little later in the evening con-
siderable addition to the crowd was no.
ticeabie, the Ballard House concert having
come to successful conclusion. The
scene was at this point brilliant unto daz-
zling, and to us, non-p participants, interest
ing unto saddeniDg.
The rich gas light struck full upon the
moving throng of glad, busy beings, as
they fitted here and there in the quick
movements of the dance, or moved on
more steadily during the pleasant interim
for the promenade. Eyes sparkled, faces
beamed, tongues ratified, lips quivered, {,
bushes rose and fell, hearts beat, hands
grasped, and, oh! we were beholding.
Cross and back forms glided, round and
round they camo and went. A gentleman
remarks: "You don't say so.' " Ha
ha. ha!" rings in musical feminine tone
in reply. Another, as he dances rather
longer than he ought to, to particular
one in agents to the right" says softly :
"I fear this is true" Reproachfully
comes the answer: "You once trusted
me-" eyes," said the next conner, as he
passed on: He trod on my foot and hurt
it just now; and, by the by, he continued,
spying us: "That's good item for you"
Wretched man that senseless remark
cost you good friend, and us an hour or
so of most pleasing contemplation. We
could stand it no longer. The association
of our haunting trouble, the inevitable
item" with such scene as this was
more than human flesh could endure. We
were compelled to leave the bright scene,
which up to the hour of our going to press
had given no sign Of diminishing in bright.
ness and enjoyment.
A handsome repast was served during
the evening, which was appreciated by
dance-whetted appetites.
The affair was excellently managed, and
passed off most brilliantly. The gentle.
men Of the committee performed their
arduous duties willingly and efficiently
and nothing was left undone to promote
the pleasure of the occasion.
| Messrs. Millward & Brother and their
gentlemanly assistants were always or
hand doing some kind action and render.
ing their guests comfortable.