Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-12-20
For the Journal.
FOT IHG JUWTHAI.
The Commencement Ball at the North
CaroIIna Military Academy.

genius inspire you with an irresistible I'M
pulse to visit the quiet little county OF
Orange, on the 28th OF November ? Ii
it had, you would have been one of the
fortunate participants in the enjoyment OF
the Commencement Ball that closed the
annual session Of the North Carolina Mill
tary Academy.
| You were not at the ball, zee were, and
out of our overlooking and abundant good
ness of heart, Totally unmixed by mali
cious desire to letyou see what you missed,
we propose to give you slight and hastily
prepared sketch Of the ball.
After an arduous session and very credit
BILE examination. the Superintendent Of the
IN. C. N. & P. \ cademy thought that the
cadets would enjoy some agreeable relaxa-
ton. And 'sthe BALI was the consequence,
the exquisite and delightful consequence
OF this thought The weather seemed or
dered for the OCCASION. The night was
clear, cool and star-lighted. The elemen
tai powers that be were evidently propi-
tious to the occasion, and everybody took
advantage of it to turn out and grace the
ball.
The spacious hall was beautifully decor
ated with wreaths and festoons Of ever
greens, whose emerald tint was frightened
by clusters of purple and glowing crimson
berries. Framed in circles of evergreens,
the faces Of some Of those men who make
deathless the fame Of a short lived, but
glorious nationality, looked down upon the
festive scene. Often q dark, bright eye
grew dimmed as it met the grave, thought
full glance Of one of those heroes before
whose matchless deeds the chivalric ex-
PLOTS of the oiden time fade into the merest
nothingness.
Lamps cleaned upon crossed sabres or
were reflected back from the stacks of pol
ished muskets that ornamented the walls,
while in the centre OF the room between
two beautiful green wrcaths, was draped
the cadet flag, presented to the first corps
by the ladies OF Hillsboro' IN 1860.
The ladies were without doubt the pref
test we ever saw, all beautifully dressed.
and testifying no small amount of admira-
ton at the appearance OF the ball, whose
chief ornament they were.
Here and there groups of Cadets in their
tasteful, well-ftting uniform, broke the
Imonotony of the invariabIe broadcloth
evening dress, and enhanced in no small
degree the erect OF the scene.
A fine band Of music wo0ed acc0mpani-
nent OF dancing feet so seductively that
ere many minutes elapsed the floor was
filled with sets We stood aside, looking
with the deepest admiration at the lovely
girls as they whirled in and out Of the
mazes of the dance, and watching the fut
ter of snowy skirts and bright tinted rib
bons; the rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes anil
tiny CATERS that ever and anon, made
tantalizingIy brief exhibit OF themselves.
We have rarely beheld q prettier sight
than the one that graeed the ballroom OH
that suspicious occasion. A beautifully
adorned room, brilliant with light and
beauty, delightful music and happy faces,
all seemed to enjoy themselves to the high
est degree, as we'll they might, where such
elegant hospitality was layished on all by
The ladies OF the institution, and that gal
liant and accomplished gentleman, General
r. f.. Colston. The hours flew with wing
ed feet, and when Ii six-pounder opened its
brazen mouth and summoned us to supper,
we thought the summons had come all too
soon, until we reached the banquet hall
and beheld the elegant and tempting col
lation which was awaiting demolition.
| we are not exactly what 1t Paul would
denominate as "a man given to appetite"
but we DEFY q society Of Grahanaites or any
other ties" who abstain from gustatory
delights, to have beheld those tables with
out breaking their isnS or, at least, hun
gering after the flesh pots Of Egypt"
The tables reminded NE OF the " BGrme-
cidis FEAST" though we were rather more
fortunate than the 9 Barriers Second
Brother for we plunged at once into the
mingled joys OF ham, turkies, clicken-salad,
celery, beef, chickens, pickles, and a few
more things that we are ashamed to men
ton. The table that those dear little bees,
the ladies, clustered around was tempting
in the highest degree. Peoping over
dimpled shoulder We would catch rayishing
| glimpses Of snowy cakes, flashing with
clustres Of crimson berries on looking whittier
under glossy green leaves. Here pyra-
mid of amber jelly whispered sweet moth
ings to a bowl of trife which wore blush
on its creamy cheek. \ lofty stand of am
brasia tried without in the least succeed
ing, to eXhnguish a splendid charlotte russo.
Golden oranges renewed their former
| friendships with their onetime neighbOrs,
the pine apples, and rosy apples tried vainly
to impart some of their own warmth and
coloring to the frosted silver baskets in
which they were reposing.
But why should [ heighten your regret,
Messrs. Editors, by giving you bill OF fare
So will forsake the supper, exquisite as it
| was, eIllSA lollONluS NucIo ICiIty 1ltH3 It-
| turn once more to the ball room. where
we remained enchanted till "the wee smu'
hours Of the night" delighted if not delight
| ing. cali things bright must fade away"
And alas, this ball proved no exception to
| the general memorable rule.
| It came to an end, to our intense regret,
and am sure not one Of the many guests
who gathered there, have single improve
ment to suggest to the affair, except that
| it might have lasted twelve hours longer
Thus family have we outlined 60 the joys
that zee tasted, and you did not, and we
are sorry for you, in consequence We
hope it will be our very good fortune to
attend the next commencement ball Of the
North Carolina Military Academy, an i'll
stitution that is daily growing in usefulness,
popularity, and influence, and bids fair to
become one Of the best in the country,
and deserves the most liberal support. It
is situated in a high, healthy section OF
country, is q large, we'll appointed Academy
with fine officers, splendidly kept mess
table, efficient servants, and, indeed, is
most desirable place to send a boy to. The
present superintendent Gen. +. E. Col
ston, combines all the high-bred courtesy
Ian0 kindness of oantlonoop bo m