Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-05-19
The Festival Last Evening

The Festival Last Evening.
Not feeling ourself able to do justice to
the splendid festival at the old Nashville
academy on Friday night, we publish,
with much pleasure, the splendid photo
graph of that elegant and fashionable
crowd, from the pen of one Of the most ae-
complished ladies Of Nashville:
And all went merry as a marriage bell"
IL is pleasant to be the chronicler of
bright scenes and successful occasions, and
surely the festival given last evening by
the Ladies of the Parochial Society, for
the benefit of the Church of the Advent,
was an ovation not only gratifying to its
distinguished and noble spirited man.
ayers, but highly creditable to our appre-
ciaiive and pleasure loving community.
The place, the old academy, so fraught
with happy memories and cherished asso-
Citations to many fair daughters of the
south, the season May, with its delicious
sunshine, balmy zephyrs and fragrant flow
ers; the object, rearing a temple to the
glory of the most high all were alike
propitious, and the result was worthy of
each and all. Nashville, so noted for her
luxurious entertainments and delightful
reunions, has seldom witnessed greater
display of fashion, beauty and chivalry,
and will long cherish a pleasing remem-
brance of this church festival. The hall
(the exercise room, echoing in other days
the merry tones of so many youthful
voices, and mirroring such lovely forms
unhappy faces; butalas forsomany years
silent and deserted, was filled with an ele-
CANT andappreciative crowd, and brilliantly
lighted, decorated,with exquisite paintings,
green wreaths and festoons of flowers, re-
minded one of some magic chamber with
er May had summoned her queens from
the bowers of beauty to set her seal on
their claims to empire. Tables loaded with
tempting viands, salads, cakes ice-creams,
Strawberries, sweet meats and cOnhts, were
dispersed throughout the room, and re-
ceiVed their due need of admiration and
patronage. Flower stands, presided over
by Floras "fsir as the roses they twine,"
gave a charming variety to the scene.
There were lemonade stands, coffee stands;
then there was punch table, surrounded
By a crowd of deyotees, attracted, Of course,
not by the punch, though that was pro-
uOutlNNh idhlblNb1B buA ny AllG
Hebes, who dispensed their nectar with the
air of angels, to whom giving is more bless
ed than receiving. Conspicuous among
the fair ones, whose beauty lent such witch
cry to the scene, was the lovely Mi7s E,
whose features,
Soft as the memory of buried love,
And pure as the prayer which childhood watts
above,
seem almost TOO perfect for one of earths
daughters.
Miss c., elegantly coffee, attracted
much attention, not only by her unique
toilet and stylish air, but by her extreme
elegance of manner and conversation.
Miss H, in a charming robe Of lilac
and white, reminded us of some spring
blossom with the morning dew still geming
lie beauty.
Misa W was the centre Of an admit
ring circle, fascinated alike by her wit and
grace, and by
The eye whose dark charm 'twere vain to tell.
But gaze on that of the gazell,
Twill assist thy fancy passing we'll
As large, as languishingly dark
And soul beams forth in every spark.
Miss F, tho she remained but a
short time made pleasing impression.
Miss D, of the Hermitage, fair and
fresh as May roses was much admired.
Miss B, lovely as some poets dream,
Miss McC-- fair and graceful as spring
now-drops
Miss NJ, charming as some eastern
pin.
Miss E, bright as the evening star.
Miss E in a robe according well
with her classic style of brunette :beauty.
Miss H petite and spirited, presided
at the table and dispensed their hospitali-
ties with great ease and elegance.
Mrs Nov 80 gentle and modest in
her simple robe ofblack was much admired
Mrs VS. was as usual agreeable and
witty.
Mrs c., the friend of the poor, dis
pensed gladness wherever she went
Mrs. F, Mrs. NJ, Mrs. R,
who, since the days of Ruth, have
been such successful CLEANERS in the
wheat fields Of Cupid; and from the
admiring crowds that hung bewitched
on their wordsand smiles, we think
that old man Weller's warning words, "be,
ware of widders," have fallen UNDECIDED on
the ears Of Nashville Samivels.
The chiyalry of the city was also ably
represented. The editorial corps by Messrs.
Roberts, Jones, Ward, and Bell. The
disciples Of Esculapius by Drs. b,
M, Nh, M, and others.
Col. s., Mr.. W, DIR. s., won
laurels as managers, and proved them selves
useful as well as highly ornamental. Gen.
| S and Col. F were conspicuous as gal
lants, and verified the words of French wit
an agreeable man, like genuine French
brandy, only improves with time, and
| grows more charming with age. One of
! the most agreeable features of the evening
was the attendance ofseveral United States
officers, mingling pleasantly in the festivi-
ties Of the occasion with their late oppo-
nents in arms. and contributing literally
| 10 the success Of the entertainment We
! trust that this festival will be followed by
many Others equally agreeable and success
ful, and that ere long the ladies of the Pa
rochial Society win behold, as the fruits OF
their pious zeal and generous enterprise,
another temple consecrated 10 the worship
Of the great Creator With such noble
minded and high-spirited ladies in our
midst we need have no fears for the pros
perity OF our'city, and we may feel confident
that, though cruel war may desolate our
beauteous land, and blight and pestilence
chill many brave hearts, the religion OF
l. - oh