The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-09-01
FROM THE SPRINGS.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch
The Rockbridge Alum Masquerade-Gand
Display of Beauty, Taste, and Fashion,
The Costumes and their WedrerS.
RoCKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS, !

August %, 1868.
The second grand bal masque of the pre-
sent season came off with great fcldt last
night, and was attended by large number
of guests besides the merry masqueraders
and other dancers. Indeed tbs ballroom
was so crowded that the movements of those
who essayed to "trip the light fantastic
toe" were frequently rather embarrassed
but their enjoyment was by no means Sc
riously married.
AS the ladies are always interested IN
these things, I send you my notes OF the
characters and costumes assumed on TINS
festive occasion. "Night," sable goddess,
was represented by Mrs. Judge Brooks, OF
Selma, Ala, superbly attired in black, with
an illusion veil dotted with twinkllng stars,
and a coronet of gold upon her brow. Miss
L., of Leesburg, as Jeanne Deans" ap-
reared in q plaid skirt and blue plaid
Jacket, plaid sash across the shoulders, hose
strapped high, and high boots with red
heels: her hair was beautifully plated, and
q iaunty Scotch cap added no little to her
attractive appearance. Miss NJ. B. F., of
Lexington, Va, beautiful blonde, capti-
waited the spectators in the new character OF
"Moonlight on the Lake" her dress was
an elegant light silk trimmed exquisitely
with white Clune lace, pearl necklace and
earrings, and cluster of pearls. above
her marble brow. Miss A. NJ. s., a lively
belle of Chicago, appeared as g La File
dn Regiment" in charming short
white dress trimmed with red, and
bore at her side brace Of pistols, not
half so dangerous as her eyes; small
cap, tastefully set, gave her quite the air Of
the ideal pretty " viyandiere." The Misses
H., of Mobile, one in white dress trimmed
with green, represented "Spring"; the
other, exquisitely dressed with diamonds,
a"Young Graduate" Miss Kate B., who has
enraptured this correspondent and every
body else, no less by her charming voice than
by her sweet face, was appropriately and
tastefully costumed as " The White Rose"
bringing to the mind Tennyson's "Queen
Rose of the Rosebud Garden of Girls" Miss
S., of Mobile, a fascinating Flower-Girl''-
white dress with pink flowers. Miss n. B.,
of Rockbridge, as Pocahontas," wore q
red flannel dress trimmed with rare
feathers, gay blanket thrown carelessly
over one shoulder, her flowing locks crown
ed by turban of feathers. This charac-
ter, with her attendant, :" John Rolf" DIR.
Noel, of Baltimore, in the Court style of
the seventeenth century, attracted general
admiration. Miss Emma F., of Rock Alum,
as the May Queen" wore white dress
trimmed with flowers, and made faithful
representation of the character.
But ! fear | am trespassing too much on
your valuable space, and must be brief in
what follows. Other admired characters
were Evening STAR" Miss c., of New
ark, N, j.; "Simplicity," Mrs. G. B., of
Nashville "Flora McFlimsey" livery
fne), Mrs. D., of Richmond "Fairy,"
Miss B., of Alabama; " Lady of the Lake,"
Miss S., of Orange county; "First Rose Of
Spring." Miss R. Flower-Girl," Miss S.,
of Stanton; "Gipsy Girl" Miss j., of
surry "Marquise," Mrs. Arthur B., Of
St. Louis, in an elegant trailing dress of
green silk, trimmed with point applique
lace, tiara of pearls, and other pearl orna-
ments.
The gentlemen: J. f. E., of Staunton,
Biddy O'Brien"; J. A. F., Old Man at
Home-Young Wife ABSENT; w. H. S., of
Richmond, Yankee Sehoolmarm u; R. E.
F., of Lexington, " Mickey Free -; c. J. A.,
of Richmond, Highland Laddie" W.A.F.,
7. W. P, of Richmond, and w. McC., mem
bers Of the "Kuklux Khan y; ". C. s., of
Lexington, "Carpet-bagger -; c. E. and
J. F. P, Of Lexington, " Sombre Youths y;
DR.. B., Of st. Louis, and Mr.. G., of New
York, " LADIES' Men," ]. NJ. a. B., of
Mason, W. Va, infatuated Lover" Cap
tain NJ. of Richmond, and Captain P, Peters
burg, assistant professors Virginia Military
Institute, with cadets, were not In costume,
but entered with spirit into the amusements
of the evening.
After the dancing, the whole company
partook Of handsome collation., at the invi-
iation of the proprietors of the springs, pro-
vided through that prince of caterers jolly