The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-31
SUMMER RESORTS.


Grand Bal Masque at tho White Sulphur
Springs-Social Reconstruction Of the COun-
try-The Bellies of New York, Indiana, Ohio,
Virginia, Maryland South Carolina and
Louisiana En- Costume.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, Va, August 49, 1858.
The second grand mask ball at the Greenbrier
White Sulphur Springs, given by Messrs. Peyton
Co. in compliment to their guests, of last even
ing Due announcement Of the event had been made
through the public prints and by handbills distribu
ted throughout the country. The previous ball had
been so great O success that while the bellies
and beaux were a-tiptoe with eager expectation,
the grave and reverend seignors shook their
sagacious heads doubtingly and many ventured to
predict failure. Occurrences Of this character and
magnitude have heretofore been 80 rare at the water
ing places of Virginia. and the once plenteous
purses Of the Southern nabobs have been depleted
by desolatIng war; that repetition of BAL npasQue
on grand scale was deemed o Utopian expert
ment. +" -f~
For days beforehand the busy note Of preparation
had sounded. Quietly, but actively, the work went
on in the vast apartments Of the cuisine. COS
tuner from Baltimore was promptly on hand with
brilliant array Of fancy dresses. In addition to these
hired costumes large number Of rlcner and
more brilliant ones had been specially ordered
from the Northern cities As the great day
drew near vehicles began to pour in from
the border counties Of Virginia and West Virginia;
additional stages laden to the utmost and topping
over with Saratoga trunks, dashed down the lawn
from the neighboring watering places almost every
hour OF the day; special express trains brought
visitors representing the wealth. the intelligence and
elegance OF all that section Of the country from the
District of Columbia to the Carolina line so that the
mammoth hotel on the evening before the night Of
the ball presented OF life. exciting animation
and busting activity and confusion which could only
be caualled by New York hotel during the session
OF the National Democratic Convention.
Precisely at halfpast eight O'Clock, the appointed
Grand March from "Fausr'-the signal that the
bail was about to commence. Already the wide
porticoes surrounding the ball room were crowded
with an indescribable mass Of human beings
surgng to and fro, as now and then fair
elbowed their way with difficulty to the door. From
hundreds Of cottage doors swung suddenly open the
light Mashed forth, disclosing for moment the forms
OF the maskers who are soon lost In the shades Of
the ancient oaks and towering eims. And now the
smooth paths OF the lawn are dotted with groups OF
curious figures half revealed and half concealed by
the misty silver light OF the August moon, as they
wend their way gayy TO the brilliantly Illuminated
centre of attraction Lightly they trip up the steps;
quickly as the thronging tide OF gazers will permit
they glide into the ball room. by half-past nine
O'Clock nearly two hundred 'maskers" and nearly
Of space had Its occupant and the very windows
darkened with spectators from the outside all eager
to get glimpse OF the splendid assembly within:
not participate in the dance to move to the WALL but
they held their ground as II enchanted by the piano.
rama OF life and beauty which moved In picturesque
variety before their delighted vision. Saratoga and
Long Branch were completely collapsed, and your
usually unimpressible correspondent, In common
with other New Workers. was amazed at the extent,
the variety and the magniecence OF the display.
lon ana wealth Of the three grand divisions Of our
common country were so tremendously mingledS
Would that their political elements could blend In
tth. ,t.,tta Gtats nj
But who are they who come this ways IT'S tho |
Queen OF Night, Miss Ellie O. Hoyt, OF New York, |
leaning the arm Of Gustave Toutant Beauregsrd.
Following in the rear is Miss Anna J. Davidson, |
another daughter OF the Empire state, arrayei 10 |
the Republican court costume OF Lady Washing
York city, surrounded by cavaliers from Maryland, |
virginia and South Carolina Dressed IN rich plain
Moving through the dance with . grace and elias:
ITCHY emnently her own, we see Miss Sargent, Of |
as g, her ana little
high arched nstep OF her little foot impart an indie.
scribabe charm, OF which her pretty, piquant face
stands not IN need Miss Taylor, OF Philadelphia Is
clad in rich coored SILK dress with an ample |
trains 1t is trimmed with point lace her ornaments |
as the White Lady OF Avenel, "folly,r and |
o Scotch assie, radiant trio. Miss Horton, OF |
Georgetown very pretty young sdy appears "a. as
sonated the "Mad OF the Mist" Mrs. Dr. May, OF |
Washington, dressed in gray silk, solitaire diamond
more as the 'Greek Gir - was dressed superbly in
scarlet and blue satin with an exquisite Greek cap,
scarlet satin boots and magnificent full set OF |
camcos pearls and diamonds. Her sister, MISS Mary
Thomas. as a "German peasant wore satin skirts |
Of bright colors and all the ornaments that the
character admits OF. Miss Halsey, OF Virginia,
in black velvet, with Mary STUART cap and
ruff, "Mary, Queen OF Scocs," presented
the most regal and beautiful figure or the
evening Miss Anderson, daughter OF Joseph X. |
Anderson, OF Richmond, attired IN white satin skirt
life the French Marquise. Mrs. Huger, OF Mobile,
one Of the most beautiful women In the South was
dressed In flowing white silk, trimmed win DiacK
lace. The toilet OF Mrs. Edward shin, OF New or
leans was dark blue satin, with trall the entlre
skirt covered with two very deep nounces OF brus
sells lace low coraare and diamond pendant brooch
cincture OF blue satin trimmed with pearls and Lace
coiIure a pEmperatrice and hair powdered with
cod Miss buchanan, Of Kentucky pink MORE
antique, with point lace; diamonds. The daughter
OF n. Echols, as spanish lady, was dressed very
handsomely. Miss Fontaine, OF virginia GYPSY
attracting much attention. MISS Brent or
Baltimorc Persian girl, was more correctly
dressed than any lady In the room. Mrs Henry
smith, of Baltimore, Italian peasant MISS Frazer.
q very great beauty Bayader MIS- Iriplett, the
belle OF Richmond, Undine--pretty Miss Harrison.
of West Virginia was splendidly dressed as the En-
cbantress General Lee escorted her during thu,
evening. Miss Maury, Of Richmond File Gu iEi-
mcnt Miss icrndon, OF Richmond, appetJred az
Folly Miss Bragn, OF New Orleans French peasant
grlvery sweet. MISS merkle OF wnsn ny on ID. O..
The Reapcr--captivating. The lovely daughters OF
MIR. A. H. IT.. Stuart were present In hlournlng
The wife OF Governor Plckens dressed IN white.
Miss Mason, OF Richmond, as the Wood
Nymph looked charming. Tue widow OF
General Cinch, OF south Carol.nay a. stately
lady, attracted much attention.. mNs Ion Crest. OF
baltimore, IN court costume very Vcoming. Mrs.