The New York herald., 1869-06-06
THE NAVAL. ACADEMY BALL.
ANNAPOLIS, Nd, June S, 1859.

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ANNAPOLIS, Nd, June s, 1864
The Navs1 Academy bail last night, IN honor OF
Mrs. Porter was brilliant beyond anything OF the
Kind that has ever been given under the same
auspices Distinguished gentlemen from all parts
OF the country and figuring IN every department
of the government were present to add to
rne intellectual character OF the occasion, while
large numbers OF ladies gave It an attractive ele
gance.
THE PREPARATIONS.
Within the dancing hall. the supper room and
IN the grounds outside the arrangements were
muniicent and brilliant Fifteen hundred ships
lanterns red white, blue and green, suspended
from the trees and casting their different colors
upon the surrounding green had strlkngly peculiar
eject Innumerable Chinese lanterns glimmered
here and there among the foliage or hung beauti
ful fest0ons over the paths.
THE BALL ROOM AND SURROUNDINGS.
Reaching the loot of the steps leading to the dane
ing room in Fort Severn the eye first rested upon
pavilion made up OF nags. One hundred
red lanterns were suspended overhead. In
the centre, on the ground was q rustic
fountain, In the middle Of which was q
statue OF Sabrina. BY ascending the steps beneath
q canopy Of nags, was reached the promenade. ..
This extending entirely around the ballroom, was
handsomely decorated in evergreen, with eagles and
shields crossed muskets supporting q wreath Of
cedar, and the yacht America in evergreen leaves.
An ingenious arrangement OF pistols pro-
duced the initials "U. S. N. A." Among
the other devices in cedar or ivy leaf was star
with rays made OF sabres, an admiral's pennant, o
shield, heart and cross sabres.
The ballroom was entered from opposite sides
through two Moorish arches, which exhi-
bited remarkable skill ans taste. The sur
rounding walls were decorated with flags
evergreens, cutasses ana pistols. On the
right, near the orchestra, were two monograms
"U. s. N. A." and sc. A p" In each angle OF the
fort spoony for the lovesick to commu.
ncate their tales OF love. Over each OF these were
appropriate notices as follows:-"Bewarel Bewarel
he's foong thee" ''Spoons who enters here leaves
hope behlnd.n ''lci ron ne parle que d'aiiares
sereuses, and faint heart n'er won faire adye.n
In the centre OF the room was a tropical scene de-
Bigned by Lieutenant Commander Blake. The pil-
lars supporting the cupoo were painted TO resemble
the bark Of the cocoanut tree, and the leaves and
eocoanuts were made OF green paoer In tha can s,u
tire was rustic fountain. To aid the dancers the
floor was We'll waxed.
THE SUPER ROOM.
In the armory, near the fort, and communicating
with when was covered way, the supper tables
tending the entire length OF the hail. The arms and
cutasses standing In racks around the room gave
sufficient Ornamentation to the surrounding walls
MIDsHIPMEN IN CHARGE OF DECORATIONS.
Tne following mldshipmen had special charge of
the decorations under the supervision OF Lieutenant
Commander Francis c. Blake:-Graduating Class
Midshipmen King. stewart Mitchell, Graydon and
Fowler First Class-M -Mldshipmen Kunhardt Auger,
Wight, O'Renly Bull Francis and COBB. Third
Class-Midshipmen Kirkland, Medury, Pamyer and
Schwenk.
ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENT
The President did not reach the ballroom untu
after eleven O'Clock. The distinguished party en-
and Mrs Porter, Admiral Porter and isS'SHs. Mrs..
Grant, Secretary Borie and Mrs. Post
master General Creswel The other prominent
persons present were dropping In at different times.
The band then struck up and the dance was carried
out IN the following order:-
ORDER OF DANCING.
..Quadrllle 6..........-Trois Temps
Polka Redowa 7...................Aria
3......,...Deux Temps .Redowa Waltz
Galop .Galop
GRAND MARCH.
n.......-.--...--..Wa " altz 13.............G German
II. ..Lancers
THE DANCING.
Immediately after the President and suite entered
the ballroom the band struck up for the drst dance
winch was quadrille taking their selections from
La Grand Duchess. At thls point everything was
excitement and expectation Ii had been given out
that the President would lead the first dance.
The distinguished party, however was so numerous
that double set had to be formed In order TO get
them all in. President Grant advanced with Mrs
Admiral Porter upon mis- arm. He was followed by
Admiral Porter with Mrs. President Grant Then
handsome & wife Of the Postmaster General;
E. General SeS1 Nsw Sherman 1O and ns
Randall, a beautiful lady OF Annapolis and General
kicher with Miss Nellie Grant. The party was
unique as II was distinguished. General Sherman
was unquestionaDy the best and the most graceful
dancer among the gentlemen while Mrs. Admiral
Porter eXcelled among the ladies. The President did
not seem 10 be entirely du .jdiL He got bewIdered
and IL kept Mrs. Porter busy leading him through
the figures
NAVAL BREAKDowN.
The Secretary OF the Navy though among the
Oldest ~ the dancers, was as sprghtly the
sprlghtlest lie was as familiar with the intricacles
a dance n with
ment OF the Navy Department. Accidents, however
Will happen with the best dancers. as well as In the
best regulated families The honorable Secretary OF
the Navy was not Tree from them on this occasion.
TIE "mddies," with view TO facilitate the dancing
had the floor OF the ballroom waXed until II was
smooth and as slippery as skating ring.
Their 1.-THE mbs went over 1t like old tars with their
sea legs as tie secretary was about TO lead his
partner forward, 10 salute the opposite couple, ais
foot slipped, and down he went stern foremost Ad-
miral Porter was soon al his side The dance for the
moment was interrupted. The President came 10 the
assistance OF his secretary, and the unfortunate G
Borie soon on his legs again. The incident was
at once serious and comic and was heartily enjoyed
by the young "mddies.m
THE PRESIDENTS TERPsIcHoREAS ABILITIES.
The most bewildered person IN the dance was
the President. Whether II the scruriniz-
Ing gaze Of the multitude, the oppressive
heat OF tie ballroom or the ghost of some state
sion lie never knew when ms turn came. lie
would grasp his partner FIRST by one hand and then
by the other. rs eyes wandered resilessly from
count their mdvements In advance. lie was
continually getting In the way Oi some Of the ladies'
or gentle neu IN the SCI. and wnen he should have
been with his partner he was looking around to find
the place from which he started. HIS awEwardness
was all the more gl9ring when contrasted with the
graceiulne.s ana ease OF General sherman, who was
his ris-dU{S rhe President evidently felt his en-
barrassment aud seemed considerably agtated.
CUEA AND THE UNITED STATES ~ THE DANCE
feature of the bail was the dancing OF the Ger
man" When everything had been arranged Mrs.
Admiral Porter and Miss Lola de Ruiz a young
CuOan OF extraordinary beauty, the daughter
OF Domingo j.. Ruiz, representative here OF
the patriot CuhanA led OIL Miss Ruiz
held IN her hand the Cuban flag, while
hrs. Admiral Porter mad y miniature American nag,
and the two were united the dance opened.
Whether this was symbolic OF the annexation OF
Cuba 20 the United states, or whether II was ony an
incident OF toe dance, makes little difference.
Ruiz was the belle OF the evening. Her
dark eyes and rich, glossy black hair
(penty OF II and AL her own did powerful execution
among the eaiy caparisoned naval officers. she