The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-11

conducted in the most recherche manner and only
the selected few could procure entire to the
supper room. Meanwhile the other gnests
we're struggling to find amusement in prone.
naoing larooeh the corridors or entering
into the enjoyment Of the dance in the four upper
rooms which had been set apart for that purpose.
To preserve due observance of the programme
Of the evening telegraph wires were extended
through the several apartments to MAINTAIN 10 the
widely separated rooms the same order In music
and dsncing. Ii is nearly impossible to describe
with any justice the magniicence of the scene at
IL O'Clock, when the bali was az its height. The
immense number OF handsome costumes present.
and the display Of style and fashion was greater
than was ever before seen in Washington. There
were the brilliant full dress toettes of every
variety, while Mrs. Shoddy's diamonds shone with
fullest lustre on this to her, triumphant OCCASION
Uniforms Of the army, the navy, aud the rich
court costumes of foreign legations mingled 10
brilliant confusion with the throng, while the
gentler sex seem to have for this once INDUCED in
the widest extravaganza which the fertile imagi
nations OF Washington modistes could conceive.
The whole scene at this time was one of light and
life. and beauty, and it was only time after.
ward that discord and confusion interfered to
spoil the harmony.
An amusing episode was furnished in the actions
OF Horace Greeley, who in some way found him.
sell 30 far out of his sphere and the center of a
crushing circle of crinoline. and inextricably
Jammed against the eide of the staircase by his
fair captors. The Tribune philosopher stood
with very good grace. however. aud did not
swear once until later in the evening, when his
white coat was not to be found, and then he did
swear-Dot very prettily or politely, but with
most terrific emphasis which lef. no doubt that
horace was for once in earnest. He was not alone
in bis discomfture, however, for most distress.
ing scene occurred when the immense throng re-
paired 10 the check rooms to procure their ARTICLES
Oh clothing. Confusion worse than confOuuded
succeeded this irrupton. and so poor were the
anane emenis for returning hats. cloaks. etc.. to
81 n I'd nGE hat
the building until daylight peeped in at the win
dows. stroll through the different rooms az
that early hour showed as discouraged and dis.
gusted collection of fair ones as ever came to-
gether from the fashionable world or elsewhere
Tired out from over exertion in the dancing
rooms or weary with the effort necessary to force
their way through the crowded corridors hundreds
of the ladies lay at full length in silk and satin
robes upon the floors of any of the rooms of
which they could avail themsei, es.
Their escorts were meanwhile vainly engaged
10 making charge upon the cloak rooms for the
wrappiDgs indispensable TO the thinly clad fash
ionaoles before they would dare to venture out
into the nppiDg night air. The greatest excite
ment prevailed when it was discovered that the
clothing was mixed beyond possibility OF separa-
ton, and some of the exqusites appeared most
comfortess as they issued out of the building,
minus hats, overcoats and shawls. Somebody has
certainly made handsome haul in the clothing
lire, and the hat and clothing stores are doing a
faRoue business this morhing.
The character of the assemblage was necessa.
riy. from the indiscrminste sale of tickets of the
most promiscuous and brilliant. only its display
OF fashion and wealth. A notorious leader of the
demi-monde Haunted her colors through the "a.
looms, while lobbyists Of doubtful reputation and
gentlemen Of the sporting fraternity did honor to
the occasion. Take it all in all, if crowd il
success, the Inauguration ball was eminently sue.
ccssfnl; and the thousands who came merely TO
say that they had attended it, are doubtless
satisfied with the result of it, although it was 50
disastrous to their wrappngs. OF the whole
subject, the prevailing impression is that no one
regrets that il is over. uELrA