The New York herald., 1869-04-11
NAVAL ACADEMY BALL.

...a.uce-Brilliau Decoration-Ap.
.. or the Ladies' and Gentlemen-
m. Dresses-Belie of the Evening-The
D.ueing-A Pleasant Affair Altogether.
ANNAPOLIS April 10. 1859.
The ball of the second class midshipmen OF the
United States Naval Academy passed on last nieu'
with triumphant success. The attendance was just
large enough to make every person present feel sat
ned and delighted There was no crowding for place.
no effort to move in promenade There were ia "
tendance about 500 ladies and gentlemen.
The gnests were rather late in arriving, owing to
number missing the regular train. These took
later train to Annapolis junction, where they were
met py a few extra cars which brought them 10 this
cty by half past nine in the evening.
It was fully ten o'clock before the first couple
entered the ballroom. From this time the guests
kept arriving very rapidly. BY nalf-past ten, when
the band struck up the overture the ballroom was
very well filed.
The spectacle presented was both interesting and
brilliant. The elegant decorations OF the hail. u'
minated by over a thousand gas jets, had charin'
ing effect and elected the admiring remark OF every
one present. In the centre OF the room Iountaiu
had been erected, throwing out innumerable ltte
streams of water. The basin was aftistcaily ueco-
rated with flowers and number Gi gOu @ si seci
Models Of the lronsides and Aiantonomoh also
noated in the basin.
"A
''mddies'' selected their par tners Tor galop Inis
opened the evening: At half-past one tue grana rs
march for supper had been reached. ne , ~
tired to the supper room which was formed OUT oI
the parapet OF the old fort. Tne eataDies wers & -,
great abundance and pleasing variety a. Dg snma n~o
O'c ock guests were ready TO resume tne aahve,
the German being the next in order. This was led
or by the galop composed and dedIca.eu !" The rhe
class OF '7O by Miss Sallie Stuart OF DetroiL Inc
music was very creditabe, and by way oil proper
appreciation OF the piece there was large turn OUT
The German was led by Mdshipmcn Dillingham;
and Kilburn. Miss Phebe Claude. with becoming
grace and beauty, led on the part of the ladies.
The ladies and gentlemen assembled, III point OF
personal appearance and elegance OF attire, formed
brilliant party. Vice Admiral Porter III tne Iuii
dress uniform OF his rank, and MIS- P9rter aa.,eu %
in blue silk with train, particularly the centre
OF observation, and wherever they moved haa
circle OF ladies and gentlemen about them. MsS
Ellen Porter, the youngest daughter OF the Aohiral
about twelve years OF age, was very appropriately
dressed IN white, with wide sash OF blue ripDon
upon the ends OF which were worked two anchors
Snsnended upOn her sash she also wore q large
silver anchor ana cable. Misses Sailie ana Maggie
Bailey daughters OF Admiral Bailey, also received
much attention from number OF admrlng young
galants The former wore white tarletan, WIN
red silk pannier. Miss Maggie was ciarmlngLy at-
tired IN blue silk, with lace pannler ana pearl orna
ments. Mrs. General.Augur wore blue SIX ana
her daughter, Miss Jennie, was tasteuliy attlred IN
white tule. Miss Kate Dodge. OF Georgetown, quite
belle with the midshipmen, was dressed In yeHow
tue, with ribbon trimming 10 match. IL would DC
impossible 10 enunerate the beauty and fashion re-
presented on the foor The belle OF the evening was
Mrs Wales bride. Her beauty was exquisite and
her graceful form attracted ali eyes.
OWING 10 the pressure Of public business there
were no officials of the government present. There
was quite turn out OF civilians from Washington.
Baltimore and Philadelphia. Nearly all the officers
OF the Academy and the ships lying here were pres
ent IN full UNIFORM and added greatly TO the bril-
lancy OF the occasion
The music was furnished by the Academy band,
led by Professor Schor
Most OF the guests living abroad remained IN the
ballroom until daylight THIS morning when thep left
Immediately for breakfast at the hotel and thence TO
the depot.
Too much cannot be said in favor OF frequent oc-
currence OF social entertainments OF this character
though probably on a less munl1cent scale. The re-
fined manners, cultivated conversation and graceful
movements OF the midshpmen were emil
nentiy striking. These indications show the
gentleman and 1t Is such we need as our
naval representatives in refined circles abroad.
Captain \. B. Harrison, who is commandment OF mid
shipmen has every reason to feel proud or the gal
liant youngigentiemen entrusted 10 him for the proper
training in the discipline and art Of true seaman
ship
Admiral Porter has done everything to bring the
Academy TO It's present standard OF excellence. AS
Superintendent OF the Academy he has introduced
many new rules which have had a beneficial effect.
HIS administration is lenient and accompishes rar
more than the stern discipline OF former days which
could have no other effect than to warp the facul
ties OF the young mind by subjecting u 20 sort Of
tyranny entirely unnecessary and injurious,