The New York herald., 1869-01-10
Ball Of the Navnl Academy MT Annapolis,
ra.-Thc Display OF Beauty and Fmshion--
Prominent People Present.

Prominent People Present.
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 2, 1869.
The Naval Academy ball last evening was very
successful aIair. " was given by the first class
cadets, numbering perhaps about ninety, and nap
pening to be this particular occasion the richest
class that came together a. prospec-
rive graduates they were able to expend an
amount Of money that previous classes have
been unable to command, and consequently
their preparations were both elegant aud
elaborate The number OF pretty girls pre-.
sent last evening was unusually large. They
came from all quarters OF the Union and exhibited
very captivating bouquet OF national beauties. IL
appears this rs class Of cadets has been In the habit
OF giving hall the Sth OF January every year, and
the second class have been accustomed TO do the
same on the I'D or February All the male and fe-
male relatives OF the boys at the academy have
made IT practice 10 attend these enterialnmenis
and thus very conviyial time has been enjoyed.
The first class cadets sat themselves to work this
occasion 10 make the best display possible
with the materials at hand. They took and
transformed the interior OF nm old fort into perfect
paradise Of fairies. The roof was lined with blue
and studded with silver stars the sides were orna-
mened in the best artistic STYLE cutlasses and mus
kets being profusely distributed amid a vast quantity
or bunting and everyreens, the whole presenting
very charming tout ensemble. such notices As
these were literally displayed around the walls:--
.Thc Army and Navy our best securiy;" "Grant T. =.
peace;r ~ T. N and A., 1897 sCass Of 1859 knows
no revcrse:v "Unitcd we stand divided we fails"
Don't give NJ the shfp;'' and then In the dressing
rooms and In the supper rooms such foreign notices
these obtained promInence--"Nada que bebar,
but que rqne chose manacr." This amusing IN
scrpti0n extended all around the ociagcnal walls Of
the old fort, immediately above the supper table
In the ladies' dressing rooms there were two very
handsome " nos suggestive Inscriptions over the
mirrors. Above one was the Spanish axiom. "Dios
las Senotns." and above another ''Sans vOus
ren.n The old laboratory was turned into gentle
mans dressing room, few mirrors being provided
for the occasion.
II reflects great credit indeed upon the Committee
OF Preparations nj the head Of which was MIR. Buck
ingllam that through the entire Of the
Ing's enjoyment not u single mshap occurred, ~
everything was go admirably arranged that all the
machinery OF the hall worked like she fabricated
parts OF an engine. The early evening train from
Washington, stopping nj Annapolis Junction. brought
q heavy load OF visitors 10 Annapolis.
About ten O'Clock In the evening II was assumed
ance, but the carriage rolled up to thc front of the
City Hotel empty and noiseless. 10 the dsappoint-
mcnt and modification Of expectant time servers
who waited on the porch.
O'clock The room was very brilliantly lighted, a
triple row OF gas Jets extending around the centre
over fountain, In the centre OF which u figure Of
Neptune crowned with laurels was displayed.
In the promenade with which the ball was opened
Miss Randell, OF Annapolis made striking ngurc
She reminded the spectator OF some OF the Roman
beauties or the captivating bellies OF society In the
reign Of Queen Anne. She wore dress Of white
tulle trimmed with crimson ribbon and slightly Of
fected the Grecian bend. Mrs. Admiral Porter was
dressed In white SILK trimmed with tarntan puIfs
Misc Claude oi baltimore, looked charming m vel
more, carried or the palm for elcyancc OF
attuc. her dress consisting OF white satin
uadciskifi viii, green waist aud pannicr, loopcd