The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-02-12

| rarely been so much impressed as we were yes
terday afternoon. The entire quarterback
/ e". bracipg that part of the vessel ait of the
! gaLIw way had been entirely covered over with
| double thicknesses of canvass, and the ceiling
| and sides draped with the flags of all nations
With nice eye to effect the decorator had SO
arranged the drapery that red and yellow were
the prominent colors, through which the rays
of the sun penetrating iiffused soft, pleas
ing light that most admirably suited the COM
plexion Of the ladies', lie the light that shines
through the stained glass windows of churches
and cathedrals. The appearance of the shin
on deck was that of the interior of an immense
marquee. Over the skylights flags and cush.
ions had been arranged, forn ing elegant ex-
tempore divans, while an abundance of chairs
placed along the sides gave ample opportunity
for rest to those who tired of dancing. The
bridge was also elegantly draped with flags,
and In the centre an immense star was formed
OF brilliant bayonets and cutlasses, which gave
an artistic finish to the whole. upon Inc
bridge the ships band of sixteen pieces were
stationed, and each dance was announced py
printed card suspended from the centre OF the
bridge. To our eve one of the most pleasing
beauties of the whole affair was the officers
hurricane deck" ii we may use the term lub-
berly as it may sound to nautical ears, from
which an hundred eager pair of eyes, belong
ing to the blue jackets" gazed down upon
the brilliant scene of elegantly dressed ladies,
gallant officers in foil uniform, and civilians in
their dark coats, dancing and promenadipg be-
low.
The after cabin was used as a cloak room
and in the passage directly in front was set a
table, where hot tea and coffee, either aoir or
an lait, was continually served to those who
desired to partake. The marine barracks had
been cleared and were used as the lunch rooms
Tor the occasion. And such lunch! We
have all heard of English hospitality. Dick
ems has made US too familiar with that ever to
forget it. But We think no one present had
any conception of the real thing until they
tested it yesterday afternoon. Long tables
were spread lengthwise of the apartment, load
ell down with the most delicious edibles and
little entremetS that fairly melted in the mouth,
and tickled the palate of many an epicure. And
yet that magnificent lunch was wholly prepar-
ed on board the vessel and was the work of the
ships chef du cuisine, Mr. Hagh-who has
been in the service twenty-iour years-assisted
by competent staff.
The matinee opened with "The Star SpaIg-
led Banner" by the band, followed by God
Save the Queen" The ball was then consid-
cred fairly opened, and from that hour till the
close polka succeeded waltz, and galop polka,
and so ON until the twenty-irst dance was
reached, which ended the list, and breathless,
tired, but with a, "oh! so delightful" ana
such magnificent time" the fair guests
sought the boats which conveyed them back
from dream of paradise to the matter of FACT
external world. And the music how delicious
it was. Those clarionets and horns how me-
odious, and what time and tune! We had no
idea that the band was such fine one from
the few times we had listened 10 it, but yester-
day afternoon it was enough for us to get on
The starboard quarter and drink in the melodi- |
GUS strains as we watched the bright scene be-
fore us, where the rich coors of silks and vel
vets intermingled and blended with the gay
uniforms and sombre dress coats.