Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1870-02-23
GGIETY AND FESTWITY
HEGRAND BALLAST NIGHT
Masonic Hall Crowded with 1.-THE
Youth, Beauty and Fashion -
Of Washington. $50
A GRAND CEs s.

Some weeks ago d number OF our more
prominent merchants conceived the idea Of
properly celebrating the anniversary Of tho
birth Of the Father Of his Country, and amer
an exchange Of views 1t was decided that
grand ball should be given In the beautiful
hall Of the new Masonic temple.
An energetic committee Of arrangements,
headed by Alexander r. Shepherd, esq, was
appointed, with power to appoint sub.com
mittecs from among their number. 1t was
also agreed that each Of the business men
subscribing should have the privilege Of
presenting one ticket to such friends as he
might select.
Special Invitations were Issued to tho Pres
ldent and Vice President OF the United States,
| Cabinet officers, Senators, and other dlatin-
guishod gentlemen.
THE BALL ROOM.
The splendid hall on the second aoor Of
the Masonic Temple which had been SO.
lected as the ball room for the grand event
last night, presented beautiful scene. The
subcommittee on decorations consisting OF
Messrs. VIM. II. Baldwin, W. D. WyVill and
Adolph Chess had ably fulfilled their trust,
and the decorations were, II possible, more
elaborate than those arranged for the ball
given In honor Of Prince Arthur at the same
hall.
BY a special order from Secretary Robe.
son, the navy yard supplied iunumerablC
flags and streamers OF all nations, and these
were used with great skill and taste. Very
many OF our more prominent citizens had
placed at the disposal OF the committee the
contents Of their private galleries, and the
gentlemen In charge had selected with car,
portraits OF eminent men with which tC
deck the hall.
The Tags werc beautifully fastened around
the walls with trimmings and wreSths oil
evergreen.
At the upper end OF the hall was placed q
raised platform, furnished with handsome
lounges and easy ehRlrs, intended for the
use OF the President aud the guests OF tht
Cabinet. Over this platform was hung Q
magnificent full length portrait OF Wash
ington, from the gallery Of W. W. Corco
ran, ESQ.,, on one side Of the centre Of THU
portrait was placed an oval portrait Of tn,
late President Lincoln, from the gallery o.
Gen. o. o. Howard; on the other an oVa
Of President Grant, from the gallery o
Henry D. Cook, esq.
On either side OF the central figure o
Washington wero full-length portraits o.
jackson aud Clay-the ilrst from Mr.. Cor
coran, and the other from the City Hall, b.
permission OF the Councils. On the north
side OF the hall was Ksufman's great picture
Of Admiral Farragut rs he appeared dashed
10 the rigging Of the Hartford as he passed
Fort Morgan. The picture bore a card bear
ing the words Of tho Admiral on that occa,
sloni Damn the torpedoes-go ahead"
Opposite this painting, on the south side oil
the hall, was Healey's full-length portrait oil
Gen. Sherman, loaned by the General.
Around the walls on the north aud Iouil
were hung oval portraits OF the following
Generals RaWllns aud Bowers, loaned b,
President Grant; Hon. Z. NJ. Stanton
loaned by Gen. Eklni Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan
, loaned by Mr.. Cookei Chief Justice Chase
Ben. Franklin and Thomas Wentworth, on
Of the eldest settlers Of South Carolina
loaned by Mr.. Barlow the artist.
At the west end OF the hall and under tn
music gallery was suspended the medallion
"Tho American TTlumViri," presented I,
Mrs. Grant by Secretary Borie, and loanet
by that lady. The frames OF all these pic
lures wero handsomely trimmed with Amerl
can, intertwlned with those Of nearly ever,
foreign nation.
OTHER ROOMS.
In the basement were rooms for the us
aud refreshment VI the committee OF ar
Engagements. Adjoining this were III
punch, smoking and card rooms. On tn
third floor were reception and card rooms.
, The hat and cloak rooms were In charK
Of Messrs. Bailey, Proctor and Clark, an
their arrangements were go complete as l.
, give universal satisfaction.
The supper-room was In charge of Johl
Welcker, who had formed the tables In
| shape, which, as set by the artist caterer
presented very inviting appearance.
About y O'Clock tie Etests uegau " arm,
and wero met at the door by gentleman
keeper and Detective James A. McDeVitt
who had at the special request OF tho com
: mlttee Of arrangements been detailed TO b
present. Handing their tickets TO the door
keeper the guests proceeded TO the head o
the stairs, where tho reception commltte
7 welcomed all and escorted them to the sew
eral cloak rooms. Passing into the ball
, room q brilliant scene was witnessed ami
\ the glare Of the gas-llght. Shortly amer
: O'Clock the orchestra, under the leadershl
; Of Louis Weber. played grand march, tn
. floor committee took charge Of the floor, an
4 the order Of dancing began. Tho folloWin
a was the