The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-02-12
The Matinee Danssu'e on Board The


Monmvch.
There is probably none of our readers but
what have read the Arabian Nights, that
charming series of tales in which the wonders
of the enchanted world are displayed, and have
allowed their Imagination full scope as they
perused the pages filled with descriptions of
scenes such as mortal eyes never beheld. They
can remember how, as children, they curled
themselves up in the corner by the great fire.
place where the huge logs of wood cracked
and sparkled in the generous blaze, and be-
came perfectly obivous to all surroundings as
they were introduced to the magic cavern
which Aladdin found studded with precious
stones, with great heaps of gold on every hand,
the ceiling supported by huge columns of por-
phyry and lapis lazuli. The romance of the
Orient enveloped them with its golden, dreamy
haze and they sighed for the time when, their
own masters and mistresses, they might visit
those far off countries and see for themselves
the wonders that they firmly believed had an
existence, and OF which they thought the hall
had not been told them. As thev grew older
and reason took the place of imagination, the
pleasant illusions of childhood were in great
measure ruthlessly dispelled, but the germ of
these same illusions had taken root too firmly
to be easily eradicated and only required op
portunity to show that it still retained abund
ance of life and vigor.
Yesterday afternoon Capt. Gommerell and
the officers of II. B. NJ. ship Monarch, being
DESTROYS of making some return for the many
Inequalities that had been extended to them
by the officials of the State and citizens of Port
land, gave a matinee dansante on board their
vessel. About five hundred invitations were
issued, including the Governor and heads OF
State Departments, the representatives OF for
eign governments residing in the city, the May
or of Portland and members of the City Gov
eminent with their fam lies, together with
large number of other ladies and gentlemen.
The company of their guests was requested
between the hours of one and six O'Clock in
the afternoon, and the cards of invitation stat
ed that boats would be in readiness at Atlantic
wharf at IL 80 o'clock to convey them on board
the ship.
The day was magnificent one, the first per-
feet winters day that we have enjoyed for the
past fortnight. Not single cloud the size OF
a mans hand dotted the canopy of heaven to
arouse fears that storm might arise before
the sun had fairly set The air was clear and
bracing, and yet not so cold bnt that the snow
at noon melted fast in the streets before the
genial rays of old Sol. In tact not since the
Monarch arrived in the harbor of Portland
have we been blessed with such perfect spec
linen of a New England midwinter day.
For several days previous the matinee had
been general topic of conversation. Every
body who had been invited was eager to attend
"a a matter of course, but there were many
who besitated about going. 1t seemed risky
venture to trust ones self on board a vessel
built entirely of iron on winters day in the
costume of the period. The prudert suggest
ed seeds of consumption" and all that sort oil
thing. But when the time really came we very
much question if prudence was not nuhS ~
the winds, and all who were SO fortunate as "
be included in the list OF Invitations, ola pot
attire themselves in morning toilette and pay
their respects to the officers of the Monarch.
Upon ascending the gangway of the vessel
scene was presented to the eye the like OF
winch we have never before witnessed, and re-
ca'leo vvldly those old Arabian tales of en-
cnantment We have been present at evening
palis gwen aboard of men-ofwar, but we have