The New York herald., 1870-01-28

when explain tnas Amelia never got . card as ALL
and mas adopted TINS plan In the hope that MRS.
Thornton, without stopping 10 examine. VIII hur-
riedy turn over the to her maid with dlrecuons
to have new invitations sent to the Catch family.
believe this Catch trick has succeeded already quite
q number OF tines
Now OF course In these letters only give the SUBJ
stance OF what 1 am informed was contained tn
numerous eplstes to the British Minister, MIS- lady
an members OF the Legation.
DO not know, whether or not, Arthur William
Patrick enjoyed perusal OF some OF these missves
but II he did should rather think his Royal Hghness
must have got the idea that there at least
people IN this democratic atmosphere who not only
put their faith In princess but make OF themselves
first class ninnies and noodles, and even wiling
to inper their social standing or the sake OF
rom or talk or q dance with the son OF his maes
tic mother.
The ladies and gentlemen Of them at least
were not so modest az TO c0nfne themselves 10 writ
ten applications. Hundreds OF them. and partlcu-
larry the ladies, made descent on Minister Th0rn-
toms residence aud sought TO importune him and
this afternoon they were pegglng away AT this busi
ness. Some Of them got audiences and rcfusas;
away IN high state OF huiiiness more took theEa-
selves on good-naturedy, bewailing their Ill luck,
but the MlnlsIers family and attaches are not the
only people who were pestered for Invitations.
Everybody supposed to possess the 81 slightest & &C.
quantance or influence with the Thornton6 were
beseged. All the diplomats. Cabinet officers Sena-
tors and leading Representatives felt something IKE
the shock OF earthquake from the rumpilnx
masses OF applicants for favorable consideration.
'Now, Senator, know you can get me ticket II
you only WISH to do So"
please now, Mr. secretary, step little out OF the
way for me tins time. never asked you for anything
before and expect you WIN not refuse me one little
request DO get me ticket"
But my dear Madam have only invitations for
my own fainily.n
ence, anu can't De refused, you know. Mr.. Thorn
ton would never refuse yOu an officer OF the Cabi-
bella ana dear Mary. Pm sure don't know how
IN look at them again II don't get them to the ball.
And then, sucn q flue opportunity You know we
don't have q prince here every day, and our glIls
may be pardoned for being u little foolish"
YES but don't know bus that Mr.. Thornton
would have perfect rignt to refuse me were TO
ask him for tickets"
We'll now, only just try. i'll take the chances OF
refusal. put It all en- me II any unpleasant thing
results from your request.o
You can fancy thousand different conversations
ike the above, but you cannot fancy any That would
be TOO extrayagant lor the reality.
the result OF this great pressure for tickets has
been tnat Mr.. Thornton has considerably overrun
she original figure. Al first he limited the cards 10
500, but tnat was soon exhausted, ana now am In.
iorued at least 800 more have oeen lssned chat 49,
800 IN al. TINS Is big crowd Tor the nail; put we
have not yet got there 10 how II LOOKS, ana this
dlgresslon must be still longer ere we reacn that
point.
THE CARD OF INVITATION
aud the prize tor which all this excitement took
place-for which the contest was SO warm and
very little elther-enclosed In a stylish envelope,
and bearing the not very extraordinary words:-
THE BRITISH MINISTER !
J MRS. rhoasroN 4sR
Masonic Hail. corner Of and Ninth streets on Thurs
$day evening, the eth inst, at hafpast nine O'clock
This card 10 be sivsn @e door.
THIS is what made all the fuster IN our Washington
not having one the deepest rnge OF the ''buesn and
what has Impaired 10 The favored 500 glow Of
pleasurabe exhilaration which win last probably
until somewhere about sunrise TO morrow morning.
On ye haberdashers, naOdtses tail0rs confect0nefs
and headdressers, now much are ye indebted to that
little bit or card!
And now let US turn to another part OF the city.
Jumping into our carriage, we whrl away along
rse' to ann ae latter 70 aaa
where our Jenu pulls up and we are landed IN
the street once more, In front or Masonic Hall,
looking structure, built OF beautiful Seneca reestone
from quarres along The Potomac. While 1t has no
peculiarly striking architectural features. stin IT
imposing. The caps over the windows have the
Masonic symbols, square and compass. hour glass,
plumb level and square. The building is only short
time completed, having been built for the Free
Masons OF the District OF Columbia.
Is the second story and Is aDout 100 feet long by
forty 1eet wide. There q dais eight ten inches
higher than the moor itself ana about lonr eet WIDE
and on which are arranged considerable number
OF seats on which the weary limos or the dancers
dulge not IN the Terpschorean art may behold
the brilliant scene with comfort. At the
and Tas Is r
accommodation Of the President OF the United
States. the Prince, Mr. and Mrs. Thornton and such
other distinguished persOnages as may be specially
invited to this porllOn OF the hail. AT the western
end the main entrance, over which Is loft Tor the
OF the orchestra.
THE DECORATIONS
deserve little word OF mention. They were not |
extensive but they were chaste and tasteful, got
up by Mrs Thornton herself, aided by Con- |
mander Breeze, Lieutenants Turnsull and Cults, |
OF the navy; General Woodhouse aud Messrs.
Seaton, Monroe ana hamilton Fish, Jr. The deco.
ratons arranged to harmonize as near as pos
sbie with the peculiar c0ors Of the walls which
have mild tint OF purple, while the ceiling displays
heavy moulding with ornamental oval IN It's CEN
tre On the eastern wall IN the centre, were the
American and British ensigns blended, the Amerl-
left centre. Around the hall were the flags OF all
nations, arranged in festoons over the windows.
with reference color aud not national rank. Fes
toons and wreaths OF Ivy, laurel and cedar were
also Intermlnged with the flags.
THE CROWDS OUTSIDE.
Outside OF the building there is now gathered an
immense crowd OF people, wistiuly gazing at the |
entrance ana WIN aGeS LAO yay ana
there to ENJOY the pleasure OF seeing the
more fortunate arrive IN their carriages and sweep
there 10 critlcse the TOILETS to admire or condemn
the general make up Of the invited, to witness the
Prince's and Presidents arrivals and 10 every
thing OF interest tnat may transpire on the
sidewalk or in the hallway OF the building.
Members Of the Brass and Catch families are
IN strong force to indulge their spite for having
failed by all their clever tricks and devices TO OBJ
tam cards Of invitation. The Brasses and Catches
take out their revenge In vinegared remarks and
CRITICISMS upon all the ball people, and particularly
upon those who had anything to do with the ar
rangements. Araninta says, as she sees some lady
IYut af af,,l
ihing. Did you ever see such irighta Was there
ever such 0utiandish taste In dress and such sans
ACCORD c0l0rsf" Charles observed some OF gentle.
man passing into the hall with ladies,
There Is that insunerabie snOb Jobkns.
1hal's the sort invited here, while you and are
forgotten-w0rse still, refused point blank, by these
Britlshersp "Nh0 the deuce are those queer people,
W." remarks the paternat Brass peer1ng
through his glasses at q group OF elegantly dressed
and decidedly respectable looking people. al never
saw them beore--did you, Charley 4" Charles says,
"So; he'd be frozen then and there II he even heard
or saw the creatures before" 'Now, how under
the sun did lnat fellow brlck-soap the Tnorntons
into giving him ticket Just look az him, Au-
lt..~