The New York herald., 1870-02-04
THE PRINCE AT THE CHARITY BALL.

morning that Prince Arthur would visit the narbor
fortinoations had the effect OF drawing together
yesterday forenoon quite large crowd OF people at
the Custom House wharf, whence 1t became known,
some way or another, that his Royal Highness
would sail for the lower bay,
All the arrangements for the trip were made by
General Mcdowell, the commander OF the Depart
ment of the East. The steamer Minnehanock lay
moored at the wharf awaiting the arrival OF the
Prince ut an early nour, and by ten O'Clock the mo
liked for the departure, all the invited guests with
Ihe exception Of his Royal Highness, had arrived.
They numbered about one hundred ana Atty, ana
among them were General Mcdowell, General Ingalls,
General Morris, General Aspmwal, General Shaler,
Admiral Stringham, Admiral Godon, Colonel Perry
Colonel Hildt and a large number OF the officers
from the various forts, all in fun dress uniforms
The party was an exceedingly select one anu was
made all the more attractive by the presence OF
goodly number OF beautiful young ladies. Indeed,
how General Mcdowell managed to get together SO
many 'belles" at short notice was the subject OF
much comment among the officers ana as he dis.
claimed the charge that he had taken good care to
make selections for the occasion everybody was LETT
to believe that chance, ike q good many other
things, Ia very favorable TO roya atty.
The steamer lay OF the wharf Tor over an hour,
with its brilliant company on board, before there
was any indicat0n OF the arrival OF the Prince.
'.What could have delayed hmr' was tho general
query. Had he finally succumbed to the same fate
as the Irishman whom u c0untrymau once "kiled
with Kindness ~ or had Mr. GrInnell the night
before 80 managed his Royal Hlghness' dishes as
10 make little extra sleep somewhat desirable
Then. again, others suggested that he might pos
strange to say, often do in thus town or ours. In
fact, everybody had 80 questioned everybody else
and offered SO many suggestions to the Princes
delay tnat many were about to give up the idea OF
going on the excursion at all, when shout from the
crowd outside the gate Of the wharf told them that
his Royal Aighness was coming, and In another
moment his carriage drove on 10 the wharf anu he
stepped out, looking as fresh and AZ hearty ever
The moment the carriage came along General
Mcdowell, with his stal made his appearance at
the gang PLANK, and as the Prince and his suite
passed through double line or regular soldiers
(WnO presented arms as his Royal Highnes3 came
along, stepped forward and look him quite cor
lhe crowd on the wharf gave the royal guest
hearty cheer as ne reached the deck, and after
wards tue marine band on board played "God save
the queen, and the British nag hoisted at the
bow. The American cOloTs were then run UP at the
stern, the bano playing meanwhile ''iiail Columbia"
lew moments later The Prluce disappeared from
the upper deck aud made his way 10 the cabin,
where O Devy OF young ladies soon had hun entan.
gled IN the meshes Of their glances, ana until the
boat reached Governors Island they succeeded III
keeping him almost exclusively to themselves.
un pSe aS are ps eo par Nv wus ror. HAM
did all in their power to make their shor. stay
pleasant one. The Prince was conducted through
the grounds aud was shown the guns and every
thing that was OF interest about the place. Fort
Lafayette was not forgotten, and his ltoyal High.
ness was informed OF the uses TO which 1t mad been
put during the war, although 1t Is quite charitable
to suppose that he had heard or tnat terrible uaste
before. Fort Richmond, on the Staten Island shore.
was next visited, ano the party had very pleasant
time or 1t roaming through the Immense fOrtlfca-
and listening TO the explanations OF the officers
US 10 The caiiore of the big guns, the power of the
proJectlles which they could throw and the fate
which awaited any enemy's craft which would pre-
sume, III AN unguarded moment" as one of the
officers expressed 10 run up tO the city with evil
intentions.
Fort Wadsworth aud Port Columbus came next IN
turn, and ~ the latter place, after the party nad in
spected everything thought WORTH inspecting, an
elegant lunch was found awaiting General Mellow
ellis guests The Keen sea breeze, which, IT may be
said was rather TOO Keen on the upper decks OF the
steamer tor those Of the party who mad never been
In the arctic regions-and the Prince was one OF
tnem--had given everybody good appetite. and un-
der the circumstances the eatADe5 and drnkables
were by no means desplsed. inc lunch was very
elegant one, ana the Ike OF IL Fort Columbus prOba-
bly, never saw before.
AZ Fort Wadsworh shortly inter the arrival or the
steamer, and when the company had seen all worth
being seen about the Notifications, review OF the
troops was had They consisted OF five companies
OF the regular artillery and presented splendid ap'
pearance. The Prince, with his suite. passed down
the line during the review, accompanied by General
Mcdowell ana STAT, and was afterwards honored
with marching salute, the troops coming 70
.'carryn on passing where tAe Prince stood.
About three O'Clock The Minnehanock arrived at
the dock on Governors Island and tine party dlsem-
barked. Tncy were received with ali tue honors
and welcomed TO the 'one city" by the Commander
ol the post. Another review was neld here shortly
after the arrival after which the ladies and gentle
men proceeded to the hospital building. The main
room mad been cleared for German, y aad though
not gau1y, wasquite neatly decorated for the occa-
sion. Tne splendid band Of she post was on hand
and in . short time large number OF tho ladies
and gentlemen were whrling In ths maZes or the
dance. 1he Prince was by no means the last to
join the dancers, for few minutes after entering
the room he threw aside his hat and overcOat and
at entered into the spirit OF the occasion with
zest and apparent pleasure that showed
quite plainly that dancing Is not among those
things which he desplSes--tnat is II he despises
anything good He made himself perfectly at home
and danced with as many ladies' as ne possibly
cOuld--Only one at time, be 1t understo0d--wlth.
out allowing himself to be captured by any partlcu-
lar one
The party enjoyed themselves to their hearts, con-
tent IN dancing and prolnenading until about hall
past four O'Clock, when they all adjourned 10 the boat
and IN a few minutes were again alongside the Gus
tom House wharf, large crowd was awaiting the
arrival OF the Prince at The dock. Besides, the long
lue or private carriages winch almost blocked up
the street the staten Island ferry, had attracted
the attention OF passers-oy, who would not other
wise have been aware that his Royal Highness was
expected, and the consequence WAS that W hen the
MmnehanOck steamed up 20 the dock the wharf was
densely crowded along It's full length. The Custom
House barge ONCE stoop was also packed with
eager sight seers, and every window looking out
upon the wharf mad ITS quota OF spectators Before
tue Pfnce stepped OIL the boat hts carriage was
driven directly opposite where the gang plank was
thrown, and double line Of soldiers drew up on
the dock. As he passed between them, accompanied
by General Mcdowell, the soldiers presented arms,
the Prince recognizing the compliment by partially
raising bis hat.
A few minutes afterwards all the rest OF the party
disembarked every one highly pleased with the 90
liehtlul time they had had thanks TO the excellent
arrangements and foresight of Gsneral Mcdowell,
who did wonders towards making the vist,of the
Prince ana the other guests one that they Will not
soon forget.
His Royal Highness, on iessing the wharf, was at
once driven 70 MS hotel wefe he took little rest
his engagement TO dune with that gentleman. Ator
the dinner, accompanied 5y llsutenants Fitzroy cDd
Pickard he weps to W. Academy oil Music to oa
present at the Charity oal,