New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-28
PRINCE ARTHUR.
TIE GRAND B1LL AT WASHINGTON.

TIE GRAND BlLL AT WASHINGTON
TlE PRESIDENT AND CABINET PRIStNT-LARGE
ATTENDANCE or FOREIGN DIPLOMATS AND
GEESsNlN-PEINCE ARTHUR AND MRS.
GRANT OPEN THE DANCING.
NAsHiNCTON, Jan. 21.-Thc wIiirl and futtcr
OF excitement Prince ArihuG's visit eliminated to-
night IN the ball given by iir and Mrs Thornton. at the
Masonic Hail. al entertainment which has been for many
days the subject OF most anxious social expectation aud
for the privilege Of participating which dexter
Gus diplomacy has been exercised than the foreign rels
tons OF an entire Presidential term would demand In
addition 10 the 100 requisite and inevitable guests some
900 others TO be selected and the struggles of the
past week for enrolment among this favored number
have been persistent and resOue. say heroic.
as any which history records
Now that the brief Is among the things OF the
past the familiar question doubtless arises in the minds
OF many whether it worth while going through so
much to gain little, for While the ball in all
spects oreditabe and respects amusing 1t had
few Of the elements Of brilliant which usually
looked for festivals OF tins character. IL indeed,
distinguished by the presence OF royalty circumstance
doubt sufficient itself render intellectually
norabe in the minds OF many but 1t cannot otherwise
be canddfy said to have presented any positively luIni
nous striking features. II II be asked whether the
guests notable for exalted rank It must be
swered with due caution. that ana some were
not; and If 1t be further demanded whether the
ladies did or did not dazzle the eyes and be
wilder the OF spectators by their personal
beauty, and the eulgence Of their adOrnments, just
consideration for truth requires the response that much
more might have been attempted and achieved without
perlinR the most suspecble understandings. Greater
extremes perhaps OF delicate taste and tadry extrava
gance Of sumpuOus pendor and overstrained simplicity
were seen in modern ballroom SO far as the
general aspect Of the majority OF the guests and their
demeanor concerned, the entertainment cannot be
pronounced a triumph at the best 1t decOrous,
respectable. and dun.
The Masonic Hall was probably chosen in order to &C
cOmmodate larger number than could possibly have
been received the residence Of the British Minister
Its dimensions. however are by no means ample and
the 800 ladies and gentlemen were long before the close
brought into nearer relations than were consistent
with either their comfort their ncnatons But this,
being necessary condition OF all attractive balls, was
endured with patience and amiablity. The hall was
neatly and pleasantly decorated with evergeens flow
and with festOOned flags. in which nothing symbolic
OF any particular nationality was apparent An eie-
waited platform at end was reserved for the con
veuience OF the important guests and those who
preferred inactivity and repose 10 dancing, or such
limited circulation as the crowd permitted.
The Prince arrived, accompanied by his suite. at an
unexpectedly early hour after u, and received
the door by Mrs. Thornton, with whom lac trayersed
the hall, and remained standing until the band had fin
ished a somewhat prolonged performance OF God Save
the Queen" He then Joined other acquaintance and
friends and lifted from group 70 group Tor ABOUT an hOuT
until the opening OF HAL Columbia" announced the
coming Of the and his party BY thsitme the
hall was filed and the picture not viewed too minutely
was thoroughly animated and envening All the foreign
legations fully represented. the members wearing
their less respondent costumes, and large num-
Der Of Army Navy officers Of the first rank headed 10y
Gen Sherman, contributed to the picturesque glitter OF
the scene Possibly the quietly dressed gentleman
Of all the thronG the Prince himself whose simple
euteuaut's uniform relieved only by single order was
even more subduod than the ordinary evening dress Of
civilians
The entire Cabinet present and great numbers of
Con grcssueu mingled harmOnOusly a. II the past Is
hours hal not witnessed Of the biterest Legs
latye disputes OF the year Gen Butler for instance
with unaccustomed levity upon his couutenance and
nothing visible upon his sleeve for Dawes to peck at
glimyisaged Senators, whose usually wrinked fronts
were so successfully smOothed for this occasion as
to afford no suspicion Of tie latent fires within. The
dancing commenced at about o'clock. after cnnshsra
NE difficulty clearing sufficient space on the crowded
floor for the first elaborate quadrille Only set
formed at the head OF which the Prince with Mrs
Grant surrounded 10y the following couples Mr. Thorn
ton and Mrs. Fish; Mr.. Fish and Mrs. Thorn
ton; the Turkish Minister, Blacque Bey, and Madame
Garcia wife Of the Argentine Minister; Secretary Robe
son and Mrs Beknap NJ Catacazy, the Russian Minister
and the wife OF the Turkish Minister Admiral Porter and
Miss Sherman Gen. Sherman and Mrs Bancroft Davis;
Secretary Belknap and Miss Boutwell, Nj Roberts, the
spanish Minister and Madame Catacazy OF this quadrlle
II is not necessary speak particularly than 70 say
that the Prince at took high rank dancer in the
estimation OF experts and that lie appeared TO enjoy
heartily and that the guests generally looked on with
a solemnity and mmobty worthy OF the most sombeF
ceremonies known to humanity.
ITl, a. that reached Us at the hoor Of going 10 press