The New York herald., 1871-03-23
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY In SPAIN.
Grand Fete in Honor Of the Father
OF His Country at the Amer
lean Legation.
The Dey in Madr;d-How It Was Observed
Gosaip OF Scciety-Prim Discussed-The Com
ing Elections-Scenes in tho Ballroom
speech Of Senior Echegaray.


breeze. Groups now and then collected and gazed
Oh Its ample folds with admiration for all appeared
to know that 1t represented the land OF freedom.
Some thought ana gave their opinion that 1t was
koisted In honor OF General Grants birthday; they
were, however, informed ty others that 1t was Ia
homer Of the great and be-fergotten patriot
Washington, for the press had published the fact
that grand reception ana ball would come OF at
the Legation that evening. Other crtOsos colecJed
around the doorway and admired the grand STAIR
case, which was being lined with dwarf orange
trees, with their golden fruit and camela shrubs,
with their delcately tinted flowers In full bloom.
During the day the grandees and other notables
drove up in their carriages TO visit the General or
leave their cards. Your SPECIAL correspondent had
the honor OF an invitation, as also did some Of the
directors Of the leading papers Of this city. drove
up
TO TIE AMERICAN LEGATION
at about ten O'CLOCK or rather within four doors Of
the legation for other carriages prevented our get
ting nearer. had some difficulty In elbowing my
way through the crowd about the doorway. On en-
tering the portico found fairy-lookng forms trip
ping lightly up the grand staircase to the festive
scene. l Joined the party, and we were ushered by
obsequious lackeys to the presence OF the gallant
General and his family who received us with that
cordial amiabllity and true welcome which capt..
Yates the hearts OF all who become his guests.
SCENES WITHIN.
z The salutatIons, congratulations and usual COM
pliments on such occasions having been rendered In
due form, we passed through the magnificent sa-
looms, gil OF which were illuminated, a 0io,no, by
superb chandeliers and side lusles, filed with Innu.
meraoe wax tapers which shed a food OF unoisend-
ing light over the brilliant assemblage OF beauty
gorseously decked iu the richest ATTIRE and lit up
with lustrous splendor the profns,on OF valuable
jewelry by the fair sex. and the grand crosses
and stars on The breasts OF generals military and
civil governors, diplomats and men OF letters; but
from those nashlng tetblacE eyes, on, We gods, de-
liver us for they trouble the sight and turn the
heads Of the ugly sex-or secoJ Jeo" as we say here
What tempting ruby lips What voluptuous grace
ful forms What tiny, satln.sippered feet What
cxquisitey moulded arms! But for the present VIC
VIII leave the ladies and visit some OF The smaller
rooms, TO enjoy fragrant weed and listen 10 the
conversation OF able politicians discussing the topics
0. the day. In one Of these rooms sat at the table
with Colonel O. ana played game Of chess with
him. which did not last long, 10r / was so taken up
with the conversation Aronnd mo that the gallant
Colonel chGrAmated me IN about seven moves.
GOSSIP.
The discussion grew warm. One politician ven-
turei opinion that the present political orier OF
things could NOT last long and that there would be
reaction, stating that the governments knew 1t and
feared II. veteran general OF the present situa-
ton or government party, whose name I withheld.
declared that the government had no fear
upset the. present. state or affairs had
reason to fear an exemplary chastisalnent for
firmly grounded TO be uprooted, and that at the
slightest sgpal p OF eed1n the paT,isans Of true
1t with the last drop Of their blsod.
TIE UssoRTuNATE GENERAL PRIM
WIS also discussed and an ex-Mtntster OF the ad-
vaneed progressist PARTY spoke IN tue highest ters
OF the deceased general and statesman whose mys-
o s a en ne c aea Mo e
said that he was most Intimately acquainted with
prim aDd often wondered thar the General a
patience the many trying circumstances that sur
rounded him. No QUE knew the political capacity OF
dared not oppose hun, for they knew he counted on
the flower OF the army. Politicians could not cope
with him, FOR he was too shrewd for them, and as
sasslns did what neither the one the other could
do. Prim. like other eminent characters, mad to die
to be known and duly appreciated.
THE COMING ELECTIONS
were also spoken or and the struggle that was likely
a ks he place 9 oner
groups gathered chatting politics. and other parties
doing rubber at the universal whisf, or the Spanish
not opened for the bail TIL late hour, found tie
married ladies IN busy conversation touching the
thousand other matters ladies are fond OF goss!r.
ping about. After saluing such as knew 1 pro.
ROUND OF OBSERVATION
Amateurs In the 0esaS d5tes were examining the
Generals line COLLECTION OF pclures-some originals
latter noticed some very faithful copies OF the
ChsJ d'@uc3eS OF Muilld VeasqueZ, Rauens, Titan,
fact the gems OF the Gaera Nacional as also copies
Of the more modern artist Goya, representing
Spanish costumes.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
All tho members of the Spanish Cabinet wera In
vited to The grand estival and it was generally ex-
pccted that the new Democratic Kiag, Amadeus l.,
would also drop In during the evening. / was
Rs nr Sne ca ss M u9vsT no
mnch ior It L. SO very rare for Spanish SOVEREIGN
TO pay visits, but the nonappeayance OF his Minis
"a n oil nf
generally assist at the Generals soirses, While
was con1ecturing wnat could be the matter, and
had been called for something Of great mo-
ment--Jperhaps a J sadden relapse In the Qoeea,s
the intelligent aud active little Vizconde del Cevro
chief introdncer Of ambassadors, Which convinced
me mat something was In the WIND. Later N the
that the King really did intend honorn2 the Wasn-
gton Jetc With his presence, bu. IN consequence OF
day or two previous respecting the Queen, and more
recent ones pronouncing her out Of immediate
danger though still in critical condition, Ills Ma
1csty. like an atrectonate husband--which from all
acconns ne appears to bedld not leave the palace,
they IN Ike 81 er as nHps
MASTER and after due consultation concluded TO stay
At At home also Therefore imagine tnat the busy
little Vizconde was the bearer OF excuses ana re.
grcts both from his Majesty and his Cabinet Minis
ters also heard II stated that the King had pre-.
val might not be postponed for that her Majesty
was considered out of danger and IL fair way OF
recovery. Hearing the
STRAINS or MUSIC
threaded my way through the labyrinth or Ewes
loveliest daughters, making thousand apologies
ana begging "HH peido.gS' almost at every step,
tfll ut length reached spacious saloon most bril-
iianiy illuminated. Here the musicians were play.
ing right earnestly, and svlph-lke forms being
whirled round in the dizzy waltz. How the warm
Arab blood mantied the cheeks OF the lovely bru.
hettesl How the dark eyes Mashed like elcctric |
sparks How the luyuriaut raven tresses ioated |
over the shop|defs 81 the happy partners as with |
plm2le step they whirlsd and TWISTED their willing |
the intricate mazel Had bluf Admiral Topete been
looking on ne would, indeed, have exclaimed, |
'dnese mesa nayigators must W ah,e seahien' for 1t Is
lop or quicktlmed waltz, and especially when young
oiflceY Will Insist on wearing spurs and ladies' re-
iuse to curta their trains which, hOwes majestic
they may appear IN drawing room levec, ale great
obstacles In the ballroom. : ~
THE ENTERTAINMENT.
w IV 10 mt prts.