The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-07-31


Saratoga" bad arrived in our harbor youth
full femlnlnity has beeu in futter, for remin
iscences OF those dear delightful middies o
the monarch We're fresh in the memories o
the roseouds OF society. and the recollection o
the halcyon days OF that wonderful winter
when gay water parties were durnaliy IN
duiged in with as much comfort as II July
sun had lent its fervid beams to give color ano
warmth to February's festivities, to be sue
ceeded by glorious moonlight evenings when
| piszzas and balconies were tenanted by stray
couples that had escaped from the glare and
confusion and atmosphere (heavy with per-
funnel of crowded parlors to enjoy the cool All
and peaceful quiet that regned without, to
view the landscape, every object of which
robed 10 its white mantle was bathed in the
silvery sheen, and to lis Gu to low half-whis.
pers that said so much AID meant SO little
could not be effaced ty the vicisstudes of a
lifetime. Accordingly great was the joy with
which they learned that their gentlemen
friends had rendered a complimentary hep to
the officers and midshipmen OF the squadron,
to take place on Saturday evening last, aud, in
order that the sacredness OF New England
Sunday might not be infringed upon the dane
ing was confined to the hours from 5 to II.
1t was misty. damp dirty, disagreeable
| night, diversified with torrents of rain. But
| whenever did youth and beauty care for wealth
Ell? Besides were not the guests sons of Nep-
tune and Amphtrte, and what did little fog
matter to them? By 6 o'clock the stream OF
carriages began to set strongly towards City
Hall, and until alfpast vehicle after vehicle
continued to discharge their fair freight at its
portals. At o'clock the hop was in full tide
of success, and glimpse at the party was q
sight to remember. The spacious lofty hall, so
attractive in its noble proportions, its superb
frescolng, and rich, carved wood work, was
Illuminated by hundreds of gas jets that threw
flood of radiance upon all within its walls,
company that numbered some three hundred
ladies and gentlemen. The young ladies' were
all in the first flush of womanhood and their
fresh complexons-sO aptly described as re-
sembliHg rose-leaves crushed on ivory or olive
tinged with scarlet, according as the possessor
was blonde or brunette-sparklng eyes and
animated expressions, their tasteful dresses so
appropriate to their age, composed for the most
part of some light, fleecy material over dark
uuuotsADtS, Icn0NCu VIII q utiSuuSoioiCu ooou
or bow, or gloves that gave tone to the colcr-
less material of their attire, gave warrant to
the boast that portland and Baltimore girls
are the handsomest in America" while the
bright, intelligent faces, dark blue uniforms
and bright buttons of the midshipmen, the
diguified presence and elegant toilets of the
matrons, the gold lace a0d epanlets of the
officers, together with the sombre garb of the
civilians were the essentials in the formation
of picture on which the eye dwet with de-
light
The. stage was occupied by Chandler's Or
chestral Band of twelve pieces. who played
with unity of Instrumentation, feeling and
power that was especially remarkable, since it
is but seldom that so many pieces are demand
ed either at private or public dances in. this
city, and cOnsequt ntly the performers rehear-
sails are necessarily infrequent but dreamy, de-
licious waltz was followed by bright tripping
redowa and mad galop until 10 clock, when
supper was served, and even then the merry
dancers seemed half disinclned to cease from
their pleasure. The supper was served in Re-
ception Hall, the tables being profusely orna
mented with flowers, and was furnished by the
we'll known caterer, G. w. Lucy, in whose
praise it is sufficient to say that he carried out
his orders to the letter. After the banquet
dancing was continued until quarter TO II,
when Chandler gave notice that the next
galop would be the last dance, thus cruelty
cnrtailing the original list which numbered
twenty-of some three dances and abbreviat
il & each lady's nautical acquaintance by three
names. 1t was the only time We ever saw
Chandler at disadvantage in the eyes of the
fair sex, but, poor man, it wasn't his fault.
Stern necessity knows no law. The galop over,
came the partings. Here stood pretty girl
decorated with knot of ribbon that had been
worn during the evening by her attendant cav |
alier, there another with bouquet of which |
the supper table had been despoiled. Here |
displayed, carefully tucked away |
bis bosom, yard of tarletan torn from |
lady's dress in the evolutions of the dance, |
and there another coolly appropriatiDg brbk- |
On fan. By IL o'clock gloomy building gave |
no signs of the hours that had fed so happily. |
There is rumor that hop is to be given to-
night en- board one of the vessels by the officers
and that the squadron will sail on Wednesday |
.-r