The Portland daily press., 1871-12-14

THE LADIES AT THE DUKE ALEXIS
BALL.-A Boston jenkins thus speaks of the
ladies who danced with the duke, and some
who didn't; Only five out of that great ex-
pectant throng were chosen, and only one of
that lucky odd number appeared to enjoy the
situation. When the duke left his box with
Mrs. CASTOR, standing room in the balconies
was at premium. Tall people sprang, as if
by magic, in front of you. The police force,
as desirous of seeing as the rest, stood in solid
rank and file in all available apertures, for
every one was determined to see that first
dance. Mrs. Castor wore lovely dress OF
pearl gray silk trimmed with applique lace, %
scarf of the same lace was fastened by dia-
mOnds on either shoulder, and her ornaments
were diamonds. His next partner, Mrs.
James Lawrence, wore a pale green silk,
trimmed with chantilly and point lace floun-
ces, and was distinguished for her severely
simple coitfure and magnificent diamond
necklace. While dancing with Miss Amy
Shaw, the grand duke seemed interested and
amused by her vivacious remarks. Miss
Shaw's toilet was of white tulle over white
silk, and festooned with sprays of rose-buds.
His last partner worea lovely dress of riclt
Canton crepe, heavily fringed over blue silk,
departed was the MOST brilliant of the even
ing 1t comprised Miss Mason, who was the
dukes partner, Mr.. Richard S. Fay and Miss
Annie Tucker, Mr.. +. Peabody and Mrs. F.
w. Bradlee, Mr.. Thomas Motley, Jr. and
Miss Borland, and for beauty and exquisite
dresses were unequaled. A few toilets out of
three or four thousands are all that remain in
our memory,-a galaxy of artistic loveliness
that for week at least will be as fixed stars.
Miss Winthrop, Miss Mason, Mrs. Schlesin-
ger, Miss Shaw, Miss Jordan, Mrs. John
Wheelwright, Mrs. Bowditch and Mrs. Ar
thur Cheney were among the most elegantly
and stylishly dressed. Decollete dresses,
showing lovely shoulders, diamonds, gleam-
ing silks and feecy tulle, waved through
the brilliant crowd, like a magical dream OF
tempting beauty. High-bred and graceful
women, in clouds Of the pale, tender eolors OF
the season. swept by one another, leaving be-
hind them the pious wish that Boston might
be always seen in grand tenue. One dress of
msiZe silk was ornamented with large comet
bow of black velvet; another, of the palest
salmon, was trimmed with a point lace and
chantilly over-dress. A black silk was COW
cred with white tulle half yard deep round
the train, with black velvet butterfly bows
sprinkled over it. The overdress of silk with
tule and velvet was festooned high on the
side with jet ornaments. But the dresses
most admired were of tarletan and Illusion.
One especially with train OF heecy rutiles,
long sashes of white satin knotted with large
bows, and ffinges of convolvuli over the front
of the pulled petticoat, was the dress of the
evening, and it was worn by the acknowledge
ed belle. A lovely dress ofwhite satin, made
high, with illusion ruchings ornaments OF
pearl, and an over-dress of tulle, was among
the most noticeable white costumes. A pc
culiar dress of pearl gray silk was cut en- train
and lined with rose satin, with a salmon sat
in under-petticoat, ornamented with dead ripe
roses at each side. A broad scarf of rose-col-
ored satin hung gracefully to the edge OF. the
trnin.