The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-05

ball.
Tho Grand Bali AT tine ACADEMY.
The Academy OF Music decorations begun
on Saturday last and force OF workmen have been
engaged thereon since thar time.
platform was built out even with the sur
face or the stage and the parquet othe first
balcony circle. The stage was covered with hundreds
OF exotcs. evergreens and native flowers, and
hanging baskets we're suspended from the first
Flags OF al nations were suspended from the donna
and balconies The boxes were dressed with Rus
sian and american nags. and
THE GRAND DUKES BOX,
on the left of the stage. second tier. absolutely
covered with Mowers. camelias, japontcas, hello
tropes and evergreens and the rarest ex0tcs known
to the horticultnrist. Three nne Old paintings OF
members OF the imperial family OF Russia were also
arranged on the centre and At either side OF the
box occupied by Alexis. Two beautiful fountains
played at the back and front of.the stage. and
perfume arose from the hundreds or blooming
magn0lias ranged either SIDE. Fronting the stage
on the centre Of the first balcony rail a semicrco
o. Russian nags was ar az, ana next above the
The music stands were arranged on either side OF
aud near the lower boxes. Bcck's band discoursed
the militar, music for the occasion and Carl Senz's
orchestra contributed the dance music.
temporary shed. was erected on Broad street.
strett hing 0at over the sidewalk, for the accommo
datiOn OF carriages driving up TO tho Academy with
their fair occupants By this arrangement one was
subjected for moment TO the storm that raging
without A crowd OF men and boys, and some few w0-
men, gathered In the neigbb0rh0od OF the Academy
hour hours to cat riimrse Of the Grand Duke ana
suite. Carriages began 10 arrive At eight O'Clock.
po az hss 10 be
and the gallant Hussars OF the Chestnut street squad
assisted the ladies to agnt and were made supremely
happy by a smile and a .thank YOU" by which time
their escorts would have alighted ana relieved the
chivalrous Knight OF the Club Of his fair charge.
TIM - n M u n n
Becks military band struck up q grand march 40
the quaker City bel es passed IN through the path.
faster. and the Academy Mt nine O'Clock presented
q very brilliant appearance. The wealth, beauty
never did before-thesc beautiful creatures, In
whose veins now the elements OF Quaker German
most beautiful Grecian that poet ever sung
Of, whose every motion Is perfect grace.
said that the iall,es OF Phiadephla are
most beautiful when least display OF nashy dress Ii
anmtted that the Quaker nc CITY aaes are quite as
fond OF dress their sisters OF Gotham, and their
diamonds ana otner articles OF SJoere wc ar sne
are not whit less expensive or grand than those
OF the strong minded lass OF Beacon street or the
dashng beauty OF Fifth avenue. There Is de-
cideily fresh look about Philadelphia ladies', ana
tine sparkle OF the eye Is as natural as that OF the
ruby.
by Colonel Craig Bddle and Miss Meade daughter
OF the General, and the floor was soon crowded
Strauss enchanting '.New Vienna" Tue crowds
in the balcony boxes and circle and on the floor
proper were augmcnng every moment and bright
ewes ana Jewels We'd with each other In their spark
ling beauty. and delicate aroma from the multitude
OF flowers filled the AIR. and the scene at ten 0clook
was ravlshlng. AT five minutes past ten
THE GRAND DUKE ENTERED
the box, accompanied by General Meade ana the
Russian suite. A general clappinR OF gloyed hands
announced his arrival. and the band played the
Russian Hymn. As II ny magic, the great drop cur
tain over the stage assembled into space, and the
bower OF beauty burst upon the gaze OF the assem-
bed audience: An intoxicating perfume stole over
the senses as the magnOllas came to view, and the
sweet odor was waited throughout the immense
auditorium and into the street. The Grand Duke
stood up and looked long aud ntently on the fairy
scene before him. ana one could imagine that the
Arabian Nights had indeed retarned ana fairy
land with real duke in the background.
had been furnished by the gnomcs OF the
wood. 1t needed only the magic wand OF c0nJuror
to transform some one OF the flesh and blood beau
ties to fairy, and thus present her TO the Grand
Duke III marriage to complete the picture; yet do
not for q moment doubt that His Imperial Highness
was quite IA well satisfied that the fair creatures
before him were real for the genuine pleasure he
received as he discussed their beauties with his
suite was sufficient evidence tnat he was more than
pleased With mis- reception ut the Academy OF
Music.