The New York herald., 1871-11-29
THB PRINCES BALL.
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Grand Festivity at the Navy Yard
in Honor Of Alexis.
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The Beauty and the Chivalry
that Gathered There.
Diplomacy, War, Statecraft and Steam
ship on the Light Fantastic.
The Fair Partners Of the
The Fair Partners Of the
Blonde Prince.
The Happy Ladies Upon Whom
He Smiled.
THE TOILETS OF THE LADIES.

It's with unqualified pleasure the announcement
can be made that the great naval ball given last
Mat ct the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, i1 honor 0f the
Grand Duke Alexis was In every respect superb
success over TWO thousand persons were present,
and the soene after the time that the bathrooms were
once filled was something not soon to be forgotten.
Brilliant uniforms and lovely toilets In every shade
Of richness, made living with rich color every
space not already decked with oil that delicate re-
gard 10 taste which betokens the true artistic in
splratiOn From the outset u can be said that the
guests were the very creme de "a creme Of the two
cities, and shoddy was absent Many were the
encOmiums passed upon the beauty OF the decOra-
tions by the ast0nlshed participants but the beauty
OF the ladies was the feature that most charmed
all. 4tnMt
shortly AFTER eight O'Clock the company conf
menced arriving IN considerable numbers.
The arstocranc coachmen were daxed and be-
logged over the narrow streets which surround the
Navy Yard, and until the line OF carriages began
reaching away along York street many were the
delays and vexatons at finding every turning but
ihe right ene At length the gate is reached.
Outside the Gates
The streets cOnverging toward the Navy Yard
main entrance echoed and re-echOed with the
hunder and reverberati0n OF richly freighted vehi
cles from halrpast eight O'Clock until midnight
Then there was an intermisslon Of two hours or
nore and the vehicles were heard returning with
heir charming, though wearied, occupants over
the route which had brought them TO the scene
Of so much happiness. The livery stables
were depleted OF their coaches and private
stables, too, were enptted in Brooklyn last
night, because OF the demand for conveyances
10 carry beautiful women and gallant men to the
grand naval ducal ball The weather. too, ap.
peared 10 cooperate with the hercuean efforts Of
he sons OF Neptune in making the great entertain
ment worthy OF the right royal guest IL was cold;
decidedly so. This circumstance In itself was con-
dncive Of zest to the feelings Of the son OF the
Cxar Of an the Russias, and lent Q glow
sf health and ruddy color to the cheeks Of
the mnltitudinous fair ones vic snTvnged
70 bewltch aud bewider the attractive Alexis.
There was nothing else thought or dreamed Of
In the City Of Churcnes the lvelong night in fact,
but Alexis Those whom fortune has 50 favored as
70 permit Of their basking in the sunshine Of his
pr,nceiy presence were happy indeed. Those who
were dcnied so much ielicity were reconcled to
tAelr lot in the contemplation OF the fact that at
least they shared IN the honor rejected upon Brook
lyn through the beautiful representatives who par.
ticipased In the fesIviaes al the Navy \ ard.
is tho main entrance to the Navy Yard were IN
lever OF excitement over the long-agitaled event.
Cured the danger or catching their death OF cold
ny Standing upon their doorsieps, peering through
sas raised windows rd Otherwise exposing sasa 1s
from the earliest advent Of the guests
tHe line Of Carriages extended from the York street
gateway % FULTON street. and from sands street
ine ncAeis, Conducted by . sergeant Of marines
ana midshlpman, was painfully tedious. Each
nad d. 70 es sGe %
permitted TO move down to the Receiving stores.
where tine bali was held. There was. no such
had their instructlons They were to examine mi
nutey each ticket; to know nobody; admit nobody
or pass presented They obeyed their orders strictly
and to the letter, and worked slow that many OF
the carriages remained IN line fully one hour before
Meanwhile the fair occupants must have surered
considerably, In their delicate attlre, from
coaches reached their destination, the rendezvous
Of TerpschOroan felicity, they were received by the
sub. committee oi the Committee Of reception naval
About the gateway on York street was assembled
thronged the Sidewalks and indulged In most ludt
crous, though at times indecorons, dialogues upon
the OCCASION and the cause thereof. On the corner
lust above NAVY street marine sthree sheets In the
Wtndn was making SIS towards Inc entrance TO gin
shop, when a wag addressed MIN with the Inquiry
''What are you doing heref Why, you ought to
be at The Jukc ball in there"
NARlNE--.'Yes, yer right. young fellow. There
. damned sight Of places where ought 10 be, yet
"A labonng Doy'' Of decidedly Celtic accent and
sneea sn at gate
understand the delay, and turning TO woman who
stood at his SIDE lie inquired,
''Fhat do they stop the carriages for there nOwY'
"0cn sure re and % rs to get their pay for gong in,
s.rhat is not so,n exclaimed q bystander, 'you
couldn't buy your way Into the Navy Yard tonight
Having thus enlightened the astonIsned and in.
nOcent Cclts their Informant walked OF.
.'What Is keeping the Grand Juke ~ inquired
bare headed daughter OF Erin OF stalwart police
man who was Keeping the roadway clear of pedes
trians.
:.Havc patience, my good woman,n said he; "the
drink and q cigar on the way. Wncn he does come
along he win be preceded by a company OF SOL
..oh, and is that it, Who is 1t win be with the
soldiers did ye sayf"
'PrecededT,ihat is. the soldiers will marcn on
rms explanation was satisfactOr When the
Duke did arrive ne was warmly received, and his
way was made clear by the gallant Captain Mocon.
nell ana his faithful officers.
Inside tho Gates.
As one drives down from the Navy Yard gate he
will observe large, soid-ooklng structure OF red
brick on his right hand, just beyond o building
which stands alone IN tile centre Of space and
has something the appearance OF Chinese pagoda
or an Old lighthouse converted INTO marine post
There Is nothing exteriory In the red brick struc.
ture which would indicate that 1t deserved any
other name than the one 1t bears-the United states
Equipment storcs--and the last place in the world
one would look TO 1nd an Aladd,n's
palace perched up near the SKIES me
student of the ARABIAN Nights will recall the
wonderful works or the genii who were slowed
away In all manner OF odd places until The tals-
manic word was spoken, the urn unsealcd or the
golden c'rclet rubbed. Then, indeed, some startling
changes took place. and edIfces OF oriental gemmed
and Jewelled glory arose In an instant with the son
mellow hght OF ten thousand lamps floating through
m atmosphere heavily perfume laden. ana making
the faultless forms of the dark eyed hours seem
more gently rounded still, as they recned on slken
divans drinking In the melody OF sllvery fountains
and me dreamy music OF a far or lyrc. Ths, OF
course was pure romance, ana not at all suited 10
our changcablc climate, and the Equipment stores.
IA thnl~ en.l lA-s