Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-12-13
ShistGllauGOus.
AMUsING THE "JUKE.Y

Olh ItttyICtNt vi -NOf. -.
The grandest naval and military dis
play ever witnessed on this side of the
Atlantic was the United States naval
bail given last night to His Imperial
Highness, the Grand Duke Alexis, and
the officers OF the Russian feet, by the
officers Of the New York naval station.
1t was truly grand affair, and the
brilliant anticipatiUns iudUIged in refer
ence to its splendor were more than
realized by Ule event itself The ball
room has been already described in a
previous issue Of the Telegram, but, no
words could give even the faintest idea
of the magniicence of the scene which
met the eye on entering that portion Of
the building devoted to dancing. The
ceiling and walls were hid from view,
entirely, by covering of bunting ar
ranged with the greatest skill. The cell
ing presented marvel of beauty, the
Stars aud Stripes being used in its dec
Grafton, while the walls were covered
with various flags, the Russian ensign
predOminating. The implements of war
were brought into Tequsition and with
excellent effect. Brass hOwitzers, with
piles OF shot painted a subdued red, We're
placed at each end, and along the walls
were rows of bayOnets arranged in cir
cles and cleaning in the gaslight. The
floor was waxed and as smooth as glass.
In the other rooms the same busy
hands had been at work, and left Moth
ing wanting to complete It scene of al
most Oriental splendor. Rich carpets
covered thefoors, French mirrors adorn-
ed the walls, damask curtains hung be.
tween each apartment, and the iuXuri-
ant sofas lay near at hand to rest the
weary dancers. A private room was
fitted up with still greater magnificence
for the use of the Duke, and in its ap-
pointments the greatest taste was
shown.
Over the Fulton and Catherine Ferries
crowds Of carriages kept crossing all
night, from nine until midnight, and
the line of vehicles extended at one
time from the Navy-Yard to Fulton Fer
ry. It took until near one O'Clock be-
fore the last carriage left its shivering
occupants at the door of the stOrehouse
used for a ballroom. Carriages took
fully two hours gettinga at the end of the
line, and the feelings of the unfortunate
prisoners therein may be well imagined
burning with a desire to reach the scene
of action, and freezing to death in the
mean time. Before ten o'clock a large
number Of guests arrived, and kept
prOmenading through the rooms, await
ing the arrival of His Imperial High
ness, which occurred exactly at half-past
ten. BY this time the assembIage had
become very numerous, and completely
filled the different apartments, The
Duke assembled in an elevator the three
stories necessary to reach the ballroom,
and with him came Admiral Poisset
and Minister Catacazy, who were re-
ceived by the reception committee and
brought into the private room, where a
short time was spent before the Duke or
his attendants emerged. Upon the in
| telligence Of his arrival becoming gen
orally known, the whole party, with
few exceptions, made for the room in
which he was, and ranged themselves
outside. The ladies raised on tiptoe to
get first glance at him, and the gen
tlemen pushed them away into the
front. The committee, however, clear
ed a passage, and conducted him and
suit to the ball room, where, on a rails
ed dais, stood Mrs. Admiral NJ. Smith
and the now famous Madame Catacazy.
All three paid their devoirs to these two
ladies, after which the formal presenta-
ton of the guests to the Duke was COM
menced, and several ladies and gentle
men who first approached were honor
ed by shake of the ducal hand. But
Aleck soon tired of this, and contented
himself with simply bowling his ac-
acknowledgements. In the meanwhile the
crowd around the dais became most op-
pressive, and increased instead of !ess-
ening, every body standing gazing at
the young Prince, who stood his lioniz-
ing with the utmost apparent ease.
Madam Catacazy divided the atten-
tions with the Prince, and stood with her
hands crossed looking over the heads Of
the people surrounding her into space.
She is adecided blonde, and wore very
low cut dress of pale blue silk, with
white tulle. She wore armIets and
bracelets of gold, connected with a
heavy gold chain, on either arm, and
diamonds in prOfusion. The ladies free
ly criticised her and the Grand Duke.
Of the latter one lady, brunette, said.
what beautiful, clear complexion he
has and another. He has q very fine
forehead while Russian lady remark
ed, He is almost too handsome for a
Russian A friend replied that she
should not speak bad of her cOuntrymen,
whereat the Russian lady answered that
there was not a 'worse-looking set of
men in the world than Russians Ger
tainly those of that nationality in the
ball room did not disprove the Iady's
statement, for with the exception of
Alexis not one of them could lay claim
to much beauty of person. Whatever
danger, therefore, there might be that
the Russian bear will get caught in the
trap of some fair huntress, there is very
little fear that any Of our city bellies will
lose their hearts to the officers of the
Russian fleet.
Madame Catacazy was, in the opinion
of the ladies, mot at all handsome" 'by