The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-18
tcorro,,o,dence Of The Richmond Dlspa,cl.}

mast the ladies have been quite busg Se'i"iS
I'M their costumes for the ball, but alt went
TO work this morning with more Zeai, II pos
sible, after paying Monkey. the costumer,
visit and selecting something from his COM
pIetc wardrobe. Every hour during the
doy you would hear one lady ask another,
How are you getting on with your COS
tune" Are you ready for the ball?" DC.
Of course there was great anxiety on the
part of each to discover the character of the
other. Il am so afraid that my dress VIII
not be becoming, or some one else Will nave
\ better character than | hare"; this and
MANY such remarks could be heard by your
correspondent while he was trying to ascer-
tain who was going to the bali, now they
would be dressed, Sc.
We could not have had more propitlous
night; the air is cool, yet pleasant; the
stars are shining brightly, while the pale
moon il slowly ascending from behind the
dcep-b!ue mountain and making the scene
indeed enchanting. All, yes, what could be
more beautiful and fill the soul with more
rapture than a moonlight night amid the
mountains. But pardon me, am wander
ing OH. Don't think am in love, Messrs.
Editors.)
All is life aud animation within the bull
room, and it is truly pleasant sight TO walk
among the gay throng and look upon the
merry maskerS. and sec peasants, monks,
gypsicS, kings, queens, caTaliers, and soldiers,
allnineiing together without regard to rank,
wealth. or birth 1t would take a better pen
than mine to describe this brilliant scene.
At g o'clock the long line Of maskers, in
their gay and handsome costumes, came
troopinc into the brilliantly-lighted ball
room. and the walflowerS" arose as by
one impulse to scan the figures as they filed
along, keeping step TO the strains Of an ill.,
spring grand march. ! have noted down
the characters which attracted the most
attention. Here they are:
Miss Carrie Brooks, of Baltimore, APP
peareG in Il double rolc---a FrcHcl! iiITt and Il
vOuaknresS She is :. pretty girl with line
carriage, and executed IN a happy manner
novel idea. The side representing tlirt
was clothed in white tarlatan, with pink and
light headings to the runleS de collcie The
hair on this side is pulled high and adorned
nith white plume. The dainty hand OF
HE tlrt wears long kid glove with many
buttons. The other side displays the pretty
puakcrc>s of romance (perllapS seen some
lines in real life). with her shy little ways
and Quaint Thee aud Thou. This side is
dressed in Il doye-colored fabric, very plain,
folded about the throat with fine white
shawl. The hair of the Quakeress was
braided low on the forehead, with appropri-
ate cap. Her hand wears Il lace mttcn, and
allows the whiteneas of natures own hand
10 rival the kid of the ktter-day di>pcn,a-
ton.
The mask of clairyoyant or Gypsy for
tune-teller being removed, revealed the
sweet face of Miss Nellie Brooks. also of
Baltimore. She wore black silk skirt with
trimmings of the Roman colOrs, black silk
embroidered bodice, red cloak across one
shoulder, Spanish lace veil imported direct
from Spain, yellow silk turban, and the GUS
tomary leather bracelets, &C., as a charm
against the wiles of the Evil One. In her
hand was pack of cards with inscriptions,
acrosticS, and fortunes to suit every one Ill
the room.
Mrs. b. NJ. Harris, Of Richmond, one Of
the most attractive ladies in the room, and
very prttty appeared rs Gypsy queen,
wearing Il striking and highly appropriate
costume.
A charming little Red Riding Hood was
Miss Maggie Pegram, OF Petersburg, spark
ling in red dress with white trimmings,
and red hood and cape with white silk lin.
ings.
Miss Sue C.. kceSee, 4 lairy-like repre-
of shcpherdc>s She wore dress OF green |
and while tarlatan festooned with flowers, |
rustic hat, white kid boots with bells, and |
pearl iewelry. Her crook, which was Of
gold, vas adorned with green and white |
ribbons.
Mrs. James A. Frazier, the beautiful wife |
of the proprietor OF the Springs, challenged |
inquiry as the Spirit Of Night. Her robe, |
which was black tarlatan with long train, |
was bcSpan.led with glittcring stars, is also |
was her veil, which was three yards and 4 |
half in length. On the front of the robe APP |
pcared come, the north star, three sisters,
and the Upper. On her head she wore Il
crescent and star. Her bracelets were black
velvet with stars. and the earrings, also,
were appropriate to Tie character.
Miss Mamie Paul, OF Petersburg, of petite
form. lovely face, and winning ways, long |
remained incog. rs Undine. She appeared in
Il dress of Nile-green silk dlupcd with crepe |
Use and water liics-an exceedingly tasteful
costume.
Miss Eliza Warwick, Of Bath county, Va,
was much admired in The character OF Luna,
which she Represented i'll basque and under
skirt O! blue satin trimmed with silver stars,
an overskiu Of some elegant material
trimmed with deep fringe, and crown OF
scn,cd on lie lett side OF the 0yersEirt.
Miss DclIic Talbot, L tall and graceful
daughter Of Richmond, appeared a. Joan Of
Arc. and won much deserved admiration.
She was dressed in a skirt of white silk
trimmed with gold fringe il blue silk over
skirt with silver trimming and gold fringe.
Il BODY o! silver mail, Il silver helmet, aud
carried silver shield.
Miss Kate Ncnablc. oil Petersburg, per-
sonuted Folly in Il bike and yellow satin
dress urnamcntcd with silver bells. and a |
iaunty la. with silver cord and bells.
Mrs. v. c. Waite, OF Washington, rs Nor
ma, ore y dress OF white trimmed with L |
delicate shade OF blue: IL toga OF WMtc was |
confined 1t the shoulders with bands OF Soiu,
ard kcr nair was adorned by broad golo |
band. She WAS one OF the most popular |
ladies in the room.
Mrs. Treadwell. OF Memphis, was tasteful |
" alfred as Night. Her beauty ana lueenly |
bearing welc the subjects ot genera! remark.
The character Of yivandiere was adnl- |
raby personated by u lady whose personality |
was not disclosed.
TIE only comic female characters Were |
couple Of country ghosts represented by |
two sprightly girls, who also appeared IN
other roles.
Aurora was eXcellently personated by |
Miss Ham, of CuIpcper, a lady both pretty |
and graceful.
Mrs. w. Il. Armstead, one Of the most
agreeable and popular ladies at the springs,
appeared as FREELY.
Miss Fannie Waller was another Queen of
the Night: and Mrs. Frazier appeared not
opIy in that ,ole bet as an Encllanuess.
The Girl of the Period WAS well repre-
scented, but was unable to learn by whom.