The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-09-01
R0CKBRLDGE ALUM SPRINGS.
A MASK CARNIVAL IN THE MOUNTAINS
NOVEL SpoRTS-FIRE-WoRK AND FAN
CY nHKSSES--A GRAND BALL-A BAN
oUFT-A. SUCCESSFUL SEASON.
CORRESPONDENCE Of the Richmond Dlspa'ch'l
RocXBRIDGE ALrM SPRINGS,

RocKBEIDGE ALUM SPRINGS,
August IS. 1878.
w. sorc had something novel this week
,,,,,,..r tho name OF a carnival, and a most
,,,no.a,t entertainment it was according 10
Tho ,,n,nim1u, voice OF the large ntllubcf OF
,rIests who weresprcSent either aS Paftici-
rants or spectators. and who were Drawn
hither from all the various springs by w'aelv
circulated advertisements.
Tie rain on Tuesday morning lntcriesG
Tn some cStcn: with the outdoor games and
saorts. but the managers Of the carnival,
pothiny dsunied by the warning Of the ele-
men,.., devised an amusement which proved
10 he productive Of much merrimcDt. \
court vas Instituted for the trial of divorce
case. Il. T.. Lawrence was masked as the
iudre J. L. French acted as clerk; Thomas
y. I,anedou. Baltimore, as sheriff; Mr.. Bald
win .as counsel for the plaintiti, and A.
Stanton represented the defendant John
GRAY was the plaintiff, and Polly his VIE
the defendant.
Court WAS held in the ballroom IN the
presence Of over 400 spectators. Jury
having been duly empanncled john Gray L.
W. Archer. +. y. Paul, and Mr.. haywood
gave their evidence, and then the lawyers
Submitted their arguments. The jury then
took the c:lsc and after q brief absence from
the courtroom returned a verdict IN favor
@. the defendant, and assessed a nne OF u
champagne supper for the court ana olhcers
upon the plaintiff. The whole entertain
men, was interesting and fun-prevoking,
and of course PIT everybody III good hu-
NOR tor what followed.
The afternoon of Tuesday was occupied
bv outdoor "amcS, and at night came an illli-
mination. Within seven minutes from a
given signal 800 Chinese lanterns she'd
their light upon the beautiful lawn, present.
in" sccuc OF beauty uncNampIed IN KIND
in the mountains Of Old Virginia. AT hall'
r:Ist o'clock procession OF ma>kcrs iill'
reared. and headed by fine brass band
moved along the avenues. About nun
drcd were in line, and the variety OF figures.
.nrlyc and CAV, lively and severe" was 4
surprise TO All who did not know Of the trea.
surcs in MoxlcS' wardrobe. over an hour
WAS spent in This masquerade without tlrlns
particJantS or guests. in the mean TINT
fie-works we're constantly displayed from
the mountain in rear Of the hotel. dividing
attention with the brilliant scene Ill the val
lev LcloW and arouslng To high pltch the
enthusiasm OF the spectators.
"Wednesday was rainy day. and OF course
some Of the plans of Mr.. Frazier and his adj
yis,r tNlr. MoX'cy) were frustrated, but The
fall OF night brought forth the crewnIng Tea
tuIcs of the entertainment. Ats O'Clock the
ballroom was opened, and one hundred
couples in complete costume, and TWO nun
drcd and ten in evening dress. stepped to tflc
music of grand march. In number ana
variety of masks this certainly exceeded any
masked ball given at a Virginia watering
place Within my memory.
I have so lately described many of the
ladies' here that shall now name only few,
with a word as 10 some Of the costumes.
Miss Ruby Mccormick pcrSonated TO per-
lection the heroic Joan Of Are
Miss Lucy Mccormick, OF Baltimore, a
Young Peasant Girl.
Miss Strange was tlstefulIy attired as Au-
rora. >,
Miss Lucy Keesee, of Richmond, Polly
Mis- =. II. Nash. OF Richmond, was richly
dressed mot in mask). and was much adj
mircd.
The Misses NIaury. Of Richmond: Miss
Maggie Pcgraln, OF Petersburg; Mis-, Rosa
Bell. of Petersburg: Mrs. James A. Fra
Zier. of Rockbridge Alum Springs: Mrs.
C.. ". Waite. of WaShington: and others
whose names cannot recall, are also worthy
Of special mention.
Among the gentlemen noticed the fol-
lowing in costume: Darcy Paul, OF Peters
burg, Lord Dundrcary; W.. McCorniek,
Baltimore. Napoleon: j. +. McChcsncy.
Staun,on, BoOtback; Cadet Haywood,
Monkey; Charles r. Nash, New Orleans,
Clown and Butloon (eXcellenD; Cadet Heal.
Fat Boy; s. ftauquettc, New Orleans, Aloll-
70; Edgar Dulour, New Orleans, Prince
Carnival Zone of the BEST; I. n. Jones, Rich
mond, Don Caesar dc Bazan Master Willie
Pickrell, Richmond. Continental Soldier: MI
Brook. Baltimore. Richard Himself Again
hiastcr Willie Brooks, Scotch suit; Cadet
Sherard, Knight of the Golden Cross; Cadet
Kcarns, Artillery Officer: Ii. d. Williams,
Fancy Dress Mr.. CadwalIader, Phlladel-
phia, Don Caesar dc BiZan.
Nine iadieS-MrS. {. L. Williams and Miss
Talbot, of Richmond; Misses Carrie Brooks,
Nellie Brooks, Mary Jones. Emma McCor-
mick. and Ellen Gilmor. of Baltimore; and
Miss Mamie Paul and Mrs. Alexander
Archer, OF Petersburg, appeared IN black
lominoS as Spirits of DAl knees.
During an intermi>>ion a grand banquet
was served by Mr.. James \. Frazier, the
proprietor o: the springs, in compliment to
his guests. All that could be desired in the
way Of catahlcs and drinkablcs was provided,
and tue guests did every thing ample justice.
Tol>tS We're drunk to Mc>Srs. Thomas Z.
Langdon and W. l.. Brooks, of Baltimore,
Oh the committee OF arrangements, and 10
Mr.. Frazier. for the part taken by each in
providing for the entertainment of the COM
IG,py. Mr.. Frazier, whose enterprise and et-
ticiency were specially complimented, re,
turned his Sincerest thanks after which, all
present again directed their steps towards
1he ballroom, and dancing was resumed.
But fear am trespassipg too much upon
your space. A more pr,ctIced pen might
have condensed what have already written.
One thing, however, yet remains TO be done,
and that is to chronicle the fact that the
guests have voluntarily presented to Mr..
Frazier series of resolutions expressive OF
their thanks for his efforts not only to give
them comtoi table summer homes. but 10 FUR.
nish them with every means OF amusement
which it has been possible for him to secure.
Such Il landlord may confidently expect the
return of the same guests season after season,
and that they shall all stand to him in the
relation Of friends.
This has been the most profitable season
ever known ut these springs, and the COM
pany here is still large. .MATiILDE.
Blue Ridge Springs.
TOURNAMENT AND CORONATION BAIL-A WELL