Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-01
Letter from tie Springs.

hall at all times aud under all circumstances Is
delightful, but more especially 80 when fair
women and brave Men meet together away
from their homes ruStlcatlng in the ni"uutalnS,
where the suft air Of midsummer nj ght watts
the mellodious sounds of the fine band out up
on the mountain whence It's echoed back Oh
the soft azure breeze, laden with the perfume
of ipuumerable wild f,wers The crowd here
now numbers about four hundred, Gem POSED of
the most elegant, wealthy and refined people
of the far South. 10 these may be added
ladies' and gentlemen FROM New York, Phia-
del hia, Baltimore, aud numerous party from
the various cities of our own State. A pleas
auter party OF people never gathered at water
ing place before. The pleasures Of the place
are simple but numerous, and consist chiefly III
such sports and games as are found at similar
| places of resort. To add more to the rccreu
tons afforded, our genial and untirlDg hosts
Messrs Caham 4 Cowan, have announced
several grand balls during the season, the first
of which came IF last evening \ committee
of ladies'. headed by Mrs. Story, of New Or
leans and Mrs. Williamson, of Miss, took
possession of the ball room on Tuesday, and dec
orded it most elegantly with wrealhes OF ever
green's, festoons Of pink, blue and gold, trlued
with evergreens. Behind each light was large
star of evergreen, and the magnificent chande
Tier was dressed with grape vines. On the wall
in large blue and gilt letters was written, sue
cess to our Husts." The musicians stand was
also decorated with a wreath of cedar aud
dressed with hemlock and other mountain
evergreens. La the spacious hall adjoining the
ball room number of beautiful arborvl';r aud
cedar trees were placed in boxes, aud u grape
vine was trailed on the banister> from the foot
to the head of the stairs leading to the second
story The effect was beautiful when contrast
ed with the maguiicence OF the dresses worn
by the bright and gay throng present. At nine
U clock the ball room Was opened and was soon
filled by one Of the most elegant and refined
companies that has ever assembled at sum
mer retreat The dressing was exquisite, rich,
elegant and costly, and represented altogether
a pretty good sized fortune. Silks, satns, laces,
diamonds, pearls, and other rare and beautiful
Jewels were displayed in great abundance, and
added greatly to the scene. | can Dot attcnIp;
to describe many Of the large crowd present,
but can not retrain FROM mentioning lew Of
the most prominent aud conspicuous for beauty,
richness and elegance Of dress:
The most elegantly dressed lady present was
Mrs b 5. Story, of New Orleans. This lady were
Il
Brussels lace. Her ornaments were diamonds,
pu pendants, and crown. This latter orua
ment consisted of some fifteen large Sotarics
surrounding three splendid clusters, the value
OF which was Immense, Nor was the rich dress
the most attractive feature Of this elegant lady;
her beauty and wit by far cxcelIcd her dress.
Her husband, Captain Story, was clialrnan oil
the Reception Committee, and accomplished
the duties OF his office to the Satisfaction ui all
present.
The next most elegantly dressed lady was
Miss Fannie Willis, OF Miss, who wore rich
dress composed Of three shades OF pale Nile
green, illusion over>kirt Hoped with lilIles Of
the Nile and trmed with Valeucenues lace.
Miss Harris, beautiful blond from NIcks
burg, wore an exquisite and becoming dress Of
the purple of the Alps silk with point lace
trimmings aud gold ornameuts.
Miss Alice Mickey, daughter Of Captain 5.
Mickey, of Norfolk, lone of the most genial gen
temen at the Springs aud floor manager Oh this
occasion, the arduouS duties of which he filled
TO the satisfaction OF every one, Wore white
mohair dress, beautifully trimmed with point
lace and pink silk, aud looped with roses OF the
same color Her ornaments were gold. Miss
V. is general iavorie here and is called the
pet OF Montgomery. She Is charulng aud has
the brightest eye we know.
Miss Emma kcndIck wore a white tarlton
with pink flowers. She certainly became the
dress wonderfully well.
Miss Cavendish, of Vicksburg, in buff tarl-
ton, trmed with blue, ornaments OF pearls and
diamonds, and her cousin, Miss McCutchen, in
lavender silk, with pink and white flowers and
gold ornaments, were charming.
Miss Tempeton, Of New Orleans in white
satin, low neck and train, was one OF the best
dressed and 6oest looking ladies' present.
Miss Mamie Farrer, of Eicksburg in blue
tarlton and gold jewels, was one Of the freshest
and sweetest looking ladies in the room.
could continue at length were | to attempt
to euumerate the many fair ones present; but
desist. At one o'clock We were invited TO par
take of one OF the finest meat and coutecuon
suppers we ever sat down to. The Abundance
was ouly equalled by the variety and elegance.
Great credit is due the proprletors and their
able assistants for the manner in which the fine
repast was gotten up. After supper the dauc-
ing was resumed and continued uotil the wee
sma' hours" III fact, day was fast pushing the
darkness before it, when the jewellers joined IN
the mazes of the Old Virginia Reel, dance
we'll known aud much INDUCED in throughout
our borders, dance particularly adapted to
leave upon the minds favorable impression, It
danced we'll and 10 the proper spirit.
Col. l.. W. Reed and lady arrived here this
evening. OCCASIONAL
CuLpEpER COUNTY ITIMS Il From the Cut
peper Times THE two hogs bitten on Col
Cochran's place about two weeks ago by mad
dog both had the hydrophobia and had 10 be
killed on Wednesday morning last Another
mad dog passed through the Coils plantation
the same day.
The conservatives of Culprpe are to meet in
their respective townships On the 18Th Of Aug.
to chose delegates to the Congressional Conven-
| ton which meets here on the 10Th.
The hard rain OF Tuesday night will make
hundreds Of bushels ofcoro in this section that
was about to perish from the long continued
drought.
The Commissioners of the District Of Coum-
bia have abolished the Offices of physician and
20 hn