The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-27
Grand Ball of the First Washington
Assembly in Philadelphia.
The Proceeds for the Nationals
Celebration.
A Splendid Scene Of Festivity, Mirth,
Beauty and Wealth.

committee TOT the benefit OF the coming American
IAposiIioh, was In character and elaboration OF a.
nios' peculiar nature, and filed the vast Academy
OF Music tonight with the wealth and splendor OF
the town. Originally designed IN behalf of MOBILES
and patriotic purpose by company of ladies' in<
teresced in its success every de yelopment NJ tho
AFFAIR has been carefully watched rom its concep-
ton until its fulflment and at eyery stage has
been softened and subdued by that graceful femf-
nine tact which, above those Of any other contf-
nent, our own ladies in most remarkable degrees
possess.
CURIOUS CHARACTERISTICS.
The various elements which entered IN the CON-.
summation tonight being OF botn a social and al
military character, produced the strangest medley
OF characteristics and admitted OF the most direct
contrasts in color and brilliancy OF dress. At siU
O'Clock this evening, therefore, Chestnut street
was thronged with an anxious and expectant null.
titude, rapidly hurrying homeward in anticipation
of the very elaborate and very curious spectacle
while half hour later, as II at the turn of social
kaleidoscope, the same thOroughfare was, In a
great measure, deserted, save by q crowd OF fully
equipped policemen. steadily marching In the
direction OF the Academy to regulate the move-
ment Of the people expected 70 take part in the
nlva at seven O'Clock.
TIE SCENE IN THE STREET.
The broad avenue upon which the Academy,
stands, for at least the area of quarter OF mile
was an immense sea Of vehicles and cleaning,
waver1ng lights. The occasion seemed TO gather;
about the foundations of the edlfce every social
element in the city, and while the dainty feet OF
the fair and the rich trlpped down from their
riages and then up the wide stone steps, the poor,
with pale, upturned faces, upon which the tickle,
nckering gaslght wrought the strangest express
sion. eagerly crowded near to feast their weary
eyes upon the richness and splendor that in q
steady stream were rapidly passing in. Gayly cap-
arisoned officers In great coats and SHINING
%he energetic ana eepy and
mates did all they could to keep that
immense ocean of humanity in check The housed
upon either side OF the avenue were bribantly
Illuminated, while the common thrOng, grouped.
in the quaint and curious costumes OF the stree9l
beneath the radiance which seemed concentrated
upon them from hundred different points and
standing in bold relief betwixt the lightly frosted
hOusetops surrounding them. wrought up a pretty
and picturesque scene, such as we believe thla
city has seldom beheld.
sPLENDoR OF THE CARNIVAL.
Passing up the broad steps and entering the
commodous corridors one found them densely
drlted the perfume and splendor OF the scene
beyond.
the aspect that it does tonight said friend Of
mine beside me, and his words lully expressed the
truth.
The grand drill of the Templars and the glory'of
the recent Masonic demonstration were iairly
ecpsed, because this affair, conceived Tor pur-
pose strictly national, organized bv ladies OF social
stanulng and OF TASTE and supported by the INTEL
igence, culture and wealth Oh the highest circles,
called forth from their homes the best blood OF the
commonwealth, and united In q common effort the
refinement and elegance OF a dozen dlnerenr
cities. The army, tue navy, the Church, the
State, the stage and the Bar all found adequate
representation within, with generous sprinkling
OF diplomatic officials rom abroad.
THE DECORATIONS.
The decorations were superb The great depth
and breadth OF the Academy stage were July ex-
posed. the sides being set In pastoral scenes,
while at the rear was an immense temple. with
pillars twined in evergreen, interminged with
was crowned with embematic designs In mosses
and terms, across which, IN white MOWERS, ran the
PESSsYrvxSix i11s
Midway down the stage a large fountain threw
aoft the spray, and surrounding this i'll graceful
curves, rich hood OF light poured It's Radiance
upon 1t from braZen Chandelier. Poised Midway
upon either side, 'twlXt floor ana dome, directly
over the stage, were six other chandeliers. deli
cately wrought, from which the radiating light
united and cast an Understandable glow upon the rich
and variegated costumes gathered below. From tina
three circles or galleries above the dancing moor
there hung in rich festoons the flags OF all nations
while here and there, ut regular distances. behind
frames OF green and white, shone the names Oh all
the states OF the Union.
THE FLOOR MANAGERS.
The First troop OF Philadelphia cavalry, Captain
W. L. Rogers commanding, acted as floor mana
years ago, when the company was hrst organized.
and which in the gay dresses surrounding them
OF high top boots, Dur buckskin breecaes, bue
Jackets, with elaborate lace ornamentation, and
SaSnlnHS OF WnCe, along WIN RllSteulnX nelmctSs
with massive casques ana bearskns.
THE DANCING.
At the opening OF the ball the company above.
described entered into a grand march, III which
joined the Fifth Maryland and the SiXty-nnth New
York regiments The bail consisted OF waltzes,
marches, quadrlles, polkas and promenades,.
which were OF unusual brlllancy ana which re-
ceived the heartesE applause. Never was there,
great contrast of costumes never was there
so large an assembly. 1t was the best ball ever
given in Philadelphia.
such then was the ball Of the First Washington
Assembly. In the beginning and the end It's iul-
nment was due to tue earnest efforts OF the ol-
loving ladies Mrs. 4. d. Gillespie, Mrs. J. Edgar,
Thomson Mrs. j. W. Forney Miss Elizabeth Gratz,
Mrs. Crawford Arnold, Mrs. DR.. Claridge, Mrs. b.
ii. Chadwick, Mrs. Frank NJ Etting, Mrs. Charles
Henry Hart, Mrs. James II. HUTCHINSON Mrs. Wis
liam +. Hughes, Mrs. Charles Magarge. Miss Clag-
horn. Partly social, partly military and altogether
designed for the promotion Of O great national
scheme, it was graced by beauty fashion and wealth
and passed OF most successfully.
baltimore and the Centennial.
BALTIMORE. Ian. 26 1874.