Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-02-23
THE MARTHA WASHINGTON TEA PARTY,

THE MARTHA WASHINGTON TEA PARTY,
at the Academy Of Music, in Baltimore, yes
terday 10 all respects. exceeded Anticipation.
The doors were opened at two o'clock, and
tro,u that time until midnight the building was
,hrouged. At nine clock at night it Was cS
timated over 5000 people were crowded in the
various parts of the house.
The greatest interest was centercd ID the
Republican Court scene, on which special pains
had been expended, with such success as to
make it far surpass even the most sangulne eX-
recitation. The portion of the p attorm over
the stage was divided trom the other by il red
cord beyond which the spectators were not al
lowed to advance At about halrpa>t three
o clock the curlaia was :uug up, disclosing the
stage, set with antique furniture aau old por.
traits, and containing about one hundred ladies
and gentlemen of the Golden time, F." handsome
" attred 10 court costume At the extreulc
right, standing on an elevated platform, was
Lady Washington, persouated by Mrs;
Tucker Carroll, and at her side General
Washington persouated by Captain George
Lewis. Ia couples the visitors would arrive
aud DC formally presented TO the GeueraI aud
Mrs. Washington, until fually the stage was
crUWutu Will au tlLsSSN o'"S
OF ladies and gcntIameu The dressing IL this
scene was especially foe aud Interesting. few
Of which may be mentioned Miss Cary 5 dress
was Que hundred aud fifty years old, white
satin under skirt, embroidered, blue brocatc
ovoI dress and train. \ welding dress OF yell
lew brocade, IN by Mrs John Gusts; bue
silk, presented by Mrs. Washington to Ecauor
Davy; dresses bought in l1115, 1850, lis, aud
Il crimsou trocadc cleaning with embroidered
flowers, imported from England one hundred
wears ago, worn by Miss 5. Z. Darlington. Az
other dress over one hundred years Old, OF
Chinese silk, with cZqulsltcly pu!uted hgureS,
said TO have once been worn by Miss Polly
Smith, attracted considerable attention. \
large number Of other dresses were displayed,
many OF which possessed some historical inter-
est The gentlemen as rule wore gray powdered
wigs, turned back lrom the torhead aud iastcn-
ed ia a cue. Hats were trimmed with gold anu
silver lace. The coats were OF velvet auu satin,
cut like court dresses of the tune Of George
ILL.,, aud the walscoats of fancy markings de-
secluded very low. The keee breeches Were az
a rule very elegant and the stockings OF white
black and purple silk The shoes were taslcu-
cd with ornamental! buckles.
The splendid music hall, lighted by au luu
mcnse chandelier from the centre OF the ceiling
aud brackets all around was used a. the tea
room. Decorating the hal! were t4gs OF every
nationality, iestooGed gracefully irom tic gal
lery aud walls around the entire room, the
characters being attired 10 their antique gowns
Of brocadc and silk, and more moderu lmlta-
tious made b. fastening huge figures OF various
colors aud on white Or light co!ored GROUND.
All the table attendants wore the neat white
capand powdered hair belonging to the fashions
L l. : b., nj, tlt Al
on the platform at the east side Of the room,
surrounded by growing plants, arches Of ever
green and rich Grapery, Was the representative
Lady WASHINGTON, prrsnnated with all her
stately dignity by Miss Emily Harper. She
was here represented al u mature age, supposed
to BE- taking tea within the hosiltable walls OF
Mount icrnoG.
Ia the auditorium was placed, directly IN the
centre Of the platform which had been ercc,cd
for the purpose a representation OF the lamOus
brigautiDe Peggy Stewart in miniature,
with crew Of tweuty-tour sprghtly young
jack-tarS, ranging in years from about niue ~
sixteen. They relieved each other 10 system
of watches, and threw over small cadilcs OF
tea at half dollar throw like good modern
patriots.
Tue feature of the court scene at night was
the dancing OF the stately old fashioned minuet
by over hundred couples. The orchestra
played the music as it is laid dowu in the opera
Of Don Giovanni, aud the figures moved with
all that preciseue>s and dignity and easy grace
that characterized the olden time. The lights
were down, candles wicked on the wantel-
piece, the same furniture Martha Washington
used vas there, and some Of the dresses bad
been worn by the characters represented nearly
hundred years ago. After the miuuct the
figures moved about in various occupations,
aud the tea room became the ceutre Of attrac
ton.
The Party is to be held again tonight.