The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-03-13
The Khedive's Ball.


A Cairo correspondent describes n
ball recently given by the khedive as
follows It took place ut tho Cue
zirch palace, situated on the Nile. AS
one entered the avenue leading into the
garden of the palace, fairy land begun
Chinese lanterns suspended along the
avenues, and cleaning amid the broad
grccn leaves Of lofty palms, giving them
the appearance of being covered with
| gorgeous flowers fountains sparkling
! like sprays OF diamonds in the flashing
light; graceful statues drapcd with gar
lands as if trying to conceal their love
l'ncss /; gas-lcts placed close together
round tho top of the palace, giving tho
effect at n distance of nn lmbroken chain
orR, SO arranged as to be reflected in
tho river for almost mile, combined
to form IL sccno Of magical beauty un-
equaled by any in tho Arabian Nights. ;
When tho invited guest reached the
grand entrance bis eyes we're dazzled
by the flood OF light poured npon him
from the richly gilt chandeliers III the
vesiihule: the marble pavement and
tho broad marble steps wore covered
With rich Persian carpets. AS tho ladies
stepped from tho carriages usLers dress
ell III tho native costume offered their
arms to the cloak-room then up tho
f6Sana aiosircaoo, -i.n! Us, i;og-ce1:l z
speak English nor most foreigners
Arabic, they could not present the
ladies wllOm they escorted, but now
and then gentleman who had been
presented and who understood French
conducted tho strangers to the room
where tho khcdivo stood alone, receiy-
ing his guests like any ordinary Amcri-
Can gentleman. When introduced he
shook hands and smiled pleasantly.
AS he, too, could not understand those
who did not speak French, he remained
silent till another group came up. The
next thing IN order was to walk through
the various rooms, particularly admir-
ing those occupied by the Empress
Eugene, of France, when here on
visit some few years since. They were
elegantly fitted up in blue. It would
be impossible to fully describe their
magnificent beauty. When we entered
the ballroom, which was superbly dec
Grated and lined with mirrors, single
set had been formed for the Lanciers.'
The gentlemen in the set where Prince
Arthur, two princes (scns of the khe-
dlve), and the duke Of Mecklenburg.
thO lodiCo WoAo very lldlluSOuo AUu
magniiciently dressed. The dresses of
the women in general at this princely
tete were surpassing in their splendor.
Glittering coronets, necklaces of pre-
cious stones, and on their arms, in their
hair, and even around their waists and
on portions of their dress were some of
the largest diamonds that were ever
seen outside of palaces when the court
Jewels were displayed. Weary of the
glitter of the ballroom we passed out
on the balcony to there revel in the
panorama spread before us. 1t was
beyond description, and still (though
the hour was late), far as the eye could
reach carriages could be seen coming
up the illuminated avenue as though
bringing guests from the uttermost
ends of the earth. The khedive's buffet
was next in order. Here there were all
kinds Of refreshments for the gentle
men, with a protusion Of rare wines.
All through the evening walters carried
around trays of ices, wine, lemonade,
and sherbet. Half nm hour after mid
night supper was announced. The
guests were all seated Mt tables glitter
ing with crystal, silver and gold, and
laden with all the luxurics of The cast"