The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-14
COLONIAL COURT.
WILLIAMSBURG AS 1T WAs-A SPLENDID
PAGEANTRY In, PRosPECT--HoW THE
LADIES WILL CELEBRATE WASHING
TONS BIRTHDAY. II

Ladder Association is probably unknown,
and comparatively few are cogniZant OF its
aims and purpose. Twenty years ago the
mansion house and grounds Of Mount Yer.
non, including the tomb of Washington, were
owned by Colonel John Augustine Washing.
| ton, who resided there, and dispensed the
Inequalities of the place with characteristic
| lfberality to the thousands of pilgrims who
constantly fiocked to this Mecca Of liberty
| but this involved an annual expenditure
| which demanded far greater fortune than
be possessed. He accordingly announced
his reluctant intention Of parting with his
inheritance. Thereupou, lest 1t should fall
into careless and incompetent hands, Miss
Anna Pamela Cunningham, q daughter Of
Tennessee, inaugurated the scheme for the
rescue of the tomb of Washington from neg.
lect and ruin BY the patriotic women OF the
land.
With this view large number from all
| the States were incorporated by an act Of the
General Assembly of Virginia under the style
of "The Mount Vernon Ladies' Associa-
tion." The first regent elected was Miss
Cunningham, to whom it owes the inception
of the design; whose judgment organized,
and whose patriotic ardor inspired and sue
cessfully prosecuted its labors In behalf Of 8
grateful country in honor of her most illus.
trious SOP. She devoted her life to this pious
selfimpesed duty, happily living to the frui.
ton of her labors: and even when stretched
upon q bed OF pain in her last illness, she no
longer able to guide the pen, she dictated
the correspondence of the Association to an
emanuensis.
In 1872 the Governor of Virginia appoint.
ed board of visitors to inquire into the
condition, to correct abuses, if there were
any. and to regulate generally the Assocla-
ton. This board then conceived the idea ol
the original thirteen States, furnishing q
room in the mansion-house with antique fur.
rniture as far as possible, procuring articles
used BY Washington bimself, and being per-
mitted to place the respective coat OF arms
other States have their coats of arms hung in
the Martha Washington sitting.room. This
design is being practically carried into effect
and 10 furtherance thereof the ladies Of the
Virginia branch of the Association purpose
giving an entertainment at the Theatre on
the 22d instant, which promises to be very
ENJOYABLE to ell participating therein while
they will have the satisfaction Of knowing
they are contributing to so commendable an
object. At O'Clock P. M. the curtain will
rise. discovering the grand pageant of the
Court Of Lord Botetourt. A tdbLedu Uiudn!
will then be exhibited for the pleasure oi
the Court, followed by dance of six cou.
pies then a tdbleau, succeeded by singipg
| of music Of the period; another tdbledu,
and the whole company resolve themselves
into grand court-ball until O'Clock, If de.
sired.
The parquette will be foored over to the
stage. where all who have been invited to
participate will join in the dance In appro.
pirate costume. The dress circle, boxes and
galleries will be open to the general public.
ETbe admission fee to all parts OF the building
will be one dollar, with an additional charge
of the same amount for supper.
| A costumer will be found the two days
preceding the night Of the entertainment at
the room opposite the library of the Young
Mems Christian Association, on the same
floor, between Eighth and Ninth, on Main
street, who will furnish appropriate cos.
tunes at reasonable prices.
The following ladies have kindly consent
ed to act as patronesses on the occasion
| Mrs. Henry Hetb, Miss Nicholas, Mrs. W.
w. Crump, Mrs. John Dunlop, Mrs. j. A,
Jones. Mrs. Hunter Mcclure, Mrs. William
A. Maury, Mrs. Isaac Darlington, Mrs. Hen.
ry Herxtball, Mrs. P. HaXal, Mrs. Adair Plea.
SAINTS, Mrs. W. X. Martin, Mrs. Charles Skin
ker, Mrs. Charles Smith, Mrs. E. B. Smith,
Mrs. Horace Haws, Mrs. c. q. Williams,
Mrs. j. B. McCaw, Mrs. George Barksdale,
Mrs. Samuel Harrison, Mrs. Edward Addi.
son, Mrs. Randolph Barksdale, Mrs. John
Triplett, Mrs. G. 3. Davenport, Mrs. Fl. Z.
Burgwyn, Mrs. Robert Ould, Mrs. j. Chris
tiau. Mrs. j. B. Young, Mrs. David N.
walker, Mrs. Writ Robinson, Mrs. Q. Fair
fax, Mrs. Bradley johnson, Mrs. George
Christian, Mrs. Ben. Gray, Mrs. B. "
Hayal; Mrs. Richard Pegran, Mrs. D. B.
remnant, Mrs. Samuel Paul, Petersburg
the Misses Delapiel and Mason, Alexandria
Mrs. William Barton, Fredericksburg; Mrs
John Daniel, Lynchburg; Mrs. William
Robertson, Charlottesville; Mrs. James Lee
Mrs. Richard Page, Mrs. Walter Taylor
Norfolk; Mrs. John Tyler, Charles City
Mrs. Drcwry, Westover; Mrs. Robert Car
Ter, Shirley.