The New York herald., 1876-02-23
THE MARTHA WASHINGTON RECEPTION.


The anniversary never received such marked reoog
milton from Americans thatbestowed upon it last
night the Academy of Music in the OF charity.
When recalls TO mind the immense advantages in
regard to health; the object for which this ball IS
given is calculated to give; the taking away from tho
pestlental atmosphere OF metropolitan slums in mid
summer the invalid poor there is reason TO thank
the noble New York public for their splendid response
which they gave this deserving charity last night Tho
Floating Hospital has already done Samaritan work
1t has rallied the sinking constitution which poison
GUS from sewers Easements and ilventlated atics
has made sad havoc and over which the only medical
advisor that watched seemed to be the grim King OF
Terrors himself IL has called faint flush into the
face OF the starving mother and has relaxed OF
the punched up features of her poor offspring;
II has brought joy and momentary forgetiuness
OF i-fortunc; It has given bamy breezes to cheeks
that before knew aught but vapors most Svilc
in fine has been harbingcr of good OF charity o,
love. Martha Washington is Justly regarded the
first Of tho representative woman Of America In this
Centennial year when the American heart Is especially
patriotic II was happy idea TO couple the OF
Martha Washington with charity, and to provide
celebration worthy Of the occasion and Of the OBJ
jcct The at the Academy OF Music was
something to be remembered. The quaint costumes OF
100 years ago mingled with those which the modistcs
OF to-day would call the latest and most elegant that
Paris can boast or The prcdomnance of last century
toilets gave feature OF especial interest tho BALI
rccepuOn tea party OF Whatever we may choose 10 call
e.
The throng was immense Carriages blocked all tho
adjoining thOrOnghinrcs and the noOr and Hobbies tho
Academy, the supper room IN Nilsson Hall and the tea
tables In Irving Hall were dcnsey crowded. IL seemed
If all New FORK and his wife Were present The musi-
cal portion of the celebration OF particular
interest. George 4. Bristow contributed magnificent
festival overture entitled Great Republic" worthy OF
the name and OF tho foremost of American com
posers. Hr c. f. Horseley contributed song and
chorus entitled, "Our Patriot Flag" When two such
accomplished musicians Oiler musical contributions TO
foef maj bQ rod hat 10
OF more than ordinary importancs. The eador
for the promenade music Mr.. G. s. Ora.
fua, with the seventh Regiment Band under his
direction and Adolph Bernstein, to whom metropolitan
devotees OF Terpschorc offer up bations. Major
Downing had the Ninth Regiment Band at Irving
Hall. which was connected with the Academy
by covered passage, something similar TO
that which characterized the last Amercus Club
ball The various states represented at
the tables in Irving Hail. ami many Of the bellies OF tho
metropolis attended to the tea and poured
their numerous customers the beverage that cheers
but not nebrato. Everything that could be done
TO make the event commensurate with the importance
was fulfilled by the management The dancing pro-
gramme comprised twenty-five selections. number
OF antiquarian curiositics placed exhibition
Busts Of Washington and DO Witt Clinton
bury OF the ball, the music above took on
fantastic shapes First II sounded like an orchestra
played by grasshoppers; the vions veiled with
spiders webs and the flutes cut from
cloud, with abundant noise and superabundant
brass And the lights OF the huge chandelier
winked and twlnkled and the shifting mass OF
dancers the floor wore Kaleidoscope aspect as II
presented various colors and hucs and every said
that there was never such a throng and jam OF
humanity since those haicyon days when the coming
tKing OF England danced on the floor since
The Boss marshalled his legons in ball costume for tho
inn