, 1877-02-25

Martha Washington reception Of st. Johns
Guild, which is still in progress tonight, to be
the social event of the winter. Even without
any Grand Dukes the affair would have taken this
rank by long odds. With Alexis and Constan-
tine to give the finishing touch OF royalty, the
ad]ectiycs will be indeed exhausted for the next
nine days, while vivid descriptions and vivid re-
membranes endure. The previous dul1ness OF
the season is forgotten. The charity ball be-
fore this, which was to have been SO
much grandcr than it proved to be, has
been now followed by one which was greater than
the authorizations of it. The Centennial tea
party given by the Guild last year was extreme
" successful, but that Is now surpassed, and
the promise is that St. Johns rules the charity
festivities hcnceforth. There is reason for this,
Of course. The management has been untiring
and indefatigablc. No expense would have
been spared to prepare Nilsson Hall as it was
prepared, had expense been necessary. Happily,
friends were found to contribute time, goods,
and services. Statuary was wanted, and Mr..
Mott loaned it, Canopy, drapcries, and vases
were required, and Mr. Sypher sent them in.
There is no Way to ret along SO economically as
to hare free resources.
TIE GARDEN PARTY
speak One was tho reception proper In the
Academy Of Music, the other was the garden
party in Nilsson Hall, which adioins the
Academy. The latter was sort Of fairy place,
in the sense of furnishing you at once with
scenes from all parts Of the globe, as If BY
magic. Here Was gypsy-maidcn fair as
Preciosa, ready to tell the fortune Of any young
man who would Cross her palm with piece Of
F. A. T...11
would be In Iceland among iciclcs and flr-trces.
The hall was simply made into the likeness of
an immense conservatory, full of flowers,
trees concealfng the walls. The central
piece was floral temple, where America was
represented not only by her choice flowers, but
also BY thirteen OF the younger bellies of the
avenue, dressed in modes Of the last century.
Around the sides OF the ball we're bowers, and
cottages, aud eccentric arrangements dedicated
to Russia, Germany, England, France, Spain,
Italy, Greece, Brazil, Iceland, aud Mexico. The
flowers and plants were made to represent these
countries as far as possible, and the youngladies
in attendance we're dressed in the various na-
tional costumes. The design anu execution of
all this. as may be imagined, were both difficult
and arluous. The work was done very
something very like stage scenery in effect here
and there few had time or inclination to note
it. Brazil was given peasant cottage, with
tiled root, vines, and curious birds. Mexico had
q cottage with that:hcd roof. Mt. Vernon Was
represented by floral temple, with banner
bearing Washingtou's coat-of-arms, aud a lady
representing Mrs. Martha us occupant. Re-
bccca at tho well, drawing lemonade in stone
inrc IF +1,o fn
be met with The Russian booth was placed at
the entrance on Fifteenth street, In honor Of
the Grand Dukes, whose eyes were met as they
stepped into the hall by the Russian banners
and cmbleus. surrounded with a wonderfully
artistic combination of statuary, flowers, and
colored lights.
THE ACADEMY.
Aside from some tasteIul decoration, the
Academy looked as it usually does, and that is
most attractive. The scene on the floor, to my
Taste, was much more taking than that ct q
fancy dress ball. The minatct de Ia eour danced
by twenty couples attircd In the rich court COS
tune OF the time Of Louis XIV. was perhaps
as brilliant a feature as could be arranged, and
WIS perfectly carried through under the direc-
ton Of Prof. De Gorulo. This followed the ini-
tial tablc6u, which was also striking
display. The curtain rose to reveal rep
rcscntatiou OF Que of Lady Nashngton's most
gorgeous receptions, to quote lady who was
no more enthusiastic than the rest. The char
acters were admirably taken and much regard
for accuracy was manifest. Those who have
| seen the large painting OF Lady Washington at
her state reception will be either pleased or Gu
yious to know that the celebrated Southern
beauties OF those days we're for once fairly
matched By beautiful ladies of New York But