The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-04-07
A Party In Florence.

A CORES pUnQenC Ol tue OLlcaRo 1t"seo
describes the gay life of the F%lorentines,
and goes into raptures over the balls
and fetes which enliven the ancient
palaces oftheir old and fascinating city.
W. quote this picture Of a wealthy lady
resident and Of the wonderful parties
she gives:
Florence contains at this very mo-
menta verirable Countess Monte Christie,
not q theoretical ideal like that of Du-
mas, but q veritable heroine, with
brains enough to think of all sorts Of
nice things, and practical sense and
curiosity enough to give shape and form
to her thoughts. She is English, a
widow, rich as Cresus, and amiable as
she is good and generous, and even the
most envious cannot say evil OF Mrs.
CROSSWORD. She receives every Tuesday
evening, and such weekly receptions
were never seen before. The palazza
Dhoogworst in which she lives, is on
the Lung Arno, and is n of the most
beautiful palaces in Florence. To see
these magnificent rooms is pleasure
enough. Dancing begins at eleven
o'clork, and the cotiflion or German,
with which all the balls Of Florence
end, continues till five O'Clock in the
morning-supper at two o'clock. But
as I do not wish to give yGu SUCH saot an
novels used to give me, l will not
describe the "cena"-supper: Inc last
ball was q fete pandre affair, the ladies in
powder, patches, and trains, the gentle
men in knee-breeches, silken hose, high
heels and diamond buckles. MesIames
Pompadour and DuBarry were there,
but it was 1.-The play of Hamlet with
Hamlet left out" for even the most IL
Customary could not see a Louis XIV.
among all this crowd of messieurs in
kingly attire. The supper was recherche,
unique; a whole stag smothered IN
iellies filled the center of the table,
while either end rejoiced in a veritable
peacock, with his argus-eyed fans all
spread, poor birds that had been wick
edly murdered to grace this tete. But
the cotillion favors surpassed all; beau
tiful fans, gold chains with their hos.
tess monogram On the medallions, and
divers other rich gifts. At the closing
figure of the quadrille, when r. table WA
placed in the middle of the room with
q hand-organ upon it, every one was IN
| delicious suspense. What nextP re-
sounded in whispers through the room,
when in came the second son of the
Princess Strozzi, disguised as an organ
grinder in a charming velvet costume,
and bearing on his shoulder a dear, dis
gushing little pet monkey, dressed in
ssatins and t%insels, holding in his little
hand 4 box containing cards upon which
each lady guests name had been writ
ten. The monkey was placed on the
table. and each courtier in his turn re:
ceived a card marked Monkey" and
the lucky recipient of the prize favor Of
the cotillion bore away in triumph this
interesting specimen OF u original an
cestors. The wife Of Count Miradore
a son of Victor Emanuel, the pretties'
woman in Florence, appeared in tn
most gorgeous costume of pale-blue vel
vet and white satin. The Marches
Ginori, wife of the proprietor Of tn
famous Ginori porcelain factory. wa
dazzling in the most beautiful diamond
to be seen in italy. Madame Crossword
wor a superb Worth costume of blu
I satin, embroidered with silver in ara
besaue design, pearl necklace, with dia
mond pendants and tiara OF diamonds il
her blonde hair.