National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-08
THE BALL AT ANNAPOLIS
And Other Interesting Matters OF a SOeia
81 Nature.

Nature.
| Quite number of our beaux and bellies went
over to Annapolis to attend the annual ball which
is given by the midshipmen OF the Naval Academy.
These balls very brilliant affairs, and expecta-
| ton is on tip-toe concerning them weeks before
hand; invitations are given, and engagements
| made to dance many months in advance.
The wealth and beauty, not only of Annapolis,
but of the whole country, are represented for the
friends and relatives ofthe cadets come from almost
every State to participate in the festivities Your
correspondent saw some of the dresses to be worn
on this occasion. Among them was lovely blue
satin, with trained skirt and richly embroidered
oyerskirt, trimmed with fringe; p0mpadour waist
and sleeves edged with soft lace. The ornaments
to be worn with this were bracelets and earrings
of turquoise and pearls. Another beautiful dress
was skirt of white brocaded satin, made short
and edged with narrow quilting of white silk
an oyerdresS of shimmering whitesilk grenadlne,
trimmed with lace the oyerskirt caught to the un-
derskirt on one side with heavy cord and tasSelS,
| the other side loOped high with white brocaded
satin ribbon; the basque quite short IN from,
and the neck cut shape; the neck and the three
quarter sleeves were trimmed with lace. Orna-
ments fsilver fiiigree and white rosebuds made
this costume perfect.
The tournament will take place this evening.
Admiral Balch has become very popular with the
A number of them were granted New Years leave
this year, which is something very unusual.
The present graduating class is very large, and
is said to contain more real talent than has been
developed in the Academy for long time.
New Years cards were prepared for the Academy
this year for the first time. They very pretty
and consist of a fine engraving of an appropriate
design upon tinted ground
Persons visiting Washington from the Northern
cities where they have such variety of elegant
sleighS, must have been highly amused at the dis
play on the ASESfIie last week, such rustic affairs
some of them were, often without paint or finish
of any kind; sometimes with an old blue quilt
thrown over the back, such as were used by our
grandmothers, and which must have been raked
from the garrets of some old Virginia homesteadS
While calling upon friend the other evening
pair of vases and pitcher We're shown which
would cause the eyes OF cOnnoisSeur to sparkle
With delight The vases are of quaint shape, and
are said to be ofDutch manufacture with English
decorations. They have been in her familya hun
dred years The pitcher is very curious, and is
made of plu1n-colOred ware, with the decorations
in gold color. This consists of hunting scene.
Then there is the castle, the extensive grounds,
the porters lodge, and the hunters on horseback,
who follow the fox and hounds all around the top
of the pitcher. This also is hundred years old.
The corridor leading to the Office of the Secre-
tary in the Treasury Department has been hung
with portraits of some of the former Secretaries.
There are thirteen of them there now. ANY one
feeling curiosity to see the financial heads Of the
Government have fine opportunity to do so.
Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary, is there
whose system of conducting financial affairs was
SO perfect that after all these years they have not
been able to improve upon it. As one looks upon
his handsome face and manly form, that morning
l.
met his enemy Burr, and which has been so thrill
ingly described by Parton in his Life of Aaron
Burr"
The library ofthe Treasury Department has been
removed TO new and more cOmmOdious rooms A
number of new books have been added to the col
lection, and it will compare favorably now with
the libraries ofthe other Departments.
New Years Day, as a friend of the writer was
making the round of the Cabinet receptions, and
when quite near the Treasury Department, he was
accoSted by man, accompanied by his five chill
dren with the inquiry if he could go through
the building on that day. The gentleman
replied no; that it holiday and the public
buildings were closed. He then aSkedif he could
go through the Smithsonian Institute, and was
again told that he could not. At this reply he
looked dreadfully disappointed and told the gen.
tleman that he had come all the way from the
Black Hills; that he was passing through
the city-must leave the next morning;
that he had lost the mother of the lit
tie ones, and was travelling with them alone. So
much sympathy was felt for him that he was told :
"f you cannot see the public buildings youcan go
to any of the private houses to-day. This is the
day when every one keeps open house. and if you
speak to policeman he will show you the way"
AT this Intelligence he opened his eyes with won
der and looked incredulous, saying: ''YOu are not
deceiving me, are you?" He was again assured
that this was true, and that he would not only be
received but find plenty to eat. This last remark
caused the faces of the little ones to beam with
joy, and off they all trudged, through cold and
snow, to find some of those wonderful open doors
where all who entered were made welcome.
AT the Government Hospital for the Insane the
managers arrange a series of musical literary
and dramatic entertainments during the winter
for the inmates They are assisted in this labor of
love by such talent as they can command among
the inmates and officers of the institution as well
as by Washington amateurs. party of we'll
known musical people and amateur actors went
over last evening and gave very satisfactory en-
tertanment to these unfortunate but always ap-
preciative people. Among those who kindly vol
unteered their services upon this occasion were
Dr. c. F. Johnston, Miss Johnston, Mrs. D. S. Ward
Mr. c. E. Rice, Mr.. and Mrs. A. B. Anderson and
Mrs. Miller.
The Misses Gill; from New York, are spending
the winter in the city.
Major L. C. Forsyth has been ordered East and
is daily expected to arrive.
North Carolina BOycotfing.'
The newspapers are explaining to our people