Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-27
VIRGINIA HOSPITALITY
Melted Out to Foreign Guests at
Richmond, Va.
French and Prussian COlOrs Blended.
An American Girls Conquest.

Correspondence Cincinnati cOmmsrcial.l
RICHMOND, Va, October 22.-In
| the excitement attendant upon the
closing days ofthe Yorktown Centen-
NAL, in which all Virginians we're to
a greater or less extent interested,
and especially during the reception OF
the foreign guests here yesterday, It
has been difficult to obtain much
information concerning the canvass IN
this State. For the time being the
hospitable citizens Of Richmond for
cot all else but the cOurtesies Of the
host, and even the gentleman most
interested in the result had to stop
and think a moment before they could
venture an opinion as to the possible
result Of the approaching election.
So distracted were all men after the
arrival of the French and German
guests in the beautifully decorated
city yesterday morning that in abso-
lutte despair l gave up all further at
tempt to seek for political knowledge
for that day at least. | have already
telegraphed the Commercial the par
ticulars of these distinguished guests,
who concluded the day with a ball at
the Allan House last night. Il was
carrying one back many years in the
history Of the Republic to see the sons
and daughters Of the old Colonial fam
lilies entertaining the descendants Of
the Rochambeius, Lafsyettes and
Won Steubens.
Allan House, in which the enter
tainment last night was held. is one of
the Oldest residences in Richmond,
and its hard oak floors and small gable
windows bore ample evidence Of its
age and responsibility. The house is
one in which the good old lady who
adopted the wild young poet, Poe.
lived, but it is now, | believe, unoccu
pied. Its high ceilings are handsomely
frescoed, its chandeliers Of moslelabO-
rate pattern, and the paintings which
still decorate the walls are dim with
age, jet beautiful 10 execution. The
defects Of time hsd been covered 10
many places With beautiful floral dec
Oratioas, and the old family portraits
gave way IN some cases to more mod
ern paintings. The French and Ger
nan colOrs we're displayed on every
side, and the old walls were illuDiaa-
ted with electric lights rather than
the tallOW dips which shed their soft.
bsEitehing light on the youth and
beauty Of halt q century ago. The
! Marquis and Madame De ROchsmbeau
we're Of course the h0nored guests, and
the Madame Ia Marquise, in hand
some costume Of violet silk. with
rsvsrs Of darker shades and diamond
ornaments, attaaetedmuch attention.
Madem0iselle Dc Chsmbron, a lineal
descendant Of the Marquis De Lafsy
cite, ins charming but simple COS
tune Of all white was also much I'D
mired The French and German of
GERS In their brilliant uniforms and
handsome decorations we're Of course
the idols Of the Richmond beauties
The three young sons Of Colonel Won
Steuben. unable as they we're 70 speak
either English or French. we're new
ertheless much sought after, and the
youug ladies who could converse IN
German were made the subjects Of
special attention, much TO the cha
grin Of their less accomplished sisters
The naval officers al spoke English
naval officers Of every country pick NJ
this language-but their equally gal
lant brethren ofthe army we're left to
the tender mereiss Of school girl
French.
/ san one striking example Of the
se~lf-assursnce Of the American girl
who, this morning, Is the envy Of al
her fair companions at this hotel. She
was 2 bright and handsome girl from
some neighboring city. and sat with
some friends IN the psIlor Of the TX
change Hotel, where the officers were
lettering about for an hour or more
previous 70 their departure for the
ball rom. Miss Columbia. With al
the ambition Of her sex, saw The hanA
some figures and ~glitteriDg costumes
Of the French officers and longed 10
know something more Of them.
Won't you point out to me the
Count de Grassey she asked Of an
American newspaper correspondent in
the party.
Certainly, vas the reply. Il vii
point all these gentlemen out to you.
Oh, M. how handsonG' she ex-
claimed, as one Of the officers entered
tia psrorF. How sorry I an not u
be able TO 60 TO the ball" And she
gave Der walking suit a little twist AZ
though, Ike Cinderella. she could
transform ]. into . ball room costume.
The little godmOther Of the story
book did not appear. however. but 10
her stead the magnificent form Of Col
Hipp0lyte William Bossan. Of he
Twentieth Dragons, a gentleman
whose resemblance 10 General Han.
cock has been 50 often remarked since
his arrival. The Colonel bowed Il
the journalist and stopped immedi.
ately before him. Nothing was left
but to present Miss Columbia. wbo
could speak no word Of French TO the
superb Frenchmen, who spoke nc
English.
The young lady, by no m.anl
abashed, at once muttered her regrefl
at not being able to attend the festiyi
ties, and the Frenchman, through ar
interpreter, begged the young lady I,
go with him. The color few TO hel
cheeks, her eyessparkled with delight
she hesltated a moment, and then. be
ing an American girl, she went.
How her lady companions were ter
rihed. Will she 60 with the fellow
they exclaimed, in chorus. as the Dir
took the arm Of her escort. who va.
delighted at the prospect OF so beanti
full q companion. "She will" said m,
journalist, "and if / could | woult
like TO supply you all with handsomr
French escorts"
l saw them later, arm In arm. a
silent as twin sphynxes. They dance,
early and often, however, and despit
the mutterings Of dis~approbation tba
S are being whispered about the ladie.
parlors this morning, Miss Columbi
l is the happiest girl in Richmond.
w. S. i.
A Observation-Disclosures Ali
ance.