The Evening critic., 1882-08-25
A DELIGHTFUL TRIP.
The Compliment TO Mrs. Ricketts,
All The Beauty, Fashion and Gal
Iantry of Washington ON the Cor
cnrnu-nInrnificen DecOrnfInna.

Tho river trip on the COrc0ran yesterday
evening was a charming affair. Tho party
was given by Mr.. Lathrop, Of New York, to
Mrs. Ricketts,, q graceful acknowledgment on
his part of tho social courtesles extended to
him by the General and herself during his
stay In our city.
The seamer was In fino condition, 80 exquis
itely clean that the delicate toilets suffered no
injury, and tho decks and machinery fairly
shone. Long garlands OF box, dotted with sum
flowers. were hung along the upper deck, and
between the stancheons were suspended
Baskets, Circles ana Anchors,
done in rosebuds, carnations, asters, hello
trope, hydrangcas, gladiolus, and half a dozen
other varieties Of flowers, all 80 fresh that the
perfume still hung about them, and there
seemed to be not even crumplcd leaf In the
collection.
These decorations wore intersporsed with
Chinese lanterns OF crimson, white, groom and
blue, and n string band placed forward added
It's beauty to the sunlight and moonshine.
About o'clock wormley's walters brought
table aft and placed In its centre bowl OF
India china, In which had been brewed
A forum of Cuban Punch.
II was kept replenished all the evening, and
tho variety OF glasses used was noticeable.
There were tho green claret and abslnthe
glasses, the long -stemmed champagne glasses,
the punch cups, nne tumblers OF pale green,
pink and white Bohemian cracklo ware and
the usual patterns OF clear glass.
By this tlme tho night had como down, tho
water was like glass, tho moon poured its sill.
yer largesse as prodigally as II 1t had beon tho
full moon, and tho Apollo Club placed them-
selves In the bow and sang in their happiest
manner. Among them was tonor, very sweet
and pure, and
AS the Waves of Harmony Rose
and fell this voice seemed to glido over them
and touch them with tenderness like that of
tho light on the waters Mrs. Kimball sang
with them, her contralto adding much TO the
general effect.
At half past nine supper was announced,
and the guests gathered in tho cabin, where ar
rangements had been made for seating the Ia
the central ono being fanked at head and
foot by others OF equal length but transversely
Flowers ana Wax Lights were Album.
and the effect was admirable. on each OF the
cross tables was q mighty salmon picked "ln
his bones" and garnished with lettuce leaves;
on each side were potato and beet salads
made with mayonnaiee; at each end was
mold OF forced meat, spiced highly; bowls OF
fried chickens, garnished prettily, ran the
length OF the centre table. In the middle OF
this last was largo epergne filled with nne
peaches and Malaga grapes, and decorated
with vines and flowers. over each table was
suspended
A Large "R" wrought Entirely of
Scarlet Geranium Blossoms,
the initials Of the lady whom Mr.. Lathrop
payne, ciaret, port and sherry were served in
\ such abundance that the array OF empty bot.
ties numbered almost as many as the guests.
Besides the decorations named tho ceiling OF
the cabin was q network OF green, from
which depended baskets OF stem.flowers and
pretty devices wrought of tho same frag-
Among the Guests
were the Misses Rucker, General sturgls, with
his cadet son and his handsome daughters
General Palmer U. s.. A.; Major and Mrs
Menocai, Colonel BENJAMIN, U. $. A.; Colonel
and Mrs. Curtis, Lieutenant and Mrs. Hoxie,
Captain and Miss Sampson, the latter OF whom
and Miss Burnside were the prettiest girls on
| the boat. Mrs. General Paul and her two
| sweet daughters, Mrs. General Poe and her
bonnie winnifred, Miss Eastman, Doctor Gun
| mel. U. 8. NJ; Mr.. Bryson Wood, Mr.. and Miss
Mohun, Major Slack, U. s. NJ. g.; Mr.. Chiffon,
Mrs: General Richardson and her ssnn SON
ss tho of scuper GSrors
Mr. and Mrs. Gorham, Mr.. Hunt, the Misses
| Williamson, Miss Fcbiger, Mr.. Dennis, Judge
and Mrs. Key, number of young Army and
| Mr.. and Mrs. Church, Miss Paulding, pretty
| Miss Roy and her brother, Mr.. Downing, Mr.
Martin, several West Pointers, ana a hos
| more.
| The evening ended with recltations and
| music, and the boat brought up at the whar
in the midst of the raptuous applause evoked
| by the same.
Tho Night was One of AbsOIut,
beauty,
and wierd effects were produced by tho renec
| tions along the shore and on the water. Schoon
| ers and sloops were raised to towers OF canvas
| the small stars were faithfully glassed-theii
sails looked like silver, and the lights were
magnincd to unusual proportions; the moons
| clouds and split their light upon the water ir
circles that glowed like molten metal; the Jar
ring OF the engines was imperceptible, and thu
from point TO point OF loveliness without an,
apparent volition.