Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-27
VANDERBILTS BALL
The Most Brilliant and PICTURESQUE
Entertainment Ever Given In
New York.
Novel Features-The Hobby Horse
Quadrilie-A Miliionaire's House,
Warming.

NEW YORK, March 26.-The fancy dres
ball given By Mr.. and Mrs. W. II. Wander
bilt in their new house, built by Richard w
Hunt, was upquestionably the most brillian
and picturesque entertainment ever given il
New York. The house itself, seen az it Wal
laet night. under blaze of light and kindleC
into splendor by masses of flowers and th,
throDg OF most varied and mag
ni6cent costumes, wss the most fitting frame
work an artist could have asked for
succession of pictures 30 heterogeneous, &C
incongrucus in detail, yet in their genera
trssen.bLs So dazzling and 30 attractive. Lot
we're drawn Saturday by the ladies in charg.
III these quadrilles to decide the order II
which they should be danced, it being pre-
yiously agreed that the ball should bs
kspened by tho "Hebby Horse" quadriIle
fantastic set, under the leadership Of Mrs. s.
s. Rowland and Mr.. James Parker, to
which, by common consent, the privilege was
assigned of filling the scene for five minutes
The first place among the more pictur'
esque quadrilles was drawn by the "Mother
Goose" quadrille, under the leadership Of
Mrs. Lawrence Perkins and Lawrence Per.
kins. At little after II o'clock, to the
strains OF Gilmore's hand, six qusdrilles
comprising in all nearly 100 ladies and gen.
tlemen, were formed in order in the gymna-
professional pageant down the grand
stairway and through the hall, wind.
ing through the motley crowd OF
princes, monks, cavaliers, Highlanders,
queens, kings, dairy maids, bull. fighters,
knights, brigands and mobiles. The process
rion passed down the grand stairway and
through the hall into the Noble Room on
the front of the house in the style of Francis
Premier. Vast carved cabinets and the i'm
msnse, deep fireplace, gave an air of an
uque grandeur 10 this room, from which
the procession passed into a bright
aad charming saloon of the style of Louis
XIV. On the wallis hung three French gobelin
lspelstius q century old, but in the brillisnce
and freshness OF their coloriDg seemingly the
work of yesterday, and over the chimney
piece hangs a superb portrait OF Mrs. Van
derbilt, by Madrozan, full of spirit, charac.
tel and grace. Thence the procession swe pit to
the grand dining hall converted last night into
. ballroom in The Hobby Horse Quadrille," !"
with which all began. The horses were the
most wonderful things ef the kind ever con-
structed in this country. The workmen
were two months finishing them; they were
life-size and covered with genuine hides,
had large, bright eyes and flowing manes
and tails, but were light enough to be easily
and comfortably attached to the w.ists of
the wearers, whose feet were concealed by
richly embroidered hangings; false legs
we're represented on each of the blankets and
were really deceptive. The costumes we're red
hernleng coats, white satin vests, yellow satin
knee-breeches and white satin stockings.
The ladies wore red hunting coats and white
satin skirts, elegantly embroidered. All
dresses were in the style Of Louis XIV. This
quadrille was organized by Mrs. Howlaud,
Wi ha hal N Of PIah ri
Robert and Mr.. James V. Harker.
The opening quadrile of the ball,
however, really Was the "Mother Goose
led by Mrs. Lawrence Perkins, rs Mother
Goose" and Mr.. Oliver II. Norihcote
as "Wiz.rd." Perhaps the most brilliant
qusdrilles of the evening was the opera bou6t
organized BY Mrs. Francis Y. Zlnda, sister ol
Mrs.. w. X. Vanderbilt. In this quadrille
appeared Miss Smith, another sister Of Mrs
w. K. Vanderbilt Another striking quad
rills was the 'Star" quadrille, organized by
Mrs. William Astor- The ladies were ar
ranged rs Twin stars in four diff
creat eolors-yellow. blue. msuve ant
white. The gentlemen were in costumes
Dresden quadrille, led by Mrs. Jame
Strong. Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt organic &c
alively "go-ss-you-please" qusdrille. Anon,
hundreds of striking and unique costume
but few can possibly be noted. These, how
ever, will convey some idea OF the scene as
presented itself al midnight, when the hal
| of the grand stairway and spacious apart
ments were all thronged with animate
groups enjoying double pleasure, seeing an
| being seen.
Mrs. Vanderbilfs irreproschable tast
| was seen to perfection in her costume as
Venetian princess. The underskirt was Q
white and yellow brocade, shading from tn
deepest orange to the lightest yellow, onl
big b lights being white. The figures {
flowers and leaves we're outlined in golt
white and iridescent beads, light blue sati
braid, embroidered ms significantly in gold an
lined with Roman red. Almost the entii
lengthy train wss csugh ht up at one side, form
ing large puff. The waist was of blue sati
covered with gold embroidery. The DIRE
was cut square in the neck, and the howir
sleeves were OF transparent gold tissue. 81
wore a Venetian cap, covered with msgnii
cent jewels. the most valuable OF these peir
s superb peacock in many-colored gems.
| Lady Vaudeville, who received the gues
with Mrs. Vanderbilt, wore a costume
most fortunate contrast with the toilette
Mrs Vanderbilt.
The remainder OF the costumes were el
CANT and in exquisite taste. Altogether, q
ball was grand success, the like OF whit
has never been approached in this city b
| fore.