Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-03-27
VANDERBILT'S BALL.
DISPLAY OF WEALTH AND FASHION
Unparalleled Magnificence OF Dress and
Sumptuousness OF Enrertainmenr-

DISPLAY OF WEALTH AND FASHION
Unparalleled Magnificence OF Dress and
sumptuousness OF Enrertsinmenr-
What Some OF the Guests Wore.
The fancy bail given in New York last
night by Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt
was urquestionably the most brilliant and
picturesque entertainment ever given in
New York. The guests on arriving found
themselves il q grand hall about sixty
five feet long, sixteen feet in height and
twenty five feet wide. Under foot was a
floor of polished and luminous Echail!on
stone and above them ceiling richly
panelled in oak. Over high wainscotting
of Caen stO;1a, richly carved, are antique
Italian tapestries, beautifully worked by
hand. Out Of this hall to the right rises
the grand stairway, which is not only the
finest piece of work of its kind in this
country, but one Of the finest in the world.
The staircase occupies a space Of thirty
feet square. the whole structure being OF
the finest Caen stone, carved with wonder
full delicacy and vigor. It climbs by
ample, easy stages to a height of fifty feet,
ending in pendentivo dome. Another
stairway, also in Caen stone, leading
from the second to tic third story, is seen
through 4 rampant arch with an effect
which recalls the unique and glorious
stairway of the Chateau of Chambord. In
the gymnasium, On the third floor. most
beautiful apartment, fifty feet long ky
thirty-fve wide, the members of tho six
organized quadrilles of the evening gradu-
ally assembled before II p. IN. The balus-
trade of the grand stairway was hidden
with roses and vines OF smilaS. Masses
Infr rn,o IL s,,t ., u Js,,:,,
room and bail room, wherever OppOrtuni
ty offered. A bower of roses was built
il the bali room for the musicians.
Tho Dancing.
At a little after II p. H., to the strains
of Gilmore's band, the six Iuadrilles, COM
prising in all nearly 100 ladies and gentle.
men, wero formed liz order in the gymnas-
ium, and began to move III a glittering
professional pageant down tho grand
stairway and through the hall In the
Hobby horse Quadrille, with which the
ball began, the horses were the most
wonderful things Of tho kind ever con-
structed in this country. The workmen
were two months in finishing them. They
were of life size, covered with genuine
hides, had large bright eyes and flowing
names and tails, but were light enough to
waists Of the wea:ers, whose feet were
concealed by richly embroidered hansings.
False legs were represented on the outside
Of the blankets, SO the deception was quite
perfect. Tho costumes were red hunting
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
the dresses were in the styIo of Louis
XIV.
Yhe Supper.
The favorito Gallop of the night was that
from Heart and Hand" Introducing the
act in which the cavalry come troOping on
the stage. At this point supper was an
nounced, and most OF the guests left the
dancing hall. The supper was served in
tho rooms above that whcro tho dancing
took place. which was furnished with small
tables. At these two and tour of tho
guests sat. All tie arrangements were
under the charge of Dclmonico, who
supplied twenty walters. The exteLt of the
preparations may BE- judged by tho fact
tha5 Dc!monico furnished seventy five
cases Of champagne. besides othec wines
and liquors. The flowers were displayed
chiefly in the supper room, which was
beautifully decorated. Each guest found
at the table a bouquet of unique design,
which was intended as a souvenir of the
occasion. Many Of the lady guests
brought expensive bouquets of Jacque
minOt and Marshal Nc,l ross, and other
rare flowers. IAe dancing was continued
until an early hour in the morning. and
dawn was making its appearance when
the last carriage rolled away.
The Vanderbilt Dresses.
Mrs. Vanderbilt s taste was seen to per-
fection i'll her costume as q Venetian
princess, taken from a picture by Cabanal.
The undcrskirt was o; white and yellow
brocade, shading from the deepest orange
to the lightest canary, only the high lights
being white. The figures Of the flowers
and leaves were outlined in gold, white
and iridescent beads. The light blue satin
train was embroidered magnificently in
gold and lined with Rotnan red. Almost
tho entire length of the train was caught
up at one side, forming large puff. The
waist was OF blue satin, covered with gold
embroidery. The dress was cut square in
the neck, and the flowing sleeves were of
transparent gold tissues. She wore We
netian cap covered will, magnificent jew
els, the most noticeable of these being a
superb peacock in many colored gems
Lady Mandevil!c, who received the |
guests with Mrs. Vanderbilt, wore cos
tune in mGst fortunate contrast with Mrs !
Varderb!t's Her dress was copied from
a picture By Nandyko OF 4 Princess De .
Croy. The pctticoat was of black satin |
embroidered in jet. The body and tram |
were of black velvet, ornamented with !
heavy jet embroidery The dress had |
large pufleG Vandyke sleeves, an immense
stand up Collar Of Venetian lace, the
sleeves being TUNED up with the same
lace. The whole was crowned with a
black Vandy|:e hat and dropping p,umes,
turned up ;35 one side and blazing with
jewels.
Mr.. W. *. Vanderbilt appeared as the
Duke De Guisc, wearing yellow six
tights, yellow and black trunks, a yellow
doublet and Il hiack velvet cloak, en-
broidered III gold, with the Order of St,
Michael suspended on a black ribbon, and
with white wiz, black velvet shoes and
buckles. Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt ap-
p:arei as Louis XVI, in habit de conr.
and bre"e,cs Of iawn -colored brocade.
with silver point d'Espague, a
Of Reseds, trimmed with real
silver lace the stockings, shoes and har
were Of Rescda be wore iabot and
rnffles Of lace, and diamond hil.ed
sw ord.
Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt appeared as
the Electric Light i'll white satin.
trimmed with diamonds and with Il mag.
Difcent diamond head dress She was
by her children daintily
ono as 4 rose, i'll pink tulle
with n satin OyerlireSS of mink IeaveS . |