Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-14


canopy. along the long line of which at
intervals of a few feet are stationed po-
licemen, who almost uselessly endeayor
to keep the sight-seers back. On the side
walk across the street, in front of the
asylum, where hundreds of poor children
are supported for years on less than the
sum expended for this one evenings
gayety, the people are thrOnged to watch
the arrivals.
There are plenty of the latter now, the
line of carriages reaching far down the
avenue. They drive up to the door, and
ladies-bOth young, middle-aged and old,
pretty, goOd-looking and hCmely, but all
richly attired. with diamonds glistening
at their ears and throats, and with tleecy
wraps thrown over them-tripped along
the carpeted pavement, accompanied by
their escorts. As each lady who liber-
ally displayed her precious ornaments
passed the policemen would force the on
lockers back, as though to thwart any
daring attempt at robbery, while on the
outskirts of the crowd q number of Cen
trail Office detectives were on the alert
for any such attempt. The carriages
came driving up to the door until nearly
midnight, at which time nearly 1000 per-
sons had arrived.
Meanwhile from within came the sweet
strains of delicious music, and through
the open doors the spectators occasionally
caught glimpse of what resembled fairy
land.
After the guests had passed through
the vestibule and the main hall, which
were lined with palms and other. growing
plants, and had put aside their wraps and
OvercOats, they were ushered into the
drawing room, where they were received
by Mr.. William II. Vanderbilt and his
wife, assisted by Mi S. William X. Van
derbilt and Lady Vaudeville. Here the
scene was one never to be forgotten. The
rich and various hued costumes of the
ladies. relieved by the sombre evening
dress of the gentlemen, and all combined
with the beautiful decorations of the
room, formed a brilliant picture.
But in the picture gallery while the
dancing, which began shortly before mid
night, was in progress the spectacle even
rivaled the other. On the walls hung the
wOrld-renOwned paintings of the million
aire. with panels of roses between them
and clusters OF rare eXOtics standing
around the floor. The costumes of many
of the ladies present, both in beauty of
design and richness of color, may be said
to have fairly eclipsed the pictured fan
cies of the painter and, taken as a whole,
the sight was one which will be witnessed
only once in a lifetime.
AT - 80 supper was served in the din
ing room, and DelmOnicO may feel proud
of the full Justice which was shown to his
menu. At $50 O'Clock the cotillion was
danced, being led by Mr.. Lispenard Stew
art and Mrs. Seward Webb, its tavors in
Guiding costly fans and bouquets and rare
flowers. Shortly after supper a number
of guests, who did not wish to stay for the
German, left, but the majority remained
until nearly o'clock, and from that time
until an hour later the air outside was
thick with the calls for the carriages.
THE DECORATIONS.
Mr.. klunder had entire charge of the
floral decorations for the Vanderbilt man.
sion and could not attend to other bust
ness. He said they had used 10000 roses
yesterday in preparing for the ball.
When asked if many of the new favor
tie, the Frances Bennett rose, had been
used, the florist said that comparatively
few had been selected, and those for the
most part for cOrsage bouquets. A num-
Der of these bOutonniere had been made
of the Pride of Devonshire roses, which
are of delicate pink, and are particular
ly popular Just now. 'This is a Frances
Bennett rose" he remarked, as he put the
bright red flower into cluster OF white
hyacinths and roses, and where it proved
most effective; then taking up one of the
pink flowers he half buried it beneath the
dainty white blossoms.
1.-The principal floral decorations are
for the main hail." said Mr.. klunder,
"and that will certainly be unusually
effective. The palms we are using are
particularly fine specimens, and a great
number of them will line the walls, tow
ering oyer the heads of the gayly dressed
thrOng."
The parlOr of the mansion had a few
African palms and tree ferns here and
ba 9 of or 81,
tables and smilaX twined about the pc
destals uphOlding the gas jets in their
many colOred shades. The fireplace was
filled in with roses, mignOnette and fra
grant hyacinths in variety of hues, and
in the dOorways, the portieres of which
were drawn aside, hung balls of roses.
In the main hall, beside the palms, were
high pyramids of roses Of all the different
popular cOlOrs, and making the air sweet
with their fragrance. In the ball room,
on either side of the entrance, were great
pillars Of roses, and here also were ar
ranged screens of smilaX studded with
flowers, and in a number Of artistic de-
signs and two tir-tree-like stands of smilax
about seven feet high, and from each
branch of which were suspended balls of
flowers. The dining room was decorated
with masses of palms and eXotics, but
few cut flowers being used.
Many of the ladies, besides wearing
great clusters of flowers on their waists,
carried several large bouquets. These
were mostly of solid colors. Most of the
debutantes carried bouquets of white
roses surrounded by the delicate tendrils
of the maiden-hair fern. Indeed, these
ferns were much used in all the bouquets.
Pink roses were among the most used, and
the hybrid roses, with their brilliant
coloring and crumpled leaves, were also
favOrites.
One young lady carried a bouquet of
yiOlets and clusters of the same sweet
flower loOped the folds of her tulle dress,
which was unusually pretty and youthful
in effect.
White lilacs were in great demand, and
indeed it is said that the price of all
flowers will be greatly increased during
the next few DAYS.
The gentlemen almost all wore DOutOn-
nieres of roses in preference to the other
flowers, believing that they retain their
beauty longer than Trailer blossoms.
BRILLIANT COSTUMES.
Mrs. w. ii. Vanderbilt received last
evening so many bouquets that they were
strewn on all the parlor tables, although
she carried three. Her costume, made by
Worth for the occasion, was marvellous
combination of satin and brocade. made
with train and square neck and trimmed
with point lace. Her ornaments were
diamonds, and consisted of necklace,
with pendant, earrings, bracelets and
pins, while tiara of the same gems was
worn in the couture, holding in place a
cluster of ostrich tips.
Mrs. Seward Webb was attired in a
dress with court train Of red satin, bro
caded IN gold and front of gold cOlOred
satin yelled in point applique lace. The
was cut low and her ornaments
were diamonds. She carried bouquet of
yellow roses, lilies and red carnations.
Mrs. William Sloane wore white. The
train was of satin, brocaded in silver, and
the front was of plain satin covered with
ruffies of dainty lace. The bodice was
deccollete and she wore diamond jewels.
Mrs. w. X. Vanderbilts becoming toilet
was of cream cOlored brOcade and satin
with duchesse lace, and her or
were diamonds.
Mrs. II. Nick. TwOmbly wore pale blue
satin and brOcade en- train and deccollete
and trimmed with lace and with garni-
ture of ostrich tips and roses.
Mrs. l. n. Phelps appeared in an elab-
crate toilet, with train brOcaded IN a de-
sign of velvet feathers on a silver ground.
The front was covered with an embroidery
of gray beads and marabOut feathers. The
bodice was cut low and her ornaments
were diamonds.
Miss Fanny Swan. wore white silk en-
train, with front draped with silver-em-
broidered tulIe. The corsage was cut
square, and had sleeves of the tulle, and |
She wore cluster of white ostrich tips |
and carried bouquet of pink roses.