The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-12-13
YANpERnII.T,s RALL.
Tho Prominent Event Of the Season IL
htw York city.

Tho Prominent Event Of the Season In
htw York City.
New YORK, December l2.-Mr. and Mrs.
William II. yanderbilts private ball, which
occurred in their house at Filth avenue
and Fiity-irst street, last evening, drew
large and brilliant company Of fashionable
people, who evidently not only enjoyed
the social opportunities afIried by the
ball, but took delight ia inspecting the in.
terror Ct the house, which proves interest
ing even after many visits. The rooms
we're decorate d as elaborately as was pos
s6le la their artistic bounds, where there
are 90 many decorations. --.,-- :.
The display OF rs was almost ,unpre.
cedented. In the large square hall extend
ing thewhole height Of the house, there
we're placed; four huge pyfamids Of roses
Of the choicest varieties. All through the
rooms were bouquets and panels of rose,.
No smilax was used in the decorations, but
there were huge leafy ssgo palms, dratmlas
and ferns set In the balls and corners Of
the rooms. The bouquets for the ladies'
aud bou!tonierrs for the gentlemen were
massed In small mountain Of color and
fragrance, surrounded by maiden-hair
fern. The gentlemen wore lilies Of the
valley and Tcse-suds, and the ladies large
clusters OF Baroness de Rothschild, Mer-
met, Bon S;lene, Gloire de Paris, Jocque.
minots, Marechal Nitl, Douglass, Perle de
Jardin and other roses. Nearly every
room In the house was thrown open and
fully one Thousand people were present.
The guests did not begin 10 arrive until
alter Ii. Then they cana rapidly. and
there was long line Of carriages outside,
and O crowd In the dressing.rooms inside
the house.
Mrs. Vanderbilt was assisted in receiving
the company by ber daughters, Mrs. W.
Seward Webb, Mrs. II. Mex. Thombly,
Mrs. W. D. Sloan and Mrs. Elliott F. Shep-
pard.
The dancing took place in the Art Gall
lery, on the west side Of the hall, theft ,or
having been polished like livery. Lanier's
orchestra OF fifteen pieces were screened
IRON view in the balcony at one end oil the
gallery. The music va principally waltz!s
and promenade selections. Before dane
ing began the company he'd time to ad.
mire the new paintings recently hung in
the gallery. MIR. Vanderbilt has about one
hundred new canvasses, and for the better
enjoyment and criticism he will give an art
reception for gentlemen on December 20.
The conservatory, full Of luxuriant
growth Of rare plants, formed convenient
retreat from the dancing room. In the
other direction, people wandered through
the reception room, parlor, drawing room
and library, all on the Fifth avenue side Of
the building. Mr.. Vaudefbilts bed room,
with its handsomely frescoed ceilings, the
Japanese or "bamboo" parlor and other
rooms were duly visited and admired.
In the large dining room Dtlmonico's
genius reigned, and walters dispensed all
the delicacies from sandwiches TO ices, and
from coffee TO champagne. Where there
was go much to see, and the company was
80 divided by many rooms, there were
naturally more promenaders than dancera.
The german was danced the, last thing be.
fore the company broke up. Lispenard
Stewart was selected 10 lead II, Mrs. Webb
dancing with the leader. The lavors, beside
the bouquets, included handsomely carved
fans for the ladies and various pretty arti.
cles for the gentlemen. About four hun.
dred ladies' took part in the German, and
the effect OF the brilliant Jew and dress
es, not 10 speak Of the handsome !acee, with
the brilliant surroundings. was charming
in the extreme 10 one looking down from
the gallery. Fight police officers were on
duty at the Fifth avenue entrance, and Mr.
johnson, Of Grace Church, was in charge
OF the carriage regulations Near the can.
opy which covered the pavement there wac
a press Of sight.seers, and those in the
rear pushed those in the front almost un.
der the. awning and on to the carpet which
covered the pavement, as the guests ar
rived.