Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-14
Tho vanderbilt Ball.

The ball given by Mr.. and Mrs. Wander
bilt Tuesday night, was by far the grandest
affair of the kind ever known in this coun-
try. In receiving the guests Mrs. Wander
bilt was assisted by her daughter, Mrs. Dr.
| w. Seward Webb, and among those present
who included all the elite Of the city
| were Mr. and Mrs Louis G. Clarke. A New
York paper says
The interior OF the great mansion was as a
dream OF The gods. The mliu hall, through
which the guests passed from their carriages
was OF polished Echadlon stone. In front of
the massive doors was large stone urn tow
ering higher than the talest visitor, set OF
by the antique Italian tapestries that adorned
the walls. 70 the right was the grand stair
case of Caen stone, delicately carved. The
noble gentlemen who came to dance and
stayed 10 indulge in flirtations, dofIed their
overcoas and took of their gloves
in the Francis |. room, and in the
Louis XIV. sllon the ladies relieved them
selves OF their soft, warm wraps beneath the
d,zzlug chandeliers.
The costumes Of these fair ladies were In
the last degree beautiful, many Of them hav-
ing come direct from Worth, aud the display
of diamonds was unusually great, even for
New York.
Mrs. w. II. Vanderbilt received her guests
$1,000, aud set off by diam1nd tiara, neck
lace and bracelets Mrs. William X. Van
derbilt livaled her relative in a Worth COS
tune Of heavy white broc ided satin COM
bined with garnet velvet, the train Of which
was nearly four yards long and lined with
gold satin. Lady Vaudeville displayed her
exquisite taste by appearing in toilet Of
amber gauzc over gold and !oopei with dia-
mond pins. Mrs. William Astor had dress
of dark velvet trimmed with point lace, and
valued at $1,000.
the musicians, 90 pieces from Lenders
orchestra, were screened behind palms and
trailing vines on balcony ut the further
end. The beautiful paintings, OF which the
iordly owner is so proud, were not disturbed,
but between them HE walls were covered
with panels OF roses. From this gallery
opened u conservatory filed with rare orchid
aud fruitful orange trees.
The supper was the most elegant ever
served 10 this country. In the basement,
, the best chefs in the city, who hid been al
work for two weeks comp 'undiDg decacics
moved about in soft slippers and put the
=, final touches to the many fishes. Delmoni
8 co served the refreshments for these noble
i people, and 200 waters dispensed them Il
. III hungry guests The tables were dccked
with masterpieces in fancy creams, pyramid.
0 OF fruit, jelics and honnons, over which
u high silver cardelabra shea subduod light
At O'clock the drawing room was rs
J. picture from one of Tennyson's poems. Be
o tween the great Windows MInsignor Cape
), stood in conversation wiki his hos, t!e
: forms relieved by the red velvet hanging III
e the wall behind them, emhroideret
II in golden leaves and flowers. among wheel
nuitered butterflies, and over which wa
/ sprinkled crystal dewdrups. Stanliug near
IS vase of diamond cut stained glass, Lad
1t Vaudeville smiled rapturously in the faces q
: the elegantly attired bu, clllow youths, an
n beyond them were the thronys Of fatigue,
II dancers who had RECALLED themselves wit,
y such refreshmcnt as the lord Of the mano
l. had to give them. Furh-y on in the CALLER
Is arose the sweet strains If the orchestra, i
y time to which foated hundreds OF j,you
II couples.
'cl The entire scene was Iii with many colore
q jets OF brilliant light, the RAYS Of which shor
"a through the great window. upon the curou
n crowds outside. The bal terminated NJ
g, a, M, hut it was nearly daylight before III
"a last carriage had departed and the tired mi
re linpaira hud IA 10