The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-28
THE VANDERBILT PARTY.
a Few Little Points that Escaped the Reg
ular Press Report.
New York Special.

New York Special
The ball probably exceled in beauty and
general attractiveness any similar entertain
ment ever given in this city. Any dreams OF
splendor by passer-by would have been
more than realized could he have caught
glimpse of the rooms inside, where beautiful
women and distinguished men promenaded
through the halls formed groups in the re-
firing rooms made charming pictures on the
stairway, or mingled in the waltz quadrille,
or minuet. Louis Quinzo and Mary, Queen
of Scots, might almost felt at home in the
company, unless they happened to run across
too correct copies of themselves courtier
might be seen walking with marchioness,
or duke with Venetian lady, and indeed
the combinations of initiated rank and beau
ty were endless where so many powdered
wigs were graciously bowling; so many pairs
SNof bright eyes flashing, in rivalry of the
Jewels of their owners, and so much talking,
dancing and promenading were enjoyed.
There was no excessive floral decoration to
meet the eyes of guests as they passed in the
Fifth avenue entrance, under the two watch
dogs carved i'll low relief, and through the
double doors. The long, wide hall was setin
palms, and in the sttng-room on the left
were some handsome boquets. The parlor
an the southwest corner and the dining
room, running along the west side of the
house, were used for dancing, the hardwood
floors being in excellent condition. These
rooms were not extensively decorated.
screen or canopy of smilax, ferns and plants
obscured the orchestra balcony. Nearly all
the rooms on the second floor were thrown
open for retiring rooms and for promenad-
ing, and were set with banks and boquets OF
flowers.
1t was in the dining-rooms that the florist
was given place to exercise his best skill.
Walls clear to high ceilings were densely
covered with evergreen, closely matched, in
Guiding holly, hemlock, branches of laurel
and other plants. In the center was large
group of palms, plants and bouganvilles
flowers. The effect on entering the room
was very cool and pleasing, as if one had
stepped out of the ballroom into an ever
green forest The hall and rooms adjoining
were also used for refreshment rooms when
y supper was served, between u and A. NJ.
The reports of the entertainment are vir-
tually the same in all the morning papers to-
day. In fact, the efforts to keep anything,
except an authorized report out of the papers
was one of the chief objects of the host.
But one newspaper reporter in all New
York was actually present and
that one represented the Associ
ated Press. His reports were written
on manifold paper and distributed TO
all the papers. Scores of reporters thronged
the outer doors, but no one was admitted
within its portals. Trained newsgatherers
of New York and special correspondents sent
here from other cities, who have time and
again startled the public with faithful
counts of star-chamber proceedings, came
down town tonight admitting that for once
at least they had been frustrated in their en-
terprising search for news
Mrs. w. X. Vanderbilt was assisted in re-
ceivng the company by her sister, Mrs. Fer
nanda Yznaga and Lady Vaudeville, for
merly Miss Yznaga. Dancing began at about
11:30 p H., and was kept up until q late
hour. From six hundred to eight hundred
people were present, but owing to the
large rooms there was little discomfort from
crowding.
The actual cost of the entertainment to
a comfortable fortune.
A SPLENDID DRESS.
Mrs. Paran Stevens wore a state dress of
Queen Elizabeth copied from the picture of
the Queen in the Tower of London. The
material of the dress was silk velvet and the
color royal purple. The front breadths of
the dress and the stomacher were of silver
brocade, crossed and recrossed with gold
lace and studded with precious stones. The
high ruff around the neck was of lace, en-
broidered with golden flowers and bordered
with pearls. The purple-bodiced waist had
silver brocade sleeves with sashes of purple
while on the point of each shoulder
roll sprinkled with pearls The royal pur-
pie robe fell to the floor and trailed for over
a yard. 1t was frnged foot deep with
ermine, and festoons of pearls fell down the
back. In her hand was fur fan, white and
studded with jewels in the center.