Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-23

~ v Sfotk Wv"
8 dancing succeeded, for the IN
ter,als in which the choicest OF
light refreshments was provided. At
the carly supper came on, and then
The coiillon with layors Of the most ele-
cant DESCRIPTION. The orchestra, sup
per, and other arrangements were pro-
nounced perfect, and fresh cnccniums
were lasished on the full-handed gene
rosity Of American hospitality. All
Nice laying claim to any distinction in
The fashionable world, from royal
scions to noted Republicans, was there,
snd from this early .fste many guests
went to ball given by the Count and
Countess Starzinsky at their villa on
the Promenade des Anglois.
CARNIVAL.
On Wednesday and Thursday the
mid-Lent carnival was well under weigh
and the Battle Of Flowers took place.
One feature Of il in the Riviera is the
exquisite decorations Of the carriages,
some. Of them being entirely covered
with flowers and another the distribu-
ton Of banners as prizes to the most
artistic. No. I, the blue and gold, was
awarded to Mr.. Butterfield. On the
| first day his carriage and horses were
decorated with thick bands of violets
and white camelias and bouquets of the
latter. On the second 1t was much
more elaborate. when two arches cross
ing each other spsnned the car
riage and supported ball repre-
senting the world and composed Of
| red pinks, white camelias, and violets.
In addition to these, and regardless OF
classical warnings, forked branches of
flowers initiated the lightning and the
American flag announced loyalty to
the land across the stormy ocean that
is not to be lessened by any siren-like
voices beside an almost ever-smiling
sea. The Duchess de Baufiremont won
the green banner for her victoria, deli
cately and chastely trimmed with mar
guerites and mignonettes, and she and
friend, wearing pale-green dominoes
and hats with the same flowers that
ornamented her carriage, were among
the most admired in the battle.
Gorgeous and dazzling to behold and
like a triumphal car was the landau of
the Spanish consul, completely hidden
in small yellow, fluffy, spraying MI
mosa, dotted here and there with blue
cornAowers and little flags of the same
color. Another landau, belonging to a
Hollander, thickly carpeted outside
with yiolets from PARMA, renowned for
their size, color, and scent, interspersed
with red and white camelias, and the
occupants almost hidden in bouquets,
was very much admired. Many Of the
small decorations were very good. A
sunstrade, one mass Of violets, was
grateful to sight and smell, whips Of
yiolets tapering off lightly, Of yellow
mimosa and pink daisies, were all pref
ty, and an etagere Of white camelias and
rose-colored pinks, replacing the lamps
of a carriage, was Of very pleasing
effect.
TIE PhOCESSlON.
The Promenade des Anglois was the
scene Of the procession and the throw
ing Of the flowers, and though the pro-
ceedings lacked the spontaneity Of the
Roman carnival, they were far more
graceful and refined. There was none
Of the crust and the hubbub and din
that there was at Rome. The populace
were present in small numbers merely
as oi,-lookers, and did not attempt to
participate in the amusement. Then
their general politeness is much greater
and recalls the traditional accounts Of
the Parisians in this respect, and if good
manners have departed from the streets
Of the metropolis they have still strong
hold in those of Nice. On Thursday
the weather was perfect, so the Battle
was more brilliant that day, every one
turning out to share in it, and many
ladies displayed costumes, artistically
trimmed with flowers to correspond with
the carriage decorations.
LOVE- 1hiOs
Three lovely little fair-haired girls in
royal blue velvet coats, Tam O'Shanter
caps of the same, and gold-colored che
mile handkerchiefs round the neck, were
a remarkably interesting sight, and at
tracted as much attention as if they
were years older and society debu-
tantts. These open-air amusements are
most appropriate and enjoyable here,
as we are reyelling in the delights Of adj
yanced spring weather, which enables
us to sit out Of doors all day, sometimes
gazing vacantly at the quiet sea and
wondering whether it can possibly have
any relationship TO the wild Atlantic,
or admiring the troops Of pretty toilettes
that pass up and down the promenade
like an endless panorama, or listening
to the music, or inhaling the perfumes
of the flowers that abound here and
make the air so delicious; or merely
doing nothing but exist, for this
soft air encourages laziness.
|
Artistic distractions are not wanting
here, and among them small exhibi-
ton Of paintings now on view in the
Gallery des Beaux-Arts has few
things well worth going to see. One OF
the chief is lions head by Rosa Bon
heur, who has thrown as much dis
tinctiye character into this ferocious
animal as the celebrated portrait-paint.
ers do into human beings. Bougereau,
SO well known and appreciated in Ameri.
ca, EXHIBITS young girl sitting PEN
sively against some dull olive-greeu
7 rocks. She is dressed in daring com.
bination of colors thoroughly well har.
monized. Her sleeves are of old gold
the underdress of blush green, the
. oyerdress Of lilac, and the bodice
, partly covered with warm red
dish-brown tint. The sky is the
, brightest Of blue. Her despairing pose
| is effectively rendered; her hands
5 lightly crossed on her lap, are especial
Q ly well placed; but it would grieye any
one to the heart TO believe that cir
0 so young had ever gone through such ,
|. depth Of woeful experience as Bou
: gereau has thrown into the face, for j
, conveys enough trouble to have beer