Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-20
A Famous Ante Bellum Ball and the
Memories It Recalls
SOCIETY IN THE FIFTlES
The Grand Fancy Baii Givcn BY Mn.
senator Gwin-Pcoplc' Who Figured
~ n Celebrated GathcYsng-Saasesnae
and Diplomats I'm Costume.
Written for TIE EVENING sraR.

lowed for preparation and Washington and
the surrounding cities were busy in selecting
costumes for the occasion. Senator Gwin occu-
pied tho house on the northwest corner Of I
and 10Th streets, and all the spacious hall and
parlors, and, indeed, the whole house was
thronged with the most distinguished people
who were here at that time and the many who
came from Baltimore, Philadelphia and New
York and elsewhere to attend this really grand
affair. 1t was not only the even. OF the season
it was the event Of the period. The spacious
house was decorated in the most tasteful man
ner, hangings and flowers and lights were dis
played i'll style unique and with a lavish ele-
gancc which made the affair the talk Of the
next few years. The crowded halls ard par-
Tors almost defed the ubiquitous society re-
porter of that day, but The STAR at that early
day gave to its readers full report in verse.
This description was admirably done bv Maj.
John DeHavilland, late OF the United States
army. who is now residing in London, oceu-
pylng some important position under the Brit
lsh government. The verses were subsequently
printed for private distribution.
To enter into the details of all the incidents
which occurred at that charming ball. SO law
| ish In all the elements which insure success to
such an event. would fill moro space than can
hope to occupy, and so will tell of those who
am sure your readers will believe "The lamps
shone Ger fair women and brave men"
SOME WHO WERE PRESENT.
The stately hostess and her fair daughters
claim precedent, and they deserve first men.
ton. Miss Gwin, who will be remembered
here as a very handsome, stylish woman. wore
an elaborate costume, Queen of Louis Qua
torze;" Miss Gwin an exquisite dress of a
Greek girl, and Miss Carrie Gwin, then a child
was dressed as q page of the court of Louis
XIV. The Senator was in the character he 80
bountifui hospitality shed the genial rays of
welcome upon all beneath his roof: Mr..
Buchanan, in his court dross as the American
President, and he never appeared to better
advantage than when surrounded with the gay
and beautiful. Mrs. John X. Thompson Of New
Jersey was ia Belle Cantiniere," from
LEtolle du Nord; her costume was beautiful,
and she wore il with enchanting grace. Waldo
mar Bodisco Of the Russian legation, a Musco-
vite Postillion; Mai. DeHavilland as Richard
CGur de Lion; Lord Odo Russell of the Eng
llsh legation as Friar Puck, and Don Morena
OF the Spanish legation, as Robin Hood, made
up trio which attracted great deal of at
tention. NJ. lie Vicomte dc Treilhard, NJ.
Dollfos and NJ Guiot Of tho French legation
and NJ. Gau Of the Prussian legation, az
Pierrots. their white costumes trimmed with
different coiors made most amusing group.
Tho Turkish admiral and his officers IN their
dazzling uniforms made brilliant display.
and MIR. Oscanyan OF the Turkish feet wore O
superb Suliote costume. Mrs. Senator Hale OF
New Hampshire, as Spanish Duenna, and
said:
NJ marvel not. o! sun. that unto thee
In alteration man should bow the knee."
Mrs. Luke Lea, Mrs. George n Sanders and
Mrs. Horace +. Clarke of New York appeared
in Spanish costumes, Lieut.. Richmond Auick
as Spanish student and Gen. John Cochrane
as O matadOr. Mrs. Commodore Powell al
Mrs. Popinjay deserves more than a passing
notice. Mrs. Major Sutherland as Norma, Mrs.
Jefferson Davis as Madame dc Stael, one of the
most beautiful and correct historical costumes
at the ball and most becomingly worn Mrs.
Spain wore superb costume and Mr. Evans
| and Mr.. Birney were the two Dromios. MIR.
Thomas @. Cox as Ravenswood and Jack Saw.
age as Sir Lucius OTrigger we're admirable.
Commander Nelson OF the U. s. navy as Fall
staff was not only full Of wit himself, but the
cause of wit in Others. He afterward resigned
from the navy and became Gen. Nelson. Mrs.
Senator Douglas az Aurora, and quoting from
the poet:
''The bright aurora on our senses CLEANS,
Nor yields to that fair daughter Of the morn.
Whom Guido saw ON trium phal borpe."
he says "she was la Belle du Bal"
NAMES KNOWN TO HISTORY.
Mrs. George H. Pendleton. the daughter OF
Francis G. Key, was 1.-THE Star Spanglcd Ban
ner" by proud hereditary right. Philip Barton
Key, her brother, was an English Huntsman.
Mrs. Senator Pugh as might" whose beauty is
remembered yet, and that of her sister, Mrs.
Scott. Hon. Charles L. Scott OF California as
the Earl of Leicester, the Hon. Anson Burlin-
game as Julian st. PIERRE were two OF the most
attractive figures in the room. Lord Napier,
as Minister to America of George Ill, and Lady
Napier, rs Mrs. Hammond. wife of the frs.
British minister to America, were superbly at
tired and historically correct to the smallest
detail. Sir Gore Ousley, in his brilliant official
costume rs Knight OF the Bath, and Lady Gore
Ousley as O French Warehouses and Miss
Ousley as italian Peasant Girl.
"A lovely being: scarcely formed or moulded,
Mrs. C. G. Clay Of Alabama as Mrs. Parting
ton, with knitting in hand, snuff box in pocket
and Ike" the inevitable. at her side (Mr.
Baylor of Loulsiana), acted her character TO
perfection. The loquacious NAL spropos dame
was the leading feature Of the entertainment:
her instant repertee, her wit and humor kept
her hearers laughing with nerriment. Mrs.
Greenhow as "housekeeper of the olden
time, and Miss Greenhow as the white Lady
of Avenel," and Miss Mechlin as '.Catharine of
AraRon," were beautifully costumed. Our old
friend Gen. CinSman. as gentleman OF the
twentieth century, which he bids fair to be in
reality. MIR. J. Buchanan Henry, private secre-
tary Of the President Sir Charles Grandison;"
AID. (AnnO Domini) Banks OF Virginia and Mis-
sissippi 1.-The Duke of Buckingham" Mr..
Manley Of the English legation as the "Nins
OF Diamonds" a very quaint conceit and sd-
mirably carried ont. Madame De Stekel a. q
Lady Of the Court Of Henri Quatre;" NJ De
Stake appeared in the rich dress of the
Russian court officials. Mai. W. w. Russell of
the Marine Corps was "Don Cesar do Bazau."
Our old friend aud fellow citizen, Mr.. W. b
Brady, ss "vandyke" was admirably costumed
In court dress Of the p,ss ID, and Mr.. G. King
as 'Rubens" was richly costumed Hon. NJ
Underwood Of kentucky, .'1he Lone Star"
Mrs. Daniel E. Sickies was dressed most be-
comingly as Little Red Riding Hood" I do
not remember IL Gen. Sickies, then
. member Of Congress, was present.
Mr.. Kingman, the Doyen even at
that time OF the world Of letters, ap-
peared in the court dress worn at the French
court Of the First Conyul-Napolcon-by Mr..
Monroe. Maj Ben Perley Poore - the Merry
Monarch" then . slender figure, he looked the
character, and later in the evening he appeared
a. Mai Jack Downing" Sylvester Mowry of
Arizona was dressed az the Knight Of Gwynns
at tho English Court" Dr.. Tom Maury 9
Ter Of South Carolina as the white Lady Of
Avenel" Mr.. Bridges Of California a. "Charles
the second" DR.. William II. Berry, who 10 20
well remembered by all who knew him, an
''English Hunter" Miss Semmes q s.fady
Charlotte Berkeley" Hon. Mr.. Match Of New
York, 'Engiish Hunter" and Miss Ready Of
Tennessee, Morning Etar;" Miss Washington,
maid Of Athens" Mlss Jenny Tyler, "Foily;"
Mis- Mary Walker, French Marchionsss Of the
Seventeenth Century" Miss Morgan Of Ken
lucky, ..Barmaid Of the olden Time;" Hon. l.
n .aO1 Il y