The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-29
MILITARY BALL.
Brilliant Gathering at the klch-
mond Theatre.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS PRESENT.
rrou.Frou of Silk and the Clash
of Swords.
MAGNIFICENT DECORATIONS
Marvland-and Virginia Largely
Represented.
THE AFFAIR AN UNQUALIFIED sue
CESS THROtGHOUT.
Much Credit Due to the Ladies and Cen
t,emcn Who Managed tt-sump-
tuous supper Served.
MAGNIFICENT DECORATIONS
THE AFFAIR AN UNQUALIFIED sue
CESS THROUGHOUT.
Much Credit Due to the Ladies ana ten
tlemcn who Managed tt-s"'"p-
tuous supper Served.


mosphere which we breathe. Honor IN the
fulflment Of a noble undertaking, honor III
the possession OF such monument an"
double honor in the claim to suen = nero
and honor TO every stranger within our
gates.'
To those who have journeyed afar to join
hands with us in placing one more Jewel IN
the Respondent crown Of fame OF koDer'
T.. Lee. we would bid welcome " our proud
city in many and manifold ways: and hospi'
tality in the most extravagant conception
could not have been more regalIy,Inofe
brilliantly spread than in the grand mill
tary ball which was given at the Theatre
last night by the resident Marylanders, IN
honor 10 the officers of the visiting military
and MarylaDders.
SUCCESS FROM THE START.
Every incident. both accidental and pre-
arranged. favored the unprecedented sue
cess of the event. IL was the eve oil lnt
great unyeiling of the heroic features tha'
could not fail TO ill the gazing eye With
moisture and the enraptured soul with awe
so that ere such emotions were aroused the
ntilTt WAS ODiN Sldu hNtl tbt WIN -
exultation Of the occasion and the genial
greeting Of hundreds Of excited friends met
nj the one shrine OF heroism.
There was that in the very title-sOInd OF
military ball that awakened responsive
echoes Of enthusiasm and spirit. "oouble-
mick time" was the instructive command
of pulse, tongue and feet. Music and mar
tial glory in every reyerberating, resound-
ing note awakened the senses to intoXicant
merriment. with its significant accompanl-
ment, au militaire Of jauntily blinking
spurs upon the vanished floor. And VINO
dare TO undertake TO relate by tongue or
pen the radiant. dazzling effect of such a
massage Of human moving colOrs as was
presented by the varying uniformed officers.
their gold and gllttering trappings garnish-
ing the richness Of the darker-hued fabrics
Of their uniforms, gliding in and out anon:
the mazes of fair women more airily at
tired. with gay and gallant attitudes of sol
aierly deyoir. There is that Distinguishing
quality of attractiyeness about a uniform
that has its fascination which every South
ern woman is proud to acknowledge.
In her eyes every ''soldler boy is a
"hero," every bearer Of brass buttons an
ideal warrior bold of romance. And not
since the days when they followed the
hero Of this proud day through shot and
shell has our city or our South seen another
such brave or fair assemblage of soldier
troops.
And not so great a number OF gay hueG
flags have unfurled TO the breeze since bat
tlefields were fled, as waved their colors,
tried and true, over this festive hall.
But, oh, blessed truth, troops who guard
and keep the peace and praise their heroes,
and flags that gladden. and gl0rify, and net
sadden the season they do honor to.
MAGNET.
The ball was the all-absOrbing magnet of
attraction on the streets, already gay with
their brilliant decorations, and excited
with its moving mass of strangers, made
most fitting avenues, Introductory and lead
ing into such mighty banquet hall as the
Theatre was metam0rph0sed into.
BY 8 o'clock fast rolling carriages, with
their costly burdens of magnificently-ai-
tired and beautiful women, with their sol
diery escorts. added their rumbling sound
of reyelry to the din of excited thorough
fare clatter. Even by 10 O'Clock the ball
was well started, and the Theatre a scene
of radiance beyond compare; never in our
city, so well known for its lavish display OF
beauty in furnishing, seen richer, more ar
tistic and more exquisitely appropriate de-
coratiOns than were arranged in the Thea
tire, TO frame the SURPRISING beauty of this
military ball.
DECORATIONS.
The entrance lobby was vivid cOmming-
ling Of patriotic colors, which first bid wei
come 10 the eye Of the gay participant
The dressing -rOOms, which were on the
basement floor, were commodiOus and spa
cious, their long mirrors passing pleasing
on every passing reflected image
OF wOmanly beauty. And even in this sane
tuary set aside TO hold the secrets and mys-
FERROUS rites Of the finishing touches Of my
lady's grand toilette was a buoying spirit of
the ball in its bunting and flag draperies.
Within the ballroom proper the reeling
senses of delight were dazed with the con-
glomerate commingling Of vast and varied
phases of beauty. One ileeting look saw
such color and brilliant confusion Of en-
trancing design as a view OF the strongest
kaleidoscope might reveal. But many more
looks, and each lingering and analytical,
made distinctly visible and disentangled the
scene into something OF the following har-
nony Of artistic design.
From the centre point Of the dome a
downward, fountain-like fall of wide strips
)f bunting. in red, white and blue, descend
I'd, and was brought out 10 reach the gal
eries. From the midst Of this waving can
Dpy Of color. above the whole scene, there
swung a mammoth basket Of flowers, inter-
Lwined with clouds Of gray moss, typical
always Of the Sunny South.
Around the balcony railing of the first
gallery hung in ample folds and artistic
lraping a curtain OF crimson plush, making
The richest and most effective background
'or the tableau vivant. At graceful inter
sals this drapery was caught up into folds
BY pieces OF glistning armor, i'm all the most
vivid metallic hues-while also against
is surface just above the entrance there
hung In conspicuous prominence a portrait
,f Lee. its frame supporting every possible
decoration OF patriotic bearing, The next
and second gallery was completely and en-
Iirely draped ia the Maryland colors OF
black aud yellow. These gay hues Of the
,riole, swinging In scarf aud flag, flying in
festive banners, and binding the bare up
lifting posts with their honorable and chosen
,olors.
The gallery above was gay aud glad in
he good old State colOrs of red and white |
and appropriately held their proud position
IN the highest emlnence that the scene or
situation made possible.
Against the colorless walls tints were |
added In every degree Of excess and beauty. |
Flags OF every nation We'd each with the |
other in gaiety. in historical suggestiveness |
II design, while their silken and bunting |
fabric was held firmly 10 It's place Of adorn- |
nent by armour OF every quaint aud weird |
This feature Of the decoration was espe- |
sally conspicuous in its military aspect as |
well as color. and though the shimmering |
light Tell upon the fine polish OF countless
shields OF steel and shining breast
piates, OF helmet and head-pieces in
ancient and marvellous design OF
crossed spears. their diamond points
giving fash for fash under the scin-
Hating lights. Their suggestiyeness of
be art OF war brought with II no thrills of
,ride with its assurances against danger.
While the story. Of hero and following
Ieroes Is being sung aloud who double
anXcrs sought and defed without such
odily defense. The most prominent
nd most beautiful flag decoration
'as that which guarded every column of :
IL hQrsc-sh0e--as each one OF the thirteen
lates OF the Confederacy were represented !
= their individual fiags. They were ali z
bite bunting. Upon their surface EN-.
ax0ned the States motto and coat OF =
their stats were confined 10 a i
zee Of medallion armour with inserted 3
Irrors, adding much 70 the brilliancy OF !
Get - they reflected their surrounding !
I0rs.
The boxes, which were occupied by dis :
'guished strangers, were also appropr.. v