Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-02-15
Ct. vALENrrrE,s mAsKrR..


comical curiosities. .
The carriages of the merry makers began
to roll mp to the awning covered entrance
shortly after nine O'Clock and from that time
till the early hour of the morning spectacle
was presented inside of the decorated walls
Of the house which IL seldom seen IN the
staid old City of Elms. The cream Of New
Haven's society was dancing and tripping
through the lavishly adorned rooms in frills
and houncs; cross-gartered, belted, buckled
and sworded; resplendent In the gaudy attire
of past regimes Of brilliant life; gay In the
costume and gallant with the chivslIy of past
ages, whose memories were there wildly
revived for the brief period Of the evenings
merriment, and bringing the cold climes Of
the staid sobriety Of the more temperate
region into happy afiliation upon the broad
plain of homage to the jovial old Saint
Valentine.
The thropg of masqueraders formed a
spectacle which could be paralleled scarcely
by the most profuse and the most original of
imaginations. The tales Of the Arabian
Nights seemed to have been revived and to
have received an embodiment from the gay
est and from the fairest of the old Elm City's
best society. The costumes were strikiDgly
beautiful, remarkably realistic, magnificent
and costly. The characters assumed by the
makers seemed to have received the closest
Of study and the whole event created the inn
preston of o moat artistic and elaborate
creation of the fanoiful ideals of . poet.
The adornments of the house were in nos
ticeable taste and harmony with the fantastic
event. The vestibule was lighted by two
large lamps Of brass and bronze, whose rays,
emerging through the deep yellow shades,
cast mellow glow over the clusters of trop-
ical plants, cactus, palms, ferns and other
choice adornments, which first greeted
the eyes Of the masked guests. Mrs. Csp-
tain Charles Hervey Townshend and Mrs.
Henry Trowbridge in evening dress received
the gaily attired votaries of st. Valentine as
they passed the portals of the brilliantly
lighted residence. Upon each card of adj
mittance was the seal of the host, Mr.. Henry
L. Hotchkiss, and none were admitted with
out this important talisman.
The yellow salon at the left of the entrance
was the liveliest spot of the evening. Here
were congregated the hosts of dancers, and
their nimble feet kept unwearying time to
the melodies of the musicians till the gay
gathering began to separate and depart for
the morning.
Within the yellow salon, opposite the en-
trance, stood q large mirror, upon which was
painted by hand one of the most artistic and
striking designs in the detail of decoration.
Five dimpled cupids held vines Of smilax
and bright flowers In their outstretched
hands. They were clustered around large
harp, and upon this their chubby hands
seemed to rest in anticipation of latent mel
ody. Below the mirror was rolling bank of
DALLAS.
In ths small room adjoining the yellow
ealon was q corner almost concealed by o
high hedge of plants of all varieties. Behind
this sat the musicians Of Robinson's orches-
ira. Af-..-
Hanging from chandelier, towards the
rear OF tbs hall, were several little figures of
cupids with outstretched wings. They
looked down upon the motley throng as If in
search of some one upon whom to bestow
the neat nissives which were clasped in their
outstretohed haude.
Over the entrance to the conservatory was
large heart of red flowers and through this
was thrust sharp golden arrow. The con-
servatory itself was beautiful spot. Lux
urious divaus were concealed at every step
among heavy clusters of rare and bright
plants of all kinds, and several large standard
lamps shed their soft rays in and out among
the glistening foliage. This was place which
was often fiequented by the merry maskers.
The supper room was another deliberately
decorated spot. The large refreshment table
stood beneath chandelier, from the globes
of which hung ribbons of blue These were
gathered together by q novel device In the
form of tent. The table itself was in charge
of Caterer Carl Berger of New York city and
was Q model of art. 1t was adorned with
pink roses and hyacinth aud above 1t hung
several white doves.
The main parlor at the right CT the en-
trance was used a. q reception room. 1t was
prettily adorned with vines and flowers.
Over the archway leading to the refresh
ment room were two large red hearts, through
both Of which single golden arrow bad been
stuck.
The most popular feature of the evenings
entertainment was st. Valentines letter box,
which was locked and chained in an Above
half way up the stairway. In this were de-
posted valentines and missives by the
maskers for one another. The box was
opened from time to time, and st. Valen-
tines messenger attired as Little Puck, with
wings and arrows, ran about among the hap
py throng to deliver the neat little letters.
Some were comical, some were of Q satirical
turn, some were cratic, some were touched
by suggestion of caricature and others were
a. various a. the maskers.
Before II O'Clock the carnival of ut. valsn-
tines votaries was In full blast. The maskers
circulated throughout the entire house and
vivacious groups of the representatives of all
nations, classes and ideas and whatever
the multitude of merrymakers had taken 1t
into their heads to initiate were seen in en-.
thusiastic conviviality, entirely ignorant OF
the identity Of their companions.
Precisely at midnight came the signal for
unmaskinR and the spectacle which followed
for few moments was amusing. The period
OF surprise, however, soon wore OF and the
dancing continued with even more animation
than before.
The costumes of the maskers were almost
a. various q this number was large. Among
the most popular were Mexican batteries,
toreadors and court costumes.
Mrs. Henry L. Hotohkiss, the hostess, app
psared a. an Algerine princess in q costume
made especially for the occasion in Algiers.
It was Of gold brocade, ornamented profusely
and richly with ornaments peculiar to the
country.
Mr.. Henry L. Hotchkiss appeared In pur-
pie velvet costume Of q French marquis of
the time of Louis XVI. He wore white satin
breaches, with silver buckles and white wig.
Mrs. E. J. Phelps, wife of ex-Minister
Phelps, wore one of the court costumes in
which she appeared before the Court Of St.
James. 1t was very beautiful and interest.
ing.
Mrs. Captain Charles II. Townshend wore
an elegant white silk, with rich overdress of
point lace, dscollette, diamond earrings and
necklace with diamond pendant.
Miss Elizabeth Hotchkiss, sister Of Mr.. II.
L. Hotchkiss, wore black velvet, court train,
diamonds, etc.
Miss suson Hotohkiss represented Span
l00 lacy dressed III O06p IObo BLK, COVoI0O
with rare old black thread lace, veil to match
dress, and pearls.
Mrs. e. Hayes Trowbridge, jr.,appeared a.
q Spanish student, attired in . costume
made to her order. Of yellow satin under-
skirt, black striped velvet overskirt, bodice
to match, low neck, short sleeves; overskirt
looped with profusion of yellow and red
ribbons, mantle from the shoulders of scar
let sat, In: embroidered 10 gold;a cooked black
velvet hat, adorned with yellow and red
ribbons smbsllished with spoon; and car
ried mandolin. ..
Mr.. E. Hayes Trowbridge, jr., appeared as
an English barrister In costume made to his
order, black silk gown and white psruke.
Il was very becoming costume.
Mrs. Edward r, Sargent represented Night
In charming black carleton with silver
ornaments.
Mr.. Edward R. Sargent appeared as a
courtisr OF tho time of Louis XVI.
Hon. William Il. Law appeared ~ Manuel
GaYcia Perfeeto, . Mexican gentleman, with
with high sombrsro ornamented with silver,
Mexican out-away coat, red sash, with
swords and pistols at his side.
Mr.. 8. Arthur Osborne appeared - King
Louis XIV. In rich attire.
Mr.. Louis Sargent represented Folly In
blue net with white satin pants.
Mn. Henry Trowbridge wore heavy elegant
white silk, decolletts, with diamonds.
Mrs.. Il. Grant Thompson represented .