Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-27
EULALIE AT THE DANCE.
The Grand Ball In Honor of the Spanish
Infanta.

The Grand Ball In Honor of the Spanish
| Infanta.
DECORATIONS AT THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
| IN NEW YORK WERE NEVER EoUALED IN THIS
CoUNTRY-THE PRINCESS VIEWS THE GAY
SCENE FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME.
| Rich and magnificent as have been the decor
atoms of Madison Square Garden in times past
it is probable that those of last night were never
equaled; certainly never before in this country
have they been surpassed. All the artistic skill
of the florist was called into play to present
scene that will never be forgotten by those for
tunate enough to witness it. The ball took
place in the assembly room, and on this occa-
sion its appearance was that of one floral bower.
From the street below to the innermost recesses
Of the hall there was profusion Of natures
choicest beauties, all combining to make pic
ture bewildering in its detail. charming in its
conception and harmonious in its development
The floral bower began with the entrance on
the Madison Square side and extended to the
stairway, forming the ascent to the assembly
chamber above. The roof Of the bower con-
sisted Of a background Of green foliage, in
which innumerable white blossoms had been
worked; the sides were Of lilies and blossoms,
columns Of sweet peas and pink roses forming
Pendant from the ceiling were here and there
tassels of Baroness Rothschild roses clustered
| together with white satin ribbons. In the ascent
to the stairway the walls and ceiling were
covered with palm foliage, here again the white
blossoms being interviewer with beautiful effect,
and clusters Of white flowers tied to the hand
rails the entire distance to the lobby of the
assembly room. The lobby itself was trans
formed into veritable garden.
WHERE THE PRINCESS RECEIVED.
The place Of honor in the Assembly Hall was
Of course assigned to the infanta and her suite,
and here all that artistic skill could do had been
accomplished This royal apartment was made
up by making the three boxes at the south side
nearest the stage into one, the whole being con-
verted into gorgeous floral bower, with pro-
jecting canopy resembling in the exquisiteness
Of its treatment the interior surface Of a deli
cately colored sea she'll
The outer edge was made up Of rare orchids
and maidenhair ferns, and the remainder built
up by an arrangement Of alternate layers OF
Madame Tesraut roses, and the perfect white of
the lily of the valley, which Eulalie admires 80
much.
The interior woodwork Of the box was COM
pletely hidden from view by an artistic garland
Of pink roses and white lilies, with masses OF
pansies interjected here and there. The railing
Of the box was a mass OF lilies Of the valley.
Festoons Of white and pink roses and pink Pc
| onies, tied with the princess colors, blue and
white. foated from the chandelier The front
| of the balconies WAS somewhat similarly deco
rated. the festoons being Sarlands Of white and
pink roses. festooned at intervals with medal
lions of roses of the same combination and nib
bons. The whole balcony rail was hidden be-
meath many punches Of white and pink rose
buds clustered with broad satin ribbons and
streamers floating over the rail-
The front OF the stage presented q beautiful
sight. Nine private boxes were arranged there,
behind which there appeared a conservatory
effect that was deiusive in its naturaness. 1t
was created by an ingenious grouping of lofty
palms, foliage plants and jardinieres OF long
stemmed American Beauty roses and lilac plants
in full bloom. From the cornices, on each side
of the stage, fell cascades OF ferns and aspara-
gus vines, In which were interminged sweet
peas and gardenias. On the right walls and
under the balcony we're magnificent collections
Of palms and tropical plants, with the project
ing columns and stucco work concealed with
panels of roses.
On the floor Of the stage across the front a
parterie of rose plants in full bloom was
arranged. of sufficient height to conceal the
front OF the boxes as far AS the rail, the latter
being covered with white liiacs. The decora-
tions however, reached their greatest magnih-
cence in the room where the infanta received
her guests.
This large apartment was furnished in the
style OF Louis XIV, with the costliest of furni-
ture and tapestry, SO priceless that the COM
mittee took the precaution to have it insured
for $500, 900. The princess stood on a dais
draped with elaborate Spanish hangings of the
seveteenth century. The banquet hall the
ground floor was arranged like a scene in Mad
rid. with banana, pineapple and orange trees in
profusion.
ENTRANCE OF THE PRINCESS
At 10 o'clock the boxes in the gallery Of the
concert room were nearly all filled with gor-
geously attired women, and with men, half Of
10,
some Spanish society.
In the assembly room adjoining the concert
hall all was in readiness for the arrival of the
guests of the evening
Shortly after 10 O'Clock the lady patronesses
who were to be presented to the infanta entered
the assembly room and ranged themselves down
the south side, with the gentlemen opposite
leaving the center of the room clear. In this
| assemblage were many Of the leading society
women of the city. Their gowns appeared to
excellent advantage against the background Of
oriental tapestries. Diamonds and priceless
gems shone at their tbroats and in their hair.
The princess entered at IL o'clock and was
preceded by Senior Navarro. who led her up on
the platform. Prince Antoine took his place
at her left. and the marchioness stood at the
side of the dais near the prince The infanta
| smiled sweetly, but looked somewhat tired as
the presentation was begun. The prince made
no attempt to conceal the fact that he was
tired, and looked on with an air Of ennui.
The members of the reception and floor
committees were introduced, the princess
bowling and smiling each was presented
She wore a gown of pale blue brocaded silk,
trimmed with old pink and the low corsage was
faced with pale blue lace. necklace of dia-
monds and turquoise oncrcled her throat, and
there were diamonds in her hair.
| After standing eight minutes the princess
showed signs of weariness and sat down, re-
ceiving the ladies sitting.
| The appearance of the princess in the gallery
was the signal for the opening Of the ball. The
first quadrie was formed at once and the ball
WAS begun without ceremony.
After two or three numbers had been danced
the princess went on the floor and slowly made
tour Of the ball room. Later in the evening
the princess and the guests of honor took sup
per at q table on raised platform at one side
of the banquet hall, adjoining the assembly
room. Mayor Gilroy sat at the right of the
princess. At her left was the Spanish minister
and next to him was the prince.
After the supper the royal party retired to the
Savoy.