Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-18
SCENES OF BRlLLiANCY.
Fair Women and Brave Men-Magnifcent
Uniforms-BeautifulG Gowns.


FoRr MoNRoE, Va. April 1.-THE arrival
of the entire British fleet, with titled off,
Ger in command, followed by another
French vessel and the antiquated but for
midable Dutch frigate Van Speyk, has add
ed 10 tho already brilliant scene and in
creased the interest and animation which
pervades tho multitude now gathered
here from every section OF the country
10 witness the grandest naval pageant
ever seen before IN American waters; me
scene tonight at the Hygeia Hotel, the
centre of interest and attraction for the
hundreds of foreign and American officers
of the tWenty-odd war vessels in the
roads, was one that was never before sur
passed at this usually quiet resort. The
parlor and corridors of the hotel swarmed
with officers dressed in all the magnih-
cence of gold lace. brass buttons, and blue
uniforms, who danced and talked with the
pretty women, who are numberless, and
whose dressing surpasses that of any other
resort on the Atlantic coast Just now.
IYcITEMEST TO PATRIOTISM.
On shore and in the roads there was
scene of brilllancy that would make the
poorest citizen patriotic All of the Ameri-
can officers were dressed in their hand
soonest uniforms and the women seemed
TO vie with one another in the supeToneSs
of their costumes.
The Frenchmen came ashore TINS eve
ming IN any number for the first time. while
the Brit,shers have not vet become sut-
ficiently we'll settled to don their best
clothes and meet the women here, who have
been anxiously awaiting their arrival Tor
the psst week. With the Russians II is
different. They have the advantage of the
others by reason Of having arrived early
in the week, and the manner IN
which they already make themselves un-
.lo-,AoC1 IN lonuiQpQ UpnnT1liV
commented upon on all sides. But 1t can
he denied that the whole interest Of the
vast crowd rs upon the big Blake and the
officers who command her and the other
British ships. So much has been heard OF
this shin that when she arrived here with
her four companions the enthusiasm
shown was greater than that shCwered
upon any of the foreigners who had pre-
ceded them. As the ships are regarded so
are their officers, who were seen By those
who boarded the vessels of the fleet this
afternoon.
THE DAZZLING sEARCHLIGHTs.
During the evening the roads were as
light as day. From the poOps and for
ward bridges of the American ships the
powerful search-lights made the waters
olimmer and shine like the moon upon
new.fallen snow. The rehectors were
worked upward TO throw their flashes
of light to the heavens and then on the
shore. The rays touched the sides OF some
one Of the vessels IN the fleet and pictured
her as some phantom ship sailing the
seas without sails: then they crls-
crossed and formed all sorts OF
weird figures as one ray OF light
fell across another shot from the deck OF
some other vessel at the end Of the fleet.
Occasionally they fell on the fort and
showed the hundreds OF smoOtb-bored old
guns sticking their muzZies out dehantly
from the stone walls, which could be easily
demolished bv any gun of the smallest
vessel at anchor. Then some mlschievous
officer would play them along the long
piaZzas that skirt the hotel and on the lit;
lie piers, and send couples who had
sought secluslon scampering back to the
ballroom.
THE SIGNAL SYSTEM.
While the white electric rays lighted up
the skies the red and white signal system
which we have borrowed from the French
kept up an incessant silent conversation
with the ships IN the roads.
The effect of these combinations OF
lights was witnessed with enthusiasm by
/ those congregated on the boats to watch
the sight.
/ The officers Of the fort have thrown open
| their clubs 10 the visitors and are dong
/ oil in their power for their entertainment,
/ although Congress appropriated no money
/ for this purpose.
Tomorrow afternoon the officers of the
/ flagship Newark will give reception to
their frieads, at which many Of the
1 foreign officers wall be present.
The French flagship Arethuse is OK.
pected TO arrive in the morning and Joln
! the fleet.