Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-01-30
Alexsnlsria 6azette:.
THURSDAY EVENING. JAN. 80. 1896
Virginia NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

Virginia tiquities---"he
The "kirmess given at Mozart
Academy If Music in Richmond Mol :.
day night, undrr the auspices ofthe A.
sociation for the Preservation Of Eir-
GINA Antiou,ies. OF which Mrs. Joseph
Bryan is pr. sidsut, vas one OF the
most brilliant -ocia!.v vents OF this sea
son. i surpassed il attractiveness
aud UNIQUE features the Colonial and
Assembly halls which have been held
in Richmond Guring the winters OF
pat years. Ihe participants number
I'd over two hunIred and included
many OF the most prominent BELLS OF
Richmond scott
TIE scene presented both on tEe
stage and in tue auditorium was one OF
dazzling bfiiliancy. The house was
crowded from pit 70 gallery with an
audience coIn posed oi the most fashion
able people in Richmond, and the event
was one OF the most successful OF the
many attempted by the association
unde. whose auspices it took place.
The spectacle OF a pageant composed
Of pretty society girls as representa-
tives of the various nations was one
which bewildered onlookers. After
this followed the dances OF the ma
tons in which the weird aud pc
culiar music OF the 'Worshippers Of the
Nile" contrasted strongly with the
light strains and perfect abandon Of
the Spanish dance. Then came the
Gypsy. the japanese, the North Aweri-
can Indian, the graceful evolutions and
charming costumes of the Greek
paidens.
The dance Of the Nile Worshipers"
was the most interesting feature of the
evening. The oriental beauties, COM
posed OF the best known ladies in social
circles in Richmond, formed slowly in
two lines to the soft, dreamy music.
Each with her long, gold.hsndled,
feathery-plumed fan and dangerous
grace formed a pretty picture.
The Grecian symbol dance which was
led By Miss Nellie Parker, Vas another
pretty feature. Dina was represented
by Miss Lucie Wormley, beautiful
brunette. The Spanish wedding dance
was led by Miss Mary Catherine
Drewry.
The Association for the Preservation
OF Virginia Antiquities was organized
at Williamsburg. the old capital of the
commonwealth, in 1889. Its first presi-
dent was Mrs. Fitz Lee. During the
seven wears Of its existence it has done
great deal Of work toward preserving
some OF the most interesting landmarks
in the State. This association owns
and has put in repair the old magazine
at Williamsburg it has repaired and
owns the old Mary Washington home
at Frederick sburg has contributed to
the restoration of the old church at
Smithfield, in Isle Of Wight county, the
oldest place of worship now standing
in Virginia, and beside these good
works it has contributed to many other
undertakings having for their object
the preservation OF historic landmarks.
In January, 1890, the association had
in its treasury only $40. Their first
entertainment was the Colonial ball,
in January, 1890, which uetted, them
1000. In January of 1891 the Sir
Roger de Coverley was given under the
same auspices. The Saraband followed
in 1892 and in 1893 the King Cotton.
In the two succeeding years the as
ISOLATION refrained from giving any
entertainment on account of business
depression.