The herald., 1896-04-25
BAILA De LA FIESTA
A Royal Scene at Hazards Pavilion
Last Night
Lovely Women in Beautiful GOWNS brave
lien IN Uniform and . Multitude OF
Spectators At the Bal,

Such magnificence. such royal spieh
dor such a wealth of costly beauty as
blaxed with splendid efrulgence at the
queens ball last night has never before
been witnessed in this city. No court
festival of ancient times. no princely
display of Oriental monarchs or Roman
triumph ever surpassed in real glory
and splendor the gorgeous scene dis
played at the pavilion last night.
The idea of mimic royalty was lost
for time in the true spirit of noble
grace shown by her majesty, the queen.
and the stately beauty of her gracious
court.
Nor was there wanting an appropriate
though rightly inferior tone of royalty
in the loyal assemblage of subjects who
Eraced the occasion with their presence.
Brilliant indeed was the effect of the
royal throne. supporting the beautiful
queen, brilliant the feir court surround
ing her, brilliant the assemblage of the
people who appeared to do homage to
their sovereign. brilliant the whole
scene of many colors, Of courtly gentle
men and beautiful women thronging the
yreat hall from the royal throne to the
galleries Brilliant We're the decora-
tions of the pavilion. Lavish yet taste
ful was the effect of the entire build
Ing, lined with groundwork OF gold.
trimmed in red and finished with green
Lain leaves thus weaving the three FL
esta cOlors into a scene of harmonious
beauty beyond the power of pen to de-
scribe.
The throne occupied central point on
the stage. 1t was the same beautiful
setting used on the night of the con-
certs-a crimson canopy lined with gold
and carpeted with white furs. Above
It the whole stage was rooted in with
gold and studded with incandescent ru-
by lights that shone like Jewels in one
grand sheen of glory. The stair APP
;roach was carpeted with gold and red.
On either side were potted palms and
line of crimson lilies in vases were
placed along each edge. A both ex
tremities of the stage stood graceful
palm. and ranged along the front were
alternating vases of poinsetta and ILL
les The same decorative scheme was
carried out in the main building.
Over all was stretched a wide canopy
of gold caught up at the center, from
whence hung long Streamers of red to
the four corners and at equal distances
along the galleries. Here was the same
grand work of yellow relieved a many
points with punches of waving pen
nants and banners, surrounding La
Fiesta shields.
Along the balconies yellow red and
green was the combination. beautifully
wrought with twining ivy and poinsetta
over a base of gold cloth. The main floor
was covered with white tarpaulin. The
pillars around the entire hall We're
wound with brown cloth in fluffy folds,
and graceful carpets were formed with
date palm branches. At both ends of
the pavilion the national flag was
draped high over all. Numerous arc
lights suspended from the galleries and
two immense chandeliers in the center
threw blaze of dazzling splendor over
the scene. The effect was superbly
oil hlxr nj
description. Each detail combined to
enhance the whole. and the result was
1nsurpassably grand.
Mrs Annie Bancroft. who directed
the decorations deserves the highest
praise for her most excellent achieve
ment.
ARRIVAL OF THE QUEEN
Shortly before o'clock a trumpet
blast announced the approach of her
majesty. the queen, and hundreds of
her subjects who had already arrived
silenced the murmur of conversation in
anticipation of her coming. Soon the
troop of royal lancers filed into the hall
and took their positions with wide open
ranks. forming an approach to the
throne. Next the maids of honor ap-
peared, each on the arm of courtier
and took their places in double line
just within the ranks of the royal
guards. Then the trumpet sounded
again, the band struck up God Save the
Queen. and the festal sovereign slowly
and with majestic mein walked down
the double aisle by the side OF. her prime
minister. and followed by her handsome
pages. 1t was, in truth, royal sight. If
the queen has appeared beautiful be-
fore, she was supremely so last night
Royalty spoke from her radiant face,
from every pose of her superb figure
and in every movement of her queenly
person.
Never did royal robes grace a more
Queenly queen And never did loyal
subjects do greater homage than did the
assembled host when the royal suite
assembled to the throiSe. The maids
closed ranks in pairs. Immediately after
the queen. and took their seats in the
semi-circle on either side of the throne
The lancers followed in the same order
and ranged themselves on seats on the
back Of the stage.
Roncovieri's band and Lowensky's
orchestra were stationed on each side of
the stage. and discoursed music pre-
vious to the arrival of the royal party
and for the dance
Shortly after her majesty, the queen,
had assumed her throne, the maidens
of her court rose each in turn and cour-
'tesyed with stately grace and in pairs
descended to the main floor with a slow.
gliding step, circled half way round the
hall, until the entire suite of sixteen
formed a ring, courtesyed in unison,
first to their royal mistress then to each
other, and continued with measured
step to dance the dance of homage be-
fore their sovereign's throne. The COM
bined grace and beauty of the lovely
maids, the beautiful slow music, the
elegant dresses of different colors, all
together formed one of the most en-
tYancinG pictures 1t is possible to i'm
agine. The dance was not exactly a
minuet, but Of the same stately move
ment, ana was executed with con-
vUUmate grace. Found and round the