The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-02-11
No I1SE FOR GEORGE.
Father Of His Country Slighted at
Bradley.Martin Ball.
BUT THERE WERE KINGS AND
QUEENS IN PROPULSION.

The Great Function just as Gorgeous as
It Promised to Be-Display of Jewels OF
Untold value-NIoney Wasted in Flow
ers Alone, Would Make Several Con-
Portable Fortunes.
New York, Feb. 1.-THE Bradley
Martin fancy dress ball took place last
night in the spacious ball room OF the
Waldorf hotel. AS a superb social
function it has had no parallel in Amer
lea. There were perhaps 700 guests
present, garbed in silks and satin and
decked with diamonds. The Marie
Antoinette ladies predominated and
Americas historical notables seemed
sadly neglected, even George Washing
ton being honored by only two repre-
sentatives. Aside from the beauty OF
costumes, interest centered in the unpre-
cedented display of jewels. They GER
tainly represented vast fortunes.
The guests began arriving about IL.
After the guests had assembled and
made ready for the grand entree, they
descended the flower strewn stairway to
the reception parlor on the main floor.
AS they passed through the archway
they were met by the hostess. Mrs.
Bradley Martin. who stood on dals
surmounted by canopy Of rich tapes
tries relieved by floral effects.
Mrs. Martin wore becoming costume
of Queen Elizabeth period. She was
adorned with all her magnificent jewels,
including her famous robe of diamonds.
Near the dais stood string OF lackeys
and as the guests approached their
names and characters impersonated
were announced.
The walls of the reception room were
covered with costly tapestries OF tbs dain.
tiest colors, while myriads OF roses, cnre-
lessly thrown, rested in the folds as they
chanced to fall. The furniturs was ex-
cIusivsIy Of the Louis XIV. period, the
general floral display harmonizinR. In
one corner was placed Hungarian band
hidden behind a bower of long stemmed
roses, trained from the centre high up
and radiating to all sides over the mir
rors.
The guests moved from this salon
through the corridors made to represent
woodland, lighted by scores OF con-
cealed miniature incnndesoent lights to
the big ball room. This decoration Of
this room was q work of art and illumina-
ted brilliantly. As the company entered,
their handsomely gownsd figures were
refleosed in immense mirrors imbedded in
the wall. Above each mirror were fes-
roonssof lances garlands entwined with
Dsmousa vine and lavish display OF
mauve orchids.
The big can ndelabra had pendant
pouches OF blue silk, bursting with a
wealth Of bridesmaids roses. Pink
roses entwined in asparagus vine In end
less confusion made . garden-like eHect
at the far end of the room. In the bal
cnny, handsomely adorned, was stationed
Victor Herbart's orchestra for dance
covered hooks and sylvan dells, over
hung with Southern clematis whsIe the
merrymakers gathered for quiet talks.
1t was near midnight before the quad
rille, the opening number uf the OF the
dance was danced. 1t was the principal
dance of the evening. In olden days IL
was the chief dance OF all, in which the
king and queen led. John Jacob Astor
was the king last night and Mrs. Brad
ley Martin queen. They led the QuHd-
rills. Following this came Mrs. Ed
mund l.. Bailas's quadrille and the
cehutante quadri!le.
General dancing was now indulged In
until the call for supper. Then the
guests were conducted to tha Empire
dining rooms, Supper over, the guests
returned to the ball room for the
cotlllion. Ths gray streaks OF dawn were
struggling through the windows of tie
Waldorf when the last echo of s'Home
Sweet Home had died in the floral
scented room and the greatest ball in
Gotham q history was ended.
L. w. Politics.