The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-03
GREAT BALLS OF A CENTURY.
ALL PROMISE TO DE collapsed If
ALEXANDER OF TECK COMES.

Mrs. IOttcr Enlmcr'S A0a1r-CSOSSiO
Says She VIII BUY Marble House
For the Occasion TO Repay Royal
INindnesses-WaIes and Lafaycttc's
Ball.
New York, Oct. 1.-If Prince Alexander
George Of Teck visits the Burell- Hoff-
mans for the late Newport season, as now
scheduled there will be given for him a
series Of grand balls finer than any that
this country or Europe has ever seen, and
this is saying a great deal.
Prince Alexander is the youngest of the
three Teck children. His sister married
the Duke of York, and viii some day be
queen of England. His brother Adolphus
welded the daughter of the Duke of West
Minister who is the richest man in En-
gland. But Prince Alexander has up to
this time remained heart whole.
The thing in which society is most in
terested is the series of balls which will
be given for him as he makes his trium-
plant social march across country. With
out doubt society will eclipse itself for his
entertainment. And gossip declares that
Mrs Potter Palmer is purchasing the his
toric Marble house at Newport, intending
to repay royal favors in this way
The first great ball in this country was
that given for Lafayette in 1924, when he
came here as guest of the nation All the
grand danes of the infant United States
journeyed miles in stage coaches TO be in
time for the festivity. Lafayette, who
every one of them, and to this day there
are women whose leadership in society is
based upon the claim, my grandmother
danced with Lafayette"
Then came long lull but when the
Prince of Wales visited here in 1860 a
grand ball was given for him in New York.
AT this bail all the elite of America as
sembled, and the crush was so great that
the chaperones' gallery broke down. Wo-
men went wild for dance with the
prince and one girl lost her reason over
her failure to secure an invitation to the
ball.
Mrs. w. X. Vanderbilt's fancy dress ball
fourteen years ago was the most preten-
uous affair that up to that time had been
given. At this ball Chauncey NJ Depew.
Henry Clews, s. V. White and all the IA
nous lights of Wall street danced in cos
tune, and fabulous sums were paid for
photographs of them.
This effort was only eclipsed by the ball
given at Marble house, Newport Just two
years ago by the same hostess to intro
duce the Duke of Marlborough to Ameri-
can society. At this time the duke was
engaged to Miss Consuelo, the daughter
OF the house, but the engagement was not
yet announced and society was on the qui
vve.
1t was, though not a costume ball, a
Marie Antoinette function, the house. the
supper and the hostess being borrowed
from the court of Versailles. The deco
rations were the most costly ever viewed
in one house and were estimated at 81, COO
O0, including the furniture. s
The grounds were fIlunIihated by dozens
OF tiny globes - different col6rs. Just as
they used to be in Versailles when Louis
strolled across the broad terrace of Yer
sailles with his court. Upon reaching the
poruco, entrance was Immediately be-
tween rows Of powdered footmen into the
superb hall finished in yellow with Egyo-
tan marbles at the broad staircase. The
ceiling of the hall was a series Of charm
ing French frescoes framed in heavy gold
mouldings. This splendid apartment was
made into almost an exact copy Of a room
in the palace of Versailles, with long
French windows between which were
panels of dark wood carved and gilded
night and morning The mantel was of
marble and bronze
The grand floral decorations inside the
house were in the hall where there was
bronze fountain surmounted with large
mirror. The spot was made to look cool
by water plants in full bloom and tail To-
tus flowers and wood nymph blossoms
Lilacs and mass of water hyacinths were
massed through which shone the same
little globes of light with which the
grounds We're Illuminated, while above
swarmed flock of humming birds.
On the terrace where supper was SER
we'd, there were elaborate decorations
consisting of green garlands radiating
from the three central points on the cell
ing, which were divided by three large
prisms of bright yellow flowers. Eight
large windows which led from the terrace
into the house were also framed with
bright garlands and flowers.
Mrs. Vanderbilt received in the grand
salon attired in a superb costume of white
satin, with court train and wonderful
diamonds She looked as If she might
have stepped out of one of the old court
pictures in Versailles.
An elaborate menu in French was at the
disposal of each guest. The favors.
which she had selected herself in Paris.
consisted of old etchings, fans. nirrows,
Weaknesses and sashes of ribbons of Louis
AlN peIlOu. Eacu FAVOR was marked
with a medallion representing Marble
house. sI1
After this effort it really seemed as If
no one would attempt another ball but
a year later Mrs. Bradley-Martin crossed
swords with Mrs Vanderbilt when she
gave her costume ball
The guests were requested to come in
costumes limited to the lavish periods of
history, and at one time there were. by
rough and easy estimate, ten millions in
diamonds upon the floor, all set in lavish
court costumes.
1t is almost impossible to give an idea of
the variety, taste and elegance that was
displayed by the guests. But here are
some from among the 700 historical fanci-
full characters that were seen at the bali.
Mrs. Aston wore a costume designed by
Carolus Duran for her portrait painted
some years ago. 1t was something after
the sixteenth century Venetian fashion of
dark blue velvet, stomacher Of diamonds
and cape bordered with pearls
J. ]. Astor came as a cavalier of Louis
XIII. Although the costume worn by
Mrs. Oliver II. p. Belmont. formerly Mrs
Vanderbilt, was easily ecllpsed as TO
splendor, there were few which attracted
so much attention. The material was