The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-10
NAVAL BALL.
Grand Affair at
City by the Sea.
SOciely'S Tribute to Rear
Admiral SiCard.
Newport Casino and Grounds
a Place of Beauty.
Decorations OF Most Artistic and
Elaborate Kind.
Ladies Present Attired In Elegant Co.'S
tunes Guests Of Honor.
Decorations OF Most Artistic and
Elaborate Kind.
Ladies Present Attired In Elegant Co.'S
tunes Guests of Honor.

given In Newport was that OF last night
in the Newport Casino, given by the swell
mem bers of the society, outsiders or
plebians being barred from the privilege
OF meeting Admiral Sicard and officers
of the North Atlantic squadron, despite
the fact that they were willing TO sub
scribe. Five thousand dollars was su b.
scribed, and much larger sum than
this was expended
The decorations, floral and otherwise.
were superb The rugs and tapestries to
decorate the ballroom, upper and lower
piazzas, the tent where supper was served
and the promenade were hired for the
occasion, and were insured for $50, 600
This will give one an idea of the money
expended and the magnificence OF the
naval ball.
SUPPER IN A TENT.
The tent where supper was served was
76x40 feet, and was erected between the
ballroom ana the court tennis building.
The courtyard, on which the tent was
erected, was covered with costly rugs,
and its sidSs were beautifed by huge
punches OF flowers.
In the centre of the tent was the table
of honor, set apart exclusively for Ad-
miral Sicard ana his staff. as we'll as the
reception committee, headed by DIR.
Chauncey NJ. .Jepew and Mrs william
Astor. who wore her famous diamond
necklace.
FLORAL DECORATIONS
There were 400 American beauty roses
on the table of nonor and the same kind
Of flowers were also used to decorate the
80 other tables in the tent. The porte
oochere and vestibule leading TO the ball
70 ON were banked with pink and white
hydrangea and palms and tho steps aud
floor were covered with rich rugs. The
guests wero met In the yestibule by DR..
Depew. MIR. W. &. Schermerhorn and Col.
John Hare Powell, and ms soon as they
entered tho ballroom they were met by
the patronesscs Mrs Astor Mrs. Gerry,
wife of exCommodore Gerry Of the New
York Yacht Club; Mrs Edward D Will
ing, mother of Mrs. John Jacob Astor;
Mrs. Elisha Dyer Jr., and Mrs. Theodore
Kane Gibbs and by the male subsori bers,
who wore pink butonnieres, which were
requested to De worn and which were fur
nished by the committee, W. Watts Sher-
mar, William s. Travers and Lispenard
Stewart who made the ball such a grand
success.
SPLENDID EFFECTS.
The ballroom effects will never DO for
gotten. The stage was arranged as n
French parlor. with all that it implies.
and overhead, surrounded by American
flags Of various Sizes was hung the
private flag Of Admiral Sicard, with it's
two white stars on "A blue groundwork.
This was mn unusual compliment which
the admiral of the North Atlantic squad
ron paid to Newport society and the sub
scribers to the naval ball. Lieut.. BARLOW,
the admiral's flag lieutenant, was intrust-
ed with the flag aud he brought it from
the flagship New York and delivered 10
personally to the committee in tie Casino.
The floral and tapestry decorations of
the ballroom could not be excolled The
walls of the white and gold theator were
hung with costly tapestries, sent from
private houses, whose owners were anxious
to honor "Uncle Sans" naval officers.
The columns supporting the galleries
were decorated with American beauty
roses and oak leaves, and capped with
huge punches of pink and white
hydranges.
Two orchestras were in the north gal
lery, one from Boston, John g. Mullaly,
leader, engaged regularly ut the Casino.
and the other the celebrated Hungarian
orchestra, engaged at Berger's swell
restaurant during the season.
A BOWER OF BEAUTY.
The lower piazza, facing the Casino
grounds, was bower of beauty. n verita-
ble parlor whose decorations 1t would
take an artist to describe.
At tho south end OF the piazza tho New
port band was located just behind the
all night bouffc, and played Mt frequent
intervals, without disturbing the dane
ing program of music being rendered
by two fine orchostras in the ball room.
The upper piazza. also gorgoously
decorated was used for dressing rooms
by tho mon and women, the latter's apart
ment being furnished with the richest
and most antique furniture which could
bo procured, and connected with it was
n room for their maids.
The Casino lawns were illuminated with
electric lights and lawn candles, and
fairy candles were placed in all tho
trees.
THE STATE REPRESENTED
Rhode Island was represented by Gov
and Mrs Dyer and by Congressman Bull
Congressman Boutelle of Maine, appar-
emily represented the House committee
OH naval affairs.
The society women who acted ms
patronessos and the distinguished trio OF
men who met and welcomed the guests
upon THAR arrival were provided with
seats at the table of honor, so called.
All THE HONOR TABLE.
The guests mt the honor table were ar
ranged as follows:
Mrs Casey, Mr. Depew. Gov. Dyer.
Miss Wallace. Mrs. Sicard, bir. Buil, Mr..
Schermerhorn. Miss Boutelle. airs. PEN
nington. Capt SiRshec Mr. Boutelle.
Mrs. Harlow, Mrs. Marsh, Capt Hig-
gnson. Capt Cook, Mrs. Gibbs. Mrs.
TERRY. Capt Casey, Capt. Sampson, Mrs.
willing, Miss Sicard, Commodore Wal
lace. Col bennington. Mrs. Astor, Mrs.
Dyer, Admiral sicard.
Oshers nj the TALES were:
Miss Grant q. y. Messeryey. Miss
Evelyn burden, w. +. Morgan. the
Misses Morgan, Julian Potter. Mr.. and
Mrs. r. j. Berwind. the Misses Terry,
Francisco Terry. Mrs CIR svenor MIR.
and Mrs. William Grcsvenor. Miss Hoff-
man, J. 4. Spencer. Mr. and Mrs liar