The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-02-11
BRADLEY MARTIN BALL.
The Most Gorgeous Social Function Ever
Witnessed on This Side the Atlantic.
COST INCLUDING COSTUMES 100000
SnreSfrnincI Expenditures Caused
~" No"ms 20 os"scnhir EnirJInnd
The 5Inrcll 10 Supper Wns tr, II
shower of Costly Enxes-'Tse Cos.
tunes nnu Dances.

New York. Feb. 10.-Thc Bradley
Martin fancy dress ball took place this
evening in the spacious ball room of the
Waldorf hotel. The mise en- scene was
al neW'ldering enchan,ment, a veriia-
Die lairyland, respondent with all that
wealth and taste could command. and
Sraced by the presence OF many hun
dred members of the fashiunab Die set.
radiant In rich robes OF historic renown.
The richness OF the decorations the
| uncieht picturesque costumes. the beau
t.iui allegorical toilettrs the comminul-
ing or SO many beauties, old ana young.
amazed and charmed All forl,inato
enough TO have been hiulen to the ball.
AS superb social function 1t has had
no para lei Ill America. It's fame may
pass into history and perhaps IL splen-
odrs Will he written down as the stand
ard for bellies anu gallanls Of the coming
century.
IN DEMOCRATIC AMERICA.
The scene presented was Il strange
spectacle in this up-to-daie metropolis,
~ me frst coup d'oen one would have
imagined the graves had opened and
me kings and queens. the princesses and
me itl2d aristocracy Of dccayed CEN
turieS had arisen In chorus to again be-
come themselves in all their old time
glory.
Perhaps there were seven hundred
guests present, all gorgeously garhed in
silks and satins and magniiicently be-
decked in diamonds.
Almost every character of note in the
imes OF Louis NV and Nv. from pie
heian peasant TO the jewel crowned
KING ana queen. was personatcd They
presented imposing figures. dancing in
'he stately minuct or whirlng in the
merry waltz.
SOME OF THE CHARACTERS.
Numerous We're the Psuedo- Marie An
toinettes, Queen Elizabcths, Lady Teas
IN "a y1s< 1-,, I 4
josephnes. Mary Queen Of Scots, Colo
MAJ lanes knights OF Malta, Cardi-
nnls. tomeos, tOreadores and cavaliers
a.! presented In costumes OF the costliest
fabrics and with marvellous truth to de-
tail.
The Marie Antoinette ladies predomi-
mated. Americas historical notablcs
seemed badly neglected, even the Father
or His Country, George Washing on. be-
ihE honored by only two representatives
Aside from the beauty OF the costumes
interest ccntered in the unprecedented
display of jewels. many rare, old. price
less familN heirlooms being worn. There
IS no estimating their monetary worth,
nut ihey certainly represented vast for
tunes. Many OF the women seemed
ablaZe with sparkling gems.
The guests began arriving about II
o'clock. They entered the hotel through
IA private door al Thirty third street
ana were Immediately ushered 10 the
'SSpIlu ioOl, "nSle Il suite or hftCen
large apartments had been reserved for
dressing purposes. Here were station
ed hair drcSsers, costumevs, modistes
and all functionarics required for the
Nnai polishing touches Of the exquisite
outiits These rooms We're decorated
with prOiuS!On OF roses and SmilaX
THE FLOWER STREWN STAIRS.
After the guests had Assem- bcd and
made ready for the grand entree, they
descended the flower strewn stalrways
to the reception parlor on the main floor.
rs they passed through the archway
they We're met by the hostess, Mrs.
Bradleya Martin. which stood beneath a
canopy Of rich tapestries and floral ef-
iects Mrs Martin Wore 4 becoming cos
tune of the Queen Elizabeth period
made of black velvet over red broacade
She was adorned with al her magnili-
cent jewels, including her famous robe
OF diamonds.
As the guests approa ched. their names
ana The characters impersonated were
announced by lackeyS. The walls OF
the reception room were covered with
costly tapestC!e: of the daintiest colors
while myriads OF roses ca a.elessly thrown
rested in the folds they CHANGED TO
fall. In one corner was placed the Hun
garian band. hidden behind a bower Of
longs -Stemmed roses.
through the Corridors, which had been
made TO represent woodland lit by
scores OF concealed m.n!a ture incandes-
cent lights 10 the big ball room. The
decoration Of this room was also a
work Of art and the illuminat ton bril-
liant. At the end Of he room was a
Balcony handsomely adorned, In which
was stationed Victor Herberts o!ches-
ira for the dance music.
DANCES AND DANCERS.
1t w2.s near midnight before the quad
r.lle d'honneur, the opening number OF
the ball. was danced. II had been or
gan.zed by Mrs. Astor. John jacob AS-
tor was the King Of Tonight and Airs
Bradley Martin the Queen. They led the
quadrille and at one side were Mrs
S;uyvesant Fish and Mr.. Robert Van
Cortland;. Al the opposite end Miss
Gregory and ]. Town end Martin and
Mrs. Whitncy Warren and Mr.. Ispenard
Stewart. The opposite side couples
were Mrs. Ovme Wilson and Harry
Leihr, Mrs Lee Ta!'er and Mr.. Craig
Wadswo!th tn, MLss Lena Morton and Mr.
Center Hitchcock and Mi:s Madeline
Cutting and Mr.. j. J. Van Allen.
Following this came the Mrs. Edmund
l.. Baylie's quadrilc, which was parti-
clpa.ed In by Mrs. Ogden Mills, Mrs.
John Jacob Astol, Mrs. Cornelius Van
derblt Jr., Mrs. Hen:y Sloan Miss
Edith Morton, M!Es Van Rennsselll er,
Mss Alfonso De Navarro. II. D. Rob-
bin.s, Worthington Whitehouse, and