The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-11
As a Social Function 1t Has Had No
Parallel in America.
SCENES OF OLDEN TINES REVIVED.
Gorgeous Decorations and Picturesque
Costumes Make Up strange and start
ling Spectacle Only Two George
Wsshington's-Ihe Dancing.


OF 6ewildering enchantment, veritable
falryland. resplendent with all that wealth
and taste could command. and graced
by the presence OF many hundred mem-
bcrs OF the fashionable set, radiant in
rich robes Of historic renown.
The richness OF the decorations. the
ancient picturesque costumes. the beauti-
~. alegoncai tQilettes and commingling
OF SO many beAuues. old and young.
/ amsz zed aud charmed all fortunate enough
10 have been bidden 70 the ball.
HAS HAD 80 PARALLEL.
As sup,s-b ocIal function, lt has had
] no lpraAel in America. Its fame may
pass into history. and perhaps It's spleu-
/ dOrs Will be written down as the standard
for the bellies and gallauts OF the coming
/ century.
The scene presented was strange
spectacle ln this up-to-aste Metropolis.
! Al the first coup Oeil, one would have
Imagined the graves had opened and the
/ kings and queens. the princesses and the
/ titled aristocracy OF the decaycd CEN
/ turies had arisen i'm chorus 10 again be-
/ come themselves "a al their old-time
! glory.
Perhaps there were seven thousand
/ guests present. all gorgeousiy garbed ia
/ silks ana satins. and macnincenuy be-
/ deCked ln diamonds
Almost every character Of note IN the
| times OF Louis XIV. aud XIV. nom the
/ plebian peasant 10 the jewel-crowned
/ King and queen. was persOnated. They
/ presented imposing figures dancing In the
stately minuct or whirhng In the merry
waltz.
Numerous were the Psuedo-Marle An
! tonettes, Queen Elzabeths. Lady
| Teasies. GsmOndas. Julettes. Joan
ID. Arcs. Empress Josephines. Mary Queen
OF Scots. Colonial danes. knights or.
! Malta, Cardinals Komeos. Toreadores.
and Cavaliers. an presented IN costumes
or the costliest fabrics, and with marvel
lous truth TO detail
The Marie Aut0inette ladies predoml-
mated. American historical notables
seem sadly neglected. even the father Of
his country. Norge Washington being
honorcd boy only two representatives..
Aside from the beauty of the costumes
interest centred in the UNPRECEDENTED
display OF jewels. many rare ODD, priceless.
family heirlOoms being worn There is
40 estimating their monetary worth. but
they certainly represented vast fortunes
Many on tho women seemed ablaz8 with
the sparkling gems.
ARRIVAL or THE GUESTS
The guests began arriving about n
o'clock They entered the hotel through
a private door az Thrty-third street ana
were Immediately ushered 10 the second
floor, whore suit OF fifteen large apart
ments bad been reserved for dressing pur-
poses Here were stationed numerous
hcir-dressers. cosumors. modistes and au
iunctouWies required for the final polish
ing touches of the exquisite outfits
These rooms We're decorated with pro-
fusion OF roses and smilax
After the guests had assembled and
made ready for the grand entroe they
descended the nower-s1rcwn sta5rways
% tho reception parlor on the main floor.
As they passed through the archway they
were met by the hostess. Mrs Bradley
Martin. who stood beneath a canopy of
,rich tapestries and floral effects. Mr.
Martin wore becoming costume OF tho
queen Elizabeth period. made of black
velvet over red brocadc. She was
adorned with al her magnificent jewels.
including her famous rope of diamonds.
As the GUESTS approached. their nanes
and the characters impersOnated We're
announced by ackeys. The walls Of the
reception room were covered with cosf-
ly tapestries of the dlintiest colors. while
myriads Of roses carclessly thrown.
rested IN the folds. ass they chanced 90
nu I'm one corner was placed the Hun
e8r'an band. hidden behind tower u
long-stemmed roses.
The guests moved from this saloon
through tho corridors which had been
made 10 represent q woodla nd, lit by
scores of concealed miniature .ncaudc--
cent lights. to tine big bal room. The
decoration OF this room was also o. work
~ art and tho illumination brilliant. 40
;ne end of the room was balcony. hand
s0meiy adorned. boo which was stationed
Victor Herberts orchestra for tle dance
music.
TIE DANCING
II was near midnight before the quad
Iiile % llonueur the opeGin. almle .t
the ban. was danced. Do hll been or-
paulzed by Mrs Astor Mr. john Jacob
Astor was the king OF tho night and Mr.
Bradley Martin The queen. They iei /
th. quadrilie and no one side were Mr.
Stuyvcsant Fish ana Mr. Robert Van /
Cortlandt. at the opposite end Miss Gerry I
and j. Townsend Martin and Mrs. Whit /
neg Warren and Mr. Lispenard stewart /
Tho opposite side couples We're Mrs Orme ]
Wilson and Mr. Harry Lehr. Mrs Lee I.
Taller aud Mr. Craig Wadsworth Miss !
Lena Morton and Alr. Center Hitchcock I
and Miss Madeline Cutting and Alr. !. ). /
Van Allen.
Following this came the Mrs Edmund /
J. Bayiie's quadrile which was partloi- /
pated in By Mrs ogden MiIS Mrs. John /
Jacob Ast0r. Mrs Cornelius Vanderbilt. /
Jr Mrs Henry sloan. Miss Edith Nor /
ton Miss Van Ressaeller Miss Alfonso I
De Navarro. II. y. Robbins. Wortn.neton |
Whitehouse and others.
Then came the debutante .quadfiNe. al /
the dancers weesing costumes of The /
Louis Qunze epoch The QIadrile was |
danced 10 the slow music OF The mingat. |
and the different figures We're executed /
with grace aud precision General dane
ing WAS then INDUCED in. Supper was /
served in the Empire din.ng-roOms. The /
tables were pretty decorated with roses
The coti'lion after supper was led By
Nr. Ensha Dyer Jr who wore a costume
Of the period Of Francis l. II consisted /
OF a cloak OF royal purple velvet. coat
of the same material and richly deco
rated with gold embroidery. The tights
were Of violet SIX. and he wore hpt |
with lrge ostrich feathers.
"HOME. SWEET HOME"
The gray streaks OF dawn were strug-
Cling through the windows OF the Wal
dorf before the last echo OF Home.
Sweet Home" had died In the floral
scented room, and the greatest ball In /
Gotham's history vas ended.
There were many guests from out Of
town small parties coming from san
Francisco. Chicago. New Orleans. wash
ington, Boston. and Baltimore.
Caroline County Court.
MILFORD VA. Feb. 10.-Speciai.-
County Court convened In two days s-s-
SION al Bowling Green this week. On
Ia ffr.a. Ifll n |