Evening journal., 1898-05-05
THE BALL IN MEX1Cn

which took place in the City of Mexico
the previous evening:
In spite cf horrida bella and the
strife which prevails near our shores
and brings out the most unamiabie fea- |
tues OF the most amiable charcters.
uhere was one spot last night where |
not only peace but joy and rational. !
civilized miith ruled supreme, and |
where members of all natiOnalities |
met on footing Of cOTdiality, a trucetO |
angry thoughts and desires having I
been wrought by the gracious and |
commanding spell of the lady Of the I
mouse, Madam LOrenza r. de Braniff
The ball given by Mr. and Mrs. |
Branih at their residence, on the |
Paseo, will long be remembered as one /
OF the most successful and thoroughly /
enjoyable of the great entertainments |
ever given in Mexico.
The rooms provided for dancing were
along the east wing and opened out |
freely into one another, so as to form a |
continuous suite. Beginning from the
north end Of this great hall the rooms
utilized were the billiard room. the
smoking room, the music room and the
salon, which consists of two cOmpart-
ments. All were laid with crash. and
CbstructiOns were removed, so that the
dancers moved with ease and freedom
and were within easy reach of the
strains of the orchestra, which occu-
pied box connected with the first
compartment OF the salon. There was
still another room prepared for dane
ing, viz: what is originally the large
dining room OF the residence. and is
westward across the corridor from the
music room.
The billiard and smoking rooms are
decorated in sober cOlors, the walls be-
Ing painted in the POmpehan style.
The music room is naturally in lighter
vein, the walls being papered in white
and gold andthe curtains and uphOl-
stering of crusheS strawberry Ibr0cade
But the scene was most dazzling in
the two compartments of the grand
salon. The decorations of this room
bear the cachet OF French taste and
refinement. The prevailing tints are
cream, white and gold. The curtains
and the uphOlstering are of very rich
cream brOcade. and the walls, where
not occupied by tapestries and mirrors
are covered with the same material or
with plain white duchess satin The
tapestries, forming large squares and
nludll lutudMlOuh ltL luuO lue warts,
are in the compartment at the southern
extremity OF the suite. These tapes
tries do not represent the som what
sombre motifs Of the mOyen age. but
the gay and cOurtly scenes OF the
period of Louis Quinze, when cavaliers
and women made love or played colin
maillard amidst the statuary and fOun-
tains of stately gardens. The prevailing
ffufu ~ fbn fnnccfrv liCh and
cheerful.
Other spaces in the walls are Ccou-
pied by mirrors, either let into thewalls
or standing out in frames of elaborate
~ carved and gilded wood, Busts Of the
purest white marble and large Sevres
vases. painted with French subjects
and embossed in gilded metal are ar
| tistically disposed about the room. The
chairs and lounges are also picked out
/ with adOrnments OF deliberately chased
/ and quicksilver-gilt bronze.
This salon formed the most effec-
tive setting possible for the dancers.
| AT this moment It is approaching mid
| night and the animation CT the dance
| Is at its height. The floods Of light
| from the crystal chandeliers enhance
| the dazzling creamy whiteness Of the
| adOrnments, which, in their turn,
throw into relief the delicate tints Of
the womens costumes, the pale am
bers, rose pinks. Nile greens, hello
tropes and blushing carnatiOn, as well
as the Intermittent flash and sparkle
OF their diamond ornaments.
The dining-rOom, which was also fl
ted up for dancing, is a spacious apart
ment, with large paintings let into the
longer side walls.
During the intervals between the
dances a band occupying the serre al
the end Of a corridor on the opposite
side OF the house, in line with the
dance orchestra, rendered concert Sc.
lections.
This serre afforded means of com
munication with the supper and buffe
, room, where excellent refreshment.
were served.
Though there was no adventitionu.
adornments a prCfusion OF roses per
fumed the air and the brillianoy o
, the illumination gave wonderful ali
! OF gayety and animation to the scene.
I The rooms in the front OF the house
, including Mrs. Braniff's boudOir
adorned in crushed strawberry plusl
o and gold, and the library, were at tn
r disposal of those who desired to escap
| fOr moment from the Wnlfl OF IN
ballrocms and spend a few moment
in quiet conversation.
: The cloakrOOms both for women an
d men were upstairs.
4 A reception committee OF young me
s met the women on their arrival. escort
e ed them to the cloakroom, and after
ward led them to the ballroom.
General and Mrs. Diaz arrived 500
s after 10, their coming being heralde
= by the playing Of the national anthem
= both by the military band and th
i. dance orchestra. Shortly after thei
arrival the quadrille on honor wa
danced
AIter the quadrille OF honor had bee
n danced round dances followed in quic
is succession. The dancing space wa
is ample, the music was heard by all an
,e rarerly has the prOfessed amsuem mt {
a a ball been enjoyed to a greater e.
I'd tent than at this entertainment
ie II would be impossible to descrit
Is the toilettes Of the women, but the 70
Y lowing we're among the most conspicl
NJ Gus;