The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-12
THE NAVAL BALL
AT OLD POINT
ChamberIn AgIow With Light, Color
and Beauty,
BLENDING RED, WHITE AND BLUE
MAGNIFICENT Electric Display on the
Ships Of the North Atlantic Squad
ron-An Elegant Banquet to the
Naval Cfficers--Thc Guests.

Old POINT COMFORT. VA, Oct. IL
cneciaI-There was double predomi-
nance of red. white and blue In the De"u-
tiful ballroom OF the ChamDeriln ho'e'
here tonight. for the patriotic colors
hung I'm 4 myriad of graceful festoohs
from the ceiling, while every available
spot ON the pillars surrounding the wax
ed portion of the floor was decorated WIN
rosettes Of red. white and blue, wnNe
down on the hard. smooth floor, wher7
forty couples swung in the mazeS OF an
intricate german inquire, the red Of rosy
cheeKs TN. white of alabaster shoulders
and the blue Of heavenly divine orDs, car
ried the prevailing coiors there aiso' a'iu
lent "A bewitchlng harmony wnich Hlaue
the scene bewltcBingly beautiful
Nor was there lack Of contrast lor
there was an abundance OF Soio pr"iu,
and opposed 10 the bewiidering array OF
feminine loyeliness was the manly grace
and virile strength which upheid the Ieu,
white and blue when alien cannon Deioheu
forth their lcaden hail
The army was also represented. ana
here and there shoulder straps OF red
and cold. which had been in many stern
artillery uttie, ltii ii''N ~" ''''''S
lives at a single broadside from pair
of flashing eyes.
THE DANCING.
Dancing begaI. promptly at &c o clock,
and. with short intermssions, continued
until rearly daybreak. An overflow oa.
was held I'm the Hygeia ballroom Whleh
was also handsomely decorated for the
occasion. the managers ct both notes CO.
operating with the citizens OF this section
i'm their efforts TO honor the heroes or the
squadron which took such an important
part in the Spanish-American war
While this brilliant WAS beirg enacted
on shore. a more brilliant one was being
enacted on the water. the aid Of thousands
Of electric bulbs being invoked to add
their mstre to the occasion. Each OF the
0sbting monsters. which erstwhic beicn-
"a forth fire and destruction was covered
a sheet Of vari-c0ored lights, wover into
an sorts of phantastic shapes. Dark,
gloomy. clouds shut out the twinkling
stars and accentuated the beauty OF the
marvellous electric display which mirror
ed itself in the restless waves below.
IT, yacht America. belonging to Mr..
II. Watts was I'm the harbOr and also fuily
decorated with lights.
THE BROOKLYN.
As the Brooklyn was busy taking on coal
ana Supplies, HtI htIvidAlft ASh'3 w.
not lighted.
IL IS expected that the Brooklyn VIII
get of on her long cruise for Manila to-
morrow night or Friday.
Another feature Of the evenings enter
tainment was an elaborate banquet in
honor Of the naval officers present. Cow
ers were laid for more than 800 guests.
The banquet began at 10 o'clock and full
Justice was done TO the sumptuous repast
prepared.
THE GUSESTS.
Colonel Guonther. cOmmandant at Fort
Monroe. and his sister. Miss Guenther,
received the guests
Following navy officers were among
those present: Flag Lieutenant c. MGR.
Winslow. and Flag Secretary +. L. Ben
nett. Of Simpsons personal staff Cap
tain Diclins. Of the Indiana; Captain G.
ID. Sigsbee OF the Texas. and senior cap
tain of squadron: Captain n. f. Jewell. OF
the Brooklyn: Captain &. J. Train. Of the
Massachusetts,: Major Marines. T. y.
Wood: Captain Marines. G. \. Doyer;
CaDtain Marines. T. y. Kane. Among the
baltimore people present were Messrs.
w. J. Thompson. W. II. Lane ana &. i.
Leach.
Those present from Washington were
Mr. y. r Sunsburv and wife and Mrs.
T. w. Pratt and Miss Pratt.