Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-10-12
Magnificent Ball to the Officers
OF North Atlantic Squadron.
1T SURPASSED ALL OTHERS
Most IsriliIant ANair Ever Witnessed AT
Old Point. Scene Of Lndescrlbahl.
Beauty. IHumiuaiion of vFa,-
ships. The Features.

with the night just vanished, passes
into the social annals of Old Point the
most notable event in the long list 81
brilliant functions which have contrib
uted 50 largely to the pleasure and say
ETY. Of this queen OF resorts in seasons
gone but unforgotten.
Reference, of course. is ha,l to the
ball given last night al the Chamber
lin Hotel with an overflow ball at the
Hygea. by the business men Of New
port News. Norfolk, Richmond, Hamp-
ton and Old Point, in honor of the Off
GERS of the North Atlantic Squadron,
now at anchor in Hampton Roads
The scene was as one stolen from the
fairy-land of a poets dreams-exquis-
itely harmoniousy. beautiful A hun
dred happy elements lent themselves
to make the occasion indescribabiy
what it was-the hundreds of beautiful
women enchantingly attired in cos
TUNES whose charm no pen may meas
ure; hundreds of gallant men, men who
have made history; men who are MAX
ing it, men in gold and blue, men in
faultless black and white.
Two thousand invitations mad been
issued. Wherever possible these had
been accepted. All of social Newport
News was there. all of Hamplon's So
clety: Norfolk sent over, on the new
ora Dominion steamer MObjack q
handsome delegation numbering about
three hundred. Pleasure lovers came
from Richmond, from Wa si1ington,
from Baltimore. from, other cities.
There was double preaominance OF
red, white and blue-the roses that
bloomed in velvet cheeks, the white of
alabaster shoulders. TIE eyes that
matched the autumn skies. Then,
there were other eyes, eyes of melting
Sray, of flashing black. Of softening
brown, of sparkling hazel.
There was the music Of merry voices
blent. of superb orchestrsls, the Groom
ing of Old ocean rocking her restless
waves to sleep upon tho shore.
There Was a multitude. Of light, and
the CLEANS that shot from eyes afore-
said.
Thus much and more had nature Law
ished upon the picture. u
Manager Campbell, Of the Chamber
lin. and his efficient corns of aids, Gid
the rest. ..
THE CONCERT.
From 80 TO $50, While the jewellers
We're assembling. Il magnificent con
cert was given in the Red Parlor by
the Fourth L. S. Artillery Band fror:
the Fort, which rendered an exception
ally fine program of the following
numbers:
. L. Overture
Refinement. :. :. Boettgar.
>. Selection
The Telephone Girl. kerkei,.
j. Fantasia
The American Empire. :. Tobani.
T. Cavatina-
Barber Of Seville.". Ross;n:.
(coronet Solo. by G.. Buslione. leader)
D. Selection from Truvatore Verdi.
6. The Spanish Patro! Tobari.
o. Selection
The Fortune Teller. Herbert
s. Selection from Opera Glover. Suppc.
g. Selection
"Cavalleria Rusticana'' .Mascagni
THE !LLUMINATION
The most beautiful feature of the
evening and one of the grandest sper-
tacles in some respects, ever witnessed
in these waters. was the illumination
OF the squa'aron--all, except the cruis-
er Brooklyn, which is taking on coal
preliminary to her long trip to the Orr;
ent.
All day long the crews Of the other
vessels OF the squadron and of Wells
magnificent yacht Americas, lust off
the pier, had been busiiy at work
with their preparations. Thousands OF
electric light bulbs were strung along
the hull lines of the ships. Thousands
more were strung on masts and riggine.
on tower and turret-every outline Of
body and superstructure was followed.
AT o'clock, just as the after-sunset
shadows had lost themselves in the
wilderness Of the night, The battleship
Texas, at the touching of button,
was transformed into a ship Of fire.
In in instant. the cruiser New York
was ablaze, then, the Indiana, the Mas
sachusetts and the graceful Yacht.
Out upon the darkness Of Hampton
Hampton Roads. the squadron glittered
like constellation reflected in waters
caressed by the soft cleaning of count
less lights.
The effect Of this sudden transfer
lnation was weird fantastic. wonder
fully beautiful.
THE RECEPTION.
From $3.50 to 10, the reception com
mittee from the fort received the Off
GERS from the squadron and their la
dies This committee was composed
of the commandment Col F. Z. Guen-
Their and his sister, Miss Guenther.
Captain and Mrs. Fired Strong. Captain
and Mrs. c. L. Phillips, Lieutenant
Colonel and Mrs. Calvin Dewitt.
Ihose officers present from tie
squadron with thel. ladies. were:
From the Texas-Capt. c. p. Sigsbee
Lieutenant Commanders A. G. Dilting-
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