Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-01-10
MRS. ASTOR'S BALL.

Mrs. AstOr did not vary this year the
plan heretofore observed in the arrange
ments for her annual winter ball, which
was held in New York last night. As
on other occasions, the adjoining man
sions, that of the hostess and of her son,
Col. John Jacob Astor, were thrown
open, thus giving ample space for the
500 or more guests whom she welcomed,
the flower of New York society.
There was elaborate floral decorations
throughout the two houses. The marble
foyer of Mrs. Astor's mansion was a
mass of flowers, palms and exquisite
plants, bright scarlet blossoms being
used to great advantage and contrasting
with the white walls. There we're also
groups Of deep red aud brightest pink
azaleas. In the ballroom and drawing
room quantities of American Beauty roses
and orchids were used The great din
ming room against the black and gold
background had white flowers, lilies and
roses.
Mrs. Astor, assisted by Miss Constance
Knower, 6nancee of her grandson, Mr..
H. Coleman DraytoD, received the guests
in the drawing room of her own house
She wore n superb costume of royal pur-
pie velvet over pale blue satin. The
bodice of velvet was embroidered with
paillettes of gold in elaborate design and
combined with cream lace and pale blue
tulle. The petticoat, of Marie Antoin-
elite effect, was of blue satin and the
long train of purple velvet. The hostess
wore magnificent Jewels, including
stomacher and cersage ornament of dia-
monds and tiara of solitaires. Miss
Kuower was charming in dainty frock
Of white chiffon and lace.
Alter conventional greetings the ball.
room. which is also the picture gallery,
were sought and there dancing was gen.
eral until after midnight. Lander's
orchestra played Tor dancing and also
during supper, which was served by
Sherry at small tables.
Ii was after supper and after ] O'Clock
when formal dancing began There
Vas a spirited cotillon, Messrs Elisha
Dyer, jr., and Harry S. Lehr leading
with Mrs. j. j. Astor ald Mrs. Orme
Wilson: About 100 couples were in
the dance and the favors were excep-
tionally attractive. They included for
the women directoire canes, feather
pens, may poles garlanded with flowers,
bells and ribbons, letter cases aud tiny
jardinieres filled with flowers. For the
men there were combination stamp box
es and paper weights, pen wipers of
leather, with the royal English
colors; boutonnieres, automobile horns
attached to colored ribbon, dog whips,
tipped with silver aud gold pencils.
Mrs. Astor's list of guests varied but
little from that of last year, except in
the added number of debutantes of this
season and the visiting foreigners.
Among the foreigners and persons of
little invited were the Duke and Duchess
Of Manchester, the Duke of Vallambrosa,
Baron and Baroness Hengelmuller, NJ.
and Nine Desportes de la Fosse, Count
md Countess de Rougemont, Count and
Countess Bereldigen, Lord Fairfax,
Marches Serramazzano, Hon. Hugo
Barring, Baron -SchilIing, Vicompte de
Prince de Bearn, Prince
Henri de Croy, Count Henri Desportes,
Count de Limburg SIirum, Barons Al
,honse and Louis de Rochschild, Lady
juuard, Viscountess Maitland, Baroness
ron Huegel and Nine. Waddington.