


Grand Ball at West Point.
WEST POINT, August 30th, 1874.
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WEST POINT, August 30th, lS44.
DEAR FRIEND BENNETT -


have taken the liberty Of sending you few OF
my "pencillings by the way" in order TO keep
you courant of affairs which are transpirlng at
this delightful place.


The following note, neatly printed, was received
in New York few days since, which will explain
how happen to be writing from this place, and
will serve as an Introduction to the brilliant Jee
which came off here last evenlng-in relation to
which propose to send you these hasty remarks.
The note is as follows:-


"The U. s. Corps Of Cadets request the pleasure Of
Misses sc &C. &c company their military Ball to be


"West Point ~ Y, August l7th ls44."


It was signed by ten managers With a view of
attending to this invitation, and for the purpose OF
getting rid of little Of the tedium vite, a small
party of four ladies ana three gentlemen, of which
| composed one, were seen yesterday morning on
board the steamer Troy, making rapid headway
up the noble Hudson. After few hours spent
very agreeably in enjoying the bamy air, the
perb panorama OF hills, mountains, country seats,
villages and villas, and all the magical transtor-
nations OF the bewitching scene, we arrived at
this place yesterday at haf-past ten O'Clock in the
forenoon.


After landing we made immediate application to
the hotel for rooms, but were informed that there
were already about 25O persons staying at the
house. although the capacity OF the hotel was only
suficientito accommodate about fifty. At length,
however, as matter OF special favor, small room
in the attic, without any window, was obtained
for the four ladies', and the gentlemen were pro-
missed the privilege OF sleeping on the floor OF the
corridor or parlor during the night.


The gong soon announced to us the agreeable
intelligence that te diner etan serUi, and we were
soon seated in the commodous saloon 'sGnger,
tout fat recherche. There was no soup, and
saw no fish and, although there were plenty OF
other dishes on the table to satisfy the whole COM
pany, there was much hurry and confusion that
none of the guests could eat with much comfort.
There was great deficiency OF walters, 80 that
almost every person had to make his dinner of the
dishes which were within his reach, without having
But perhaps the aitre dhotel is entitled to little
indulgence, on account OF being unusually crowded
just at this time I; but don't know. what excuse
he can offer for serving dinner without soup and
salad The hotel Is conducted strictly on the tenn
perance principle not even a drop OF champagne
can be obtained ior dinner


After waiting until 8 P. M the report of several
cannons were heard in quick succession. This
was the signal for the ball to commence. Our
party was soon seated in carriage, which soon
sat us down at the academy, which is the name Of
the building in which the ball is held We entered,
and the first coup dGI Of the immense and ele-
ganty decorated saloon prepared for the occasion,
was such as to strike the behoder with astonish-
ment and rapturous enjoyment, The saloon com
prised the entire ground floor of the building, with
|
for the supper room, and embraced an area Of up
wards OF one acre; the place was hung round with
various flags, banners and enslgns, and was very
tastefully decorated with evergreens, nterspersed
with roses, woodbine and myrtle; and the whole
was Illuminated with several thousand varie gated
lamps and numerous chandeliers. Around the
sides Of the room were placed rs military tents,
with the usual camp furniture into which the COM
pany when tired OF dancing retired for rest and re-
freshments Each tent bore the name OF one OF the
States OF our confederacy, and over the entrance
to the dancing>saioon in gilt letters were written
the word g Essay0ns J" between each tent was
large gun, generally twenty. four pound howwitz-
ers, together with balls, bombs, and all the neces-
sary paraphanalia OF war-each OF the pillars which
are in this immense saloon amounting TO about
the room were tastefuly decorated with swords,
sabres, pistols, &c, placed in combinations SO as
to represent the sun, the moon the stars, Medusa
head @c ne room was asG hung Round with the


The company consisted, as was supposed, OF
about one thousand persons composed OF the corps
OF cadets, officers OF the army and navy and many
lawyers, doctors, lterGteurs and gems la mode /;
and when the strong light of the saloon came in
contact with the gliterlng uniforms OF the officers,
and the rich and sumptuous dresses OF the ladies',
and the .variegated embellishments Of the room-i'
rarely exceed in this country-and which made
me think that there is no reason for believing that
the splendor of which we read IN the Arabian
Nights is fabulous.



all the States were represented.


The army of the United States was ably repre-.
sented in the presence of Gen. Scott, the Command
er-in-Chief, and other officers OF high rank. The
Navy of the United States, and the Mexican Navy
by several officers belonging TO these services The
| Hon Mr.. Wickliffe, the Postmaster General, anc
his family, were also present. And among the
company quite asprlnkling of the elite of Anne.
| rican aristocracy The dancing commenced soon
after 9o'clock.
"A thousand hearts beat happily; and when
Music awoke with its voluptuous swell.
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again,
And all went merry as marriage belle"
The dancing continued without interruption un-
ill about one O'clock, when the company marched
into the saloon, in which the supper was prepared


the tables in this saloon presented scene OF spen,
| dor which cannot pretend TO describe-lt looked
more as though it had been produced by Alladin's
| lamp than by human hands.


After the supper was over ] prepared to withdraw
from the ball but it appeared as though but few
sentiment which seemed to pervade the whole as
sembly was


"On with the dance let joy be unconfned,
No sleep till morn when youth and beauty meet
To chase the glowing hours with flying feet"
The beautiful and accomplished daughters Of
General s. attracted much attention, and were
amiable and polite to Az.


The graceful Miss NJ, of Poughkeepse, was
dressed with great taste--her. eyes evidently had
made effect the hearts OF many OF the young
gentlemen. The amable Miss NJ, Of Philadel-
phia, as usual, looked extremely well, and ever
had a kind word or smile to dispense to each of
her admirers; but the belle who was considered as
having carried off the palm, was Miss r. of New
York.


at was her who taught the lamps to burn bright,
Her beauty hung DER the cheek Of night
Like q rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear"
Her dress consisted Of white satin slip, over
which was dress Of thin pink tulle, or crepe aro.
phane it was very low in the neck, and trimmed
around the neck with lace about four inches wide;
the sleeves were short and tight girdls sncireled
her waist; her hair dressed plain, but slightly
ornamented witA flowers and golden ornaments !;
her shoes were Of white satin !; and she held bou-
auet OF flowers in her hand. There were many
other ladies' present who were truly distinguished
for their beauty, dress, and accomplishments, who
are deserving Of special notice, but OF whom
have no time to speak.


The dancing, understand, was kept up until
da Wight when the COMPANY sepayated. much IA