This species of entertainment, so common in Europe, is in a great
measure a novelty in the States; for although in New York and
Philadelphia _materiel_ may be procured in abundance,--and there is no
lack of either wealth or spirit to put it in requisition,--yet the
society is too much divided to admit of numbers, and variety, sufficient
to relieve the groups from sameness and consequent insipidity. At
Washington, I believe, there had never been more than two or three
attempts made; when, therefore, Senator W----e, of Florida, issued cards
for a "Fancy Ball," with little more than a week's notice, the whole of
the visiting community was thrown into confusion, and, indeed, despair.
A rush was at once made upon the _materiel_; the candidates were many,
the supplies few; and all were eager to monopolise as far as was
possible.
In twenty-four hours after the summons had gone forth, not a plume of
feathers, a wreath of flowers, or a scarf or ribbon _couleur de rose_ or
_flamme d'enfer_, could have been purchased in the city of Washington.
It was most amusing to assist at the consultations of the ladies: not a
portfolio but what was rummaged, not a pencil but what was in
requisition copying or inventing authorities for all sorts of real and
imaginary costume.
Every man who either possessed, or was supposed possessed of, an iota of
taste, suddenly found himself greatly increased in importance. The
position of these virtuosi became enviable in the extreme: they ran or
walked about the streets with an air of well-pleased mystery, their
hands filled with delicate-looking triangular billets; they entered the
residences of the most admired belles without knocking; they were
consulted, caressed, listened to anxiously, smiled upon gratefully: in
short, for three or four days, their influence seemed only limited by
their discretion; they moved "air-borne, exalted above vulgar men."
But all human happiness is transient at best, and even the sovereignty
of taste could not endure for ever. As the costume became settled, the
fair clients fell off; the portfolios were returned with "thanks;" the
drawings, so lately pronounced "perfect loves," and gazed upon as though
worthy the creation of a Rubens, were now to be found doubled up in the
card-rack, or transfixed by two or three pins on the cushion of a
work-table; the three-cornered missives circulated in other channels;
and the man of Taste found ample leisure once more to speak to a friend
in the avenue, or fall quietly into the ranks at a dinner-party.
Nevertheless, up to the last hour, the ladies continued, if words might
have been trusted, in absolute despair; and in truth, when one examined
into the resources at their command, the case seemed desperate enough.
To be sure, Baltimore was near, and was soon under contribution; even
Philadelphia and New York were lightly visited, more than one belle
having sent thus far for a dress. Some of these, by the way, were, like
the Chevalier de Grammont's, swamped on the road, to the mortification
of the fair expectants.
Three or four gentlemen joined company in getting up a diplomatic group,
which my friend Kenny's little comedy of "The Irish Ambassador" had here
made very popular. Of this group I formed a part; and being honoured by
the company of an embassy from a new quarter, in the portly person of
"His Excellency minister extraordinary, and Plenipotentiary, from the
Dry Tortugas," together with his Secretary of legation and suite, our
equipages, as we left Fuller's, made rather a formidable show.
Many other well-dressed groups of men were known to us as being
prepared, and it was for the ladies only I felt any fear of a lame
conclusion. But what will not the ingenuity of woman effect when
inclination prompts and pleasure leads the way!
I entered the reception-room, quite sorrowing for one or two of my
personal friends, whose regret at being so miserably unprovided up to
the last hour had met sympathy from my credulous simplicity, when, lo!
here I found these fair sly things set forth in character, all plumed
"like estridges."
We made our bows to the lady patroness, a very charming person, habited
as Isabel de Croye, and attended by a suite of well-chosen characters,
very tastefully gotten up. Here were girls so unquestionably Greek, that
any good Christian would willingly have ransomed them without suspicion
of their country or quality; together with Turkish maidens, whose
appearance would have dazzled and deceived even the argus-eyed
guardians of the Imperial serai.
I was struck with the great variety of Asiatic costume present, of the
richest and most perfect kind, both male and female: a couple of women,
with fine black eyes and features of remarkable classic beauty, wore the
costume of Tripolitan ladies of the highest rank, and it would be
difficult to conceive anything richer or more strikingly picturesque.
The Mediterranean is the favourite cruising ground of the American navy;
and from this abundant wardrobe, of the most becoming costumes, every
ship imports specimens for their friends at home. On this occasion these
had been laid under requisition to excellent purpose.
There were two attempts only, as far as I remember, to embody character,
as is more usual in masquerade; but these were both remarkable for their
excellence. The most striking in appearance was a young officer of the
United States' army, habited as an Osage warrior, painted and plumed
with startling truth. Surrounded by all that was presumed to be strange
and bewildering, never for a moment did the well-trained young warrior
forget what was due to himself or his tribe: he looked on with the most
imperturbable _sangfroid_, moved about with the ease and self-possession
of one to whom all he mingled with had been a matter of common usage;
heard jests, questions, or friendly explanations with the most unmoved
gravity, replying by an occasional "Ou, ou!" or a slow bend of his head:
his patience was indeed worthy the most tried of the race he
represented, for never did he lose it or forget himself for a moment. He
was a very fine young man, and the features of his face appeared to have
been moulded to his present purpose.
The other was a Yankee young man, as he described himself, "jist come
away south, to see about;" and who, "noticin' that all kinds o' queer
men was comin' in here without payin' nothin', thought he'd best jist
step in tu, and make one among the lot."
And of a certainty he did make the queerest specimen I ever met in this
or any other lot. The supporter of this character was young Mr. W----r.
The total change in his appearance was effected by a certain set of the
hat and a mode of placing it on the head quite characteristic, together
with an odd hanging on of the coat and vest, which gave them the look
of having belonged to some one else, and as likely to fit any one as the
present wearer.
I had seen the original of this picture in the north, I had also
witnessed it admirably represented by Messrs. Hill and Hacket, the rival
Yankees of the American stage; but neither of them, I think, were so
minutely perfect or so whimsical as this new actor. The abstraction was
complete; and the odd questions, guesses, complicated relations, full of
drollery and wholly applicable to the present scene and the actors
engaged in it, were replete with humour, exhibiting a compound of vulgar
assurance, simplicity, and native shrewdness, not surpassed by any
assumption I have ever witnessed.
Although quite intimate with this gentleman, I stood for a while
listening to him where he stood grinning amidst a group who were
quizzing and questioning him, and for a short time imagined it was some
veritable rustic they held immeshed. It was not until after I had
learned who it was, that I succeeded in recognising a person who had
been sitting with me that very morning.
A few of the gravest of the senators alone had been privileged by the
host to appear _en habit de ville_, and these paid for their privilege
before they got clear off. Their potent seignorships, in truth, soon
found themselves exceedingly ill at ease here: jostled by lawless
pirates, lassoed by wild Guachos, and plundered of their loose cash by
irresistible broom and orange girls, they were fain to make an early
retreat, with as good a grace as might be assumed, under circumstances
so subversive of all due gravity.
If enjoyment be the object of such meetings, nothing could be more
absolutely attained than it was at this little fancy ball; for a scene
of higher festivity and good-humour no man could desire to assist at. It
had, however, the sin to account for of keeping its fair patronesses
together some two hours later than any other _fete_ I witnessed in this
most wisely merry capital.
On reaching Fuller's, accompanied by a joyous knot of diplomatists, it
was discovered to be over three hours past midnight; a novelty in
etiquette which it was decided _nem. con._ would have "plenty of
precedents _after_."