Ainslee's Magazine, February 1913 — page 117: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SOCIETY REMINISCENCES This doubtless helped to stimulate trade, as many of the shops sold out all their beautiful brocades and _ artistic odds and ends, which otherwise would have come from abroad. It seemed to me cruel that any one with such a noble heart as my sister-in- law should have been attacked by dema- gogues because of this fancy ball. Shortly before the affair one of my family met Theodore Roosevelt in the street, and said to him: “T am so pleased that you and your wife are coming to this ball.” “Oh,” replied the future president of the United States, “my wife’s coming, because she’s got her costume ready ; but as police commissioner my duty that night will be in the street, watching the police.” Thus the hero of San Juan spent that night conscientiously doing his duty, superintending the five hundred police that were selected to keep order among the crowds attracted by the ball. In describing this event I could bring it better to the minds of my readers by reference to the descriptions of the great fétes of Louis XIV. at Versailles. Though not arranged on such a great scale as the fetes of Versailles, the eight or nine hundred guests at the Bradley Martin ball had been careful in the se- lection of their costumes to follow every historical detail. As an instance I may say that Miss Brice’s costume was actu- ally copied from a portrait by Velasquez, which hangs in the Louvre. All authorities agreed in declaring that this ball was the most sumptuous and costly ever seen in America. It even outshone the Schermerhorn ball, given fifty years previously, the great dance held in honor of the Prince of Wales, and the Vanderbilt ball. The scene within the ballroom was dazzling. The white and gold panels of the Waldorf Hotel gleamed through an- cient tapestries, foliage, plants, and tropical flowers, and the broad wall mir- rors sent back in electric rays reflections of beauty and wealth such as had rarely been gathered together in one ballroom. All was gorgeous and monarchical. To three Washingtons there were a score 107 of Louis Quinzes, and for one Puritan Maid whole groups of Marie Antot- nettes, Madame .Pompadours, and Ma- dame Maintenons. Jewels representing untold wealth glittered everywhere. Some single but- tons were worth thousands of dollars, and one could gaze upon tiaras and necklaces that had cost fabulous sums of money. The South, especially Florida, sent some of its rarest blossoms, and the dis- play of orchids and American Beauty roses exceeded probably anything of the kind ever seen in this city. The small ballroom, where Mrs. Martin received her guests, was superbly decorated with lilies of the valley, white and pink roses, orchids, and trailing vines. The dais on which she stood was covered with rich red plush, its background being com- posed of rare old tapestry, garlanded with roses. The music balcony, similarly deco- rated, looked like a huge box of flowers, while the café and winter garden, at all times pleasant features of the Waldorf Hotel, were charmingly set off with beautiful roses, acacias, palms, and ferns. One hundred and twenty-five supper tables had been arranged for the guests, each bearing a gilt flower basket. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Martin re- ceived their guests at the entrance to the ballroom. Attired as Mary Stuart, Mrs. Bradley Martin wore a most magnificent cos- tume. The long-trained skirt of ruby velvet, embroidered in gold, was looped in front over a silver chain, showing a skirt of silver and white-brocaded satin, ornamented with white satin panels, em- broidered in silver and gold. The bod- ice, worn with a jeweled girdle, was made with square neck, ornamented by a high collar, and with sleeves puffed at the top, and ornamented with precious stones above the network of pearls which covered them. The headdress of ruby velvet, covered with a network of pearls, held in place a veil of dainty white tulle, spangled with pearls. Her ornaments were magnificent diamonds and rubies. Mr. Bradley Martin, as Louis XV., (C@) ANUC OOO) KK (C@