The New York Herald

Affairs in Europe.

Herald Foreign Correspondence.

Paris, Jan. 26, 1848.

Opening of the Paris Season, by Mrs. Ridgeway—
Description of the Fête, Guests, Dresses, &c.

As you are kind enough to keep me au courant with the all-important affairs of fashionable life at home, it is but just that I should return you the same from this great metropolis. After the tristesse and disappointment occasioned by the deuil, which precluded all gaiety for some weeks past, not only at the Tuilleries, but ministerial and other houses of reception, the season was brilliantly opened last Wednesday, by our fair countrywoman, Mrs. Ridgeway, of Philadelphia, now occupying a fine hotel in the Faubourg St. Germain, not inferior in style and elegance to the one so long inhabited by Col. Thorne, whose munificence and splendor, so well known to all, need no comment of mine to recall him to the memory of many, though he may be forgotten by some 'the heartless parasites of present cheer.' The scene was one of brilliancy, which no American has aspired to since the days of the gay Colonel.

Were I writing to one less au fait than yourself with the distribution and luxe of the hotels in that quarter, I should be led more into detail than the present will require. Mr. R., whose wealth is only equalled by his generosity, has spared no expense to adorn the interior of his mansion, and render it a fit abode for the fair occupant who presided over the evening, not only as the goddess of beauty, but of grace and dignity; and in beholding her, one could feel the full force of the poet's description, that

'Heaven was in her eyes, grace in her mien—
She walk'd a Juno, and she look'd a queen.'

There she stood, in the salle de reception, welcoming her 'dear five hundred friends,' attired in a rich costume of couleur de rose satin, covered with white lace (a lady told me 'exquisite'); and although not requiring 'the aid of ornament,' she was resplendent with diamonds.

Many distinguished persons were to be seen among the numerous guests—Mr. Rush, our present minister at the Court of France, as also Mr. Bancroft, at the court of St. James—both of these gentlemen, so personally répandus for their literary productions—the former, accompanied by his two daughters, who seem to have inherited their father's graceful and courtly manners. M. de Pontois, former minister from this court to the United States, seemed gratified that I should retain so pleasing a souvenir of his agreeable balls given during his séjour at Washington. It would be in vain, dear Bennett, to give you the list of the many distingué personages among the French and English elite to be seen in this reunion, and much less to attempt to describe them. If I held the pen of Mrs. B—, I might better fulfil the task I have undertaken towards my fair countrywomen, whose indulgence I crave, should I describe imperfectly, or leave undescribed, the many elegant toilettes which passed before me.

Mrs. Bingham, in a oiseau de Paradis dress, tastefully adorned with tulle and ribbon, appeared as beautiful as the bird whose plumage she had adopted. Mrs. M-y, so long a resident in Paris, seems to have learned the secret of immortal youth; for she looked as well as ever I saw her, and is what the French call une femme bien conservée. The same may be applied to the Duchesse de B. There was sprightly little Mrs. P—, who makes herself agreeable by retaining her native graces, without having adopted, like many others, foreign airs. Affected Mrs. C—, with her bas bleu, stayed but a short time. I will pass over her simple toilette, sous silence. Mrs. Haight, of New York, so well known to us as the talented traveller whose pen has so happily portrayed the scenes of oriental life through which she passed, was richly dressed in a robe of entire lace, and it would be difficult for us to realize in her the march of time but for her fair and accomplished daughter, by her side, whose costume was of true Parisian taste. Pretty Miss F-r, in couleur de rose, was seen for a time, on the tapis, as also Miss W-h, another gentle spirit. Mrs. —, who had evidently tried, but in vain,

'to fill up the seams with powder, pastes, and creams,'

wore a rich white satin, and was sitting by Mrs. —, who, as usual, looked 'pleased and vulgar'—rather more embonpoint than I remember her some twenty years past, when I last saw her on the 'light fantastic toe,' watching her daughter in the mazy dance. Pretty Mrs. S-w, her face beaming with intelligence, reminded one how nearly she was allied to the great spirit of the west. Mrs. W-h, ever pleasing and agreeable, stayed but a short time. Mrs. B—, who is quite a belle here, wore a costume à la Pompadour, the richness and elegance of which only served to show off her fine figure to advantage. Mrs. C-r, one of my most valued friends, was, as usual, remarked for her lady-like and quiet manners. Mrs. R-ly, and her daughter, and others too numerous to describe. For the duchesses, marquises, countesses, etc., as well as high-born English, I must refer you to the fair hostess for further details; also, for the titled host of men, to her, or some of the dowager dames of the faubourg. The pale and elegant Mr. W-g, of Philadelphia, was seen circulating through the salons, accompanied by Mr. C-n; and I once heard a person ask him, 'Who is your fat friend?' Mr. M-n, our Secretary of Legation, so long in Paris, must surely be the idol of the women and the envy of the men; he seemed equally acquainted with the former, of all nations, possessing the happy talent of holding converse with each one in her own language.

Many were the ci-devants, who, like us, dear Bennett, cannot be young, and will not be old. I did not remark, as with us, so many of those young, beardless boys, who fill up our salons at home.

I find I must put an end to this; but, before doing so, one word for the supper, as that with me is an important subject of discussion, particularly near the hour of twelve. During the evening the salle-à-manger was open, and a table, magnificently decorated with bronzes argentés—a new style of ornament, which, I am told, were valued at 50,000 francs—in the centre a corbeille of natural flowers, and at each end statues supporting tazzas. Tea, ices, &c., were served in the greatest profusion. A few moments before twelve the doors were closed, and soon after re-opened to admit the ladies to a splendid supper, according to the number that could be comfortably seated; after which came our turn, and soon many a round and perfect pâté was reduced to a shapeless mass. Never did old Lucullus himself regale his friends with finer viands, or more delicious wines.

The weather is excessively cold here, and I am on the wing for Italy, in search of finer skies and milder climes. You must not be surprised if my next should be dated from Palermo, Athens, or Constantinople, as I have in contemplation to extend my wanderings thus far.

Adieu, dear Bennett; believe me, as ever, your old friend and correspondent.

D.