Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-04-08
From Noah's New-York Advocate.
BACHELORS BALL.


A few years ago meeting was called
of bachelors friendly to giving an annual
ball as kidd of conmutalion for an
odious tax about to be proposed, and by
way OF keeping IN the good graces Of the
fair. Contrary TO all calculations, full
meeting was had; some young; some a
little in the vale; some with wigs, and
others with kind of pepper and salt
hair; something like sleet, as Billy
Lackaday calls it; 10 all from 25 10 50.
At that meeting it was resolved to give
Ball, and it was voted quite the thing
TO give such ball annually on 81. Val
entine's day; day particularly agreea-
BILE to all /" billers and cooers," and TO
effect the object strong committee was
appointed.
The Indies when they heard of Bachc-
lor's Ball, smiled behind their fans; some
turned up their honorable noses; others
declared that it was high time the crea-
lures did something to make themselves
agreeable: but they all resolved to go
and stare them out of coun,enance, or
into matrimony We'll, the ball was CIV
en-, and splendid one it was; rooms
elegantly decorated; lights brilliant;
supper ample and magnificent.
The ladies were dressed in the most
becoming style; their heads ornament
ed with feathers, bachelors buttons, and
a certain other little field Hover which
shall be nameless-all the artillery OF
their charms were brought to play point
blank upon the hearts Of the bachelors,
who, with blue coats, white cashmere
unmentionsbles, and daHydowndlllies in
their button-holes, were unusually anna
Die, attentive and polite. The ball went
of with uncommon eclat-every body
was delighted, and those who for years
had sneered at bachelors-wbo had, in
riot fancy, "made mouths" at them,
now spoke loudly in praise of their spi-
rited undertaking-favored them with
their sweetest smiles and most becoming
cnr.sey. This praise proved fatal TO
single blessedness. o, hs,tery Oh!
it wasa poisoned cup, in which Cupid's
arrows had been dipped-it inspired new
life in the bachelors--they drank deep of
the intoxicating draught--they fell be.
fore the idol-they pushed up their hair
a la Brutus-wore black horse skin
gloves and white risbands-carried an
ye-glass--cried bravo! al the theatre
threw aside their rustees fustees, and
were
"Every inch man" Shakespeare.
Another year came round--ano,her
ST. Valentines day arrived, because it
arrives every year; and another bache-
lors' bali was given. This was infinitely
more splendid than the first; it was eve.
ry thing the triumvirates OF good cheer,
Simon, Mrs. Poppleton, and Abbey jones,
could make it. Il. brought out an add.
tional number of ladies, because many
candidates were brought out who were
kept in the last year. Ii was considered
prudent not to trus, young ladies under
q certain age, in room full OF bachelors.
If the opinions Of the fair had undergone
some change in favor OF bachelors the
preceding year, this year they stood at
the head of the calendar, and were consi-
dered the most spirited ci,lzens and KIND
fellows in the world--to be hereafter ca
ressed, to have the strongest cup OF tea,
and the brownies, piece Of toast; to have
their way in every thing, and never TO
beg twice for romping kiss. But alas
suin stared them in the face-'ne Two
balls. the fair candidates, the hattering
encomiums, and the gracious conde'
scension, paved the way for en- awful re-
caI
smploye 10 getting up these balls' which