Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-10

in saying he knew but one thing-thm ne hheU
nothing; and Pliny to write, nofhtng IS cerfd,n
but uncertainty and to add, what do hnow?
THE ALGERINE BALL.
Translated from lie Courier des Etats U,,is.
Algerine civilization has been opened by a
ball! An enchanting ball! A ball with chan
deliers. and curtains and lemonade, and ice
cream served by eunuchs. On the right hand
NAV be heard the merry sound of the violins, on
the left, conversation carried or in Arabic, the
dogs barked in the street; the sacred stork rests
upon the minaret; and the champaign flies up to
arabesque ceiling. ''God is great'"
Make room for the ladies'!
At eight O'Clock they arrived-not in carriages
with armorial bearings-for in Alglers the sedan
chairs and litters, in use from the time of Clovis
to Louis 18th are still fashionable.
The beautiful young Jewesses are mounted on
mules richly caparisoned in Spanish style.
Their ample flowing drapery fastened at the
throat, is composed of embroidered brocade,
which sparkles in the darkness like flre-brand
when it is crushed; pyramids OF gotaen tears
are painted; an their Heads; their eyebrows are
painted; and their white teeth are white enough
to make one die of love.
Who is it exclaims, 'Enverte, ces damea
sont charmantes.' (:Iruly these Women are
6cantifH' Look at the windows, and you will
see whence the exclamation came. | ask par
don of the reader-there are no windows; but
look in the street, look upon the terraces, look
in the galleries, and you will see Frenchmen-a
crowd Of Frenchmen--n splendid military cos
tune, glitterlng with epauletts, sabres, and POM
ards. 1t 70 the Frenchman. who exclaims,
These women arc beautiful A compliment
IS always understood by the ladies. Speak flat
tery to Scotch damsel in Russian, to Norman
in Turk, to an Algerine in French-no matter,
the ladies' will understand it.
The baud of the 18th is playing dlvinely IN the
FIRST saloon; the sliPpered feet OF the ladies glide
yoluptuously over the varicgated floor, and their
transparent drapery floats along the walls OF Pa
rian marble.
In the second saloon are sonorous tlme-pleces,
on which gods, goddesses, and cupids mark the
fying hour; and the blue carpets are scattered
with roses.
In the third room are displayed the presents of
the Dey of Tunis. Pistols and jewelled poinards,
nantes of tiger skin, pipes Of yellow and white
amber, saddles and housings Of lion skin, oren-
tai stirrups wrought in damask work, and per-
fumes that might render an old man young again.
In word, this room is perfect chapter in
the thousand and one Arabian Nights. 1t makes
one think that the Haroun-el Rarchid is still alive,
and that the enchanted rose, the speaking bird,
and the singing tree will soon present themselves.
Before entering the ballroom every gentleman,
presents bouuet Of flowers to his partner, and
each lady is in turn introduced to the brave COM
mander, General Causel.
All is ready in the ballroom. The violins
are tuned; the gentlemen take their places; and
the ladies blush, as they see themselves reflected
in the mirrors. The first couples moved forward.
Prodigious! prodigious! 1t was very little to
have broken through the customs of thousand
wears, to have uncovered their faces, and to have
gone out at night to a ball-the Jewesses have
made sacrifice infinitely greater, to please their
fascinating nquerors.-They have actually put
on stockings white stockings embroidered
stockings No wonder they arc little embar-
raised in the zephyr step.
When the centre dance is finished, cakes,
ices, and lemonade are served; they laugh and
talk IN the cool alcoves-Ranelaugh and Bagdad
seem to have met together
Silence. silence! Here come the Tunisian
ambassadors. Bring champagne and ices for the
gentlemen.
They are not grave, diplomatic, or listless.-
They talk cheerfully and freely with the mana.
gers about camels, ministers, line women and
tobacco; and then they 60 out upon the terrace to
smoke.
At midnight the dance is renewed The la
dies are gayer than ever; the ambassadors more
blue. and the Frenchmen glorously intoxicated
with lovely Moriscas, and Jewish dapsels, with
beautiful stockings,-still more beautiful with
out them.
At two O'Clock the galtopade is proposed.-
The East and the West fly through the rooms
hand in hand-pearls trembling, and ponlards
slittering and ringing. as they GO
The farewell is said. The mules are capari
soned in the court: the slaves stand ready with
the sedans: the managers offer their arms; the
night is finished, the ball and its gories have Pas
sed away.
But Algiers IS conquered-civilization has