The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-02

The SKAsoH OF BAILs-THE COMMENCEMENT OF
TIE SEAsoN.-Summer, with all its pleasures Its
balmy zephyrs, its fishing, bathing, riding aud
jauntng Misunderstanding passed, the respecta-
BILE classes of sooiety--we mean the mlddling
classes must seek some other method of enjoying
themselves during the winter. Their most favor
lite amusement is balls. We believe there is no
people in the world who are so fond of this spe-
eies Of amusement, as the middng aad respectable
classes of New York. They make it, in fact, a
feature--a characte rlstc-of our metropolitan soci-
ETY. and the amount of money which they spend
IN this way, IN the course of a single season,
would, if it could be reduced to figures, astonish
the public. The honest and industrious mechanic,
who tolls from sunrise to sunset, and earns his
bread by the sweat of his brow, will not think of
allowing week to pass over without taking his
sweetheart TO one or more OF these balls, and In
dulging in the may windings Of the polka or CO.
tlen, till daylight does appear" The prospect
of the enjoyment before him, while it cheers his
heart, hghtens his labor. and forms the princpal
subject of his thoughts If not Of his dreams. The
passion for these amusements is equally as strong
with the females Poor, indeed, must be the con-
dton OF the young woman who has not beau
to take her once or twice week to ball at Tam
many Hall, or the Chinese Rooms; and deplorabe
would she think il, if she could not afford TO spend
little money, TO enable her to make BETTING
appearance on the occasion. A ball dress is
essential part of her wardrobe. That mast be
paid for-so must her snowy white gloves, her
jewery and trinkets, to say nothing of the rouge,
which adds beauty to hercheeks. Ii is the same
with the man he, too, must be prepared and
properly rugged for such reunions. We have no
means within reach of making accurate
estimate of the amount of money which is annu-
ally expended by the mlddng and respectable
classes of New York society In this manner. 1t
must, however, be very large, when we take INTO
consideration the number of balls which given
every year, and the rich and costly appearance OF
those who attend them. Then the refreshments,
too must be paid for, and the music, too for it is
! generally understood that " those who dance must
pay the piper" and the rule is invariably followed
AT these balls.
| We might take another view of this subject. We
might estimate the numerous branches Of industry
which are supported and encouraged by these balls
We might give an estimate of the number of per-
sons employed in making kid Gloves in manufac-
turing cosmetics and pomatums, In making dancing
pumps, jewelry and the other Ell ceteyas which go to
complete the toggery for a New York ball but in
asmuch as we would be without accurate data in
each case, we will not attempt it. 1t may be safe,
however to say that at least half million of dol
lars are annually spent in the city of New York In
this way alone.
The ball season is about commencing, and, with
it, the period for matchmaking. These reunions
are prolific Of marriages. The male attendants
show Off their best manners, as well their best
clothes, and the females display their beauty to the
greatest advantage The consequence is, that
prodigous number Of marriages result from these
social gatherings. The ice will be broken the
present season by the Second National and Civic
Ball, which will take place at the Apollo Rooms, on
the twelfth Of this month.