New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-02

Origin OF the Z" Feast Of Lsi,"-eirand Hal
Ma.que mt the Academy-Tne Deoorn-
lions and Dancer--OccidentsiG syeV
nmid Oriental Grandeur.


Bible OF have read It sufficiently know the story Of
Esther and the King Ahasuerus we VIII not weary
them with il here but in the belief that they are not all
familiar with the word Purim' viii refer Tor a
moment 10 The history OF the beautiful queen we have
named. To serve our own purpose therefore we wlil
begin by defining IT, literally The Feast OF the Lots
which was instituted by MOrdeea 10 commemorate the
deiverauce Of the Jews from The Vaccinations OF
Haman.
HIS sons ten IN number undertook 10 destroy the He
brew during the reign Of Ahasuerus but being ioupd
in the attempt, he and MS sons were hanged There
fore on the ith and 18th days OF the month OF Adaf
which was the l2h Of the sacred and the 9th OF tie
civil wear and 20 the latter part 81 our febru
Dry and the beginning Of March the jews held least OF
rejoicing because Of their escape from the fate intended
for them whereupOn MOrdecai sent letters to all the
provinces Of Abasuerus commanding them 70 renem
Der these DAYS tbroug bOut all time ana every genera
ton a. DAYS OF gladhess upon which they should send
portions to one another aud give gifts TO the poor lhe
decree VI Esther confirmed these days OF Pnrim ano
the command Of the good Qasen has yen
will amply testify for gadness reigned there supreme
and low after the masks were removed beaned rom
every face.
The Committee had promised that upon the occ aston
Of the Ffh Annual Ball OF the Purim Association the
interior Of the Academy would I've transfer med so as 70
represent Persian temple of the time Of Queen Esther
An effort OF this kind was certainly made. and we
doubt not was entirely satisfaction! 10 those under
whose direction the ornaments were prepared. The
columns were certainly covered with pillars represent
inc the Persian style Of architecture the enablaures
Of vhich were decorated with human ana animal hr
ures At the entrance were two antique vases hled
with exotic flowers and couple Of immature pam.
trees carried the imagination back II not 70 the time OF
Esther. at least TO the land OF Ham and frdonsl.
Between the columns were triezes figures IN relief
end trophies and their bases were decorated With the
Persian coat of arms. At the captOls OF the pillars
were seen the double heads Of the Union The Persian
hon the Persian sphyn1 and the ram were also repre-
sented while branches Of palm were suspended from
the balconies coupled with trophies and emblemacn
representations OF tue twelve tribes Of Israel along
the balconies were Oriental tapestries relieved by les
ICONS az flowers These decorations were unique and
their general effect heightened by the glare OF the
gas and two calcium lights. The stage proper Was
made to represent tent adorned WIN dfapers, "a
I'll the gorgeous richness Of Oriental cOOrng fastened
with rings cords and tasses In style appropriate 10
the times and harmorizing with The other DECORATIONS
THR PBoCEsslOS,
The first procession Of the evening wa intended to
represent TIE victory OF the Progressive Spirit over
Prejudice The Centuries were represented by banners
with appropriate Inscriptions accompanied by Hebrus
mper,Onating the characters Of each age. Tho 18Th
century was represented by young girl In the costume
Of ,he Goddess of Liberty. The names Of poets ar
fists philosophers and pnllarthrOpists WHO have
sprung from jew in families. also Ornamentcd ban
ners. Another represented the Progressive Spirit
crushing beneath his foot the monster Prejudice.
The second procession was made 20 represent the
triumphal march Of Queen Esther The fOOr committee
in the dress ofwarriors Of high rank. acted az guard
OF honor the Queen; priests bearing an image Of the
tables Of the Covenant followed while MOrdecai ap-
4 "A
MOors. AhasueTus not allowed a place In the tr
umpha march because the words OF the reporter
of TIE Pnrin Ga-effe he merely a means IN the
hands Of Esther and did not exert any direct influence
upon the course OF events
THE COSTUMES AND TIE COMPANY.
The Academy filled in every part. No person
wss admitted upon the floor who was not masked and
IN fancy costume until - O'Clock. Nevertheless II was
10 crowded that dancing was impossible. Quadriles
were compelled 10 form in space less than four feet
square, and walters whircd In "A circle whose radius
less the circumference Of some OF their skirts
Good humOr however, prevailed, aud clowns aud
courticrs, monks and marquises nuns and Normhs.
persons IN character and out Of character black
spirits and white red spirits and gray. mingled IN the
utmost confusion aud believed III their frantic ana ifnt
less cOrs to dance that they found enjoyment.
We must credit their statements and have hith that
they did All this while bright eyes beamed upon them
from the boxes and balconies and impatient feet kept
time to the music only restrained from joining the mad
Tcvelefs on the floor from the impOssibty OF nndng
standing thereupOn. and the lnexbe rule OF the
managers. That the Purm masquerade was a success,
those who participated IN it hold 30 firm in opinion that
we do not believe fire would melt II out Of them"
they woud die in 1t at the the stake y and look
ersOn merely must confess that unless appearances
have grown more than ordinarily decefu the 4th day
of the next Adar will be hailed with satisfaction by all
who joined the Purm Association In the celebration OF
flal last