The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-30

night-that is to say, this morning. 1t was the
first real masquerade and carnival we have had
this season, literally speaking. Every person
who stepped upon the dancing-foor, or occupied
a parquet circle seat, was either masqued or
fancifully costumeG, of necessity, and the most
grotesque features of the ancient Venetian car
nlvals were faithfully reproduced. In fact, this
reproduction was so faithful, that il almost be-
came tedious.
In some respects the ball did not come up to
the general expectation which advertising had
creat,d OF il; in other respects it was as fully
success as any ball of the kind we nave ever
had in Philadelphia; and in still other respects
it surpassed all predecessors. 1t had been
announced that the number of ticket sold was
'1imited," so that no inconvenience or owding
need be anticipated; but the limit must have
been most comprehensive and liberal one, for
very many ladies were compelled to stand all
through the entertainment.
The musical arrangements were in charge of
Mr.. Carl Sentz, musical director of the M@nner.
chor, who had as coadiutors Messrs. Mark Hass-
Ter, Cunnington, and Bergman. So far as it went
the music was excellent; but, like the issue of
tickets, it was very "limited," especially during
the early portion of the evening; and for five
minutes at time, or longer, the throng upon the
floor would either be motionless, or mixed up in
laughabe confusion waiting or hunting for a
chance to dance.
1t must be confessed, that in the early part of
the evening there was an apparent mismanage.
ment or lack of management i'll the floor bus-
ness. Nobody seemed to be in chief command,
and nobody seemed TO know what was to be
done or to be expected.
% y ~ n
was likewise in the nature of a. .fasco aud rather
ludicrous than imposing by its allegorical splen-
dor The curtain rolling up, revealed the Prince
and an unknown Princess on his arm, descend
ing from the clouds in a supposititous chariot.
Neither the Prince nor his Qreen of Folly were
masked, as they should have been; and they
were permitted to alight upon the floor, from
their celestial trip, in almost unbroken silence =
the audience breathlessy waiting to see what
they were going to do. The only ovation or
reception they we're rendered was trio of
cheers from the society and promenaders. Then
ring was formed, and the Queen struck out in
fancy dance, which was we'll done, and very
interesting.
But, notwithstanding these drawbacks, the
ball was most brilliant affair, and, considering
that it the first one given by this society, it
must be admitted great success. There was
almost infinite variety of entertainment. The
floor was crowded with costumes of every con-
ceivable texture, hue, ana shape, from paste
board TO velvet, and from pillboxes to stuffed
elephants.
Perhaps the most comprehensive way to de-
scribe, in our allotted space, affair of such ad-
mitted grandeur will be to regard 1t as appealing
in turn to each of the five senses-sight, hearing,
smell, touch, and taste.
To the eye, most of all, the grandeur of the
ball irresistibly appealed. The house had been
adorned most brtistically by Mr. William Rolin
and assistants. Around the front of the balcony,
family circle, and amphitheatre, tricolored
bunting was lastly festooned the claspings
being carved with shields containing the coats
of arms of the States, and of various foreign
nations. A row of chandeliers along the sides
of the stage made the illumination of the build.
ing complete Pretty arrangements of ever
greens and variegated lanterns adorned the
proscenium and lent freshness and cheerfulness
to the gayscene. The auditorium was comfort
ably filed with gayety and fashion, and from
the upper circle the view to be enjoyed was
sparkling varied, and comic, An army of ludi
Crous characters moved in most amusing con
frast with thousands of couples dressed in fanci
full and rich attire.
So much, in general way, for the coup dea
which embraced the brilliant hues of Innumera
BILE prisms; the ballroom throng, especially. in
their fresh and pretty colors outrivallng the
attractions of royal parterre. The sounds o
the ball, too, were curious, yet grateful to the
sense. The lively and inspiriting strains of the
orchestra, the rafting and shuflling of feet il
'poetic measures" the jingle Of TESTERS bells
the crack of the huntshens whips, the thumI
of heavy Yorkshire clogs, the piteous outcrles o
apes, the bleatlng of calves, and the 'silvery
laughter" of plantation darkies, making a sor
of harmonious babel long to be remembered.
The sweetest perfumes also were commingle(
in - a balm of thousand flowers" the perfumes
of bouquets, cologne, otto of roses, and bergamo
making grateful concord with the odor of friet
oysters and coffee, The supper was like all sucl
afairs-no worse, perhaps than the carniva
supper, and decidedly no better. Everything
that was not eaten up was cold. Walters des
patched on hurried missions came back "n
more foreyer;n and the few who went out Of tn
supper-room with seli-compIaoent satisfaction
lighting up their yisages, were fortunate exceI
tiOns.
One of the principal features Of the entertain
ment was the grand march which opened tn
ball. The musicians headed the line and wer
followed by the floor managers An elephant,
which was almost the natural size of th
'crater" itself, was borne by two men. A youn
lady of rare beauty was seated ON its back, an
ELECTED considerable applause and admiration
The whole affair was one of the most pleasar
and successful of the kind that ever was rive