The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-05-08
THE BALL d'OPERA.
The HAUr TON OF NEW YORK.
How the Ladies' Looked aud What
soma Some of them Wore.

4. .ffL 3G9tslG a A-t333
The great Jerome Belmont Bal d
Opera, given under the auspices of
the Ladies Southern Relief Associa-
ton, took place at the Academy of
Music last night, and, though not a
crushing affair, was elegant and SO
lect.
I The ball being for charitable pur-
poses, the Academy was very
properly without any costly
display of flowers or canvases.
In the back ground of the stage, a
couple Of antique Parian marble
vases had been placed, each holding
bouquet of rare flowers, aud stand
ing on pedestal beneath an arch
way was a statue of Charity, holding
child in one arm, while another
knelt at her feet Other specimens
of statuary, symbolical of the aim of
the ball, were deposed in various posi-
tions about the rear of the stage, the
whole forming an elegant and appro-
pirate design. .
It was after ten O'Clock before the
dancers commenced to arrive, and not
until eleven o'clock did the ball get
fairly in blossom. At that hour some
four or FIVE hundred people were on
the floor, the majority being young
men. The boxes were filled with
spectators, and crowd of lockers on
lined the dress circle.
The Academy was flooded with gas
light, which showed the beautiful
proportions and adornings of the
room to much advantage, and lit up
the silks and satins of the richly
dressed ladies in an elegant manner.
Although the ball, in point of num-
bers, was not so large as some which
have taken place within the walls of
the Academy, it may safely be assert
ed that mere select or wealthy COM
pany has seldom been seen. There
were many outside attractions last
evening to call off the crowd which
otherwise would have attended the
ball, among which may be mentioned
private performance at DIR. Wards
theater, and the first temperance of
Ristori at the French theater.
The ball opened with d quadrille.
the rest of the dances being confined
to waltzes, .galops, and the lanciers.
o'clock, and indicates very well the
hour at which the ball broke up.
Among the ladies and gentlemen
present, there was noticed the tall and
slender form of James Gordon Ben
nett, Jr.. the manager of the New
York Herald. He does not look in
so good health as he did just before
his famous yacht race, and it was
noticed that he stopped little in the
shoulders as he stood upon the floor
He did not take. any lady to the ball
with him, and was not seen to engage
in any dance. He wore a plain suit
of black, with white neck tie, and
cream colored gloves. There were no
velvet trimmings to be seen upon the
/ coats of any of the gentlemen, and
very little jewelry was displayed by
them. Ii was noticed that most OF
the gentlemen put on their kid gloves
after they had entered the ballroom
This is supposed to be the latest mode
of doing the delicate job.
Mr.. Bennett, Jr., was surrounded
| most of the time by squad of men
of all ages, among whom might be
seen John Hoey, Jr., Clarence A.
Seward, etc. At one time he was
chatting pleasantly with Mrs. j. Ell.
Stidwell, the wife of the Deputy Col
lector of the port of New York. Mrs.
Stidwell is handsome woman, and
last evening she wore low-necked
dress OF white satin with short
sleeves.
An elegant white lace shawl, of
very rich design, was thrown over her
shoulders. She wore large gold
chain about the neck, and diamond
ear-drops.
DIR. Alexander B. Mott, with his
heavy, dark mustache; the short,
thick form of August Belmont; the
powerful form of Mr.. Brady, the pho
tographer; the delicate looking son
of ex- Mayor Gunther; the gold lace
and. bright buttons of Gen. K. l..
Viele, Prof Doremus, John j Astor,
William I'll. Appleton, and many
others, were seen upon the floor. All
of these gentlemen gaioped gracefully
| wore delicate lilac, pink, or white
| gloves. and talked with the utmost
| good nature to the ladies.
| "A lady who was seen leaning upon
the arm of Mr.. August Belmont in
/ the early part of the ball, attracted
universal attention by the richness
and peculiarly of her dress. 1t con-
sisted of a white tarletan underskirt,
cut gored with fantail. trimmed with
deep futing of the same round the
bottom. Where the = futing was
attached to the dress gold chain had
been fastened as part of the trim
ming, running clear round the bottom
| of the skirt. The sleeves of the dress
were pulled from the shoulder to the
| waist Over this white dress there