The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-02-01
THE pEmI-MonpE or NEW yoRk.

Grand Hal Masque NJ Masonic Hall-D1onao
Beauties-Aubsrn Tresses-DianenA Pew.
derod Locks-Bank Cashiers ana CLERKS,
Brokers, Dry Goods AIerchants ana Rass
Yeuog Men. &c.
Balls and entertainments wherein none but members
Of that peculiar cass Of sossty which Preach writer
once baptized the demSWonde allowed 70 participate
are Of comparatively occurrence In European
capitals but in this city festive gatherings Of that k
are invested with al the charm Of rarity. Though BY
no the initial affair Of the kind, the masked
soiree given Wednesday evening at Masonic
Hail. In East Nineteenth street, was sufficiently
novel TO attract to that place Of assembly rather large
company, and when about two hours had elapsed assr
the doors had been opened the hall well filled by
festive party, comprising majority Of the fair sex At
the entrance TO the hall two juvenile committee men.
with coats adorned with blue rosettss pored list
purpoing to bear the OF the select few TO whom
invitations had been issued; while prove the
contrary, that discrimination in the matter wholly
ont OF ORDER third representative Of the society," stand
ing at the right OF the Arguseyed inspectors busy
engaged in disposng Of tickets anybody and every
body who CHANGED 10 be in possession Of the requisite
three dollars Having purchased his square Of cardboard
the visitor climbed fight uf stairs and having under
gone the scrutiny Of second pair Of Cerberi whose
eyes inquired into the exceency Of the habments Of
the ticket holder though their lips asked no questions
as 10 their moral status In the community,
stepped within the Limits of the hall room,
lighted giorro wIsh cas jets and Messaliuas' smiles
any spectator the felt inclned 20 be ana
ytcal and TO ener into comparisons between the
Gus Of tbs de,a0ade represented that evening
at Masonic Hall, doubt not but that the gathering
would have Afforded him abundant OPPORTUNITIES for
drawing the air lines which separate each sect OF the
conglomeration known as the social evil from the other
The arsiocracy OF vice. arlstocracy there be por-
ton OF society whose degradation Ia its only title
recognition was in the ascendant. and the equally de-
PRAYED but less fortunate females whose existence from
day 70 day is simply matter of chance, had few dem,
ties Those frail creatures, whose points" TO use
horseinan's expression known to all the rfs about
town. and whose life is spent in skipping from carriage
to carriage until sudden downfall from the heights az
opulence preases their early DEATH the women OF whom
Camille and Marco Of the stage are representative
types and Who by their own showing at least, have
no affinity with the humber females Of their caste.
were the better portion OF the thoughtess VINO
laughed and sang and whed in the mazes OF the dance
under the glare Of the lamps and the ubiquitous watch
fulness OF the police. There blonde beauties with
diamond powdered locks gathered up chtgnon behind
their beads one auburn only being suffered 70 float
the shoulder, and that and then to be thrown
There brunetee, with dark rich blood tngng their
cheeks and hair forming mantle Of rngets and
shading the bust There were few elderly women but
many beings whose youthful looks no index to the
age Of their immortality. for In many the harsh,
broken voice, coming from the lips OF child IN years,
spoke career Of shame already than half run.
Such as they we're abandoned in the conventional sense
Of the word, each OF the ladies prcsrnt bad
male partner, whose behavior although possibly
nevertheless quite credabe to their OF pr0prey
ANY alusion antecedents however would be useless
hand number of individuals wh0ee reputation would
scarcely bear searching investigation, and also
living had little cause to blush met beyond The limits
OF the ball ROOM Lads Of sixteen and seventeen, attred
in tho most fashionable hab!liments and sporting gold
CHAINS Of huge dimensions, juvenile employees Of banks
goods clerks Wall street brokers Of that class whose
members spring up over night and whose Offices dsap
pear with singular suddenn1ss after their occupants
have figured few weeks on Change; and fast boys,
having Ian school At three o'clock and thrown aside
their eS:ks a y sns ssss e ,e e 70 ns ban such
sonic Hall Very lev were unsccompsaied, and
Is each prssent provided With dassss there
81 the dance Atropos Of the orders Of dancing che
least sd The letter The mproysed titles OF some of
conpossion Of The whole programme was redosat With
the odoes Of editorial nctum over whose inmates the
dcta Il the goddse Of decepcy could have had very little
Dancing commenced shortly before ten O'Clock, the mid
night orgic setting forth In luminous framework The
beauties Of carnivsic These need very brief
enumeration 10 familiar are DISCUSSES which our
metropolitan balgoers annually assume. Viyaudercs,
peasant. girls queens q the night ssnosss IN robes al
the waltz the usual centpeda effect being produced by
vista OF neither limbs half exposed by skirts Of aconc
room the black dresscoat and white kid gloves
oycd their woHed preference the garb OF Perrot aud
rcnforcemeats from ccmer who reached the scene
OF action with heated brow. and madly plungng into
the current OF pleasure, sought relief IN the mapped
meanderings OF the Quadrlle. At twelve O'Clock the
cornet sounded, and the masks being removed, few
minutes brought the festive the consideration OF that
portion OF the programme which expressed desire
supper in the printed line
Oh I'm so hungry.
The grand line o. march then taken up and the
company paraded TWO by two, the well turned ankles
neatly fitting boots and spanged dresses OF the ladies'
being displayed 10 advantage in the windngs Of the
cesson, which much admired by the fortunate few
who admitted as spectators. Files OF four and
then Of six subsequently formed the gauzy dresses
and gierng spaDges cleaning with raro lrstre under
the sheen OF the globed umnares. Some delay
perenccd in the preparation OF the edhles, when, az
sound 81 the floor managers commanding voice, the
pl1oons were dssrranged. Ike columns Ia dizzy bat
tie, and whrled around In the circles Of meIodious
waltz The march was then reformed, and one BY
the smiling faces unmRskea, out under the shadow
OF the unfoldcd DOORS while the nicely turned ankles
glimmered away from sight with light, fantastic
ton
choice supper ster undergoing the process
OF critical discussion. while pleasan,riee OF rather
eduivocal nature banded across the table, and
words of love softly whispered This interesting
part Of the soree having been brought close the
united couples once more proceeded 10 the ballroom,
where daneinS resumed until the bands Home.
Sweet Home suggested II il did locate that deira
HE abode TO the satisfaction OF all present,
early hour Of the carriages rolled on laden with
the revcliers and the masked bail of the monde
was al an nnG.
yTcsET RAIL E0kn NIISkNcfS