New-York tribune., 1868-01-21
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BALL.

| The Volunteer Fire Department is an insti
tuition OF the past and It's only commemoration now is h
annual ball in aid OF its widows and Orphans Fund These
balls hrve always been attended by the beauty and fash
ion OF the city, and the company last night was excep
The Academys only decoration nm illuminated pie
ture Of hosecarriaec with lighted signal lamp over
which I'm a scroll. were the words IN u +. ID. Widow
and Orphans Fund"
Two honrs before midnight hundreds OF coaches
arrived, each coachnan struggling TO be hrt but under
the management OF that interchangeable officer, Capt.
Bracket. order maintained aud the fair occupants
quickly aghtcd, and entered the Academy
Tie viewed from the balcony was almost en-.
chanting. The brilliant Hood OF gasight, the dazzling
rays OF which were reflected from hundreds OF eweled
bOsoms; wOwy FORMS and beautiful faces of elegantly.
may red0wa; and Ofenbach rayishing and inoxicat-
ing music performed on 100 Instruments all combined TO
bewider the spectators and exherate the dancers.
The private boxes and balcony stalls occupied by
stately danes and their charming daughters superby
dressed in velvet and silks of bright co0rs who while
gracefully waving their fans and huttering their delicate
lace handerchiefs seemed TO enjoy the dazzling scene
below.
The bar. committee rooms. vestbue, and Hobbies were
crowded by ashiOnaby attred men, in various groups.
ciinfine Of glasses We're recounting the days when
actuated by benevoence and tmpeed by emulation"
they combattei with the fiery element.
Aged veterans were telling of times long past. when
they with the old tub" some Bucket company,
aud with animated gesture they enumerated the buckets
passed in minute, concluding with the remark that
tmse and people have very much changed since the old
days Of the Volunteer Department
Middleaged men. among whom were judges. lawyers.
merchants and politicians, from county supervisor
exollng the companies of which they had respect
fully been members
one told how "Od Indian washed the Honey Bee"
at the big fire In 1888, and Eleven Twelve water
another recounted the times the Tiger" had passed the
white Ghost" and the awful "wallopng" the " Old
Maids ellers" gave TO the Dead Rabbits third told
how elegantly Fourteens" apparatus shono at the
parade, with the dressed In white tppes to
indicate their antCarson" proclivties and the style
the Baxter Boys put on, with Dodworth's full band
and those drab suits fourth spoke OF Thirty" with
her skull and cross bones, and the bull the signal
was the terror Of the Bowery, and how BLACK
Joke" and " Live Oak" had many lively contest; how
the Muuals" and the Baxters" battered with their
to make the first hole and the Maids bunkers
waited 10 clean their teeth and comb their hair before
tonching the Z" beautiful gal"
There were fire laddes" Of every typethe honorary
member who paid his dues and only appeared gala
days; the hller rusher" the pipe rusher" and the
bunker" Toward morning the guests began TO retire,
leaving the floor to the younger dancers.
nrhe ball will be remembered of the best and
successful Of the number of the old Of
cers Of the Department were present and among them
Mcssrs. WIchham, Wenman Venn. Demonico, De
latour Muller, slote, Gunther. Blague and Brennan.