The Montana post., 1869-03-12
Inauguration Hall I'm virginia city

EDITOR Posi-:
The Inauguration of Gen. Grant as
President of the United States, was cell
ebrated in the Council Hall, with that
propriety of expression which demon
strates the good taste of her citizens,
wko illustrate in a most determinate
manner the sentiment, or rather the
expression, IF trade and business is
dull. we are not" Dull care avaunt
We defy thee. Look at our comely shapes,
observe our dresses. a Ia mode, glance for
a moment at our twinkling feet moving
in graceful motion to harmonious sounds,
and then declare if you dare. that our
mission is ended and the days of our
glories are sped. a cloud may dim the
lustre of our shining star for n season,
but We boast gentle reader, TO possess
the afternoon of existence as well as the
early developed morning, and our dar~
ces in a general sense. and our past
INAUGURATTyE BALL
in fgurative and material capac~
ity, proves we are enabled (should
we ever reach so low haven,)
to rise, Phoenix like. from our ashes, and
convince the hard hearted world that
good ship Virginia will ride out the gale
that threaten destruction to her timbers
and jamatIon even to her upper works.
So much for the exordium-now then
your curiosity is "all a taunto" to know
who was the Belle of the occasion Who
was the most charmingly costumed
And who illustrated the poetry of moe
ton with the most killing effect7
Of course. We are now talking of
that lively part of creation that teach
men confidence, not of our own clumsy
sex, though we ourselves are up to a
thing or two suggestive of pigeon wing,
toe and heel, and double shuttle and sich
like.
We won't sport with your feelings, and
cause envy, hatred and all uncharitable-
ness by saying you Helenites can't ap-
proach us by many degrees in these sort
of things-we understand them-we
understand them thoroughly. The
quadrilles are 10 us a bagatelle. The
mysteries of the Lancers, which we are
told is clear as mud to you, is to our
comprehensive vision clear, bright and
sparkling. But commend us to our
fancy dances above all things. Polkas,
redowas, waltzes, schottisches, varsouvi-
ennes, seven~up schottisches, guarachas,
and mazourkas follow each other in
pleasing profusion. Nay if we wanted
to illustrate the Pyrrhic dance, the fan
ddJig0, ths 6OLero, or even the courtly
natnuet dc tG cOur, we are up the to occa.
sion. II you doubt us. we throw down
the guantlet at once, and challenge
P0utrdnce.
But the Inauguration ball was redolent
of peace and good will, and we must not
indulge even in a jocular sense, semi
beligerent expressions. A vivid thought
entered the prolific brain of Connor the
fearless which was communicated to the
Roys of te bdrbe rouge that an occasion of
high regard in our country's annals
should not pass over without due and
fitting respect. Quick and vigorous were
our men. Quick as a flash the idea was
fashioned into shape. and despite of
another dance o! excellent proportions
the night previous, the boys straight~
ened up and went at il. Invitations
were issued, decorations were impro-
vised, and behold the result.
The MOST BEwITcHISG PARTY OF
THE SEAsoN-The ladies were in excel
lent toilette, and looked bewitching.
The hall was happily decorated and
well, though not uncomfortably filed,
we should estimate the number at -.
No, "by Jove," we wont descend to fig
ures in description, as it makes the af-
lair mercantile and suggests the dollar.
All came to enjoy themselves. All
did enjoy themselves, and when the mu-
sic changed from the melody of the
dance TO the more stately march, the
sense quickened by sympathy. betok>
ened a change in the order of action.
AN lMAGINATIvE CURTAIN ROSE and
disclosed the wheel horse of the Democ-
racy. Major Bruce, in an attitude of dig
nified repose, suggesting the propriety
of attention while Governor TUFTS read
General Grants Inaugural. He was
listened to with much attention, and
universal respect and ap>
proval.
Host Clasbey of the Clasbey House
and Castner of the international spread
a collation. abundant and acceptable,
and the company did it full and ample
justice. Dancing makes one hungry,
you know. We resumed the dance after
the repast, separated among the small
hours, and will remember pleasantly the
inaugural ball at Virginia.
Yours obediently,
Down THE MIDDLE AND UP AGAIN.
Virginia City, March g, 1869