The New York herald., 1869-02-25
TIE PURIM FESTIVAL.

And MordecaI wrote these things and sent letters
unto all the Jews that were in the province Of King
Ahasuerus, both nigh and far.
10 establish this among them, that they should
keep the fourteenth day OF the month Of Adar. and
the fifteenth day Of the same, yearly.
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their
enemies and the month which was turned unto them
daS U Sa S 70 sSa them on
and JOY and OF sending portions one 70 another and
gifts TO the poor.
Wherefore they called these days Purim, after the
name Of Pur.
The Jews ordained and took upon them, and upon
their seed, aud upon all such as Joined themselves
unto them, so It should not fail that they would
Keep these two days according TO their writing, and
according to their appointed time every year.
And that these days should be remembered and
kept throughout every generation, every family.
every province ana every city, and that these days
the memorial of them perish from their seed.
Thus IS written in the ninth chapter OF the Book
OF Esther, in which Is told the escape OF the Jews,
through the influence OF Esther over King Ahas-
uerus, from the destruction planned against them by
the willy and iniqutous Haman, who was, in punish
ment hanged on the galIows 'lfty cubts high,u
which he had erected for the hanging of Mordecai.
Ever mindful OF this opportune interference by
Esther for their delyerance, the Scriptural nunc-
ton and the ordanng by the Jews of these days or
24th aud 25th days OF February-the Jews all over
the world celebrate 1t IN the prescribed manner by
.casting ana JOY, sending portions TO one another
and gifts TO the poor' Visits are nterchanged, the
visitors bearing more or less valuable gifts and
many instances the younger portion OF the Hebrew
community don masks and humorous DISCUSSES
while making these festive and charitable calls.
And Of late to these festivities or Jews among
themselves and in the family circle have been added
fancy dress balls or bdis dsqDe, which, since the
first one was given eight years ago. have always
counted among the most entertaining, fashionable
and distinyu. The eighth annual invitation ball Of
the Purm Association IL announced for tonight ut
the Academy Of Music and II Is safe to assume that
In beauty OF arrangements symmetry Of decorations
and richness OF detail 1t will not only be the equal OF
all the Purim balls that have gone before, out will
probably largely surpass them. The ticket itself
shows not only exquisite TASTE hut also wise appre
citation Of the event In memory Of which the festival
has been instituted. In the centre 1t bears very
well executed engraving representing the browning
OF Esther as Queen by King Ahasucrus 'n the hall
OF the banquet Of wine," when the fall OF Haman.
the enemy OF the Jews, was competed
The "Actual Literary and Dramatic Association"
o society Of the younger generation VI Hebrews In
the city, have also arranged for Purim masque.
rade bali to-night Ut Irving Hail.. SO that between
these two contiguous establishments, opposite
sides Of the same street. the merry crowds or
Hebrews, rejoicing In the memory Of the delivcranco
of their nation from destruction will surge and
fro like laughing waves Of hilariiy and pleasure