The New York herald., 1869-03-31
BAL D,0PERA.

thoroughly characteristic Easter festival was
given at the Academy OF Music last night. 1t was
the first celebration OF the return Of the Terpsicho
rean season after those gloomy Lcnten days when
people went to the building they did to the
churches TO do penance for their manifold trans
gressions Although intended to be bal mdsQme the
fancy costumes but few and far between. Even
ing dress prevailed, and q few venturesome clowns
who elbowed their way through the brilliant throng
looked sad and melancholy In their particolored
costume. magnificent orchestra under the CON-
mand OF J. NJ. Lander dispensed the usual mclange
OF dance music from the family circle. over the
glittering human sea which ebbed and flowed
In response to their cadences, noatcd the strains
OF Strauss, the ubiquitous Onenbacn and the lords
OF Italian opera A promenade band was rather
sombre IN Its selections. regaling the amusement
seekers with such inspiring pieces as Schubert's
s'Serenade," the priests march from "Athaa," and
"rroyatore" fantasia. Stin everything was very
Jolly, II the creme de la creme VIII permit MS
night every eye was~ bright with enjoyment.
some OF the richest and most elegant toilets we're
satin sat % robe trimmed with black lace panler ri formea
OF wreath Of flowers anu parure OF elneralds and
diamonds, was prominent IN one OF the balcony
toilets, one OF striped satin and silk, with gleen
overdrcss, being particularly handsome. Another
extraordinary costume which, we are sorry to say,
demonstrated an utter absence OF taste, attracted
much attention II was q white corded sllk COM
pletely enveloped In an oyerdress OF gauze, COW
cred with tnsel spots OF various co.ors
supposed to represent cards. IL was sotaa-
thing like what country belle would DC
light In at fair. novel feature In the
bail was the presence OF children In white
taretan, who are supposed on occasions TO he
In their beds. One young lady, considerably ad-
vanced In her teens thought TO emulate those inno-
cents in her dress, and attired hat like
graduate OF primary school preparing for VISIT OF
the trustees or ward officers. With n few excep-
tlons like these Madame Fashion reigned with
undisputed sway. few pages were present, some
OF whom made compromise by throwing q
domino over their scantily clad limbs, and drawing
the hood closely over their blonde and otherwise
tresses. The variety OF spring styles, which fully
described IN our fashion opening article last week,
was kaeidosc0ped in the eye CT the gazer from the
balcony boxes Miss L., from Nibio's, wore the
superb white and lilac robe which was so
conspicuous at the Charity Ball. and Mrs.
- nodded q high Normandy cap to her
numerous Admirers. There were several other
remarkable toilets which our time and space win
not permit us to describe. The attendance was
and dash which so enhances the French and German
balls. Just as we close we remark beneath
us, sitting In the Iarqueitc, four OF the
leading blondes OF the "rvrty Thieves and
standing near them Is Miss NJ, In white
satin, with puiicd tullc, and o marabout tuft
IN her hair. Everything so far zone O'Clock A. NJ
has progressed peaceaDly respectfully and we might
say satisfactorily, and 1t Ia likely To continue until
the end. when the throng OF dancers begins melt
their precious cargoes OF sdtns silks aud jewels.
The police arrangements under Captain Cameron
were excellent, and no locusts were called iato
rcuulsition during the evening.