The New York herald., 1869-01-22
BALLS LAST NIGHT.
Bal NIasque Of the Cercle Francais dc HHaF&
monte.

And some like bad translatons
Tom Hood had keen appreciation OF the Coz.
mopoltan character OF masked ball when he
penned the lines above but in French BAL masQss6
we have not only cosmopolitan view Of human
nature but Kaleidoscope Also There is a "0riiderA
sc'ar," as we may term 1t, Of nations on the noor
when Prince Carnival waves his wand but there
is grotesqueness about this reunion which
is irresistible. Historical characters naturally
supposed to have been inurned long ago
are brought from the musty past, dressed
up in tinse and bright colors, and haunted
for brief space on the ballroom foor Anachron-
isms the rule and epochs and dates are strangely
mixed Roman legionaries who might have followed
the rs. p. O. R." banner OF Caesar in Gaul whrI
around in the mazes Of the waltz with Indian maids
ems or chrping Fanchons and Crusaders chat pleas
antiy with bright eyed pages Of the court Of the
Bourbons. We might mention hundreds Of other
inc0ngruities, but these will suffice.
Three years ago four wise men OF Gotham met to-
gether, and in solemn conclave assembled devoted
themselves to the service OF Prince Carnival dubbing
their newly formed brotherhood by the name of the
''Cerce Francois de pHarmonie." Some evil dis
posed persons thought at first that this was Fenia
circle In disguise and limited at a possible invasion
of Canada by the four broLhers but when their plans
became matured and their numbers increased the
only object Of attack their part the academy
OF Music, and right gaantly they stormed it, with
Prince Carnival and brass band at their
anniversary, and gave one Of those glimpses Of
the Arabian Nights which a masked bali alone
Thomas gave the signal, and his superb orchestra
crashed forth in the opening overture. The guests
arrived at an earlier hour than is generally the.
the floor and boxes were crowded. 1t IS seldom,
Also that such dense throng has been seen together
in that building Every seat was taken long befora
the seemingly endless line Of carriages passed th8
brilliantly lighted entrance, and as midnight drew
near dancing floor, parquet box and balcony bel
nashingjewels and dancing plumes. In snch q sea
1t would be useless, nay impossible to 60 into details
Looking down from the balcony the eye is dazzled
for the moment, and the myriad shafts OF light fro
the hugh chandelier strike on FURNISHED armofa
around the diamonded and powdered head OF somd
stately belle. Offenbacn would be astonished wer&
beneath him. Under the old venetian-like baiconx
at the furthest end Of the platform strangely.
assorted group meets the eye. s~oL
General B0um Is whispering soft nonsense tnt6
the ear OF La Belle Helene, and Boulotte is leaning
on the arm or Charles Marte. prince Paul and
La Perichole, and Fritz and Fleur de Nobessd
mold mysterious conference with the tWQl
gendarmes, Pitou and Graluge. handsomG
costume is that Of a Hungarian magnate, who i&
dancing with an empress In white satin Of the
richest imaginable toilet Even with the enYi0uE
mask to conceal her face we recognize Mrs. IT, a
the crowned belle. Her partners costume Ia verE
striking A red skirt, with white waist and gree4
Dalman, richly ornamented in gold and Imitation
diamonds, gives the Hungarian dazzling appeal
ance. sai
M: Bernard appeared as Charles IL in . ric&
romantic In the dress Of pirates (Forban) wifeN
Mrs. Smith made charming Pocahontas, and Mme3
brigands wife. One Of the most beautiful brupetteS
In the French theatre company appeared in pag6,G
dress-white and blue satin-which set of her forh1
to advantage. Two OF the prominent members Ol
the "Cerclen appeared in pierrot dress and
well supported the character. The receptio&
and white the floor committee in lilac blue and tho
door committee In black and white. Messrs. Bailr
lar IaTd, Koppel and Kinzer were ndsfatigabls end
back and forth, they might be seen stemmln& the
tide In an attempt to cross the ballroom Up to the
tant Of French ball, the cancan, has nod
been introduced; but there are unInistaks
sSs ss qaSs0ns ns seea ass du,nS ~ the nave T.
In the matter. There is one Inconvenience In thesa
masked balls at the Academy which should b
de rHarmonie there were nearly twice the numbeN
Of people that accommodations could be provided
ea Of the and can sasy Se
by selling only fxed number OF tickets. We trusG
that the German societies Will see TO this.
Theatre Comiquo Coterie.
The ball OF this association, which Is composed o.
The various employees Of the Theatre Comique, was
held last night at Irving Hall. There was very;
large attendance Of the lady and gentlemen friendG
Of the Coterie. and the festivities Of the evening
passed on with betting ecldt The hall was splenr
ddly decorated with fags and bunting OF various,
Of great beauty and attraction. The curtain jusG
over the stage was ornamentcd with fine groundd
work OF sky blue, studded with stars Of gold upon
which, In evergreen, were Inscribed the words
Theatre Comique.n The toilets OF some Of the
ladies' were quite superb, and the ladies' themselves
were as pretty and enchanting 81 all pretty ladies'
are generally supposed to be. The festivities Of the
occasion were kept up until very late hour Of tho
IDENTIFY quite satisfied with the enjoyment exp6H
rienced during the ball.
Balls to Take Place Tonight.