Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-01-28
hester.

Chester.
The grand sensation during the past few
weeks, in the circles Of the elite, in this
and the adjoining towns, has been the
pleasant anticipation of joining in the
festivities Of the Masonic Ball, which was
held at the Ingraham House, Wednesday
evening January Goth. The guests began
to arrive at an early hour, and were re-
eeived with attention by courteous
committee, headed by George III. Hilton,
Esq, whose uniform courtesy and gentle
manly attention to the comfort of the
parties At seven o'clock. the corridors
and anti-raoms presented delightful APP
pe4rauce, and was made additionally at
tractiye by the beautiful tDilettes of the
ladies displayed under brilliant light.
Several OF the ladies carried elegant bou-
qnets Of rare cXotie5 Of brilliant hues,
making the air redolent with perfume.
AZ eight o'e!ocls the cornet sounded and
the grand entrance march commenced and
the company entered the hall. As the
gay and fair forms moved into the hall,
the scene was magnificent beyond de
scriptiou and presented a sight Of beauty
and attraction seldom seen. The walls
were adorned with rare and costly paint
ings aud engraving, arranged with artistic
aud ,.r.-a,,+,l H., q
art matters. one Of the most attractive
features Of the evening" while, on every
side the uninitiatei behold the inefftble
characters of the Masonic order, which
were d source of wonder, and caused
many amusing hlunders by. persons who
tried TO interpret their meaning.
The music began their choicest qua
drille, and the hall was throngcd with
the graceful devotees Of terpsichore, ar
rayed with good taste in varied and costly
costumes. The artistic alornmcnt of the
hall, the brilliant illumination, the rich
rcgalias Of the brotherhood, the elegant
toilettos Of the ladies, presented "A scene OF
truly regal splendar. The display which
the tables presented. before the destruc-
tion Of. their symmetry, was truly beau
tiful, and reflected great credit upon
mine host Ingrahlm and his efficient
assistants, who were under the charge of
Mr.. IL O. Maxfell. who is always sure
to have every article in its right place.
The first, i'll generous profu-ion, ogreeably
81 lied to the beauty and attr -ctiveness of
/ feast and the skill of the culinary
de rtment seemed almost to have been
exh listed in the ingenious array of orna-
ments placed here aud there upon the
tables. At a seasonahle hour supper was
announced, and on repairing to the spa
cious dining hall, and gazing upon the
good things provided for the inner man.
it seemed az if the tables literally groaned
beneath the Weight Of the most tempting
and delicious viand-, and were impa-
tientiy waiting tho arrival of the party to
relieve them of their burden The wits
and skill of the chcf III c1fi>iqe mus, nav.
been severely tested IN the arrangement
an management OF the .innumerabe bon
hens and iudescribahla delicacies which
were placed with an eye to the artistic
effect. Among the ornaments which at
tracted general notice, was cake weigh
ing thirty-five pounds representing a ma.
sonic temple with the masonic emblems
upon the front Of the building, it il the
most perfect specimen of culinary archi-
lecture that we ever witnessed Grapes,
oranges, and other fruit, too numerous to
mention, were imported from New York
and Boston, expressly for this occasion.
Nearly two hours were spent in discuss
ing the viands, which, as Dickens says of
DR. Marigold's beef steak pudding, puts
a man ut peace with everything in the
world except the two lower buttons of
his waistcoat." All substantial enjoy
ments, however, have an end, and the
banquet was no. exception after the dis
ciples of Epicurus proved themselves to
be firm believers in his philosophy After
indulgence in refreshments the company
again resumed their places in the dance,
and everything glided on as smoothly and
pleasant as before, until the twee sma
hours ayont the twal." The music for
the occasion was furnished by the Keene
Quadrille Band, under the leadership of
Prof. Merrill, and az popular as this
band has been in the past, they added to
their fame, on this evening, by their SUI
perior skill and taste in the choice and ex-
ecution of their selections The order of
dances consisted of choice gems, includ-
ing quadrilles, contras, schottisches,
waltzes, polkas, &c. 1t may be invidious
to mention individuals, where one humid
red and twenty-five couple were present,
but for the information of the readers of
the HERALD who belong to the fratern-
ity, we name few of the prominent
Of the Masonic order, among
whom we noticed NJ. X. Payne, from the
Grand Commandery of Vermont; Don
Fl. Woodward, S. S. from the Grand Con-
sistory of New Hampshire G. E. Whit
ney, from the Milford Mass Command
cry; Messrs. Fleming, Putney, johnson,
Rabbit, and Farnsworth, of the Hugh de
Payens Encampment, Keene. All the
lodges in the adjoining towns had large !
delegations present, and representatives,
were also present from Washington, New
York, Boston, Saratoga, Rutland, Brattle-
boro, Claremont, Bellows Falls, and
Keene. The festivities were full of in
terest and pleasure to all who participated,
and which, like everything under Ma