The New York herald., 1869-01-08

which are nightly held. Every public hall Is en-
gagged weeks In advance, and IL would seem as II
the ball season would be extended far into the sum-
mer Last night the several halls OF the metropolis
were occupied by happy couples, who tripped 1t to
The music OF excellent bands until morning.
Ball of the Amcricus Club.
The politicians OF New York are marvellous beings
marvellous in their manner OF working their party
machinery marvellous in the pertinacity with which
they prosecute their personal oficial schemes and
marvellous the readiness with which they can lay
aside the trappings Of their tribes, close the party
lockers and turn to the social side OF political life"
there meet and minge with their political opp0-
nents as men OF the world. Among the circles in
which the "socal siden is most clearly shown and
In which the promptngs OF manly sentiment and
nndoubted friendship are most forcbly given and
persistently carried out the Amercus Club of
this city holds the leading place. This
club, composed almost entirely OF politicians,
yet by no means political club calls together in the
summer time a number OF men representing almost
NIL shades OF political sentiment AT the beautiful
quarters at Indian Harbor, near Greenwich, Conn.,,
there assemble each recurring year numbers OF the
leaders and workers In the city and county govern
ments Tired OF the dust and drag OF city life weared
with official cares or party contests, they come To-
efher to rest their minds and bodies, TO enjoy their
reality ana amid some OF natures
loveest scenes-become, for the nonce, at least
better men, The reputation OF this retreat OF
the Americus Club has already spread far and WIDE
and the grand receptions and hearty greetings which
are given so readily TO their numerous guests have
thrown such halo round the club that It Is but
natural to expect that there would be many asp-
rants for adm ssion TO Its hallowed circle and many
more for opportunities to enjoy Its company ana its
munifcence.
Hut while during the summer months the mem
hers OF the club disport themselves IN most negge
yet recherche STYLE it could not be expected that the
int ttt uyl m
j0yed on every slde could be allowed 10 pass VIII
ont some effort being made by the Ameri
side exists only IN the season OF sand nes and mos
qutoes. They therefore took their place in the line
of winter amusement giverS. ana In very snort
nme were promoted by general acclaim to position
III the foremost rank.
Year after year have their winter reunions been
the occasions Tor the gathering OF representatives OF
the beauty and brhancy and the tact and talent OF
metropolitan society. Each succeeding iete seems
TO surpa5s liS predecessors, ana whether such an
idea be produced solely 10y the fact mat
the last, being freshest IN the mind, over
shadows the remembrance or the Others
IT is not now necessary TO determine
Suffice it 90 say that the immense throng which as
sembIed AT The Academy OF Music last night ap-
peared to be unanimous in the opinion that this
union was far ahead Of any previous one. Ii such
thing be possible IL was so: but that Is saving moth
ing disparagement OF those OF the past. It was
scene OF uusurpassable brliancy, ana to attempt TO
give adequate idea Of the ball when at Its height
The decorations were exceedingly tasteful. There
were no extra ornaments IN the body Of the house,
piece Of scene painting, as regards truth
iulness, accuracy OF detail and exquisite finish,
representing the house and grounds OF the club
at Greenwich, Conn.,. with a handsome view Of the
Sound dotted here and there with club boats, yachts
and craft Of various kinds. In the foreground OF the
-'dropn is painted handsome balcony rail, across
which, in gracefully careless manner, Is thrown
beautiful American nag and the entire scene was so
finely executed that q person standing at the nam
entrance opposite the centre OF the stage, and look
ing down the length OF the bali room, would imagine
the assembly being held some spacious esplanade
which bordered beautiful sheet OF water.
Al short distance In front OF the pic
ture hung the insignia Of the cuba golden tigers
head. surrounded by garter bearing the words
.Amercus Club In jets OF gas, and at either side
OF the insignia banning corkscrew told in an enlg-
matical manner OF the part OF the practice II not Of
the purposes OF the cuo. At the lett end OF the pic
lure, oil some miniature rocks, stood very hand
some unexpectedly harmless however as may be
surmsed, but adding greatly 70 the beauty and APP
proprateness OF the decorations. Al the bases Of
nrns filed with flowers OF such nne workmanship
that oil times during the night parties uttered
exelamatons OF delight at the fragrance which they
spposed the flowers emitted but they were unde.
ceived, as none OF them seemed satiated by the
Odors their imagDaticns created but approached
the bouquets TO get more and Of course got much
less.
BalI Of the Mariners' Lodge, r. A. W., Green.
point.
II would really appear as though the societies.
Ioages clubs and associations this city had caught
that peculiar disease which physicians say causes
people who afflicted with 1t TO dance perpeually
Every night, no matter whether the rain pours In
torrents on filthy streets snow stops the way,
the public halls are thronged with people who
dance to martial other music until day
breaks on their revels. Trombone players ache
IN the jaws, "cornetsr have split lips and
ndders elbows are weak with exertion. The
amount OF rosn expended in keeping fiddle strings
IN tune must AFFECT the market seriously. should
the present ball mania continue much longer the
tired musicians who minister to the wants OF the
dancing pubic VIII have 70 seek feilef and rest BY
employing those excellent German contrivances, OF
which every lager beer garden has az least one, to
pour forth by machinery and by The hour the latest
quadrles, pokas apd redowas would seem
emnently proper that these convenient German in.
struments should be employed al every GERMAN
al fcast
blow and scratch nightly for the amusement OF tneir
customers the mental struggle 20 which reporters
are subjected 10 endeayoring TO write something new
9f each ball Is infinitely worse One ordinary ball Is
like another ordinary ball ar one ordinary apple
A. as Ike another ordinary apple aud u hut rarely
happens in the course OF a weeks attendance az
public balls that an entertainment j. found which
diners in any material respect from the pal that pre-
ceded II. Balls gwen by military and Masonic bodies
are generally those exceptions.
The ball OF the Mariners Lodge Y. and \. NJ.
winch was held last niQht at Irving Hall dinerad
from many others that have been held In that place
since the season opened, IN being really well con-
Quoted and arranged throughout. The music was
very good. the ladies' were dressed with taste and
elegance and highly fashionable assemblagc par
IIcipated with evident pleasure IN the may dance
1neTe were III tnt rOOli 100, NGO-f Dfixut
eyes spoke eloquentiy OF the delight winch annates
the fair IN the presence Of tier admirers, when
emusic, With It's oIptuous swell" causes their
ing feet,
Liie lille white
PesYng IN and
TO fly on the surface of the nOOr The gallant Masoas
we're unremltting in their attentions. and when
"home. sweet Home sounded from the orchestra
in the mornin ng approving gances from bright eyes
were their rich reward.
Balls TO Take Place.
The following named balls are announced 10 ta ks
place during the present season.
Jan. s-Columbian Lodge. No. is4--Apollo Hail.
Jan. s-Iiley Socai --Brookes' Rooms
Jan. s-Spirituali-ts' Sociahle-Eyerett Rooms
rERrsfcHoREsS MENU FoR JASrAGy