Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-12-30

GHAMELESS hEN ELS IN NEW .-lNt
New York papers note two assemblies or bal
mosques, which came off in that city just before
Christmas, at which the worst features witness
ed at similar affairs in Paris, abounded, and tC
the credit Of the journals generally, they de-
nounce these orgies unstntingly. The first was
held at the French Theatre by party calling
themselves the "Socete des Bal d'Artiste.
Francais, name to which, it appears, they
have no right, as there is a society of the same
name in the city, composed of highly respec
table Class Of foreiga residents. The Herald
says,
''As the company were set down at the en-
trance OF the theatre, there would be storm OF
comments, She's q buster 'Shoo Fly 'Tlp
the wink to Cinderella Every fresh arrival
served as new text for various comments, and
old friends met aud exchanged the mystic sign
from beneath the mask. About the doorway
the crowds were thinner, aud the discipline
this is the name that the self constituted place
men who received tickets would term it-degeu-
Grated into an outrage on courtesy aud q coarse
parody on decency.
The guests who did not dance are cassed as
writers, city government officers, noted artists,
merchants, men Of family, trauscendentaists,
and moody dreamers. The gay element was in
command There was little or no drinking 60
ing on in the building, and the managers an
DOUucpu,
disturbance or lcwdness will be repressed With
the most extreme severity, and sufficient force
is provided to worrant quletness and obedience
to laws" People paled at the mandate
The dancers were actresses, the highest class
of the demi monde and their gallants, mostly
in mask and often in domino. A glance dis
closed that the prevailing toilets were legs
The statuesque representations made at every
turn were eagerly followed by thousands OF
staring eyes. One OF the most attractive-to
alI but ministerial eyes-was the figure OF one
masked fair one who, il plane were passed
through her waist, all the lower portion Of
her outlines would be true to undressed na'
ture, save perhaps the covering Of thin veil,
which, symbolizing hypocrisy, was, doubtless
for that reason ironically employed above her
waist, close fitting garment was drawn tightly
10 her bust and amid shower OF spaUgles she
tossed her blonde locks and deigned to notice
some of her particular friends by a sly wink.
The other affair, which is said to have been
Of still more offensive character, was got up
By La Cercle des Bellies Danes de Harmonic,
and, as they were not permitted to occupy Ahe-
mama Hall, adjourned to the Everett Rooms.
The costumes are said to have been light and
airy, but the room being sufficiently heated, no
6pprehensons were entertained lest the falr
creatures should catch cold At midnight
there was high revel, but no disturbance had
then taken place.
From the comments OF the New York press
itwoud seem that the scenes were most dis
gustng at these shameless exhibitions. The
Times says:
The theatre was the resort OF the scum OF the
earth. Infamous creatures endeavOred to sur
pass each other In outraglng every sentlme nt OF
decency. And the spectators were citizens cal
ling themselves respectable. There were civic
officials present, aldermen and others. whose
conduct is regarded as vier than that OF the
degraded wretches whose obscene revels had
attracted them to the place. They seized upon
Que woman and flung her from the box. Her
thigh was broken in the fall The police were
appealed to, but declared that they dared not
NEEDLE with the occupants OF the box, for they
we're all members of the city government.
Another journal speaks Of the scene as being
quite unparalleled In coarse indecency end
rutianism by any similar public entertainment
over held in the city. The lewdness which
was displayed was far too outrageous anu sepur
s;ve for descriptionin the columns OF any decent
newspaper But by far the worst telture OF
the riotous occasion was the brutal treatment
bestowed on the trail and s,antlly dressed ie-
males in attendance in which large posse OF
deputy sheriffs took prominent part ihese
officials occupied proScenum boxes, and be
hsyed themselves in the most hardened, not TO
say demeniac manner.