The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-23
PARIS IN NEW YORK,
A Grand Bal Masaue at the French
Theatre = The Leg Question
Elevation Of Heels and De-
preston Of Spirits

Pursuant to widely published announcement the
grand bail OF the "Socete dcs Balls d'Artistes Fran
Gals" came of last evening at the French theatre.
BY eight O'Clock the front OF the building was OBJ
structed by wall OF human vermn, who generally
gather thckly about places where there will be any
thing to eat or drnk-especlally the latter. There
were blasphemous oaths quaint expressions about
the morality Of tho affair which was TO be initiated,
ana sort Of careworn anxiety on the faces OF the
Bohemians, who look greedily at fine feast in pros
pect. The invitation, neatly printed was coucnsd us
foows:-
The president and committee OF the Societe Balls
sa francais request tho pleasure Of the Of Mr.
Theatre Francois Fourteenth street and Sixth avenue, the
evening Of Wednesday, December a.
Though the sky was dark and overcast, there was
a rica brliancy the heavens OF Terpschorc. There
were planets OF the first magnitude moving about in
pcrimeters OF orbtal grace, borrowing sparkling,
glImmerlng iustre from the dazzling light radated
from diamonds and other precious stones. Shoot.
ing stars had their counterpart IN neet-footed
nymphs who seemed almost to travel with
ceaseless velocity on nothing but an atmospheric
medium. Twinkling nebusc appeared and disap-
pcared In the bright clouds OF crinoilne, and the
moon was fttngly represented by sandy tops al
convenient intervals. The Milky Way was wonder.
fully symbolizcd In the feecy waves OF silk and
satin, and the Southern Cross could have no better
tailed coats revolving with the periodical
throes OF Terpsichore. While the dancing had just
begun in the INTERIOR the sidewalk ana gutter was
crowded with fast increasing tnrong dozen
policemen with patent leather coats, We're tue safe
guards OF order. The men colloquialized. The car
riages drew nigh. The iar freight was deposited
near the gutter by the KID gloved porters, and then
| 'Shoo Fly.r "Tip the wink to Cinderella" Every
fresh arrival served as new text for various com
mems and old friends met and exchanged
X.
| About the doorway the crowds were thinner and
the dlsciplne-tnis is the name that the seconsti-
tutcd piacemen who received tickets would term
| lt-degeneraled INTO an outrage on courtesy and
| coarse parody on deccncy Many people were
no complaint can be MADE concerning the admirable
| arrangements OF the managers. Absence or quality
always denotes plethora OF quantity, and all the
quantity OF the individuals referred to was above
their ears
The orchestra chairs were covered by the platform
built ont from the stage, and light elastic floor
yielded well To the graceful touches OF the foot. The
background was au elaborate piece Of scenic paint
| ing representing dense forest in the background
| with massive balustrade IN the foreground the
| ascending Columns being ent@ined with vines,
| nowers, ives, MOSES and showers OF ioiage
| The boxes were full OF lockers on and was
the pareuet, me upper circles and AL we available
frame. The guests WHO did not dance were dis
unausbed peopie-editors, CITY government officers,
| scendentalists aud moody dTeamers The gay ele-
| ment was IN con'nsnd. There WAS little or no
announced la blue and white, ANY attempt NJ DIS
| turDance or lewdncss will be reprcssed with the
most extreme severity, and sufIcicnt force Il pro-
vided to warrant quieness aud obedience to iawsr
People paled at this mandate.
TIE TOILETS
superb. The actresses, the highest classes OF
the des,llUloade and their atyour-ssrvce gailants
appeared mostly IN mask ana often in domino. fhe
gents generally had no desire conceal their lea
lures. and dressing OF parts was confined mostly
TO the gay gazeIles Az eleven O'Clock guests be-
gan 10 arrive the moor. and then made the circuit
| glance disclosed that the prevailing toilets were
legs The statucsque representations made az every
turn We're eagerly following by thousands OF staring
eyes. one OF the most attractlveto all but minis.
tcfiai cyes--was the bgurc OF masked FAR one
| who, IL plane were passed through ncr
| waist, all the lower portion OF her out
| lines would be true 10 undresscd natute'
save perhaps the covering OF thin ven,
4 which, symboliying hypocrisy, was. douoticss'
for that reason IRONICALLY employed above her waist
| close-1ttlng garment was drawn hghty 70 hcr
bust, and amid shower OF spanges sho Tossed ner
BLONDE locAs and degned 10 notice some OF her pat
/ ticuar friends by . sly WINK. Costumes antique,
| Spanish, Louis XIV, domnoes in all shaues pas
mostly in white, blue and scarlet were ~ large.
| THE DANCING.
l The dancing began with the marcn cntiticd Les
4 Balls dArtkStes aud continued with quaoriues
wsltzes, laucers. maxurkaa. getowsa aud al tns