The Portland daily press., 1870-02-11

TIL 4 UNA BALL.

JUDGE KINGsBURY PRESIDING.
THURsDAY.-State VS.. Frank r. jackson. Truan
g. Case continued two weeks.
THE UNA BALL.
Grand Display Of Elegant Costumes
Glimpse OF Gosm opoIitan Elysium-
a scene from 's La Vie ParisienMe''-
Mirah, Music and Splendor.
Last evening the Una Boat Club gave its
third annual Bal Masque at City Hall. The
original time set for the affair had been the
fftes nth of last January, but owing to the
news received in December that the remains
VI the late George Peabody would fird theil
FIRST resting place in this country in Portland,
and that the time of their arrival might be
anywhere from the first of January to the first
Of February, the Club postponed their Ball
until the ceremonies in the city were conclud
ed. 1t was intended that the masquerade
should take place the first evening after the
funeral draperies were removed from the hail.
but on afterthought it was deemed advisable
to allow at least a week to pass by in order to
give all the subscribers ample opportunity for
preparation.
The first attempt at subscription masquer-
ade In this city took place in April, 1868, under
the auspices of the Societe G. de ", for the
benefit of the Sanitary Commission. The
project was eminently successful the array OF
costumes being most brilliant, the music the
finest that could be procured, the supper mosi
recherche, and the galleries crowded with
spectators. Still, notwithstanding its success
from both social and pecuniary point of view,
tthe floor being occupied by our leading citi-
ho Of hoi oil. for
the relief of the soldiers) there was stiffoess
and formally about the affair during the first
part OF the evening, previous to unmasking,
that detracted greatly from its proper enjoy
mept. A Bal Masque was new thing to most
OF the participants 1t seemed an impossible
1ty to unite the Partisan and American ele-
ments. Gentlemen en- naasQue hest ated
about addressing a lady whose features were
also concealed, lest there might have been no
previous acquaintanceship. Ladies no more
thoughG of Inviting gentleman to dance than
OF turning somersault, and consequently
all those spicy, elegant, merry, vivacous,
sparkling and good natured points, with
out which masquerade becomes a mere
spectacle, those little firtations where sharp
questlonings and cross queatonings are en-
pioyed to discover each others identity, were
omitted and it was not till the masks were re-
moved and the masquerade was turned into
fancy dress ball, that the dancers began to
really enjoy themselves.
The next subscription masquerade that was
undertaken, if we are not m staken, was that
OF the Unas in 1865 and so successful did it
prove that the managers were induced to give
another on January 10Th, 1869, which so far
surpassed the other and was so enjoyable in
all its features that it seemed as if at last the
spirit of France had become domesticated with |
rs. The American Bal Masque will never |
become as popular or as complete an insttu- |
ton as the Partisan neither, we trust will it fall
a. low in New England as it has in New York
thus preventing all respectable ladies from par.
ticipating in it.
The eliminating success of the masquerade
In this city was reached, We firmly believe,
last evening. The weather, which always has
more or less influence on parties, was all that
the most tastidious could desire. The mag
nfcent proportions and frescoing of our City
Hall, so long concealed under its sable enfold-
ings, were once more revealed in all their beau
~, and the numerous gaseliers 3iffused flood
of soft light which completely illuminated the
apartment and at the same time displayed the
delicate compilations and beautiful features OF
the fair maidens Of Portland to rare advantage.
1t was a sight to remember, standing at the
main entrance before the Grand March, and
looking upon the galleries densely packed with
ladies and gentlemen who had come thither as
spectators, while the spacious floor, shining
like a mahogany table under its waxen polish,
was entirely unoccupied, the full Portland
Band of twenty pieces, upon the stage, mean
while discoursing most del icous music to pass
away the moments of waiting. The corridors
were filled with gentlemen masquers, each
Qnikzing the other and striving by all means in
their power TO ascertain If they were friends
and acquaintance. In the ladies' dressing
room were sufaciepcy of hair-dressers and
ladies maids to see that the dress and coifure
Of every belle was in perfect order before her
grand entree, while the gentlemen were not for
gotten, there being number of boot blacks
and first rate barber ia attendance. In fact,
all the minor arrangements and details of the
ball we're perfectly conceived and executed, re.
IL ,tiog the greatest credit upon the managers.
Precisely at nine and half o'clock the grand
procession made its eutree, headed by the band
in iull uniform, who were Immediately follow
personation was very laughable and received
great applause. We wish that the Awards
had also been presented, as then we should
have had both crews. There were none of the
usual absurdities that find favor at masquerade
balls, in the shane of walking champagne bot
ties, live bears, &c., but the costumes possess
"a the great merit of being bright and fresh
and the masqueraders, as soon as the bugle
sounded for the first dance entered into the
spirit of the thing with keen enjoyment and
kept up the festivities till morning. There
were several very elegant evening dresses and
q great many dominoes. Among the evening
dresses we noticed rich black silk velvet over
dress, with a white alpaca undertakes en-
traine handsomely trimmed with cherry. But
the hour is late and we must condense. 1t il
sufficient to say that the brilliant dresses shift.
ed hither and thither in the maizy dance IL,
the ever changing pictures in the kaleidoscope
courtiers, peasants. monks, flower girls, youn.
ladies in sailor jakets, Swabians, Caucassians
Moldavians, Albanians, and every known ma
tiou on the face Of the earth being represented
and continually passing before the eye. Anon,
the guests we noticed several officers of tn
feet in uniform ard masked, who seemed II
be enjoying themselves immensely.
About midnight all unmarked and passed
into the Reception Hall for supper, where
splendid repast had been spread by D. K. Reed
the caterer, under Lancaster Hall. Full jus
tice was done to it by the party, after whcl
they returned to the ball aud, to the deliciou
music of Chambers Band, who did themselve
proad on this occasion, kept time to the dulce
strains until the gray dawn peering in at tn
.ox;ndows advised them that the hour had com
when the Una ball of 1870, delightful as it ha
,h.ep. must come to an end. The following is
Hist of the costumes present, as far as ascel
tanned:
Mis-. Emma Colby. DoWno.
Miss Fanny Berry, Fancy Dress.
Mre. r. X. A. Pingree, Domino.
Miss nva Thorn s, Minnehaha
la IRA Harris, oheperIess.
Nellie Magrath, Ball Dress
Alice W. Reeves Greek Girl.
arrle r Sturdevan, GuideIta.
Abbie u Harris, Greek GIRL
I.ncy A. Harms, Pop Corn Girl.
Jennie A Lariabee Water sprite
M Ssss. n M. Wo Oman, nrigand's daughter.
sadie C. Ping-ee Wood FAIRY.
Miss A M. brewer, Nlnnenana'
Miss Alice Dennis WINTER
Miss Vile Ross. Reading.
Miss Alice Feruaid, Fisher Girl.
Mis- RE v. fucker. Polish Lady
Miss Ella saw er. Morning.
Miss Nellie Cusbman, Fancy Dress.
Ass Fannie iiight, Summer.
MIRA hal