The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-02-09

! a PROVINCIAL BALL IN FRANCE--lt was a Gu
I riO1s sight. this ball room in the provinces Or
I th1 tive long sides Of the saloon were two row.
of seats one in front of the other, those against
! the wall being raised fauteuis, rising above the
chairs in front. On this back row of raised fau
teus sat in all their majesty the aristocratc aud
wealthy dowagers of R. So naughty and
starehed did they look. with their satln-ned Ope-
IA clOaks. ;heir bejeweled eyeglasses. their gray
hair arranged Ia mode. and their rich lace caps
disposed with matrOn dignity, that they remind
ed one of the Senate scene in -Othellor and
seemed a bench of stern feminine Judges cousid-
ering the pros and cons of holy mairmuny.
There they sat, the long line of shrewd old sehem-
ers, deeply intent on their game. acting the Cor
gon 10 one young man and the would-be mother
in-law TO another, accounting to circumstances.
On the seat below each sat her blooming lnatu-
raj and artiieiall daughter or daughters. watched
over by mamma with too anxious care exhibited in
the matrimonial mart. and looking each her sweet
est and modestest with all her little might. Now
the reason why the carriages had been in such
haste to reach the prefecture was clear The old
dOwagers were running a race for the best seats
just as the ambitious gardener or fruterer will
strain every nerve To secure the most prominent
and accessible stall in the market wher4 to dis
play bis carefully and tastefuly arranged
stock so did these 'old eampaigners" Of the pro-
vince have their carriages at the door exactly at
the stated moment. calculate TO the nicely Of
second how to arrive at The prefecture just long
enough before the hour Of invitation 10 enter the
saloon as the clock strikes. and to loose no time
in appropTiating the most eligible seats for self
and daughters. those most eligible seats being he
ones most conspicuous and easiest of approach
for messleurs les messieurs. This great point
gained.-end everybody knows how important 1t
Is for a general. military social. male OF female
to have the choice Of his gruunds-madame
would enthrone herself alOft. and her daughters
would take the seats below her; and mamma
would fix ribbon here and curl there. stoOp-
iug from her eTninence for the purpose and would
then lie hack and with her eyeglass take de-
liberate survey of the general effect with an ex-
hausiive coup d'PH
Thus the ladies. old and young. enseonced in a
double row of seats, extending on either side the
length Of the room. The gentlemen are grouped
together in thick Kaleidoscope bunch near the
door kaleiiOseOpic because Of the variety and
gorgeoRsness of their apparel. They are absorb
ed in diligently Ogling the double line of fair
ones in making ont mental list of partners. re-
marking to each other things complimentary and
otherwise of the dear ladies. The orchestra
strikes up. and the bunch Of the stern sex breaks
up and spreads along the row Of seats, carfs des
dd1ces in hand. Every gentleman has the right
to ask any lady whom he chooses to dance.
whether be knows her or not. intrOduetions are
not CONNIE Il faa. The prudent man. however.
he who is well Fersed in the manners Of society.
will first take the preeantiOn to e0nciliate ma
dame by asking her permission to ask msdemoi-
seIie for her hand in the next qusdrille. Madam
runs her eye rapidly over hia. gances keenly at
his face aud then. if the scrutiny Is satisfactory
grants bis petition. Ten to one she knows all
about hun. though his eyes may never have rest
ed on her before is well up in his antecedenis
knows his fortune within a thousand and could
tell him off-haBd who bis great-grandfather was.
As be takes his place on the floor with mademoi-
seIe. madame keeps neveF-waFerine watch mp |
on the couple Every smile he gives her. every
time he keeps lingering grasp on her hand at
the conclusion OF figure, every glance Of one or
other which may belray growing fancy or be
the accompaniment Of delicate compliment, all
is noted By the old campaigner." who sits and |
and hopes for happy dessouenenf and |
marriage bells. If she is pleased with monsieur. |
he may safely linger by his partners side after |
she has resumed her seat. and then madame list |
ems With vast content to bis gracefully muFmured /
speeches. and builds her ctGfednz en- EspagHe
higher and more beauteous than ever. SiIll she /
never suffers them from her sight If monsieur
invites mademoiselIe to take refreshment. he
must include madame also. and be presses through /
the throng with mamma ana daughter on either
arm Nor will be dare to ask TO be permitted to
esIl on mademoIsee on the day succeeding the
ball TO inquire after her health after so much ex
element. His only chance TO speak with her is
It the ball itself. Even II be is really smitten.
tie charming tss-a-fefes Of q loser are denied
hin /; be must bic him 10 notary. and send him
Is ambassador to plead for him at the paternaI
leaFfhstone. Such Is the fashion regarding court
.hig and marriage IN provincial France London