The New York herald., 1870-02-08
'BROOKLYy FIRE DEPARTMENT BALL.
The Brooklyn Academy OF Music in Blaze Of
Pleasure,

Ever since the year 1888 II has been sh8 custom OF
the fire laddies, OF tho City OF Churches to honor
Terpslcnore in . formal ana generous ovation to
that popular goddess once year by holding grand
assembly aud dance at the largest and best hall In
the city. AS years rolled on the annual ball OF the
Brooklyn Fire Department increased IN Importance
win the growth or the city, extension OF the sphere
OF usefulness OF the department ana the eyercrowu-
Ing happy memories which are associated with 'tne
event" While the Fremen's ball has always been
well attended by the elite or the city, who felt
proud III according the appreciation OF their
presence to these reunions or their gallant
fellow citizens who brave the elements to succor
the distressed. the department early decided upon
appropriatng the receipts OF The sale OF the tickets
for the bali toward the fund the relief OF widows
and orphans OF deceased members. Thus noble
charity was combined with social enjoyment, and a
double end was accomplished. The people became
familiar with their fremen under the joyous glare
OF the ballroom light, and at the same time con-
trouted towards relieving tho necessities OF those
whose natural protectors had fallen In the path OF
duty nobly and voluntarily assumed.
AS to tho "Doys themselves, they took the greatest
pride In the conduct and success or their public en-
teraInment and neither expense taste nor labor was
ever spared In the perfection or tho arrangements
ltwas augured by many that the affair this year would
not come up to the high standard ofits predecessors:
that with the abolition disbandment or the voun
system all further interest IN tho ball had died
out. Az reason for this churlIsn opinion was as
signed the statement that the insurance companies
would not accord their countenance and assistance
thereto, because of the fact that the fremen ye
Olden tner could no longer be OF avail TO them. BE
all this as IL may 1t Is an indisputaDe TACT that the
drawbacks from whatever source they may have
proceeded did not appear on the surface, and the
thrty-SecOnd annual BAH was In every respect fully
equal 10 It's most brilliant predecessor.
The guests began to arrive early az eight
O'Clock, the first comers having the advantage or
securing choice OF seats, and the extreme satlsac-
tion among the fair portion OF the company OF view
ing from the most advantageous seats In the family
circle ana balcony the styles and toilets OF the lauieS
ana gentlemen who arrived later. by nine O'Clock
the seats were all occupied, and tho sIream OF
beauty and fashion set III faster ana awaited I'm
patiently the signal for opening the ball. Tho Aca-
denny OF Music presented, indeed, gala appear
ance. The decorations, though not 80 proiuse
handsome. Bunting Of every hue was
Academy. Shields, guidons stars, &c, were ar
ranged as proper intervals ana TO the best advan-
tage, upon which were respectively inscribed the
names Of the several states Of the Union and OF the
apparatus Of the old volunteer department. About
100 BIRD cages were suspended at different points
from which q sweet chorus or the teathered tribe
OF songSters Kept up necessarily, enllvenng the
extended interval which elapsed between the
coming OF the early guests and the opening OF the
promenade which latter did not occur until half.
past nine O'Clock.
The grand march. ole Prophetic" brought out the
~,
which embraced forty-two pieces the promenade
alternating with the dance, WAS gone through with,
Whle
Nature and art their stores oupoursi,
Joy beamsd IN every kindling glance;
Love, friendship, youth and beauty smiled
What could the evenings Bliss enhancey
The following IL q list of the committees. oil Of
which acquitted themselves admirably and deserve
the credit which they received for the labor and care
bestowed upon the affair
Floor Janayers Badge white) Peter H. Taws, chairman
Felix Campbell, Edwin Underh, Wliam II. Furey, William
A. Fowler, William y. Soaring, Fred \. Aymsr, William
II. Pegs. Thomas NcGunigie l. Floyd Jones, William ii.
Langley.
Isaac g. begsett Robert Malcolm, ID. S simpson, Lyman
i. Van Ingen.
Reception toait.sH. d. Polhemus, j. Pryor Rorke Peter
b. Anderson Robert r. Story John c. Roach A. r. Camp
be Joseph g. st. John John Cashow Joseph Reeve j. W,
UndsrhilI A. NJ. Underhil, Alexander Muir.
Supper 6Dnrtss--R a. Williams, Nicholas L. Pettlt Fred.
r. Phillips.
Among those present was a committee Of tho New
York Fire Department, OF which Mr.. James Wilde
man was chairman; Mayor kalbneisch, General
SlOcum, Mr.. Schumacher tmeinber oil Congress)
ex-Congressman w. u. Robinson the heads OF de
partments OF tho Brooklyn city government anc
several members OF tho local boards. Sergeant
Rogers or the Central squad VINO regulated the or
rival and departure OF tho vehicles acquitted him
sell OF the 0nerOuS duty To the convenience anC
satisfaction Of all. The receipts OF the bali vii
amount III the aggregate 10 about So 900.