The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-10

THE BAL MAsQUE OF THE SlsNGERBUNp.-
The new music hall OF the Academy OF Music was
graccd last night by heterogeneous collection
of grotcsquc, fantastic and hldcous nondescript.
The masks and costumes were bewllderlngly
strange, weird and curious, and 1t w1s almost I'm
possible to detect any one who pretended to con-
ceal their individuality. There Is place OF pub
lie amusement in the city that Is better adapted
for ball purposes than the Music Hall. On enter
Ing the doors ut either side Of the stalrway led to
the gentlcmen's and ladies' cloak and hat rooms,
where the outer wrapp!ngs, hats, canes, and artl
ticles orpersunal property were carefully preserved
and returned to the owner without confusion. The
lower hall was retained as supper room ind the
long tables were crowded during the evening by
the masqueraders. The upper and larger hall,
with Its wide galleries, is capable Of accommoda-
ting one thousand persons, and was admirably
suited for narquerade, afIording ample room
for the promenaders, convenient seats for those
couples OF either sex who sought to penetrate
each others disguise, and abundant space for the
dancers. The moor was waxed until 1t shone
again, the music sounded aurlngly, and the vota-
ries of Terpslchore were not backward In prov
Ing that though they might be Quaker5. Yahoos,
or what not they were certainly good dancers.
The entrance to the Academy OF Music on King
street was crowded by a mixed assemblage OF
white and colored, who hailed the advent OF any
costume or mask that was outre with loud
shouts OF applause.
Upstairs it was all iollitJ. There was the
usual number OF clowns, Indians, warriors, and
an endless variety OF curious conglOmeratons
that were particularly good. The few instances
where the men counterfeited the opposite sex
were admirably well done Some cake women,
gingcrpop vclldcrs and other similar characters,
all old maumus, were, perhaps, the best disguises
in the hall, though 1t was necessary TO keep CON-
paratyely quiet in order to act their characters to
perfection The ladies were, without exception.
costumed we'll and their disgulscs were perfect.
One who represented o maid OF honor in the
Elizabethan era Was particularly good; but In
every instance al efforts to penetrate their in
cognto failed.
Although the hall Is the largest In the city, 1t
was hardly able 20 accommodate the crowds that
poured into the building between 10 and IL
O'Clock. at the hour Of unmasking the floor was
covered with animated masked humanity, and
the surprises on the veil Of mystery being re-
moved were about equal. At IL O'Clock the dane
ing commenced, and the enllvening strains OF the
music soon caused willing feet to twinkle in and
out of demuIe Skirts and round and square
dances, and dances of every description, were
performed with vim tnat proved thut the own.
ers OF the aforesaid feet TO be used to the exer-
else.
The rerreshment rooms were we'll managed and
well attended, though nothing occurred u. mar
the pleasure or the evening. and all passed Off as
merry as marriage bell The new hall was thor
Oughly inaugurated as place OF amusement.
aud those who attended the bal masque of lhe
Sangerbund will ever remember IT as 8 period OF
unauOyed pleasure.