The New York herald., 1870-02-01
TEE FIRE DEPARTMENT BALI.

Season after season during y.e past forty years
the people OF New York have been appealed TO In
behalf OF the widows and c hans' fund Of the Vol.
unteer Fire Department. Tie appeal made through
committee Of Responsible ana representative gen.
temen, ffas not been merely request for Q dona-
ton, but by means.ef grand ball, which, while it
aided materially the work Of charity, gave opportu
mites for display Of wealth. fashion, taste and tact
and an annual reunion OF those who had risked
their lives In a "labor or love" and who (emuatng
the motto Of old Columbian Engine, No. l4) were to
the memory OF those who "died In harness"
'.Ssmper adeles." In responding to the appeal
made the citizens OF New York were found las "0id
Greenback" Thirty-eighters would say "Senspey
paratus;'' for they loved the brave and bold
'Ieatner heads,n ana had many reasons to know
that the 'yamps" carried out the meaning OF their
universal pnrase-t'Where duty calls there
you'l fnd u.s." Duty called them to the
Academy OF Music last evening-duty to
the perpetuation OF old memories and pledges,
duty to those whom their departed brethren had
entrusted to their care-and crowds focked to that
place to which duty had called the "laddles," and
there they found them, each one ready to "nnn
the roper and pull the AFFAIR forward to success.
Plainly speaking the forty-frst, and probably the
was was held at the Academy last evening.
The building was crowded, OF course, with the rep
resentatives OF the wealth. intelligence, industry and
enterprise Of the metropolis. NOE only was TINS
grand ball an aSsemblage OF the tOl but q halo was
sned on the affair by the good hunor which imagl-
nation created. For VINO could look upon either
Lorenzo or Charles Delmonco. or Daniel or Alonzo
Siote or crap Her-Downn Miller, or 'Jim" Came
ron, or ex Alderman Robert McGinness or ex-Mayor
Gunther. or Commissioners NJ. 4. and owen W.
"Bill'' Bates tthe quietest man in all New
York. or J. L. Mott or Q. Q. Poilion, or
hap or any of hou md a m oil ha
mentioned, ana imagine them clad in red shirts.
pants rolled up and running for 'dear liie" through
garless OF mud or heat or cold and not smile at the
picture Most OF these gentlemen, as they grow IN
ana ana Wseo gow also }h N oSs ana on
are plainly visible In the absence Of the usual
hlrsute covering, the 10, loss OF which; to .
music. music The iGdicroasnoss OF the picture,
OF each member OF the committee, made them all
more than usually good numored, and good humor
being contagious spread over and around the ball
the halo ABOVE alluded to- The members OF the
committee are, Tor the most part now good llvers,
az was demonstrated by the 'get up" Of tho sup
balls as TO command attention. Many Of the "boys''
while regang themselves last night In the base
ment OF the Academy added spice to the viands by
tales OF the manner and number In which ''sOle
leather T. Bn and black coffee would be Furnished"
after working tire" IN the 'seventh'' or
The decorations consisted Of q full view Of the
museum near Spring street on the morning after the
fire. the front covered with fciclcs and sheets OF
crystal, hung as drop at the rear ofthe Academy.
In front OF this, In Jets OF re was ribbon enclos
ing the title OF the ball. and below this representa-
ton OF the old style hose carriages
About eleven O'Clock Prince Arthur arrived with
his suite-Messrs. Thornton, Archibald, Thane,
French and Elphinstone-a In full evening Dress
They were escorted to the chief prOscenum box at
the right OF tine halls and as they entered the word
went like wildflre through the house that the
Prince was present. All eyes were turned towards
the box, and as he approached the 'front.' q general
and spontaneous reception was given, the gentle
men clapplng their hands and the ladies waving
their handkerchefs He acknowledged the salute
by bowling and Kissing his hand; and then sat down
and gazed while on the merry dancers % they
manGuvred through quadrte. He seemed to en-
JOY the scene very much. and at the conclusion OF
the dance descended to the noor and took part In the
promenade. He was surrounded, OF course, by the
ladies, and received many smiles while Grafulas
men, In the upper regions, appropriately struck up
the air. "Lov8 Among the RoseA' Shortly after
midnight ne retired. and the ball went on as usual.
In every respect the affair was grand success.
"BOss'' Cameron managed the nO0r admirably. by
the aid of his efficient fellow committee men. Wick
ham looked after the guests In commandabie style.
Wenman and company, as policemen, had really mo-
thing TO do IN their line, and did II WELL The r0tund
t,'eres Henry and Charley Porter, performed their
parts as Boniface No. ! and No. In q manner that
could not be surpassed
1t would be unjust TO close without mentioning the
fact that the toilets SURPASSED possible any slml
lar display Of tho season.