The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-04-20
OR. ]. J. BURTIs' MASQUERADE.
A BRILLIANT AFFAIR.

The much talked of, long anticipated,
fashionable gathering at the Burtis Opera
House, came of last night. and We, ~ hon
est journalists, have to chronicle q great
success Many were the prophecies OF
those respectable old. fogies who are ever
lastingly eroaking, and who would suggest
failures in running the stars, and predict
disappointment in total eclipse, that the
masquerade and fancy ball would 6zzle out ;
that it could no. be kept select, and q
hundred other rheumy objections, all OF
which were, in the fulfillment, utterly at
fault. From the liberal minded proprietor,
of that magnificent Temple Of the Drama.
| DR.. Burtis, through all the committees o.
invitation, reception, dancing and hono''
N the door keepers and attendants, praise
worthy pains were taken 10 ens. pp'
-ssnl, and highly and pieasuraoiy we're these
og,-,s rewarded. The new dancing hoor,
wh;cl had been speedily put down for the
occasion, transformed the Opera House par
quet,e into magnificent sale danse, and
being level with the stage, gave
an uninterrupted plane nearly the
full length of the building, for the
sets and round dances of the evening
To say that the music of the evening was
under the leadership of that Pagsninni of
the North west, Jacob Strasser, is to de-
clare that it was al which could be required
By the most diletanti artistic critic. The
master Of ceremonies and director in-chies
of the of the merry masluers, !. W. Har-
rison, acquitted himself nobly, and with
argus eyes saw every one cared for, every
set filled, every promenade en- regle, and
almost ubiquitous, for the occasion, was
here, there and everywhere. On entering
the specious hall at ten O'Clock, the coup
d'oeil was charming. From the lovely
moonlight stiffness of Perry street, for nc
rude crowd of bawling and "guv" shouting
loafers we're permitted by Marshal Kaufman
to obstruct the entrance to the brilliantly
/ lighted salon within, was like suddenly
emerging into a fairy scene. Gsiiy dressed
ladies en- costume and en- train, knight and
/ squire, harlequin and clown, and quiet gem
I t!eman in fsnltless evening costu me, were
ascending the broad flight of steps leading
to the ante rooms. and by closing the cen
iral doors and having starboard and por
entrances Cor the masquers with the genera
possession Of tickets beforehand, prevented
crushing, and the crowd swept in with
all the ease Of private sat home
The upper part of the house was filed with
the ellie of the city Every family almost o
our wealthy classes was represented, and i
was amusing 10 watch the pretty little fee
of the ladies who were merely spectators
impa,ien,ly tapping the floor in cadence II
the music when more than usually tanta
lizing tune was being answered by kim!
slippers on the floor below. We notices
). Mrs B F. Allen and party, from
Des Moines, in the proscenium box,
and very many ladies and gentlemen
too, sitting sloft, who should have graced tn
floor. The hours flew merrily past, the bar
mony and hilsrity Of the night was kept u
un,iringly, aud nothing occurred to interior
with the pleasures of the party. DR.. Burti
had lavishly provided for the delectation Q
the inner man, in dining-room in th'
basement, and ample justice was done q
his good fare. Every body was delighted
every body WAS satisfied. and it was far be
vond the wee short hours Of days infanc,
when the couples began gradually to disappea
The parquette was entirely filled with
varied crew Of revelers. Spanish Hidalgos
French Marquises of the old regime, Mex
cans, Indian chiefs, monks, TYroese. swells
cads, rus,ics, Queens of Fairyland spirits G
earth, air and water, deuIurest Tabi,has G
the Society of Friends, dominoes OF ever
hue, and multitutionious crowd of all tn
+ habilimen,s the eating OF Ewes apple ha
caused mankind to wear we're footing
meTrily upon the floor, while in the dres
circle, boxes and gallery q galaxy of les
respiendantly costurped bu, lovel
, countenGnced ladies and we
| dressed gentlemen were looking o,
J 1t is the loudly expressed desil
of all who were there, in whic
those who were not, join tina. "
should have another masked hall before
long period goes by When j, occsrs v
hope to be there to register the doings.