The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-08
The Purinn BaiI.
GRAND sUcoEss-QUAINT AND ORIGINAL
COSTUMEs--A HAPPY TINE.

COSTUMES-A HAPPY TIME.
Although we may not be able to do things
so gorgeeusly, so picturesquely or 50 grandly
as in Paris, or New Orleans, in Venice, or in
New York, in Boston or Berlin, yet we can
Aatter ourselves that Rimmon lodge, No. 6s,
l. o. B. b., can get up masquerade 10 most
complete style. Without disparagementt to the
other societies, we feel warranted in saying
that the masquerade ball last night at Virginia
hall, was by far the grandest affair of the
season.
The hall, though not very large, is a neat,
comfortable and airy room. The galleries and
floor were jammed, andit was with the greatast
difficulty that we managed to circulate about
the premises. The masquerade commenced
shortly after nine o'clock, when the grand
mcrche dentree was played by the band. How
can the various costumes be here described, or
the blended colors photographed as they
whirled around the room Antique, modern,
ludicrous, grotesqCe, uncouth, quaint, beauti-
ful, brilliant, flashing, dashing, and gorgeous
all in one gay whirl
The dance and fun and frolic went on-ioy
was unconfned--dull care was cast aside,
mirth and gladness ruled the 1eeting moments,
till the small hours OF the morning peeping in
through the windows, warned the gay spirits
and fairies of the night that the rule of Comus
was drawing to a close, when they must again
enter upon the realities of their toilsome day Of
existence.
The costumes were of all sorts with a good
many of each kind, and an extraordinary fact,
there was an unusual large number of original
and ingenious characters.
At half past III o'clock, the signal was given
to unmask, when there was many scene of
surprised recognition among the promenaders,
and the change of face which followed was
wonderful and very much like enohantment.
An attempt at the description of the char
acters on the floor would be impossible but
we cannot refrain from noticing few of the
most conspicuous.
The Snowman" was admirably exhibited
by Mr. Chas. M. 1t consisted of q great
Observation-Disclosures show, circus. concert,
museum and menagerie. "Mahone Swallow.
ing the K. and Z. II. r. Co;'' the "0riginal
Lobbyist" that acted SO successfully during the
p. G. K. r. compaign; "Wood of Halifax
letting the cat out of the meal tub" the
"Swiss Bell Ringers" All these comprised q
most original make up on the times
''A coored bridal party"-Misses G. r.,
H-h s., and H, and Mrs. j. s.,
attracted considerable attention when they
appeared on the STAGE
Mr.. Geo. s. appeared as the 'Lost Mem
Der of the House of Delegates"
The "Queen of Chess Miss H-h Ny
was the most brilliant and beautiful costume of
the ball, and the lady was the observed of all
observers.
The "Four Seasons'-Spring, Miss B. l.;
Summer, Miss F. NJ. Autumn, Miss r. s.,
and Winter, Miss G. M.--was a most real,
chsste and charming tout-easembIe.
The "Old Woman in Her Shoe," by Mr.. J.
s., was splendidy done. He surprised his
most intimate friends. The "Kings Jester"
by DR.. L., was very good.
The most attractive and original make up
was the ''Messrs. Clafin q Woodruff, Money
Shavers and Brokers'" ingeniously done by
Misses z. M. aud A. t. The dresses were
their part well.
Mr.. Marx M. and Mrs. j. S., made quite a
hit as country girls in search of husbands.
The "Emperor Soulouque with his Wife'--
Messrs. A. A. L. and j. s., presented a very
corky appearance.
Messrs b. and NJ, were good representatives
of the white-wash fraternity.
The other most noticeable masks were
''Topsy," "Queen of the Gipses," "Ah Sin
aud His Wife," "Girl of the Period" ''Carn-
val Bell" "Sister of Charity" &c.
These maskers were ell original. Then there
was Grecian without the bend, and Grecian
with bend, and modern Grecians on all sorts
of benders.
Last bur not least, was "Morning"
81, whose charms still haunt us in cur
dreams.
short while before the masks were re-
moved committee, consisting of Drs. McGill
and Bodeker, and Messrs. Wade, Kopple and
Baer, was appointed to decide upon the best
original male and female masks, and to make
the awards accordingly. They found it a
difficult task, but finally agreed to give the
prizes to "Woodhull and Clafin," Misses
Zipporah Michelbacher and Amelia Thai
himer, and to the "Showman," Mr.. Charles
Milhiser. The prizes received by the ladies
were splendid silver bouquet holders; Mr..
Millhiser was presented with fine gold headed
cane.
The managers of this grand affair may con-
graduate themselves upon the complete success
Of their arrangements The enjoy ment of the
occasion was consistent with its success, and
the merry-makers were not satisfied until about
5 O'Clock in the morning when the ball ended.
En- passant we will state that the music
under the mastery baton of Prof. Kessnich,
was inspiring and exhierating, and it was
delicious to witness the happiness of the iovful
couples as they whirled in the waltz and
threaded the mazes of quadrille.
A queer little specimen of humanity was,
during the evening, taken into the gallery by
some of the lady visitors, and created such
sensation that even the music stopped, and the
dancers and all hands crowded around to see
whether it was a doll or real flesh and blood
II proved, indeed to be the latter, in the shape
of growing, jubiaDt specimen of boy hood
about nine months old, and not them many
inches long, on whom nature had 'put head"
about the size of q common wine-sap apple.
The little stranger proved to be a big card,
and to satisfy the people that he was real, he
had to be taken around generally. When we
remember that "tall oaks from little acorns
grow" we think there may be some hope for
this little boy in future.
Hmm ahout Carcypall9 Gn ond boor