The New York herald., 1871-01-03
THE GRAND BALL OF 1871.
The Americus Club and It's
Winter Festivities.
Enchanted Palaces and Fairy Land Of Flowers
Fountains Of Perfumed Waters and Winged
Warblers-The Lake of Como and Its Sur
roundings Outdone = Fashion in
Furor The New and tho Old.

The Americus Club, like all American institutions
of Its kind, had quiet and humble beginning. Its
members are, however, gentlemen Of large resources
Of brain and wealth, and whatever they have under
taken they seem to have accomplished The pecu-
larty OF their success has been It's uniformity
tending even to the pleasures ana foies Of life. II
was merry Jovlal circle of bon virants that first
gathered in the tents pitched by them on little
point Of land extending into the waters OF the
Sound, near Greenwich Conn. The free. enjoyable
life they led, the fishing, hunting, boating
and bathing by day, and the good cheer
IN the tents at night, with dancing, sing
Ing and storytelling, had wonderful charms
for the toilers In the city The fame Of the Ameri-
Gus soon reached every dusty Office and every ele-
ganS drawing room Of the town, and hundreds
rushed to gain an entr6e to its magic circle. The
tents have passed way, and one OF the most ele.
giant club houses In he world has taken their place.
Each year the mem bers OF the club have gwen
ball IN town to their lady friends, and 1t Is to their
latest effort in this direction the following applies:
THE GRAND BALL
inst.), at the Academy OF Music and Irving Hall.
Between these two buildings and leading from one
sells carpetlng ana covered with SILK bunting, viii
afford promenade lao feet In length by twenty
ali confusion win be avoided, parties gong and
returning BY distinct passages.
flowers, arrayed in dense masses, with green
foliage as background and rising on all Sides from
pletey covering the walls and forming gardens OF
the choicest exotlcs; while fountains OF perfumed
waters will load the air. and thousand canary
birds make music for the multitude. In the centre
OF the hall o
BEAUTIFUL FLORAL TEMPLE,
sixteen feet In diameter Will rise TO the height OF
thrty-two feet This temple OF slender columns
win contain an elaborate fountain, the waters OF
which viii be alive with gold and silver fish, dartlng
hither and thither under leaves Of water lilies
sna Sans Sm the sa' Of grand
The parte on each side Of the building viii De
hung with baskets OF cut flowers, and interspersed
elegant vases. Above the gardens ana adorning the
galleries Will be hung many nne oil paintings, re-
presenting summer scenes at the club grounds and
the exe@e end Of e a w bs
the view OF the old club house and grounds which
figured at the ball last year.
THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC
win be devoted to the dancing In all its myriad
forms, and at the back OF the stage win be hung
view OF the new club house and grounds. This
building will also be richly decorated and arranged
with gas jets In monograns. Here too, the ball
win be opened by burst OF melody from one hun
dred and ninety instruments, under the direction OF
Grafulla.
'ssoLID MEN TO THE 'FRONT.'"
The arrangements have been made under the
immedate supervision OF the President OF the club
Mr. w. NJ. Tweed, and the Secretary, @. II. Hall.
Messrs. owen w. Brennan Charles II. Hall, Edward
]. Shandley and James l.. Miller viii act as chair
men OF their respective committees. The members
Will oil appear in their new uniform, Gems sung OF
blue steel-pen dress coats and gold club ittons,
white vests and blue pants with narrow stripe IN
gold. There will OF course be beautiful women, eacn
one OF whom WILL on entering. be presented WIN u
handsome bouquet. Tac orders OF dancing Will be
gems OF art, made in imitation OF the cuD badge,
IN gold and bright colors Suppers VIII be served n
Will be done that can possibly contribute 10 ma
this the grandest ball on record.