Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-02-22
Not Fer Ourselves. But For All.

| THE ANNIVERSARY OF PATER PATRIE-33D ANNU-
AL BALL OF THE WASHINGTON FIRE COMPANY -
THE OPERA HOUSE BRILLIANT, BLUsHING, AND
BEAUTIFUL.
The Washington Fire Company always cele-
brate the birthday of Honest George by a ball,
and this year as the 22nd falls on Saturday, and
good programme Of dancing is apt TO run be-
Yond midnight, they had to avoid the sanctity
Of the Sabbath by choosing for the affair, the
evening of the 21st.
Accordingly last evening, their 93d Annual
Ball took place, at the Opera House. The
grand auditorium was elegantly decorated.
Flowers in endless profusion were strown every
where, while evergrsens typifed the fidelity Of
the Washes" to the memory OF their exem-
plar. Canary birds were distributed
around, among the flowers, and added
animation and spirit to the occasion.
Back upon the stage, rustic fence was
thrown across, just leaving passage-way be-
tween it and the scenery with opening in
the centre, across which was stretched in the
form of an arch, the nsme of "Washngton," 10
gas jets. Back Of this, upon a raised and richly
oarpeted platform stood pedestal, aurmounted
with a marble bust Of the Father Of his Coun-
try"
Room enough was left between the archway
and the figure, to admit the passage of the as
sembed guests in couples who, at o'clock be-
gan the grand parade, led of by the mastor OF
ceremonies Lieut.. Babcuck, with his lady. As
each lady passed under the archway, she was
presented with a beautiful boquet of flowers
and q programme OF the entertainment of an
elaborate and elegant design. One hundred
and sixty-nine boquets were thus presented,
indicating the number OF persons present in
the march, as being three hundred and thirty
eight, though we believe, many others came
later in the evening. In gorgeous mazes, amid
the light shed from hundreds of gas lights
breathing the pefume Of a perpetual fountain OF
eau de Cologne, which stood in he middle OF
the stage, and enjoying the odoro GUS flowers in
the ladies boquets and in brilliant festoons
around the stage, the promenaders kept time
to the inspiring strains Of music from Ritchie's
string band.
more charming and enlivening scene one
could scarcely imagine than was here presented.
Certainly our fine Opera House has never been
witness to a finer occasion. After the Grand
March, which occupied some time, the dance boz
gan and lasted with much spirit until 12 o'clock.
The supper was served in the basement, be-
meath Granville Worrells stores the guests taking
their seats at few minutes after -. Gus Ten
Weeges acted in the capacity of caterer As all
appetites were keen, and the contents of the
table attractive, none failed to do his Cor herr
share in the general attack. all along the line.
To conclude our hastily written report, we
must commend the decorouB manner in which the
whole affair was conducted, and the general per-
fection OF the arrangements which admirably
conduced to the enjoyment Of all, throughout
The following were the Committee and officers
under whose management the ball was given
Master Of Ceremonies p. j. Babcock Floor
Manager, Thoe McOarron; Assistants, VIM.
+. Cloud, John Kennedy, Geo. III. Leech, John
Graham, Thos. Massey Reception Committee
Geo. Mccall, Jas. L. Speakman, Isaac G. Sax
ton, Richard jackson, Geo. II. P. Simmons
Henry Vandenbraak Supper Committee, Evitt
II. Wells, A. w. Nolen, Thos. McCarron, VIM.
Hanna, VIM. F. Cloud; Committee OF Arrange
ments, James Kelley, Henry Carr. Isaac Steven
son, Joseph Beckley, Wm. O. Bush, Rudolph
Lungren, W. 7. Lincoln; Secretary Saml. L.
Sheppard; Treasurer, Joseph II. Greenman.
Many prominent citizens Of Wilmington, were
present and participated in the enjoyments of
the hour, and several distinguished guests from
other cities, were also in attendance. The as
sembly dispersed at an early hour, this morn
ing.