New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-14
WHAT A WOMAN DIDN'T SEE AT THE BALL.


WHAT A WOMAN DIDN'T SEE AT THE BALL
A MORAL FROM THE MUsEs-rHE MYSTERIES OF
MAsKs-GLfMPsES OF FRNNCH GAYETY.
TO The Editor or The Tribune.
SIR: Did 1t ever occur to the advocates of
woman's Rights that never since the creation OF the
world have there been such strong-minded women as
the Nine Muses Think OF 1t. dear Susan and seek con-
soidation In mythology for the unpleasant facts of
recent Rochester knockngs. Nine young women. re-
sorting 20 no bloom Of youth TO remain beautiful for
ever asserted their independence up their indyidu
alties, went to Housekeeping the most improved
plan-that Is, on what is known as French
nat-did exactly they Pleased monopolzed all the
arts aud sciences and only allowed man the priy
lege Of entering their august presence!
what must have been ApOll0's sensations when sur
rounded by this galaxy OF brains and beauty the most
vivid imagination can conceive. but Judging him
by the rest OF his do believe that within the utmost
recesses OF h1tuneful SOUL ne anticipated the poetic
cOnceit of later rival language
the period, which is Greek us, How happy could
be with either with 't0ther dear oharmers away"
Apollo must have conducted himself with marvellous
discretion, cutting himself not unto little stars at
least into equal pieces for the whisper to
word of jealousy pickering, from which, considering
the mortality of the general of godsand god
desses inclined believe that the MUSES. originated
the idea Of Patonc Affection and practiced it the God
OF Day But If there be muse of whom have grave
doubts in toto, 1t is rerpsohOre When first this nimbe
Gamsel tripped the light fantastic toe am she set
the worldin motion and mankind in cOmmOtOn. We've
been in a hury-burly since. We never SO
happy when spinning round and round
like teet0tums, looking as red a beet and
feeling like volcanic Turkish bath. This is the beau
ideal of human bliss which TO strong-minded
woman. Is it not true, then, after ALL that woman IS at
the bottom OF everything. and Will Miss Anthony tell us
that by not demanding the right to vote Terpschore put
her foot In its Undoubtedly she did, and there are
human beings alive to-day who rejoice that she should
have been caught tripping Does not the highly moral
young man sitting beside attitude indicative OF
semresignation mildly exclaim, No pleasure EARTH
neither the pursuit of art the study of science,
may say without fear Of being contradcted by my Own
susceptible conscience not even the consolation Of my
religion ever gave half much satisfaction waltz
ing" After this confession from VINO is an honor to
both sexes who is there so lost all of human
requirements as cast reflections upon the muse Of
dancing
Because OF Terpschore, there ball last night
and like Christian went 10 it, accompanied by the
highly moral young man. It was a ball given at the
Academy Of Music by the Cerce Francois de Harmonie
1t masked ball, and as masks are supposed to be
inherently wicked, went prepared to be shocked
Alas for the vanity OF wishesi No, don't
wishes, mean expectations
II hadsny way there should be no wckedness in the
world Everybody should be good, 90 about in new
suit OF clothes, and have icecream three times week.
Il, however the world will persist in being wicked and
masks are not as benecent in their results tracts
for the times why do have consistency and pre-
serve the atness unness of things But there was
something wrong that made the ball right something
right that made il wrong. There mistake, and
think this mistake entirely due 70 climate and ethnoogy
II is no FOR Americans though they be French
me1. to endeavor TO be other than sad and solemn
mOurners at funeral-I should say at q masked ball
Heavy responsibility sits upon their coablack shoulders,
and though they be the most facle Of sinners there
that in the atmosphere which prevents them from giving
expression their hearts deepfet EMOTION I'm glad
OF As I said before, let us all pc angels before
But then again it nasi always seemed
possible to combine considerable respectabhity
with no end OF piquancy and IL ever a woman has an
advantage over the tyrant man. it is when mask frees
her from gid cOnvenuonaHtes set down by society to
make life bore and woman hysterical doll Does the
mask find a congenial restng-pace on the noses OF
American women 2 No. mask. after all, requires
brains behind it. To be fool with pretty face is
Turing TO the eye Of man; but to be
fool in hdeous domino Is the unpar
donable sin. and clever though we American women
are AngloSaxon mind does not lend itself TO the
gay and hppant badinage peculiar to the bal mdSque.
Men in hammerails stand about disconsoately waiting
for something 10 happen. few indulge in the enor-
nous joke Of false noses, the humOr OF which is OF
course distinctly Nl,lDle 70 ndheu eye
cothiers ChathaInst aggravate their personal pecu
larities and 30 about with mouths looking Like poor
boxes. Great and independent republicans regardless
of conspicuousy promenade IN roek coats
red neckes colored shirts and checked trousers adding
greatly TO the pctuTesqueness OF the festive scene
Half dozen bemidemi-semi Cinnamon the foundation
Of whose attire is the inevitable and trousers Of the
civilized period stalk and fro with smile that is
chdke and bland. The poor Indian also in the boot
of the PERIOD drags his length along and then sits
down with benign countenance, as though he were
contemplating happy huntng-grounds.
Several harlequins belle their hired clothes Polish
officer exhibits such pair of legs would drive Fanny
about all.
il is not all my fancy would paint it, had not deter
mined TO be an angel and not draw upon my magina
ton for my costumes There is the young lady in frowsy
hair and boys costume, who, of course bewtehes all
who gaze upon her.
There is the other young lady in CATERS trimmed with
swans down. and arms that suggest washing1iay Why
will red arms insist upon going to baLs mdsqesf There
Il bbs and there are innumerable solemn dOmnoes look
ing unutteraby stupid. dare say appearances are not
deceitfuI 1 know that everybody is plunged in
a frenzy Of intoxicaton. but If 1 were not
aware of the fact 1 should think that for
downricht employment weI-conducted funeral
would be preferable to a Dol DlGsqIe in America am
even constrained TO confess myself bored and recall
remark made on similar occasion by one OF the most
s,,,rif,lsue OF French women How you amusing
vourselfs' asked friend. "Je r'aluse eonn'ef nm Tar
mort" she replied. MASK
HelC- York Jan. 10, 1873.