New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-06
THE GREAT CHARITY BALL
GALA NIGHTS OF THE WINTER.

GALA NIGHTS OF HE WINTER.
MILITARY. POLITICAL, CHARITABLE AND MASQUERADE
BALLS FROM CHRISTMAS To ASH WEDNESDAY.
The ball season in New-YOrk opens In
earnest pot with tho wlntor IA most cities. but ~
the conclusion OF tho Christmas festivals promptly
with The beginning OF the New Year. There few
public balls during December. but they OF minor
interest and importance. being those of mere social
clubs OF young people, and numerous private dancing
entertainments oniyen the dull month before Christmas.
But tue bilarity docs fairly ia until the carnival
begns, and the great social events OF the
crowded between New Years DaY and Ash Wednesday s.,
which this year Is on Feb. IS.
These public entertainments Of the most varied
character and the guests Of each peculiar There
arc m8ry, political. masonic. Temperance. charita.
Bile. masquerade. and purely social balls somo are half
religious aud some wholly sectarian a few have Ma
tiOnal characteristics, and not few sanctioned by
trades unions and labor organizations while some are
given ny large manufacturing firms a. their omplOy6J
OF tie military balls those OF tho 9TH. 22d, and net
Infantry gmonts the most prominent Eatu.
rally the III is the most fashionable. owing to
the fact that the regiment Is very wealthy. and
most " Its members young gentlemen prominent in
society Tho political balls usually those OF 9ssocia
lions maintained at the expense OF professional onice
holders candidates for Office, and the annual
social tubnte Of the politician TO his followers Every
ward In New-York has half dozen or more Of these
clubs. which annually fan into social mood and or
game for the pleasure Of the ballet rather than the
work OF tho ballotbox. The great orders Of the
Masons and Odi Fellows and the minor secret societies
such the Rcd Men. share In the festivities OF tho
Winter. Almost lodge has its annual social re-
union, the pleasures. OF which confined 70 members
Of The societies and their lady friends. Various lodges
OF tho Father thew r. A. II. Society have zach their
annuIl ball German and Polish and French and Rus
balls have taken place this Winter at one of which
the opening dance OF the evening performed sy the
guests upon parlOr skates, and In which soner5aults
are IepOr,ed to been frequent than prou-
cites. Tao French cooks annually give remarkable
entertainment, AZ described in yesterday's TKIH-
UNR, ut which the supper rather than the dane
ing Is tho feature, and the eating IL more enjoyable
than tue wal zing And not only nave this class OF
peculiar RbOrJrs their peculiar entertainments but
similar onos are INDUCED In by the United Restaurant
Walters" tho JOurneymen Plumbers the Private
Coachmsu Qt which the line Is strictly drawn 30 as 20
exclude any unyeri5d licensed picbeian hackmen),
tho "J1uueymen Printers" mo rats" admitted The
Brewers" (who disdaiD association with any dis1ers
the "Coopers." and the independent 'Long5horemen"
(who refuse Ambulance to the "oDslavod" seamenl.
The etter-carrcrs OF the various citations have likewise
their social clubs. Tho Adams Express employee
those Of Lord & Taylor, and many other largo
manufacturing houses have like social organizations,
and in many other cases the Hrm5 give annual balls at
which tle flmines OF their employees only attend.
The great masq uerado balls those Of the tercle
Francois do Harmonic. the Aron, and tho Lederranz
Societies Tao first these has the reputation Of being
rather dsreputabe exhibition, and few respectable
ladies' attend but reputation Is worse than The usual
exhibitions on the annual nights OF the Association IL
attracts mainly by promises OF yusarlty, ana then
has the dishonesty TO bs half decent. Tho Arion So
ciey usually opens carnival with private masquerade
reunion at its CLUB rooms, and follows u with public
masquerade carly in February a. the Academy Of Music
The Loderkranz the great masked ball Of the season
t IL attended 10y the best classes OF citizens principally
Germans and Is noted for the richness OF it3 various
displays The utmost docOrum possible a. masquerade
Is maintained at the LederkrInz II tho guests were
gradually tonng down their hary to the putting on Of
the sackcoth aud ashes OF Lent.
The charity balls generally in the latter part OF
January and the first week OF February OF each year
The Roman Catholic Orphan Ball is reunion uudor the
AUSPICES OF the Catholic Young Mons Association, for
the benefit OF the EewYOrk Roman Catholic
Orphan Asylum. aud the annual proceeds 80
largely 70 support the institution. A smaller
charity ball for tho FREQ dspcnsary for sick children Is
ri zen annually Dclmonicos where II took place last
Monday The Infant Asylum hall for the benefit Of tho
institution No. a Clinton place, 81 only two sea
sons old Last year the most successful Of the
season. netting $4,000 profit and this year 1t *
ceed in social attractions and dress any ball which has
boon given this season. except that Of The great Charity
Bail for tho benefit OF the Nursery and Childs Hospital
which place last night aud tho net prodts OF which
are estimated at fully 10000.