The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-16
THE FRENCH CARNIVAL.

As few people carried prayer books to the
Academy OF Music last night theie Is little need to
dilate upon the decline OF religion. In other
words, as the occasion was SIT apart for the
special purpose of enjoyment, AMI that OF charac
ter which ab0unds in attractiveIess there Is moth
ing lett but to chronicle the event as 1t occurred
and in truth merrier parW never thronged
the great building than that which at
tended the ninth annual fancy dress ball
OF the 'Cercle Francois de i Harmonie.n
Favored by all the racy elements that go to make
. masquerade agreeable-ior wanting q certain
amount of refined spice, it becomes bore-the
entertainment last night, in point Of numbers
humOr. completeness OF detail and general hilarity
by far surpassed any previous effort Of the
society. Everybody who goes to masked
ball has his own expectations, and in
speaking Of the success OF such amusements 1t
must be borne in mind that great deal depends
upon the pleasure which each individual derives
from the surroundings. Considering then, that
no feature was wanting to contribute to the de-
lights OF those who attended either from motives
OF curiosity TO participate in the fun, 1t may be
inferred that the. affair Afforded general satisfac-
ton. Excellent rules, kindly. though firmly, en-.
forced had the much desired eject of preserving
that decOrum without which the ball would have
been worse than failure. And it would
seem that the Committee OF Arrangements had
determined to do their utmost to please the pa
irons OF the society IN providing extra novelties
Tor the occasion. The Americans ore hard worked
people, and one or their unique pleasures visit
be w
dom to the sweet and strong feelings which the
human soul possesses, and which must somehow
reproduce much that rs fascinating in Europe
during carnival times. Kany of our social usages
eas a %nrg % d
vais which business people can spare, almost rival
the Efforts not Of artists Alone but OF populations
them the OdOr Of inspiration there Is much to be
thankful for. The "Cercle Francois de pHarmonie"
did wonders last night. It was generally under
stood that no EFFORT would be spared to render the
ball az acceptable as any affair Of the kind could be
made. The programme embraced quite variety
which, accompanied BY good orchestra, opened
the proceedings with selections from well known
opera oo,es, the masqueradcrs joining in the pro-
followed new quadrilles, with choruses entitled
ia File de Madame AngOt." noticeable feature
ae ss
At no previous entertainment of the society has
sucn q variety OF costumes been displayed. and
some and appropriate. II would be q superhuman
task to describe 1.-THE OF the characters
10 s's Snail Of that Persia sm re5sssa
tives were found. who left nothing undone
to make themselves amusing and Idiotic.
Of the ladies' i may be be sad IN 'G s
ness that they appeared In strong force; that
they were fascinating to an alarming degree
and entered into the spirit Of the occasion with all
the zest and activity that the most ardent ad-
mirer of the Mabile could desire. A suitable pro-
gramme OF dancing was arranged and well carried
ont Among some OF the artists who took part In the
zags and the RaynOr family, whose performances
were heartily enjoyed. Altogether the society
did Its work well. At midnight the ball was In
full swing, and there was then every prospect that
the merry multitude would continue In a festive
mood till .Jocund day stood tiptoe on the misty
mountain top.n