The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-02-20
The Harqnerade Ball.

Mr. EDITOR: The Masquerade Ball
on last Friday evening, being as novel
an affair to our people, as it was agreea-
bic to the votaries of Terpsichore, for
| the entertainment Of those who from the
inclemency of the weather were unable
to join the merry dance, l beg leave to
make a few comments on some Of the
characters personated. The first that ri
ses in my memory is the Bride in her
white tarlatan and flowing veil; queen
ly and graceful she moved through the
mazes of the dance. The Queen of Night,
T in her lustrous black dress eIaboratelv
spangled, claims more than q passing
notice. We noticed another lady SINH
LARRY attired, but we're unable to learn
the character she personated General
and Martha Washington excited a great
deal of interest. The old General in
his swallow-tail coat and knee breeches.
with his powdered hair, was an especial
favorite among the ladies. Lady Wash
ington's toilet was faultless, with tri-
fling exception; if she will pardon the
criticism; methinks the old lady is new
er represented with quite so much cap
border; it may have been adopted to eff
feet more perfect disguise. The Swiss
Peasant and the Scotch Peasant were
very attractive personages. The Swiss
girl in her unassuming garb cancelled
her identity most adroitly. The High
land plaid of the Scotch lass, with her
flowing mantle, plaid stockings and red
slippers made her costume perfect. The
Quakeress plain and quaint, in her grey
muslin and quaker bonnet, was pleasing
The little drummer girl, in crimson and
black velvet, was 1.-the as Fairy The
Gipsy Fortune Teller was we'll portray
ed; her dress though gay and elaborate
was faultless i'll taste. She handled her
tamborine with some skill, but we fam
cied we were robbed of some fun, by her
reticence in her mission of fortune tel
ling. A few had their destinies read
from the palm of their hand, but many
more were disappointed that they were
less favored. Every one was delighted
with the little Sailor Boy and the youth
full Soldier. Last though not least, the
Sister of Charity, modest and retiring,
excited intense curiosity. Who is she?
was heard on all sides Despite the eff
| forts to ''find her out" she remained un-
recognized until she unmasked Many
remarks which have been the occasion of
considerable merriment, have been made
in regard to the character by scrupulous
persons, who are more lacking in COM
mon sense, than malicious Judgment; but
no body has been hurt by them I
would here remark, that, that and SINH
! lar characters are so often assumed upon
such occasions, that little else, than be-
trayal of ignorance is effected by the
would d-be-censurers. But that l would
not occupy too much of your valuable
columns, might describe the toilets of
a host of ladies, who displayed exquis-
lite taste in their arrangements. l re-
gret as much cannot be said for the gem
/
tlemen. This being the first masquerade,
many of the participants imagined to
effect h disguise, however ungainly, was
the only object desired. We trust when
the year will have donned the fiowery
garb of spring we may be regaled with
another masquerade ball, when we shall
hope to see, besides the gifted and ac-
complished bellies of our own village, the
host of strangers who were prevented
being here on Friday evening. Many
thanks are due to the gentlemany mana
gers, Messrs Weaver, Levitt, Darst
Yost, and others for their efforts to make
the entertainment a success. How well
they succeeded was amply attested by the
expressions of gratifed pleasure which
were re-echoed by every one present. =
If an observer may be permitted to of
fer suggestion, might 1 advise that
spectators be enjoined to refrain from
unpleasant comments. 1t is certainly
embarrassing to lady to hear hel
name called out, or to listen to some ex-
preston of recognition from the bystan.
ders. 1t occurs to me well bred lad y
or gentleman would scarcely indulge ir
snch petty malice. What do you think
Mr.. Editor? OBSERVER.