Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-02-21
the WASHINGTON BALL.


The PROGRAMME, THE
SUPER, &c.-A SUc-
CEssFUL AFFAIR.
In accordance with a custom OF many years
standing. the members of the Washington S. +.
l.. and H. x l.. COMPANY made their usual prep
aratons, this wear, 10 celebrate the anniversary
bIth day OF George, the Truthful" BY grand
ball. But the cycle OF time, in lis never Ceasing
round, was not so accommodating as usual this
year, and caused the 22d to fall on Sunday on
which night none of the good people living In
our moral little city would think Of participating
is ball Therefore last night was fixed upon |
Saturday night not being considered suitable on
account OF the convenient manner IN which 1t |
glIdes into Sunday morningJ as the time for the
! great event.
| Before nine O'Clock, carriages bagan to arrive
in front OF the Grand Opera House. and deposited
| their iair inmates upon the sidewalk, where nu-
merous gallants were in waiting to conduct them
To the reception rooms inside. Before half-past
| nine all the ladies were assembled, in readiness,
and preparations for the grand promenade were
begun.
The hall, for the occasion, was adorned with
RARE EXCELLENCE AND TASTE,
and was entirely free from gaudy decorations or
tinse display Wreaths and garands Of ever
greens were strung completely around the balco-
ny posts, openings being left, however, at the
three main entrances from the orchestra circle to
the dancing stage. The front Of the balcony was
ALSO wreathed with evergreens. The Stage proper,
W ullt tnc curtain was uOWn, ulspidyeu no uhusu-
al attractions. the only decorations being an Amer
lean flag at the left column, while at the right was
a handsome slk banner, belonging to the compa-
ny, which represented the Goddess OF Liberty,
. holding IN her hand the picture OF Washington
| with the inscription below, "Ihe Protection Of
Liberty and Property is our Aim" But suddenly,
at signal OF the bell the curtain rose, and scene
= OF
b ALMOST FAIRY-LIKE sPLENDoR
was presented to the delighted eye. Large vases
OF natural flowers were placed here and there with
artistic design and beautiful effect Besides the
multudinous, rare and lovely flowers growing in
almost native profusion, each vase was surmount-
ed with a magnificent white lily, rearing its deli
Il catey tinted leaves i'll almost regal splendor over
a its more lowly but still lovely companions. The
Il stage statuary adorned with wrealhs OF ever
=, greens and natural flowers The stage scenery
. was arranged to produce forest scene, and grand
: old trees apparently spread out their protecting
4 branches and smiled benignly upon their fora
;, companions beneath At the rear of tue stage a
y beautiful arch OF eyergreens was formed. largs
enough to allow couples to pass underneath, with
two handsome silver fire horns hung on eithe
IN side. few feet in front OF this arch was anoth
n er one, slightly reduced in size, but even NOR
h. beautiful IN appearance. Between the posts o
4 this arch shons iorth the name OF W ashingtop,
40 produced by hundred srllliant jets of flame
40 | while the whole arch was otherwise beautifed b.
TO silver FIRE horns, and surmountcd BY two magnit
as cent silver lamps. From this beautiful rctreat il
Iv few minutes, issued the dancers, who, p1ssin
under both arches, entered gracefully upon th
TIE GRAND PROMENADE
u The promenade, consisting of about n.net
1s- couples, was led of by Master of Ceremonie
'lr John Kennedy, accompanied by his fair partne
OIL Miss Ella Turner. As each couple passed out th
zee lady was presented with little beauty OF boz
Ills quet aud gorgeous ladies' programme, gotten u
ler at great expense in the right style of the orn
te mental and topographic art Inspired by Il
all lively notes OF the washington Grand March
Teh played by Rtchie's full orchestra in the ba
oony, the promenadsrs kept even time aud pac
and soon the entire stage presented scene
IN moving LIE and beauty. The gents were all
Inc fall dress, while the attires of tine ladies were
sic varied as they were beautiful and tasteful II
IL grand promenade over, dancing was commence
AZ and kept up with great zest until about III
~ ~ o'clock, when
,,s SUPPER WAS ANNOUNCED
zed The entire company then adjourned to Robinson
pn- dining rooms, opposite the Opera House, whe
nd. they partook of an excellent supper gotten up
the the best style Of the cGse art. All the delica
and tempting edibles that could be wished 1
we're provided, while the good taste Of those ha
sht ing this part OF the affair in charge was eyidenc
OF by the entire absence Of all wines from the tab
ing After supper, dancing was once more resume
OF and, with slight interinssions, was kept up un
ey far into the morning and then the tired ds
OF GERS reluctantly withdrew, signing to think II
rn- the past few hcuss OF pleasure had flown
cen swiftly, and that the Washington Compan
YES ball. for 1874, was thing of the past.
her Although the attendance was not so large rs
had previous occasions, can safely say that Il
lrs ball was success and so far as completeness
T. arrangements and the enjoyment of those pres:
1t are concerned, It exceeds any ball ever gwen
hat this company
ted, The horal decorations Of the stage were a tLe
'rn- of general praise and delight. The flowers a
aud evergreens were all furnished b. Mr.. Jacob
not Brown, florist, of South Wilmington, who a
at assisted the Decoration Committee in arrangi
theu un0u the stare