The New York herald., 1875-02-12
THE LIEDERKRANZ BALL.

SASto eoSicty, 50 W speak. Inc fTeuC0 Dali StlIs
the fever in the blood OF age or adolescence. as
the case may be. The Charity ball rustles graver
sensibities and propouuds the solemn question
as TO what clothes we shall wear In the life to
come and whether immortality will be worth
wnle unless confined to the best society.
The Jewish ball relates TO the hidden senses
OF antiquity, and makes society arise to the nov
city OF something old. stately, and cosmopolitan.
Lastly. there Is our Liederkranz. the noblest OF
bdtS n'asQues. II Is known by name throughout
the United States. Occasionally 1t becomes
summer ball. and IN some portion OF our suburbs
absorbs miniature park, lights in the green
grass, dancing floor. fountains and hooks OF
arbor. But every winter, certain and sure. 1t is
ushered in at the Academy, and all other mas
queraders this side OF the Atlantic retire from
consideration In the light Of Its re.
spectabilitv, bounce, numbers and sub
stantlaty The whole framework and underpin-
ming OF the ball is the Liederkranz Society ITSELF
The memoers meet every week and know each
other. Their patrons and associates become dis
tngulshed from the flying mass OF people and
simulate in general appearance. The true follower
OF the Liederkranz explains himself ana requires
no credentials. About this ball gathers the whole
German tradition OF numor, mystery, surprise,
delicate asslgnation, whatever the old poets and
painters conceived OF the bal masQue in Its
Knightly, civic, semi.feuda relations.
Last night the Academy OF Music was made
brilliant by this superb ball. 1t had been dread.
iul day for scet, sush and slipperiness; but that
made no difference to the great multitude which
had been dreaming OF the LieherkranZ, preparing
dresses, selecting partners and arranging to meet
society in general and renew greetings. The
price OF tickets was nigh enough 10
make the company pecuniarily select. Fiji
teen dollars was thought the democratic
Gr,r
and tickets had to be purchased PRIOR to the night
OF the ball under decisive restrictions, and from
not more than twenty leading citizens OF German
birth or origin. AS compensation for so much care
ana Iiscretl0n the bali began early with dancing,
az az. nai.past nlne oclocs Az that hour the splen-
and the ta6leau was unolded with huzzas OF sa:is-
iactlon' lcu while the many sets hurried to their
places and the thunder OF their feet put
voluntarily nay, gladly, into motion, warmed up
the night from the commencement. Then ensued
an tue versatility ana genus OF the bal masYae
IT Is ndigenousy-tne contrariety irrelevancy,
color, glitter aud anacnronism and suggestlveness
o! ever hurryng. peering, unsatislying eyes,
compiacenty SSilM ent segregated from the lace 10
whom they we're anS Turned Me pe pm
haps, in some nuttering breast was elt
Ss na the strange disguised
tyrant who had fathomed the design or its VIC
TINS escape to the ball, ana had silently appeared
word, but with It's cold, shrouded ewes looking
things remOrseless. Again IN the masculine
breast some miracle resided in the proximity OF two
changeless orOs, when were ever at hand, moist,
meiancnoy nna or merry, refusing to be identl-
ing, penetrating, reminding. This is the glory
OF the odt nsdSQue, aud Tor its opportunities OF
DRAMATIC M effect the composer selected It for one OF
MS quainteSt operas Where confidence exists,
| such domestic and parental confidence as more
usually attends old races and old society than IN
! masked ball Is most joyously and ingenlOusly ap-
preciated; pres Numbers OF the same iamily man and
hand but independent, seek out their
afl!llatt0ns, touch hands, dance ana whisper
ana, ana taen retire, perhaps to recognize the un-
known acquaintance Ol tne night when the masks
are removed and at Will continue the favor OF the
smcognuo or by colder smile dismiss the ac-
Sucn pleasant casualties in the Ltederkranz
ball might have suggested the recitation which
one oI the poets OF the occasion put IN loose Eng
sh numbers last night souvenir OF the bal
mdsQue. II the English /: rougher than the
original German the haste Of the translation vii
be Its apology
A ,LiEDERknANz GREETING, 1875.
As from the throng OF moving masks
- drew space apart;
oIy ny ~ my yin imperiee, peri, art
And through her domino saw
Two so regarding eyes.
Strange did they seem but still I felt
Her voice no mischief spoke,
And knew Il, when woman's hand
esssfd yeiss nsse9 sS %f heaqs 9% psiGrs ss5 cloak
s.i spt ,,3, mSs sincere SIM ere ana a sweet s ors
Clasp hand III hand anu meet :"
"Fair Domino said, "indeed.
Unmask before you 30,
And tell your trouble in my ear
II itrembe Tor the virgin years.
You We're II the .sS SUBJECT ,u Of my fears,
The idol OF my dream"
"And did never know your love,
When then. perchance mr heart,
Like yours, was painting Tor shrine-
-No, mine was . ali the pleasant pain,
To that still when 4 child,
FOLLOW your career"
my husband na;,v d. seeks eel us Nay' You mu'sl
strong mans hand came frankly forth,
'In donors path Goa Tfep you lons~
these manly sounds heard
Our iavoritc Household wordT.
They vanished in the moving throng,
And lett me wondering quite
Until heard my coinradc say:
ITO guess" said. were IruiiIess task,
But, ii they come masque,
Two angels spoke to me-"
Not the least interesting features o. the Lieder.
crapZ pail are such jeuL d'eSprtS as the above
whicn IN French. German or English are tnrown
on and frequently preserved IN the commonplace
Last night the brilliant lights, rich costumes,
wide play or iancy anu perfect repose and
each other made scene and an atmosphere very
creditable TO the native and foreign society wncn
mingled in the Lledercranz celebration, aud gave
this bali dtStt'IguG and cordial character entirely
unknown in the ordinary miscellaneous balls Of
Continental capitals. The music OF itself illus.
trated our artistic resources. The merry Order
exhibited our civilization and our bonhomie.
SUDDEN CHANGE.
From the Craftsman" to the Llcderkranz ball Is
IKE a change OF scene from Palestine to BraOant.
from Bale to Wagner, from the crescent to the
spiked helmet, from 'Tamoourgi' TO ''Zwe lagern
or rom Arthur MathsOn to Ernst PfeifIens cider
Yet only twenty -four hours Intervened between
the two events. The Germans regard the Jolly
prince as q parsonage to be approached in no
FAMILIAR manner. out they prepare Tor his annual
visit with solemn earncstness and gravity or
demeanor that TO the mind OF the dis
Interested looker.on seems to preclude any
idea OF un. Take the most lud,crous
costumes on the noor, which would provoke
smile IRON ST. Slmon Stylites himself. ON each OF
those leariully and wonderfully made costumes
committee has sat (ngurauvely speaking, OF
Course), sometimes the entire family, IRON the
grOsSrater to the kieinsteS Kind; Ou other Occa-
sions members OF the society in solemn co nclave
assembled. over each detail OF the costume there
are not discussions, ana when the wearer is iuy
equipped there Is little chance ior his Ur her most
envious rival 10 lind laut.
10 ia mn