New-York tribune., 1875-02-05
OHARITY'S CARNIVAL.

THE GREATEST BALL OF THE SEASON
. TIE CHuD's NURSERY AND HOSPITAL BALL THE
LARGEST AND MOST MAGNIFICENT EVER SEEN IN
NEv-YoRK-AN IMMENSE ATTENDANCE OF DIS
,rxartsHFn CHESTS - BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF
NOVEL DECORATIONS AND NEW DRESSES.
The Charity Ball for the benefit of the Chlld's
Nursery and Hospital last night was not only the
greatest social event of the season. and the most
successful ball of this year, but it would be little
xaggeration TO say that it the largest and most
magnificent ball ever seen in New-York except pos
sibly on occasions of the visits of distinguished
foreign guests Certainly no ball for several years past
ean be compared with it the essentials which go to
make a ball observation-disclosures of toilets,
numbers Of distinguished guests aud beauty of
decorations. The spacious theater was filled almost
70 suiocation with The most prominent people of the
city, Although the ball was opened later than was
intended, the boxes aud nearly the whole balcony
circle seats were largely filed when the dancing
began. at 1O} o'clock. And where 10 years
before half dozen couples opened the
festival at this hour over 40 couples
took part in the first quadrille; and
in the first valse the floor was incOnveniently
crowded. The managers appear by the ample prep
arations made. to have been sangniIe Of the great
attendance, but certainly not too sanguine. This
ball for years past has paid fI0m $4,000 to $4,000
net profl-tlc largest income was in 1870 when the
profit reached SloG1. L tho early reports OF the
tcket-seers and treasurer can be fully credited as
basis for the calculation the profits of last nights
festival must reach $4,000
A bracing, even cold but d'y air. added TO the
other attractions Of the ball travelling was so fine
that it becare m iuducement TO attendance. and
thus Nature combined her AID with that of society
10 make chari;y's display a triumph. This accounted
not little for the early attendance at
the Academy. Two or thee carriages Were
Il front OF the building aud dozen
~ more couples stood in the dooTwayS when the
doors were opened at nine o'clock From that time
forward continual stream Of gIes,, poured into
the building and rs stated elsewhere, many boxes
and seats were filed.
The opening march was not played until nearly
lalf past 10 o'clock The opening had been adyer-
Used for hall past Q, but 10 found impossible as
on former occasions 10 Ell the floor with respeeta-
oie numbers at such an hour. and the delay of an
hour followed. But at half past TO, Arthur Leary
and Mrs Dubois aiding forty-two couples marched
upon the stage aud promenaded twice around it,
hnally forming the several sets of the first qua
1rie.
The spirit of mirth seemed generally prevalent.
Everybody seemed in unusually good humor with
themselves and each other as well, and as a conse-
1uence conversation in the boxes aud dancing on
the floor were equally lively.
Most of the balls this season have been marked by
the fact that few ladies ana a great many gentle
non have attended Bdt it was observed that last
1ight few gentlemen attended unaccOmpanied by
.adles and the consequence was that the dancing
vas of a lively character.