The Portland daily press., 1875-12-18
The Centennial Bali.

The local reporter in these latter days comes
to look upon himself as several hundred years
old, SO many centennial celebrations does he
attend. 1t is not often his lot, however, to
look in upon pleasanter party than that
gathered in City Hall last evening. Despite
the varying weather AMI unpleasant walking
there was good, though not large attendance
Considering that from the nature of the case
centennial balls are only given once in hun
dred years it does seem as though people
might put themselves to little more trouble
than they are willing to take ordinarily, apd
not permit a snow-squall scarcely suffi, ent to
powder their hair to interfere with their going
to ball once in a century. The floor was lib
orally sprinkled with dancers, and the galleries
well filled with spectators Whatever may
have been wanting in attendance, nothing else
surely was lacking Ito the success of the affair.
The assemblage was brilliant and apparently
happy one. Many elegant dresses were
worn, some of the ladies being attired in CO.'S
tunes that had about them suspicion of the
old Republican Court, and wearing their hair
powdered after the fashion of old days. The
platform, from which Chander's string band
furnished delightful dance music during the
evening, was tastefully draped with the nation
al colors Upon each end was booth, one for
the sale of flowers and centennial medals. the
other devoted to the display and sale of ceLten-
NAL tea-cups. The hall was perfumed by
means of two handsome crystal fountains
decked with flowers. These were kindly fur
nished for the occasion by Mr.. Henry Jones
from his establishment on Plum street. Of
@1,oH ela,,o T. E., De-,
ham and his wax had been there. The ball
opened with the dancers" and an order of
twelve dances was gone through with. Be-
tween dances the people strolled and chatted,
and bought medals and flowers, and sauntered
into the refreshment room.
The refreshment room deserves mention by
itself. In Reception Hall long table was
spread, ornamented with fruits and flowers,
and loaded with dishes which would tempt st.
Anthony or Dio Lewis. Those who, like Car
lyle for the first twenty years of his life.
were fortunate enough not to have discovered
that they possessed stomachs and were free
from that peculiarly American malady which
the fathers and mothers have handed down as
part of our glorious heritage, devoted them
selves to the pleasures of that table with no
fear of the morrow; and it is apprehended that
some of the less fortunate ones were tempted
beyond prudence. The coffee deserves praise
as warm as the beverage itself. 1t is only
about once in hundred years that man is
fortunate enough to get good cup Of the decoc-
ton Of the fragrant Arabian berry, Carl Schurz
should insert in his centennial thoughts"
a jeremiad over the degeneracy of our coffee
makers But in another direction he could
find no cause of complaint. Certainly hun
dred years ago America furnished no such
waiter girls as those who clustered about the
little tables last evening bearing paper napkins
blazoned with the portrait of Washington.
Even the beautiful 'Dorathy O." of DR..
Holmes would have been compelled to strike
her colors to them-and that is what the red
coats could not force her to do.
The affair was one of the pleasantest and GER
tainly the most brilliant of the season, and it
is to be hoped that the ladies' centennial COM
mittee realized from it a substantial addition
to their funds. This afternoon the children
take their turn and give fancy dress party at
the hall. 1t will be a delightful affair of
course. for the youngest people of Portland are
among the brightest and most enterprising.
The elders are requested to send in refresh
ments for the table, This will be the last OPP
portunity to buy those pretty centennial cups
and saucers, and what prettier Christmas or
New Years gift for father or mother can the
children get than the centennial tea and break
fast cup? The doors will be open from two to