The New York herald., 1877-02-13
BRIDEW ELLIS BALL.

THE COMPLIMENTARY DANCE AT THE NEW
YORK OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SWEET u. l.
AND D. I. I."-PGETTY WOMEN FLIRTING
MEATH PRISON WALLS
At halpast nine o'clock last cvening, and just when
tho wind exerting all the blow and kcenncss OF
politician there a crash Of music upon Blackweis
Island which ushered in tho grand complimentary ball
given by the officers OF the New York Pcntentary to
their families and friends. The especial occasion was
the inauguration OF the new pavilion, workshop, IN
which the festive dance held. So far as
attendance was concerned the ball, when at its mazy
height was a great success. ana to rank
among tho social events of the Over 700
people we're present The programme included thirty
Dances beginning with the grand march dedicated to
tho officers OF tho New York Penitcntiary, including
the usual quadrilles, lanciers, polkas schottsches
galops reels and redowas, and having for especial
promenade arranged In honor Of the Comms-
s,oncrs Of Public Charities and Correction. II wound
up with the usual "Homc Sweet Home" strain.
One spot of pulsatng light and warmth there
was. like heart OF molten gold IN all the bleak strip
Of penentia reform, and lor all the rcst there
frowning walls OF PRISONS workhouses, charity hos.
paIs and luna'ic asylurns just outside the pavilion,
whero the brave men and fair ladies were having u
rout beneath hammered ROOT, and in the blaze OF
dozen so OF tasieIuy arranged coal oil lamps
rose the sullon mass OF the pcnitcntiary, in
whose inhospItab.c hall bedrooms lay iclons
all grades, listening to the mad music, having RIP
png laugh borne TO them perhaps by the tauntIng
gale-a augh that broke through the burs Of the slit
u window and stole into their reInorsefu dreams.
when the wind veered the lunatics got gust Ut tho
eayety and giDbered their sleep sanity flashed its
wan face for moment into their slumDcr Surely
then there couldn't he better place to have bali than
upon Blackwcll's Island.
PAVILION
Warden Fox informed the reporter that the house in
which the dance was held was threo stories high lao
feet iong and Az feet WIDE 1t has just finished
recciviup brilliant baptism last nivht
cpal Industry which will be devoted will tho
manufacture of all wagons used by the Department
OF Charities and Correction particularly the prison
vans 1t was made entirely by convict labor, and all
rock used its construction quarrled on the
Island IL Is the intention to educae this structure
to some trade the young men who sentenced TO
long terms Of Imprisonment. Last evening tho
dancing hall, which Is on the second loor beaut-
fully decorated by means OF the flags loaned for the
occasion by the department Tho amer OF the free
seemed 10 have sin2uarly ncongruous position
under the circumstances, but none the less was tho
elect elaborate
AT Irs HEIGHT.
At midnight the BlackwelIs Island ball was In tho
zcuith OF its glory. 1t then possible 10 OBTAIN an
idea OF who present. The gigantic Commis soner
Brennan whose heart ruinor says Is little In pro-
portonate Of his size, volunteered much valu-
able Information to the purposes OF the building and
the people present. We noticed in the gay throDg
Warden John NJ Fox aud wife, tho latter
charmingly arrayed; Dr. Parsons, Medical sa-
iaire. OF the workhouse, wife and family
DR.. Kitchen and wife; Deputy Warden DAILY fof the
Workhouse and family; Warden Vought and family
John +. Flager. General storekeeper, and family
Mr.. Joraemon. Steward OF the Luhatic Asylum and
Deputy Wardens Miner and Bowlcs. Many New York
gentlemen were present, conspicuous among them
being Colonel Mo!yncux Bell Oi tho Old Guard; Mr.
Henry Leslie and Mr. A. Fallin real society butter
fly. Among the ladies many charming toettcs were
noticeable.