New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-12
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE BALL.

bLNbRAL FLA | hLS bf liL BALL.
Whatever ITS success in other respects, the
first ball OF the always possesses Ia degree
the charm OF novelty and bellies OF many Winters look
forward to IL with something Of the feeling
Of maidens who have just come ont" Cos
tunes are sure 10 be new, aud faces which
before Lent will certainly look weary, st keep the
freshness Of the and tho mountains The first bali
does not usually attract large company later
events OF the fashionable Many who would DO
gad To not ready 10 begin the Winter eaycte-,
and the Society Of tho Crescent aud Cross suffered
somewhat from this last evening Ladies'
ana gentlemen were late In reaching the Academy, and
when the overture played, 1t feared that tho
attendance would be unfortunately small From
that time however, the numbers steadily aud
rapidly increased. The brilliant audience which
had listened TO the concert Of the Mendessohn
Club, at Chickeriug Hall, contributed after tho
conclusion OF the concert many dancers TO tho
ball When the march was played. no one
took the door, aud this usually picturesque scene
missed by the few who had then taken their places the
boxes. 1t wanted only few moments II II O'Clock
when the opening cnous Of the " Decliraton quad
rifle called TO their places the ladies gentlemen who
were TO open the ball There two sets only this
hrstquad.ile, eight couples IN each The dancers we're
a. follows:
FIRST sEr-Mrs r. " VAN and Mr. James Parker; Mrs
W H. Vanderbilt, MI Ward McA,ter; Mr. v K. Crcyor
vanderbilt; Miss Kernochan. Mr J. frons; Mas Y1naso
| Nr. Rodgers.
SECOND sEr-Mrs Bradley Martin Mr. G,rgiulo: Mrs,
| Walsh, Mr.. BALDWIN; Miss VAIL Mr. Bradley Martin;
Miss kemsen, Mr. q. Grant; Miss AlIamo, Mr. g. Ralh
| DR.. Webb.
No expects 20 see tho Academy very olabor-
atey decorated Tor bali isthere any spec al need
that II should be. Upn such occasion the brilliant
! costumes, which move over the door with
| constantly changing effects Of color are IN
| themselves the most costly aud varied dec
! Al mar Of ua n
stage and its scenery usually occupy arranged. - IL
aiYays Is for bail. to form par. OF Tire mann room.
Overhead tue tent covering 10 hide the fles,
aud the sides were set with quiet Interior
scene. At the back WAS a scene representing
landscape and directly front OF % $50, platform
with seats for the managers and dsti ei,hcd visitors.
often upon the anniversaries of historical significance,
or when llustrious guests from other countries have
/ been present at the Academy, the boxes have
been hung with hl-- and bunting. Last even
ing the only decoration Of tIs sort one
emblcmatc Of the society under whose auspices tho
ball was gwen; banner with the crescent ana cross in
red upon a white ground suspended from the cell
ing at the point whore tho curtain usually hangs
Around the curyng edge Of the dlncne-o0r under tho
balcony pciest-ls supporting urns hiird with
choice plants crescent and cross in g jets blazed
above the stage Aside from these few aIonments there
was no attempt at decoration.
There were two bands m attendance, Grafulia's and
LADDERS the former furnishing the promenade music.
ana the latter playing for the dancers promenade
naturally succeeded each dance, and hy the time
the first waltz reached tho loor was oc-
cupIcd by nearly 100 couples, and the boxes
were nearly all filed II va, remarked that tic noOr was
IN unusually excellent condition. well polished get not
too slippery. As tine evening wore o., the dancers and
the occupants TIE boxes visited the supper rooms n
increasing numbers. The caterer was Mr. Icrrln,
OF the Westminster Hotel, and be bad made the
naturally rather chcctle-s underground apartments
OF the Academy bright aud attractive The crescent
and the cross were sAowu wherever opportunity Of
fered and little Gags of all nations made tine gay.
Evcrgreens and p ns placed about the entrances
and flowers made bright aud fragrant the tables which
were beautifully supplied from varied hill u fare
However sorry dancers may be from charitable
point u view when their number Is small iar the
enjoyment OF the evening Is concerned they never
spused TO complain Tn loor last evening was not 80
crowded as render dgu ng difficult ana unsatisfactory
aud II vas by mt1us empty as 10 !ns' iEe appear
~ gaycty and pcturosqueness AZ about midnight
ball it, hight and a. the company Was late IN
arriving it late Iu departing, and the Latest
couples did not desert the Jor until after TIE TRIBUNE
u