The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-25
THE OLD GUARD BALL.
BRILLIANT AssEMBLAGE AT THE ACADEMY OF
MUsIc-DIsTINGUIsHED CIVIC AND MILITARY

NORTHUMBERLAND CIVIC AND MILITARY
| GUESTS.
Calcium lights bazod in Fourteenth street, near Irv-
ing place, last evening, betokenng another event OF
| festive importance at the Academy OF Music. The
streets adjacent hed with male figures IN
military costumes, and where the cold winter starlight
did not add q lustre to the uniforms the artificial
light of tho caiciums made each badge and medal
sparkle and giow Carriages rolled up rapidly TO the
Irving and deposited their freighs OF
fair women and brave men, and before the city clocks
struck eleven the grand ball OF the "Old Guard was
fairy inauguraed. Entering the lobbies persons un
used to such could well imagine that they were
not In republican America, but witnessing some grand
reunion the Hotel dc VILE, In PARIS, under the
glores OF the Second Empire. There were the white
coated "Guards," IN their magnificent uniforms,
doing courteous service to their guests.
The entrance to the dancing door of the Academy
was through an avonue OF exotcs, the perfume OF
which illeI the air. aud the delightful strains OF the
music OF Downngs band prepared the visitors for the
enchanting scene which awaited them.
DECORATIONS
The parquctte OF course was ioored over. At the
further end OF the stage Swiss scene was set, in
which the shadows OF tho snow-clad mountains
reflected in trcmuious. opaline lights "a
the shimmorlng lake below. A narrow platform
that half Ind the lower part of the carly
filed by richly dressed ladies' ana their companions,
who watched as favored oncs court the arrival OF
the guests In front OF this platform, the stage,
the right and left, were placed two cannon, over
which were stacked muskets, making a picturesque
effect, although threatening one Tor OF the fair
but nervous dancers, VINO tremulously asked their
partners later in the dance whether tho guns
were loaded and would go Of The proscc-
mum boxes draped with national bunting,
in the centre OF which were banners aud shields
bazoned with insignia, indicating the States and mill
tary organizations 10 which the occupants OF each be-
ongcd. Above these boxes was circle OF gas jets,
tho centre the words, sod Guard, 1852 10 the right
and lett respectively were blazing letters, &C. GU
CITY Guard, and al. G."-Light Guard, with dates
1926 and 1885, corresponding TO the significance OF the
intials the meaning briefly being that tue Old Guard
is composed OF the City Guard and Light Guara and
their who chose 10 join the organlzation as well
any be elected who has served seven years
houorabiy IN the United States militia service.
THE OPENING PROCESSION.
Nothing could be beautiful than the cfiect OF
the opening procession The military balls of
the past decade were revived; sucn u miDghng OF
color has rarely been seen in the Academy except
the nights OF the carnival festivals, and expressions
OF admiration were everywhere heard 10 tho
quisite groupings anu effects.
The balconies and boxes were filled with the elite of
New York city In charming costumes, and during tho
progress OF the bali the visitors In uniform The
Phiadelpnis, Ballimore, Washington and Charleston
were represented. Al eleven O'Clock the procession
Was formed Cd. in M. Tho lobby and marched march
with Mrs. William King, and followed by
Major General Benham with Miss +. W. Morris, Major
General Carr with Miss Clussnan; Colonel Chamber
lain, OF the Third division, and Mrs. j. NJ Carter;
Captain \. n. Noyes, Of tho Boston Tigers, with
MISS Mclean; Captain W. A. Courtenay, or the
Charleston Light Infantry, with Miss Collins; Lieu
tenant Co!onel Montgomery with Miss Montgomery,
Captain J. t. Bailey, with Miss Maggie Carter fol-
lowed In the lead, aud about three hundred couples
made up what was generally admitted to be the finest
opening OF any ball OF the season. When the march
had been concluded sets were formed for the 'Old
Guard qaadrille" and the floor was at once filled with
dancers.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
Noticeable among those upon the floor and IN the
boxes ut this time were-Comrnander andiMrs. White,
United States Navy Brigadier General James H.
Bauvelt, Seventh brigade, Filth division; Colonel
Herman II. Tyler, National Guard OF Connecticut;
Recorder John X. Hackett, Lieutenant Colonel IL.
Beadle, Captain N. N. Noyes, oil Boston; Adjutant
General Cnnningha and stuT OF Massachusetts;
Parke Godwin, Brovet Major General h. NJ Benz
ham United United states Army; sraader General Wards
dence; Mayor Wilum ). Stokey, OF Philadelphia;
II. q Broiasky General Dakin and stan, OF Brooklyn;
Guard of Elizabeth, N. j.; Captain Z. p. Meeker,
United States Navy; Captain j. L. Braine and
Seorgs Noya" Boston Tssrs
Ex-Governor John T. Holman, Colonel George W.
Wnga,e, Major General Sanford, General Shaier and
sla, officers Of the Twenty second regiment, WASH
ngton light infantry, Charleston, Twentyseventn and
Ninth regiments, Lester WaliacK, General yoman and
Second brgaae staa G. A. Sterling, W. L. Connor;
Mr. Archibald british Consult ana Mrs. Archibald
Lieutenant Colonel Lienenan, United States Army;
Captain J. NJ Boyd, Theodore Moss, Colonel John L.
Broome United states Marine corps; Brlgader
General James Jourdan, Filth brigade, Brook
Ign; Br'gaaier General Ira Beebo, Baltszzi
Courtney, oil South Carolina; Major i.
NJ. Brown, Putnam PhaIanx, Hartford, Conn.
General Varian and stan, Third brigade; Lieutenant
Colonel Walin, First Massachusetts Infantry; Mrs.
Wetmore, S. l.. NJ. Barlow, A. y. Van Brun General
J. W. Singleton, Eugene Balm, the Misses Pomeroy,
g. Henry Witthaus, A. j. Dam, Colonel Josiah
Porter OF the Twcnty-second regiment; J. L. Allen
and vile OF tue American team, FIRE Commissioner
John J. German, John K. Hoagland, David Goeichos.
Mayor Powell and wife and daughter George Schultz
and vile and sister. Alderman Coc and daughter. W.
A. Pond, Adjutant q. b. Bostwick, John j. McLaren.
Governor
Rice OF Massachusetts,, were present IRON Boston,
Adjutant General j. A. Cunningham Colonel IL. q.
Parker. Colonel G. H. Campbell, Coionel John H. Rice,
Colonel Il. q. Stevens Major Hugh Cochrane and
others. Also Captain Ohm L. stevenson, Commander
OF the Ancient and Honorable Artillery. Boston Major
Dexter IL. Follett, Commander OF tue First Cavalry
Battalion OF Massachusetts,, including the National
Lancers, Boston Light Dragons, Roxbury and
Churiesto town cavalry companies.
The ball was declared To be the most brilliant ono
ever given by the Old Guard, and In all respects
most gratifying success 1t was not until the
sna hours" began 10 lcnghen that the last strains
OF the beautiful Blue DANUBE" died away and the
ball end.