The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-27
BUFFALO LITHIA SPRINGS.
A PHANTOM BALL-AN ENJOYABLE TIME-TuE
VISITORS.

| VISITORS.
| Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch]
AUGUST %, 1879.
In order to relieve the monotony OF
everyday life the visitors here determined
| last week to have some diversion, and the
ladies, who are ever fertile in expedients
and resources to vary the ordinary routine,
decided to have phantom ball."
1t came off last night, and at an early hour
the spacious ballroom and parlor were filed
with large and select crowd. Many who
had previously absented themselves from
the gaiety and pleasures which the dcvotees
of Terpsichore delight to enjoy honored the
place with their presence. At the appoint
ed hour the tranquility Of night rcigned su-
preme, the lights were dimly burning, the
band sending forth in weird and solemn
strains music which seemed to be but the
echoes Of Invisible spirits, when mysteri-
ously the appartions appeared robed in
spotleSs white, With form and features con-
cealed from view. The procession moved
silently around as grotesquely and gloomi-
" as possible, no one was known to the
other or recognizable by the spectators. As
Pope tcrsely expressed it, ..,.,..
For spirits freed from mortal laws, with ease
Assume what sexes and what shapes they please"
After the ghosts completed their prone
made the band struck up an old Virginia
reel, and the white-robed unknown entered
merrily into the dance. Other modes OF
stripping the light fantastic" were also in
dulged in. Occasionally some one not in
mask would approach one of the phantoms
as il revolving in bis mind what the great
bard Of Avon had written:
Be thou spirit of health or goblin damn'd, e.,
Bring with thee airs from heaven OF Dias's ifohi
BE thy intents wicked or charitable, .,,no
Thou com'5t in such q quesuohapie shape
That will speak TO thee"
Some amusing and laughable mistakes
were made, which seemed to be greatly en-
loved by those no were participants. After
having their hour of glorious life the phan-
toms disappeared almost rs quietly and
suddenly as they had made their entry.
Then the ballroom was brilliantly light
ed, and there soon appeared perfect ga
lazy of splendidly- dressed ladies', arrayed
in fashions latest style, sparkling with dia-
monds and precious jewels, and looking as
bright and beautiful and as cheerful and
lovely as the radiant splendor impaired by
their presence. OF course those indispen-
sable prerequisites for mutual enjoyment,
we'll dressed men, were there, devoted in
their attentions and gallant in their bear
ing-for - .,t.s
Fair tresses mans tmperious race insnares,
And beauty draws US by single hair"
The ball continued until late hour, and
there was only one opinion, which pro-
neunced it a decided success, and an occa-
sion long to be remembered. intended to
describe some OF the dresses and ornaments
displayed on the occasion, but when I
would make inquiries about what consid-
cred the most attractive. I would have this
remark: "0h! II you had Just let me
have known that you intended such re-
port j would have dressed so differently.
My other SILK is so much more elegant and
becoming to me. Please don't mention me
this time. but II you do, let me describe
my dress. u. Il, .s.,,s.,s...s esa-s,.7,s
) As this would occupy much time and
space, ! concluded to. omit this part alto
gether, and not being myself familiar, with
materials, trimmings. or even fashion, yo-.
cabular y absolutely necessary for me
to do so. s
This season has 80 far excelIed all pre-
yious ones In numbers, appearance, and