The daily gazette., 1879-02-22
The Thirty-Ninll.

of this city, took place last evening in the
auditorium of the Grand Opera House,
with great ecidt.
Early in the evening people began to
wend their way slowly up Market street
and In fact along every street that would
land them at the Opera Bouse, and If a
solitary pedestrian was to wonder where
all the people were going, he had but to
stop and inquire, when the answer would
be readily given, "to the Washy ball.
Long before 10 o'clock, the Opera House
WAS packed, with persons, who, judging
fiom the eagerness and expectations
which was strongly marked upon their
faces, expected something great, and
they were not disappointed.
To say that the affair was a success,
would only he speaking the truth, as IL
was a great success, such a one that all
who participated will long remember,
especially the members of the Company,
who can now say, 1--WE have given the
largest ball that has ever taken place in
the City Of Wilmington, or the State of
Delaware"
The arrangements were perfect, aud
the decor atoms were of such art stic
beauty, that it is almost Impossible To de-
scribe them. Upon entering the audi
torum the visitor was almost immed-
ately spell bound with the briliiancy of
he scene before him. First, the larg.
floor shone like polished gla,s, from The
thorough waxing 1t had undergone, and
here is but little doubt that when the
dancers saw ii, they became eager to be
upon it tripping the light fantastic toe.
The decorations. well it Is almost impos-
sible TO describe then. First, around
1.-THE walls, was gracefully ooped what
seemed to be ali almost endless line of
eveIgreens, both below and in the gallery.
The gallery pos were also covered with
| evergl eens, with small American flags
woven in, which produced bright effect.
Around the front of the gallery, be-
tween graceful loops Of twinir & EVER.
greens, were arranged thirteen tri-colored
shields, bearing the names ofthe thirteen
original States. But the acme OF decoia-
tions was reached In the arrangement of
the center piece. From the dome of the
hall, were large number of evergreen
ropes, lea ing to, aud attached to the
side walls, which for artistic dropping,
would be exceedingly hard to initiate. A
short distance below the dome was sus-
pended large globe covered with blue
paper, containing hundreds of bright gold
ell stars, which was intended to represent
the firmament. Still lower down hung a
arge fairy basket made entirely OF ever
| green's. As guard large EeAvy rope OF
eveigreens was stretched nom post to
posi-, in order to protect the dancers from
! falling from the floor. Oil paintings and
golden cages con- aiming sweet little song
ster., we're displayed, ana suspended
at various points Of the gallery font.
| The lower private boxes were adorned
| with flags and oil paintings, in front of
one Of them being large and handsome
oi painting, of the father OF our country.
But, behold the curtain is rung up, and
the scene that is presented almost beg
gars description. The scene set was
/ garden, and q veraida was erected for
those who participated in the march, to
walk along, and then down a pair Of
sta rs 10 the stage. In the center oI the
stage was erected "a large double ever
green arch, above which was gas jet
bearing the name "Washiugton." b low
the jet was a marble bust OF Washington,
a shield aud two large flags, and from he
center Of each arch was suspended fairy
woven IN the evcrgreens were small flags
and number of stars, producing an ef-
feet that was very pleasing To the eye.
l AT 1920 the band struck up the grand
march, and Master OF Ceremonies, MIR.
Lewis Sasse and wife descended the
steps Fl, III the veIanda, and appeared
upon the floor. They were followed by
Floor Manager Geo. Leech and wife,
then the members Of the various commit
tees, ami their ladies. For at least fif-
Teen minutes the participants continued
to desc-nd the steps until there wrre
three hundred and three couples upon
the floor. After all were upon the floor
the Master of Ceremonies marched cut
the centre aisle and was followed by all
the rest. In the lobby they separated
, one couple going one sida, and the next
the other. They then marched IN the
side doors and back upcn the floor.
During the first intermission the hand
some frame which has been on exnibi-
tion during the past few days in the win
dow OF Greenman's paper store, contain
ing a set of resolutions, and the photo
graphs of AZ members of the company
was carried upon the stage, and Mr..
: Lewis Sasse introduced TO the visitors OF
. the Washington Fire Company OF Con,
shohocken, Pa, 5. A. Macallister, Esq.
who on behalf of the home company pre-
sented the frame TO the visitors in a few
! brief and appropriate remarks. 1t wa'
: received OH behalf Of the visitors by MIR.
Daniel Ross of this city, but member
of the Conshohocken Company.
The visitors numbering about 10 were
C met at the depot by band, and escor e,
, to the Lafayette Hotel, where supper
was prepared for them.
q COMPANY C's CONCERT, DRILL AND RE
CEPTloN-PROAoTIoN &C.
The second grand concert, drill ant
r reception of Company q, DUPONT Guards
f came of in their arIuory and IN Web
3. ster's dancing academy, Masonic Tempt.
" last evening" and was largely attended Il
t The armory was handsomely decorated
" with flags and pictures, and at the heat
J of the room was placed target surround
s ed by signal flags, supported by stack
E rifles on each side, aud udsuIinounttd oy
! large national flag, with portrait o
- President Lincoln gracefully festoohea
70 in the. centre. In the background wei'
a, national and State flags, tastefully ar
ranged.
= Shortly after eight o'clock short IN
\, pleasant concert was given by Hassler,
orchestra, of Philadelphia, after. whltI
III the company gave an eXhlDltloh urii
Is under I'll able management oil Captai
-, Curtis The drill was pronounced IN
L Al