New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-16


DRFsssD.
The bali given last evening at the new
Armory of the 7th Regiment was re-
garded as successful. The building, with
the exception of the main hall,
was proiusely decorated. The attendance
! was large, it being estimated that 5000 per-
SONS were in attendance. The dancing began
about 1890 o'clock and continued far into
the morning. Many handsome costumes were
worn by ladies.
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE BALL.
SCENES wHRN THE GUEsIs BEGAN TO ARRIVE A
LOOK AT THE HALL WHEN THE DANCING WAS
IN PROGRESS
All that music, flowers, wine and the presence
| of a brilliant assembage could do went
to make the New Armory Ball of the 9TH
Regiment last night success. The lofty
| arch of the richly tinted roof looked down
scenes far different from those usually witnessed
in an armory. In place of squads of men marching
and concentrating in rigid lines, elegantly
| attired women elded across the floor or whrled
about in the intoxicating measures of the waltz
Instead of the ring of muskets, and short. sharp
words of command. the murmur of many voices
and silvery peals of laughter from the groups
collected about the hall.
1t was estimated that 5000 people present.
bot the vast expanse of the drill-hall ntained
them all without the slightest crowdiDg. The as
sembly was exceedingly picturesque and beautiful.
The brilliant and varied uniforms of the officers
present fairly rvalled the gorgeous costumes OF the
ladies' 1t almost relief TO turn
from the glitter Of gold lace and the
flash of jewels to the plain black of
a civilians coat. The music. both from the regi-
mental band and the orchestra, was fine, and Del
bia no Iha
careful provision was made for the reception and
comfort of the guests. and, comparatively speaking,
the annoyance attendant upon crowded dressing
rooms and balls was materially lessened.
II about half past when the first carriage
drew up before the Fourth-ave. entrance, and few
coaked and hooded forms stole up the passage
underneath the awning and entered the dressing
rooms quietly. as if ashamed to be early. Even
then The vestbue filled with officers Of the 9TH
Regiment who members Of the different COM
mttees Their gray uniforms, with white
bullion epaulets aud polished belts, contrasted
strongly with the dark suits and sable faces of
the negro attendants who stood about
wearing 9TH Regiment" on the front of
their glazed caps. Occasionally a waiter with
immaculate white tie and look Of intense impor-
lance on his face hustled by on his way TO the sup
per-rooms or meeting brother knight of the nap
kinpaused to sputer out strange mixture of French,
German and English. The great hall still
dimly lighted. In the semi-twlght that prevailed,
the lights burning in the musicians stand at the
east end shone the draperes of bunting until the
whole looked like fairy grotto The finishing touches
had been put to the decorations. and every OF
the activity that prevailed during the day had dis
appeared. Here and there officers attendants or
musicians stalked across the floor, casting a last
look ut the separations for the event.
o,ol Nd ,rIO
in the dressing-rooms unwilling TO venture out,
found their numbers perceptibly increased. In the
ladies' reception room stood huge mass of flowers
surInounted by floral umbrella, which was con-
stanty the centre of an admIring crowd. Soon the
carriages began 10 come thick and fast. Outside
the awnings shiyerlng i'll the chilly wind that
sweep down Fourth-aye., and kept back by
policemen, crowd was collected watching
he arrivals, and specializing upon their dress. Oc-
casondlly they rewarded bY the CLINT OF the
light upon gold lace, the flash Of jewel or theslght
OF bit of snowy lace pceping oui under jealousy
drawn wraps. The cold ana the tattered clothing
of the htte children who huddled together seemed
forgotten IN this taste of the scenes Of warmth
aud magniicence which were to them forbidden
ground. Even at tho very d00r two or three httle
fellows covered outside In the corners tacitly per-
United by the policemen. engros,ed in watching he
guests and catching what they could OF the'scenes
within.
About half-past there was a snap and flash and
the hundreds OF burners III tie great hall broke cut
into night. The few couples scattered about the
sides Of the hall pacing up and down the floor
looked positively lonely and isolated. Bat steady
stream began pour out from the dTessiug-rOOms.
Lingering little to admire the palms ana beautiful
stands of flowers the vestbule the guests passed
into the hail. which took more animated
aspect. In the vestiDue long flies OF patient men
walted their turns at Jhe courtroom. tantaiized by
the sight of NOR: fortunate friends promenadng up
and down III faultiess attire with ladies' on tnelr
arms. The corridor on the secOnd-H0OT was filed
with couples who were going from one TO another
of the elegant company rooms, adnTing the iowcrs
Had he. gt.ta md lhA ma 70
AS the time cTcpt the seats around the hail and
IN the galleries began to be filled, and belt Of
prOmenaOers TO extend about the hall. The orches
ira OF seventy pieces under the leadership OF q.
Wegaud. took It's place III the stand AT tue east end
while the upper gallery at the west was occupied
BY the Tegbental band under &. ". Nernlg. There
were forty pieces only in the small gallery
as there was not room for the full band
of ffty-Gve pieces. About twenty minutes OF IL
Wern0 waved his baton and the band crashed out
INTO the opening piece, grand march" The Ma
tional Guard.' The number OF promenaders
came forward to JON the lire until the
bali was completely encrced with
gray, black and blue coats. But It was evident that
the covering over the musicians gallery had not
rendered tho acoustic properties of the hall perfect
for an pleasant echo marred the effect of the mu
sic, especially In the solos.
The first dance the programme the
lsncers Soon the polished eXpause of the
wide floor was checked our into Squares In a few
minutes every was nearly mOtlonless, except the
energetic members OF the floor committee who
darted to and fro filing up sets. Then the first
OF the orchestra SCUM edout. Everything was
changed as If by magic. 1t was like look
ing into Kaleidoscope when the first tune
is given. The uniforms and the dark
coats quickly changed their places, while
the long trans swept gracefully through he move
ments of the dance Back ward and forward moved
the figures that tbickly dotted the floor. In
the intervals sheepish men twisted
their orders of dancing and gazed
earnestly at their Shoes struggling for something 10
say ii heir holder comrades carried on ardent fir
tations, whispering soft nothngs into the tar faces
that dropped almost 20 their shoulders. Al last the
dance came to an end The ladies were escorted TO
their seats, while the regimental band broke into
another march.
Soon waltz followed; and this furnished the
best opportunity for reviewing the floor. Looking
down from the upper gallery, there was presented
most brilliant and beautiful scene. In the gal
Levy onnosite and along the sides Of the ball,