The daily gazette., 1880-02-21
The "wasny,s" ror.letn Ban.

A SCENE OF BRILLIANcY AT THE
OPERA HOUSE, LAST EVENING FIVE
HUNDRED AND SEVEN COUPLES ON
THE GRAND MARCH THE VISITORS
PRESENT.
Ever since the Washington Fire Com
pany announced that their fOrtieth an
nual ball would take place In the audi
torium, of the Grand Opera House, on
Friday everiug, February 20th, expecta-
tions have been rife, and many were the
conjccturps as regaIds the total number
of couples that would pal aiticlpate ~ the
Grand March. For the past three or
four y, ars there has EXISTED friendly
feeling Of rivalry betw cen the Washing
tonFire Company and the Shields Libra
ry Association as TO who could give the
largest ball, that Is, who could put the
largest humber OF couples Oh the march.
Previous TO This year the "Wsshy" boys
always came out ahead, but now The
Shields Library Association lead them,
since their ball on THANKSGIVING eve,
when they had six hundred and eighty
one couples Oh their march. One week
ago bets were freely offered and with
but few takers, that there would be eight
hundred couples on the march last night,
and there doubtless would have been
nearly that number had not many ladies
departed without waiting for the grand
promenade.
The ball given last night was very
successful one in every point. Notwith-
standing The gr, at crowd that was pres
ent, so admirably was IL managed that
no accident occurred no fight took place,
no harsh words were used, but on the
contrary every PEI son was ma % to
feel that they were welcome, and the
various membeis OF the different commit
tees, felt that they had duty to perform,
not only In anticipating the wishes OF
their guests from q distance, but those
who resided in this city. 1t was owing
To this fact, that the affair passed oil so
| satisfactory to all.
IL would be difficult matter for q
person who never attended bail to i'm
| ,gine the labor that IL requires for the
Master of Ceremonies and his assistants
| 10 conduct a march the size of the one
last night. Think for moment, over
one thousand people to be marshalleG
through the intricies Of grand march
without injury to any Of the participants,
and that was just what it was last night,
not one per,on was injured IN the slight
est manner, although at times the lack
OF room compelled them being some
what crowded.
THE DECORATIONS.
The Decorations we're superb aud have
never been equalled in the Opera House
| Upon entering the auditorium, the visi-
| tor, was Immediately attracted by the
| haautv n hA A mr. ad ha,
fore him or her. The first to attract at
tention was the bridge that had been
constructed for the purpose Of come CT.
ing the two upper private boxes. The
! front of the Drudge was artistically fes.
TONED with evergreens, and small flags
while the upper railing contained mum
ber Of gas jets, and silver tre horns. The
front was also set off with handsome
but of Washington, In cOlorS. Above
the bust was the word "W ASH ngton' Ia
gas Jets. On the rear railing OF the bridg,
was arranged the large wooden horl
presented by the "Secrei EiRht," of the
Washington Company OF ConshOhock.
en-. From the mouth Of the horn pro
truded a gas pipe hold ;hree glass globe
OF red, white and blue. Stepping upon
the ball floor, and Ioobing around ih'
front of tue balcony. the eye was greet
ed by thirteen Shields, containing thu
n4mes of the thirteen original States
while arranged alternately, were larg'
stars, representing the natiouh' coloIs
Dropping In graceful folds was larg'
amount of evergreen.
Gazing upwards the eye beheld th,
acme OF the decorations. This CONSISTED
of a large globe twenty-six feet in cir
cumference, which represe nted the firm
anent. 1t hung suspended from the cen
ire Of The ceiling, and was covered will
blue paper and gold stars. This abou
completed the decorations.
THE MARCH.
The grand march which commence,
at l040 was the most intricate ever seel
In the Opera House, aud reflects grea
credit npon the master of ceremonies
Mr.. Geo. III. Leecb for lis successful ter
, minatiuD. In order to accommodate til
vast crowd, the company had rented nj
the available rooms in the Opera Hons
I and this foresight on their part avoide'
: the great crush, tba. would have occur
red had all The participants been gather
4; I'd in the auditorium. A; 10 20 O'Clock
al the various committees, aud the in
vited eueste and visitors, were gathere
; together on the floor, and after gettin
position, headed by Mr.. Leech aud W H.
, started on the march. They marchs
uut of the centre door to the first fiigh
+ of stairs on the north side of the hallwa,
. | lutre tnty &SCtIutu 10 lne bocOD
door. Here they passed through til
double doors leading TO the balcony
They then marched along the mort
= side OF the balcony to the private boz
/; crossed the bridge mentioned above |
the south side. along TO the stairs Leaf
ing from the lobby, down tlIeE to th
lobby, where the couples separated, tn
gents going TO the south aud the ladie
to tbs left. They then passed along I
. the stage, and met upon bridge on th
+ rear part of the stage, from viii ch the
: descended to the floor.
!, Through careful mauipIlations, M
:, Leech, who was followed immediatel
d 5v Floor Manager, John T. West an
wife, was enabled to place the five hu'
J. dred and seven couples upon the fioo
# After the march dancing commenced
|, and was continued until near daylgh
e In order that all should have an oppo
}. tunity of tripping the light fantastic
n Professor Webster's dancing academ
is was also used. The march lasted fl
e half an hour.
WHO WAS THERE.
a 1t would be di iii cult matter to tt
"a who was there. 1t would be a muc
= more easy task to tell who was III
there. Among the visitors present iroi
st dis ance was about eighty members
= the Washington Company from Co
10 sbohocken, who were accompanied by