New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-16
THE LAST OF THE MASKED BALLS.

GAY SCENES IN THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
MEMBERS OF TEE PURTM ASSOCIATION ENJOYING
Observation-Disclosures AND TABLEAUS-sOME
or THOSE WHO WERE PRESENT.
The Purim Association of this city held fancy
ress hall at the Academy of Music last night in aid
Of the building fund of the Hebrew Benevolent and
NOrphan Asylum Society. Lofg before 10 o'clock,
the hour appointed for the opening of the ball,
long line of carriages had drawn up in Irvlng-pace.
Ind the occupants werep Ouring into the Academy.
In the building crowds of costumed and masked
figures were wandering through the corridors wait
ing for the amusements of the evening to begin.
Eight electric lights suspended from the ceiling
Illuminated the interior of the building.
Around the balconies. aud running from
them to the chandelier in the centre of
the house. were festoons of red and green. Upon
curtain hiding the stage were q painted cap and
bells bearing the word Purim" The prOscemum
boxes were decorated with monograms of the asso-
sation. Vases filed with flowers stood around the
sides of the stage, the entrances to which were
guarded by o dozen stalwart speSrmen, clad in
Rrmor
The boxes aud orchestra circle chairs were
crowded early in the evening, and when the ball
opened the scene presented was brilliant There
we're cavaliers of Oliver CromwelPs day prom
tnaCing with peasants of the present time
Ia France German soldiers fresh from the
Fields of the Franco-Prussian war wandered
about in company with ladies Of the court of Louis
XVI; Mephistopbeles contented himself with
seraplrs company, and Faust ran away with a Scot
lish lassie: George Washington flrted desperately
with Mary, Queen of Scots. and Frederick the
Great had tete-a-tete with Sarah Bernhardt; Don
fioyanni had good time with everyone III general,
Ind TmOn of Athens would have nothing to do
\ The bali began with the rising of the
hind
In which rustic bridge and waterfall
were prominent. Tie main body of maskers was
assembled on the stage in q heterogeneous mass,
The variety of costumes making a scene brilliant
enough without any attempt at set arrangement.
Tine maskers soon moved forward IN march around
the floor. In the rear OF the procession was huge
baton which presently unfOied itself and disclosed
Prince Carnival. impersOnated by q handsome
young woman. After he Tor shel. had held short
In very few moments the HOor was
covered by mass mass r0 OF 1 1GS G.ro ana 81
khe electric lights suggested the ever-changing
Kaleidoscope. Every one was masked, the regula-
posed until after midnight. After the dancing bad
gone on for short time an unexpected tabeau was
presented Thirteen young women representing
The thirteen original States, appeared and went
Through q series of movements After the hfth
Nance short and lively burlesque dance, entitled
. The Rat Catcher" was performed. In this a
Young woman appeared as a rat charmer and threw
her spells over twenty-fOur audacious male rats
which braYed her power and were soon driven from
Abe floor.
In the course of the evening there were several
little Surprise tabeaus OF a similar ma 1re all or
(which evoked hearty laughter and applause. The
ball was undoubtedly a success in point OF Numbers
and enjoyment. The utmost good nature and
hilarity prevailed among the maskers who gave
and took verbal shots from their unknown neigh
bors with great glee. The ceremony of unmaskiDg
took place at about O'Clock, and many pleasant
surprises greeted those present.
Tie order of dancing contained twenty Jour
dances. "Ovette," :" The Pirates OF romance
and Rillee TaylorH contributed sets of laDciers,
Maltzss and gaIops. An orchestra of sixty pieces,
nnder tie direction Of Ernest Meyer musical
director of tine Standard Theatre. furnished the
dance music while Arbucae's Ninth Regiment
Band supplied the promenades The supper was
served in Nilsson Hail.
Among occupants of boxes were: