New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-27
THE OLD GUARD BALL.


A BRILLIANT SCENE At THE ACADEMY.
BRIGHT LIGHTS AND ARTISTIC D"cOEATioN MANY
GUESTS IN UNIFORM on IN FLnoR-THR scENE
FROM THE GALLERY AND TIE sTAGE-ThE
EVhNT or THE EVrNING-sOME OF THE GUESTS
Blazing letters formed from gtsets hung under
meath the proscenum arch Of the Academy OF
Music last evening. The words "Old Gnard
formed a circle of light in the centre of winch APP
peared the figures 1851, indicating that tho annual
reception was taking place. On the left was " h.
c., 1922 and to the right o. c.. 1888" Beneath
this device the most conspicuous object to one en-
tering the Academy. the polished floor showed
brilliant and varied array Of uniforms and costly
costumes. The many organizations rtpfesehi'''
with their differing insignia. made the rec'p-
ton unusually b autfui "a Il spectacle even among
military fest Yties. The pretily designed orler OF
dances indicated the extent of the miit lry reprFseh
taton from the different paris OF the country mere
were promenadrs dedicated to tho Ancient ana
Honorable Artillery, and the Light lnfiniry, OF Bos-
ton, to the Gate City Guard of Atlanta, the Troy
G tizens' Corps. the Albany BarGesse5 Corps. the
Providence Light Infantry, the Aew-iiavcn GrayS'
the 23d and 18Th Regiments of Brook IN, the Stae
Fcncbes oi Philadelphia the - Battalion OF Cav
airy from NJ isSachuse T.. the Washington Lighi III
iahtrv of Charleston. the Uuitcd Tam oil AruhcIN
o. Providence, the TN 2crIuent Veterans, tic OH
| GERS of ihe United States Army and Navy. anu Inc
| 9h 22d and 71si Regiments o. New-Nork. nv
All these organic mons sent representations. lue
| floor proved excellent one tur dauclng the decor
| atoms were tasteful aId appropriate, AMI the ar
| rAugrmemts Tor supper and general comfort seemed
10 meet with the approval OF all. lne dinr"9 con
| tInued from aUUut IL until an n1eiinlte 'Our THIS
| morning
In each corner, at the rear of the stage was
pitched a shelter tent. before which stood pllc OF
| dlums euro Juded by stand OF muSkets Mex
| these, ca SIDE, was rlSs cannon, while ia me
GENRE WAS a small CONTAIN. Before the teu'. Oh tho
| ieu was a National lag, while on the right hung IA
| blue banner, on winch was clabDrately wOikeu me
| ,,f "a. lltaI hack IN
| stage, behind the bd"d was IA scene representing a
| tented field. The pr0sccnum arch WAS drlped IN
! bunting. III the centre OF winch appeared ING
National c0at-Oi-unS Bunting, Shields ana
| Hays decorated the balconies ana gallery.
| Around the border of the floor stood vases OF
| flowers. while lowers aud palms decora'o" 'he
| Hobbies.
IL was half past before the gas fully turned
| on inside tine Academy and tae crtsll OF carriages
began III lIvLg-pface The dr'SsiLgI "oHis began
| to I'LL slowly, aud soon The lonely lobDies Mere
| made more animated by the glitter OF gold Lace
| aud tie sOuni Oi silNery laughter. hen aides IN
| full ball COSTUME began TO I'LL the box 8. Ihe
couples that had dotted ,he paiquetle and balcony
| D'dwOrtfs military band took MS place IN mo
rear OF the STAKE, while bernsteih9
f fnc upper psIrrS S At about quarrr OF ii
| DodwUltn's baId began much dedicated
to Maj Mclean and tue Mjor led OIL
tho first pronenaee The Ola Guard
| FeteS' and reception marcn. ine
Golicn Cross" made up the rest OF tnr lnIoGic''r5
| order ueadcd Oy II qIa irl.le FItinIiLa.
In the waltz that followed, the inferior oil the
| Academy presented "a Dcautliui scene. LOokilg
down from the upper ga cry, ms nor Wa hcarJ
| hidden by the gay nuiUIms That "Cr" whr'l"g
| about with tIaIlIng Pads.au coo une~ G0id 'ace
gttered III tae blight ilght. winch DrouGht out III
strong effect the dcicaic textures 81 t"e dresses
| In the rear OF Tie stage thonc tne OiIghi
| red uniforms OF tie musicians. GA each side were
the prOsceniuin-boxrs, gay win buil'h= III iI"n''
| IRON Whch Iedntu ont parties Ol rchly aiilrrh
| .adies watching the dancers lne constantly chang
iug sce4e presented a r.cn eNpLnse ~ cOOr~ rut 10
| u
| 1TOm the stage the View was hdIdN
less attractive. The dancing floor Wa
| brited by lhc pardGel filled WIN iadito and iheir
| escorts. Above tao alter tier rosr the bhcoIhrs,
The boxes IL he rst two llcd with spec atOrs ANA
animated by iin.Irrns fans. Despite HE atiH'"s
| OF ne watz, tncrc was Il constant undcItuE" I'll
murnuIcd conversation and OF laughter
a., bnt nc 'rh'nre OF TIC evening was TO come.
| prOgrdmInc, WAS III progress, gradual asScmbagg
| OF military men began in The 80 hy, where hung
The portrait of Major Mclean. soon altgf
| the waltz ended the rattlr of "A drum WIS beard
| The lobby was filled with u joily crowd,
pushing and josthng each oihcr SAarp
%"''s ,bc Oh c fD""H v,, ra%S 1n tbc ' rg
Fall back there" At htlc past midn pht rue
| NOISY confusion WAS reduced to something Ike
| order. long Procession was i0rrcd ~ the lobby.
The frs notes of the Grand Military March OF the
| Oid Guard were heard From the door to the LETT
ut the rear OF Tie stage appeared MAJOR Mclean arm
| in arm with General Shalrr, heading double hle OF
mcmners OF the old Guard an Their guests The
| procession advanced from the Stage to the
ilrrti,on. turning back. still tho uniforms
tour,d IN. The blue and gray of visitors wee re-
| i4vrd by brilliant red coais aud by the quaint
costumes Of the Chtiucntais. Ribbons. badges and
medals nIp'atcd on ne breasts oi tie coats.
IL was a dazzling array OF gold lace, bullion cp'u
les and shoulder-straps. " L"n the tw" side files
reached the stage after turning they
again matched slowly onward ~
tours untll the loor was covered
with lines marching and counter marching. TINS
brilliant military spectacle Ma greeted with great
applause. mo- 49,
n movement brpau toward the supp r-rn IN.
wbich vas III isson Hail. This was file
with small sound tables decorated with
1nWcrs and tiny flags. In tho centre "i
each table was lamp with gl0bn Of
co!ored glass. Each lady found at her plate
au nrnamenicd bon bon box containing candies ana
Tin. bill Oi fare printed Oh c0lOrcd satin.
At ] O'Clock tie dancers SCENE tn have just be-
gun their enjoyment. The floor was hlcd, indeed
| n little crowded IN some OF the dances: Inc Dali
continued until an early hour this morning