New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-04

or A FEW TOILETS.
The Charity Ball at the Academy OF Music
last evening was brilliant and successful Ill
the highest degree There was large attehu-
ance of persons who are conspicuous III INC
most fashionable circles OF New ork anu
other cities. The toilets OF the ladies' were
beautiful The decoration of the Academy
was slight. the management wishing to save
all the expense possible. The proceeds are for
the benefit of the Nursery and Chllds Hos
pital.
LEADING FEATURES OF THE BALL
The frescoed ceiling of the Academy OF MUSIC mas
seldom looked down upon more brilliant glthorihg
than that brought together at the marty Dan iaS,
night Even in the records OF Charity Dlls tno JUL
of 1881 was exceptional in many respects
The attendance was unusually largo and select
The q 200 tickets sold previous TO the ball were APP
parently used, and 1t is probable that nearly 4'ooo
persons were present The high character of tho man
ocemcnt and the great care exercised served to d.
vost the hall of the Objectionable features attending
so,no nnblic festivities. Nearly all tho persons
nromnent in the circles of the best society of TINS
city seemed to be present. That the attractohS VI
the Charity Ball are appreciated outside the CITY
was made evident by the number who came from
Baltimore Boston, Albany and other places
Many elderly men, bearing wcl-known Names
whose dancing days were past, held informal receP
lions in their boxes gaining apparently the 1uil en-
ioyment of the evening without any OF ITS tatigues
But those who came to he only spectators formed
n small minority. The elastic polished floor. which
was in excellent condition for dancing was crowded
after baIf-past H. The large number of Young ladies
present was noticeable. But even the numerous vet
Grams Of many ball seasons, who from their long fx-
incnod he critical seemed satisfied
with the arrangements for comfort and enjoyment
and a more ENJOYABLE manncrOf labJrng for sweet
charty's sake could hardly have been devised than
dancing all the night in the warm and brilliantly
lighted Academy to the sound of inspiring music
The costumes were things to dream OF. and seemed
devised to excite discomfort in the minds of men
being restricted to plain black
There was the usual delay in tho arrivals and in
opening the ball Up to o'clock the doors of the
Academy in lrvng-placo were kept ngIdly cloacd.
the few who sought admission were waved maIesti-
cally away by policeman. instantly as-acd bv II
sLlvcriug ticket Speculation. aud finally allowed
70 enter at the stage-door Then they
found the Academy dimly lighted, a
platoon of police perched comfortably IN the par
duet and the Hobbies tenant 81 only by few mem
bcrs of the floor committee and the usual number
of attendants who were putting the hhl>hng
touches to the preparations. Ten o'clock brought a
little change. Tine creallng of wheels was heard
on the snow outside, aud soon lrvng-place began
TO be filed with crush OF carriages. The few half
fir zen ticket spectators ON the sidewalk
frightened up ut the prospect Of possible galns.
The policemen found ample occupation in managing
the long line Of carriages. Ladies closely wrapped
but shiycriu. whom tho Charity Bal had induced
t. face the bitter cold. catered thrpigL the g3''
doors on the rI4ht on their ny o. LIc drcS,inl-
rooms brin-ang III blca h OF the biting ar. lhr
policemen left Their seats III tho para lc;
and took their petitions like bluc-coa'ci,
brass-huttoncd statues. Couples began to
descend TIE staircase from the Gr'~7ing-
looms. Heavy wraps had ban discarded. bnt the
ar Of the Academy WIS still chilly, aud crmino and
opera clOlkN were III demand
Everybody now fingered in the lobby which be-
came animated and presented a pleasant contrast To-
the loneliness that had rc!gncd. hlio time was
spent in cha ting and greeting friends before any
one venturcd to take poss 'sslon Of the seats inside
But by half-p past 10 the parquot and
a few of the boxes showed occupants. Inc ladies
drew thcii cloaKs closely about them, and appGI.
cntly were impatient for the beginning OF The dane
IEg.
There wa, little in the way OF decorations to en-
gross attention. The managers had decided 10 save
all the money pos bic tor the obi cts Of TIE ball.
and a, unucce, AIRY expenditure wa, avoided
the permanent decorations OF tic Ach-
envy suficcd. few large VASES. hlcd
with Gala lilies and roses, aud drIped with
Lran,h hes o. smiax and lyy. stool about the e ge-
OF the loor. ULler the prosceuun arch hung, ~
usual. the word "Chartr" in blazing ga,-ic-.
Il was 1915 when the patient crly colnrrs Wcr"
cnllvcned by tie strains Of TIE overture, Council
Mnclla. from Gilmorrs band IN the upper gallery
The sound OF the first music proved GrcIdrily III
spnting and FASTENED those who were differing III
the dressing opnls A selection from BJlto's NJ
hstolelc' followed and then match MeycIbccTs
Prophetic"
There had been rash statements to the effect that
the bali would he op'ned by the usual march hcldcd
Nv the manager at 10. Bur it VA, IL o'clock before
the march began Even then, the rhront Of 'ar-
RACES stretching along 1lying-place aud -Four
tceuth and FI(tcenth-ss. made 1t appear ~ # the
arrivals were just beginning. The pleasing di,rc-
gard Tor early hours eXhbtrd caused opening II
Ii to seem something entirely premature. liui
by those patiently waiting in the parquut ami
boxsS the sight of the procession of managers
was hailed with delight Mr.. Arthur Leary, prr>I-
dent OF the CDiLity Ball Association. with Mrs
Edward Cooper headed the line, followed by cx-
Mayor Cooper and Mis-. DIcxcl. Alter tho proma-
made sets were formed for the first quarlllc which
was participated IN 10y only about fifteen couples
made up Of the managers. IL the first
set were Mr.. Arthur Lcary with Mrs Cooper.
Mr. Hicks and Mrs. k. II. l.. Townsend. cx-Alayor
Cooper and Mrs. Drexel, and Mr. Bcldcn and Mrs
Il. o. Dorcmus. This quadrille was only IN INTRO
ductIOn, however for tho enjoyment that was to
follow. The prcttily-desgncd order Of dances was
frequently consulted, and many feet half
unconscioisy kept time with the mn
IN rf I nrIcr'a nrrlngtYa tuf n
II o'clock berOre the dancing fairly began. The
first two or three dances Oh tho programme were
merely preliminary and 1t was II ct until after midi
night that the resources OF the floor were taxed TO
the utmost. Then the large attendance was evident
L..-..,,.. L,rnucl ulrx.I..