National Republican., 1882-12-28
. A SILENT MASQUERADE.
Pleasant Entertainment at the National
Deaf Mute CoIIege.

Dear Mute College.
An exceedingly pleasant entertainment
took place at the National deaf mute college
last night. 1t has been the custom at this in.
stitution for the students to give ball en-
masque during the holidays, and last evening
was the observance of this custom. The ar.
rangements were all made by the students
and DIR. Gallaudet Profs. Chickering, Porter
and Gordon and their families, and
the other instructors were guests. Be.
sides, there was quite IL number OF
guests from the city, friends of the pupils
The company met in the hall or chapel al
$50 o'clock, and, taking partners, proceeded
to the dining room, where fine orchestra
furnished excellent music and Il well selected
programme of dances was carried out The
guests restrained their powers of speech until
the order to unmask was given, and as all the
conversation was carried on by signs it was
difficult to tell who were mutes and who were
not
The selection of characters was very varied,
and many of the costumes were unique and
elaborate. Here was wild Indian dancing
with a graceful 'Htania; Davy Crockett car
ried upon his arm demure lite Quakeress
Mephistopheles had Daughter of the Regi-
ment for a partner; the moody Hamlet
could not be made lively by Folly;
His Satanic Majesty consorted with
the Morning Star, while an Intelligent Con-
traband, who looked like a song and dance
man, took excellent care of blonde Flower
Girl. Several Clowns and Pantaloons roamed
round loose, not participating in the dance, but
furnishing no end of amusement.
" How S it that, not being able to hear
they dance so well?' asked REPUBLI-
CAN reporter of DR.. Gallaudet as the two
stood watching the graceful movements of
the dancers.
''They catch the time from the vibration of
the double bass which they feel" was the
reply. "And then, too if you notice." he
continued, ''you will see their faces turned
toward the musicians and they see the tinfe"
Between the parts of the programme Il
bountiful supper was served and the entire
evening was most enjoyably spent.
Among the visiting guests were Miss Kate
Lyon, as Quakeress; the Misses Ellis, Daugh-
ters Of the Regiment; Miss s. b. McNantz,
Baby Mine; Miss NJ. A. McNantz Night (;
Miss Mamie Smith, Snowdrop; Miss S. f,
Tindle, Morning; the Misses Gibson, Gyp-
sizes; Miss Belle Cavis, Red Riding
hood the Misses Krager, Snowdrop and
Old Lady; Mr.. f. Griffin, Cavalier !;
Mr. c. Griffin, Turk; Mr.. Vessey, Hamlet
II. c. Robinson, Wolf Mr.. Burgess, of Texas
Sailor; Mr.. Speisser, Richard III; Gen. Car
men, chief clerk of the agricultural bureau
Miss Carmen, and Miss Woodbury., of New
Jersey, guest of Miss Carmen Misses Hunt
Middleton, Logan, Gynne, and Middleton, Mr.
and Mrs. Simmons, and Mr.. and Mrs. DeustOn
Mr.. j. l.. Cavmen.
The faculty did not appear in costume this
year, although DIR. Gallaudet was decorated
with huge suntiower, which nearly covered
the entire left breast of his steel pen coat
There is a tradition that Prof. Porter who is
the oldest tutor of the deaf and dumb, hav-
ing been engaged in tho work for over fifty
years when he appeared as Diogenes, gave
the most perfect representation of u
character that has ever been seen at any of the
entertainments of the college. Mrs. Gallaudet
received the guests most gracefully, and the
families of Prois. Chickering and Porter and
others of the faculty participated in the pleas
ures of the OccasiOn.