The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-07
Gesnngvcrein virgini&'s Masquerade
Carnival and Ball.

The weather last night was wet and drip
ping, and so cold that In the early evening
the mist clung wherever II fell, and II un-
disturbed formed tiny icicles. Under foot
Il was slushy, just enough OF water having
fallen TO make the mud soft and clinging,
sticking to everything that touched
It. This was all bad, so far as the
carnival was concerned, for many
transients would have been on hand
had the weather been nice and tempting.
making the sidewalks fair for pedestrians
and allowing everybody chance to come
out. As il was, however, before O'Clock
the large drill-room OF the Regilnental Ar
mory was partially filed with 4 crowd OF
masqueraders and spectators. Of the
former il can be SAID that the costumes
were OF the regulation approved order.
some OF them being very original and
unique, and all so completely answering
the purpose Of disguise as to very effectu-
ally conceal the identity Of the wearers. IL
would be unfair TO individualize, and in
this case it will not he done. Thanks, how
ever, must be returned 10 one OF the mas
quers who personated female. His sex
was plainly the opposite, but the tender
concern he evinced for the Dewspa-
per folks displayed such good taste
that il cannot be overlooked, especially
when a further consideration is remem-
bered meaning this, that one OF the re-
porters became so overcome with The honor
intended that he blushed beautifully, while
another OF the fourth estate was made
happy when lady friend under his escort
came to his rescue to Tebuke seeming
familiarity, thereby indicating that the re-
porter was not altogether beyond hope in
that world in which jealousy reigns most
fuTiously.
Another striking feature was this: Fred
dy Gebhard was numerously represented,
almost too numerously, and in some cases
in sable colors. 1t was not altogether a
bad conceit, seeing that it is good thing
To feel rich for q minute even ii you have
not n cent, and better Stillt TO be the favorite
Of famous beauty; though, as faras the
latter was concerned, the Lily Langtrys
were not rs numerous as the squirrels IN
the Capitol Square.
Everybody looked out for the decora-
tions, it having gone forth to the world
that all OF the bare walls OF the Armory
drill-room would be hid from view for
once at least: but truth compels the state
mcnt that Notwithstanding the best au-
thority backed the statement heretofore
made, the fact was that the dingy white
washed walls looked a sombrc-hued wei
come to those who gazed upon the brilliant
panoramic display.
The attendance was large, but so were
the expenses OF the Gesangyereln, and ii
Is o pity 'tls true, but It's true nevertheless,
that while the flags and buntng were pref
ty. and The various designs good, yet upon
the whole shade OF disappointment could
be traced upon the countenances OF those
who had read the published statements OF
what was to be; therefore the above state
ment, i'm order that the authenticity OF the
aforementioned statements may be laid
10 the credit not OF the newspaper,
but Of those who gave the information.
The opening was prompt, and the grand
entry and march was excellent, the ALE
gorical floats, representing Air, Earth
Fire, and Water, receiving complimentary
remarks from all. After this. the pro-
gramme, embracing promenade concert
and dancing, was faithfully observed, in
terspcrsed with number OF specia
features, the most notable OF which were
First. the dance OF the frogs; second
4 dance by four members OF tn
Kuklux Klan; third, minuet, represented
bv court-cards OF regular playing pack
fourth, equestrian circus performance
After midnight the masks fell OIL, an'
supper ioIlowed-tust such supper as Nh
Zimmerman. OF Sanger Hall. can get up
IL was all that could be asked, and Il
strange as it may appear, none OF the hos
OF hungry folk had word OF complain
against Zimmerman. Dancing was re
sumed after supper, and kept up until
late hour.