The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-01-04
NEW YORK's CHARITY BALL.
The Fashionable Public Bsll Of Gotham
Society.

NEW YORK, Jan. 3.--The distluctlvely
fashionable public ball Of New York soci.
ETY., "the Charity" will take place this
evening at the Metropolitan Opera House.
This ball was originally orgaui zed in 1854 as
calico ball, and has been held annually
most deserving OF New York charities, the
Nursery and Chid's Hospital. 1t has al.
ways enlisted the interest of society people
to greater extent than any other public
ball. Until the organic alton Of the
Patriarchs aud the F. G. D. G. Delmonico
balls In 1872, 1t was attended by the mem
bers of the most fashionable circles. The
debutsntes always made their appearance
there, and from every standpoint 1t was
considered the great society event Of the
year. As
THE CIRCLE OF SOCIETY
grew larger, the most fashionable set began
to feel that 1t needed more exclusive organ
izations, and this led to the foundation Of
the Patriarchs and f. CD. c. bats. These
undoubtedly injured the charity ball in the
matter Of attendance of the most prominent
people, but not pecuniary, for 1t has never
ceased to be the fashion to purchase and
sell as many tickets as possible. The man.
ayers, who are all well-known society
people. attended, but after leading the
grand march and taking part In the open
ing quadrille, generally went home and left
the rest of the public to dance the night
away. The ball has always, up till this
year, been held In the Academy Of Music,
and generally near the end Of the season.
The managers finding that the absence Of
the most fashionable set aud the holding Of
the ball at time when people were begin.
ming to
WEARY OF GAIETY,
was bound to detract ultimately from maxi
ing 1t the success of former years. deter.
mined to make new departure this season
by holding it In the new house, where there
were no associations to be objected to,
early In the winter, aud by using every en-
deavor to have the Delmonico set present,
they hope to prevent the baI's prestige
from further waning. The large mum.
Der of managers, each of whom is furn.
ished with six tickets TO dispose
Of, have used in consequence extra.
ordinary exertions to sell them to their
friends, and with the strong Inducements
above mentioned and the novelty OF the
first bail In the opera house, there is every
reason to believe that 1t will be one OF the
most brilliant and fashionable affairs New
York has seen for years. The majority Of
the stockholders have retained their boxes,
and the number OF these boxes permitting
of the formation OF numerous parties. will
.laz al tI>o hall L.
all the boxes not taken by the stockholders
have been sold, but the full list will not be
completed until this afternoon. The pre-.
parations at the opera house, under the di.
rectiOn Of Mr.. TillotsOn, are very complete.
The entire auditorium is fOored over on q
level with the stage, and with the latter
will give dancing space CT 1000 feet,
much larger than that at the Academy.
TIE FLOOR is SUPPORTED
by trestIes. The difficulty found in provid.
Ing for sufficient number Of exists and en-.
frances, as the height OF the floor osed the
side exits, has been overcome bv cutting
into the floor, and erecting steJs at each
exit. This leaves the main entrance. the
two middle exits and the two nearest the
stage-hve In all A raised platform ex-
tends around the auditorium on each, in
which double row Of seats will be placed.
Rsinss surround the steep stairway near.
est the stage. There will be no attempt
made to decorate the auditorium, but the
top and side flies of the stage will be con.
cealsd by drspings Of white and gold to
corr esp0nd with the decorations of the
house. A large tent will be erected at the
back Of the stage aud landscape drop
scene will be behind 1t. The word 'chari.
ty IN gas Jets will
BLAZEE OVER THE STAGE.
The supper will be served In the foyer on
Tbirty.nint street. 1t had not been de.
cided yesterday what rooms should be set
apart for dressing rooms. The stockhod.
ers will enter by the side doors and the
holders of admission tickets By tie
main door on Broadway. The grand marc
will probably be led by MIR. Arthur LealJ
and Mrs. Kingsland. The house presents
rather curious appearance with the 6ooi
ing Of the auditorium. The baignore boxes
sre entirely concealed, and the first tier il
90 near the floor that their ratings could be
almost stepped over. The usual effect Of
the great height Of the house is decidedly
iessened.