The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-03-03
A Masked Ball,

From the New York Star of February
22, we take the following account of the
masked ball given the evening previous by
the Arion Society Of that city:
The divinities of mirth held court in the
Metropolitan Opera House last night at
the Arion grand masquerade ball The
Opera House was transformed into fairy
bower for the occasion The dancing floor
of the grand ballroom shone under the
myriad lights like sea of crystal. Palms,
ferns, roses and rare flowers filled the air
with fragrance. In the upper gallery Riet-
sells and Lieboldt's bands were stationed,
and relieved each other in rendering spirited
music.
At 8 O'Clock the festival commenced with
grand promenade concert by the two
bands. The music awakened the dancers
and brought them in streams from dressing
rooms, box and corridor. Kings, queens,
demons, dwarfs, giants, peasants, all were
there in gorgeous raiment
At the close of the concert detachment
of ftrumpeters appeared, followed by a group
attired in the costume of Faust, behind
whom came another group arrayed in the
costume of Van Dyke. Down to the CEN
ter of the floor they advanced, then at the
word of command their swords leaped from
their scabbards, and they formed in line
and saluted the masqueraders. They next
performed several military evolutions, after
which, their weapons being once more re-
turned to their places, they revealed them
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mittee of the ball
The dancers were then invited to join
the opening polonaise. The invitation was
accepted and the merry whirl began. Sud
denly there was a lnll in the music, the
dancing ceased, and the great curtain arose,
revealing view of green and fertile val
ley, traversed by cool and limpid stream.
The ground arose in terraces and showed
high mountains in the distance Mount
Olympus reared his shaggy head, surround
ed by clouds, in the midst of the chain.
While the gay crowd looked on the
scene fash of lightning, followed by the
roll of thunder, shook the ground. The
clouds part and glimpse of the heavenly
regions was obtained. Jupiter, the ruler
of the gods, seated on his throne, was re-
vealed, with Juno by his side. Around
and behind them were grouped Mars, the
god of war; Mercury, the feet-footed mes
senger; the convivial Bacchus, and troupe
of retainers and heavenly messengers.
Once more the clouds closed up and the
enhancing scene disappeared. Arion and
his suite entered the valley from the left,
simultaneously with the entrance of Prince
Carnival from the right. They greeted
each other, and were about to take part in
the ball when they conceived the idea of
inviting the gods.
Prince Carnival and his glittering retinue
ascended the mount, passed through ter
rife storm of lightning and thunder, and
finally reached the gate of Olympus. Then
the storm ceased, the joyous sun made his
appearance and Mercury turned up in time
to be dispatched to Jupiter with the invi-
tations. The sky trembled at the presump-
tion of these mortals transcending to the
throne of the mighty deities. Mercury re-
appeared with the great Jupiter's acceptance
of the proffered hospitality, and Prince
Carnival led the way back to earth.
On the way they passed the devils rock.
The mighty stone split and Satan appeared,
surrounded BY HE he jumps, a sulphurous smoke
issued from the fssure in filss.-ock aRaafed
flames darted out. His Satanic Majesty
demanded the privilege of accompanying
the Prince and the gods. The request was
granted, and he turned to close the stone
after leaving his kingdom, but before he
could do so hideous hag emerged. Her
form was bent and shriveled, her eyes
sunken, her hands long and thin, with
sparse gray hair scattered above her furrow-
ed brow. She, two, asked in piping voice
to join the troupe. Satan, acknowledging
heras his grandmother, shrugged his should
ers, but the magnanimous Prince, having
received the consent of the gods, allowed
her to proceed with them.
Once on the earth the party were re-
ceived by Arion and his suite and all the
Princes guests given a hearty welcome.
They were then invited to witness the
grand ballet advertisement, which had been
prepared for them. They did so, at the
conclusion of which ballet the curtain fell.
Dancing was then resumed. By this
time the dancers numbered fully 1000.
Those in the balconies were startled by see
ing a huge globe of roses suspended from
the ceiling burst, and scented fragments
showered on the crowds below, while the
shrill cock-a-doodle-do of chanticleer that
had been imprisoned behind them rang out.
Before the excitement had subsided
second blare of trumpets was heard and the
curtain rose again. A procession, compos-
ed of Harlequins, Pierrots, Prince Carnival
and his suite, Arion and his suite, Jupiter
and the other gods, and, lastly, Satan and
his mob, slowly defled before the maskers.
Arion then stepped forward and invited his
intimate friends to join the gods. Upon
the acceptance of the invitation, the curtain
slowly fell.
The ball then began in earnest. Waltz,
quadrille, lanciers followed in rapid sue
cession until the intermission which was
enlivened by "Stork and Duck Quadrille,"
an art gallery, la Comstock, with which
the latter gentleman could not find fault,
and lastly, the Gagged monkey keepers, After
this dancing was resumed and kept up until
the rosy fingers of dawn opened the portals
of day.
Remedy for Neuralgia.