The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-19
A BALL WITHOUT MEN.
One Of the Most Delightful of
the Season in Berlin.
GIVEN BY LADY ARTISTS.
Twice Were Men Discovered and Elected,
Like serpents From the DOvecOt-
Sport Of Bright Women.

festivities. Among the vast throng, 800
strong, that filled the Philharmonic hall
on the evening recently, the members OF
the orchestra and the few WATERS at the
beer stand were the only specimens of the
sterner sex present-officialiy that is
and the two venturesome wlghts who
trusted to their disguise to secure i'm
munlfy from the law of utter exclusion,
were discovered and cast out with scorn
and opprobrium.
The annual fancy dress ball given by
the Society of Lady Artists, is one of the
most important festivals of the season
and has grown in popularity year by year,
until the great Philharmonic hall is scarce
large enough to contain the crowds of
pleasure-seekers. Every ticket is taken
days before the ball comes off, and the
name of the holder must be proposed and
seconded by members of the society be-
fore she is allowed to buy the ticket. So
that there is seldom found a woman de-
voted enough to risk the future black
balling, which would certainly be her fate
if it were discovered that she had aided
male relative to visit the ball in disguise.
1t may not be out of place to say few
words about the purpose and work of the
the delightful evening they offered their
friends, for these women are carrying on
good work against great odds and deserve
every credit. They have under their
charge the only art school in Berlin, in all
Germany in fact, where women can obtain
thoroughly graded art education, under
the best teachers and for reasonable terms,
all the advantages enjoyed by the male
ind NJ he ht,f oiua
where accessible to an enterprising girl.
There are free scholarships for talented
pupils, reduced fees for daughters of
officers or other servants of the state, and
the instruction throughout is the best
that can be had. For years the school
has been housed in the second story of an
old barracks back of the House of Repre-
sentatives, a central location and a desira-
bic building on account of the many sky
lights. Now the state has doomed the old
house, and the school must move. Friends
and members of the society have come
forward nobly toward the raising of fund
for new house, and with the general
(and generously interest taken by the pub
lie in their enterprise the society hopes to
see its school settled in building of its
own in the course of the next year or two
The patronesses and members of the So
ciety number on their roll some of the
noblest names in the land, and painting
seems to be considered most fitting and
aristocratic occupation, either as pastime
or as means of support for women whose
fortune is not equal to their title. There
fore when the society gathers itself and
its friends together it is an assembiage
which even the autocrat of New York So
ciety, the critical McAllister, might gaze
upon with pleasure.
Now to the description of the ball itself.
When the gongs sounded for the COM
mencement of the performance on the
stage it was about O'Clock. and the hall,
boxes and balcony were filled to overflow
ing with motley crowd. gaily colored as
q tulip bed. When comparative degree
of silence was obtained, Iphigenia, fol-
lowed by her maidens, stepped out on the
stage and greeted the company in most
poetic prologue, the closing words of
which were lost in the chorus
of the maidens from Gluck's
"Iphigenia in Aulis." When the chorus
was over, the princess and her attendants
walked from the stage down among the
audience, and their place on the boards
was taken by the actors iii little comedy
given in honor of the superintendent OF
the art school. Then followed the gem of
the entertainment, circus, universally
pronounced the success of the evening.
The gallant ring master, his, or her, pretty
face half hidden in a great mustache,
ordered the clowns about in great style,
and the clowns themselves would have
done honor to any troupe. The dainty
bareback rider and dancer who sprang on
and off her elephant with supple grace, and
fiirted with the most preposterous clown
- ,,.fr al z~f he NarFa
the quartet of relocated riders, and the
lady on the high school steed Ga
hobby horse scare six inches long, mounted
on a camel, who pranced about with really
admirable dexterity they were one and all
worthy of the applause they earned In
such generous measure. Then there were
further a gypsy camp with song and dance,
a Mikado ballet, and more OF the same
style. When the performance was over.
the performers. led by the committee in
academic gowns, paraded about the hall,
but they had scarce made one round before
they were lost in the crowd and the real
fun of the evening commenced. In the
center of the hall was a structure OF
wooden bars labeled, Public Prison" and
here were incarcerated those unfortunates
whom the watchfulness of four red
gowned policemen discovered guilty
of appearing in modern evening
dress. Then there were two tail
advertisement columns, such as are seen
on every corper In Berlin but the notices
on these columns could hardly be found
on any other in town. Booths lined the
walls, and outside in the galleries were
rows OF tables for those for whom the
light refreshments in the hall were not
sufficient. And this crowd! OF every
nation, of every age and cline, the queer
est combinations and groupings, and all
hail, fellow, well metz; not particle of
the stiffness inseparable from the average
German entertainment where both sexes
of the upper class meet for pleasure.
Here comes Brunhiida in full aTmor, on
! the arm of a blonde dude in gray street
suit. while q grave and gray-haired pro-
fessor in dress coat leads a sWeet-faced
Greek maiden, who smiles at him under
| her wreath of roses without the slightest
| awe. An hour of the East. her dark eyes
shining above the gauze veil, walks beside
q ragged and dirty shoemaker's appren-
tice with a pair of badiy-mended boots
swinging over MS shoulder, and
| chimney sweep, a gay lieutenOnt OF hus-
sars. couple of real "NIrginny niggers"
and Il blonde beauty who might have sat
| for portrait of Madame Recamier, are
| laughing together over their tea cups in
corner. Baker boys, with great trays
| OF inviting rolls and cakes wander among
| the crowd, monks and nuns, bedOuins,
/ knights and free lancers, Offices Greeks
! Romans, ballet girls, sailor boys, cadets
there would be no possible use in en-
| deavoring 10 describe the great mass of
/ costumes, for IL would not be in my
| power, so | will be content with mention
| ing few more Of the most original. Two
| babies, wrapped on their pillows IN true
! German fashion and presenting q most
| remarkable appearance from behind,
where only the pillow could be seen, a