St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-11-26

The charity ball has come and gone.
For weeks it has been the bright eX-
pectatlon of fashion and the hopeful
dream of the unaccepted. Both were
there, and il either were disappointed
there was nothing on the surface to in
dictate it. 1t was scene OF loneliness
never surpassed in st. Paul.
The charity ball is the tribute of
wealth and fashion to the unfortunate.
There was time in the history of the
great crowned heads of Europe when
they found their common subjects be-
coming eStranged from them and threat
ening revolts Some wise court con-
ceived the idea that there should be
time at least once year when the bars
should be thrown down and the upper
ten come in social contact with the lower
five. There is sweet influence in
charity which reaches all human
hearts. To make these social gather
ings popular and bring out the exclusive
barons the charity ball was cOntrived.
For more than a century it has been one
of the social events in England, Ger
many and France. Queen Victoria has
been its greatest patroneSs. And it is
even more democratic in that country,
which is the home Of royalty
and caste, than it is in this
the home Of democracy. Though dem
ocratic there. it is none the less an
event of fashion, and the fairest Of the
land would not miss for the world being
there attired in her sweetest gown.
A Popular Fad.
The past twenty years or more the
charity ball has been a popular social
event among the four hundred of
America. The shield of eXclusiveness
is pierced by the sweet influence
of charity, and the falrest of our
fair land is always there. 1t is
not considered in good taste to
make the charity ball anything less than
a most fashionable occasion, for the
lower five must be made to feel that the
upper ten will take as much pains to
attire for their company as for their
own exclusive set. The queen of society
and the belle OF the Four Hundred finds
il pleasure to make herself agreeable
to all without regard to social rank when
she enters the charity ball.
The attendance last evening was not
quite as great as on some former oc-
casions of the kind. but prettier char
ity ball was never given here. In all
its appointments it was original, unique,
fashionable. A greater variety OF orig
inal and beautiful costumes was never
worn by the fashion of the city.
There was the lady in rich
gown of velvet, EN- trane, de-
collete. sleeves with stately puff
above the shoulders, and just little Of
not
bottom of the sleeve and the top OF her
long glove. And there was another
with a beautiful Josephine costume,
perhaps of a white. cream or delicate
blue And so the styles ranged through
all the charming effects Of form and
hue devised by taste and the cOncep-
lions of great stage artists.
Beauties Of the Scene.
The arrangement of the metropolitan
opera house was novel. and contributed
a most enjoyable effect. The beautiful
playhouse never looked so charming. A
platform was erected from point near
the rear end Of the stage ont over the
paruuette, circling about in front of the
foot seats of the parquette circle. 1t
was placed there as smoothly and pref
tily as though it had been part of the
original design of the house.
The scenic effects surrounding the
stage were most artistic. Seibert's
orchestra appeared to be seated in
lovely grove at the rear end, surround
ed in front by rocks and pretty shade
trees. Back of it and OH the sides was
wood covered with foliage tinted
with all the gorgeous hues after
the first autumn frOsts. Along
the extreme rear were water
Sprites and nymphS nesting
about and above water fountains OF
unique design. EXOtIcs were taSteTuIly
arranged about the hooks and TecesseS.
The stage stood nearly halfway above
the floors Of the lowest tier Of boxes, and
neat circles were cut III 1t Ill front or
the openings, so that in these boxes
guests could see the stage and yet be
sufficiently concealed from view to
enjoy quiet tete-a-teteS.
From the balcony, gallery, parquette
circle and proScenium boxes the stage.
and dancing floor, when covered with
dancers, was fairy scene, and its effect
was made bewitching by the variety Of
costume and beauty Of the fair ones.
Music and Dancing.
In addition TO Seibert's orchestra,
which was there in full force and its
best training, was the Third Infantry
Band of Fort Smelling. The latter oc-
cupied the gallery, and when
the orchestra finished one of its
divine overtures OF waltzeS it played
one of its own exquisite ar
engagements. Though the company was
not made aware of the fact by any OF
its performances, the band came on
three hours notice, and hence without
any preparation. Late in the afternoon
Col. Mason, the commander Of Fort
Smelling, was asked by telephone if the
band could come, and very quickly he
replied in the affirmative. The band
came without compensation, and con-
tributed it efforts to sweet charity.
The programme was neat and pleas
anty arranged. 1t contained four
promenades and twelve dances. The
motto engraved on the front side was
''In faith and hope the world will dis
agree, but all mankind is concerned in
charity" On the last page it was stated
''For ST. Luke's hospital" Seibert's
music was included in the programme
in connection with the marches and
dacces. The programme was as follows:
PROMENADE
l .Marche ct Cortage 80. La Refine de Saba
9 Promenad ~ "Tell-Overture''
3. Promenade. "Cavalleria Rusticannan
4. Promenade National OVERTURE
DANCING.
s. Waltz. Observation-Disclosures" la Fiancee