The Progress., 1893-06-03

and deem that the world centers in their
little circ;"
Fourth--Wc see it II the dissipatiuns
of this so called society. Whore there is
luxury and idlenoss dissipation is fore
gone conclusion. Tho dances INDUCED
in bv thee people. in which women half
naked spin round the room in the arms
Of all sorts of l-Cn. cannot he discussed
in terms adequately dcscribin;; the facts.
AZ one of our gro?test women truly says.
referring to the dances in vogue iii this
circle of society: Any fashion which
gives to rome the right to claspa pure
woman in his arms and hold her for the
length of m Intoxicating piece of music
is below moral defense. firmly believe
that the time will come when our pres
out license in this respect will be re-
gar,led as we now regard the processes
attending the worship of AphroGite. II
might be said that the nautch dance is
modesty beside our waltz. Bluntly. TO
one who knows the facts behind these
social scenes. how far 60 we seem to have
advanced beyond the Congo idea of n
social entertainment? The Groves of
Ishtar were more frank about il. The
drawing rooms of polite America veil AMI
evade the eternal. unuttcrablc, identical
thing.
This same lady asked young man,
who was person of so called good
morals. if he ever knew young ladies IN
his circle of society to drink ut balls.
Certainly" said the young man. i
have often danced with Young ladies'
who were intoxicated. 1t is not an I'M
known thing to meet them too far gone
to converse.
have il from one who has spent much
of his time at one of the fashionable
watering places. who says that drunken
ness at these bacckanalian feasts is an
inevitable accompaniment. He declares
that when these balls break mp about
daylight the women are III such Il state
of beastly intoxication on many Occa-
sions that they are driven from the scene
i'll closely cUrt&ined vehicles lest tine
early workirgman on his way to his
task shall see and recognize them.
have had descriptions of these feasts,
in which society bellies were described as
lying across lounges. on the floor. IN ev-
cry conceivable attitude, III condition
of intoxicatiOn that would have resulted
in arrest and sentence to BlackwcllS :
island if the police had done their duty.
Many of the women in this circle of so
ciety have added to their drinking ac-
/ a.. ~,
rettes. 1t goes without discussion that
the men are far in advance of the women
in all these accomplishments. The de-
scription of the famous Carmencita ball
at the Madison Square Garden given In
one of our daily papers gives clear un-
derstanding of this fact Hear the words
taken from the reporters account of the
event witnessed in person:
The real character of the Carmencit ball at
Madison Square Garden did not develop its, II
until after the procession had ended and the
newspapers gone to press. Then fun began,
with all the abandon born OF easy mo ais and
flowing wine.
Ladies' and gentlemen had been there, but
the men took their wives hCme and returned
10 see the sport. The boxes they had previous
Is occupied with decorum now became the rem
devious for the liveliest women in town.
Masks were thrown aside regardless of con-
scquences-the women were only too glad to
be recognized. and the men were reckless Of
their reputation. Nearly every important so
cial club had headquarters. the Union, New
York, Knickerbocker. Calumet. ST. Nicholas
and Manhattan men holding levees in one
mere boxes.
Picture. il you can, half dozen leaders of
the german. poseurs of grace and dignity at
.Fsl .l,,l.-
hands in "A circle. jumping up and down like
wild Sioux in ghost dance, shouting at the
top of their voices and perspiring like hod ca
riers, the center of their saltatOral efforts be-
ing a bright e. ed blond, kicking first the eye
glasses from u sighted fellows face and
then toeing hole in the crown of a tall silk
hat upheld higher than her head.
Ii was Il DEVILS carnival.
Round and round tho great amphithcater
swired the throng in the most energetic and
indefnablc manner of locomotion.
There is dance much affected by society
called the york" in which couple lock arms
and move forward as though promenading, al
though at intervals there is a skipping step o.
two and then waltz.
The York" was very popular at the Carmen
eta ball. But the couples did not lock arms
The lady placed her bare white arm around
the neck of her partner; he with one arm en-
circled her waist. With the disengaged hand
the siren upheld her skirts. Instead Of wal
ing forward sedately they rushed at r-nning
speed. both kicking their heels in the air.
knocking down any one encountered. and then.
when united for the waltz, her feet maSin,
circles in the air within radius not confined
to less than a yard above the floor.
The formality Of an introduction was reli-
giously observed. however. in the boxes.
Mr. Smith, allow me to present you to Mrs.
Brown"
These were the modes OF presentation. and
the Smiths and Browns all ordered champagne
at S5 a bottle and drank 1t, usually breaking
the glasses by way of disregard for the cost.
The bottle was passed around without glasses
once in awhile. having been first sweetened by
amber tinted lips that had just held Gig
rette whose ashes would nestle somewhere
above the corsage of the damsel who had
smoked il. Jewels OF rare value glistened on
the necks and arms Of those gay but naughty
fairies. The dresses were from Worth street
perhaps, but maGo of the costliest materials
and in the raost becoming style and perfect fit.
silk hosiery and satin slippers, some edged
with gold lace. in colors to match the dress.
were the inyariable rule.
And again saws another reporter: