The morning news., 1897-02-10


understand. after all, that people of minor
rank should relish the opportunity of dis
guising themselves for once as kings and
queens. But 1t certainly does seem strange
that the anointed of the LORD, whose entire
existence, at any rate so far as their pub
lie life Is concerned. is one uninterrupted
pose and series of postures should show
any similar fondness. Queen Victoria
however, admits herself. in her published
memoirs that she never enjoyed anything
so much as the fancy dress ball at Buck
ingham palace at which she appeared in
the guise of Queen Philippa, while her hus-
band the late Prince COMFORT figured by
her side as King Edward III.
One of the first things that Emperor VIII
liam did after his accession, as soon as the
consort went out of mourning, was to give
a fancy dress ball OF great magnificence
at which he appeared An his favorite role
of Frederick the Great; and Empress Eu-
genie, during the reign of Napoleon III,
was never tired of either giving fancy
dress balls herself or getting her friends
and favorites to give them in her honor.
Probably the most amusing fancy dress
entertainment that has ever taken place
was that organized twelve years ago in
Vienna by Princess Pauline Metternich. IL
was preceded by a One-act farce entitled
For the Sake of Charity Il represent
ed an interview between lady of the
great world, who Is about to make her
debut on the amateur stage in a charita
BILE performance, and bona fide actress
whom she has visited for the purpose OF
obtaining advice, hints and instruction
The part of the amateur was taken by
countess m.
actress was filled by Princess Pauline The
latter was inimitable, and. after nimick-
ing the peculartties of almost every we'll
known European actor and actress and
holding forth in the strongest Niennese
dialect and singing Paris cafe chantant
songs in the most approved Therese style,
neatly turned couplets the idiosyncrasies
of the guests present. All this was. of
course. done with the object Of showing
the amateur what things were especially
avoided
This was followed by. pantomime en-
titled "The Dol Shop The stage was
arranged 10 represent a shop, and on the
shelves all around the walls were placed
ladies and gentlemen of the Austrian aris-
tocracy dressed up In every variety of cos-f
tune 10 represent dolls, and perfectly in
animate In appearance. Princess Net
ternich was the boss salesWoman of the
store. and Prince John Schwarzenberg and
the Margrave Pallavicini were her assist
ants. Soon customers began to enter the
establishment, and then one by one the
dolls, were lifted down from the shelves
by the two assistants, and, after being
wound up with huge key and much noise
of cogwheels, showed Off their accomplish
ments, the clockwork, however, frequently
stopping short in the very midst of a move
ment and requiring renewed. winding up
On concluding their separate dances thew
became again inanimate, and were lifted
back with the utmost care to their places
on the shelves. AS the clock struck mid
night, however, the Doll Fairy, in the per
son OF Countess Roman Potocka made
by her attendant elves. and, touching the
dolls with her magic wand. gave them the
requisite life and breath to take full part
in the ball, which was then opened
"A sergeant of company of British in
fantry quartered in a Dacoit-infested
part Of Burmah a few years ago was a
nrm believer In destiny. No amount OF
argument with his more sceptical com
rades could shake his belief in the slight
est, he invariably closing the controversies
with the rather illogical assertion that
when mans last day comes, it comes"
One evening, when dressing. preparatory
10 taking a stroll in the jungle, he was
noticed by a corporal, a persistent oppon-
ent OF the destiny theory. to quietly slip
a revolver into his pocket
"Hello" shouted the corporal. who saw
a chance of ridicullng the sergeant what
are you taking the revolver with you
forY That. won't save you II your time
has come"
NO" replied the sergeant, without a
moments . hesitation; but, you see may
happen 10 come across a Dacoit whose
last day has come. Answers