Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-29
THEIR FIFTH BALL.
4. r. V. A. FUNCTION TONIGHT TO
BE A BEAUTIFUL AFFAIR.
UNDER THE SACRED MISTLETOE.
The Distinctive Feature VIII he the
Dancing of the Old Virginia Quad"
riIIe Deneath the Bough-AII Ar
engagements Perfect.

The crownng event in the calendar
OF the present social season-the great
Mistetoe Bali-will take ,place at the
Masonic Temple tonight.
Nothing could well exceed the perfec-
ton of the arrangements. and the event
will not only be the feature of the pre-
sent season, but bids fair to eclipse all
the previous functions given under the
auspices of the Society for the Preser-
walton of Virginia Antiquities.
The association balls have always pos
sessed some peculiar attractiveness.
The first one was held January %, $780,
in the Richmond Theatre, and the fea-
ture upon that occasion was the state
~ minuet, led by Mrs. Willie Allen The
costumes were of the fashion Of the
eighteenth century, and each guest was
supposed to represent some ancestor
In the following year. the feature Of
tho bail was the dance Sir Roger de
Coverley. In 1892 the Sarabande was
the feature. and an interesting incident
was the court scene tableau, with Miss
May Handy as Queen, Miss Martha
Bagby as Pocahontas, and DR.. Charles
Darlington as King. In the following
year came the dance Of the Cotton
Blooms" by sixteen Of Virginia's fairest
daughters eight Of whom wore large,
white cooked hats. and eight silver wings
and diamond stars. The may-pole effect
was the pictorial feature OF the event.
Tonight the old Virginia quadrille will
be danced beneath the mistletoe bough.
SOME OF THE DETAILS.
1t is anticipated that great majority
Of the thousand invited guests VIII pc
present Dancing win begin promptly at
9:3O o'clock. and the ladies Of the Recep-
ton Committee are requested 70 meet az
the hall half an hour before that time, III
order that they may be supplied with their
badges and be fully prepared 10 receive
the guests as soon as they arrive me
supper, which has been most carefuily
prepared under the direction Of Caterer
zimmerman, will be served at midnight.
There viii be comfortable seats In the
gallery for those who desire 10 witness
the scene from that vantage point.
In addition to the quadrilles, which VIII
he danced beneath the mistletoe, the pro-
gramme includes the following:
Grand March .....................Foi oialse'
Father of Victory.
waltz .Zenda and Nordicia.
Two Step ..........El Captain and Rastus.
T.aucers ........................ NagabOnd.
Waltz ..Bygone Days and Mlstletoe Song.
Tancers ................ GusparOne.
Two Step-The Handicap and Anniversary
IauCeTS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. .IApSg i,e.i 'Al'
Waltz ......Long Song and Birds Voices.
Virginia Reel.
The music will be furnished by Profess
sor Thilow's Orchestra.
THE DECORATIONS.
The pictorial feature of this years ball
will be supplied by the wealth and taste
,,ff IleOrq
the idea of the mistletoe, the draperies
are OF green and white. The orchestra;
stand. the galleries, chandellers; ana
and palms lilies, and azaleas form the
principal aiiuncts IN the line of fioricul-
lure wreaths. and garlands OF evergreens,
holly. and mistletoe hang from all the
angles and principal points in the room.
The foyer has been converted INTO
tete-a-tete-room. and has been furnished
with Oriental dlvans and comfortable
chairs. The supper-room is tastefully,
yet not 50 profusely, decorated.