New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-20

This spirit has been strongly In evidence since
Monday night February 7. when the ball was set
rolling by the Krewe OF Nereus. This bail was
of unusual spendor. and new departure was
taken In the matter OF decorating the boxes OF the
opera house In accordance with the subject repre-
sented. As suggested by the name, Nereus. those
who attended the ball were given an imaginary
descent into the regions OF shade and thence 10 the
depths of the The entrance 10 the opera
house passage into a grotto OF fire. while
small-szed demons In red distributed ball books
and made themselves generally useful as well as
ornamental. The idea admirably carried out
In the decorations. well as In the tableaus
After showing Nereus the King with his oand
of subjr;ated devils and other mythical monsters.
the curtain rose for the final tableau. which was
the King and Queen surrounded by their court
and subjects Then followed the grand march;
which GisPaye oo 70 oeens OF last YEAR and this
with their maids of honor and courtiers ana ias.,
or members Of the Krewe. about one hundred and
Gfy in nrmber who appe a,res with tn kere and
there a graceless figure in what was supposed 70
represent Grecan costume, face with me n NOS,
hopelessy vapd expression, ana moving iooeS '""'
Il is all 81 fooshly absurd and preposterSus tnat
one cannct but give way TO the spirit or tne houi
particularly the conduct Of the mnsnsts he's Is
decorous the extreme thus Inc sdas 10 the
righteousness OF the situation
Then there are always the royalties IN eVnence;
who preserve a little corner Of dignity so lar as
appearances arc concerned.
THE ORDER OF THE BALLS.
The next ball was given by the Elves OF Oberon
on Thursday February 10 Then. beginning with
Tuesday 18th inst six more balls followed each
other I'm rand succession each an effort to sur
pass the others in magnlcence Of display and me
quality of entertainments For. after ALL these al
fairs nothing more than gorgeous spectacular
performances in which me Few paruc,pa.Se o ana IN
the many look on. The following ~ the orae' III
which they took place; Tuesday. February 10, me
Af5ea |f6ay Fc6rnary Momus
day, February 49, The PhTnpy Pnortiss With night
ball and on Tuesday, February p, the Rex parade
parade in ;hc evening followed 10y final balls.
| Al of these are conducted upon almos; the same
Save for tho difference In decorations and in the
costumes. 10 see one would mean to an uninterested
ticpate or. In other words, 10 the society people
Of & m the Su af S h ana G 9e
fun. Besides. there are certain subtle difference
| also some being more exclusive than others: the
Two lest. Proteus and Coaus are the utra-exclu-
stranger to obtain ticket 10 these. while ruch less
| formally attends some OF the others whose mem.
| bers are usually young men, those Of the older
| Organizations being the older and more rigid ad-
herents 20 Old. tried customs The underlying prn.
| oiple Of all these crglnlza lions Is mystery.
WHO WILL BE QUEEN?
The greatest mystery and importance cluster
| anoGt the Srl'cion o. the queens. FOR eNcn bal
must have orc queen ana three maids OF honor
| These always prominent society girls and arc
selected either for tn" reason Of their own popu,
| larlty for the family influence. The creates,
| precauiion IS taken 10 keep tho names OF tn,
J queens and thcir courts profound secret anti
| the night OF the ball Cases have actually oc.
CURED In which the elected queen was dcposed
and another chosen In her place simply becaus,
| she was known 70 have dvulged the secret Con
scquenty. the all-absorbing topic Of conversat Tor
| 81 present and through the carnival season IA
| "Who Is to bc queen of such ball? and ever,
! day ono Is sure To meet many charming girls who
| have lust refused so that II one had never me
! charming girls before on such occasions one Nigh
| be tempted believe that II was an arduou.
| duty rather than the greatest honor TO be a queen
| Usually debutnnfcs from tho most prominent fam
| Tiles are selected However. there is now a rumol
| oooot that an innovation IA TO be introduced thi
| wear and that the queen Of the Great carnival OF
he rex 9" I'VE, h positively Known until SH
| or Marli Gras day.