The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-02-24

AS the years roll by the knights of Pythias
ball appears to get a frmer hold upon the
people, and it is not to be wondered at when
we consider that the officers of that organi-
cation spare no pains in arranging for these
events, and that they strive each wear to
make some Improvements on the balls of
previous years. The eleventh annual con-
cert, drill and ball of Belfast Company. Uni
formed Rank, Knights of Pythias, was given
in Belfast Opera House Monday evening,
Feb. 21st, and as above intimated, was an
Improvement in some respects on any that
have preceded it.
The decorations of the hall, while of the
same general nature as in previous wears.
were more elaborate, and some features were
added which made the effect very beautiful.
Above and behind the stage, in lieu of a
curtain, were two large flags, upon which
were the double triangles of the order in
evergreen. These triangles We're lighted by
red and white electric lights and the white
letters ~. r. X. p" across the triangles
We're made brilliant by white incandescent
lights The words Belfast Company" and
SiAipiStio vi puC oluel, were III bu6lT usual
place at the foot of the stage. Streamers of
red, blue and yellow extended from the
centre, overhead, i'll all directons and
smaller streamers of the same coors were
looped upon the front of the gallery and
around the top of the hall. Arms and drums
were hung in various places about the walls,
and the company 8 banner was suspended at
| the Of ba halponU rail
dates, "'S7. Belfast Company. 9S," were
surrounded by a graceful festoon of ribbons
on the wall above the rear balcony An in
teresting and very convenient arrangement
was a bower of evergreen trees, in which
stream of water flowed over circular cake
! OF ice upon a pyramid of rocks and made a
very pretty fountain. The woodland effect
was heightened by the head of deer peer
ing through the trees and a squirrel saucily
perched upon a bough,
RECEPTION To OFFICERS AND VISITORS.
At O'Clock Belfast Company appeared
and marched into the hall to music by the
Belfast Band. After saluting the audience,
the company was drawn up across the hall,
to receive the Brigade and Battalion officers
esh@>i
ce;ved with due honors, as follows:
Col. Elmer Small Assistant Commissary
General.
Maj. Matthew W. Welch of the Second
Battalion
A. E. Stevens, Sergeant Major to Major
Wech.
Keyes Company, L. R., X. of P, Rock
land, Capt. R. r. Uimer commanding.
THE CONCERT BY THE BELFAST BAND
To many present the most interesting and
enjoyable feature of the evening was the
concert by the Belfast Band, in which they
presented a carefully selected program IN
manner which added fresh laurels to their
fame. The new instruments were used for
the first time in public, and proved to be IF
excellent quality in a | respects. The fo.-
lowing numbers were given:
/. Overture to William Tell Rossini
2 "Tarantelle," Julien
| 3 Selection, "El Captain Sousa
4. Ballet Music from William Tell
arr. Casey
B. Rag Time Frolic, Tracey
THE DRILL BY BELFAST COMPANY.
The drill by the Belfast Company was one of
the finest ever given in this city. The lines
were kept in perfect dress and order at d i
times, and the movements were so well
timed that but one sound was heard when
the swords OF more than score of Knights
were brought into each of the many positions
called for by the manual. Many of the old
familiar movements of the army tactics
were performed, and few were presented
for the first time before Belfast audience
Every movement was carried out with the
utmost precision, and the perfection of the
company in this drill speaks we'll for the
efficiency of the captain, Francis n. Welch,
and the perseverance and adaptabillty of
manguvers. The officers of Belfast Com
pany in the drill were as follows.
Captain, Francis HI. Welch.
First Lieutenant, VIM. A. Kimball
Second Lieutenant, Duncan McAndless.
Guard, VIM. M. Welch.
Sentinel, Arthur c. Whitney.
| THE BALL.
| An innovation was introduced this wear in
having the band lead off in the grand
march, taking position in the centre of the
hall for the "circle" which followed. The
march was headed by Col. Small and Mrs.
Frank R. Wiggin The music for the re-
mainder of the dances was by the Belfast
Theatre Orchestra, with the addition of
Messrs. G. Fl. Soule, first violin and W. H.
Marston, double bass, both of Waterville
The dance order contained twenty three
numbers. Although it was in no sense a
dress ball the costumes of the ladies we're
all very becoming. In some of the dances
upwards of a hundred couples were Oh the
floor.
| THE SUPPER.
| From 10 to II o'clock an excellent supper
was served in dining room extemporzed
on the stage behind the curtain. Landlord
M. R. Knowlton of the Windsor Hotel was
the caterer, and the tables were in charge of
Ernest E. Burgess. Following is the menu:
Oysters (Raw) lemon points,
Cold Turkey Cold Ham Cold Tongue
| Chicken Salad
Celery Olives Pickles
| Hot Rolls
| Ice Cream and Assorted Cake
Apples Oranges Grapes
Tea Milk Coffee