The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-17

BY far the most brilliant. the most
signal and the most successful social
event that has been seen in this city
for years was Mrs Spink's Fancy
Easter Ball. given at Infantry hall
last evening for which more than 500
invitations had been accepted.
1t was PLANNED especially for the
children; still. In the large assemblage
were hundreds OF the friends and form
er pupils of Mrs. Splnk. The chill
dren's program, from o TO ), began
promptly at o'clock with the grand
march or polonaise, led by little
Wheaton Carr Vaughn and Hazel
children. The four leading couples
were little tots scarcely 5 years old.
and very slowly and gracefully did
they lead the long line through the
many difficult changes. AS they moved
here and there. dividing and sub-divid-
ing, the picture was a most beautiful
one. Suggesting perfect dream OF
beauty aud veritable Vanity Fair"
A word picture is entirely inadequate
TO portray the charm. the novelty and
the fascination OF the scene. Surely
childhood. never seemed more fair nor
the poetry of motion more alluring.
The fancy costumes OF tho children
were strikingly beautiful and widely
diversified In design, and these, min
gled with the many beautiful gowns of
the maidens and matrons. made most
brilliant ensemble.
Among the dances executed by the
children the Minuet de la Occur" at
tracted especial attention This grace
full. stately dance. which was the first
to captivate the whole civilized world.
was danced by. Mrs. Spink's little pu-
nj tn ft<..ts4 tsrt
ner that might have done credit to the
French drawing rooms of a century
ago. A graceful act was performed at
the close of the children's part in the
minuet, when Mrs. Sphinx advanced and
eaid: Children. you have all heard
the. story of How Grandma danced
the minuet,' Now you shall see how
your mammas dance the minuet." One
set IN the mipuet was then danced by
Mrs. George II. Holmes. Mrs. Frederick
W. Burt, Mrs. Ida NJ. Eddy, Mrs. AL
bert Il. Stevens AIRS. Florence Tomp-
kins. Mrs. Jennie Briggs, Mrs Henry
A. Kirby and .Irs. Fred A. Young.
THE FLAG FIGURE.
The children's program closed with
the Flag Figure In the cotlion. This
was a magnificent dance composed OF
nearly 300 children and 70 pairs OF
flags.
Many OF these flags were used on
this occasion for the first time. the
same being the nucleus OF large and
valuable collection OF fiags which Mrs.
Sppks friends. headed by Mrs. Dod-
worth Of New York, have presented TO
her. The flags are mounted on sticks
of valuable southern American wood
and are designed for especial use in the
german.
During the german there was fire.
quent and hearty applause, both for
s,rs. Sphinx and her pupils. for Vt must
be confessed that Mrs. Sphinx seemed
indeed to have found the fountain OF
youth.
Certainly the dominant spirit which
controlled that large assemblage gave
no hint OF the approach OF the time
when the "grssshoppsr shall be bur-
den.'
As side by side in every phase Of
life goes Joy and sorrow. so. on this oc-
casion. there was an undertone OF sad
ness because OF the absence OF many
who were seriously III and. in one OF
two Instances bereavement had en-
tered the house.
Upon the conclusion OF the chlldren's
! program there was a short intermis-
sion. when dancing was resumed by the
older sell and continued until midnight
The music for. dancing. under the al.
rettion ~ Mr.. William Livsey and Miss
Myra Davis, Of Mrs splnk's regular
orchestra. was admirable. The reRula,
orchestra was augmented by severa
other pieces, The whole rendering mos
delightful, music.
THE MUSICAL PROGRAM
The musical program, as arranget