New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-08
WHEN MASKS CONE OFF.
The Studies of a Psychologist at a
Masquerade Ball.

Buffalo Feb. 7 (speciaD.-"Dld you ever notice
the incongru;ty between costumes and their wear
ers a. masquerade bslls?'' said the barber shop
philosopher as Re waited for that welcome cry.
Next gentr' Il make il practice 20 90 to the big
ones" he continued after some one had said that
they had generally found things too lively for OBJ
servation along the lines mentioned at masquerade
balls. Just to notice the difference and get IN
little fine work on everyday psychological aspects
Has II ever occurred 20 you. 70 quote the lines Of
a cong De Wolf Hopper used 10 sing. that many q
woman. when he or she dous n masquerade
costume. reveals the unqualified ambition % his
her Efe7 For Instance saw tailor knew
the other night at q masquerade tnll costumed
a general High hceed riding boots and q hlg
bearskln shake gave him considerable height for
one who dwarfs himself by sitting cross-legged on
a. bench and padding. judiciously utilized. about
shoulders and chest, large spear pointed false
mustache and ell the bravery OF big imitation
gold epaue,tes. gilt cords and tsssels. plated
medals sword and gauntlets made him martial
looking figure. He might have posed for field
marshal OF France-Just long no kept his
mask on. When he removed that face covering
the taller became apparent. You looked at his
weakened. ras;y face and peernE. near-sighted
eyes and it needed only the sight OF his needle
pricked fingers. when the gauntlets became too
warm. 20 convince you that his was the order OF
the Stitch.
The average Fat woman. II she IS going TO a
masquerade ball. win a costume which che
thinks gives her the appearance OF a Titania- In
her ninnsy. tinsel bedecked garments she disports
herself with e,ephsntine ponderos.ty. She forgets
her weight handicap. and in her numbering capers
fancies herself graceful and light footed
Puck. All this with her mask wHh Il or She
CONES back 70 earth and takes back seat, 10
she does in daily life and Earb over her
plethora OF odiDose tissue.
Take the clown. With his grotesque mask
he cuts as many antics, Frances about IN as much
horseplay his circus prototype. bold. roll
licking blade. IN everyday life. you say to your
self. lie removes his mask and he's OF the
meekest saddest looking chaps. He becomes
cate. is almost retiring and the expression
Of 4 confirmed pezslmist. His hair is tlnsed with
gray and you can he Is wei along toward
fifty. He's bank clerk.
Here's a dairymaid. bringing to your eyes q
vision OF country fields and hedgerows, green
meadows peOpled by rudy faced wholesome pure
hearted country lasses. The eyes dwell on yours
an instant. then lower and you imagine q blush
mRntllng a creamy forehead. or comes the mask
and you hard face, one that haunts tbs
streets where virtue is laughed at. Her eyes now
meet yours brazsny. She becomes a Bacchanalan
reveller. Sort or pathos in it. isn't there7
Take notice OF this bewigged and beruhied
courter with calves OF rounded majesty. fit to be
ranked with those OF English butler making
the owner worthy the encomium Lady Mount
stuart bestowed Sir Willoughby Patberne He
has leg Even Richmond Roy might have been
proud to show such. Sl1en and embroidered coat
and small clothes, silk stockings shining shoe
buckles, ell the sartorial glory Of a dandy OF the
court OF Louis XIV are here accompanied by a fair
imitation OF the grand manner that should set
them on But at unmasking time you recognize
! the courtier department store clerk whose
Taucous 'Boyr has grated your more than
once And IL you notice him later you viii sec
that those kngly calves have shifted 10 shin front
thereby furnishing commentary on the constancy
OF padding.
Here's a cowboy escorting an Indian princess
lndlan ppncesseS weren't In the habit OF wearing
week leave unmistakahle imprints on the arms. and
this princess even though she knows tits only a
. delUsion, Is bent on hOOdwnking herself, II only
! Tor a little while. III you have good memory you
/ Will remember IN the cowboy when he doffs his
mask A. D. 7. boy whom oftcntirnes you have
seen illustrating the proverb the haste the
how one bullet from Dead Shot Dick killed nine
teen Indians who were lined up in single file wait-
ing 10 take their turn At tho coffee wagon.
The men and women little IN stature and DOqi-
ton put on the clothes that beft those high sta
lions which their thoughts often turn with a
longing all the greater because Il knows the i'm
possibility OF fulhlment Those whose lives are
devoid OF show and run in never changing grooves
don the Rarb OF romance and adventure. Tho
president or the Cook ladies' Union wears the
tiara OF marquise the hallboY becomes a gran
a GainsborOugh girl: the blacksmith gloves
covering his horned palms. can himself mani
cured dandy: the truck driver needs but wig and
RULES to fancy himself prime minister. Masked.
the maiden Of forty summers and winters can cast
lareuishiag fiery glances that will surround her
with admirers Unmasking time for her is the
ceDonnair youth and spriEhtly when
IN the knowledge OF concealed badness and crows
feet Eyes behind masks beaming wltchery that
might lead TO the overturning Of monarchies or
the GROWING Of swfneherds lose their lustre when
surmoupting the nakedness OF commonplace feat
IF you want see what the world would be-
knowing the holelessness Of can't go to
masquerade BALI"