The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-02-23
BLUES ANNUAL BALL
THE SEVENTEENTH AFFAIR 4
 RECORD BREAKER.

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 RECORD BREAKER.
 Armory Transformed Into n Bower of Beauty-coior Scheme OId Gold and white-Banners With Captains Names and Time of service-Galleries Draped in Blue aud white-About 500 Present | -spiendid Music.
 The seventy fifth annual ball of the National Blues. Company D, Second in fantry, c. N. G., was held at the Second regiment armory on Meadow street last night, and, as is always the case when this popular company gives any social event, the affair was a record-breaker in the history of the company. To say that it was a success would inadequate ly express the conditions which prevail ed at last evenings function. The an- nual balls given by this well-known company are always notable social events. and last nights affair was at tended by about eight hundred people. Never before in the history of the com pany was so much money expended in order to make it a crowning success. The decorations were by the New Ha- ven Decorating company and were bril- liant to the eye and exceedingly pleas ant to the senses. They were lavish and beautiful, and the committee in charge is to be congratulated on the good Judgment shown.
 The armory was transformed into a bower of beauty, and not a particle of the bare walls or ceilings was visible. The general color scheme was white and old gold, although light and dark blue and American flags formed part of the general decorations. The entire ceilings and walls were draped with white and old gold cloth. The galleries at either end of the hall were draped with light and dark blue and white, and presented handsome appearance. As in former years, large banners giving the name and time of service of every captain which the Blues have had since l1S28 up to the present time were placed at intervals all about the hall and they added greatly to the decoratoins The bandstand, which was located next to the wall in the right center part of the hall was decorated with white cloth, over which were draped a number of American flags.
 Beautiful white globes covered all the electric lights which hung all about the hail. This greatly enhanced the beauty of the scene, and as they shown on the beautifully gowned ladies and the mili- tary uniforms worn by many of the men the armory presented the appear ance of a veritable fairyland.
 Ranged all about the hall were the boxes, fifty in all, every one of which was draped in white and handsomely furnished.
 The Second regiment band rendered a dance programme of twenty-two numbers. and it is needless to say that the music was as fine as has ever been furnished in this city for a similar oc- casion. The floor was in splendid con- dition, being carefully waxed, and this fact in conjunction with the delightful rhythm and harmony of the music, made the dancing a joy which will not soon be forgotten by all those who were fortunate enough to participate. All the other military companies in this city belonging to the Second regiment were represented in private boxes which they had purchased and handsomely decorated.
 From o'clock until g the band rem dered a carefully selected musical pro- gramme, which was greatly enjoyed by the early arrivals. At o'clock the military march took place, and it was participated in by the distinguished guests present and the officers and members of the company. This was led by Captain Isbell, who escorted Ma jor Tilson All the movements were ex- ecuted in conjunction with bugle calls.
 A quarter of an hour later the grand march was started and this was led by Captain Isbell and wife, about three hundred other couples following. Al the conclusion of the grand march the band struck up a catchy two-step, the long line was then broken up, and the annual ball given by the New Haven Blues was on.
 After the eleventh dance-abouts one o'clock-intermissio occurred and most of those present went to the various hotels about the city for supper. About two o'clock the music commenced agair and it was nearly four o'clock before the tired but happy dancers wendec their way homeward.
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 FIRST SWIMMING CARNIVAL.
 The swimming carnival to be hele