Evening star., 1906-06-16
aINKo REPORTS THE BALL.
European Dancing Of Thirty Years
Ago Through Japanese Eyes.

Ft2-l the London Graphic
A correspondent sends us the transla-
ton of description of a ball given to the
British by French marines on February
26. 1875. which appeared two days later
in the Nichi Nichi Shimbun of Toxic:
On the occasion Of the evacuation of
Yokohama by the British and French
troops, who. at last. after a sojourn of
more than ten years, are about to return
to their native countries 1t was deter
mined to give them farewell ball. The
town hall OF Yokohama was lent for the
purpose and the day before yesterday was
nxed on for the festfvity.
Gas jets shaped like flowers had been
previously placed around the exterior OF
the edihce, and as their flame, following
the impulse Of the breeze, was now sud
denly extinguished and then as suddenly
darted again into light the effect resem-
bled that OF fireworks. At the corner of
the first ward Of the main street was sta
toned a body Of flremen with their en-
gate of the town hall stood body of
japanese sailors on guard who, at the
word Of command. presented arms to the
principal guests, both native and foreign,
as they entered the ediflce.
Well, while the clock was yet striking
u suddenly, with a clang, the band struck
up. and instantly both men and women,
dressed in ceremonial garments. mounted
on to the dancing stage and commenced
the dance. AS the men were mostly of
elevated rank, among them might be seen
some whose breasts were hung with
medals, and mixed with them were SOL
diers in scarlet clothes.
The women were all clad in thin gar
ments, whose skirts were longer than
those of the dresses they appear In on or
dinary occasions, sweeping. as they did,
the ground. They had put on beautifully
ornamented headdresses and had placed
round their necks. likewise in both
ears, rings of precious stones or coral, or
gold or silver. Round their arms, too. they
had coiled bracelets of precious stones,
and golden rings encircled their fingers.
When these foreign women, SO beauti-
full in themselves, thus superadded to
their beauty by exhausting all the arts
of adornment, there are no flowers, there
is no anything to which they can be COM
pared; surely the very angels of heaven,
ments are the subject of the artists
brush, cannot be more lovely apparitions.
More than a hundred men and women
danced holding each others hands and
and now rapidly darting; now meeting,
and then as suddenly dispensing, the ef-
feet was like that of the childrens game
where they sing:
Lotus flower lotus flower,
No sooner have we said you closed than you
open out,
or else, like the game where he who pre-
tends to be the devil calls out:
I'll catch the children! III catch the children?
What pen can describe the thousand
and ten thousand manners in which they
noated and fiuttered by? The music was
most various: and both dancers and musi-
clans changed from time to tiAe. the
dancing not coming to a conclusion till
o'clock upon which all the guests OF
every nationality were feasted In an In
ner apartment.
IT, Ginko, in my capacity of newspaper
correspondent was, together with the writ
ers Of the Yokohama press, admitted Into
a particular room to witness the festivity.
During the collation. flutes were blown and
drums beaten at intervals to rejoice mems
minds Loud was the sound, but yet not
noisy. intricate, but not lascdvious; 1t SEEM
ed made.
To nll the ears with ample harmonies.
Each and all touched the utmost limits
Of delight. At about 3 o'clock the COM
pany dispersed in their various carriages
and jinrikshas
my humble lodging being situated close
to the noble edifice, went home to bed I'M
mediately after seeing out the entertain
rnent to the end. But I oversight myself
yesterday morning, the 9th. and when at
last at II o'clock did get up, went to
chiidren's party at the house Of my friend
Kanda Ginzo, and there got drunk over the
convivial cup. So, what with missing the
train, / did not reach home till nightfall
and have barely had time to compose this
article"