New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-12
Dancers from Many Walks
of Life at Liberal
Clubs ROut
LATE COMERS SEEK
ADMISSION IN VAIN
Goddess Isis Is Centre in
Golden Balls" Great
est Pageant

Egypt Of the Ptolemies lay just
around the corner from Fourteenth
Street Saturday night. Isis, greatest
goddess Of them all, held forth at Web
ster Hall, condescending TO step down
from her high throne TO act as hostess
at the Liberal Clubs third annual Pa
gan Rout. "The Golden Ball." club
members called il, and golden ball it
proved to be. with $500 dancers pay
ing 81 4 piece 20 show their costumes
on the crowded floor and late corners
bidding as high as S25 for the last ad-
mission tickets.
From 10 o'clock until sunrise pagans
came and went. Most of them danced;
some bid themselves away in gallery
boxes or at cafe tables. Whatever was
their pleasure that they did, for the
night was designed for freedom.
At l o'clock the sudden sitting OF
the orchestra presaged the beginning
of the formal festivities. Servitors Of
the goddess drove the jewellers from
the steps Of her temple, which rose ma
iestically TO meet the mosaic ceiling at
one end Of the hall. From the opposite
direction slowly, prayerfully. an almost
naked black slave approached On the
temple steps he knelt in alteration Of
the goddess, on whose face he was not
privileged 70 gaze.
Escort Appears
In the distance trumpets sounded.
Down the hall came incense bearers,
dancing girls, slave boys with sacrifcial
gifts, warriors, priests-all pompous
escort to the high priest of Isis visit
ing her temple for his daily devotions.
Into a dark corner the slave boys skunk.
To weird musical accompaniment the
ceremonials proceeded. Strange dances,
in which every step was a pose and
every movement rectangular and yet OF
peculiar grace, were followed by the as
cent of the high priest to the gates Of
the goddess inner shrine. He took
apart the curtains and looked within.
Dazzled by the sight, he started back
ward. his cohorts falling upon their
faces. Out of the darkness of the
temple stole a ray Of brilliant light
Isis herself came forth to greet her
devotees. Shining white she seemed, in
contrast TO Khem, the black slave boy,
as he rose and followed her
He kneeled, trying to kiss the hem
OF her robe. Rising, he endeavored TO
catch her in his arms. She lured him
10 the uppermost steps of her shrine,
and there EMBODIED him in her floating
draperies and kissed him. The SEN
sation was too overwhelming; he fell,
a dead black mass before her throne.
Pageant Most Impressive
The pageant on Saturday night was
the most impressive the Liberal Club
has ever staged Conceived by Harold
Mann, who played the slave; directed
by Charlotte Carter and decorated by
Ira Remsen, Alice Palmer and Char
lotte Powell, il resembled a gloriously
colored Egyptian frieze. Paula Matz-
rer, as Isis, dominated the scene with
her fresh beauty and exquisite grace.
Bohemans of every profession gladly
became pagans to join in the rout.
Artists. actors, writer's, even staid bust
ness men, were present in the great
crowd that almost fought 70 obtain
tickets.
Baron and Baroness de Meyer, Mrs.
Henry Blossom, Paul and Daisy Thomp-
son. Margaret Wycherly, Jack Haz-
card. Clara Tice. Paul Fridenberg,
Neysa McMein, Julian Street and Law
ton Campbell were among the pseudo
Egyptians present.