The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-10

hall and staircase t/4Rk sANM HOY/--e surrounded by balconies for three flights. Before going to my box l stood and watched the people below coming in through the brilliantly light ed entrance and walking up the stairs. It was a dazzling sight. In the audi torium the regular stage of the opera and a semi-circle leading from it were decorated with brilliant colored lights In the form of arches. In the center of the auditorium temporary stage had been built and it was here that the arranged pageant took place.
 The first entree, and the only one in which an individual was the center, was the Marchesa Cassati, representing the Comtesse de Castiglione. She of ficially opened the ball and with her escorts entered from the regular stage, walked to the one in the center and then returned and sat on the stage. The three other entriees or divertisse- ments Gas they were called on the pro- gram) were made from the front of the house and after their dance was done they sat below the big stage in the semi-circle.
 must confess that the pageant was not extraordinarily we'll done. Some of the costumes were lovely, but there is nothing more difficult than to walk well to music, and in addition to clumb steps on to stage. Very few amateurs can do it and these were no exception to the rule. But the picture of the house as a whole was brilliant. Almost every box (and there are three tiers) had several beautiful Spanish shawls draped over the front, and those with their background of ladies in mantillas and high combs made magnificent picture.
 After the amateurs there were three dances by professionals and then, with the Marchesa Cassati leading, all the groups marched out and the entertain ment was ended. Then began the really amusing part of the evening. The tenn porary stage was quickly taken down and people started dancing in it's place. On the first floor balcony there were tables were one could sit and have a glass of champagne, another room for dancing and, best of all,Na steady promo made of people around and around the balcony. One's best friend might have been there and one would not have known it, the crowd was so enormous. On the other hand, the Opera house is so large that one never felt crowded, and 1t was very amusing to watch the many different costumes.
 About one-thirty my party left and went to the Abbaye in Montmartre. When we arrived in MOntmartre could hardly believe my eyes. Paris had liter ally gone crazy for one night Crazy in the most childish, delightful carni- val spirit I have ever seen. The streets were full of people walking from resta- urant to restaurant in costume. walked into the Abbaye and it was full of French people from the ball; peop- pie who rarely go inside one of the Montmartre night places. Everyone talking to everyone else, everyone, for the moment at least, happy and light hearted; gaiety in the true unforced sense of the word, reigning supreme. Every place in Montmartre was the same.
 It was a delightful and unfOrgettable night, and, I am told by French peo- pie, has never quite been equalled be- fore. The ball has been better other years, but nver has there been quite such a spontaneous merrymaking in the streets and cafes of Montmartre.