THE CHILDREN'S FANCY DRESS BALL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1956, 1 June 1880, Page 3

THE CHILDREN'S FANCY DRESS BALL.

Whenever I hear a man say that he dislikes children, I instantly look upon that man with great suspicion. He possibly cannot, help it, as his natural instincts draw him towards congenial objects, and repel that which is distasteful to him. Innocence, openness, candour, and freshness naturally beoome offensive to him, and he prefers that which is frowsy, mean, and underhanded as more congenial to his own feelings. The old proverb of "Show ine the company a man keeps and I will tell you what ho is," is almost infallible, and a. sure indication to a man's character. This is the kind of character that produces the Wackford Squeors, the murdering baby farmers, and the lanky bully in society. There is a sinister look in his eye that little children instinctively shrink from. If ever this kind of fellow gets married, you can easily prophecy what will become of his poor wife. Now, the man to whom little children unreservedly fly, sit on hiß knee, pull his beard, and are always ready to make fun with, is the man I like. He may have his little fit of bad temper, but depend upon it ho is a kind-hearted, honest, straightforward fellow, to be fully trußted. To say that a man is getting childish when he is old, is rather a compliment to creation, or else it is a gross insult. If when he gets childish he retains the wickedness of his manhood, and is only imbecile, it is an insult; but if he grows simply innocent, the term becomes appropriate, and the sooner some of the flatheads go back to their second childhood the better. I was led into these reflections after a visit to one of the most charming sights I have ever seen in this city of Chriatchurch. Are you going, said I to Julius Flathead, Esq.,'as we met in Cathedral square one day last week, to the children's fancy dress ball at my friend X's, on Thursday next ? Flathead elevated that animated piece of ugly putty called his nose, and said, " I should think not indeed, I hate children." Consequently I hate Flathead. I went, and ho didn't. Picture to yourself a pretty villa residence on a largo scale, in one of the best suburbs of Christchurch, owned by one of the most liberal men I know, full of genial hospitality and kindness. The house furnished in tho most elegant and expensive manner, and in the newess style of fashion. Everything to matoh and harmonise. Our host leads ub down a passage, and there before us appears an exceedingly gay and brilliant scene. A largo ball room, lighted up with gas jets, Chinese lanterns, and tastefully ornamented, is filled with a va3t crowd of children, every ono of them being in a fancy dress. It was a most exciting and dazzling scene- : nearly 200 boys and girls, from the ages of about four up to sixteen years, the great m-ijority boing dressed in rich and very picturesque costumes, dancing to the lively strains of Schwartz's band. Pleasure and happiness beamed from every eye, and the bright, joyous, fresh faces of tho children preaontod a picture but seldom 6oe:i in this plodding, solemn world of ours. Many a watchful parent's heart beat with delight to see hor pretty darlings temporarily elevated [to the rank of princes, countes3e?, or other novel position. How very few plain faces were to be seen, and tho great number of really beautiful children assembled was a eight that did honor to Canterbury. It i 3 a pity the custom of handing in a card, with the name of ths visitor and the character represented, was nor more generally followed. Amongst the number, the following woro very noticeable :—Zingari, Grecian PrinoeßS, America, Red, white and blue, Princess Nourmahal, Shower of Boss Leaveß, Folly, Daughter of tho Regiment, Convolvulus, Flower Girl, Queen of the. Firmament, Skating Girlj Frenoh Peasant Girl, Night,

Morning, A Child of the Period, Winter, Roman Peasant, Queens, Duchesses, Vivandieres, &c. E»rl of Leicester, Prince Rupert, Westminster College Boy, Domino, Dr Quack,Page, Punchinello, Italian Brigand, Russian Gentleman, 17th cantury, Highlander, Mounted Policeman, Post Boy, Cricketer, Page 16th century, Blue-coatf Boy, Zouave, Sailor, Yeoman, Sailor, Pat of MulKngar, Mexican Hunter, &0., &c, &«. The moat noticeable

dresses, were: America, a very beautiful costume, worn by a charming yonng maiden ; the Grecian Princess, a beautiful Grecian costume, worn by a very stately pretty young damsel; the Prinoeso Nourmahal, a most elegant petite costume, by a vory little beauty; Zingari and Queen of the Firmament were very pretty in dress and person, there were many others equally good, but your space will not admit large notice Of the youths, the Earl of Leicester's was tho richost and most elegant ooßtume, which, howovor, scarcely eclipsed that of Prince Ruport. The post boy and mounted policeman wero extremely good. Pat of Mullingar was vory characteristic. Tho Italian Brigand woro a very handsome dress, as also the Mexican hunter.

These entertainments are very enjoyable, and tend greatly to elevate the taste, and to give confidence to tho rising generation. Roundhead.