MASQUERADE BALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 249, 11 October 1876, Page 2

MASQUERADE BALL.

The, ball, last .'night was on the whole a success, although the number of dancers wag :hot;so great* as;. might have been expected, ■the large gallery,, however, was crowded to ...excess*-- with Csightiseers, , so • that vthe : . band fund>in aid of 'whictt the ball was given, will . receive a considerable .addition from the proceeds of the tickets of admission. The Hall was most tastefully decorated with flags, ferns, and stars of bayonets, aud the Artil- „ lery. ; band, ynder tbe conductorsbip of Mr Oakey, supplied music so lively tbat it was ' difficult., everi for tie spectators to refrain from joining in tbe dance. The dresses were all cf them well selected, and some of tliem bad a- most pleasing effect. • There- were ladies of the past centuries, some with their powdered •• hair "{jind quaint costumes, looking so remarkably pretty as to fully justify their appearing without masks; a sprightly little shepherdess witb staff and crook, and many were the youths who lamb-like, clustered around her aud obeyed her commands; Plora Macdonalds and iiower girls flirted with geutlemeu in strange garbs, whose faces were concealed behind impenetrable masks until the- increasing heat of the evening enforced their .'barefaced appearance (no offence intended); Paul Pry, of course, was tbere, and appeared to have no difficulty whatever in worming the secrets of their hcirts from his many pretty partners, who i always welcomed his appearance; military officers other than volunteers there were in gorgeous attire; vivandieres bright, sparkling and chatty, mixed iri the waltz with grave .looking be wigged beaux of the days gone by; while Little > Red Riding Hood, with that '...total, absence., of iear which is one of the [ most attractive featuve's in ber character, was l» in 'ho 'Way afraid evCn of the fierce Fra Dia- | volo...Some.gentlemen had struck upon quite anew idea, "and liad converted themselves Into advertising -mecjiums, having printed on tbeir clothes tbe names of tailors, drapers, and newspaper offices. This, it must be admitted, was quite a novelty at a fancy ball, but, nevertheless, it appeared to be a success if we may judge from the number of " events" for which .they started, each time with a - partner to make auy man bappy 'fp-e.^.da-.ccypgfhaps for life. Altogether it -was a brilliant scene, the many colored dresses showing to great advantage under the height gaslight, tlie inspiriting strains of the music, and the general good humor that prevailed, each one enjoying himself or herself to their heart's content, all combined to make the first masquerade ball given iv Nelson a success upon which its promoters may well be congratulated.