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Show THE VALENTINE BALL. Our Irrepressible Correspondent Visits Providence Hall, and Gives an Account of What he Saw and Heard. Editor Leader-- It is customary with us when about to do something out of ordinary manner, to fortify ourselves by the example of great men; and so when on Valentine's eve we were beguiled into purchasing a ticket for a ball in a neighboring village, we immediately began to consider what authority would defend us in so doing. Our memory presently suggested the following: Lucian in one of his dialogues introduces a philosopher upbraiding his friend for being a lover of dancing, and a frequenter of balls. The friend endeavors to defend his favorite pastime by stating that it was at first invented by the goddess Rhea, and preserved the life of Jupiter from the cruelty of his father Saturn; that it had been approved by the greatest men, and that Merion, a fine dancer, mentioned by Homer, was distinguished in this particular above any one in the Greek and the Trojan armies, that Pycchus gained more reputation for inventing the dance which bears his name than by all his other actions; and that among the Lacedemonians [Lacedaemonians] dancing was held in such repute that they erected statues to the honor of their best dancers. He adds that Socrates not only admired this exercise in others but learned it himself when he was an old man; and lastly that Hesiod says, "The gods have bestowed fortitude on some men, and on others a disposition for dancing." Lucian adds that the philosopher is so convinced by these and some other arguments that he offers to attend his friend to the next ball. In the same mood having struggled into a pair of our tightest boots, at about 8 o'clock we presented ourselves at the hall door, and were immediately accosted by a beardless youth some four feet high who demanded fifty cents or a ticket. This matter being adjusted we looked for a seat, but unfortunately found none empty. Observing our condition, a pleasant looking fellow having but one eye accosted us with "Sir, if you will follow me to the left, I doubt not you may find a seat." We thanked this gentleman, and having followed him into a corner of the building, soon found ourselves ensconced among a number of intelligent youth chewing the cud of reflection, from whence we could obtain a view of our surroundings and observe what was doing. The hall (what could be seen of it) is about forty feet long and of equal width. On each side there are three long windows, under which is a continual seat extending to the door by which we entered. At the other end is a stage used for dramatic representations, for a gaudy curtain hangs there loaded with unnatural scenery. On the floor in all the glory of holiday attire were dozens of persons of both sexes doing violent exercise to the scraping of a fiddle. We enjoyed this scene, and particularly those parts of it which seemed to give the performers most satisfaction. We took notice in particular of a very agile fellow who excited our astonishment from the violence of his movements. He would on a sudden jump into the air so high that we imagined he must have secret springs about him. He came down on his right foot, and again flew up, alighting on his lift, then holding out his right leg, put it into such a quivering motion that we thought he would have shaken it off. He used the left after the same manner, when on a sudden to our great surprise, he stooped himself incredibly low, and turned gently on his toes. After this, he recovered himself with a sudden spring, and seizing his partner flew around the room with all the violence imaginable. In the same set was a young fellow with so red a face that we were in pain lest he should take fire. We noticed that his step was heavy and slow, for indeed his pumps were remarkably large. The company was very mixed, as much with regard to size as to sex. Many children were there who, instead of getting themselves under the feet of grown persons would have been much better abed. This inequality of size somewhat marred the uniformity of the scene, as the contrast between a child ten years of age, and a man six feet high, balancing himself to her was preposterous. Not willing to be only a spectator we took an early opportunity of planting ourselves at the head of a set, where we soon felt the force of the proverb, Non omnia possumus omnes [?]. A lad with white hair, and a tall woman in homespun formed with ourselves the "first four." On the left stood a rosy cheeked girl with a very slim young man for a partner, who, we afterward learned was considerably deaf. Opposite these, were a short man who we dare swear was a tailor for he was extremely bow-legged, and a pensive lady in curls and a pink dress. The music commenced and we commenced; at "balance all," all balanced, and that was the last order executed. The deaf man misunderstood the call and promenaded with great vigor when he should have stood still. At "forward four" the tailor discovered himself as an ass, for instead of minding the call he swung his lady nearly off her feet. By this time the young gentleman opposite us had succeeded by stepping upon a lady's trail behind him, for which he took a box on the ears, and the lady her seat. The rest of the programme was all chaos until we sat down again and could collect our thoughts. We danced twice after this with but moderate success, for when our number was called, the floor was generally filled, and no alternative was left between choosing a child or a seat. As the latter better suited our sedentary nature, we played the part of wall flower with much spirit, and were enabled to make such observations as the subject permitted. Several incidents united to make the ball a failure, in a pleasurable point of view, for we doubt not it was success financially. The hall was improperly lighted, order was noticeable by its absence; too many tickets were issued, and too many of the "rising generation" were present. We would recommend to the managers in future to allow no children of twelve or thirteen years of age, to occupy the seat, and fill the floor for which older people have come several miles and paid their money to enjoy. Beppo. Logan, Feb. [February] 16, 1880. |