Society as I Have Found It
Ward McAllister
Paperback
(TheClassics.us, Sept. 12, 2013)
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIV. Tk* "Banner Ball" --How to prepare a Ball-room Floor -- A cur hus Costume and a sharp Answer-- The Turkish Ball--Indisposition of ladies to danct at a Public Ball-- The Yorktown Centennial Ball-- Committees are Ungrateful--My Experience in this Matter -- / discover Mr. Blaine and introduce Myself. In 1876, asked by a committee of eighty-two ladies to act as Manager of a ball they were getting up at Chickering Hall, in aid of the "Centennial Union,", to be called the "Banner Ball," I accepted their flattering invitation to lead so fair a band of patriots. On examining the premises, I found that on a new floor they had put a heavy coat of varnish; there was nothing then to be done but to sprinkle it thickly with corn meal, and then sweep it off, and renew the dressing from time to. time. It is well to say here that if a floor is too slippery (which it often is, if hard wood is used and it is new), there is nothing to be done but to sprinkle it with powdered pumice-stone, sweeping it off before dancing on it; and again, if it is not slippery enough, then, as above, give it repeated doses of corn meal, and the roughest floor is soon put in good condition to dance on. The opening quadrille of this ball was very effective. We formed in the second story of the Hall. I led the way to the ball-room with the "fairest of the fair," the daughter of one of the most distinguished men in this country (who had not only been Governor of this State, but Secretary of State of the United States). We were surrounded by a noble throng of old New Yorkers, all eager to view the opening quadrille. The ladies were in Colonial costumes, representing Lady Washington and the ladies of her court. As I walked through the crowded rooms, having on my arm...