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Mr. Editor,—
I presumed that some individual far more competent to
the task than myself, would ere this have endeavoured to chronicleize an
event which truly adds another bright page in the history of our brethren
in old Virginia. I allude to the last Hebrew Ball, given at the Exchange
Hotel, on the 7th of February. This magnificent affair, as I may truly
term it, gotten up in aid of a school fund for the “Hebrew and English
Institute of the City of Richmond,” which was incorporated by the
Legislature of this state (Virginia) on the 4th April, 1848, will long be
remembered by those whose good fortune it was to be present on that
occasion.
The precaution that is generally used on the part of
the management of the “Hebrew School Fund Balls,” to render them select
and the most fashionable source of an annual amusement, insures to our
fund a yearly influx of the “precious metal” which, with God’s help, will
be applied to the specified object for which it is intended. Too much
credit cannot be bestowed on the Managers, and more particularly those of
our gentile friends, for their untiring and persevering efforts which were
used on this “third occasion” in our behalf, when it is for a moment
recollected that this fund is to be applied towards the advancement of a
religion entirely foreign to theirs. The Managers were composed of the
following gentlemen: Gustavus A. Myers, Esq., Doct. F. Marx, C. W.
Purcell, Lewis Hyman, Henry L. Brooke, Esq., Wm. W. Crump, Esq., C. A.
M’Evoy, Doct. James Beale, Naphtali Ezekiel, Augustus Mailert, James H.
Grant, James Lyons, Esq., John S. Caskie, Esq., John N. Vanlew, Isaac
Lyon, Richard O. Haskins, Doct. J. H. Conway, Solomon Myers, Jacob A.
Levy, Robert C. Stanard, Esq., Edward Pincus, James Allen, Doct. C. B.
Gibson, Gen. Wm.
Lambert, Morris W. Rose, Wm. F. Ritchie, Jacob
Ezekiel, Robert H. Gallaher, Poitiaux Robinson, Isaac Hyneman, and George
Lyon, who are of high standing in our community, which alone is a
sufficient guarantee as to the manner in which the affair was conducted.
The subjoined extract from the Enquirer, and from a correspondent of the
Richmond Republican, will bear evidence as to the result.
<<54>>
(From the Richmond Republican, Feb. 12th,
1849.)
Having been unavoidably prevented from attending this
handsome and agreeable entertainment, we are unable to do justice in a
description, and must therefore rely upon others. The Enquirer says:—
“Every portion of the room sparkled with flashes from
the eyes of gentile and Hebrew beauties; the gay quadrille and graceful
waltz kept time to the fine music of the Armory Band till ‘the small hours
about the twa;’ everybody seemed bright and happy. The room, with its
floor richly decorated by Mr. Clarke, and the corridors were ornamented
with United States flags and evergreens, and the supper, artistically
arranged, was worthy of the taste and skill of Mr. Boyden and the
Exchange. We were happy to see the Governor and the two Speakers of the
General Assembly mingling freely in the gay throng.”
We add the description of a correspondent.
The Hebrew Ball
Messrs. Editors:—I feel most sensibly the difficulty
of an attempt to portray with proper fidelity the scenes of pleasurable
emotions lately witnessed; but being one of many who experienced a degree
of enjoyment very rarely attained in this city by so respectable a number
as upon a recent occasion, I beg to be excused for this feeble efort,
though the colourings which the ability and imaginations of others could
more appropriately impart may be wanting.
I allude to the “Third Annual Hebrew Ball,” at the
Exchange Hotel on Wednesday evening. I but give the sentiments of the
entire company when I assert, that never were inducements more abundantly
proffered to excite pleasure, and never were countenances and actions more
strongly indicative of complete success, than upon that long to be
remembered occasion.
At nine o’clock, the company, composed of Jews and
gentiles of both sexes, of the first order of respectability, assumed
positions for the dance, which was executed with acknowledged grace,
beauty, and regularity until twelve o’clock, when supper was announced.
Each gentleman with a lady repaired to the supper room, where a most delicious and palatable repast was admirably arranged
for their reception. Everything which the most fastidious taste could
desire, or the appetite crave, was spread out, with credit to the worthy
host of the hotel, whose superior in such management does not live.
After ample justice had been done to this kind of
enjoyment, the ball-room again presented a lively scene. The band poured
forth <<55>>strains of sweet music; voices of mellow richness, in joyous
conversation, greeted the ear from all parts of the hall; beautiful forms
glided through the mazes of the dance, with graceful movements and
admirable accuracy; all conspiring to make the stream of pleasure to flow
in one uninterrupted tide until the hour of separation arrived. We all
parted with a high degree of satisfaction. For an imposing array of
beauty, fashion, and intelligence, this ball has not had its equal for
years. Much credit is due to the Managers for the good taste and
discrimination displayed in the performance of their duty.
G.
The net proceeds of this ball were not, however, as
large as the former ones, it having been attended with greater expense in
getting it up and the number of subscribers not being larger than in
previous years; the Institute has, however, about “five hundred dollars”
to base operations upon, being the proceeds of balls, which are securely
invested, bearing interest. It is the design of the trustees of the
Institute to use their utmost endeavours to establish a school, wherein
shall be taught every species of education, and of which Hebrew and the
advancement of the Jewish religion are to be among its most prominent
features. It is, therefore, the wish of those interested in our
congregational matters to obtain a gentleman to reside among us, fully
qualified to the task of Hazan, lecturer, and, teacher, whose services
will be amply rewarded with such salary as will render the situation
pleasant and agreeable.
E. |
