=DECORATIONS=

So far as good taste is concerned, the decorations for a ball cannot be too lavish or beautiful.  To be sure they should not be lavish if one’s purse is limited, but if one’s purse is really limited, one should not give a ball!  A small dance or a dancing tea would be more suitable.

Ball decorations have on occasions been literally astounding, but as a rule no elaboration is undertaken other than hanging greens and flowers over the edge of the gallery, if there is a gallery, banking palms in corners, and putting up sheaves of flowers or trailing vines wherever most effective.  In any event the hostess consults her florist, but if the decorations are to be very important, an architect or an artist is put in charge, with a florist under him.

=THE BALL BEAUTIFUL=

Certain sounds, perfumes, places, always bring associated pictures to mind:  Restaurant suppers; Paris!  Distinguished-looking audiences; London!  The essence of charm in society; Rome!  Beguiling and informal joyousness; San Francisco!  Recklessness; Colorado Springs!  The afternoon visit; Washington!  Hectic and splendid gaiety; New York!  Beautiful balls; Boston!

There are three reasons (probably more) why the balls in Boston have what can be described only by the word “quality.”  The word “elegance” before it was misused out of existence expressed it even better.

First:  Best Society in Boston having kept its social walls intact, granting admission only to those of birth and breeding, has therefore preserved a quality of unmistakable cultivation.  There are undoubtedly other cities, especially in the South, which have also kept their walls up and their traditions intact—­but Boston has been the wise virgin as well, and has kept her lamp filled.

Second:  Boston hostesses of position have never failed to demand of those who would remain on their lists, strict obedience to the tenets of ceremonies and dignified behavior; nor ceased themselves to cultivate something of the “grand manner” that should be the birthright of every thoroughbred lady and gentleman.

Third:  Boston’s older ladies and gentlemen always dance at balls, and they neither rock around the floor, nor take their dancing violently.  And the fact that older ladies of distinction dance with dignity, has an inevitable effect upon younger ones, so that at balls at least, dancing has not degenerated into gymnastics or contortions.

The extreme reverse of a “smart” Boston ball is one—­no matter where—­which has a roomful of people who deport themselves abominably, who greet each other by waving their arms aloft, who dance like Apaches or jiggling music-box figures, and who scarcely suggest an assemblage of even decent—­let alone well-bred—­people.

=SUPPER=

A sit-down supper that is served continuously for two or three hours, is the most elaborate ball supper.  Next in importance is the sit-down supper at a set time.  Third, the buffet supper which is served at dances but not at balls.