The Masonic Ball Breaks the Social Ice

The Masonic Ball last night was altogether the most brilliant assemblage of the kind that ever met in Walla Walla. There were some seventy couples present—from various parts of the valley—all of whom remained until long after the wee sma’ hours, each contributing his and her full share toward rendering the evening’s entertainment one of the fullest enjoyment. That lack of sociability and failure upon the part of those acquainted to introduce strangers, which so generally characterizes the halls and even the small private parties upon this coast—making them seem more like funerals than meetings for general sociality—was, by common consent, voted obsolete last night, and the remark was universal that the occasion reminded of the balls at home. The supper, at the Oriental, was, as anticipated, a pounteous one, and the satisfaction of the guests there was not less genuine than at the Hall. Together with the social benefits derived, we are happy to say that the Masonic Fraternity obtained by the occasion—as they most certainly merit for the enterprise they have shown in the erection of so fine a hall—a considerable pecuniary benefit, which will be applied to furnishing their Lodge room.