Ball at Ravensgrag, Montreal, 1885

Montreal Daily Star, 26 January 1885, page 2

 

Ball at Ravenscrag

The opening of Mr. Montagu Allan’s House

The Social event of the season

 

The social event of the season was undoubtedly the grand ball given Friday night by Mr H Montagu Allan at Ravenscrag.  It is allowed to have been quite the most brilliant affair this season, and was a fitting re-opening of the palatial residence after the long silence, consequent upon the death of the late knight.  From an early hour, handsome equipages of every description drew up to the doors, and deposited ladies and gentlemen representing the elite of Montreal society.  Dancing was commenced about nine o’clock, and was continued all the evening.  Upwards of two hundred and forty guests were present, including visitors from Quebec, New York and Boston.  The entire mansion was brilliantly illuminated with the gay assemblage and lavishly decorated with flowers and plants, “presenting a fairy-like scene.”  Two conservatories, which opened from the ball-room, were crowded between the dances.  At 11:30 the guests partook of supper, served under the direction of Mr. Joyce.  During the evening, Gruenwald’s orchestra rendered some very excellent music.  The affair broke up at about 2.30 this morning.  Among those present were the Hon DA Smith, Miss Smith, Mrs RB Angus, and the Misses Angus, Mr and Mrs Hector Mackenzie, Mrs Dow and the Misses Dow, Mr and Mrs Joseph Hickson, Mr FC Henshaw, Mr and Mrs Alexander Allan, of Brockville, Mr Alfred Stewart, Quebec, Mr Vincent Meredith, Mrs Meredith, Mr CD Monk, Mrs John Hamilton and Miss Hamilton, Mrs Elmenhorst, Mr Wulff, Mr and Mrs Hugh Paton, Mr and Mrs J Alex L Strathy, Miss Abbott, Mrs Morse of Boston, the Misses Scott, Mr Leopold Galarpeau,  Miss McDougall, Mr James and Mrs Wilson, Mr Macdougall, and Messrs Buchanon, Henshaw and Campbell.