Bohemia 30/11/1862 published advance news of this event, announcing: ‘(Ball.) The Deutsche Casino will be arranging a benefit Ball for the poor inhabitants of the Erz- [Oře] and Riesengebirge [Krkonoše] Mountains, on 28th January on the Žofín Island.’ A musical rehearsal for this event took place on 11/1/1863 in the Žofín Island Hall.

The Feuilleton of Prager Morgenpost 13/1/1863 featured comment upon various social aspects of the forthcoming Carnival season, including what was perceived to be the important event of this charitable ball arranged by the Deutsche Casino and more specifically the rehearsal that took place on 11/1/1863. Select compositions that had proved particularly popular in performance at that rehearsal were noted in a brief review of that event published by Prager Morgenpost 12/1/1863. Those same works would almost certainly have been performed at the ball itself on 28/1/1863.

Prager Morgenpost 14/1/1863 reported that the musical rehearsal of dance compositions to be given at this event, which took place on 11/1/1863 had resulted in a profit of 200fl to be donated to this charitable cause. This source went on to note that already 4000fl had been subscribed for the forthcoming Ball itself. Later on 22/1/1863 Prager Morgenpost reported that subscriptions now amounted to 8000fl, a large number of which comprised members of the local aristocracy. As a result of popular interest in the ball admission tickets were being issued showing the name of the ticket holders, obviously as a result if the intense popular interest in the event and in order to prevent fraud and limit entry to only those who had purchased a ticket.

An advertisement inviting gentleman members of the Casino to obtain admission tickets [Herrenkarten – literally ‘Gentlemen’s tickets’] to this ball was first published by the German-language newspaper Prager Morgenpost on 18/1/1863. The source announced ‘Gentlemen’s tickets to the Ball arranged on 28th January 1863 by the German Casino to benefit the poor inhabitants of the Oře and Krkonoše Mountains begin to be available from 20th of this month in the rooms of the Casino (Horse market [Václavské náměstí] nr.780-2, 1st floor) between 12 and 3 o’clock. Civilian gentlemen are to present themselves at the Ball in black tailcoats with white cravattes, those of the Military in uniform. Those gentlmen subscribers and Casino members who have failed to receive admission tickets for ladies should please bring their complaints to the Committee. [Signed] The Committee [of the German Casino].’ This advertisment was repeated in the newspaper on 19, 20, 21, 22, 23/1/1863.

The substantial advance coverage given to this event by Prager Morgenpost was matched by the lavish review appearing as the whole Feuilleton of the newspaper on 29/1/1863. The correspondent, signed ‘=’, wrote: ‘The Ball of the German Casino in aid of the needy of the Krkonoše Mountains. Many a beautiful ball has thundered in the Hall of the Žofín Island, yet one would have to look far back into memory to come upon any that could match the splendour of the scenery and the elegance that were celebrated last night. For weeks the hearts of all dance lovers had anticipated longingly this ball, organised by the Deutsche Casino for the benefit of the poor inhabitants of the Oře and Krkonoše Mountains. It was to be a glittering carnival, worthy of both its organisers and its noble purpose. And these hopes were not disappointed. The arrangement of the entire celebration showed the finest taste throughout. The brilliant decoration of the great ballroom made a most astonishing impression. Along both long sides of the room, reaching to the ceiling, a huge tableau was set up that impressed with its ingenious design (by Mr Behr, who designed all the decorations). High overhead the Austrian two-headed eagle was resplendent in an escutcheon, surrounded by black-and-yellow, black,-red-and-yellow and red-and-white flags. Beneath this was the likeness of „Bohemia“, defending industry and trade, and a mighty golden caption, „In your enjoyment, remember those who do without“ [Denket im Genuße an die Entbehrenden], served as a reminder of the purpose of the occasion, while the imperial motto „Viribus unitis“ indicated a no less worthy reminder to all present at the ball. The tastefully decorated central niches contained busts of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. Angelic forms, in their hands the welcome offerings of „Peace“ and „Prosperity“, were suspended about the imperial couple. An allegorical group represented commerce, trade and industry. In the two side niches objects from the mountain industries were displayed in tasteful manner: velvet and lace, toys, furniture materials, glass, porcelain and so on. The four other niches, situated along the long side of the hall, contained tableaux showing a variety of produce from the land, plus beer (Leitmeritzer - from Litoměřice), wine, sugar and grain. The impression of the whole was heightened by suitable decoration.

The side galleries contained simple black, red and gold-framed shields that contained, in gold inscription, the names of the German societies present in Prague, plus the number of years since their founding. On the right could be seen the legend: „German Students Singing Society 1863“, „German Singing Society Flöte 1861“, „German Singing Society Aëde 1862“ and „German Singing Society Arion 1862“; on the left, „German Society of Stenographers 1862“, „German Historical Society 1862“, „Reading Room of German Students 1849“ and „German Gymnastics Society 1862“. In the middle gallery, opposite the large tableau, were the words „Deutsche Casino 1862“, surrounded by Austrian, German and Bohemian flags. The entire hall was clad in brilliant white, and in the radiant brightness of the decoration the fresh green of the living flowers brought refreshment to the eyes. The chandeliers and candelabras cast a brilliant pool of light that was echoed in the wall mirrors.

A no less friendly sight was the little hall, which had been done out in a modest white and yellow that complemented the floral blooms. On the side walls were medallions with allegorical representations of trade, industry and commerce. Four other medallions showed the images of the German Princes of Poetry, Schiller and Goethe, and the composers Mozart and Gluck. The buffet was also set up in this room.

While under the direct impression of this glittering occasion we are unable to go into detailed description but will rather mention only that the great Triple Alliance, beauty, youth and elegance, was most richly represented among those present.

The guests were received in the vestibule, decorated with fresh plants, by the ball attendants (members of the Deutsche Casino). These were indicated by a simple black, red and gold ribbon in a buttonhole of the dress coat. As the ladies entered they were handed a very attractive and simple dance programme. This took the form of a little book whose obverse side showed a bouquet of roses wrapped round with a black, red and gold ribbon and whose reverse side featured a maiden sitting at a weaver’s loom. For those admirers of Terpsichore who were not present at last night’s ball it should be mentioned that the dance programme listed ten quadrilles, two waltzes, two polkas, two gallops, two polka tremblantes and one polka mazur. These are the important statistical facts of the carnival.

After 8 o’clock the military band of the Gyulai regiment sounded the inviting notes of the waltz, so signalling the opening of the ball. It is easy to see why this signal received the full attention of all the dancers. The dance leaders of the ball were the following young ladies: Marie Bellot, Anna Haas, Emilie Samer, Rosa Richter, Mina Wünsch, Helena Haas, Leonore Korte, Julie Schimmer, Therese Heßner, Gabriele Richter, Johanna Sigmund and Ernestine Schubert. Among the ball guests who honoured the occasion with their presence were His Excellence Baron Kellersperg, Landes-Kommandierende General of the Cavalry Field Marshal-Lieutenant Clam-Gallas, Police Director Ullman, Graf Taafe, the Lord Festungskommandant FML Baron Melezer, His Highness Prince Schwarzenberg and a number of Imperial generals, staff and senior officers, council members of the Reichsrat, elected members of the provincial Landtag [legislative assembly] and of the Landesausschuss [provincial executive]. The civilian gentlemen were all dressed in black evening dress; the military appeared en pleine parade.

In accordance with our obligation to report, we should also specially mention the ladies’ dress. Their toilette showed elegance throughout, coupled with fine taste. Most of the ladies wore white gowns with blue or red trimming; on some of the gowns could be seen beautiful embroidery or artificial flowers as embellishment. Only a few wore silk.

We could not complete this report without drawing attention to the involvement, self-sacrifice and close attention of the attendants, who are to be thanked for the organisation of this glittering event. The radiant faces of the dancers at last night’s ball may be sufficient reward for these helpers, and likewise the knowledge, in the course of overseeing this festival, of having dried many a tear of heartache and distress. The material outcome of the ball was also considerable. We understand that 11.400 fl were raised for the charitable purpose, while expenses were only 12.00 fl.

The following telegraphic dispatches were received at the ball: „To the committee of the German Casino Ball, for the noble aim of relieving the need of our brothers, a hearty cheer from the Gymnastics and Choral Society in Arnau“; also „The citizens of the town of Hohenelbe send the members of the German Casino a joyful cheer and the warmest thanks for organising today’s ball for its noble purpose, Hohenelbe, 26 January“.’

This extensive review of the event by Prager Morgenpost notably included no comment upon the musical content of the occasion, identifying neither programme nor participants.

On 31/1/1863 Prager Morgenpost published an announcement from the Committee of the Deutsche Casino stating that the Herzklopferl-Polka tremblante by Carl Binder [which had presumably be performed on this occasion] would be published as a momento of this Ball. Profits, as with the Ball itself, would be given to the poor inhabitants of the Oře and Krkonoše region. The edition was printed by Hoffmann and cost 40kr.

Prager Morgenpost continued to publish information and news relating to this Ball long after the event had passed. The Feuilleton of Prager Morgenpost 3/2/1863 comprised a lengthy editorial asserting the importance of this apparently hugely successful Ball to German society and cultural in Prague. Its importance as a unifying focus for German-orientated Praguers was emphasized. Mention too was made of criticism by the Czech press of the charitable aim of the event. Even into the second week of February 1863, the German newspaper was still issuing comment upon this ball. On 9/2/1863 Prager Morgenpost’s Prager Nachchrichten section recounting daily Prague affairs contained a brief article about Ball and its organisation by the Deutsche Casino. The correspondent opined that one had to look back a long time in the annals of the Prager Carnival to find a ball that had resulted in such a great fiscal profit as the one arranged by the Casino for the benefit of the poor inhabitants of the Oře and Krkonoše Mountains. The gross profit amounted to 11,510fl 31kf, the costs were 1388fl 39kr and the net profit 10,121fl 92kr. Thanks were considered to be due to the untiring work of the Casino’s Ball Committee in successfully arranging the Ball.