The excellent sleighing of the fortnight past was taken advantage of by scores of social clubs and by everyone who owned or could charter a sleigh. On Sunday afternoon last it was extremely difficult to obtain accommodations for either man or beast at any of the road houses on the Boulevard. Hiram Howe, of the Club House, said that the Sunday's rush was the largest seen in many years. Although the thaw did not begin until Monday, the streets of the city and some parts of the Boulevard were almost barren of snow. Two miles this side of the ocean Parkway the road is unprotected by trees, and the breeze which blew strong from the ocean on Monday scattered the snow and left the roadway in a very bad condition.

Monday night three large sleighing parties left the heights and Hill with the intention of having a dance and supper at Bader's Hotel. The journey through the city streets, Prospect Park and the greater part of the Boulevard was easily and quickly made. When within two miles of the beach the roadway was found to be almost bare of snow. One of the sleighs was drawn by ten horses and built to hold forty persons. Almost twice that number were crowded on the driver's seat and in the bottom of the sleigh, and when the bald part of the road was reached all hands were obliged to get out and walk. After a long, dreary tramp of an hour the party reached the hotel. Another hour was occupied in getting warm and dry, and by this time it was midnight. It would be a breach of confidence to state at what hour the would be merry-makers reached Brooklyn.

Another large sleighing party left the Eastern District on the same evening, but were wise enough to put up at a hotel midway between the park and the Ocean Parkway. Here dancing and a collation were indulged in, and the party was permitted to return to the city at a seasonable hour.

The custom so prevalent in New York of gentlemen appearing in evening dress at the theater is becoming fashionable in this city. Theater parties are also more in favor this than last season. Some years ago the adventurous individual who dared to appear at the theater in a claw hammer coat was looked upon with scorn by the majority of the spectators. If he was not actually insulted he was regarded as something worse than a dude. In the circles of the heights and Hill it is considered quite the thing for gentlemen to make evening calls in full dress.

Society will learn with pleasure that the charming amateurs, Mrs. James Brown Potter and Mrs.. Walter Scott Andrews, of New York, are to appear at the Academy tomorrow evening in "The Russian Honeymoon." Mrs. Potter's last appearance in this city was made upon the evening of Friday, January 22. Upon this occasion the talented New York lady assumed the character of Helen Malvern in the "Old Love and the New," at the Athenaeum. The Performance was given in aid of the Brooklyn Industrial School Association for Destitute Children, and quite a sum was realized for this most worthy charity. Tomorrow evening Mrs. Potter and other charitable amateur actors and actresses will give their services to increase the surplus of the treasury of the Brooklyn Training School for Nurses. Mrs. T.J. Backus and Mrs.. M.L. Barber are prominent among the managers of the benefit.

Mrs. Potter is very popular both in this city and New York. During the past four years it is said that she has earned upward of $30,000 by personal exertions in the cause of charity. Mrs. Potter is a niece of the present Minister to France, ex-Govern or McLane, of Maryland. Minister McLane has invited Mrs. Potter to aid him in performing the social duties of his position at the French capital. She has not yet decided to accept the invitation. Next week Mrs. Potter will be the guest of Mrs.. Secretary Whitney in Washington, where she will act in the aid of a local charity. president Cleveland and his sister have signified their intention to be present at the performance. Mrs. Whitney will give a reception in honor of the fair amateur's presence in Washington, to which the members of the Cabinet have been invited.

Much interest is felt in the approaching Kirmiss to be given at the Academy on the evening of March 8, in aid of the Brooklyn Diet Dispensary. Professor Carl Marwig will have charge of the terpsichorean part of the entertainment. In addition to national dances and tableaux, booths will be erected for the sale of fancy articles and "fugles." The ladies composing the Board of managers of the dispensary, are actively engaged in preparing for the affair.

Mr. and Mrs. David C. Lyall will hold a reception at their residence, 240 President street, Wednesday evening, February 24, in honor of the marriage of their daughter, Miss Isabella Mary Lyall, to Mr. Louis B. Dean. The ceremony will take place at the Church of the Pilgrims, of which Dr. Storrs is pastor, at 8 o'clock, and will be followed by the reception.

Mrs. Herriman, of 92 Remsen street, held a reception Thursday afternoon and evening.

Mrs. Barnum received at her residence, 29 Halsey street, Thursday afternoon. She will also hold a reception on the evening of February 18.

Mrs. S. Coffin will hold a large reception at her residence, 267 Henry street, on February 18.

Mrs. Henry N. Whitney, who received at her residence, 65 South Portland avenue, Tuesday evening, will hold another and closing reception on the evening of February 16.

Mrs. Cross, attired in a costume of white satin with pearl and ruby ornaments, received at her residence, 101 Columbia Heights, Thursday afternoon. The reception, which took place between 4 and 6 o'clock was the second of a series to be given by Mrs.. Cross during the Spring.

Society on the Heights thronged to the reception given by Mr. and Mrs.. Frederick Ward, 168 Remsen street, Thursday afternoon. Mrs. Ward received attired in pearl satin with trimmings of point lace. She also wore diamond and pearl ornaments. Among those who called were Mr. and Mrs.. Sheldon, Mr. and Mrs. hatch, Mr. and Mrs.. P.W. Lynch, Mr. Arthur hatch, Mrs. R.M. Stuart, Miss Brookman, Dr. Talmage, Miss May Talmage, Mr.. and Mrs.. Haslehurst, Mr. Pierrepont, Mr.. C.E. Bill, Miss Bergen, Miss Van Wyck and Miss Hewlett.

Owing to mismanagement and the storm the Charity Ball at the Palace Rink, Thursday evening, proved a dire failure. The ball was advertised to be given in aid of prominent Brooklyn charities, and Mr.. Thomas Hudson, of the Society for Improving the Condition of the Poor, was invited by the management of the rink to be present and carry away the receipts. Mr. Hudson was on hand, but his services as a treasurer were not required. Had the promoters of the ball interested any prominent charitable bodies or gentlemen in the enterprise it would no doubt have proved successful despite the rain. As it was there was barely a score of couples upon the floor.

The members of the Amateur Opera Association are green with envy over the success achieved by the comic opera, "Seven Times One," which was produced in Hempstead, L.I. society on Wednesday evening. The new work will shortly be produced in this city in aid of a local charity. Charles S. Clark and Dr. hamlet are the authors and librettists of the new production.

Mr. and Mrs.. Fritz gave a dinner of fifty covers at their residence, 86 Pierrepont street, Friday evening.

Mrs. Howell, of 14 Monroe place, entertained a small party at a German Friday evening. The favors were of a particularly elegant and costly nature.

Among the Amateurs

A testimonial benefit will be tendered Miss Julia Reid, the promising young amateur, at the Criterion Theater, on Monday afternoon, March 15. A strong cast will present "The Romance of a Poor Young Man." Mr. Hilliard, Mr. John H. Bird, of New York; Mr. Charles Withington, Mr. Douglas Montgomery, Mr. Deane Pratt, Miss Reid, Miss Annie L. Hyde, Miss Carrie Frost, miss Lizzie Wilson and Mr.. James Wilson will assume the principal characters in the drama. The members of other amateur societies are putting their shoulders to the wheel and the appearances now denote that the benefit will be a most successful one.

Mr. Ringgold McKay, the playwright, has just finished an adaptation of Ouida's celebrated novel, "Idalia," which he calls "The Countese Vassalas." The new production is in four acts and a prologue, and is said to be very clever. The play will have its initial production at the Academy of Music on the evening of March 3 by the Gilbert Society. The cast of characters upon this occasion will be: Lady Lillmarch, Miss Dearbourne; Countess Vassalas, Mrs. Nelson; Exceldenne, Harry J. Stokum; Victor Vane, Adam Dove; Falem James J. Darling; Mons. Villifleur, Charles Canfield; Prince Carlo, George Cogan; Lord Lillmarch, W.T. Harris, Jr., and Father Fransioli, John Noble. An attempt will be made by the dramatic corps of the society to make the presentation of "Countess Vassalas" the success of the season. Everything in the shape of new scenery and costumes will be employed to this end. The cast is a specially strong one. Mr. McKay for some weeks past has been assiduously engaged in coaching the play.

The benefit tendered by the members of the Gilbert to the Arcadian Dramatic Society at the Athenaeum, on Saturday evening last, netted the sum of $150. The comedy of "Everybody's Friend" will be given under the auspices of the Arcadian on the evening of February 18th. The cast will include Mr. Stokum, Mr. James J. Darling, Mr. Frederick Boune, Mr. Charles Bellows, Mrs. Darling, Mrs. Woodruff and Mrs.. Bellows. The dramatic corps of the society is not in a very vigorous state. The names of the cast given above are mainly members of other societies.

Dr. J. H. Farley, who was recently removed to the Flatbush Asylum for the Insane, was one of the original incorporators of the Amaranth Dramatic Society. The unfortunate gentleman has many friends in amateur circles who will watch the progress or abatement of his malady with the keenest interest. Dr. Farley at one time was actively engaged in the affairs of the Amaranth. He was a member of the dramatic corps and was considered a comedian of rare merit.

On Wednesday evening, February 24, the Amateur Opera Association will sing the much abused "Mikado" at the Academy. There seems to be a desire on the part of the association, and in fact of other dramatic and musical organizations of the city to present dramas and operas in which they are liable to be placed in direct comparison with professional companies. Although the pieces presented by the association are most heartily enjoyed, their characteristics seldom change. The performances are frequently prolonged until a late hour, until the audiences, in some instances, welcome with pleasure the final fall of the curtain. The cast of the "Mikado" is notably strong. The title role will be sung by Mr. Charles H. Parsons, who ranks as one of Brooklyn's most thorough musicians. Mr. Parsons for years has acted as organist of St. Peters Episcopal Church in State street. His experience as an opera and concert singer extends over a period of many years. Miss Laura S. Groves, contralto of the Washington avenue Baptist Church, has been signed the difficult part of Katisha. It is faint praise to say that this young lady possesses a rare voice, full of sweetness and power. Mrs. Mersereau, who will sing as Yum Yum, has had many years experience with operatic scores. Mr. Hill will undoubtedly make a most excellent Poo Bah. Miss Helen Jackson will make her first appearance in a solo part of any importance. she is to enact the part of Pitti Sing. Mr. John Macy will have an opportunity to make the most of Ko.Ko The balance of the cast is of equal strength, and those who may attend this presentation of the opera will enjoy a treat. The chorus of the association this season is of exceptional merit. The association has the "Musketeers" under consideration for performance early in April.

For years past the prominent and wealthy amateurs of Brooklyn have talked of building a playhouse for the exclusive use of local thespians and social organizations. Last season several sites in the immediate vicinity of the Academy of Music were proposed and rejected. The old church property in Clinton street near Fulton was at one time decided upon as the site for the new building. Owing to a lack of interest, or some unknown cause, the project was at the time abandoned. The amateurs are never weary in complaining of the poor accommodations afforded them at the Academy. It is claimed and justly too, that the scenery is old and almost worthless; that the employees of the house are particularly grasping and unaccommodating, and finally that the properties in use at the present day were first brought into service on the opening performance of the late E.L. Davenport's company, on the evening of January 15, 1861.