The gay season in fashionable society reached its zenith last night when the 300 of Brooklyn's elect met in the Art assembly rooms, adjoining the Academy of Music, in Montague street, for the seventh annual Ihpetonga ball, which is to Brooklyn what that more venerable function, the Patriarchs, is to New York. The Ihpetonga is, in fact, the high water mark in the fashionable season; what comes before or after it leads up to or away from it. It is the loadstone of the society girl and man, and a subject of anxious apprehension to both until the coveted invitation is at last in hand; or if it comes not, who can estimate the misgivings, jealousies and recriminations of the ambitious young men and maidens who find, after all, they are not in the swim?

There must be many such, for the charmed circle numbers only 300, some of whom come from that less exclusive set in New York made famous by a casual but time honored remark of Mr. McAllister.

The title of the ball is of Indian origin, meaning "on the heights," and is said to have been the name of an exclusive tribe of aborigines who once occupied the ground from whence the ancestors of some of the present Ihpetongas ousted them. Beyond that name there was little in the brilliant ball last evening to suggest its Indian origin, except, perhaps, a toboggan on which were displayed the cotillion favors for the men, and even this was of so improved a type, in comparison with the Indian birch bark and hickory affair held together with deer thongs, that it would have turned, an original Ihpetonga green with envy. In former years Indian decorations have prevailed to great extent, and later armor and relics of the middle ages were used extensively, but never in the seven years of the Ihpetonga's existence have the Art rooms appeared in such brilliant and tasteful garb as they did last night. As long ago as Friday workmen and decorators were toiling under the able supervision of Arthur M. Hatch, on whom this responsibility almost entirely devoted to transform the somewhat dingy Art room into a ballroom of the time of the Empire.

The lower hallway and the staircase leading to the ballroom were tastefully and elaborately decorated with palms and tropical plants, but this was only a foretaste of the splendors to meet the eye upon entering the ballroom. The general effect here was scarlet, cloth of that color being used as a background for Anbusson tapestries recently received from France, and mirrors which reflected the brilliant scene on all sides. There were placed at regular interval, between pilasters of white and gilt with gilded capitals. Above the tapestries and red wall was a fringe of palmetto leaves, and above that a frieze of white, figured in yellow fleur de lis, and upon this were suspended garlands of pink imitation roses eight feet in length, edged with green and caught up with bows of yellow tulle. The mirrors and tapestries were set in gilt mountings, and a dainty effect produced by trimming them with ivy, pink roses and maidenhair fern. The music stands, of which there were two, occupied the extreme corners of the ballroom, opposite the entrance. In one was ensconced Stubbe's orchestra of twelve pieces and in the other a mandolin orchestra. Both stands were draped in rich figured damask of buff color, and the musicians were hidden behind banks of pink and white azaleas, calla lilies and palms, while seated under the foliage of large Excelsior palms. A brilliant light was shed on the scene from incandescent lamps which dotted festoons of green hung from the skylight above the center of the floor.

The tapestries about the room were very artistic and represented a variety of scenes. The first, on the right of the entrance, was an antique representing a troubadour beguiling his fair one with a lute. Next came a festal scene or christening party in Holland. The third was a Dutch feasting scene. Then came a collection of nymphs weaving wreaths of roses, who would have suggested those which beguiled Hercules except that they wore somewhat too French gowns. The last on this side of the room was a Dutch bowling scene. On the left side of the entrance the first scene was the time honored one of love.

Next was a large tapestry representing horses drinking from a stone trough. To the right of this was the entrance to the ante room, leading to the supper room, and beyond this came a sylvan scene showing a young man in bare feet presenting a basket of roses to a young woman, also without foot gear, but inappropriately arrayed a la France in evening dress. This was flanked on either side by two smaller tapestries. Three mirrors filled the space between the music stands, and above them were two tapestries representing, respectively, barnyard fowls and fruit, which excited comment as to their application to the occasion.

The supper room was a veritable fairy scene from the "Midsummer Night's Dream." The walls were hidden by fir trees and from the three chandeliers hung festoons of holly, forming three domes over the heads of the diners, and in the center of each hung a ball of red roses.

In the ante room forming the entrance to the supper room the decorations were also elaborate. On either side was a divan suitable for quiet tete a tetes. To the right the room was divided for the use of the caterer by means of a dense hedge of firs fringed with palmettos and set off with calla lilies and azaleas. Behind the sofa to the left was a bank of the same flowers and foliage with a background of yellow damask lambrequins. Still another room was a small one to the right of the entrance to the ballroom, in Louis Quinze style, with six gilt mirrors combining candelabras on the wall, reflecting the light of numerous candles. Silver candelabras, holding pink candies, also stood on three small tables set about the room amid richly upholstered furniture. Rich, yellow figured lambrequins hung in front of the windows.

With the combination of youth and beauty to such an environment, the scene may be better imagined than described. In Byron's words:

"The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men."
Three hundred (not a thousand) hearts beat happily, and when__
Music arose with its voluptuous swell,
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again,
And all went merry as a marriage bell."

It was long after 11 o'clock when the last guest was announced in the sonorous voice of the individual who waited on the door. The patronesses who received were Mrs. A. Augustus Low, Mrs. Henry D. Brookman, Mrs. Edward H. Litchfield and Mrs.. William C. Sheldon, Jr. Supper was served about half an hour after midnight, and until that time general dancing and promenading prevailed, though somewhat impeded by the throng which crowded the ballroom. The supper room presented a brilliant scene with its numerous small tables surrounded by charming women in rich toilets, lit by the rays of many candies in silver candelabras, during which the strains of the mandolin orchestra fell upon the ear.

After supper a sprightly cotillion was led by Arthur Melvin Hatch, dancing with Miss Lillian Talmage, who appeared a picture in her becoming pink satin gown. The women's favors consisted of white shepherds' crooks embellished with bows of many colored satin ribbons. The men received white rosettes on scarlet satin ribbons, which were exhibited on the toboggan on the left side of the room. The rising sun came barely too late to see the close of Brooklyn's great social function, and it is probable that few of the fashionable set arose to an early breakfast this morning.

The committee in charge of the ball consisted of A. Augustins Low, Armory S. Carhart, William Cary Sanger and Arthur M. Hatch. Among the many rich toilets the following were particularly noticeable:

Mrs. A. Augustus Low, white satin trimmed with white tulle and silver.

Mrs. W. C. Sheldon, Jr., light blue satin trimmed with point lace and sable.

Miss Brinsmade, pink satin and lace.

Miss Alice Brinsmade, pink moiré striped silk trimmed with valenciennes lace.

Mrs. Henry Brookman, blue satin brocade, with lemon satin front panel, trimmed with ostrich feathers and point lace. She wore diamonds.

Miss Haslchurst, white satin with black passementerie and pink ribbons.

Miss Pierrepont, pink faille francaise and lace.

Miss Helen Pierrepont, blue bengaline and lace.

Mrs. W.S.P. Prentice, green brocade trimmed with mauve ribbons, lace and sable.

Miss Brookman, ivory satin with tulle and silver trimming.

Miss Sadie Brookman, pink satin trimmed with tulle and pink flowers.

Miss May prentice, pink satin, tulle and la France roses.

Mrs. W.B. Kendall, Jr., white mull over white satin, embroidered with pearls.

Miss Stillman, ivory satin, train of tulle tucked, front stripes of satin and tulle, trimmed with marguerites of silver and crystal.

Miss Seaman, yellow satin, with yellow crush roses.

Mrs. Edward H. Litchfield, straw colored brocaded satin, trimmed with gold passementerie, en train, square cut corsage, with a brilliant diamond crescent and diamond star pendant: bouquet of pink roses.

Mrs. J.S.T. Stranahan wore a rich gown of white figured satin, with silver trimmings, en train: diamonds.

Mrs. William B. Kendall, Jr., white mull over white satin, embroidered with pearls, carrying an exquisite bunch of pink roses.

Mrs. Charles Robinson Smith, in a gown of white silk with crimson figure, en train, with duchess lace and pearls: bouquet of hyacinths.

Mrs. Howard Gibb, Paris gown of white and green satin.

Mrs. John Notman, white brocaded satin, trimmed with point lace, diamond necklace.

Mrs. John Van Nostrand, yellow crape skirt, with pink figured satin bodice, wearing rubies and diamonds, carrying white roses.

Mrs. Daniel Chauncey, pink satin, with old point lace and pink roses.

Mrs. George E. Fahys, yellow satin, striped with green and dotted with black spots. Yellow roses.

Mrs. George Elde, yellow and white brocade, trimmed with lace.

Mrs. Horace Graves, red silk, trimmed with gold lace, diamond ornaments.

Miss Lillian Talmage, pink satin, covered with tulle, pink roses and lilies of the valley.

Miss Force, yellow silk, striped with white and blue satin, duchess lace, pink roses.

Miss Isabelle Bartlett, pink crepe de chine, with pink roses, diamond ornaments.

Miss Seccomb, rose colored satin trimmed with figured tulle, white roses.

Miss Ethel Saltus, white crepe de chine, trimmed with Valenciennes lace, pink roses.

Miss Jessie Dike, blue silk tulle, with a broad belt of olive velvet, bouquet of pink roses.

Miss Callender, Nile green crape, trimmed with white rosebuds, bouquet of pink roses.

Miss King, lavender India silk, trimmed with chiffon, white roses.

Miss Marvin, pink silk with white ribbons.

Miss Gibb of Baltimore, blue silk, trimmed with duchess lace, bouquet of pink roses.

Miss Lennox, yellow and white silk and chiffon.

Miss Dorothea Dreier, white silk with pink roses.

Miss Todd of Cleveland, Nile green crape, with long white satin ribbons.

Miss Nellie Sherman, yellow figured satin and chiffon, with bouquet of pink and white orchids and lilies of the valley.

Miss Thomas, blue India silk, with puffed sleeves.

Miss Ethel Moore, pale green silk and chiffon en train, pink roses.

Miss Matilda Marvin, white silk, trimmed with chiffon and lace.

Miss Chittenden, pink tuooe over pink silk bodice, and lower edge of skirt trimmed with pink flowers.

Miss May Chittenden, white tulle over white silk, trimmed with pink flowers in a similar manner.

The following are the sixty members of the Ihpetonga: Tunis G. Bergen, Jasper W. Gilbert, James L. Morgan, Jr.; Frederick P. Bellamy, Frederick A. Guild, George H.l Southard, James C. Bergen, Crowell Iladden, George L. Nichols, Edwin Beers, Arthur M. Hatch, John Notman, John E. Leech, Joseph Haslehurst, Edwin Packard, Samuel W. Boocock, Edwin F. Knowlton, William S. Packer, Clarence W. Bowen, John T. Martin, Henry E. Pierrepont, Henry D. Brookman, Charles W. Ide, Samuel H. Seaman, Amory S. Carhart, John S. James, J. Jay Pierrepont, Henry A. Caesar, William B. Kendall, William S.P. Prentice, Simeon B. Chittenden, Edward H. Litchfield, William Cary Sanger, Henry B. Cromwell, William A. Read, William C. Sheldon, Jr.; Henry J.Cullen, Jr.; A. Augustus Low, Thomas R. Stillman, William B. Brinsmade, Daniel Chauncey, Henry D. Polhemus, Carl H. De Silver, Peter W. Lynch, J.S. T. Stranahan, Cortlandt P. Dixon, John Prentice, John P. Talmage, Watson B. Dickerman, R. Burnham Moffatt, Franklin E. Taylor, Frederic A. Ward, Thomas E. Moore, W. Pendleton Schenck, Latham A. Fish, David M. Morrison, D. Delano Wood, Lloyd Saltus, William A. Putnam and Robert B. Woodward. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. A. Augustus Low, Henry E. Pierrepont, Amory S. Carhart, Mrs. R.M. Stuart, Captain and Mrs. Henry C. Erben, Mr. and Mrs.. H. D. Brookman, Miss Brookman, Miss Sarah F.Brookman, Arthur H. Hatch, Miss Knowlton, Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Litchfield, John Prentice, Miss Mae Prentice, John Jay Pierrepont, Miss Lillian Stokes, Clarence W. Bowen, J.H. Furman, Stanley Dwight, James Clinch-Smith, Joseph P. Ord, Mrs. A.H. Stevens, Mr. and Mrs. William Sheldon, Jr., Charles A. Appleton, Frank S. Benson, Miss Lillian Talmage, Dr. John F. Talmage, E.T.H. Talmage, Mr. and Mrs. Lindley, H. Chapin, Alexander M. Hadden, John A. Hadden, Jr., Lamar Van Syckel, A.V.Z. Post, Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Kellogg, H.P. Case, Miss Pierrepont, Miss Ella L. Pierrepont, Dr. William A. Pierrepont, Robert Kelly Prentice, Mr. and Mrs. William S.P. Prentice, Lloyd Saltus, Miss Saltus, William A. Read, Miss Haslehurst, Sheffield Phelps, W.S. Brinsmade, Miss Alice Brinsmade, C.H. Ludington, Judge Edgar M. Cullen, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Stillman, Miss Stillman, William A. Taylor, Henry Calhoun, Rollin S. Saltus, Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Kendall, Jr., Miss Ethel Notman, Frederick T. Hill, Wyllys Terry, Valentine G. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. H. LeGrand Cannon, Jonathan Bulkley.

George C. Broome, Norman S. Dike, Philip Niles, Theodore Frothingham, Charles Gould, Charles B. Van Nostrand, Mrs. N.W.T. Hatch, Miss Hatch, Miss Martha Sayles, Miss Todd, the Misses Dike, the Misses Force, Mr. and Mrs. John Lampon, Miss Callender, Misses King, Miss Fannie L. Moss, Miss Matilda Marvin, Miss Stockwell, Miss Seccomb, Miss Bertha Seccomb, Miss Mary L. Thomas, Miss Ward, Miss Ripley, Miss Seaman, Miss Mary T. Seaman, Joseph Seaman, Mr. and Mrs. S.B. Chittenden, Charles E. Bigelow, Miss Callender, Mr. and Mrs. Teunis G. Bergen, Samuel S. Chauncey, Miss Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Cullen, Jr.: Miss Howell, Redmond Keresey, T. Elliott Hodgskins, Miss Baxter, Mr. and Mrs. Carl H. DeSilver, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Todd.