That a Flag be flying on said Day 30 feet high. That a handsome entertainment be provided for the subscribers and their wives; and such of them as are not so happy as to have wives may treat any other lady. That Drums Trumpets Hautboys &c be provided to play at said entertainment. That after Dinner the Royal Health His Honor the Governor’s &c are to be drunk. That a Quire of Ballads be sung for by a number of Songsters, all of them to have liquor sufficient to clear their Wind Pipes. That a pair of Silver Buckles be wrestled for by a number of brisk young men. That a pair of handsome Shoes be danced for. That a pair of handsome Silk Stockings of one Pistole value be given to the handsomest young country maid that appears in the field. With many other whimsical and Comical Diversions too numerous to mention. And as this mirth is designed to be purely innocent and void of offence, all persons resorting there are desired to behave themselves with decency and sobriety; the subscribers being resolved to discountenance all immorality with the utmost rigor. There is a certain rough and noisy heartiness in this rollicking Racing Day in old Virginia that speaks of boisterous cheer akin to the days of “merrie England,” and which seems far from disagreeable when contrasted with the dull yearly round of sober days in New England. Virginia and Maryland men had many social clubs “to promote innocent mirth and ingenious humour,” but of course within these clubs their consorts and daughters were not guests. A ball or a country dance were the chief amusements of Southern women, and very smart functions some of these balls were, though they did begin in broad daylight. An early account was given by a travelling Virginian, William Black, of a Government Ball in the Council Room at Annapolis in 1744. The Ladies of Note made a Splendant Appearance. In a Room Back from where they Danc’d was Several Sorts of Wines, Punch and Sweetmeats. In this Room those that was not engaged in any Dancing Match might better employ themselves at Cards, Dice, Backgammon, or with a cheerful Glass. The Ladies were so very agreeable and seem’d so intent on Dancing that one might have Imagin’d they had some Design on the Virginians, either Designing to make Tryal of their Strength and Vigour, or to convince them of their Activity and Sprightliness. After several smart engagements in which no advantage on either side was Observable, with a mutual Consent about 1 of the Clock in the Morning it was agreed to break up, every Gentleman waiting on his Partner home. The method in which a ball was conducted somewhat more than a century ago in Louisville was thus told by Maj. Samuel S. Forman, who visited that town as a young man.