Mil l lie yellowed leaves one ready of that first Monday long ago in the spring of 1858 when the dances were held in the old Spotswood Hotel and then they called their hosts. Those were the days when the beautiful and gracious Miss Lizzie Cabell, Mary Triplet, Bettie Matilda, Mattie Mild, and Lizzie Cabell were the belles from whom to win a smile. The gallant gentlemen of today would right gladly swim a more modern Belle Spont. Sprigg Campbell led the swimmers, and 'tis said that a Mrs. Maker, of Baltimore, was the lady with whom he opened the first ball. Clifford Bridge, William I. Boyall, Hyrd and Corbin Warwick, William Trigg, Colonel John M. Purcell, Dr. Robert C. Cabell, Thomas and Richard Milling. Page McCart, V. Salle Watkins and Thomas M. Butlerford were only a few members that first organized the Richmond Merman.

"After the burning of the Spotswood Hotel, the young ladies and gentlemen who so graciously performed the cork screw wait," the gallop and most on deck, which, by the way, we are told, is quite the most difficult step we have known, began to meet in the parlor of the hospitable homes here. Marker Campbell's, John Enders's and Mrs. Aylett's bring some of those used.

"Then began a series of progressions to suit the  Needs of the club, St. Albans Hall, Levy's, Saenger, Belvidere, and Anally, the Masonic Temple. It was at St. Albans Hall, on the corner of Third and Main, that the dreadful contretemps took place which resulted in the death between Mr. Mordecai and Mr. McCarty. When one laughs so happily through the figures of these happy german days. 