assist every sailor in
his efforts to improve his character and to save his hard-earned money
for the benefit of himself and his family, and on all suitable occasions
to give him such advice and information as his circumstances may seem to
require."

Our engraving presents a view of the building now in course of erection
by the Association.

LXXVI. THE BALLET.

The ballet seems at last to have found a home in New York, and to have
become one of the permanent institutions of the great city,--witness the
triumphs of the Black Crook, of Humpty Dumpty, and the spectacular plays
of the Grand Opera House. It must be confessed that it is well done
here. The Black Crook carries off the palm. Its ballets are the best
arranged and the best executed, and its dancers are as good looking and
attractive as ballet girls ever are.

There are several hundred girls and women in New York who earn their
living by dancing in the ballets of the various theatres. The Black
Crook alone employs about one hundred. Those who have seen these damsels
in their glory, in the full glare of the foot and calcium lights, amidst
the most gorgeous surroundings, and under the influence of delicious
music, may have come to the conclusion that such a life must be very
pleasant. They little know the experience of a ballet girl. "It's a
hard life," said one of them, not long since, "and very little fun in it,
if you're decent."

The ballet girl always appears on the bills as a miss, but some of them
are married, and have to support helpless or worthless husbands. They
are of all nationalities. The Premieres are generally French or
Italian--at least on the bills. These are usually excellent dancers, and
are fond of their art. They are well paid, and as a rule save their
money. Mdlle. Bonafanti received $150 per week from the managers of
Niblo's Theatre. Mdlle. Morlacchi also receives large sums. She is a
sensible woman, and has invested her earnings in a pretty home in New
England, where she spends her summers.

[Picture: THE BALLET.]

Not more than one or two in the same establishment receive such high pay,
however. The salaries, as a rule, are small. The Secondas at Niblo's,
the home of the Black Crook, receive from $50 to $100 per week. There
are twelve coryphees who earn from $25 to $30 per week. Then follow the
first, second, and third lines of the ballet, with wages ranging from $5
to $30 per w