polignac
Regarding the image of the ball in post #29, I can't give you the date, but if you will look to the far right first row of the picture, I believe that is Prince Vladimir Paley son of Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia, the youngest child of Emperor Alexander II, and his father's mistress, Olga Valerianovna and later wife.
His mother wrote a memoir which is actually on this site in which she states that Vladimir was going to a ball and I believe it was the first one he ever attended. I hope this is helpful.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/martimjessfan/image.jpg Sorry, but image won't post for me.