Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-10
FHE INAUGURATION BALL.
The Great Ball Rt the Patent ORice..-
Description OF the SCENE .Dlstin-
Rues and BreSses-.-SOmethinS for
Our Lady Readers.

on on Monday evening at the Patent Office,
In Washington, was perhaps the most
brilliant that ever took place in our ns.
tional capital. Concerning the taste and
propriety of such lavish and reckless ex-
pense, in the midst of devastating war,
there will perhaps be two opinions, but all
will read the description of the Ball with
interest. The correspondent Of the Phila-
delphis Evening Telegraph, from which
we extract, has outstripped all his repOrto-
rial comrades in Jenkinsism, but however
much people may decry Jenkins, every
body, and especially the ladies, read his
productions. Our lady friends will BE- in
terested in the descriptions Of toilettes
which we append:
An immense throng gathered soon after
supper in front of the Patent Office to wit
ness the arrival of guests. At about nine
o'clock carriages began to appear, and soon
the street was blocked up with them. The
long row moved slowly around, snd each
as it reached the appointed spot, discharged
its cargo of beauty and its freight of fash
inguished Senator appeared, helping out
a young and blushing daughther. Next
the tall form, the martial bearing, of an oc-
cupant, proclaimed, without the aid of uni
form, that he was General who had seen
service. For such the crowd always had
cheer, which was generally seknowled ged
by military salute to the admiring thToDg.
General Hooker, with the fashionable
H. N,1
murmer of recognition. Finally, the
crowd of arrivals became SO great, follow
ing each other in rapid succession, that all
individuality was LOST Only one long line
of blazing fashion, of white flowers and
rare buds, of camelias and diamonds, was
sppreciable.
AT nine o'clock the crowd began TO as
semble in the ballroom, and to take their
seats on the single line of benches arranged
on either side of the hall. 1t was not for
some minutes, however, before the seats
were all occupied, and about half past nine
the promenade commenced.
ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENT.
At quarter past ten o'clock the Militia
~ Band struck up Z" Hail to the Chief"
The Committee formed passsge-wsy, and
B. B. French and Mr.. ClaphRm came
first then Senator Wilkinson and Hon.
Charles O'Neil, then the President and Mr..
Colfax, Speaker of the House of Represen-
tstives, followed by Mrs. Lincoln and Sena-
ator Sumner.
DRESS OF THE PRESIDENTS WIFE.
Mrs. Lincoln was attired in faultless
TASTE She wore q white silk skirt and
body. She also wore splendidly and |
most elsborstely worked white lace dress |
over the silk skirt.
A berthe of point lace and pufs of silk, |
and white fan trimmed with ermine and |
silvered spsngles, white kid gloves aud lace !
handkerchief, and q necklace, bracelet |
and earrings of pearls. Her hair was
brushed closely back from the forehead, |
and head-dress, composed of wreath of |
white jssssmines and purple violets, with |
long g-trsiling vine completed a most
recherche costume.
PRESIDENTS COSTUME.
The President was dressed in full suit |
tinguished party, being seated, received the |
Congratulations of their friends, and ap-
peared TO enjoy the scene exceedingly.
ENTRANCE OF THE VIcE-PREsIDENT AND
CABINET.
AtI1 o'clock Vice-President johnson,
Secretaries Seward, Welles, and Usher,
and Attorney General Speed, entered the
room. Stiil the crowd increased, and in
the interval between the dancers whirl-
pool of humanity moved around the vast
hal with measured tread.
COSTUME OF MRS. TRAIN.
The most gorgeously,, dressed lady IN the
room was Mrs. George Francis Train, who,
accompanied by her husband, attracted
great attention.
Her dress was Of lilac silk, with train,
both covered with the finest black point
lace. Her hair was powdered with gold,
and she wore diamond necklace, ear.drops
and brooch.
GENERAL HOOKER AND MISS CHASE.
General Hooker escorted Miss Nettie
Chase, who wore rich white moire antique
with bertha and skirt of point lace.
CAPTAIN LINCOLN AND MISS HARLAN.
Captain Robert Lincoln, in military uni
form, escorted Miss Harlan, daughter of
Senator Harlan, who was dressed in moire
antique silk, with heavy point lace over the
skirt.
This couple attracted much attention, by
reason of certain rumors of more than or
dinsry feelings of friendship towards each
other, which may lead to more lasting at
tachment.
AN AUTHORIZES AT THE BALL.
Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southwortb, the
wore heavy black velvet dress,
trimmed with black lace.
Admiral Farrsgut escorted Miss Jessie
Spinner, who wore rich purple silk, ex-
luisitely trimmed with point lace.
An elegant msroon-colored velvet dress,
high in the neck, trimmed with square
pearl buttons, with long basque, and
handsome white lace shawl, formed q very
rich costume.
DEFEAT OF CRNoLNE.
The feature of the toilets of the evening,
$50 We were informed in strict confidence
by a lady friend) was the absence of crino-
inc. Please don't mention it.
CURIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL DREss.
Among other curious features we noticed
several ladies whose locks were powdered
with silver and golden dust Almost all / |
aore founces, of course, and the curls so I
much in vogue seemed to be an almost uni '
7ersal fashion. Ii
CHENILLE IN VOGUE.
The white chenille fringe, SO much used
low-E-lays, aud which is so beautiful, SEEM
ID to be 3 fsvorite We observed very
leat dress made of fine India silk with
ARROW bars.
This dress was made low in the neck, |
With short sleeves and long pointed bodice, !
handsome point lace bsrthe and white e
ace shawl, with jewelry of opsls and t
boquet of roses, which made very hand $
ONE costume. A very handsome green !
loire antique, trimmed with black cord s
nd tassols, was much admired. s
A PREVAILING FASHION. I
II was sornewbst cnrioIs to observe that d