Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-10
FHE INAUGURATION BALL.
The Great Bau at tue Patent office.
Description OF the scene-.DIstin-
CUES aud Dresses.-sOmefhfnE for
Our Lady Readers.

Our Lady Readers.
The great Inauguration Ball, which came
off on Monday evening at the Patent Office,
IN Washington, was perhaps the most
brilliant that ever took place in our na-
tionsl capital. Concerning the taste and
propriety of such lavish and reckless ex-
peDse, in the midst of a 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 EUening 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, resd his
productions. Our lady friends will bs 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, and each
as it reached the appointed spot, discharged
its cargo of beauty and its freight Of fash
ion. Now the well-knoWn form of dis
tinguished Senator appeared, helping out
q young and blushing dsughther. Next
the tall form, the martial bearing, Of an oc-
cupsnt, 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 acknowledged
by q military salute to the sdmiring throng.
General Hooker, with the fashionable
and dsshing Miss Chase, were greeted with
murmer of recognition. Finally, the
crowd of arrivals became so great, follow
ing each other in rapid succession, that all
individuality was st. Only one long line
of blszing fashion, of white flowers and
rare buds, of cameliss and diamonds, was
spprecisble.
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. It was not for
some minutes, however, before the seats
were sll occupied, and about half past nine
the promenade commenced.
ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENT.
At quarter past ten o'clock the Militia
~ Band struck up Hail to the Chief"
The Committee forD ed psssage-way, and
the Presidents party made IFS appearance.
B. B. French and Mr.. Claphsm came
first, then Senator Wilkinson and Hon.
Charles UNeil, then the President and Mr..
Colfax, Speaker of the House of Represen-
tstives, folio we'd by Mrs. Lincoln and Sens-
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 |
silveFed spsngles, white kid gloves and lace
handkerchief, and a necklace, bracelet /
and earrings of pearls Her hsis was
brushed closely back from the forehead,
and head-dress, composed of wreath of
white jesssmines and purple violets, with
long-trsiling vine, completed s most
recherche costume.
PRESIDENTS COSTUME.
The President was dressed in full suit
of black, with white kid gloves. The dis
party, being seated, received the
of their friends, and ap-
peared TO enjoy the scene exceedingly.
ENTRANCE OF THE YICE-PREsIDENT AND
CABINET.
At IL o'clock Vice President johnson,
Secretaries Seward, Welles, and Usher,
and Attorney General Speed, entered the
room. Still the crowd increased, and in
the interval between ths dancers a whirl-
pool of humanity moved around the vast
hG 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,
snd 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
linsry feelings of friendship towards each
1thsr, which may lead to more lasting at
.schmsnt.
AN AUTHORIZES AT THE BALL.
Mrs. Emma D. z. 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 maroon-colOIed valvet dress, :
high in the neck, trimmed with square
pearl buttons, with long basque, and 8 !
handsome white lace shawl, formed very :
.ich costume.
DEFEAT OF CRINotNE. !
The feature of the toilets of the evening, A..
so we were informed in strict confidence
1y lady friend) was the absence of crino- ;
inc. Please don't msntiou it.
CURIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL DRESS.
Among other curious features we noticed
everal ladies whose locks were powdered L
With silver and golden dust Almost all b
gore founces, of course, and the curls so t
much in vogue seemed to be an almost uni Y
ersal fashion. t
CHENILLE IN VOGUE.
The white chenille fringe, so much used
ow-s-1sys, and which is so beautiful, SEEM /
d to be fsvorite We observed q Very
eat dress made of fine India silk with
arrow bars. n
This dress was made low in the neck, il
nth short sleeves and long pointed bodice, h
handsome point lace bertha and Rhita g