New-York tribune., 1869-03-05
THE INAUGURAL BALL.

The ceremonial advent Of a new President would be
considered, in this city at least altogether incomplete
without Inauguration Ball. Everybody goes TO them,
grumbling, of course. That s the male portion OF the
visitors. The ladies delight in the and confusion,
the jam and the rOut is something TO remember for many
day The memory of the oldest inhabitant runneth
not back 10 thelday whenIa 'Presidenead "-as our
Kosmca poet, Whitman. hath twas begun without this
time halOwed institution honored both In the breach and
the Observance. There was great commoton and loud
outcry when IL thought at time that no Inau-
guratOn Ball and Reception would be had TO honor
Presidents Grants assumption lOf the duties OF State
The chief difficulty in the obtaining OF suitable
building, but after refusing 10 erect temporary one,
falling to get the Of the Capitos magnificent RO-
tnda, aud stately old Hall of the House Of Representa-
tives they finally obtained the use of the newlycom
peted north wing OF the magnificent Treasury building.
The social ures subsidized and the rued pumagc Of all
anxious ladyhood smoothcd. We to have a
ball, and the efficient Committee in charge Of the
official ceremonies have worked with heartiest
good Will to mako 1t splendid success.
They must have been highly gratihed sto-night,
when regarding the brilliant scene presented
within and without tho building radiant in color, glow
ing with light, brilliant like tropical flowers or the
pumage OF hummlng birds, and ever shifting and vary
ing like a manyhued and constauy-changing kaleido
scope FAIR faces, lovely forms, penerant perfumes df
fused the brilliant robes moved about their wearers
distinguished men, bearing names renowned IN war,
satesmanshp letters aud the other activities OF
crowdng life clothed in the martial uniform wearing the
orders and diplomatic insignia Of their own soyereigntes
better still IN the simple somber dress OF the American
citizen; all these and much more met and mingled here
Great OF music pusated along the heated and per
fumed atmosphere and the wching Of the dance
and the more bewchng forms OF the danccrsthc ladies'
coursewith all the brliancy and beauty of color and
form, made up worthy OF pencil or pen. yet both
must fail in any attempt to render 10 htly.
The United States Treasury IS Of the most impOs.
ing architectural piles I'm the country. 1t Is one OF
the largest, granite structures in tho world. The
wing, almost ready for occupancy, adds
completeness and makes harmonious the great building
It's principal front is Pennsylvania avenue. The
ground which it stands formerly occupied by the
shabby building used by the State Department for SO
many years on this occasion the Fiftcenht Ton which
also faces the used TO admit the guests
The limited number Of 1900 tickets disposed OF by
the Committee Each admitted n gentleman and two
ladies' and as, early yesterday tho fortunate
owner OF one could command premium on the price
paid Under the excellent arrangements OF the metro
potan police tho carriages arrived and set down their
occupants without disturbance or confusion.
Entering from the street. the guests found themselves
In long corridor on the lower floor TO the right Of which
was one OF the dancing halls prepared for those who
participated in the wtchlng OF heldance To the
left was elegant supperroOm TO which justice shall be
done later Tie thougtfuness Of the managers, among
whom was the President Of the Correspondent Clubs
room for the use OF the journalists who were
present Tables writing materials, &c with the necessary
accompaniment Of the magnetic battery to put oar fes
tic hours I'm communication with the editorial sanctuin,
we're all found therein and pleasantly arranged Three
starcaso gave admance to the upper floors the whole
three Of which thrown open TO the participants.
Temporary bausrades had been erected aud draped In
the national ricoors and fesooned with cyergreens
with the floods OF light that fell and the radiant crowds
that, like two streams strewn with Summer
flowers, passed up and down, the stair
cases were In themselves brilliant On the second
floor an orchestral stand erected, and here the
famous Marine Band dscoursed sweet music. The visitor
tarred not here, but the ladies hasened TO the next
floor, where ample dressingrooms were arranged the
gentlemens being the next attic floor above, Tie
dressing. room arrangements complete, and the
lales provided with seamstresses and eoineurs
ready TO the call. On this floor a suite OF four
elegant rooms, opening TO the north intend
ed "a conyersation-rOOms. At the east end OI
tho corridor the dancing hail. 50 by 20 feet similar
one TO which was each oOr and with the Treasurer
room where the state guests assembled formed an area
OF nearly 1000 feet The telegraph was brought into
rcgusition, and order ana harmony reigned supreme
Each hall had its band OF music and tho whole were uu
der control OF the Of ceremonies who from the
lower floor tapped the electric key not waved his baton
aud the sound sweed out with perfect accord
unity The long broadscorrdorsiw with their tesseliated
payeInente cool, creamy -hued walls. huted columns
whose capitals and flutes prcked with gold frightened
| and relieved the eye, afforded most excellent promeu
| AIDES. which were made ample use Of
on the second floor admission obtained 10 the bal
couy OF the Trcasurers Hall, magnificent two-Stoue'
apartment Icy feet which the center OF atrac
ton in the early hours OF the evening, the ceremo
NAL reception OF the Presidential and VicePresdena
parties by the Committee took place there The seeh
from the balcony most brilliant one Tho apart
ment glowed and cleaned like some Aheen
| Eastern hall, with It's polished panels OF maro'
| from the quarrlcs OF Sienna, and Ienhes
! see rejecting back IN their almost FURNISHED
surfaces, the brilliant light which lit the scene
and flooded the guests below At either end the uniin
shed walls were draped in the radiant hRes OF the rl
color and mt the east end the large alegoca paint
ING Of Peace which formerly hung in the Capitol oppo
site this Hail. which, after the state reception ermi
mated was omen TO dancing suites OF elegant rooms
reserved for the private receptions OF the President and
Vice President and their families and for the use OF ther
! personal friends.
The invited guests entered ro& the main entrance tC
| the building, which was brilliantly Illuminated. Attha'
door the following named gentlemen were In attendance
doing duty the Reception Committee: Senator r. d.
Morgan who Is Chairman Of the General Committee Ad-
mrals DAVID ID. Porter, and Thomas Bailey, u. s. NJ
Lieut.. Gen. wm 7. Sherman, u. e. A.; hessrs john '"
| Forney ESQ., Gen Robert c. schenck NJ C., the Hon
| W. l.. Chandler, Secretary OF tho National no
| nublIean Committee, His Excelency William Claim,
Governor OF Massachusetts, and Gems j. H. Ha"iey' oi
Connecticut and II. A. Barnum OF Newfork' Chairman
OF the Soldiers and Sailors National Republican Com
mittee These gentlemen, group OF marked ana
memorable men, were designated by tricolored roset'e
with white ,streamers. The other committees were
arranged as follows Committee on tho Building rosette
with buff streamer A. Il. Mullett W. A. COOK H. Clafk'
J. NJ. Edmunds q. d. Welch Committee on Dancing
rosettei with scarlet streamer A. 8, solOnens' ~ -
pro,n N =, Ordyay and 8. H. Kaufman, assisted by
| uora,io Rates Committee Refreshments, rosette
with purple streamer, X. b Mohun'. Brig Gen N Mich
,ar rs A r. shepard General Committee, rosette