The Portland daily press., 1873-03-06
The Inauguration Rail-

Washington dispatches of Tuesday night
say:
The great attrs cton of the night is the in.
auguraton ball, which is being held in an inn
mense temporary ediice erected for the occa-
SION. The sides are decorated with architecture.
al d, vices and banners bearing the armoral
bearings of the States and of foreign nations.
The gas fixtures are so ornamented as 10 give
a beautiful effect to the whole appearance OF
the decorations. They are circular IN form,
and contain numerous tubes, from when the
gas Jets forth like shower OF golden spray.
Above these circular fixtures are canopies,some
six feet across, painted in blue and white and
light brown, in pretty patterns, to rese nble
leaves of the forest These are heid IN PIaee
by tubular rods. painted in red, white and blue
colors which override the pipes between the
canobies and circular fixtures.
Hanging foot or so below the nXtureS are
aprons in a circular form, the sides extending
down some two feet, and painted in blue and
red colors, and ornamented in golden patterns.
of a design representing Chinese hieroglyphics.
Extending from these are streamers, the whole
forming sort of net work of bright coIors
above the the heads of the dancers.
At the south end of the room, arising some
six feet from the floor, is the dais ereoted for
the President and his guests, and upon which
probably he will hold levce during the even
ing Inc 'front.' is covered with white muslin and
decorated with laurel and rosettes. Access is
had to it by wide flight of stairs at the front,
and by narrow one at either side The plat
form IS covered with a carpet and provided
with handsome and suitable furniture
,, Back OF this, arising nearly to the Roof, is
the gorgeous radius, a fnll description of which
we gave few days SINCE This is composed OF
radius appearing the name Of Washington
each letter alternating with star The face
of the whole is rendered additionally promi-
nent by brilliant gas jets so arranged as to
spell the words, Grant and Wilson" The
radius is surmounted with large eagle. in
whose. talons hangs a shield of the United
States, and from the tips of whose wings ex.
ended Streamers a hundred feet long are fast
tened at the sides of the building far beneath.
The dancing was interrupted at half-past
eleven o'clock by the entrance of the President,
escorted by Gov. Cooke and A. r. Shepherd,
followed by Vice President Wilson, escorted by
Hallett Kilborn, one of the executive managers
Mrs. Grant entered on the arm of Mr.. Kennedy,
another member of the committee of arrange
ments
| Next followed the Secretary of State and
other members of the Cabinet, with ladies o1
their respective households. A number of mem.
bers of the Diplomatic Corps, headed by Sil
Edward Thornton, Generals Sherman and
Sheridan and other officers, together with many
gentlemen of high official station, accompanied
by ladies', formed a portion of the Presidential
party, who passed down the room, the bands
meanwhile playing "Hail to the Chief" They
took seats on platform especially constructed
for the Presidential party, which was elaborately
adorned, and bearing gas jets representing the
names of Grant and Wilson. There being q
cessation in the dancing, many ladies and gen
tlemen were presented to the President and
Vice President
Among the most notable of those at the ball
was the Minister from Japan escorting Chi
nese lady in the full dress of her country. The
cadets from West Point and the Naval Acade.
my all attended as invited guests The Bur.
CESS corps of Albany attracted much attention.
The attendance of army and navy officers was
large, and very many Senators and members of
Congress were present, including Speaker
Blaine, nearly all accompanied by ladies.
Dancing and promenade music was fur
nished by the West Point Navy Corps and Ma.
rine Bands, stationed in different parts of the
hall in the balconies.
Supper was on a magnificent scale in all re-
spects
The ball is regarded a success, the only de-
traction being the insufficiency of preparation
made for warming the hall -.