Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-05
INAUGURATION BALL.
The Largest and Most Brilliant
Ever Held.

last evening. Yhat is to say, the doors were
opened by eight and many OF The guests ar
rived very promptly.
The Smithsonian grounds with the electric
hts and decorations presented an entlcing
&C. ne.
The new Museum Building was conspicuous
from lOrg distance It's lights within giving a
gooo view of its ou lines aud making iL resen
Die CRY stal palace. The contrast beJweaa the
whiieneSs OF the electric lightSfu the rotun1a
and dome and the yelloEness Of the Lhou5 .nds
OF gas burners elsewhere produced very 1ne
effect as Sc. II through the many wind ,ys
NCIe OF the IumSIOu5 scenic effects or the day
or evening surpassed this.
Tt e decorations within were greatly admired
AS readers OF The STAR are aware, the build
Ing Il In the form or Greek cross, having In
the center dome above an oclagoaal ap lrt.
Ineht On the gfound floor. From this radate
four naves, or main halls. all communicating
by wide and lofty archways, making very fine
interior vistaS. There are also four square
halls communicating with the others
The nails were decorated with fest0onS OF
col0red flowers depending from the ceiling
on the piers or the arches were the coats OF
arms OF the states and territories affixed 10
United States shields. Above these were
Ornamental mOnOgrams OF the new Pre5ident
and Vice President also occupied prominent
places on piers OF arches.
Beneath the dome In the rotunda was an
original statue Of the Goddess OF Liberty, sur
rounded by tropical plants. This figure, which
STANDS on a pedeStal5 twelve feet high, Is MT
teen feet 10 height. In one hand was United
States Shield, and In the other was torch
an electric light which Illuminated the ro-
tuEda and halls. On each of the eight piers
In the rotunda was device In bas refer rep
reSenting Industry. Science, Painting: S,ulo-
ture, Architecture, Agriculture, Commerce ana
Navigation.
Tie 6esigs was 10 make the temporary dec
orations harmonic with the permanent ones,
which are in the modern ROmaneSque style.
The balconies over the entrance and halfway
up above the rotunda added much to the
pleasing elect In addition to the electric
light Ia the center there were side lights on
horizontal bars on the piers half tnair height
ahoYe the floor. There were no chandeliers.
IL Is TO be noted that the gas fixtures we're In
trcduced specially for the ball, for after the
building is devoted to the purpose for which iU
was built it will not be used after night, 80
will not need many permanent gas burners.
The invited guestS-the President and ex-
President and their families. Gen. Hancock and
Gen. Sheridan and Wife-were admitted through
the northwestern entrance, which was speci ally
reserved for them, for the diplomatic corps, and
lew h!gn ol1lclals. Adjoining this entrance
We're retiring rooms and handsomely fitted up
parlor for the two Presidents and their parties.
In this cheerful company assembled Several
OF the gentlemen Of the committee and the el-
President and Mrs Hayes. Senator Sherm IN
and three OF his nieces aud Miss aalstead Sec
Tetary and Mrs. EVartS and two of their daugn-
teTs, Gen. Sherman and daughter, Gen. Ian
cock, and several or the diplomatic corps, were
there tcge; her some time before the adiOu m
ment to the hall Here as everywhere else he
appeared. Gen; Hancock was surrounded by
gentlemen and ladies all anxious to 81 ow him
attention. Mrs. Hayes was the recipient Of
many heartfelt regrets that 1t vas indeed her
last appearance In public here for an indefinite
period The eX-President likewise received
many expressions of friendship and regret for
bis departure. The President and Mrs. Garheld
Old not join this party until time to go to the
reception hall.
The order OF the procession wasEthe Presl-
dent, with j. w. Thompson and Hon. George
bancroft, chairmen or the executive and recep-
tion committees; ex-President Hayes, with
Judge Shellabarger and DR.. yelling; members
OF the committee; Mrs Garfield, with Col Cor
bin and Mr.. Riddle; Mrs. Hayes. With Mt. John
b. Aliey d9 and Others ne In their appointed order:
was not well enough to attend.
THE RECEPTION
took place in the western hall, the receiving
party standing with their backs TO the weste n
door. This hall was decorated Ike the other,
with the addition OF an arch over the door at Il 9
Dack Oh tnt receiving party. On JnlS Wa, u ant
"a the I. s.. coat OF arms, from which rs1tated
the flags OF all nations. indicating our peace
able relations with the civilized world.
There was q low baTricade IN front OF the
party covered with red. white and blue Here
with certain gentlemen OF the committees
Stcod TIE ex-PTestdent, the President, Aailr
gsean MS MS Gap mTs IL nayfs aad M
were made by DR.. WeHing. Those who desired
TO De presented, as few of those present did
not, passed Ia front OF them shook hands and
President Hayes Cabinet, with ladies stood
back OF this party during the reception, which
concluded at II p. N.
THE CosTUNKs.
Neither Mrs Hayes or Mrs. Garfield approve
OF display In dress. but both desire always to
wear costumes suited for the occasions when
used, which Is the height of good taste. Mrs.
Garfield wore rich mauve satin trimmed With
point lace and buncheS of panSeS Her hair
as usual, was simply arranged, and she wore no
(,Hod Gr,0tl Hfrt
signed to the life of greater publicity upon
which she has entered than elated By her pro-
motion.
ME-. Hayes wore a soft finished ivory tinted
slik is, combined 1I with plain satin and trimmed
Her hair was plainly arranged and held with
silver comb at the back.
She looked very bright ana was "a usual
| disposed to merry chat.
| MIS- HaZen, who stood on her right, wore an
! elegant ivory tinted satin front with waist and
| court train OF the same shade of msossed vel
Yet. Inc trimming was applique embroidery
| In white silk and rich fainge. Mrs. Corbin. TO
| whose husband, Col Corbin, Of the committee
| SO much OF the success OF the ceremonies of day
| and evening was due, wore q rich white satin.
| Der sister, Mrs Bickham, and her husband. the
Dayton editor, were with her. Mrs Rockwell
| the wife of President Garheids intimate friend
Col. Rockwell, wore an exquisite blue brocada
MTs. Sheldon, who accompanied Mrs. Garfield
TO washington: wore lovely combination OF
rose and blue silk. Mrs. Eyarts wore bla ck
| velvet and point lace collar.
All the army and navy officers present wore
| full dress uniforms, but except the Chinese
| senior minister and suite. who wore court
| dresses. the diplomats present wore black
| evening dress suits. Sir Edward Thornton with
/ his wore the red collar of a Knight Commander
| OF the Bath and handsome decoration. Lady
Thornton wore pearl-colored satin, combined
with garnet velvet and trimmed with point
| lace. Her daughters wore black tule over
| SILK Miss Anita Asia Burusga, who was with
! ner father, the ChlIian minister, and her
Drother wore white satin waist and skirt
| or " hlte SILK tissue. the Haytian minister was
( with his daughter. Miss Preston, and Nrs
I Budd, OF New York. The latter wore over
! lavender Silk draper1es of point lace, Her
/ jewels were fice diamonds. Miss Preston wore
! an exquisite amber satin with front OF skirt
| and sleeves embroidered In crystal beads. MISS
Bartlett, VINO came with Mrs. Young Wing,
| wore white silk and Spanish blond lace. Mrs
Sheridan wore an elegant grey silk trimmed
| with cut steel.
MIS- Fort of Illinois, wore a very elegant
white satin trimmed with rare lace.
MIS- Burchard, accompanied her husband
the Director OF the Mint. and wore black velvet
and fine lace
Mrs. Joseph Mason wore an exquisite toilet
or blue Drocade.
Major Ben: Perley Poore was accompanied by
bis daughter, Mrs Frederick S. M0seley, VINO
wore the dress In which she was married last
fall, OF white satin. elabOrately trimmed With
satin and Duchess lace and pearl jeWery, and
py MISS Charlotte EoSely, who wore an elegant
ufess OF white satin with lace. Col. j. b.
Moofe OF Nevada, escorted Mrs. Dutton and
Nus MIS- Csrne Z. Smith: OF Concord, New Hamp.