Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-04

and promenade music was furnished by the
then celebrated GermaDia Band, and socially.
though not financially, the affair was decided
success.
The ball which attended the first inaugura-
ton Of
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
h still remembered by many of our young peo-
PIE. FOR many days before 1t came off Secre-
tary Seward had expressed great anxiety that
IL should be an affair worthy OF the great Occa-
sion, and he was indefatigaole In his enortS 10
secure this end. After consulting WITH several
OF our prominent citizens, committee was
formed which agreed TO take hold OF the matter
ard Mpssrs Lewis and Angus as members
thereon were induced TO erect suitable build
Ing IN judiciary square, and MeSsrs- Thompson
and Alex. X Shepherd furnished the gas fittings
and chandeliers the latter being brought from
"Jayne's Hall" In Philadelphia, the proprietors
OF which had agreed 10 loan them for the occa-
sion. Mr.. John Alexander furnished the deco
raiions OF the ball building, and to Mr. Charles
Gautier was assigned he task of preparing and
serving the supper. Everything was arranged
On grand scale: but the result failed to cone
up TO the expectations OF the gentlemen who
had undertaken ft, and q heavy loss was the
consequence. Nor was the ball, In social
point or view, the success IL had been ho3ei it
would be. A critical period had arrived In the
EiSt0Ty OF our country, and it seemed as II no
ohe-Dot even the gay butterflies of Washing
ton SeaSOn-were In hulnOr or spirits TO thor
OUghly enjoy themselves The civil War cast
Its shadows OVer the ball room and many OF the
then leading and prominent persons in politics
for certain. failed 70 put IN an appearance. TIE
IecuIiaTy deficit was borne by the gentlemen
Of the COMMITTEES OF arrangements, some OF
whom lost quite heavily.
TaE sECoED LISC0LN INAUGURATION BALL.
which came OF In the ''m9del room" of the
Patent Office, was more OF success, both
socially and financially. 1t was, however
Chiefly remarkable for the confusion which pre-
vailed In the cloak and hat rooms after the Oall
was over. when every body wanted apparently,
what every body else had got and what nobody
Gould give Such turmoil and toJSy-JuTVy
state or affairs has seldom been elualled any
where. The washing on hatterS made a rich
harvest on the following Day, for no ordinary
cDape aux had been equal TO the emergency
In the supper room, The Scanty accountable
tons, and consequent jamnlng aud Gro " linz
was also serious draw back. And this brings
us down TO the
THE FIRST INAUGURATION BALL OF GEN. GRANT
which. as the readers OF THE STAR remember,
was held IN the north wing of the Treasury de-
paItment. Barring the croTdlng consequent
upon the small rooms and limited accommo1a
tons, IL was an enjoyable affair ana great
success flnaEcially- Nearly Sc. 900 had been re-
aLZ60 after all GX peDoeS had been paid which
sum tt was by resolution OF the managers, re-
solved TO donate toward the erection OF mon
umeIt TO President Lincoln. AT this oall = 01O
tickets had been sold. admitting one gentleman
and two ladies, and IL was estimated Jnat 5000
persons were present. The Jam IN the passages
and on the stairways was terrific. The ar
anG coats were detective. Many waited hours
for the redemption of their cheeks, and were
then compelled to go away hatless ana c1atleSs.
horace Greeley was damned for two hours
awaiting the delivery or his White overcoat and
"sUOre good deal In the eldest and most MIS-
eellaLeous style The disagreeable features
or the occasion spTang largely from the fact
that The access 10 and exit from tina lunch and
cloak rooms were b. the same doors.
THE SECOND GRANT INAUGURATION BALI
Preparations were made for the Inauguration
ball OF 1873. which would nave insured a bril-
liant success had the weather permitted.
building. $50 by $50 feet, was erected on Judi
ciaTy Square especially for the purpose The
interior arrangements aud decorations were
pronounced superb, exceliDg those In any
b1lldlng ever eTecte before for Ike purposes.
The ball room was 800 feet long by 100 feet
wide. and was lighted by $500 burners. On the
pendant supply pipes and below the burners
were hung crimson, blue and gold aprons. Be
Meath these were cross streamers in every con-
ceiyable variety. stretched from chande-
Her 10 chandelier over the entire room.
The walls to the height OF %
feet we're covered with white muslin with a
deep coTnice painted In blue and pink. Around
the e0rDice was continuous chain Of laurel
wreath cooped up with rosettes or red white
and blue Indeed. the national color5 appeared
everywhere. At the north end was a radius of
red, white and blue with gold RAYS diverglng
from the center in every direction upward and
Terminating In large god letters forming the
name washington" Toe balconies for music
were handsomely decorated With flags AMI red
Nhite aud blue trimmings. It was the aim OF
TIE ball managers TO cover the en-
Tire wood work and make the whole build
1Dg an Illuminated mass of decorations The
eSdents reception platform was covered In
mont with red. White, blue and gold glazed
muslin, was richly carpeted, and provided with
suitable furniture The supper room, into
which there were 90 entrances, was also highly
decorated. 1t was hung with four miles OF
laurel leaf rope. Hot and cold water was con-
Quoted 10 the kitchens In pipes. Every thing
for the supper was cooked In New York under
the direction OF former cnlef COOK of Del
manicCS There were provided 10000 fried
oysters, s,Gn0 scalloped oysters. 5000
picked oysters, $50 roast capons 2Do
dcZen quafl> 300 hams, oTn3mented VITA Jelly:
eco parIrfdgeS; 5000 4ndWicheS; 80 barrels OF
salad; 500 loeyrS OF bread: O00 rolls; 900 lbs
OF butter; 300 Charlotte russes; 300 gallons ice
cream; ZU0 gallons assorted ices; Is bolS. NAL
aga grapes; 800 gallons claTet punch; 300 gal
icDS coNee; 200 gallons tea; 100 gallons chOco.
late, &C.. &c. The baking cost SO 600. and the
hire or dishes S5.-0. But all the labor and ex-
p6nse incurred were N 3de OF small effect bJ the
outrageous behavior or the Thermometer. Those
ladies' who braved the weather ignored all van
Tiles and appeared in the WarIneSt wrapDing5
they possessed The gentlemen showed a par
uaIlty Tor mats and OVeTcOIJS. the c0nyeuien-
ceS supplied for taking care OF wraps were more
great rush at the supper table for hot drinKs,
out the other d1lnLieS were neglected. An
army or canary birds had been provided for
tEe Dali room, but the weat her was too much
Tor them. The music froZe In their Threats, and
they devoted themselves strictly to the task OF
keeping warm. In short the cold neurraliLe1
all the results OF the labor or weeks, and pre-
vented tie brilliant SuCC $ which would other
Wise have been q certainty.