New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-05
THE INAUGURATION BALL.

THE INAUGURATION BALL.
A SCENE OF BEAUTY-ADNIRABLE ARRANGEMENTS
FOR THE COMFORT OF The GUEsTs-MRs. HAYES
AND MRS GARPItLD-MUSIC AND DANCING
PROGRAMMES.
WASHINGTON. March 4.-The mean tricks of tho
weather made the ball the great event Of the IN
auguration. The flashing lights that glittered
through the trees in the Smithsonian Park where
the new Museum building stands, scarcely finished
from the builders hands, were the centre OF attrac
ton and resort tonight
An electric lamp was swung above the main en-
trance Mt the north 'front.' which by its strength and
brightness turned night almost into MONDAY and
rendered tho forms of the throng who pushed
forward through tho gates Of admission clear ana
distinct The guests reached the Museum under
covered shelter Of canvas awning erected over the
wooden path, which kept the heads as well rs the
feet of the ladies dry and clean az they stepped out
from the Ninth-st cars while they passed over the
bustling crowdinG jangling carriages on high
bridge which spans the roadway just before
the main entrance. As to the carriages
their number was legion. their confusion
terrific and the labOrs Of their owners their drivers
and the special police beyond description. There
were two channels of egress the main entrance
referred to and the west front hallway where the
Senators. members aud others especially singled
ont by the committee invited guests entered The
crowd here was not great, but still the throng
was there also The carriages, hacks etc. az soon
rs they were emptied. were taken in charge by the
police who massed them in solid squares back aud
in front Of the Smithsonian building. east far ~
Seventh-st., and west to Twelfth-st. while the
broad pavement Of B-st was fairly blocked by
them.
The crowd went in at the main entrance. the la
In -, tl,.fr a. linn, ,f,ts
while the gentlemen went to the right. Here were
long rows of alcoves hastily made, yet neatly sub
divided into thousands Of hugo pigeon-hoes for the
coats hats etc. Of the guests There was Il barber
shop where the dsordered hair aud boots Of the un-
lucky ones were set 10 rights The ladies had
similar set OF alcoVes Then the guests stepped out
into the north hall. where they suddenly found
themselves IN full view of the great rotunda with
its beautiful decorations. Here was colossal
statue of Liberty. high above the clustered palm
and subtropcal plants clustered At t5 base. holding
in its outstrctched hand torch into which an cleo
tric light had been ineeuionsly inherited. The
briliancy of the light shown upon the white form
Of the statue. gave tho dark green foliage below
and the gay bunting around and above an exceed
ingly striking effect.
INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING
The hall IN which the guests entered is one OF
125 feet in length each, and go feet wide. They
point to the four quarters Of the compass and arc
terminated by largo doors with archod hall
vestibues, over and on which are galleries clear
across These railways are only defined from the
rest Of tho interior by the brick pillars and arches
which, finished in stone imitation. rise sixty feet
above the heads Of the crowd tOsupport the iron
slate roof where a simple but pleasant arrangement
of iron trusses and Orders gives support to the ropes
of garlands and bunting that swayto and fro. Near
the base of each Of these pllars and there are
eighty Of them, q State coat of arms has been
bazoned OIL a shield. and frnged with American
flags harmOnizing exceedingly well with the dark
painted pedestas and the soft lavender fresco tnts
above Gas has been carried all around, and illu-
inmates every shadow that Womb otherwise exist r
the corners from the electric light of the Rounda.
The Rotunda is beautiful; its octagonal width Of
fifty feet rises into q window arched dome above
sheer eighty feet from the floor. while at the points
of intersection of the four grand Railways as
many sub balconies, little platforms about fifteen
OF twenty feet above the heads OF the company
where twenty-five or thirty can sit or stand under
the swelling arches. They are lavishy and taste.
fully decorated with bunting and flowers. Passing
TO the right, and to the west from this brilliant
centre the guests came into the second great hall,
where President Garfield stood receiving the hosts
of elegantly dressed people VINO BuTRed uD 10 MN
took bis hand, murmured inaudlbly and were
pressed on by those behind. Above was Mrs. Gar
field, who sat enthroned in the large western bal
cony, literally emblazoned with notices and state
heraldry.
Taking leave OF the President, the crowd passed
on to the roar and then to tho SOUTH into of the
four large corner rooms of this immense building
each 100 feet square. The music which never
ceased came FROM one hundred and City pieces, the
two bands being stationed in the south and east
hail balconies corresponding in size aud position TO
the one occupied by Mrs. Garfield ON the west and
the general public on the north. The long strings Of
garland ropes that depended from the ceilings seemed
to have so reduced the reverberation that there
in this great chamber scarcely sign Of echo from
the loudest music
Outside Of the building and covering the entrance
to tho east hail. mammoth supper-room had been
hastily built; but it was very tasteuy fitted up. On
the whole the ballroom to be the best success
of the auguration-lightsd without fault, just
comfortably heated, decorated with real beauty and
suggestveness, with room for 5000 people and no
crowding, with police everyW here-the whole car
nval upon ono solid Aoor and everywhere open from
one end Of the building to the otherto the vision OF
the guests.
TIE LADIES OF THE WHITE HOUSE.
Tho great interest of the ball of course centred