, 1885-03-05


PRESIDENT AND PARTY
Proceeded to the dining room of the white
house, where they partook of a lunch
ordered for them by ex-President Arthur.
There were present besides the members
Of ex-President Arthur's cabinet, Mr..
Villas, Mr.. Manning, Mr.. Lamont and
several Others.
THE GRAND RAIL-.
The brilliant finale to the Inauguration
ceremonies was the ball tonight. 1t put
the cap sheaf for gayety on the more for
NAL and serious, though grand ceremo-
NAL, which had preceded it. Beauty lent
aid to crown the triumph Of the incoming
administration, and amid the light festivi-
ties of the hall room, the celebration day
came to a close.
The ball was held in the unfinished new
pension building. an immense structure
enclosing a rectangular court yard more
than 800 feet long by over 100 feet in
width. As the door opens ON the interior
the eye is dazzeled by the sudden blaze Of
light and color, and the mind is confused
by the the immensely Of the scene reveal
ed to it at a glance. The hall is 3l6 feet
long by ll6 feet wide, lighted by 60 gigan-
tic gas burners of 500 candle power each,
which are suspended from the roof,
whose peak is lost to sight 90 feet
above the floor in a perfect
forest of streamers and flags, on whose
acre of waxed floor several thousand
couples. in brilliant toilets, are moving
about in the mazes Of the dance, while
thousands more circle around on the OUT
skirts in a ceaseless promenade, and other
thousands look down on them from the
surrounding balconies, is the grand frame
work Of an ensemble which, bursting sud-
denly on ones view, is magnifcently be-
wildering- Decorations cover the whole
interior with the exception of the roof,
and this is almost hidden from view by a
network of streamers flags and bunting.
All is brilliant in coloring, in which the
red, white and blue tints of the American
flag predominant, but are toned down by
tde contrasting dark green Of natural gar
lands hung in ~festoons, and of the foliage
of the tropical plants which are banked
about the supports of the roof and in the
corners of the hall, and are blended with
the rich dark hues of velvet hangings and
the glossy sheen of silk damask draperies.
The wealth of color is relieved against a
background of pure white muslin, and is
blended into harmony and s~oftness under
the diffused hight of lamps which hang
from the roof like
GREAT GLOBES OF FIRE.
The entire scene forms a brilliant setting
for the rich toilets of the dancers and
~promenaders and the ever changing pan
Drama on the floor. The music stands
are hung with rich green and purple silk
damasks and flags are entwined about
supports. Seven large floral pieces
were placed in various parts Of the ball
room, to represent the arms of the sew
eral executive departments.
A promenade concert opened the ies-
of the evening, and was continued
from 8 to IL p. M, during which time
the president held his levee in the reeep-
ton room. Dancing began upon the con-
of the concert. 1t was half-past
10 when President Cleveland arrived in
the ball room. He was Immediately es-
eorted to the president room, where for
half an hour he held an informal recep-
ton, the reception committee and a small
number of distinguished persons being
presented. About the same time ex-
President Arthur arrived, and he, too,
escorted to the presidents room.
With him were members Of the cabinet
Vice President Hendricks arrived about
the same time and Joined the president
In the room at this time was a large and
distinguished gathering, including per
Of the most diverse shades of politi-
cal opinions. There was no formal re-
by President Cleveland, but a
large number of persons pressed about
him, and some Of the gentlemen standing
in the immediate vicinity made presenta-
tons. After half an hour spent in this
manner, the room became over-crowded,
and the president and vice president, es-
corted by Senators Pendleton, Richard
and Merrick, and the latter by Represen-
tatives Eaton and S. V. Mites, left the
room and made a round of the bail room,
the band playing Hail to the Chief"
The president, after making a our Of
ball room, returned to the reception %
and for a little while received all who
came in to pay their respects, but at half
past II he and his party left the building,
and Vice President Hendricks and his
party also retired.
Dancing continued until a very late
hour, and 10000 would be a low estimate
Of the number of people present in the
ball room and balconies during the even
ing. among whom were many members
Of congress and government officials with
the ladies of their families.
The scene in the ball room at the time
was exceedingly brilliant. The large hall
was completely filed with a constantly
moving crowd numbering several thous-
ands, while from the balconies thousands
more looked down on the scene. The
bright toilets Of the ladies, the brilliant
uniforms Of the diplomatic and army and
navy officers, the flowers, glittering jewels,
decorations, and lights were prominent
features of the scene to be long remem-
bered.
THE DISPLAY OF FIRE WORKS.
The public celebration day ended with
a display of fire works. In character it