St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-05
A BRILLIANT BALL.
Description of the GorgeOusly Decorated
HalI-C1eveland and Other Distin-
guished Persons Present.

room, the celeDratlOn OF Cne gay cdme w d
close. The ball was held in the unfinished
new pension building, an immense struc-
ture, enclosing rectangular court yard
more than three hundred feet long, by over
one hun bred feet in width AS the door
opens on the interior, the eye is dazzled by
the
SUDDEN BLAZE OF LIGHT
and color and the mind confused by the i'm
mensity of the scene, revealed to it, at
glance, hall 316 feet long by l16 feet wide,
lighted by sixty gigantic Sieman's gas-burn-
ers, 500 candle power each, which are sus-
pended from the roof whose peak is lost to
sight, ninety feet above the floor in 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 outskirts
IN CEASELEss PROMENADE
and other thousands look down on them
from the surrounding balconies, is the grand
frame work of the ensemble which bursting
suddenly upon ones view is magnificently
bewildering. The decorations cover the
whole interior, with the exception Of the
roof, and this is almost hidden from view by
network of streamers, flags and bunting.
All is brilliant coloring, in which red,
white and blue tints of American flags pre-
dominate, but are toned down by contrast
ing with the dark green of the natural
garlands hung in festoons, and of
foliage of tropical plants, which are banked
about the supports of the roof and in the cor
uers OF the hall, and are blended with rich
dark hues of velvet hangings and glossy
sheen of silk damask draperies. The wealth
of color is relieved against a background of
pure white muslin and is blended into har-
mony and softness under the diffused light of
the lamps, which hang from the roof like
GREAT GLOBES OF FIRE.
The entire scene forms q brilliant setting
for the rich toilets of the dancers and prone
naders and the ever-changing panorama on
the floor. Banks of tropical plants surround
the bases of the eight large columns which sup
port the roof, and wreaths of evergreens are
turned around the columns from the base to
the capital. On the broad faces of the col
umns leaves and palms are scattered with
unique effect. At the east end of the hall an
immense plate-glass mirror sixteen
feet high and ten feet wide with beveled
edge three inches wide and frame com
posed of 600 pieces of cut glass rises from
the masses of palms and flowers against the
background of deep crimson, and reflects
from its surface the light and color of the
ball room. The music stands are hung with
rich green and
PURPLE SILK DAMAsKs,
and flags are turned about their supports.
In each of the four corners of the ball
room tiers of stands reaching the height of
the balcony are placed and on these
palms and ferns are massed in rich profu-
sion. The richest part of the decorations,
however, are those in front of the balcony
Along the entire length around the ballroom
there is stretched on this balcony a deep band
of maroon velvet, two yards wide, heavily en-
brodered for half its depth with gold thread
in elegant design. This velvet was made in
Lyons, France, and was imported for this spe-
cial purpose. This decoration and its
DEEP RICH CoLoRING
are harmonizing to the tone of the whole mass
of color. The background Of this color Is the
tricolor bunting, with which the walls are
hung. Outlined against this are the small
doric pillars which inclose the balcony and
support the one above 1t. To each Of these
is suspended an American silk standard sur
mounted by circular shield on which is
territories. Garlands, evergreens and hang
ing festoons from the balcony are twiDed
about the pillars, which are further
decked with masses of palms
at their bases. At the height
Of the balcony at one end of the ball is
large spread eagle formed Of gas jets, and at
the other end pointed star formed in
the same manner. Over all is
FOREST OF sTREAMERs,
flags and buniings, which hang from the
peak Of the roof, from corners and rafters
Half-moon shaped benches Of flags project
downward from the peak Of the roof, and
from these spring streamers of all colurs in
profusion. Seven large floral pieces
placed in various parts Of
the ball room represent the arms
Of the several executive departments.
The rooms - apart By the committee for
the use Of the president are magDfcently
decorated and the air therein is heavy with
the perfume of flowers, which abound every
where on the walls and criling aud are
massed in large stands distributed about the
rooms. promenade concert opened the
festiyi ties Of the evening and was continued
| from TO ! p. m, during which time the
president held his levee in the recep-
lou TDOUI. DANCING DEZau UDOu
the conclusion OF the concert. It was
10 80 when President Cleveland arrived at
:be ball room. He was Immediately escorted
to the presidents room, where, for half an
hour, he held
Az INFORMAL gECgPTIoE,
the members of The reception committee and
email number Of distinguished persons be-
ing presented to him. The president was ac-
com panied BY Miss Cleveland and Mrs.
Hoyt. bis sisters, and BIZ his brother, the Rev.
". A. Cleveland, and wife and their
two sons. Mr. Hastings, his nephew,
Miss Hastings, Miss Nellie Yeo-
| mans aud Miss Anna Yeomans, Mr..
and Miss Bacon, the presidents broiher-in-
law and zife OF Toledo and Col. and Mrs
Lamont. About the same time ex-President
| Arthur arrived, and be, TOO, vas escorted 10
the rresfdeut's room. With bin we're Score
taries Lincoln and Chandler, Secretary and
Mrs. AcCulloeh, Attorney General Brewster
and Mrs. Brewster. Postmaster General Hat
| ton and Mrs. Hatton and Secretary Teller and
Mrs Teller. Vice President Hendricks
! arrived about the same time aud Joined the
president. In the room az this time there
| vas large and
DISTINGUISHED GATHERING,
irciudiDg pe-~sn Of most diverse shades Of