The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1885-03-05
THE INAUGURATION BALL.


had begun. Bullion, beauty and brains
were there. The Pension building proved
in every way suited for such an affair. 1t
was large enough for even tho vast crowd
that came IN carriages and afoot. 1t was
Democratic assembage More walked to
the building than rode. The ballroom
looked almost like scene from Wonder
land. The decorations, which we're ar
ranged with great taste, appeared remark
ably we'll under the bright, almost daz-
cling, light.
The graceful arrangement Of the ever
green's in festoons made very good foil for
the immense wreath of the more barbaric
coloIs used in decorating The huge Pill.
lars in the building were decorated SPLEEN
didly, and their presence had happy eff
feet upon the general scene. Tho roof aud
walls, covered as they were with bunting
and silken banners Of all kinds, relieved
by shields here and there, made grand
sight TO look upon. The abundant use of
graceful smilax everywhere was happy
idea Of the decorators
There were tropical plants banked about
the supports of the roof and in every cor
neT The small pillars were not in the
least neglected With banners and the
coats.of-arms of States and nations aud
with plants at their bases, they were beauti-
full. the immense plato.glass mirror
which hung at the east end of the hall rose
from mass of palms and flowers aud re-
Elected the lights color and movements ia
the room. Its background was of deep
crimson. Upon the front Of the balcony
were the richest decorations.
Along the entire length of it there was
stretched deep band of maroon velvet, two
yards widc heavily embroidered for half
its depth with gold thread in an elegant de-
sign, This velvet was made in Lyons,
France, and was imported for the special
purpose of this decoration, and its deep rich
coloriDg is the harmonizing tone of the
whole mass of color. The background Of
this balcony was the tri.colored bunting
with which the walls were hung. Outlined
against this were the small Doric pillars
which inclose the balcony aud support the
one above it. To each of these was sus-
pended an American standard OF silk, sur
mounted by q circular shield. on which was
blazoned the arms Of one of the States or
Territories. Garlands of evergreens hung
in festoons from the balcony and were
twined about the pillars, which were further
decked with masses of palms Mt their bases
In short it eau be said that seldom Ia
the history Of the world has there been
room of the size of that used for the ball
last night so abundantly and tastefully or
namented. The two rooms set apart for
the use of the President were models of
lavish adornment. The dressing was in
many cases in keeping with the costly
decorations. But such was by no means
the rule. There were many ladies there
who were plainly attired, and one did not
have to hunt for a man who did not wear
evening dress, He was very numerous.
Up to half past 10 o'clock the guests-there
were about 10000 of them-wore tho air of
people who were waiting for something.
They were waiting for the President.
The President entered at half-past ten.
He was escorted to the Presidents room,
where he held an informal reception. Some
of the more distinguished guests were pre-
scented to him. He was accompanied by
Miss Cleveland and Mrs. Hoyt, his sisters,
and by his brother, the Rev. w. n. Cleve-
land, and wife aud their two sons; Mr.
Hastings, his nephew; Miss Hastings Miss
Nellie Yoemans and Miss Anna Yoemans,
Mr.. and Mrs. Bacon, the Presidents brother
in.law and wife of Toledo and Colonel and
Mrs Lamont.
Ex-President Arthur arrived at about
the same time the President did and was
escorted to the Presidents room. With
him were Secretaries Lincoln aud Chandler,
General Brewster and Mrs. Brewster, Post.
master General ITatton and Mrs. Hattou,
Secretary Teller and Mrs. Teller. Judge
Davis of the Court of Claims and Mrs.
Davis; Miss Lucy Frelinghuysen, Mr. Allan
Arthur and Marshal McAIichael.
Vice-President Hendricks arrived few
minutes afterward, and. with Mrs. Hen.
bricks, Joined the President There were
about the President besides those men
toned, Senator Bayard, Colonel Villas Of
Wisconsin, General Sheridan and Mrs.
Sheridan, General Rosecrans, the Hon.
Daniel Manning and wife, Senator Pendle-
ton, the Hon. Richard 7. Merrick, Repre-
sentative Eaton of Connecticut, Repre-
sentative Barbour of Virginia and Mrs.
Barbour Senator Wade Hampton, Senator
Brown of Georgia, Justice Field of the
Supreme Court, and Speaker Carlisle aud
Mrs. Carlisle.
The President stood in the centre of the
room under a floral canopy by floral
chair. Tho uprights and body of the
canopy, which stood ten feet high were of
smilax closely woven. 1t was surmounted
by large bunch of tulips. These flowers,
with roses of various colors also formed
the ornaments of the canopy, and over all
was large horseshoe Of tulips and roses.
The body of the chair was formed of i'm
mortelles the seat and back of red flowers,
and the arms and framework of purple.
Roses of various colors, lilies of the valley,
tulips and smilax were turned all about it,
and a large garland of the choicest of these
flowers was thrown carelessly across the
back of the chair.
The promenade concert continued from S
to II o'clock. At the latter hour the Presi-
dents room having become ovcrcrowded
he and the Vice-Presdent, the former es-
corted by Senator Pendleton and Mr.. Rich.
ard 4. Merrick, and the latter by Repre-
sentative Eaton and Mr.. S. V. Niles, left
the room and made the round of the ball
room, the band playing Hail to the Chief
After the Presidential party had left the
room the crowd continued to pour into IL
through other doors, unaware that Mr.
Cleveland had left. Standing near the
centre of the room was Senator Bayard
and the crowd pressed about him and shook
hands with him as they passed, apparently
under the impression that he was Vice
| President Hendricks. When the Senator
| at last discovered that he was being mis-
taken for somebody else, he abandoned the
| room.
Dancing commenced as soon as the Presi
| dent had made the tour of the room. Thou
sands looked down upon the gay scene from
the balconies. Nearly all of the Diplomatic
Corps were present. Many Government
officials and members o. the House and Sen
ate with their families were present. Th,
supper was well served, and there was n,
jam, and only occasionally was cup o
coffee spilled over lsdy's dress. TIT
methods of ingTess and exit were well ar
ranged and managed. The cloakroOm &C
commodations were as complete as the.
could be, and the letteT-carriers did no
mix up the hats.
nRplpTfNr All, r,ruppc