Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-03-05
The INAUGURATION BALL.

The inauguration ball last night was the
most brilliant social event which the cap
ilal has ever witnessed. The decorations
of the room were in keeping with the i'm
mensity of the space sought to be covered.
The immense pillars, twenty-five feet IN
circumference and seventy eight feet in
height, which stood like great sentinels IN
double row OF four each, were swarthed to
the top in white cotton and wound with
saranls ofspruce branches and laurel leaves.
The florists used 10000 yards Of garlands.
II 900 rose buds, 500 growing palms: 5:OlG
~ ~. !a! t6runchcs, and 5000 yards of smllaX.
The long array of supper tables, each The
centres OF elaborate set pieces OF nigh Gull
mary art, formed 10 mean part oil the show.
The suite of rooms set apart Tor The prl-
va,e parlor and the puh!'; receptlon-room
of President Cleveland w,.ie spacious amt
commodiG,Is and very elegantly furnished
and decorated. To the private parlor the
passage-way was lined by u wall of choice
exotcs and Terms. n fine oil painting oil
Mr.. Cleveland occupied n conspicuous posi-
ton on The wall opposite the principal en-.
trance, hung between radius OF small
silk Flags.
When The President entered, with Mr.. S.
V. Niles, aud followed by his sister, Miss
Cleveland, escorted by Col. Berrett, they
found ex- Presidemt Arthur and his cabiuet,
with the ladies of their families to meet
them. President Cleveland came to the
front smiling and his sister bowed to the
crowd assembled to greet her with look OF
wonder. Following these came Mr.. and
Mrs. Manning, Rev. and Mrs. Cleveland,
Mrs. Hoyt, Miss Hastings, the Presidents
niece, and her two younger cousins, the
Misses Youmans. The President guided by
the committee, stood, with Senator Pendle-
ton on his right and Justice Field on his
left, in The crsmped space of his private
parlor, and began the handshaking. The
guests were Introduced by Senator Pendle-
ton, aud the President answered the intro.
duction with pleasant smile. Elk President
Arthur held court at the opposite end ofthe
room, where the ladies OF his late cabinet,
"whos simply adore him" crowded about him.
Most of those who spoke to Mr.. Cleveland
followed that up by paying their addresses
to the ex-President. The rooms became so
crowded that President Cleveland quickly
suggested promenade in the ballroom, and
to the tones of Hail to the Chief" the pro.
cessiou started. After tour Of the great
room, in Difference to the desire shown by
the assembage, the President graciously
and the rest OF the great throng were re-
ceived.
The toilets of the ladies in both the presi-
Dental parties were exceptionally elegant.
Miss Cleveland wore a robe Of white surah
silk, with long train, edged with tiny plated
rutfles.
Mr.. Frelinghuysep, who accompanied Mr..
Arthur, wore toilet of ivory satin, with
low necked waist Of Cardinal velvet, edged
with pleatiugs of red crepe dechene.
The Germania orchestra, of Philadelphia,
numbering over 100 pieces, opened the ball
with waltz. Dlncing was continued until
very late hour, interspersed with inter
walls for promenading, during which the
Marine band supplied excellent music. A
very handsome supper was served in
series of communicating rooms.
Ten thousand appears to be very low
estimate of the number of persons present
in the ball room and balconies. Almost the
full diplomatic corps were present.