Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-05

10 place about the Enclosure, and whenever
one paused an explosion followed
Rockets, balloons, mines fountains, bombs
batteries, and shells were sent hesvenwsrd in
volleys Tor halt an hour, filling the air with
showers of fire. Explosions, sometimes
halt mile above the earth, took place. and
installations numb ring thousands of beau
tifuliy colorei stars fioated away over the
Potomac. Three set pieces of mammoth
proportions were among the last and grand
est Il eatures of the entertainment. rhe first
was jefferson" There was fz aud Y
spatter audible mile away, as Jack o.
lantern touched his torch to the piece, and
then mammoth, in points of hite fire en-.
circled by an oval in red, withi5anners in the
national colors festooned gracefully about il,
burst out of the darkness. Ii glared for a
minute in full briilisncy; then. in the twink
lug OF an eye, went out with an explosion.
The largest piece represented the National
Capital, with excellent portraits of the Pres
ident aud Vice President, fianked by motoes
and emblems. This piece was 100 feet long
by I5 in height.
The Inaugural Ball.
The brilliant finale of the Inauguration
was ball tonight. 1t put cap sheaf of
gaiety on the more formal and serious,
though grand ceremonial which preceded it.
Beauty lent its aid to crown the triumph of
the incoming administration, and amid the
light festivities of the ball room the celebra
tion of the day came to close. The ball
was held in the unfinished new pension build
ing, an immense structure enclosing rec
taneular court yard more than 800 feet long
and over 100 feet in width.
As the door opens on the interior the eye is
dazzled by sudden blaze OF light and color,
and th... IND k.. q
the scene revealed TO it. The hall is 3l6 #.
long by ll6 IT. wide, lighted by sixty siemens
gas burners of 500 candle power each, which
are suspended from the roof, whose peak is
lost to sight 80 feet above the floor in per-
feet forest of streamers and flags, on whose
acre of waved floor several thousand couples
in brilliant toilets are moving about in the
maZes of the dance, while thousands more
circle on the outskirts in ceaseless promen-
ade, and other thousands look down on them
from the surrounding balconies. Ii is a
grand framework OF an ensemble. which,
bursting suddenly upon ones view, is mag
niticently bewidering.
In this vast space hardly foot of the
rough unfinished interior remains exposed.
The decorations cover the whole interior with
tue exception of the roof, and this is almost
hidden bv the network of streamers, flags
and bunting. All is brilliant coloring, in
which red, white and blue tints of the Amer
lean flag predominate, but are toned down by
the contrasting dark green of natural gar
lands, hung in festoons, and of the foliage OF
tropical plants, which are hooked about the
supports of the roof and in the corners of the
hail. and are blended with rich dark hues OF
velvet hangings and glossy sheen of silk
damask draperes. The wealth of color i.
relieved against a background of pure white
muslin, and is blended into harmony o
softness under the ditfused light of the lamps
which hang from the roof like great globe,
of fire. The entire scene forms a brilliant
setting for the rich toilets of the dancers ant
promenaders and the ever changing pano
rama on the floor.
The richest part of the decoration in the
ball room is on the front of the balcony
along the entire length around the ball room
There is stretched on this balcony a deco
band of maroon velvet, two yards wide, ans
heavily embroidered for half its depth will
gold thread in elegant design. This veve
was made in Lyons, France, and was import
ed for the special purpose of this decoration
and its deep, rich coloring is the harmonizin.
tone Of the whole mass OF color. The back
ground of this balcony is tricolored bunting
with which the walls are hung.
The rooms set apart by the committee fol
the use of the President have been decorated
lavishly. There are two of these rooms, one
of which is a reception room and the Other
for the private use of the President. The
latter is beautifully fitted up with soft car.
pets and rugs. and furniture in ebony anC
gold. 1t is hung with paintings and rich
stuffs and garlanded with flowers and smilax
while silk banners and streamers abound or
the walls.
The arrangements for the ball were made
on q most extensive scale. Commodious and
easily accessible toilet and cloak rooms were
provided, and by dividing the floor into sec.
tions, each in charge of an experienced fool
manager with corps of assistants, and ali
communicating by electric bells with the
section in which the principal floor managers
were stationed, the keeping of good order was
assured.
A promenade concert opened the festivities
of the evening, and was continued from to
/ o'clock. during which time the President
held his levee in the reception room. Dane
ing began at II o'clock. Music was furn.
ished by the Germania orchestra of Philadel.
phia.
1t was half past 10 when the President
arrived at the ball room. He was immedi.
ately escorted to the Presidents rooms, where
IOt HALL al UOuT Ue nelu All INFORMAL Ttcep-
ton, the members of the reception committee
and small number of distinguished person.
being presented to him, The President was
accompanied by Miss Cleveland and Mrs
Hoyt, his sisters, and by his brother, Rev
W. N. Cleveland, and wife, and their two
sons, Mr.. Hastings, his nephew, Miss Hast
ings and MIR. and Mrs. Bacon, the President,
brother-in-law and wife. About the same
time ex-President Arthur arrived at the ball
room and he was escorted to the President.
room. In the room at this time was large
and distinguished gathering, including per
sons of most shades of political opinion
Half an hour later the President and Vice
President were escorted to the ball room, the
band playing "Hail TO the Chief" during tht
time occupied in walking round the room.
| After the presidential party had left tbs
room, the crowd continued to pour into il
| through the other doors, unaware that Mr.
| Cleveland had left.
| The scene in the ball room at this tine wa
exceedingly brilliant The large hall wa.
completely filed with a crowd NUMBERING
| several thousand, while from the balconies
thousands more looked down upon the scene
| Bright toilets of ladies, flowers glitterins
jewels, decorations and lights were promi
nein features of the scene.
! The President, after making tour of tn,
ball room, returned to the reception room
but at ! l.30, he and his party, and Hendrick
and his party left the building.
| Members OF the committee estimate tn,
number offtickets sold at about Il, 900. Tls