Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-05
The Fireworks Last Night.
AN IMMENSE THRONG OF PEOPLE WITNESS THE
FIERY SHOW.

FIERY SHOW.
1t might seem that, after looking at a process
sion which took over three hours TO pass people
would have been tired enough to give up sight
seeing for that day at least. The general COM
ment among the tnrongs Of visitors that looked
upon the moving columns of the inaugural pa
geant was that it was all very splendid, but
oh my eyes are so tired The WEAKNESS Of
the eyes was supplemented by that of the en-
tire body in most cases, and the people went to
their dinners yesterday feeling pretty well
tired out. The short time that INTERVIEWED after
the procession had passed and the darkness of
the early evening was employed in securing
needed refreshments, and then again the great
throng filled the streets. The direction was all
where the fireworks display was to be given
Iassing out from the avenue, which was not yet
hooded with the radiance OF the calcium light,
the tide flowed down 10Th street, past the
Grand Opera house, with Its front brilliant
with electric lights, into what seemed by way
OF contrast. the blacklist darkness. There were
IN lact no lights along 18th street, and as there
are but few houses on one side to give out light,
and none Oh the other the darkness was infen-
sified. The crowd formed fringe along the
sidewalks bordering on tho muddy surface of
the soft ground of the White Lot. The more ad-
Venturous, in cabs and carriages and foot,
passed through the road leading to the circular
driveway, and this even in its immense sweep
Of ii mile became crowded with spectators and
carriages. At tie farther or southern end of the
circle the Unexcelled Fireworks Co., who had
furnished the fireworks which were to be dis
played. had erected q large frame work sixty
feet high and three hundred feet long, from
which the large set pieces were to be fred
About this mud-ring, quite large enclo.
sure, fence had been erected to protect the
men at work from the pressure of the crowd,
and this fence was lined With people five and
six deep all the way around. In spite of the
fact that the ground was soft and muddy, peo-
pie were walking upon 1t and standing about in
groups: The surface of the White Lot was GOV.
cred with people standing about in darkness
that made 1t impossible to see but few feet
however DISPOSITION
take advantage of this situation manifested by
any one in the vast crowd, and good nature and
consideration for each other were experienced
on every side. The display of fireworks began
shortly after O'Clock, and the spectators in
the White Lot the adjoining stands and the
public buildings looking upon the scene were ap-
preclatlVe and very liberal in their applause.
THE FIERY DISPLAY.
The display began with fight of fifty man.
moth shells, which exploded together at q great
height, throwing out fire in various pretty de-
signs. AT the same time several balloons were
sent up ana on reaching certain height, fire.
works became detached, making fine aerial
display. Several flights of 500 rockets occurred
during the display and were much admired, the
artistic mingiing OF the various colored Ares
pr eda ,is n very pleasing effect effect
silver and variegated colored lights. Thousands
of rockets rent the air with their Kissing and
bursting noise. In quick succession five bal
looms ascended, accompanied by signal rockets,
anese shells were exploded by the hundreds
as also thirty-inch bombs by the myriads, max
ing mammoth spray of fire. The floral foun.
tains, bombs of great gold cloud tourbillons,
parachute rockets and rockets by the thous-
ands Of all varieties were exploded in mid-air
with grand effect.
The set pieces consisted OF large portrait.
sixty feet high, festooned with banners In ma
tionaI colors, of Thomas Jefferson, a full view
of the east front of the Capitol with portraits Of
Cleveland and Hendricks on either side, while
In one corner cor. appeared the figure OF a sailor
motto "Peace and Prosperity was displayed
above the dome. This piece was 100 feet long
by rs high--the largest set piece ever fired in
America, and created enthusiasm among the
spectators. The grand finale was the monster
representation of the Falls OF Niagara. This was
great wonder. This device was about 800 feet
long, and at Its reception loud shout of ap-
proval was raised by the multitude. The flight
of 5000 rockets, forming q vast floral BOUQUET
in mid-air, concluded the display. While the
fireworks were going on the expressions from
the spectators were the usual EXPLANATIONS OF
wonder and pleasure which an exhibition
of this sort never fails to produce.
AS the shells discharged from the bombs went
whizzing up into the air and then exploded into
q shower Of beautiful stars, an observer re-
marked to companion:
"You see them things bust before you hear the
explosion" and this expression of a wellknown
physical law was not disputed by any; perhaps
because it was being illustrated before their
eyes
AS the people came pouring into the avenue.
after the fireworks were over, there was a great
jam on 18th street, and even the avenue with
its broad surface, was crowded with thousands
moving up and down. The immense thronQs
that lined the avenue during the day seemed to
be increased at night.
The Review OF the Procession.
President Cleveland and Vice President Hen.
bricks, Mr.. Arthur and members of the late
cabinet, arrived at the White House at
o'clock yesterday afternoon. The procession
was haieed at the corner Of 9th street and Penn.
sylvania avenue to await the appearances
of the presidential party on the reviewing
stand. The party stopped at the White House
for a few moments, and then took their places
at the front of the grand stand amidst great
cheering On President Clevelands LEFT sat Mr.
Arthur, and on his right Vice President Hen.
bricks. Before the procession again started the
advance police guard made strenuous efforts
to clear the street In front of the grand stand,
which was densely packed. They partially
succeeded, and only the broadest line were
forced to break in passing the grand stand.
President Cleveland stood q great portion OF the
time and raised his bat in recognition OF the
saiutes of the Commanding officers were seldotn
recognized.
The FIRST arrivals at the White House after
the ceremonies at the Capitol yesterday were
the members Of President Cleveland's family.
They arrived twenty minutes after one o'clock.
Col. Berret escorted Miss Cleveland to the grand
stand, and Mr.. Gait escorted Mrs. Hoyt. A few
moments later the members Of the ex.presi-
dents household arrived In three carriages Mr.
and Mrs. McEiroy, Mrs. Hnynesworth, the