The Indiana State sentinel., 1885-03-11
THE BALL.
A Scene of Gorgeous Splendor, Bright
Toilets, Brilliant Uniforms. Glitter
ing Jewels and Masses OF


WAsHISeroN. March 4-The brilliant
finale of the Inauguration ceremonies was
the ball tonight. 1t put the cap-shesf of
gsyety on the more formal and serious,
though grand ceTem nisl, which preceded
it. Beauty lent its aid TO crown.the triumph
of the incoming administration, and amid
the light festivities of the ball the foTmallties
of the inauguration came to close. The
ball was held in the unfinished new Pension
Building, an immense structure in
closing rectangular court-yard of more
than 800 feet long by over 100 feet in width.
AS the door opens on the interior the eye
is dazzled by a blaze Of light and color, and
the mind is confused By tee immeneity Of
the scene revealed TO il at a glance A hall
SIC feet long by l16 feet wide, lighted by
sixty gigantic Siemsn's gas burners, 500 can
die power each, which are suspended from
the Roof whose peak is lost to sight, 100 feet
above the floor in perfect forest of streaDers
and fsgs, on whose acres of waIed floor
several thousand couples in brilliant toilets
are moving about in the may dance,
while thousands Iore circle Tound
in the outskirts in q ceassless
promenade, and other thousands look
Gown upon them from the surrounding
balconies. is the framework of euse nble
which, bursting suddenly upon ones visvs
ls n.agnibcently bewIdering. The decora
tions cover the whole interior, with the ex-
ception Of the root, and this is almost hid
den from view by network of streamers,
flags and bunting. All is brilliant color
ing in which the red. white and blue tints of
the American flag pIedominate, but are
toned down by the contrasting dark green OF
natural gsrlands hung in festoons, and of
the foliage of tropical plants which are
banked about the supports Of the
root and in the corners of the hall are
blended with the rich dark hues cf velvet
hsngines and the mellow sheen OF oamask
draperies. The wealth Of colors is relieved
against hack ground OF pure white muslin,
and is blended into barmy sud softness IN
der tie dltfUssd light OF lamps which haug
from the roof like great glooes of fire. Tne
entire scene formed brilliant setting for the
rich toilets of the dancers and prone q ars
sDd the everchanging panaroms on the
floor.
Banks of tropical plants surround the
bases of the eight large columns which sup
port the roof and wreathes of evergreens
are twined around the columns from the
base to the capitoiss AT the east end of the
hall an immense plate glass mirror,
sixteen feet hight and ten feet
wide, with beveled edge three inches
cut-glass rises from the massed palms and
flowers gsinst a background OF deep Grim
SOD, and reflects from its surface the lights
and color of the ballroom. The m1sic
stands are hung with rich green and purple
silk dsmasks, and flags are twined about
their supports. In each OF the four corners
OF the ballroom, tiers OF stands reaching to
the height of the balcony are placed, aud on
these palms and ferns are msssed in rich
profusion. The richest part of the decora-
tions, however, is on the front of the bal
cony. Along the entire length. and around
the ballroom, there is stretched on this bal.
cony a deep band of maroon velvet
two yards wide, heavily embroidered
for half Its depth with gold thread in ele-
CANT design. This velvet was made ia Lyons.
France, and was imported for tas special
purposes OF this decoration, and its deep,
rich coloring is in harmonjzing tone OF the
whole n ass of color. The back ground of
this balcony is tri colored bunting, with
which the halls are hung Outlined against
this are small Doric pillars, which enclose
the balcony and support the one above it.
20 each there is suspended an American
silk standard, surmounted By circular
shield, on which is blszoned the arms of the
States or Territories. Garlands of evergreens
hang in fest0oDs from the balcony, and are
twined about the pillows, which are further
decked with mixed palms at their bases.
a promenade concert opened the festiyi.
ties of the evening, and was continued from
& to IL .. M, during which time the Presi-
dent held his leVee in the reception room.
Dancing began upon the conclusion of the
concert. It 1870 O'Clock when
President Cleveland arrived at the
ball room. He was Immediately
escorted to the Presidents room, where for
baif an hour he held an informal reception,
the members Of the Reception Committee,
and a small number of distinguished per-
sons, being presented to him. The Presi-
dent was accompanied by Miss Cleveland
snd Mrs. Hoyt, his sisters, and by his brother,
Rev. Mr.. Cleveland and wife and two sons,
Mr.. Hastings, his nephew, Miss Hastings,
Miss Nettie Yeomans, and Miss Anna Yeo-
mans, Mr.. and Mrs. Bacon, the Presidents
brotherjn-law and wife. of Toledo, and Colo
mel and Mrs. Lamont About the same time
ex-PJesident Arthur arrived and he too, was
escorted TO the Presidents room. With him
were Secretaries Lincoln and Chandler, Sec
reisry and Mrs. MoCuIloch, Attorney Gen.
eral Brewster and Mrs. Brewster, Postmaster
General Hatton and Mrs. Hatton, and Sec
re:ary Teller and Mrs. Teller. Vice Presi-
dent Hendricks arrived about the same time
snd joined the President.
In the room at this time there was large
and distinguished gathering including per-
sons of the most diverse shades of political
oh f~fn fho .lr d.