The Portland daily press., 1885-03-05
INAUGURATION nALL.
" Tripping the Light Fantastic" Through
TWenfy-three Dauces-scenes in the Ball
Room.

WASHINGTON, March A brilliant finale
OF the Inauguration ceremonies was the ball
tonight. 1t put the cap sheaf of gaiety on the
more formal and serious thought of the 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 celebration OF the day
came to close. The ball was held in the un-
nnlshed new pension building, an immense
structure enclosing a rectangular court ward
more than 300 feet long by over 100 feet in
width. AS the door opens on the interior, the
eye is daZZled by the sudden blaze OF light and
color, and the mind confused by the immensity
OF the scene revealed to it. The hall is 3l6
feet long by 116 feet wide, lighted by 60 Sic
mems gas burners OF 500 candle power each
which are suspended from the roof, whose peak
lS lost to sight 80 feet above the floor in per-
feet forest of streamers and flags, on whose
acre OF waxed floor several Thousand couples
n brilliant toilets are moving about in the
mazes of the dance. while thousands more
circle around on the outskirts in ceaseless
promenade, and other thousands look down
upon them from the surrounding balconies,
which is grand framework OF an ensemble
which, bursting suddenly upon ones view is
magnifcently bewildering.
In this vast space hardly foot Of the rough,
diminished interior remains expossd. Dscora-
tions cover the whole interior with the sxcsp-
tion OF the roof, and this IS alaas5 hidden by a
network OF streamers, b ~ and ba ting. All
Is brilliant in coloring, IA Aaich rea Write aud
blue, the tints Of the A,OesiotB hlr, Ursdom-
inate, but are toned down 5Y ths Z ntrasting
dark green of natural garlalds haag in fes-
toons, and OF foliage of tropieli plants, which
are hooked about the supports of ths roof and
IN the corners OF the hall, anu srs blended
with the rich dark hue6 of velvet hangings
and the glossy sheen of silk damask draperies
This wealth of color is relieved against back
ground OF pure white muslin, aud is blended
into harmony and softness under the diffused
light OF lamps which hang from the roof like
great globes of fire. The entire scene forms
brilliant setting for the rich toilets OF the
daucers and promenaders and the ever chang
Ing panorama on the hoor.
The richest part of the decorations in the
ball room is on the front of the balcony. Along
the entire length around the ballroom there is
stretched on this balcony deep band of ma
room velve. two yards wide heavily embroider-
cd for half its depth with gold thread in ele-
CANT design. This velvet was made in lyons,
france, and was imported for the special pnr-
pose OF this d5coraton and its deep rich color
ing, Is harmoniZing the lone of the whole
mass OF color. The back ground OF this halco-
ny Is tri-colored bunting with which the walls
are hung.
The rooms set apart by the committee for the
use of the President have been decorated Law
lshly. There are two of the rooms one of
which Is foI the reception and the other for
the private use of the President. The latter ia
beautifully fitted up with soft carpets and rugs
and furniture in ebony and gold 1t is hung
with paintings and rich stuffs and garlsnded
with flowers and smiax, while silk banners
and streamers abound on the walls. The ar
rangements for the ball were made on a most
extensive scale. Commodious and easily ac-
cessible toilet, and cloak rooms we're provided,
and by dividing the floor into sections each in
charge OF an experienced floor manager with
corps OF assistants all communicating by elec-
trio bells with the the section in which the
principal floor managers were statioued the
keeping of good order was assured.
A promenade concert opened the festivities
OF the evening and was continued from to IL
O'Clock. Following was the programmes:
Music by the United States Marine Band
John Philip Sousa, conductor.