The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-05
THE BALL.
A Scene of Gorgeous splendor, Bright
Toilets, Brilliant Uniforms. Glitter
ing Jewels and Masses of
Flowers

W AenANhIUNf MhICu ts-lAc Dfll4ihut
finale OF the y agguration ceremonies was
the ball tonight. Ii put the csp-shesf of
gsye;y on tie more formal and serious,
though grand oerem' NAL, which preceded
it. Beauty lent its aid TO crown the triumph
OF the incoming administration, and amid
the light festivities OF the bali the formallties
of the inauguration came to close. The
ball was held in the unfinished new Pension
Building, an immense structure in
closing q rectangular courtyard OF more
than 800 feet long by over 100 feet in width.
As the door opens on the interior the eye
is dsZzled by blaze OF light and color, and
the mind is confused by the immensely of
the scene revealed 10 il at glance hall
3l6 feet long by 1l6 feet vide, lighted by
sixty gigantic Sieman's gas burners, 800 can
die power each, which are suspended from
the rcof whose peak is lost to sight, 100 feet
above the floor in a perfect forest OF streamers
and flags, on whose acres of waxed floor
several thousand couples in brilliant toilets
are moving about in the may dance,
while thousands more circle round
in the outskirts in ceaseless
promenade, aud other thousands look
down upon them from the surrounding
balconies, is the framework OF ense mbie,
which, bursting suddenly upon ones view,
tions cover the whole interior, with the x
ception of the roof, and this is almost hid.
den from view by a network OF streamers
flags and bunting. All is a brilliant color
ing in which the red. white and blue tint3 of
the American flag pIedominate, bat are
toned down by the contrasting dark green of
natural garlands hung in festoons, and Of
the foliage of tropical plants which are
banked about the supports of the
roof and in the corners of the hall are
blended with the rich dark hues of velvet
hangiBes and the mellow sheen of damask
draperies. The wealth Of colOrs is relieved
sgainst back ground of pure white muslin,
and il bic nded into barmy and sOftness IN
der the ditfnssd light of lamps, which hang
from the roof like great globes OF fire. Tee
entire scene formed a brilliant setting for the
rich toilets Of the dancers and promenadsrs
and the everchsnging panaroma on the
floor
Banks of tropical planun-sUrround the
bafes CT the eight large columns which sup
are twined around the columns from the
base to the capitols. At the east end OF the
hs0 an immense plate glass mirror,
sixteen feet hight and ten feet
wide, with beveled edge three inches
wide, and frame composed Of 600 pieces Of
cutglass rises from the msssed palms and
flowers sgainst a background OF deep GRIM
SOD, and rejects from its surface the lights
and color of the ballroom. The music
stands are hung with rich green aud purple
silk damasks, and flags are twined about
their supports, In each of the four corners
OF the ballroom, tiers CT stands reaching to
the height Of the balcony are placed, and on
these palms and ferns are massed IN rich
proiusion. The richest part of the decora-
tioDs however, is on the front of the bal
cony. Along the entire length and around
the ballroom, there is stretched on this bal.
cOny deep band of maroon velvet
two wards wide, heavily embroidered
for hall Its depth with gold thread in ele-
CANT de sign. This velvet was made ia Lyons.
(, France, and was imported for the special
purposes Of this decoration, and its deep,
rich coloriDg is in harmoniziDg tone OF the
whole mass of color. The back ground of
this balcony is tTi colored bunting, with
which the halls are hung Outlined against
| this are small Doric pillars, which enelO
the balcony and support the one above it.
| To each there is suspended an American
; silk standard, surmOunted by a circular
1 shield, on which is blszOned the arms of the
| States or Territories. Garands of evergreens
! bang in festoons from the balcony, and are
twined about the pillows, which are further
i decked with mixed palms at their bases
At the height of the balcony, at one end
/ OF the hall, is large spread eagle formed OF
| gas lets and at the other end is q FIVE pointed
star formed in the same manner. Over all
| is forest of streameTs, flags and bunting,
which hang from the peak OF the roof. from
the corners and rafters. Hali-moon shaped
| punches of flags project dovnwards from the
! peak Of the roof, and from these spring
! steamers OF al colors in profusion. Seven
large floral pieces are placed in various parts
OF the ball room. and represent tha arms Of
the several executive departments.
The rooms set apart by the committee fol
the use of the President are magniicently
decorated and the cir therein is heavy with
the perfume Of flowers, which abound every
where on the walls and ceiling, and are
massed in large stands distributed ABOUT the
room.
promenade concert opened the festivi
ties Of the evening, and was continued frou
to II .. H., during which time the Presi
dent held his leVee in the reception room
Dancing began upon the conclusion of The
concert Il was 1890 o'clock wheI
President Cleveland arrived at tn.
ball room. He was Immediately
escorted 10 the Presidents room, where 70
half Sd hour be held sn informal reception
the members CT the Reception Committee
and s small number of distinguished per
sons, being presented to him. The Presi
dent was accompanied by Miss Clevelan'
and Mrs Hoyt, his sisters, and by his brothe.
Rev. Mr.. Cleveland aud wife and two sons
Mr.. Hastings, his nephew, Miss Hastings
Miss Nettie Yeomans, and Misa Anna YeC
mans, Mr.. and Mrs. Bacon, the President
brother-jn-lav and wife, OF Toledo, and Cole
mel and Mrs. Lamont. About the same tim
ex-PTssident Arthur arrived and he. too, wa
escorted to the Presidents room. With hir
were Secretaries Lincoln and Chandler, SCI
Rotary ard Mrs. McCulloch, Attorney Ger