The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-20
THAT DANCE
SHALL HARRISON ABOLISH THE
INAUGURATION BALL?
Washington Pirouetted, but Dollie
Mndiann Cnnldr,,t nnd Mira pn1lr


Fantastic Toe-Cne Hundred Years
of Fair Women at Inaugural Balls.
Copyright 1899
New York, Jan. 10-Shs danced a
minuet with Baron Stauben at Gen. and
LAZY Washington's Inauguration ball.
Petite and fair l have always pictured
her, with stately figure carried straight. A
gracious couple they made as he led her by
the tips of her white fingers through the
long assembly rooms 70 the dais where, on a
brocaded sofa, under superb hangings of
curtains a nd banners sat the heads Of the
republican court. He bent low before the
President, she swept a courtesy to the
Presidents lady. Neither spoke. 1t was a
silent tribute of respect. Then began the
decorous steps Of the most graceful Of all
dances, the small dame just lifting her sky
blue satin gown over her white satin petit
coat to show her tiny silk slippers with
their pink rosettes for bows. A gauze hand
kerchief was folded across her bosom, the
ends tucked modeslly under the bodice, and
four pearls dropped On either side OF her neck.
On her head was great p0uf # gau2s in
the form Of globs. Double wings stood out
from it in large alts. II was crowned with
a wreath of life al roses.
And uer partner. Small sword at his
side Baron Steubeu shOne with the star Of
bi. order Rlistenlng against rich black vel
vet His hair was powdered, he wore bag
wig AID curls hung over his shoulders.
Wuen they had trodden he measure out he
led my dream lady again to the dais and
both bent themselves second time before
the Washingtons.
know not that she ever in flesh existed,
and yet it pleases me to imagine now my
little lady's heart beat with the pomp and
the ceremony There was Robert Morris
lady from PhiladelDnia, who had Travelled
with Lady Washington to New YorE and
had been one Of the passengers in that barge,
which thirteen masters Of vessels rowed.
which carried the Presidents wife across
the bay from Elizabetdtown. There was
Lady Mary Watts ana Lady Kitty Duer,
Mrs. Duane, the MayOress; M s. Peter Van
Brook Livingston, La Marchioness de
Brehan. Nine. dc la Forest, tho Misses Bay
ard, with Gov. Cinton's lady and all the
grand folks of New York to the number of
800 or more. There were Adams and Jay
and Hamilton and the French and SPANS
ambassadors, heroes and statesmen and di-
pomats, to turn a steadIer head than that OF
my blonde belle of the ball.
There was Gen. knox's wife respondent
IN gray taffeta with two collars, yellow
and white, edged with blue silk fringe.
And her hat q 7 ESpdgHOie, that was Of
white satin with two cockades and long
plume.
The petite dame stares and lifts her fan
to hide smile Mime. Knox is sweeping up
the apartment by the side Of Lady Wash
ington. The President and his wife have
just arrived and are about to seat them
selves. Does the wife Of the new Secretary
Of War imagine they will ask her to sit by
their side' She has mounted the steps OF the
dais. Open earth and hide her discontinue.
The sofa is narrow, it will hold but two.
Shame-facedly she steps to the humble level
Of The floor and litter runs round the as
semblage.
And now my fair dream lady is in fiut-
ter. Gen. Washington is going to honor
the ball. He is dancing, viii he dance with
herr He leads OUT Mrs. Peter Van Brook
Livingston for a cotIlliOn, and then Mrs.
Hamilton. He walks minuet with Miss
Van Zandt, and the dancers turned to watch
them, for Washington, so they whisper, is
at his best on the dancing floor. lie has a
fair girl for partner. There is heaven in
her eyes. Sie is slight and dark and she
wears pink gauze oyer a petticua5 of gray.
The new President take, The intricate steps
to perfection. lie shows that dignity Of
motion tempered with grace which judges
of that time COUNTED the test OF good dane
ing. And at last, yes, he beds b fore my
dream lady. Her heart is in her throat as
she fades cut of view Mrs. Washington
dances also, executing mmuet to admlra-
ton.
Broken fragments Of vision past.
Il was the first, the pre.tiest and the
to think Ga of all the iuaugura-
ton balls.
Was Cleveland's the lastl
Mus the inauguration ball gol
to turn our backs onl
Clergy and laity are fast taking sides. and
so much heat is eng developed over the
question that the decision Of Oen. and Mrs |
tia ris0n with regard 10 next March'S do |
ings will be waited all over the country
with Interest.
The Inauguration ball is national insti- |
thai there can be no DOUBT Fol !
lowing the example set by Washington, |
lights have twinkled their brightest, music |
has sounded its sweetest, and beautiful |
women have looked their loveliest To ce O.
Drate the incoming of President after Pr 81 |
lent. Some of the earlier executives gave |
instead of having balls given |
them. Jefferson, of course, gave nothing, |
and when the bells OF the capital pro- |
ested against republican simplicity by call |
ng on him in body and sending word that |
hey awaited him in the ieree room, he did |
lot stop TO draw off his muddy boots before |
topping in 10 greet them, cordial but in
orrigible.
Resplender. ID oily Madison. Thy regime
made full auiegis for the lack of fetes in the |
ears tnat had gone before
Aud yet she did not dance.
When the manager OF the inauguration |
,all brought her the first number OF the |
" gremme, Sho smiled, but answered
Iuietly:
Il never dauce What shall l do with
hisW
present it to tho lady next you"
But / am AFRAID that viii look like par
iahty."
Then let me give it for you" and he
rave It TO Mrs. MaiiSons sister
Pretty Mrs Madison, who painted nd
powdered and patched and wore shocl5iugv
ow gowns whose waists ended under the
)osom-Just such gowns as they are tempt
ng us to wear now-and VINO was SO sunny
mi 50 kindly that tAey said of her she
,nly dressed pleased other people y Civ
ug them her charming self Un which 10
gaze. She loved warm colors ald there
IRE iull descriptions OF tho gorgeous robe Of
)uif velvet which she wore to the lnlugura-
ion bal and in which ste Cooked and
moved like queen She wore full strings
IF pearls upon her neck and her arms, aud
N her head was a Paris turban set with bird
IF paradise plumes. Sne would be strange
squire now tho magnificent dame who vet
lad a pocket for "a baudanul, which she
odd heary Clay, as she W ped away tho
nutf, was 'ior rough work, while the lace
landkercuet which she tluttered a moment
alter was her "pohsher'
There Is no record OF the Monroe ball, and
ne wife OF John Quincy Adams was in