The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-01-31
INAUGURATION BALL.
Historical Features by "Domesticanna"
in Boston Journal

Preparations for grand inauguration
ball are IN progress, and as the Cleve.
land ball was the largest in the Presi-
1eBtial series, with all the needed dane
ing and supper, hal and reception par
lors under the rooted in interior court
yard OF the Pension Building, so the
second Harrison ball will not fail in SPLEEN
dor due to re-established Republican
ism, in spite Of it's cost and in spite of
the pronounced disapproval OF ball ex-
pressed by careful critics. No feature
OF the inauguratiDns season has more
interesting associations than The ball
II might be that one cause of it's histor-
cal Interest is the leading part which ia r
and gracious women take In it's exercise.
AT the political ceremonies, woman has
been only secondary figure, and often
on no account at ALL but at the balls che
mas felt all the glory of having great
republic at her feet. And what list OF
interesting women the order of dances
OF the inauguration ball would reveal
Brilliant Dolly Maids n,who never dane
ed, however, and probably was Ubblig-
ed to sit out the Dances" Mrs. Adams
whose grand ball was given before her
husband was president; Mrs Polk an
other of the wives who used her dance
order as useless memoranda, since she
''abhorred dancing"on religious grounds;
beautiful Harriet Lane, the be'le of the
Buchanan ball; Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Gar
field and Mrs. Cleveland! These are the
leading figures repI esenIng many types
Of womanhood who have shared in the
brilliant festivities of an Inauguration.
A book of fashions giving many varied
styles from scant, short wasted gowns
Of the Madison period to the lavender
satin and point lace of Mrs. Garfield
might be complied from this gallery of
figures.
1t might be matter of surprise that
the imposing leadership of Mrs. Wash,
ington is ommitted from the list Con-
trary to the usuh impression, it is a
matter of history that the fret PRECEDENT
had no ball Benson j. Losing says:
Arrangements had been made for n
Inauguration bail, but as Mrs, Washing
ton did not accompany her husband the
design was abandoned" What really
happened was a SPLENDID ball given a
week later at the Assembly Rooms"
on Broadway, which was attended by
the President and Vice-P residnl, ma
jOrity of both houses of Congress. the
Ministers of France and Spain, Gen erals
and distinguished civilians A society re-
porter would have reveled in such
names for his list of prominent guests"
AZ Lady Stirling and her two daughters;
Mrs. Montgomery, widow of the hero of
Quebec: Lady Christiana Griffin, Mrs.
Clinton, Mrs. Jay, Mrs, Hamilton, Mre.
Elbridge Gerry, Mrs. Beckhsm, the
Misses Livingston, the Misses Bayard
and the Misses VanZlndt.
Some of the costumes worn can be
gathered from contemporary records.
One of the most elegant was "a plain,
celestial blue satin gown with white
satin petticoat. On the neck was worn
very large Italian gauze handkerchief
with border stripes of satin. The head
dress was pouf of gauze in the form
Of globe, the creneaux, or head piece Of
which was composed of white satin, hav
ing double wing, in large plaits, and
trimmed with wreath of artificial
roses, falling from the left at the top TO
the right at the bottom in front and the
reverse behind. The hair was dressed
all over in detached cuTles -four of which
in two ranks, fell on each side of the
neck, and were relieved behind by a
floating chignon. The most wonderful
part Of the costume was the bead dress,
which it is hoped. will not be included
in the revival of old time costumes now
attempted. Mrs. Washington was not
present at this ball, not arriving in New
York until week after it had taken
place, 80 that the first Presidential ball,
which was not even an Inauguration
ball, was without one of its leading fig
ures, Not all of the Presidents have
celt brated their arrival to the Presiden
Iial chair by ball, as some have been
prevented on account of illness or death
In their families and some have had re-
ceptions given to them, but the msjority
have adopted the costume. and while
the ball is carried on with due propriety
and is capable Of affording pleasure to
thousands Of people, it is rather less OBJ.
jectionable than the Lord Mayors pro
cession and banquet and many other
customs endeared to the people through