The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-05-01
cLoRIES OF THE BALL.
Dazzling Gems and Costumes of
Rare Sptendor

New YORK, April 30.-The second day of
the great centennial dawned while the
strains of music were still pealing from the
orchestra of sixty musicians in the metro
politan Opera House, and the dancers were
gliding beneath the myriad flowers COM
bined in the designs of the elaborate decora-
tions.
The, thousands lof men and women who
attended the ball will remember it as long
as they live, for wide variety of reasonsi
To all it was most brilliant social affair. In
point OF numbers, the character of those who
took part in 1t. and the decorations. 1t was
graced by larger number OF distinguished
men and fair women. and of representatives
OF families whose names are Identified with
the history of the country. than has charac-
terized any other similar event in the past
As dancing affair, it was not so ENJOYABLE
perhaps, especially in the earlier hours, when
the crush was great.
1t was somewhat after 10 o'clock last night
when suddenly above the hum and Jr0lt-frOu
OF the ball room there was heard the blare of
bugles. Eight strong lunged and metal
tipped buglers sounded wild fanfare at the
trout entrance. In the vestibule a number
OF artillerymen in line strove to restrain the
pressing spectators. And then came the tall
form OF Director Stanton, clad in uniform,
escorting broad shouldered gentleman Of
medium height. He was massive browed
and pale faced. His head was partially bald
and his thick beard was more than iron
gray. intellectually and an iron will were
as marked traits of the mans character as
was his evident unfamiliarity with such
scene. The facade of the box to which he
was escorted, after the Mayor of New York,
had extended his formal greeting, was sup
posed to represent the portal of the White
House at Washington. There President
Harrison was seated, and on either side in
corresponding boxes, the high dignitaries of
the national and SfatQ m pf o.
sconsed. Gen. Harrison's conduct was dig
nifed and impressive.
Sixteen stately women took their places on
the floor. Their shimmering gowns were
rich In the products of the ingenious handi-
work OF experts in the modiste's art. They
blazed with historic jewels in their hair and
on their white necEs and arms as they walked
through the measures of the quddrilIe dh0n-
near; rse:,, VI course they ~ had rehearsed the
of the thousands of levelled inquiring eyes.
The modulated strains of the sixty musi-
clans fell softly on the group. In unison
with the swing of the music the little satin
shoes paced back and forth. With graceful
demoiselles of ancient lineage enacted their
part of the evenings festivities. The Presi-
dent watched the proceeding with the ut
most interest. The pressing crowd of spec
tatorS witnessed scene which most of them
will never forget.
Mrs. Harrison wore a superb gown which
she selected during her winter visit to New
York for the Centennial ball. 1t was made
of pure white faille of exquisite texture.
The front of the skirt was covered with a
deep fiounce Of white tulle from waist to
hem. The tulle was tangled with small.
silver drops, which glistened like diamonds.
On the right side was broad panel of white
silk brocaded in silver, and separating this
panel from the tulle fiounce was a band of
white marabout feathers. The long princess
train fell from the waist in straight folds.
The waist was cut V shape back and front.
and the opening filled in with the silver
bangled tulle. The sleeve came to the ell
bow, and from there to the waist was
dainty old-fashioned undersleeve of tulle.
Mrs. Harrison wore diamond necklace
strung with small stones and pendent of
fine gems. Her gloves were white, as were
the pretty Suede slippers, embroidered in
silver thread and beads to match thegown.
Mrs. Levi P. Morton wore mauve faille
with train in brocade and with white ground.
The design was in delicate colors-clusters
of Strawberries, caught up with Marie An
toinette bows of mauve. The front of the
skirt as In tablier in mousseline de sole.
The low corsage was of lilac faille, with
pointed front Of the brocade. The sleeves