The Washington critic., 1889-03-05
A mrMnnAn1.E SCENE.
Tho Picture Presented by the Harri
son Inaugural Ball.

son Inaugural Ball.
When President Harrison entered the
court Of the Pension building at 1880
o'clock last night the Inaugural Ball was in
full progress, aud the scene then presented
was representation OF The regal splcn1or
withwhich plain Republican people can
gild the social side OF a patriotic event, ex-
quisitely simple in its political phase. Ten
thousand human forms moving amid
blaze Of color furnished by the reflection Of
myriad Of electric lights and heightened
by decorations OF every Conceivable design
and shade, formed panorama of shifting
scenes almost Oriental in their richness,
yet entirely Occidental in animation and
virility
The bright and rcsplendent colors in tho
heavier decorations which en1blaHoned the
tall columns, long galleries and arching
roof Of the interior Of the massive building
toned down 10 refined shading in the
more softened colors OF the costumes worn
by the ladies on the floor, and the color In
these costumes seemed as the delicate
tasseled fringe TO the spreading canopy OF
color overhead. The regulation broad-cloth
dress suits Of the civilian men, the bright
uniforms OF the militia, the caparisonings
Of the Diplomatic Corps. .resplendent with
jeweed orders and insignias, blended with
the kaloidoscopic costumes OF the ladies.
Stately danes in powdered hair and stiff
brocades, girlish forms In clouds of tulle,
graceful figures In all the grndations Of the
Empire and Directoire gown and the
clinging drapery Of the Grccian maiden
were few OF the numberlesa phases and
features that the ball toilettes presented.
The tide of human life which surged
through the vast hall was made up OF
fashion and wealth and youth aud beauty,
and the scene was exquisitely beautiful In
detail and bewilderingly attractive In the
whole, President Harrison entered the
hall, escorted by Colonel Britton, and they
were met at the entrance by the Reception
Committee, headed by General McCammon.
The President took the arm of General
McCammon and Mrs. Harrison was es-
corted by Colonel Britton.
Following them came Mrs Russell B. Har-
iison and Mrs. Mckee. While the Presi-
dent was holding an informal reception the
ladies retired to their dressing-rooms. Soon
after came ce-President and Mrs. Morton,
her sister, Mrs, Hobson, and Mrs. Morton's
daughters. They were escorted by Mr..
Myron NJ. Parker and Mr.. Henry A.Willard.
When the stir occasioned by the arrival of
the Presidential party had subsidized, dancing
was resumed and the great ball was again
In full swing.
corner of the building was the supper
room. To provide against confusion, sep
arate entrances and exits were provided.
The arched ceiling Of each room was can
opied with garlands of laurel, and thedoor-
ways and windows hung with flags and
poTtieres of bright stuffs. The tables were
spread at the north end of the room, and
presented fine display of triumphs of
culinary art and skill The set pieces,
which were the centres of attraction in
each of the sections, were decidedly
unique
In the 300 gallons of stew 8, 150 terrapin
were used; 1900 raw oysters were served
in ice blocks, 10000 oysters steamed, 10000
more In polette, 800 gallons in consomme,
1000 chicken croquettes and 1000 sweet
breads. For the cold dishes there were
7,CO0 assorted sandwiches, 800 gallons of
chicken salad, 200 gallons of lobster salad,
$50 beef tongues, $50 Virginia hams, $50
boned turkeys, 1000 boned quails, 500
pounds pate de fois gras, 500 pounds OF
game pates, 1000 quarts OF ice cream, 800
quarts of Roman punch, 200 quarts OF
orange-water ice, 10 barrels OF fancy cakes,
and two boilers, holding so gallons each,
were kept going all night In making coffee.
Four hundred pounds Of coffee were used.
Supper cost one dollar, and the menu
was as follows: Blue points on ice. Hot
Bouilon In cups, steamed oysters la pou-
lette, chicken Groquettes, sweet bread pates
Ia Relse, terrapin, Philadelphia style.
Cold-Assorted sandwiches, mayonaise of
chicken, lobster salad, cold tongue, cold
ham Ia Montmorency, boned turkey a Ia
Americaine, breast OF ham q la Cfcerone,
pates de fois gras u la Harrison, terrine OF
game La Morton. Sweets--Assorted Ice
creams and ices, Roman punch, pyramid Of
nongat renaissance, beehive Of bon bons,
assorted fancy cakes and coffee. The buff
fet was open from o'clock until 3 In the
morning and the crowd surged in and out
during all the night.