Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-06

eented at the inaugural ball saturday evening.
The great court Of the pension Office was
gorgeously and at the same time most taste
fully decorated with flowers. bunting and cleo
trio lights. AID TO one entering the ball room
from the bitter cold wind that was blowing
outside the sight that met the eyes was one of
almost fairy-like beauty.
Thousands and thousands of people thronged
the great court and the galleries above and
around IT. yet at no time there unpleas-
ant crowdirg. and later in the evening dancing
was both possible and enjoyable. Fair women
In the gayest Of handsome ball gowns added
light and color to the throng while the brilliant
uniforms of the officers Of the army and navy
and the different dress uniforms of the National
Guard gave additional splendor to the scene.
The beauty Of the floral decorations. the radi-
ance of thousands OF electric lights and the
dsiicate harmony Of green and gold and white
sparkling fountains Of tinted water. the martial
music of a military band and the sweet strains
OF n mammoth stringsd orchestra all combined
and did their parts to make the inaugural ball
of President Cleveland at once the most splen-
did and enjoyable OF the long series. No one
who there will ever forget the sight. There
we're many thousands Of people in attendance.
vet the arrangements for their comfort and
convenience were so perfect that there was no
confusion. difficulty in entering leaving
the ball and no mishap of anv sort to mar the
complete success of a most delightful event.
TEE APPROACHES AND EXITS.
Carriages could approach the street en-
trance Of the building score at a time and
leave the guests and drive away without delay.
O,her entrances were reserved for those who
came in their own carriages and for the presi-
dental party and the diplomatic corps. Upon
entering the ball room the guests were directed
by courteous attendants to the dressing rooms.
where the accommodations for the reception Of
wraps and for the general comfort of the crowd
were wonderfully perfect and reflected the
greatest credit uuon the committees who had
the work in charge. Then when the ladies had
rejoined their escorts and passed between the
hinge columns toward the center of the room
there was nothing to be heard but words of
highest admiration and praise. 1t was in truth
o sight of wOndrous splendOr.
TIE SPLENDID DECORATIONS.
The big pillars supporting the roof were hid
den from view by masses of plants and strung
with hanging stTeamers of fresh smilax. White
gold and red were draped about the walls of
the entire interior. Wherever the eve wandered
these three colors predominated. with Just
enough of floral green make Pleasing effect.
The ceiling. $50 feet above the dancers. was a
mass Of white and gold, magnificent piece of
workmanship that elected admiration from all
beholders. Ten thousand yards of material
were consumed in drsping this vast canopy.
The stars and stripes were everywhere-on pill
lsrs. on sails and in the waiting rooms. The
lover gallery was covered with plush of white.
gold embroidered and gold fringed. forming a
background for American flags and banners.
while in the center of the plush, directly
above. midway in the arch between the
supporting pillars. were emblems of chiv-
airy, shields of bronze and steel. highly pol
ished, over suits of armOr. floral piece
over each of the pillars supporting the first
gallery. On the gallery walls were silk banners
representing the forty-four states. The second
gallery was decorated similarly to the first with
floral pieces above each column, vases fairly
overlooking with roses and other flowers, while
the sides were covered with national and state
escutcheons. Foreign governments were COM
phmented in the decorations of the highest
gallery. which embraced flags Of all nations.
and of course the national coats of arms.
Flowers and growing plants were everywhere
about the pillars, covering the music stands,
over the arches. In the center of the court was
fountain of PLAYING water. surrounded by
growing plants. flowers and vines.
Much of the spectacular success of the affair
was doubtless due to the modern Developments
in the Use of electricity, OF which full advant-
age was taken
The FLOOR COMMITTEE.
yfrEDE. b. Hay. chairman of the committee
on inaugural ball and promenade. was floor
manager, and each Of the twelve sections into
which he divided the bail room was in charge
Of an assistant Chairman Hay had his station
near the orchestra, and he communicated with
his aids by means Of electric signals. When a
square dance was ready 10 begin in each sec
ton an electric snnunciator made known that
fact 10 Mr.. Hay. and when the last set in the
last section had been formed he gave the order
for the music to begin.
The two bands that furnished the music for
the evening were stationed in decorated bal
comics built high above the floor and on op-
Posite sides of the room midway Of its length
The orchestra. under the leadership of Prof
Zimmerman of the Naval Academy furnished
the inspiration for the dancers and the prom
etade music was furnished by the full Marine
Band in uniform Nothing could have been
finer than this part Of the evenings entertain
meHt Before the dancing began the Marine
Band. UEder the leadership OF Prof. FanciulIi
played number of selections. one OF which
was an impressive grand inaugural march
written BY Prof. Fanciulli and dedicated to the
new President.
The ball had been in progress for some time
before the presidential party arrived Many
persons OF distinction from all parts of the
country, Senators. Representatives. prominent
politicians. governors Of states and their stats
In uniform. officers of the army and navy, dip
lOmats from many lands militia officers. with
thousands Of handsome women, formed the
throng that passed through the four great door
WAYS of the ball room.
ARRIVAL OF The PRESIDENT.
The crowd did not need to be told when Pres
tdent and Mrs. Cleveland and their party had
arrived Those outside the Pension building
gave the signal in the most unmistskable man
ner, communicating their enthusiasm to those
within the ball room. who. By a simultaneous
impulse, surged toward the west entrance
th-vugh which the presidential party entered
Above the sound Of voices the Marine Band
elAshed out Hail to the Chief the strains of
which had sounded in the Presidents ears
throughout the day from the moment he took
the inaugural oath. 1t was with considerable
afa~ asUule ~k.aNe