Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-03-06
The Inauguration Ball.

ceremonies of Inauguration day as the
inaugural address.
1t seems likely that the Pension
building will be the national ballroom
of the future. Cleveland's first inaugu-
ration and Harrison's Inauguration were
each celebrated by most successful
balls held within this building, but
neither ofthem could compare in splen-
dor with the ball held there Saturday
night. Much of the spectacular sue
cess of the affair was doubtless due to
modern developments in the use OF
electricity, of which full advantage was
taken.
The scene was fairy-hke. The scent
of flowers, the combined radiance OF
myriad electric globes, the dainty
blending of green and gold and white,
sparkling fountains of tinted water,
perfect harmony of musical instru-
ments, and what was to many the most
interesting feature Of all-toiletS OF sur
passing taste and magniiicence-all
combined to make u spectacle that will
be carried for many years in the minds
of those who witnessed it in its fulnesS.
Fancy chamber nearly one hundred
yards in length, more than forty yards
in breadth, and fifty yards from floor
to ceiling-for such are the dimensions
of the great court Of the Pension-Oflice
building. where the ball was held.
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, officers ofthe army
and navy, diplomats from many lands,
militia otiicers-all these, with tnou-
sands of ladies, formed the thr0ng that
passed through the four great doorways
Of the building and made merry in the
ball room. 1t is estimated that 12,OOO
people attended the affair, but only a
small portion of these took part i'll the
dancing.
The throng was too great TO admit OF
freedom in the dances. and the pressure
was so intense that the jewellers were
left but little space for their terpsl-
chorcan evolutions.
1t was twenty minutes to 10 o'clock
when Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland arrived
at the building accompanied by Il re-
tinue of friends. After going TO the
rooms reserved for them, the President
and his wife started on a tour Of the
ballroom. The President led the way
on the arm of General Schofeld, while
Mrs. Cleveland followed under escort
of Justice Gray. Following them came
Colonel and Mrs. Lamont, Mr. and Mrs.
Bisscll, Mr.. and Mis-. Hoke Smith, Mr..
and Mrs. j. Sterling Morton, and a
number of others. As the party enter
ed tn. Marine Band played Fancuilli's
march The Great Republic" and this
air was the first intimation given ma
lority Of the people present that the
guests of the evening had arrived.
There was crowding forward OF
those in the centre towards ....e SHE Of
the room, through which the president
al party had entered. The greatest in
tcrest was manifested in Mrs. Cleve
land. and hundreds OF women We'd with
each other in getting to the front of the
line. where they might catch glimpse
of her face.
4 few minutes only were consumed
in the circuit of the ballroom, and then
Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland and their par
tv went upstairs to their apartments
sud there received Il large number OF
prominent persons, including Senators,
Representatives. foreign ministers, and
officers of the army and navy. The
coming Secretary OF the Navy, Mr..
Herbert, there joined the party with
NJ IS Herbert.
The presidential party arrived
at 10, and circuit of the hall was
made in manner similar to that ofthc
presidential party.
Mr.. and Mrs. Stevenson, with their
son and daughters and the friends who
accompanied them to Washington, then
joined the President and Mrs. Cleye-
land in their rooms.
At no former Inauguration ball were
the dresses worn By the women so gor-
geous as those displayed on saturday
night.
Mrs. Cleveland wore long wrap of
tan-coored cloth, lined with white silk
and capped by full ermine cape.
When She gracefully uniastened this
she emerged in gown of blue white
satin. the front of the dress being made
princess, while the back was trimmed
and gathered on the bodice at the waist
line. Around the bottom of the skirt
was very narrow ruile. Running up
from thiswere lines OF crystal jet forming
points at their finish. Down one side
of the dress from the neck to the feet
fell garniture of old rose point lace
which also formed on the bodice, which
was laced up the back. Over the full
sleeves fell capes Of the lace in gather
cd points. The sleeves were white,
crystal studded. On her neck, which
was fully shown, there was nothing but
the beauty which nature gave it.
Across the front of the bodice were
looped ropes of diamonds. The lace
was studded with beautiful diamond
stars. Her hair was simply twisted at
the back of her head At the brow she
wore a rose coronet of diamonds.
Mrs. Steyenson's ball dress was of
dead white MORE antique, with full
velvet sleeves of royal purple, over
which fell rich soft duchess lace. The
skirt was perfectly plain, with rope of
the royal purple velvet to finish it at
the bottom.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland left the ball
room at halfpast 10 O'Clock. Their
departure was made so quietly that but
few people were aware of it, and a
great multitude gathered about the
stairway leading to the presidential
apartments and remained there for