The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-05-03
s17@@~
THE COLUMBIAN BALL.
A Grand and Glittering Climax 10 the
Festivities of an Ever Memorable
Dav

Grnnd ana tl1tterlnR climax 10 tne
Festivities of an Ever Memorable
Day.
The Columbian ball given at the Madison
Square Garden, New York on Thursday
night was in every respect to mngniiicence
Of decoration and arrangement and of the
large number Of world famous
guests presented the most splen.
did ever given in the New
World. BESIDES the President and Cabinet
and the Spanish grande, lineal descendant
Of Columbus, there were the Diplomatic
Corps, the admirals and subordinate officers
Of every great naval power in the world.
Governors Of neighboring States and
famous army officers.
The decorations Of the garden were rich
and elaborate, eclipsing in their magnih.
cence and elegance anything ever before
attempted in the great auditorium. Silver
dragons. with garng ruby eyes, guarded
the Madison avenue entrance, In the cen
ter of the garden thousands of sprays Of ILL
lies OF the valley formed an arcn. Upon
the keystone was perched smiling cupid
whose fair wings were studded with nina
ture lamps and who held in his hands
chain Of various colored electric lights The
base of the arch was composed Of many
COlored lights whose hues were constantly
changing. Surrounding this beautiful arch
was grove of yalm- and large foliage
plants and half hidden amidst their yerdure
was Japanes" juggler balancing bamboo
wheel OF colored revolving lenses.
At the Fourth avenue end of the garden
was placed an immense japanese fan stud
ded with electric lights Directly beneath
this was the reception dais. gorgeous with
flowers aud plants, and at the Two corners
with dragons such ms guarded the entrace 10
the garden. Across the rear OF The amphi-
theatre in large letters Of light were the
words "A New Worlds Welcome"
Magnificent model OF the Capitol at Wash
ington, created out Of white cape flowers
and illuminated with electric lights rested
upon the stage of the Assembly room. a.
miniature reproduction Of the Capitol
grounds, in natural plants. surrounded it.
the cost of the decorations was $4,000. The
balcony pillars were twined with smilax
and flowers and the entire roof of the gar
den was hung with canopy of white and
gold dependant from which We're hundreds
OF clusters of The flags of all nations.
The large box on the center of the Madi-
son avenue end was occupied by Mavor Gill
roy and suite, President Cleyeland's box
was on the right OF the Mayors, while the
boxes occupied by the Duke of VeIagua and
his party was on the lett. The other boxes
OF the first tier were occupied by the diplo.
matte corps and by Governor Flower and
staff. The arena be- xes were occupied by
the admirals of the foreign and American
iieets and their attending officers. The for
eign officers had been given the center box
es and the Ameri, an the outer boxes. Major
General Scnotield, commanding the army,
and Major General 90, Howard, with their
glttering stalls, also occupied boxes in this
tier.
Inc naval officers were met by a special
appointed committee at the foot of West
Forty.second street. and from there taken
IN carriages TO the garden. Mayor Gilroy,
as head of the municipality. and Mrs. Gilroy
officially received the guests of the evening.
They stood on the reception dais, and just
behind them was slalIoned the Committee
OF One Hundred ana the Honorary Commit
tee, who escorted the more distinguished
guests from the entrance to the boxes.
Chairman Varnum advanced to name each
OF the special guests, and introduced them
to the Mayor. No precedency was observed.
every effort being made 10 indicate that the
ball was republican citizens affair.
THE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION.
The President, however, was not escorted
to the Mayors reception dais when he ar-
rived. half hour before midnight but was
met at the entrance by his escort OF honor,
The band at his appearance began to play
Hail to the Chief the only piece played
in honor of any OF the guests, and Mayor
Gilroy advanced to meet him. After the
formal introduction the President and his
party were escorted to the box they were to
occupy.
The program Of dances was very simple
one. There were no distinctive fgur edan-
res during the evening. Tile floor committee
III charge of the ball included the names Of
the best known men in New York, dislin-
quished in high social and official circles.
fhe naval guests, headed by Secretary Her
bert, included all the distinguished officers
caravels Pinta, Nina and Santa Maria were
prominent among the lis. Of naval heroes.