The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-03
THE COLUMBIAN BALL.

Distinguished Guests and Magnificent Dec
orations-A Grand scene.
The Columbian ball tonight at the Mad
ison square garden was, in respect 10
magniicence of decoration and arrange
ment and OF the large number of world
famous guests present, the most splendid
ever given in the new world Besides
the presden. and his advisers. the chief
legislative body of the United States. and
Spanish grandee, who is the namesake and
lineal descendant of CHRISTOPHER Column
bus, there were the diplomatic corps, the
admirsls and subordinate officers of every
great naval power in the world, COVER
nors of neighboring states and famous
army officers. II was. in TACT, a gathering
OF celebrities so varied and so gloriousy
arrayed that the oldest and most travelled
guest acknowledged that seldom or never
before had he seen a parallel to the gor-
geous picture presented.
The decorations of the garden were
rich and elaborate. eclipsing in their mag
nificenCe and elegance anything ever be-
fore attempted IN the great auditorium.
The main entrance had been draped with
a background OF pure white. festooned
with delicate tracing OF smilax and as
paragus sprays, and cut flowers and rare
exotics were profusely distributed
throughout this rich green ground,
with myriad OF tiny cleo
trio lights shining from out
the of flowers and YER
dure. Two silver dragons. with
great burning ruby eyes, guarded the
Madison-ave. entrance. In the center of
the garden thousands of sprays oflilies OF
the valley formed an arch. Upon the
keystone was perched q smiling cupid,
whose fairy wings are studded with mini
AZURE lamps and who holds in his hands
cham OF vari-colored electrics. The base
of the arch was composed of many
colored lights whose hues we're con-
stantly changing, Surrounding this beau
tiful arch was grove of palms and
large foliage plnnts and half hidden amidst
their verdure was Japanese juggler ball
Rncing q wheel of cOlOred lamps. At the
Fourth-ave. end of the garden was placed
and immense Japanese fan studded with
electric lights. Direct beneath this was
the reception dias 1t was gorgeous with
flowers and plants. and at the two corners
were dragons such as guarded the en-
trance to the garden. Across the rear of
the amphitheater in huge letters of light
are the words, "a New Worlds Well
come"
A magnificent model of the capitol at
Washington, created out of white cape
flowers and illuminated with electric
lights rested upon the stage of the assem-
bly, room. A miniature reproduction OF
the grounds in natural plants surrounded
il. The Hungarian band occupied the
end of the stage, which was banked with
palms and cut flowers, while the broad
stairway between the assembly room
and amphitheater was entirely covered
with a drapery of white and gold and
festoons of smilax and tiny lamps. The
cost of these magnificent decorations was
$4,000. The balcony pillars were twined
with smilax and flowers and the entire
roof of the garden was hung with q can
opy of white and gold, dependent from
which were hundreds OF clusters OF the
flags of all nations.
In the Boxes.
The boxes on either end of the garden
and along the arena were decorated with
flowers and flags. The large box on the
center of the Madison-ave. end was oc-
cupied by mis- honor Mayor Gilroy and
suite. President Cloveand's box was on
the right of the mayors. 1t was lined
with white and gold, with delicate maiden
hair ferns, roses and asparagus in
beautiful design covering. A mag
nificent bank of American beauty
roses sloped gently down TO
the base of the balcony to a large Ameri-
can shield and eagle, old glory being out
lined in colored lights Each post sup
porting the boxes is festooned with smilax
and palms studded with incandescent
lights. Large green plaques, bearing
bouquets oil lamps, are placed at intervals
between the boxes. The boxes occupied
by the duke of Neragua and his party
was on the left OF the mayors. The other
boxes on the first tier and about the
MAYORS box We're occupied by
the members of the L. 5. supreme
court, the diplomatic corps and
by Governor Flower aud staff.
The arena boxes were occupied by the
admirals of foreign aud American fleets
and their attending officers. The foreign
officers had been given the center boxes
and the Americans the outer boxes.
Maj.-Gen. Schofeld, commanding the
army, and MAJ. Gen. O. o. Howard. with
their suites, also occupied boxes in this
tier. Two bands furnished the music in
the ballroom, one being stationed on the
south and the other on the north side OF
the garden toward the Fourth ave. end.
The Music.
Landers orchestra of eighty string
pieces played the music for the dances
and Rogers Seventh regiment band of
sixty pieces played during the intermis-
sons and promensdes. The doors of tbs
garden were thrown open at 9 o'clock and
almost immediately afterwards the guests
began TO arrive. The naval officers were
net by specially appointed committee al
the foot of w. Forty-second-st and from
there taken in carriages TO the garden.
The president having other engagements
during the evening did not arrive with lis
party until some time after the ball had
been announced to begin at 10 O'Clock.
High Hats Useful.