Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-05-04

New YonE, April 27.-The Columbian
ball tonight at Madison Square Garden
was in respect to magn6cence of decora
ton and arrangements, and the large num-
Der of world-famous guests present, the
most splendid ever given In the new world
Besides the president and his advisors,
the chief legislative body of the United
States and Spanish grandee, who is the
lineal descendant of Christopher Columbus,
there were the diplomatic corps, the ad.
miral and subordinate officers of every
great naval power in the world governors
Of neighboring States and famous army
officers.
The decorations of tho garden were rich
and elaborate, ecipsing IN magniticence and
elegance any thing ever before attempted in
thu great auditorium. The main entrance
had been draped with background of pure
white, festooned with delicate tracing OF
smilax and asparagus sprays, and cut
flowers and rare ezotics were profusely dis
tributed through this rich green ground,
while myriad of tiny electric lights shone
from out the mass of flowers and verdure.
Two silver dragons with great burning ruby
Eyes guarded the Madison avenue entrance.
In the centre of the garden thousands OF
sprays of lilies of the valley formed an arch.
Upon the keystone was perched smiling
cupid, whose wings were studded with
miniature lamps, and who held in his
hands
Chain of Vari-Colored Electric Lights
The base of the arch was composed OF many
Colored lights whose hues were constantly
changing. Surrounding this beautiful arcn
grove of palms and large foliage
plants aud half hidden amidst their verdure
To iursrlar ba1 ha m boo
wheel of colored revolving lambs.
AT the Fourth avenue end of the garden
was placed an immense Japanese fan stud
ded with electric lights. Directly btneath
this the reception dais 1t was gorge
ous with flowers and plants. and at the
Two corners were dragons outlined in COL
bred lights. Each post supporting the
boxes was festooned with smilax and palms
studded with incandescent lights. Large
green plaques bearing bouquets OF lamps
we're placed at intervals between the boxes
The box occupied by the Duke OF Vera
qua and his party on the left of the
mayors. Tie other boxes the first tier
and about the mayors box were occupied
by members OF the United States Supreme
Court, the diplomatic corps and by Gov.
Flower and staff. The arena boxes were
occupied by the edmirals of the foreign and
and Amercon fleets and their attending of
fcers. The foreign officers had been given
the centre boxes and the Americans the
outer boxes. Major Gen. Schosld, COM
manding the army, and Major Gen. o. O.
Howard, with their suites, also occupied
boxes in this tier.
Two bands furnished the music in the
ball room, one being stationed on the south
and the other on the north side of the gar
len toward this Fourth avenue end.
Lander's orchestra of 80 string pieces
played the music for the dances and Rogers
Seventh Regiment baud of 60 pieces played
during
The Intermis s ons and Promenades.
The doors of the garden were thrown
open at o'clock and almost Immediately
afterwards the guests began to arrive. The
naval officers met by special com
mittee at the foot of West 42d street and
from there were taken in carriages to the
garden. The president, having other en-
gagements, did not arrive with his party
until some time after the ball had been an
bounced to begin, which was at 10 O'clock
Mayor Gilroy and Mrs. Gilroy officially
received the guests of the evening. They
stood upon the reception dais and just be-
hind them were stationed the committee OF
100 and the honorary committees, who es-
corted the more distinguished OF the guests
man Varnum Of the floor committee id
vanced to name each of the guests and in
troduced him to the mayor.
No precedence was observed; every effort
Icing made to indicate that tho ball was
republican citizens affair The president,
however, was not escorted to the mayor 5
reception dais when he arrived half hour
before midnight, but was met at the en-
trance by his escort of honor. The bands
at his appearance played "Hail to the
Chief, the only piece played in honor
of any of the guests, and Mayor Glroy
advanced to meet him.
After the formal Introduction, the presi.
lent and his party were escorted to his box
The programme of dances was a very sim
pie one. There were distin ctive figure
dances during the evening. A buffet sup
per for the invited guests was served in the
concert hall. The buffet, which extended
around two sides of the room, was hand.
somely decorated.
Across the rear of the ampitheGtre, in
huge letter Of light were the words "
New Worlds Welcome A magnficen,
model of the capital at Washington created
out of white cape flowers and illuminate tee
with electric lights, rested upon the stage
OF the assembly room.
The large box at the centre OF the Madi
son avenue end was occupied by Mayor Gil
roy and suite President Cleveand's boz
was on the right of tho mayors 1t wa
lined in white and gold with delicate nader
hair ferns, roses and asparagus in beautiful
designs covering it, A magnificent banl
Of American beauty roses sloped down t.
'he baae of the balcony TO large Amsri
can shield and eagle.
ERICSSON STATUE UNVEILED.