The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-04-28
Brilliant Electrical Show and Search
Light Display.
TIE BALL AN ENTIRE SUCCESS.
Scenes Of Gaiety and spIendor Enacted In
the Great Madison square Garden
The President Joins in the Festivities
Nearly 10000 People Present


full search lights, which enabled the
thousands of spectators who lined the
banks of the North river on both the New
York and New Jersey sides to take in at a
glance the position of the war vessels ly-
ing at anchor
At o'clock every electrical searchlight
I'm the feet began sending its rays over
the surface of the river, playing first on
one bank, then on the other, until, at a
signal from Admiral Gherardi's flagship,
all the American vessels began to operate
their searchlights together and concen-
trated them on one point, which revealed
q panoramic scenes all along the line.
The larger lights had the appearance of
many inverted comets, and the lesser ones
looked like groups of water jets playing
from fire hose. At another signal all
the lights were thrown upward and
described fantastic curves like rainbows in
the heavens.
Then the beams of the search lights
were trained far up the Hudson, when
their
Rays Travelled Fully Five Miles
beyond the head of the feet The lights
were so intense and piercing that the
smallest boat or craft could be seen mile
away. 1uc ststlCu iiHutS the
war vessels are the most powerful reflec-
tors made, and each light carries lenses
valued at $1,000 each. The scene was one
remember During the display the opera
tors showed the spectators some high art
in ray projecting and in signaling.
Many OF the war vessels were Illuminated
from stem to stern, and all along the deck
I<xad Ina h<. o.. a.
white and blue lights were burned on
board and before the grand searchlight dis
play was concluded the vessels themselves
were enveloped in ascending clouds of red,
white and blue smoke
The Grand Ball.
The festivities Of the Columbus celebra-
tion'concluded with the bal. at Madison
Square garden last night. The president,
cabinet members, governors, judges, COM
manders and officers of the squadrons,
civic officials and citizens Joined in making
the occasion the most suspicious of the
celebration. Not often have so many men
holding high places amongst the nations
come together under one roof. Every
thing was on scale Of magnifcence un-
rivaled in the history Of national social
events.
The floral decorations clothed the dark
woods of the huge amphitheater in green
and white and red. Thousands of electric
lights which sparkled and danced amid
the folin made the night day, and in
tensified the brilliancy Of the bright uni
forms of the army and navy and gorgeous
toilets of the ladies. The music of senti-
ment and patriotism foated through the
grand hall IA sweetest harmony.
New York outdid even her most grace
ful efforts of the past. She gave to her
guests reception worthy the day and the
men whom she honored.
The Last Touch
to the decoration Of the garden had been
given early in the afternoon, and the hall
was transformed into veritable garden
of beauty and freshness. The silver
dragons guarded the main entrance, which
was lined with fine boughs and palms in
terwoven with cut flowers, drapery of
pure white festooned with smilax, and
sprays forming the background.
A canopy of white and gold, from which
hoated fags of all nations, overhung the
polished floor. Over the center Of the
garden an arch was formed by thousands
of lilies Of the valley. A silver cupid
which had his outspread wings studded
with tiny electric lights, seemed to keep
him hid across the garden.
Far beyond, at the opposite end of the
hall. an immense Japanese fan of electric
lamps shed radiance on the green foliage
that banked up the lower tier of boxes.
The pillars of the balcony were trimmed
with smilax and cut flowers, and the entire
hall was profusely decorated with green's.
Under tho big Japanese fan the raised re-
ception dias has been erected. The words
"A New Worlds Welcome" extended
across the rear Of the amphitheater, and
formed bright greeting to those who
have come from across the seas.
In front of almost every box in the
lower tier an American shield draped with
national flags formed screen TO which
decorations in silk and plush were hung.
Higher mp similar draperies were caught
mp. They formed n pleasing combination
with the evergreens and the vari-colored
flags It was 10 o'clock before the guests
began to arrive. Mayor Gilroy reached
the garden early and remained in readi-
ness to extend a hand of welcome.
Tho President Arrives.
President Cleveland, who had spent all
day amind the booming of cannon, was late
in arriving. Mrs Cleveland was not with
him She had returned to Washington.
accompanieu " ros.laas.cr Ucneral and
Mrs Bissell.
About 1l:15 the committee, with the
president In charge, arrived at the Garden
and passed just as quickly from view. The
big band struck up Hail to the Chief"
the naval reserve drew upa trife more
stimy, and Mayor Gilroy advanced to
greet the chieftain of the nation. The
president was escorted to his private box.
1t was handsomely decorated with white
and gold. upon which delicate tracery of
maiden hair ferns, roses and asparagus
had been woven.
A bank of magnificent beauty roses
around the edge of the balcony sloped
down to an American shield and eagle,
with the national flag outlined in lights
From here the president watched for
short time the dazzling spectacle OF fair
women and brave men. The Duke of
veragna had already arrived and was
escorted to his private box not far from
me presidents.
Other guests Of honor were Governor
Flower, Governor Russell of Massachu-
setts, members Of President Cleveland's
cabinet, all OF whom attended with the ex-