Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-28
THE COLUMBIAN BALL.
Il Was Grander Than Anything Of the Kil
New York Has Ever known.

AZ :" ~ Nrouoet IMAM AnytDfn8 OF the A1n0
New York Has Ever Known.
1nky darkness yelled the Columbian neet in
the Hudson river at New York at 8 O'Clock last
night and not q sound WIS heard by lsndsmen
from the anchored battle ships. Suddenly q
ray Of light shot upward from tho Philadelphia.
It was long, dazzling and seemed to pierce the
sky.
For . moment 1t remained stationary and
then disappeared. That was the signal for the
scheduled display Of electrical search lights with
which tho war vessels are provided, some Of
them having 1000 French lenses
Quickly following the Philadelphia lead the
American ships showed the many ways In which
the lights are used In active warfare to protect
themselves from attack OF those marine terrors
torpedo boats. At times the projected rays
were concentrated at certain spots on shore,
then turned far Up the Hudson, making objects
plainly visible at . distance Of five miles.
Following came another signal, and stimuli
taneously every light in tho fleet was turned
toward the zenith. Slowly the rays converged
until they formed the apex of brilliant siivery
pyramid of incalculAble height Experts say it
could have been seen seventy-hve miles away
In any direction 1t was sight never before
seen and never to be forgotten by the land
lubbers. In conclusion the operators gave
some examples of high art In ray projecting and
described various figures on the heavens.
THE COLUMBIAN BALL.
The Columbian ball last night at the Madison
Square Garden was, in respect to magnifcence
OF decoration and arrangement and OF a large
number OF world-famous guests present. tho
most splendid ever given IN the new world.
Besides the President and his advisers, the
chief legislative body OF the United States and
o Spanish grandee. who is the namesake and
lineal descendant of Christopher Columbus.
there were the diplomatic corps, the adnirals
and subordinate officers of every great naval
power in the world, governors of neishboring
states and famous army officers.
THE DECORATIONS
The decorations of the garden were rich and
elaborate, eclpsing in their mugnifcerce aud
elegance anything ever before attempted in the
great auditorium. The main entrance had
been draped with a background Of pure white
festooned with o delicate tracing OF smiax and
asparagus sprays and cut flowers, and rare
exotics were profuseiy distributed through this
rich green ground and q myriad of tiny electric
lights shone from out the mass of flowers and
verdure. Two silver dragons with great burn
ing ruby eyes, guarded the Madison avenue
entrance.
In tho center of the garden thousands Of
sprays of lilies OF the valley formed an arch
Upon the keystone w"sperched asmiling Cupid,
whose fairy wings were studded with miniature
lamps. and who held In his hands q chain Of
vari-colored electric lights. The base Of the
arch was composed of many colored lights,
whose hues were constantly changing. Sur
rounding this beautiful arch was grove Of
palms end large foliage plants and half hidden
amidst their verdure was u Japanese juggler
balancing bamboo wheel of colored revolving
lamps.
At the 4th avenue end of tho garden was
placed an immense Japanese fan. studded with
electric lights. Directly beneath this was the
reception dais: 1t was gorgeous with flowers
and plants, and at the two corners were dragons,
such as guarded the entrance to the garden.
Across the rear Of the amphithcater, in huge
letters of light were the words "A New Worlds
Welcome"
A magnificent model of the Capitol, created
out of white flowers and illuminated with cleo
trio lights, rested upon the stage OF the assem-
bly, room. A miniature reproduction OF the
grounds in natural plants surrounded II.
The Hungarian band occupied tho lower end
of this stage, which was banked with palms and
cut flowers, while the broad stairways between
the assembly room and the amphitheater were
entirely covered with drapery Of white and
gold and festoons Of smilax and tiny lamps.
The cost Of the decorations was $4,000.
The balcony pillars were twined with smilax
and flowers and the entire roof of the garden
was hung with a canopy Of white and gold, de-
pendant from which were hundreds Of clusters
| OF the flags Of all nations.
along the arena were decorated with flowers
and hags
IN THE BOXES.
Tho large box on the center of the Madison
avenue end was occupied by Mayor Gilroy and
suite. President Cleveland's box was on the
right Of the mayors. 1t was lined In white and
gold, with delicate maiden hair ferns roses and
asparagus in beautiful design covering it. A
magnificent bank of American beauty roses
sioped gently down to the base Of the balcony
| to a large American shield and eagle, old glory
being outlined in colored lights. Each posi-
| supporting the boxes was festooned with smila1
and palms studded with incandescent lights
Large green placques, bearing bouquets OF
lamps, were placed at intervals between the
boxes.
The boxes occupied by tho Duke Of veragus
The other boxes on the first tier and about the
mayors box were occupied by the members OF
the United States Supreme Court tine diplo.
matte corps and by Gov. Flower and staff
The arena boxes were occupied by the admiraIs
OF the foreign and American fleets and their at.
tending officers The foreign officers had been
given the center boxes and the Americans the
outer boxes. Mai. Gen. Schotield command.
ing the army. and MAJ. Gen. o. o. Howard with
their suites also occupied boxes in this tier.
Two bands furnished the music III the ball
room, one being stationed on the south and the
other on the north side OF the garden toward
the 4th avenue end.
Landers orchestra Of eighty string pieces
played the music for the dancers and Rogers
Seventh Regiment Band Of sixty pieces played
during the intermissions and promenades.
THE GUESTS.
The doors Of the garden were thrown open a,
9 O'Clock and almost Immediately afterward the
guests began to arrive. The naval officers were
met by a special appointed committee at the
carriages to the garden. The President, having
other engagements during the evening. did moi
arrive with his party until some time after the
ball had been announced to begin. at 10 o'clock
Mayor Gilroy, as head Of the municipality
| and Mrs. Gilroy officially received the guests OF
the evening. They stood. upon the reception
dais and just behind them were stationed the
committee of 100 and the honorary committees,
who escorted the more distinguished Of the
guests from the entrance to their boxes.
No precedence was observed, every effort
being made to indicate that the ball was a re-
publican citizens affair.
The President arrived q half hour before
midnight. The bands played Hail to the
Chief, the only piece played in honor Of any
Of the guests, and Mayor Gilroy advanced Ia
meet him. After the formal Introduction the
President and his party were escorted to his
box.
The program of dances was a very simple
one. There was no distinctive figure dances
during the evening.
A buffet supper for the invited guests was
served in the concert hall. The buffet, which
extended around two sides of the room, was
handsomely decorated.