The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-03-31
" ASHINGTON NOTES


Every one remembers the horrible
weather on the days of the last two in
lugurations, but with pleasure the
beautiful day on which President Cleve-
and first took the oath of Office. 1t
must be confessed that the record Of
March A in Washington is not good
one, for as far back as Lincoln's time
he day was wet and disagreeable. Gen.
Grant was inaugurated for the first
lime on a gloomy day, when the rain
ell heavily, although it did not inter-
ere with the parade.
On March 4, 1873, when Gen. Grant
COX oath of Office the second time, the
thermometer stood near zero. and it
was the coolest inaugural day in the
history OF the country. In the morning
t was only four degrees above zero,
md in midday it had risen only TO l6.
hundreds of those who participated in
he parade were nearly frozen, and
many deaths resulted. The inaugural
jall on that day was held in tempo
airy building, which was not heated,
md the ladies and gentlemen attending
wore their wraps and hats. Those who
attended will remember how the sup
1er was frozen solid, and how coffee
was served in blocks of ice, and also
now the assemblage had to leave the
lall long before midnight on account
II the cold.
President Hayes was inaugurated on
| rainy day, although it cleared up be-
ore the President took the oath of Of
fee The crowds that assembled to
witness the induction into office of
lanes A. Garfield were obliged to wade
through snow and slush, although the
lay was mild a circumstance, however,
which only helped to make the walk
ing more dlsagreeable. The day for
The first Inauguration of President
Cleveland stands out as model one in
The long record, for it was clear and
warm and beautiful, In direct contrast
with the terrible weather which greet
I'd Benjamin Harrison when he was in
lugurated. The rain on that day fell
N torrents and every one was drenched
who braved the storm. At the last in
lugural on March 4, 1898, the day was
almost as bad. although 1t was snow
instead OF rain which greeted the in
sugurai ceremonies. The ground was
covered with several inches OF snow
and slush, and the flercest kind of
snowstorm ragged until the very mo-
nent when the President appeared on
The east portico of the Capitol to take
The oath of office.
With this record 1t can be understood
now dependent on the weather are the
slories and beauty OF the inaugural day
ceremonies.
One of the most interesting and
quaint figures at the inaugural cere-
nony was Mr. McKinley's aged mother,
now completing her 87th year
Mrs. Mckinley wore in the even
ing a costume OF black satin and a
white point lace cap. She was very
pleasing and picturesque figure.
The bodice of her costume was made
after the style of Louis XVI. being
round cut and filled in with white
chiffon, drawn diagonally across the
front. A black satin ruehin filled
N with point lace finishes the -eo,' and
borders the soft, white chiffo" front.
Black folds OF the satin extend from
waist to end of the basque in front,
while the back of the basque is made
slightly full.
The gown which the Presidents wife
wore was of a rich duchess dead white
satin of the most costly texture, with
real laces, which are most apropos.
In addition to the lace garnitures, her
gown is further enhanced with pearl
embroidery, the yoke and sleeves be-
ing entirely OF point lace.
As Mrs. Mckinley never wears decol-
lete costumes, the bodice of the silver
brocade dress has Medici collar of
pleated mousseline de sole, fully twelve
inches wide and edged with narrow
point lace about half an inch in width.
This ruching stands up very high, and
in the back reaches almost to the top
If the hair, curving with considerable
fare and extends to above the ears
narrowing down in the front part of the
neck. A stock collar holds 1t In place.
A magnificent pattern Of duchess point
lace extends from neck to bottom OF
basque in front and ends below the
waist line in artistic tabs about six
inches In length.
A unique girdle, studded with tiny
pearls, forming butterfly effect in
front, extends around the waist and
half way up the back. The lace is fin
ished with n narrow garniture of pearl
embroidery down each side of the
'front.' The long sleeves, slightly puffed,
have falls of pleating of the mousseline
de sole 1.-TWO rows). and are finished
with narrow lace edge. Each pleating
Of the mousseline de sCie : twelve
inches in width, and falls acefully
over the shoulders, giving mart ef-
feet The skirt is made very full about
the feet, with stylish fare, and is fin
ished at the bottom with q narrow
pleating of the mousseline de sole,
edged with the lace. The entire gown
is lined with pink taffeta.
Mrs. McKinley's opera cloak is OF
brocaded satin, showing a white flower
| design on groundwork of pale, deli
cate heliotrope, and Is lined with heavy
white velour with satin figure 1t is
made with long cape reaching nearly
to the bottom of the dress md short
overcape covering only the shoulders,
both capes being flushed at the edge
with white Alaska fox. headed with
heavy gold lace four inches in width.
To be entirely frank with your read
ers have to admit that the description
of the gown worn by Mrs. Mckinley is