Evening star., 1897-03-05

which stand like four big sentinsls at each
end of the court were decorated around
the lower edges. which happens 10 he
bronze laurel wreath. with dozens of tired
gentlemen. while ladies. who were too tired
to care whether not the freshness Of
their toilets was injured. climbed up among
the rocky edges. of the fountain groito
ana let the procession pass 10y them.
The steam radiators against the walls were
early pre-empted by some very lucky ones.
and although until the heat was turned on
their positions Were not entirely enviable. It
still had such attractions that once gained
no one gave up their post until some new
excitement called them away
After midnight the throny lessenrd a
trif1e and there was opportunity to start
the dancine. which carried on with
spirit from ole end OF the big ball room
TO the other Chairs were dragged out
from the side rooms and fringe Of seated
guests looked on the moving pictures. gay
with life and color. The neicnborhood Of
the supper room was another animated
section during this period.
Secretary Olney was the only member Of
Mr.. Cleveland's cabinet who attended, the
ball: of the Mckinley cabinet Judge Me-
kenna. General Alger. with his wife and
daughter. and Mr.. Gage with Mrs Gage
ard other ladies were present
The dressing was generally conceded to
he more elegant than has been the custom
a any large public event. SO far from wear
Ing their oldest new clothes, hundreds of
those prominent in the smartast West End
sets eclipsed all former records 10y not
only donning their finest gowns. hut were
equally generous i'm adjoining themselves
with their finest Jewels. Light dresses and
in fact. nearly all white dresses. seemed
10 be the popular fancy and gave to the
moving multitude almost as dainty and del
icate an effect the white and flower
laden walls. The dresses worn by Mrs. Nc
kinley. Mrs. Hobart and the ladies' Of the
coming new cabinet were especially elegant
representing not only the newest fashiors
but the most artistic materials. Mrs Me-
kinley wore a hgh-necked dress wht.
Mrs. Hobart made her first appearance at
| social event at the capital in a low
Eecked dress and wore almost as many
Jewels as did Mrs. Mark Hanna Mrs Pot
ter Palmer and Mrs. l.. H. Letter whose
Jewels represented fabulous values Mrs
Hobart's necklace was formed of seven
strands or pearls, surmounted by diamond
| dog collar. In her hair was a diamond
tiara.
Among the visitors at the inaugural ton
ceremonies was j. r. FurneauS of the St
Johas. Newfoundland, Jerald. who came
l.aw miles out Of the north to make bis
nrst visit to the capital of TIE United
states. Mr.. FurneauN returns to his home
| firmly convinced that the United States is
| the greatest nation on earth, that the Me-
| kinley inauguration ceremonies are next.
| and that as beautiful both the others
| are great, was The spectacle OF tie inaug-
| al ball.
| The crowd that give animation to the
| lovely scene was rather above the average
| seen at big crashes and better behaved
4
| requisite save an admission ticket for en-
| trance. 1t assembled slowly and conterted
| itself with an amia5le admiration of it's
| surroundings. -.-f -.------
| There were many special features among
the decorations OF the great court which
| deserve more than passing notice. One OF
| these was Dld Glory portrayed In red.
| white and blue incandesccnt lamps. The
! flag was hung nigh ~ ON the west hall at
| the center, and by a mechanical rontrivance
| consisting of automatic alternating cur
! rents was ma lie to fiutter. a very realistic
| imitation OF the flag waving I'm a stif
| breeze The coat5-of-arins of the various
states occupied prominent places on the
| railing of :he frs balcony. surrounded by
| American flags and flowers and everg- )
| in which were placed tiny gari-colored in
| candescent globes.
| Probably the i,ies5 decorative feature Of
| the room was the gran1 golden gateway
| which formed ihe stand for the band.
| Above the white-co2tcd bandsmen rose the
| splendid arch. the background of which
| was solid black. la The center of t1is glow
eG a fiery rej star made of incandescent
| lights.