New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04

cessors had ever made but the halo Of his soldier
fame was too bright for any such trfes TO be
observed seriously.
No building was large enough for the ball at
President Buchansns Inauguration. and big
temporary annex to the City Hall was built for
the purpose. This was the beginning OF the baN
decoration era and the interior was handsomely
decorated with flags Of all nations. the ceiling
covered with white cloth studied with golden
stars that twnked az they moved IN unison
with the measures Of the dancers the Presi-
dent who always wore an expanse or white tie
collar and shirt front, entered the ballroom In
faultless evening dress about u O'Clock, with
his niece, the stately and accomplished Harriet
Lane, who presided with 50 much grace over the
White House during Mr.. Buchanans Apnins-
tration President Buchanan did not dance. bue
his niece danced with graceful dignity. Her ban
gown was satin and she wore superb jewels
THE LINCOLN BALL A FAILURE.
There was also erected temporary building
near the City Hall for the bail at President Lin.
coins first Inauguration But the ball was the
only failure in the ceremonies Of the day. The
troubled condition OF the country led General
Scott 10 advise the Committee Of Arrangements
10 give up the ball. There was much difference
of opinion some arguing that it would lack tho
prestige OF Washington society, whicn was 70
favored with secession views and preJudices'
while others held that there were ladies IN Con-
gressional circles and visitors sufficient TO I'M
part brancy to the affair. When the guests
assembled in the great ballroom and ~ O'Clock
President and Mrs Lincoln entered, there was.
bv comparison with other Inauguration balls,
meagre attendance and an atmosphere OF
strangeness Mrs Lincoln. in a beautiful gown
of white silk. with a wreath Of pink roses over
her brown hair. was the arm Of the chlyalrio
Senator stephen A. Douglas. as evidence that IN
Of
the Union party lines must be effaced. Tho
lovely Mrs Douglas escorted by the Presl-
dent. But there was no directing spirit present.
no recognized tactful and experienced leader OF
ceremonies. and only the matchless personal ad-
dross Of Charlie, Sumner the tact Of Roscoe
Conkling the added tact Of Mrs Harris, wife Ok
the new Senator from New-YOrk. and her grace
ful daughter and the young. magnetic MIRA
Isaac Sherman and the bOnhOme Of General
James Nye saved the ball from becoming mel
ancholy memory. Although the music was IN
spiriting the dancing halted and soon the BAN
became levee. with Mr. Lincoln the central
figure
AT GRANTS FIRST INAUGURATION.
There are balls and balls but it was not until
General Grants inaugurations. quarter Of
century ago. that the more modern Inaugural
ball was known in all It's glory. These were MEM
orable balls indeed-the first, given in the just
finished north wing Of the Treasury awful In
the crush lack Of system and agony of body and
soul: the second i'm a vast barnlike temporary
building in judiciary Square. even more awful in
the icy gales Of wind blowing over guests ana
supper. half freezing the first and Wholly freezlns
all OF the last except the coffee. The Treasury
ball radiant with color glowing with light,
brilliant as tropical flowers, ever shifting ana
varying like many-hued and constantly cnahg.
,InfJo fha. fafp
distinguished men, statesmen and soldiers, FOR.
egn Ministers. gorgeous with Jewelled orders;
great waves of music along the corridors, every
thing as merry as a marriage bell-this Is what
the ball might have been but was not for the
agonies Of General Grants first inaugural ball
can never be written. There are mortals dead
and in their graves because Of il; there are men
who still swear at the thought Of II; there arc
diamonds and pearls and precious garments that
are lost 10 their owners forever. The scenes IN
the cloakrooms can never be forgotten, but viii
remain 10 the end OF time with those who suc'
fered there, in the vain attempt 20 get wraps,
but vain it was that many went home IN tho
biting early morning wnd-Women In slippers
with bare heads and shoulders, men IN dancing
pumps. coatless and hatess-fOr carriages had
fled from the scOurglng blast Of that cold night.
Six thousand people clamored for their clothes:
coats. hats and wraps without number, and WITH
out numbers were tumbled out the floor. and
the scramble for identification was pande-
monium.
Among the sufferers were Horace Greeley and
Admiral Farragut. The rumor that Mr.. Greeley
finally retreated without his white overcoat and
white hat was erroneous. ON the contrary Mt
Greeley stood in the same spot for two mortal
hours and In that time disposed Of more origi-
nal opinions Of the ball than all Washington
had ever heard before; but in the end he got
both his hat and coat while other people were
glad TO get off with their lives.
To the eye of the irreverent, General Grants
second inaugural in a barn. as judged from
the first glimpse of the rough wooden structure
through which escaped some little piquant and
enticng strains Of dance music wild glare
of bue-white ght revealed such unpicturesqus
spaces OF pine boards that one was glad 10 ind
within the appearance of a hall--a hall large
enough TO hold ten thousand peope-glowing
with light and the color of countless flags and
coats farms. The effort to warm the ballroom
with steam was rendered remarkable by its fall
ure ley cold drafts swept malevolently every
where and small gales blew up and down tho
supper-room. where gorgeous tables of frozen
refreshments made one shver with horror.
Fancy ices We're solid as Greenland bergs punch
was more ice. and in self-defence every body
guped down hot coffee the moment IL left the
steaming pots. Balconies brightly draped held
the bands at the coolest end Of the room, and tho