The National tribune., 1897-03-11

W Ie5Z5zzI7s
Washington is light-hearted city. with
much of the Southern, festival-loying spirit in
her. She flies her flags aud makes herself
vain pretty with ribbons aud garlsnds. and is as
and coquettish about it as any charming girl
that promenades her avenues. There are holt
days, flags and parades galore throughout the
year, but her festival of festivals is when she
inaugurates President. Then every window
and door along the main streets is bright with
the red, white and blue. Long lines of color
are carried from the roofs to the awnings, the
darkies decorate their cart horses with red and
yellow resets and plHmes, and even that ire
mendous old pile of granite, the War, State and
Navy Department. stirs itself and hangs out
great garrison flags over its gray walls flies FIVE
banners from the ROOT, and is proud Of the effect
The Washington Monument, too, relaxes from
its dignity and futters four great flags from
the windows ct its peak. But the futtering
flags look unseemly. The Monument is quiet
and tall, and, above all, sustere, and does not
lend itself gracefully to decoration but it does
its best
The electric lights this year are superb.
Wreaths and chains and crowns sparkle on the
buildings and streets, but best of all is the flag
IN the search light. The great flags on tn
war, State and Navy and other flags about the
city shine jewel-bright when the search light
touches them, and our colors never look more
glorious. The red CLOVIS and burns as the flag
waves the white shines forth in exceeding
no ie n Il
fully blue" In the morning sunlight it is
bonny banner, but at night in the light it is
glorious.
The Capitol never looked SO vast as one night
just before the Inauguration. There was
light in the dome, and it seemed very far away.
with the dome half vailed in the mist; far. far
below, the great wings Of the building-the
senate and House Of Representative Chambers
-giowed with their yellow lights, and then
there was the wide, dusky stretch of trees and
grass to the street and the low stone coping.
The eye only half caught the great curves of
The dome and the wide spread of the wings.
but perhaps more truly appreciated the splen-
did proportions because so much of the detail
Of the building was lost in the mist.
wsx
The parade satisfied everybody. The day
was sunny and bright, and the men and horses
seemed in their best trim, and the procession
was long enough to suit the small boys. The
cleveland troopers in their picturesque uni.
iorfns and on the most beautiful of black
horses, won applause from everyone. There
was not dull horse in the troop, every one was
curyetting and dancing, but keeping well in
line One would have to travel far to see
more picturesque or soldieriy lot of troopers.
ssx
The darkies say mister Mckinley he do
certainly tip his hat jes' as nice to everyone"
st
People are promising themselves q very pros.
porous and happy Administration. Mai. Nc
klnley promises to be apieasanter President,
secially. than any We have had since Arthur's
day. Harrison was always cold. and Cleveland
never endeared himself to the public. Further
more, Maj Mckinley seems to be inclined to
let his nieces get as much fun as they can out
OF the Presidency. and Mrs Mckinley not
loath to aid and abet him. It is customary to
say pretty things about our first lady but be-
sides all that, she really seems to be gracious.
pleasant-tempered aud refined woman.
x*x
The Ball was also great SUCCESS, The rooms
were draped with yellow and Write cheese
cloth. until they looked as vague and soft az
coudiand. the fountain was banked with vel
low tulips, and palms fringed the balconies.
Inc electric lights were softened to a pretty
simmer and glow, aud almost all of the
women looked their fairest aud the men their
bravcst.
But the frocks ranged from an outing
frock that badly needed q trip to the cleaners
to the most exquisite brocades. Some women
wore black stuff, high in neck, and long
sieeved gowns, and many others wore bodices AZ
decolfete as possible, and rs is usual in so large
a crowd, and perhaps in smaller ones. many
OF the women had shoulder-blades that were
better hidden. However. that's their own look
out. 1t 3 woman believes her shoulders are
pretty she can't be persuaded otherwise, no
matter how groundless her belief is, and it's no
use discussing the matter.
e#s
Mrs. Mckinley wore her much discussed
Crock of gray brocade with Point d'Aleucon
fishn. and a modest array of diamonds. She
carried bunch of La France roses The girls
OF the party were dressed simply and prettiy.
Mrs. Nancy Mckinley looked as handsome as
a Presidents mother should in gown of black
satin and Duchesse lace.
~
One OF the prettiest costumes of all was worn
by Mrs. Gary, wife Of the new Postmaster
General. 1t was of q soft shade of gray satin
cut with long, graceful lines in the skirt and
train, and plain bodice of simple, close. fitting
design trimmed with Dnchesse lace. With
this she wore two long chains of diamonds
"A good two yards of diamonds," an onlcoker
said. more exquisite combination than the
sheen of the gray satin, the soft, vailing lace
and the diamonds cannot be imagined.
xss
Mrs. Sherman, wife Of the Secretary of State,
wore black satin, lace, and diamonds.
Mrs Gage wife Of tho Secretary of tho Treas
ury, wore a frock of white satin brocade with
diamonds and lace aud pink roses.
The use of artificial flowers for trimminp even.
ing frocks-never very pretty device-found
Its prettiest and ugliest expression in some of
the gowns at the Inaugural. One woman in a
pale blue silk frock had trails of scarlet non
pies from each shOuder-a combination av.