The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
rnE rlMEs-RlcHMoND VA SUNDAY. FEBRUARY g.

~
selected on the Virginia side OF the Po-
tomac: n space of ten acres was carefully
leveled and. covered with polished floor.
rows OF columns one hundred feet apart
were run across II In every oirecuon,
and these were decorated with electric
lights, displaying every color OF the spec
trum.
Above this immense space rising In
the centre 10 height OF more than
thousand feet. was anchored vast num-
Der OF balloons, all agow with lghts'
and forming a tremendous dome, IN wnich
brilliant lamps were arranged In such
| a manner as TO exhibit, in an endless sue
| cession OF combinations, all the nauona,I
| colors. enslgns and insignia OF the va
| rlous countries represented at the con-
| gross Blazing eagles. lions. unicorns,
| dragons. and other imaginary creatures
| that the different nations had chosen Tor
| their symbols appeared to hover high
above the dancers, shedding a brilliant
| light upon the scene.
Circles or magnificent thrones were
! placed upon the floor In convenient ioca-
| tions for seeing. thousand bands OF
| music played. and tens OF thousands OF
| couples. gayly dressed and hashing WIN
gems. whirled together upon the pohsneu
| floor.
! Tho Queen Of England led the dance
on the arm of the President Of the United
| States
Tho Prince OF Wales led forth the
fair daughter OF the President. universally
admired as the most beautiful woman
! upon the great ball room Moor
The Tmperor william. In his military
dress. danced with the beauteous Princess
Masaco, the daughter OF the Mikado,
who wore fer the occasion the ancient
costume OF the women OF her country
sparkling with Jewels and glowing WIN
quaint combinations OF color IKE gor-
geous butterfly.
| Tho Chinese Fmneror. with his pig
tail flying high as he spun, danced win
| the Emnress Of Russia.
The King Of Siam essayed waltz
with Queer, Ranay1lona II MADAGASCAR
! while the Sultan Of Turkey hasked IN
| tho smiles of a Chicago heiress to
! hundred millions.
re Gar chose fer his partner nark-
eyed beauty from Peru. but King MHne-
,oa of Samoa was sUsDicious ~ eiyil'zed
| charrners. end avoiding all their aiinre-
raents. eynressed his iov and pave vent
10 hts en'hrsiasr' in a pas soul. IN ms
| he was orickly Joined hv band OF Si"nK
indian Chiefs. whose whoops ana yeiis
| so startled the leader Of German band
on thoir mart % tho hoor that he drOnped
MS baton and followed by his musicians.
took 10 his heels.
The scene from the outside was even
more imposing than that which greeted
| the eve within the brilliantly lighted
| enclosure Far away in the night rislng
| high among the stars, the vast dome OF
Illuminated balloons seemed Ike some
supernatural creation too grand ana 100
/ glorious 10 have been constructed by the
inhabitants OF the earth.
All around II, and from some OF the
balloons themselves. rose tets ana toun-
tains OF fire ceaseessly playing, ana bot
ting out the consultations Of the heavens
| by their sDlendor.
The dance was followed by grand BAN
| quet, at which the Prince OF Wales pro-
posed toast TO Mr.. Edison
1t gives me much pleasure ne saio,
ito offer, In the name OF the nations OF
the old World this tribute Of our ad-
miration for. and our confidence H. the
genius Of the New World. Perhaps on
| such an occasion as this. where all racial
| differences and preJudices ought TO be-
and are buried and forgotten, l should
| not recall anything that might revive
! them; vet / cannot refrain from express
ing my happiness In knowing that the
| champion who is to achieve the salvation
OF the earth has come forth from the
bosom OF the Anglo-Saxon race"
Several OF The great pctentates looked
| grave upon hearing the Prince Of Wales
| words and the Gear and the Kaiser eX-
| changed glances; but there Vas no inter
| ruption to the cheers that followed MT
Edison. whose modesty ana dislike 10 as
play and to speech-maklns were VIC"
| known. simply said:
u think we have got the machine tha'
can whip them But we ought not to be
wasting any time. Probably they are not
dancing on Mars. but are getting ready
| TO make us dance"
These words instantly turned the cur
rent of feeling In the great assembly.
| There was no longer any disposition 10
| expend time in vain boastings ana re-
| ioicings Everywhere the cry now De-
| came: Let US make haste' Let us get
ready AT once! who knows but the Mar
! tians have already embarked ana are
| now on their way to destroy us!
Under the impulse Of this new feeling'
which. It must DO admitted, was very
largely inspired by terror. the vast ball
,oo,n was quickly deserted. The lights
we're suddenly put out in the great dome
| of balloons. for some one had whispered:
- "suppose they should see that from
Mars? Would they not guess what we
were about and redoube their prepara-
tions to finish us?"
Upon the suggestion OF the PRESIDENT OF
the United States. an executive commit
| tee ,epresentlng all the principal nations
was appointed. and without delay meet
ing of this committee was assembled al
the White House. Mr.. Edison was SUM
| rooned before 1t. and was asked TO sketch
briefly a plan upon which he proposed 10
| work
7 noed not enter into the details OF
what was done at this meeting. Let II
suffice TO say that when 1t broke up, IN
the small hours OF the morning. IL hao
been unanimously resolved that as many
thousands of men as Mr. Edison rhlsh.
REQUIRE should be Immediately placed a.
his dismissal: that as far as possible al
the great manufacturing establishments
NJ the country should be instantly trans.
formed into factories where eiectricaI
shlns and dlsinterators could be oult'
ard mon the suggestion OF professor
svIyanus p. Thompson, the celeorateu
English electrical expert seconded oy
T.ord Kelvin, II was resolved tnat an
,ha leading men OF science In the worio
ma niace their services at the disposal
90 Mr. Edison in any capacity In which.
In his Judgment. they might be useiul 70
him. ..o
d,snosed TO congratulate one another on
tina good work which they had so prompt
ly accomplished. when al the moment OF