The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-06
Tho Republic Bureau.

1ith st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, March 5.-Nany magnificent
society affairs have been chronicled in
Washington. but nothing more beautiful
than the inaugural ball. taken as a whole,
was ever witnessed here. The general en-
semble of the ballroom was a setting that
enhanced rather than detracted from the
brilliant gowns of the women and the uni
forms of the men There was not a harsh
line or effect in the great building. all gold
and white, except the delicate tracery OF
green vines and the clusters Of American
beauty and meteor roses on the huge col
umns: the strings Of electric Jewels that
festooned the balconies were scarcely less
brilliant than the superb jewels that were
so lavishiy worn by the, women. There
were many imported gowns and very few
that were not fresh for the event. From
the balconies the crowd below looked like a
flower garden, in which carnations and
roses. sunfowers. dahlias and snow drops
bloomed. White was the favorite. 1t was
pre-eminently a white ball"
Most OF the ladies' were in full evening
dress. A few wore high bodices exquisitely
fashioned, and a yet smaller number came
In ta1lor-made gowns. wearing big hats,
which the Floor Committee promptly asked
to be removed The men who could not
support uniforms wore conventional even
Ing clothes. content with gorgeous blooms
on the left lapel. Uniforms were plentiful,
however. and they were never lonesome,
lot II there Is anything that the average
woman loves better than a uniform It has
not been catalogued.
Mrs. Mckinley's Gown.
No handsomer gown was worn at tho
ball than that Of Mrs. Mckinley. 1t was
high of neck and long Of sleeve. for Mrs.
McKinley's taste is>yery quiet. The ma
terial was lustrous white satin that would
stand alone. Its shining folds formed q
long train founced with two rows Of ex-
quisite rose point. which rounded UT the
'front.'. meeting in a cascade. Under this
lace fell a deep flounce Of chiffon-ruffled
satin. The front Of the skirt was cxqui-
sitely embroidered in silver and crystal. with
rhinestones. like dewdrops. twinkIing from
the heart of the floral design. The bodice
had a garniture OF rose point: with a broad
high collar. which formed revers in front,
opening over a vest Of plated chiffon EN-
broidered. in the same beautiful fashion as
the skirt, with silver and rhinestones. The
sleeves were covered with embroidery of
seed pearls and crystal and had a fall of
point lace at the wrist. The belt was CT
seed pearls, narrowing from the back to
points in front. About the collar was a
diamond necklace, and the point lace Of the
bodice was caught in ripples with pearl
and diamond pins. In her waved hair Mrs.
Mckinley wore u tiny white aigrette.
The wife of the Vice President. Mrs.
Roosevelt. wore one of the severely ele-
giant toilets of the evening. 1t was rich
white satin. also made with a long train.
and was covered in front with fine en-
broidery of silver. the foot having rufhes of
lace bordered with rose plaitings of chif-
fon. Over the satin skirt fell a cloudlike
drapery of French lace. caught up with
white satin ribbons. The low corsage had
a ruchinG of rare lace, with silver and
pearl embroidery, and ribbon loops and
knots held by pearl buckles.
Mrs. Gage wore white brocaded satin,
the skirt trimmed with a deep flounce of
point lace pailletted in gold and the bodice
with garniture of lace and green flowers.
Mrs. Root, pale yellow satin. covered
with real lace: diamonds and pearls. Miss