Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-03-06
with The perfection Of musical attain.

with the Periecuou VI niusioai a''ain'
meut.
Every nation in the civilized world,
every States ia the union, every branch
of the military establishment of the
Uuited States, was represented among
the $4,000 persons present, including
ing thousands of handsomely gowned
wemen.
Shoulder to shoulder stood diplomats
gorgeous in the court costumes OF Their
countries blue,and gold warriors Of the
army and navy and uniformed cadets oil
both branches of the services.
The setting for the hall was beauti-
ful with a riotous wealth OF color Ia
flowers, eyergreens, lights and plants.
The ball opened formally at half
past 8 o'clock with the arrival of Pres
ident and Mrs. Roosevelt and party
and the Vice President and Mrs. Fair
banks.
As the President and Mrs. Roosevelt
reached the grotto in the center of the
ballroom, they paused and, facing their
box, saw beaming upon them their chill
dren, Miss Alice Roosevelt, Theodore,
IT.. Ethel, Archie and Kermit. Roose-
welt. They waved to them and smiled a
most a1fectionate greeting. Completing
their promenade, the presidential party
assembled the stairway and entered the
Presidents box.
The inaugural gown of Mrs. Roose-
welt was of pale electric blue satin, made
with train and dccolIette with short
puff sleeves. Mrs. Roosevelt wore in
her hair pale blue plume, and carried a
beautiful bouquet of orchids and lilies OF
the valley. Around the neck OF her
gswn was rare old point lace and she
we're magnificent necklace ofd diamonds.
Mrs. Fairbanks wore gown OF white
satin duchesse, the fabric being richly
embroidered at intervals With roses OF
gold in the natural size Of the flowers,
the graceful folds Of the iull-trained skirt
showing to advantage the beauty Of this
unique design.
Among the other gowns which at
tracted most attention was that of Miss
Roosevelt. 1t was of white satin made
with train. The tails ofthe white satin coat
extended to the edge of the train. In
the back the dress was made princess,
and in front the coat was cut short like
a zouave jacket. The jacket opened on
bodice of cloth of gold, aud the skirt,
which was cut full, was of cloth OF gold,
yelled with real lace net.
Attempts were made at dancing dur
ing the evening, but the crowds inter
fered greatly. At half past eleven the
President left, aud the festivities stop
ped about midnight.
in Difference to the Sabbath, all Ger emo on
les stopped at midnight, but it was well
toward morning before the lights were
turned down on one of the most brilliant
spectacles that Washington had seen in
its long line of notable occasions.
While thousands of visitors to the in
augural ceremonies left the city Saturday
night and yesterday, other thousands
remained to view the sights of the Ma
tional Capital over Sunday. The day
was fair, but the air was sharp with frost,
making overcoats comfortable. Wash
ington's guests embraced the opportunity
to see the city throughly. Seeing
Washington, automobiles and street
cars were thronged to their capacity,
and the principal throughfares of the
capital were cOngested with humanity
throughout the day. 1t was remarked
by old Washingtonians that this was the
first Inauguration period for 30 years
when the weather had been so uniformly
pleasant for so many successive days.
President Roosevelt spent Sunday at
home. Great throngs hung about the
White House expecting him to go to
church, but he was dissuajed from doing
so, being convinced thu crowd of curious
people would make an embarrassing demon
stralion. In theevening he took horse
back ride. Vice President and Mrs
Fairbanks attended service yesterday
morningat their usual place worship, the
Metropolitan Methodist EpiscopalChurch
at the corner of G street and John Mar
shall Place
There are various estimates ofthe crowds
that we're 10 the city Saturday, Chair.
man Weller, of the committee on public
comfort, gives an estimate of l45, 900.