New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-03-05

ciuulng Ambassador Jusserand OF France, Robert.
Master Charlie and Miss Helen Taft his children.
and Miss Torrey. the Presidents aged aunt. who
came from New England TO attend the inaugura-
ton, and on whom. he met her, the President
bestowed affectionate kiss.
President Taft appeared particularly light hearted
and unmndful Of serious things as. with Mrs. Taft
and Vice-President and Mrs Sherman they made
their promenade around the great ballroom. where
every side they were fanked by members of the
reception committee. of which Gst Blair chair
man and Thomas F. Walsh vice-chairman, the two
latter and the military and naval aids the
White House forming the escort
A chance gaze upward the promenade was
about to conclude brought the President face to
face with his children, who had taken in his
box, and there a keen manifestation OF pleas
ure and affection in his salutations.
President and Mrs Taft went to the supper in
the Presidents shortly after 10 o'clock, fol-
lowed by the Vice-President and Mrs. Sherman.
BY this time the hall was so crowded that only a
small space at end could be kept clear for
dancing. Those who could find room took positions
in the gallery watch the vast assemblage the
floor where people of every walk of life rubbed
elbows and made their way about the hall best
they could
With the approach of midnight there a
slightly perceptibe diminution in the number of
couples the floor, and from this hour the
crush gradually relieved. With the arrival of
y o'clock the disciples of Terpsichore found better
opportunity for dancing, and the entire floor was
filed with a moving that presented a
brilliancy of color and gayety seldom equalled
The President and Mrs. Taft left the Pension
Building shortly before midnight. They returned
to the White House they had come in the Presi-
dents automobile. Those who occupied the
Presidents box President Tafts three brothers
and the ladies of their families VicePresident and
Mrs Sherman Governor Harmon of Ohio and Sen
ator O'Connor Bradley. OF Kentucky.
Vice-President and Mrs. Sherman remained for
a short time after the President had left. Presi-
dent Taft was given cordial reception, and the
grace and beauty of the ball made fitting close to
Mr.. Taft's day. He did not join in the dancing, and
gently refused when called upon for a speech.
SOME OF The GOWNS.
Adding their quota beauty and brilliancy to the
ball were the gorgeous court uniforms of the dip
lomats, the gold and blue Of the army and navy Of
fCers and the splendid gowns and jewels Of the
women Indeed. extravaganty rich were the
costumes that one was left to wonder If the shops
Of the importers not left bare, while their
priceless wares were 10 the inaugural ball.
Mrs. Tafts gown was one OF the handsonest
models seen in Washington. severely plain
underdress Of heavy white satin formed the foun-
dation- OvL- this draped with consummate
skill the gown of white chiffon. which
exquisite pattern of goldenrod. the national color
was embroidered in silver The goldenrod design
was repeated in the embroidery Of the long court
train Point lace formed the sleeves and served
to trim the decolletage. She wore a pearl dog
collar and diamond aigrette in her hair.
Miss Helen Taft girlish gown or white
embroidered moussene de sole, made with extreme
simplicity. Knots of pale blue ribbon gave an ar
tistic touch to the frock Her abundant light hair
was simply coed She wore no tewelry-
Mrs Sherman's gown was one of the most beau
tiful costumes seen at the ball On foundation
of heavy white satin a tunic of white lace heaFiS
silver and crystal fell In sraceIul
folds In place OF q decoetage. the upper part
OF the bodice showed a dreped scarf effect OF the
silver tissue and the silver and crystal motfs
were repeated in the long train and the closely
fitting sleeves. She wore a single diamond orha-
lnent In her couture and diamond brooch
Mrs Sheriff. Sherman. wife Of the son OF the H.
canning Vice sident wore white lace Directors
gown over white satin. a diamond necklace ana
other diamond ornaments. Mrs. Thomas sherman
another daughter-in-law, appeared in a "hl'e iaCe
nri7cesse gown with pearl and diamond ornaments
Next in interest TO the gown worn by MIS-. Iait
and that Of Mrs Sherman. wife Of the Fice-Presi-
dent. was that worn by the wife q senator
Philander Knox who will stand at the head OF the
Presidents Cabinet A soft pink satin sfiInihered
,nder a net overdress of the color. incrusted
1, an embroidery Of silver and crystal. the shield
skirt opeuing over panels OF French lace and held
1t intervals by loops Of crystal and silver BEADS
There was much silver gauZe used IN forming the
sleeves and relieving the plain effect OF the bodice
She wore a diamond necklace formed OF several
strands and corsage and hair ornaments OF Ola
,,onds Mrs Reed Knox wore maize satin trimmed
IN lace and Mrs. Tindle. Mrs. knoxs daughter
wore black crepe trimmed with Venetian lace
MRS. WRIGHT, wife OF the rfIrlhR oeele'aiS
- war wore g. rich gown of mauve satin heavily
,oI6ered IN gold and was accompanied by her
5augb,ar Mrs Charles Day Palmer, In whlte
attn rincesse embroidered IN silver long scaTfs OF
silver Rauze falling from either side OF the booice
n front. They each wore pearls and diamonds.
MAS MEYER who will still be a Cabinet hostess
. the wife OF the Secretary OF the Navy, wore
,lain but exceedingly rich gown OF sapphire VelVe'
With q deep collar OF pearls about her throat anu
,ther ornaments of pearls Her daughters the
Misses Meyer who always dress alike wore "hl'e
latin Empire gowns. with rhinestone trimmings anu
IT, gauza They each wore strand of pearls
With diamond pendants
MISS FLORA WILSON, daughter Of the Secre-
ar, of Agriculture who will still remain the Cab
=. bos+ess for her father. wore charming Pa
-i.tsr gown of pale blue panne velvet with Two
.t,-a+a nanels one on each side embroidered IN
o1d turquoise and seed pearls Tulle and SILK
- softened the top of the bodice. and she wore
diamonds . -.
MRS sTRAUS. wife # the retiring Secretary OF
commerce. and Labor. wore a much admired prin,
- ., white satin embroidered in white ana golc
~ relieved about the bodice with folds OF tulie
nd sauze Of gold. She wore collar oil pearls anu
diamond ornaments
- ,1r,,oesse gown of lilac velvet. with tulle
-. ,aoa as a finish 10 the bodice, and Miss Martha
,aco, a debutante Of this season. was IN an En-
ire gown Of white satin, softened by folds OF
hirfon. ,, 49,.
MRS. .BONAPARTE. wife Of the retiring Attor-
~, General wore white satin brocade. with point
are on the bodice and panels Of the lace on the
kirt She wore the famous Bonapsrte diamonds
MRS. RICHARD A. BALLINGER' whose nus
and is 10 be Secretary OF Interior in the CABINET
yore a white satin Directoire gown with tune anu
old lace trimmings and old Roman gnu ~
aents. =, .,o. !
MRS C. P TAFT'S gown. like that OF al otlel |
+ her party. excited general adaptation. IL YVES VI
,a1e blue satin made Empire. faultess IN us every