Evening Star Newspaper, March 5, 1897, Page 10

THE EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1897-1 PAGES. A BRILLIANT INAUGURAL BALL iting Close of the Ceremonies {1 ducting The President Into Office. The President and Mrs. Mc- Kinley Attend. A Great Crowd, Artistic Decor- ations and Excel- lent Music. s administration. gxerating to say that never ry of the new world, never ring hundred and twenty-two | rs of the independence of America, h e been such a gathering on fean soil as that which distinguished rand ball at the pension office buiiding night. It was a social event partici- one social ted in by men distinguished as states- | diplomats ard in military life, to- gether with men who have achieved great | reputations in the business and social world. The ladies belonging to the fami- lies of these distinguished men coming from all parts of the United States and om all parts of the world were there. ‘The entertainment furnished by the gai- $s of the ball room was but a continua- um of the series of events that had char- acterized the day and m: of the ti most memorable in American history. As | Ola Probabilities had smiled upon the city | throughout the day and contributed the fairest weather of all the year, so was the | evening in every way a perfect one for the holding of a social event of national im- portance. The temperature was just low enough to permit a great gathering with the greatest comfort to every one who par- ticipated, and to make the gentle exercise of dag@ing a pleasure. All the elements combined to make the evening as they had the day a perfect one for celebrating the entrance into the White House of the éis- tinguished Ohioan The mammoth stricture had been transformed from a pension office for the adjudication of the claims of reariy a} million veterans who had risked their lives | to preserve the Union in its integrity into # ball room, and no more fitting place could have been selected had every building in | the land been available for that purpose. ¥ ntly lighted as it was, it could be seen for long distances from every portion of the city when the hour for the festiv- ities approach i. Then it was | | idents of the | equipages. drawn up at thousands of homes of the most distii capital city. and at Is where vis- itors were quartered. began to be filled and to wend their way toward the scene of the ball. Shortly after 8 o'clock the two en- | trances to the building had lines of car- Mages drawn up before them, and it took | over two hours for the great assemblage of people to enter the building, which hi: heen transformed into a veritable pa of pleasure. Within the structure every. ng that could suggest the work-a-d character of the building had been blott th decorations x: sight that met t & the function. m, Surrounded by three tiers of gal- | was a marvel that outrivalled the | splendid dream of orfental grandeur. | decorations, the scheme being white and gold, had been arranged to give a light effect. white and yellow being the predom- mating colors. The ceiling was hung with a flimsy material that gave it the appear- It was a ye of every The mammoth nce of a covering of ni clouds, A Dazzling Effect. Thousands of electric lights were dis- tributed over the entire edifice, lending a dazzling effect. About ch of the bal- | conies were arrayed choice decorations. Festoons of evergreens encircled the ball room in as many lines as there were bal- conies. The enormous marbelized columns shone amid the brillant illumination and added richness to the sce In the cen- ter of the great ball room played a fountain banked about the t with large-leafed plants of ies, and everywhere was massed great banks of roses, red and white, every of which was a chotve product of the fiorist. The massing of evergreens and Toses was to be seen all about the building. About the marbleized columns, along the railing of the balconies and over the walls everywhere was the trailing smilax,brought | from the south for the ornamentation of the building. At the end of the hall was a nd occupied by the 224 Regiment Band w York, the musicians being attired | cream-colored uniform, an arch of lights overtopping them. the side of the ball room was an- ic stand occupied by nearly 150 s, and during the evening the band | orchestra alternated in providing | te for the dancers trancing as was the scene before the | cing arrived became one almost im- Possible to deseribe after a thousand cou- ples had taken their places on the floor to articipate actively in the festivities of the pall room. Every one was in full evening | Gress. Here and there the brilliant uni- forms of officers of the army and navy | seen. augural ball was a fitting | norable events that | ; ur of first day of Presi- | and of the military companies that had come to the capital to take part in Presi- dent McKinley's inauguration could be The toilets of the ladies were the most fashionable and designed with the greatest taste that could be brought to bear upon their work by the most noted m: distes of the country. It was nearly o'clock when the overture to “Tannhau- ser” was given by the band, and as the strains of that charming composition re- sounded throughout the ball room the thousand couples cn the floor moved in harmony with the music. Then it was that there seemed to be a_ blending in wondrcus harmony of sound, movefent, color and form. It was impossible to im- agine that anything could be added to en- hance the beauty of the scene. It was per- fect in every detail, and was such an occa- n as the capital had never before wit- nessed. ‘The Executive Party. It was while this grand panorama was at the height of its movement that it was noised about that President and Mrs. Mc- Kinley had arrived. The man who is look- ed upon as the one to carry his country from the throes of depression and bring it again into a condition of prosperity came into the building at the west en- trance supporting his invalid wife on his arm, she being also assisted by Mr. Bell, chairman of the inaugural committee. The Neapcleonic fentures of this quiet and wonderful man were immovable, as they have been ever since fortune marked him to be the ruler of 70,000,000 people, com- posing the greatest nation on earth and the greatest and freest republic that has existed since the world began. The sensi- tive countenance of his wife was pale, but was animated in anticipation of the regal scene that was to burst upon her. It was with great difficulty that she could move along with the assistance of those who supported her on either side. But slowly and with an effort that caused pain and sympathy on the part of all who saw how she struggled to remain by the side | of her husband in the realization of the greatest ambition to which any American can aspire, she moved up the filght stairs that led to the first balcony. Thence they made their way down a passageway lined with men and women distinguished in the history of the country to the apart- ments reserved for the President and his wife. As they entered these apartments they were attracted by a faint odor of flowers. The first of these rooms could not have veen more enchanting had it been prepared for the reception of an ori- ental monarch. Over the walls everywhere Was entwined the southern smilax. Thé same colors that predominated in the ball rcom were continued there, with the addi- tion of crimson drapery about the door- Ways. A large mantelpiece was massed with evergreens and roses, red and white. In the corners of the room were banks of cia blossoms, and dainty ferns were @ded here and there, lending a delicacy to the adornment of the room. Over car- pets that sank under their tread they pass ed through this beautiful apartment into a smaller room. Here again they were in @ floral bower. The most perfect har- mony of color and form had been main- tained, and as Mrs. McKinley sank into a sumptuous easy chatr placed in the cen- ter of the room to receive her. the strains of the orchestra stationed in the ball room reached her. Surely nothing could have j been more regal. No grateful people of a | nation could have prepared with more care for the reception of the chief magis- trate of the nation, to whom they look for a wiseadministrationand to guide leg- islation that will return prosperity to the country. The committee having charge of the ar- Tangements had prepared an {impromptu re- ception, but the delicate condition of health under which Mrs. McKinley suffered did | not permit this arrangement to be carried | out. She was hardly able to visit the ball rocm, to climb the stairs and to go to the apartments reserved for her. She was ut- terly unable to act as the hostess. She would have sunk under any attempt to re- | ceive even a portion of the distinguished | gathering that would have gladly pafd her court. Only a few members of the diplo- matic corps and a small number of those waiting to extend their congratulations to the President and his wife could be re- cetved. Mrs. McKinley rested awhile and then again on the arm of her husband stowly and with evident pain moved from the sumptuous apertments to the balcony of the ball room. There she was given a seat on a platform overlooking the magni- ficent panorama, her husband by her side, and Mrs. Hobart seated at her right, Vice President Hobart standing at their side. As the President viewed the moving scene on the floor below a smile played over his lips. As the people below caught sight of the perty President and Mrs. Mckinley smiled and bowed, and it was evident that tad not the occasion being unsuited for a noisy demonstration that vast gathering would have joined in a chorus of hurrahs. As it was they contented themselves with merely looking toward the presidential party and smiling as they caught looks of recognition on the faces of the President and his wife. Mrs. McKinley was still pale, but amid the pain which was the re- sult’ of her ill health she showed much Pleasure in viewing the scene. It was then announced that Mr. and Mrs. McKinley would go through the ball room, and the dancers with one accord banked themselves on e'ther side of a passageway that encircled the room. It was some time still before Mrs. McKinley could move fur- | ther, and when she was able to do so she was not strong enough to pass through more than half of the room, and was then escorted to the apartment where supper had been prepared, and in a short time the OUTSIDE THE PENSION BUILDING. of | presidential party were again in their car- riages and on their way to the White House. Ontside the Ball Room. While this scene of gayety was in prog- ress within the building the thousands of carriages were stationed along the streets leading in every direction from the ball room. While the scene within was one of enchantment, that without was no less interesting. About each of the entrances had gathered hundreds of people, who oc- cupied every nook available from which they could view the elegantly attired dan- cers as they entered the building. They waited during the two or three hours while the carriages were being driven up to de- liver. their occupants, quite content with catching even a glance at the distinguish- |} ed men and beautifully attired women as | they arrived. A number of colored wo- men had wheeled their baby carriages into available spaces and pointed out to the tiny occupants of only a year or two of age the people as they entered the build- | ing. There were several of them at the west entrance, and when the President and Mrs. McKinley reached the doorway they held up their little ones so that they might be able to say in the years to come that they had seen President Mc- | Kinley and his wife as they went into the inaugural ball room. Ail sorts of street venders were assem- bled. The banana man and the men and women who dispense pies and cakes for a few pennies were about the entrances sell- ing their wares to others who had come to see what they could of the festivities from the outside. Arrival of the Presidential Party. At 8 o'clock there were hundreds and hundreds of well-dressed people already promenading the vast court or viewing the beginning of the brilliant scene from the galleries. Thousands more, or they seem- ed thousands, struggling up the narrow staircase on the Sth street side, who were fortunate poasessors of the extra_ ticket that it required, made the great effort to be upstairs ut least an hour before the President came, and while themselves form- ing a brilliant row of spectators, were the envied of the hundreds who looked at them. At 9:30 o'clock the attention of the vast multitude both upst&irs and downstairs was riveted on the 5th street door. A half dozen hurrying policemen and dozens of po- lite committeemen were on the alert and every eye followed their movements. The crowds struggling for admission had all they could do to cross this human barrier to reach the dressing rooms. At last their patience was rewarded. President and Mrs. McKinley had entered and were es- corted up the same narrow stairway through which so many fortunate persons had already passed to the beautiful re- ception suite reserved for their use, All gate- ways flew open as the Pgesident, preceded by Major General Miles, came up smiling and bowing to every smiling face. Mrs. McKinley waited just a moment for her distinguished husband, who, step- ping back from his military escort, again resumed her arm, and, with Mr. Charles J. Bell, the couple passed through to their parlor. Following the President and his wife were some of their family party. After their entrance the brown outer doors of the reception room were swung to and blocked the endeavors of the rest of the company from enjoying the same privilege instantly. This part of the program only required a little patience. In a very few moments the brown doors swung out again and a dozen cr two more ladies and gen- tlemen who happened to be nearest to them were permitted to enter the envied para- dise. A few minutes more elapsed, and another swing of the door brovght it just against the faces of Mrs. Potter Palmer of Chicago and Mr. Russell Harrison, son of ex-President Harrison. They accepted the situation with very good grace, and so did the dozen or two others close to them, who began to feel that after all they were not treated very badly when such distin- guished persons as these were kept wait- ing. Mr. Harrison’s and Mrs. Palmer's turn came next and they had the distinc- tion of entering alone. The next twenty or thirty who were ad- mitted to the reception room happened to consist of Col. Myron M. Parker of this District, Mrs. Parker and a number of la- dies, and the governor of Vermont, Mrs. Grout and members of their family party. When the room was reached the guests who were s0 greatly favored found that neither the President nor M McKin- ley was in that room, but in a smaller one adjoining. A colored waiter stepped through with a solicitous air, carrying an ice water pitcher and @ half dozen glasses. A hurried consultation between the members of the reception committee intimated that prob- ably the President and his wife did not take as kindly to the idea of a formal re- ception as did the committee and those as- sembled. This suspiciom grew a fact in a few moments, for the army officers, among whom were Gen. John M. Wilson, Gen. Ruggles and others, as well as Gen. Mile: asked the company to fall back to permit | the entrance of the diplomatic corps. Again the guests thought this a very reasonable suggestion. The crowd fell back, and were rewarded by the entrance of Secre- tary of State Olney. A grand procession of distinguished diplomats was confidently ex- pected. With a smile and just a little amusement in his voice that he could not conceal, Mr. Olney said: ere is all of the diplomatic corps pres- Behind him was the Japanese minister and Madame Hoshi, the Corean minister, his wife and their little boy. With smiles and bows they passed along and entered the holy of holies, which was the inner par- lor, where President and Mrs. McKinley received them. After this little incident President McKinley kind of took charge of the reception himself. In a few minutes he had sent out and invited the Vice President and Mrs. Hobart and their party to come in. Standing with the Vice President and Mrs. Hobart, he received perhaps twenty or thirty of the guests, and then, after an- other little consultation with the members of the committee, and perhaps with a glance at the clock opposite, which now |} marked 10:10, he stepped into the next room and soon came out again, with his wife leaning on his arm. Pale and delicate as she appeared, and apparently worn out from the great efforts she had already made, Mrs. McKinley smiled and bowed to every one as she passed along. The President escorted her to the pretty little balcony just outside their room, where for a few minutes they stood the observed of all observers and ‘in a position them- felves to enjoy a ghimpse at least of the wonderful scene progressing on the ficor. This brief respite frdm the cares of official splendor only lastedy-a:short time. Then commenced their active participation in the ball. Escorted by Maj. Gen. Miles, Mr. Charles J. Bell and other members of the committee, a passageway was cleared and the distinguished party, of which the Vice President and Mrs. Hobart formed a part, started down the gallery to make a circuit of the ball room. Every step they tock was followed by thousands of eyes, and would have been follgwed by thousands of forms, only extra precautions were taken to clear the way. Mrs. McKinley bore the trying ordeal much better then was ex- pected. It required all. her strength to do it, as walking is a difficult matter for her: but having made up her mind to do it, and knowing naturally the: disappointment it would be to so.many who wished to see her, she was able to carry out her original in- tention and take just the same active in- terest in the ball that the wife of sny President has done. When the supper room was reached the President and party en- tered the room especially reserved for them and partook of some of the dain- tes and substantials which hundreds of more or less other distinguished persons enjoyed later in the evening. Some Curious Experiences. Mrs. McKinley's relatives will have many amusing experiences to .recount of how they came to the pall. In the first place, all of them came later than the President and at the time when every passage- way and every entrahce s2:mel an {m- movable mass of people. As they bore no outward sigas of their relationship to her and were just a little clary of informing any one as to their identity, they had a lively time reaching the President's rooms. After passing a half a dozen barriers, and when ai last Mrs. Bar- ber, Mrs. McKinley's sister, reached the reception room. she was among the num- ber who found the brown swinging dcor very securely closed and she no? on the side which she preferred. She was cqual to the occasion, however, ard with a whis- pered ‘‘Pleuse, let me in, | am Mrs. Mc- Kitley’s sister,” the work was accomplish- ed, and, with the four or five pretty youns nieces of the President, she gained the side of her distinguished relative. After the departure of the presidential party for the grand circuit of the ball room Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hanna held a reception of a great deal livelier character, and far more entertaining, because they liked it. Mrs. Hanna, ensconsed in a big armchair, looked like a queen, around whom a court quickly gathered, every member of which was only too willing to pay her admiration. Her magnificent train gown of yellow br cade, the waist of which was low and fes- tconed with point lace, fairly blazed with diamonds. In addition to the half dozen gorgeous ornaments which decorated it, she wore a necklace of huge solitaires. and a tiara, among the largest of the dozen or two that were striking by their height and brilliancy. Among the earliest to pay their respects to Mrs. Hanna were Mrs. L. Z. Leiter and Mrs. Potter Palmer, both of whom fairly blazed with precious stones, and Mr. Russell Harrison, who had a pleas- ant word and a handshake for every one. The Presidential Promenade. When President and Mrs. McKinley start- ed for their circuit of the ball room they were escorted by Mr. Edward McCauley, the chairman of the floor committee. The Vice President and Mrs. Hobart were es- Griggs wore a diamond necklace and had a diamond tiara in her hair. Mrs. Barbour, wife of Col. William Bar- bour of the New Jersey governor's staff, white watered silk gown, embroiderer in silver. The skirt was trimmed with silver ribbons and butterflies. The bodice was trimmed with Honiton lace and embroidered in silver. She wore a diamond necklace and diamond stars in her hair. Mrs. E. T. Bell of Paterson, orchid lav- ender silk. The waist was trimmed in cream lace. The lace was caught with diamond stars. Mrs. Albert A. Wilcox, Hobart’s law partner, white silk, with touches of rose velvet for trimming. The short sleeves were lace ruffles and embroid- ered silk. She wore pearl ornaments. Mrs. J. J. Toffey, white corded satin. The waist was embroidered in geld and trimmed with lace caught inio place witn diamond pins. Mrs. bird “W. Spencer, pink brocaded satin, trimmed fn dnchesse lace and chiffon. The bodice was finished with lace and had lace sleev Join Stryker, dlack silk trimmed with point lace. Mrs. Edward P. Meany of Newark, N. J. light green velvet. The skiri was trimmes the wife of Mr. with diagonal ruffles of duchesse lace. The corted by Mr. Gardiner G. Hubbard. The | waist was of cloth of gold and trimmed party following them was the relatives of | with pearl passementerie. The bodice was the President and Vice President and other distinguished guests. Master Garret A. Hobart. jr., was also an interested spec- tator. Those at the table were Mr. and Mrs. Gary. Mr. and Mrs: Hanna. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner G. Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. Boardman. s Others at the feast were Justices of the Supreme Court Harlan and Brown, Mr. and Mrs. J. Addison Porter, Mr. and Mrs. Cor- nelius N. Bliss, Gen. Nelson A. Miles, Lieut. Emory, Mr. and Mrs. Herrick, Cleveland; Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Whittemore, Miss Han- na, Mrs. Field, Mr. R:'C. Kerens of St. Louis, Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Bell. Mr. Henry L. Swords, Col. Fred Brackett, Col. John M. Wilson, Gen. and Mrs. George B. Williams. Among others who enjoyed their supper in the same room’ ‘with the presidential party were Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Butter- worth, Edwin B. Hay, Judge Louis Mc- Comas and daughter, Senator Cullom, Mr. and Mrs. Stilson Hutchtne, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Halford, Mr. and Mrs. Jules Guthridge. Mr. and Mrs. Beriah Wilkins, Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Noyes, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Abner McKinley, Mr. McKinley Osborne, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Barber and Mr. and Mrs. P. V. De Graw. Some Rich Costumes. Mrs. McKinley wore a superb costume of white satin brocaded in a rich design. The material was so elegant that it needed little trimming, and this was entirely of lace. The many-gored skirt had paneled effects in point lace, alternating with plain gores of the satin. Around the waist line there were five rows of fine shirring. The train was gathered irto the belt and fell in long, graceful folds, two yards and a half in length. The skirt was lined with white taffeta, which gave it a sufficiently stiff and stand-out appearance at the hem. ‘The bodice was high-necked. It had a yoke of silver and pearl paasementerle, the lower edge of which was trimmed with a deep fall of Point d’Alencon lace. This lace was carried over the shoulders, and at the left side festooned under a corsage bou- quet of violets, held by a pretty diamond ornament. The soft folds of the satin were drawn toward the front of the bodice in a point, where they were confined by a belt of the pear! and silver passementerte. The collar band was of the satin, softly creased, and toward the back the Point d’Alencon was thickly ruched under a thicker ruche of white chiffon, after the prevailing fash- fon. The sleeves were smoothly fitting, of the satin brocade, and had small puffs at the top, over which the flounce of lace fell. At the wrist the sleeve was cut in three points, under which a fall of the lace came down over the hands. Her ornaments con- sisted of diamond earrings, an old-fashioned brooch of large diamonds, an heirloom in her mother's family, and sidecombs, banded with small diamonds. The pretty shoes worn were of the same satin as the dress. The empire fan which she carried was of lace similar to that on her dress. Mrs. McKinley wore a very elegant wrap coming to and going home from the ball, which she had donned for the first time. It was in color a soft shade of lavender and in texture of exquisitely soft silk. The silk was brocaded in a Persian pattern, and the wrap was long enough to entirely cover the whole figure of its wearer. It had a wadded lining of cream white satin, and the trimming was of natural white fur. It was bordered with white Alaska fex all around the edges, and this fur formed the high collar, which protected the head almost as well as the neck. President McKinley's mother wore a handsome black satin gown, the skirt demitrained and the round waist made in a style soft and becoming. The only orna- mentation of the dress was a point lace barb, which outlined the soft pretty fulds of white chiffon. A thick ruche of black satin edged with chiffon finished tne neck, and the sweet, old lady-like effect of the quiet costume was accented by her widow cap of bobinet and lace. Miss Helen McKinsey, sister of the Presi- dent, wore a white m@ire antique. The round bodice was trimmed with duchess iace, draped at the, left'/shoulder, and the sleeves were of piaited: mull. The skirt had a demi-train and the fashionable full- ness. i Miss Grace McKinley: niece of the Presi- dent, was sowned in white mousseline Gé soie, simply made and trimmed as befi her school girl beauty. The waist was 1 pecked, had rufflestof ahiffon and flo garniture, and the sleeves were formed of crimped ruffies of white chiffonctte. Mrs. Abner McKinley. sister-in-law of the President, was richly gowned in pale blue brocaded satin. The skirt was plain, cut low and edged with duchesse late, and had sleeves of the same material. Mrs. Henry A. Patterson of East Orange, N. J., white satin gown. The waist was trimmed with duchesse lace. A diamond necklace and other diamond ornaments were worn. Mrs. J. Addison Porter was handsomely owned in white brocaded satin and point lace. Mrs. A. J. Duncan, sister of the Presi- dent, wore black satin brocade. The skirt was -trained and the bodice V-shaped and trimmed with bands of white satin, embrofdered with gold and jet, which cx tended from the shoulders to the waist. The Medici collar was of black chiffon. Mrs. S. L. Bowman, daughter of the lat- ter, was gowned in silver blue satin, elab- orately combined with mousseline de sole. The soft drapery of the waist was confined at the belt line by a pointed girdle of pearl and gold passementerie, which had a but- terfly effect in the front. Miss Sarah Duncan, another daughter of Mrs. Duncan's, wore pink brocuded satin. The bodice was low-necked, the sleeves short and puffy, draped with plaitings of Brussels net spangled with silver dots. A spray of wild pink reses ornamented the front of the bodice. Mrs. Marshall Barber, Mrs. McKinley's sister, was handsomely gowned in rich brocaded satin, the bodice trimmed with duchess lace and jetted bands. Miss Mary Barber, her daughter, was in white mousseline de sole, made over white taffeta. The low-necked bo-lice had soft girlish frills of white chiffon. Mrs. George B. Morse of San Francisco, niece of the President and namesake of his wife, wore @ pretty dress of white satin, trimmed with pearl beaded tulle. Mrs. Heistand, wife of Capt. Heistand, wore brocaded satin of a dark shade, richly trimmed with chiffon and lace. Mrs. Seward Bowman of Elyria, Ohio, wore black setin, with jetted passementerie and lace. Mrs. John N. Taylor, wife of Col. Taylor of Canton, wore brocaded satin and chiffon. Mrs. Mark Hanna wore a pale yellow brocaded satin, handsomely trimmed with lace. Her jewels were superb, and the front of her low-necked dress fairly blazed with them. Her beautiful gray hair was softly waved around her face and twisted high in a knot. Mrs. Hanna did not like either of the dresses which were first pre- pared for her to wear to the ball, and which were freely pictured and described in the newspapers all over the country, so she changed her mind and selected another Gress of an entirely different color. Countess Ross, gray moire and yellow velvet, the corsage trimmed with points of velvet and rhinestones. Mrs. James A. Gary, wife of the next Postmaster General, pale gray satin. Miss Gary, rose-colored moire, with lib- erty chiffon and duchesse lace. Migs Ida C. Gary, lilac silk, trimmed with point lace and lilac blossoms. Miss Jessie A. Gary, pale blue satin,, wtih duchesse lace. Miss Jessie A. Gary, with duchesse lace. Mrs. Blanchard of Louisiana, nile grccn satin, embroidered in gold. Her jewels were diamonds and pearis. Miss Blanchard, white mousseline de soie, over white satin, with pearl ornaments. Mrs. Gage, wife of the Secretary of the Treasury, white brocaded satin, trimmed in pink roses and quantities of rare old lace. She wore a magnificent necklace of diamonés, and had diamonds in her hair. Mrs. Cushman Davis, black velvet with point lac Miss Mabel Hanna was gowned in white striped gauze over Nile green satin. The gauze was very full, and was shirred quite deep below the waist line. The pretty little low-necked waist was of strips of satin and lace, and revers of satin meeting at the waist reached up to the shoulders. Mrs. Foraker,_wife of Senator-elect For- aker, wore yellow brocade, handsomely combined with satin, and richly trimmei with lace. Miss Foraker, who is yet a school girl, wore a simple dress of white chiffonette. Mrs. John A. Logan, jr., wore white silk, t med with pearl beaded tulle, with bows and lopps of lettuce green velvet. Mrs. Myron T. Herrick of Cleveland was beautifully gowned in cream white satin. The bodice was cut square and was trim- med with heliotrope ribbons diagonally across the front. Point d’Alencon lace fes- teoned over the shoulders covered the shert puffed sleeves of satin. The lace was continued down each side of the front, and was caught at, the sides under a sash cf softly folded crepe de chine. The ends of this sash fell to the bottom of the skirt. pale blue satin, but the bod'ce was trimmed with iace, | Mrs. Hobart also chose white for her in- which formed most cf: the front and | augural ball dress. The skirt was plain, reached over the shoulders. Diamond or-| made very wide and having a long train. naments, butterflies: and crescents were | The waist Was cut slightly low and re- worn, and in her hair an aigrette of blue satin, held by a diamond ornament. Miss Mabel McKinley wore a very pretty dancing dress of white silk; the low-necked bodice almost mode of white chiffon. Lilies of the valley and a little foliage edged the bodice around the shoulders, and a soft sash of white silk was tied at the left side. Mrs. Hobart also chose white for her in- augural ball dress. The skirt was plain, made very wide and having a long train. The waist was: cut slightly low and re- vealed a plump neck and shoulders. The bodice had no ornamentation, but falls of fine lace, which festooned the front and was caught on the left shoulder under a knot of violets. Violets also nestled in the lace on the other shoulder. The sleeves were short puffs, over which the lace fell. Superb diamond ornaments. Among th ladies of Vice President and Mrs. Hobart’s party were Mrs. Griggs,wife of Gov. Griggs of New Jersey, yellow satin, which was al- most completely covered with round point lace, black ostrich tip feathers. Mrs, vealed a plump neck and shoulders. The bodice had no ornamentation, but falls of fine lace, which festooned the front and was caught on the left shoulder under a knot of violets. Violets also nestled in the lace on the other shoulder. The sleeves were short puffs, over which the lace fell. Mrs. Hubbard of Minnesota, seafoam green satin, with embroidered chiffon and diamonds. Mrs. Cochran, blue satin brocaded in or- chids and trimmed with duchesse lace. Mrs. Brice, mauve satin brocade, studded with rhinestones and amethysts. Miss Brice, white satin with pearls. Mrs. Paul 8. Herrick of Sonierset, Pa., cream satin and point applique and ermine. Mrs. Gorman, black and yellow brocade, erabroldered in cut jet. Miss Gorman, yellow brocade, with pearl Ppassementerie and violets. Miss Madia Gorman, pale blue and white Drerden silk, with pearl embroidered tuile end lace. SCENE IN THE BALL ROOM. Miss Sallade of Philadelphia, a guest of Miss Gorman, white satin and polit lace, with diamond ornaments. | The ladies of the diplomatic corps were all handsomely gownea. The ball has been a matter of gossipy anticipation with them for months. A great many of them saw the brilliant spectacle of an inaugural ball last night for the first time, while to others it was an old story. The ambas- sadors and ministers came themselves in full court costumes, adding not a little to the spectacular part of the gathering about the rooms of the President during the re- ception, jewels apd decorations glitter- ing on their much embroidered coats, thelr splendid chapeaux, dangling swords and military costumes making each a study of masculine millinery. Lady Pauncefote, wife of the British | ambassador, wore a trained gown of eace, the podice trimmed with gold lace and ‘her ccrsage gleaming with siiamond ornaments. Mme. Patenotre, wife of the ench am- bassador, was in black brocaded satin, with a diamond tiara, and a diamond and pearl necklace. ‘ | Baroness Thielman, wife of the German | ambassador, was in straw-colored satir the bodice trimmed with jeweled pas menterie ard duchess lace. Diamond neck- lace and diamond tiara were worn. Mme. Romero, wife of the Mexican min- ister, wore pale green moire, the pattern followed by rows of silver spangles. The | waist was trimmed with deep falls cf cream lace and garniture of rose velvet and foliage. Mme. Mendonca, wife of the Brazilian | minister, wore a superb -Iress of light bro- caded satin, trimmed with lace, and with it a diamond necklace and diamond aigrette. Mme. Gana, wife of the Chilean minister, were white brocaded satin and silver bead- | ed net over the short puffy sleeves of the satin. | Miss Gana wore rose pink satin and chif- fon. | Miss Andrade, daughter of the Venezuc- lan minister, was in white, rose velvet in | knots on the low corsaxe. Baroness Hengelmueiler, wif? of the Austrian minister, wore a flowered brocade, the bodice edged with narrow bands of fur. Her hair was dressel low with rands of pearls. Mme. Rengifo, wife of the Colombian charge d'affaires, wore turquoise blue vel- vet, trimmed with narrow bands of er- mine. Madame Hoshi, wife of the Japanese minister, was resplendent in white silk, trimmed with rich lace and wearing many pretty jewels. “f Mme. Dupuy de Lome. wife of the Span- ish minister, was in white brocaded satin, the low bodice trimmed with point lace. Madame Pioda, wife of the Swiss min- ister,, was in pink satin, combined with black’ velvet. « Mrs. Lazo Arriaga, pale green satin, trim- med with cream-colored Valenciennes, gar- landed with pink roses; pearl and diamond collar. Mrs. Leiter was gowned in black Bru: sels net, embroidered in silver, ruby and diamond necklace and tiara. Mrs. Grout, wife of the governor of Ver- mont, pale yellow brocade and point lace. Mrs. Myron M. Parker, black Brussels net over Dresden silk, brightened with cherry velvet bows. Mrs. Jules Guthridge, and chiffon. Mrs. Potter Palmer, black tuile, garland- ed with pink roses, necklace of pearls and a diamond tiara. Strands of diamonds were caught to the front on the wings of a high diamond butterfly. Mrs. McCauley, wite of Mr. Edward Mc- heliotrope moire Cauley, chairman of the floor committee, pearl gray brocade, trimmed with point lace. Mrs. Thomas Wilson, Dresden brocade and point lace. Mrs. N. S. Lincoln, pale green brocaded tin, with pink roses adorning the bodice and a number of diamond ornaments. Mrs. John W. Thompson, brocaded white satin, trimmed with point lace, and waist trimmed with white and purple violets. Diamond ornaments. Mrs. Dalzell, pale blue moire antique and int lace. = Morgan, white silk. Mrs. Carroll Mercer, black net, span:led in gilt. mae: William Haywood, cardinal silk and int lace. rs. Goodloe, gray brocaded satin and int lace. Pairs. A. S. Worthington, blue satin and chiffon. Mrs. Chadwick ecru brocaded satin. Mrs. Babcock, white satin, black velvet bows. Mrs. Blackburn, 1d int lace. ors, Hall, black Brussels net, with jetted immings. : Mrs, Seaton Perry, pink satin, with crys- tal passamenterles. Mrs. George B. Williams, aquamarine satin, the bodice trimmed = butter-col- ered lace; diamond ornaments. Mrs. John S. Williams, black satin, ed with pink velvet. ae John De Witt ee eopeae corded silk, trimmed with turqueise blue. : anes Spofford, lavender tulle over silk me shade. ara Chatard, black net embroidered with silver spangles, geranium pink velvet bows. jamond ornaments. e Men. Lothrop Bradley, black satin, trim- med with point lace, jetted nei. Mrs. Percy Hickling, pale pink brocaded satin, trimmed with crystal passementerie. Mrs. A. J. Halford, dark red satia, trim- med with black net. < Mrs. William H. Moses, rose pink satin. trimmed with crystal fringes. Diamond ornaments. Miss Devendorf, 1} dark flowered brocade ck brocaded satin, bodice trimmed with silver embroidered net. Sirs, Chas. A. Williams, black satin, trimmed with int lace. Miss May Winlams, white crepe, de chine and white satin. Mrs. L. B. Webb/white satin, handsome: ly adorned with point lace; diamond neck: lace and tiara. Mrs. Beriah Wilkins, with green mirroir velvet. Mrs. W. E. Curtis, black Brussels net and black violets. Mrs. Henry Willard, satin, ruby necklace. Mrs. W. A. Haley, in black silk. Miss Sarah Willard Howe, pink satin, richly trimmed with lace. Mrs. Allison, black gauze, embroidered in silver; diamond hair coms and dia- mond necklace. Miss Daisy Colton, oe and Val- encien: lace, with pin) ns. War Beary E. Davis, light satin and point lace. Miss Alice Riddle, embroidered white crepe ard white sazin ribbons. Mrs. -Maurice A. Low, black satin bro- cade, with point lace rufles on the cor- e. a eiiss Kauffmann, waite brocaied ratin, the waist trimmed with turquoise s2tin. Miss Katydid Jones wore a charmirg pale pink satin, yellow brocaded ation of white c and silver « relieved by glimpses of violet and diamonds. Mrs. McKnight Mos Dlue bro satin trimmed with crystal passamenterie and point lace. Miss Cockrell, pale pink brocaqe’ satin. Mrs. Rice, mauve satin and jetted lac Miss Rochester, Dresden flowered silk and chiffon. Mrs. Blair Lee, w tin with ruby velvet bows. s. William Endicott, pale blue satin ruby and filigree gold ornaments. Miss Horstman, white embroidered chif. fon over Dresden silk. Miss McCammon, white brocaded satin and chiffon. Mrs. Audenried, white satin trimmed with point lic and narrow edges of sable. Miss Mary Dickinson, pale pink brocaded | tin and chifton. Mrs. Albert Halstead gowned in pink satin, t Was elegantly bodice trimme with white net embroidered with © pangles. Mrs. Miles, silver gray satin embroidered in_jet, with wurquoise velvet bows. Mrs, Lewis Green Stevenson, aquama rine satin and tulle. Miss Reed, daughter of er Reed, white satin with gilt lace. Mrs. Frank Burke, pink satin and lace. Mrs. O'Neill of Boston, white satin and crystal beaded net Mrs. E. B. Hay, white striped satin and mauve velvet. Miss Shaw of Pittsburg, white and satin bows. Miss Amy Martin of Ballinah‘nst. Hamil- ton, Canada, black velours and white cond- ed silk, corsage draped with white crepe ptted net and bunches of violets, diamonds and rearls, Miss Batcheller, blue satin and pearl passementerie, Miss Brown, pale blue satin and lace. Miss Emery, white dotted net and quoise velvet. Miss Eugenia Taylor of Newport News, Va., pink taffeta silk, with pleated chiffon. Miss Jones of Baltimore, Md., biue taffeta silk, covered with white organdie Miss Alice Owings, Baltimore, Md.: or- gandies over ivory white satin and Pilm. violets. Mrs. Wm. Gurley Schafhirt, white silk, violet trimmings; no jewelry. Mrs. R. F. Hunter was gowned in black moire velvet; diamond ornaments. tur- Mrs. Seaton, white satin brocade, with rare old lace and diamonds, Miss Frances Hunter, — corn-oolored duchesse satin, with pearls. Miss Virginia Hunter, nile green silk, with overdress of white tulle. Mrs. H. Dexter of Kansas City, black velvet, trimmed with point lace and whit: satin; diamond necklace and aigrette. Mrs. R. A. Alger, heavy white satin, with short, puffed sleeves, the low bodice eut- lined ‘with rich lace, and bands and hows of ght green velvet. Over the whole front and outlining the bodice was rhinestone embroidery. Diamonds. Francis Alger, white moirc, with white tulle and lace, a crepe sas, with fringed ends, ani’ bodice outlined with pink and red roses. Miss Neal of Peoria, Il!.; sea-shell tin, with girdle and sash of wine velvet, point lace and pink pearis. Miss Lena erett of Boston, white silk, with blue velvet ruffles a short pufted blue chiffon sleeves caugit with strands of h lace of paris. Mrs. John Turner, | vet court train, over Jetted-satin skirt, the waist of satin, with Chantilly lace eves and © age garniture of red roses. Diamond tiara and necklac Miss Helen Dee Cairo, Ul; om pearis, and im ; wine-red vel- white satin brocaded with silver. dic and gar- niture of cut cryssal and seed pearls, pearl ornaments. Mrs. Robert Wynecourt, Chicago; Liack satin, with cut steel garniture: diemonds. Mrs. W. M. Rodgers, Chicago; 1 moire antique, the low neck tinish2d w: a bertha of rare old point, caught in f toons with diamond stars.’ Diamond 1 lace. Miss Rodgers, white silk mul! over white satin, tulle sleeves and puffins: pearls. Mrs. Asa Bushnell, imported gown of white satin Dresden figured with moss roses, overlaid with a design in pale blue velvet, the front paneled with 91d lace. The bodice cut low, had plaited chiffon and lace, with a touch of black velvet at the front. Diamonds. Mrs. J. F. McGrew, daughter of Mrs. Bushnell, Dresden silk. Mrs. E. F. Burke, wife of Colonel Burke of Governor Bushnell’s staff, pink bro- caded satin, with a tracery of green cver all; Medic: lace, red and pink roses out- lining the bodice, and diamonds. Miss Jessie Burke, turquoise and white striped silk with white chiffon, very be- coming to blonde beauty. Mies Sullivan of Ohio, blue silk, chiffon and pearl garniture and pearl ornamenis. Mrs. General Orr of Ohio, white moire, rose point and diamonds. Mrs. Tanner, wife of the governor of INinois, white satin and motre, three-quar- ter train, witn heavy silk cord at the foo! Waist covered with pearl embroidered chif- fon. Necklace of pearls caught with soli- taire diamonds and fleur de lis pendant. Mrs. John T. Peters of Iilinois, cream satin, brocaded with pink and green, point lace, garniture of pink roses. Mrs. Van Cleve, turquoise and cream tapestry silk, low bodice, with chiffon and rhinestone garniture, renaissance lace, over plaited chiffon bertha. Diamonds. Mrs. Colburn Fields Buck, Illinois, pink brocaded chiffon and velvet and diamonds. Mrs. James B. Smith, Mlinois, black moire, brocaded in red, with black lace. Miss Bertha Clark, Ohio, white satin, Medici lace; rubies. Mrs. George Wallace, Chicago, green vel- vet, duchesse lace and embroidery of emerald and rhinestones; emerald orna- ments. Mrs. J. M. Swanson, New York city, a stately brunette, in corn-colored brocaded satin and black velvet, the front paneled with jetted lace, black lace, and satin sleeves, girdle of filigree gold and necklace and bracelets of filigree gold, set with rubies. Miss Jennie Winston, Ohio, white satin and lace. Miss Ruth Winston, Ohio, black satin, with yellow velvet foot ruffies, girdle and sleeves; garniture of yellow roses, and dia- mond-studded band of yellow velvet about the throat. Mrs. Jacob Van Dusen, New York city, nel white satin, with black velvet bodice train. The sleeves were of puffed whi satin, and over them and the front of the dress was black lace, frosted with seed pearls. Pearl necklace and strands of pearls in the hair. Miss Leah Van Dusen, New York city, white silk and pearis. Miss Doremus, Philadelphia, black Lyons velvet princess, with rose point dia- monds. satin and brussels net, with cut jet. Mrs. Charles Wintrode, Denver, rosc satin, (Continued on Eleventh Page)