THE INAUGURAL BALL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1530, 27 June 1901, Page 21

THE INAUGURAL BALL

Miss Elizabeth L. Banks describes in '‘Cassell's Magazine" the ceremonies and festivities which mark “Inauguration Day in Washington/' Of the close of that dav she says:—ln the evening the Inaugural festivities are brought to an end by the ball, which takes place in some one of the large balls belonging to tbe Government buildings. Four years ago it was p-iveu in tbe Pension Building. I suppose there is probably no ball or retention ever g ; ven, tbe world over, which is so “mixed'’ an affair as is-the Inaugural Ball given every four years at Washington. Any man or woman who is decently clothed, respectable in manner and anpearance, may go to this h'll by paving five dollars for a ticket. Thousands of dollars are spent on flowers and decorations, and no State ballroom at a Royal nalace could be more magnificently appointed; yet into that ballroom, to dance upon its smooth floors, mav go your washerwoman, your butcher’s boy, also your clergyman, your lawyer, your Ambassador, your President. Indeed, the latter must go, unless sudden illness should come to him. The only persons whose presence etiquette absolutely- forbids are the late President and his wife! You see the society belle in her beautiful gown, and the little dressmaker's ass’stant who heloed to make Ambassador's lady in her satins and diamonds, and the little woman who lives in the country outside Washington and sells eggs and poultry and green vegetables to the Congressmen's families. The little woman wears the same black silk dress she wore the first year of- her marriage, a quarter of a century ago. It has been her “Sunday gown" ever since. From that nart of Washington where live what are known as the “coloured swells’' comes the young negro, resplendent in evening dress and 'diamond shirt-studs, leading his duskv partner attired in brilliant or royal purple. From “way out West" comes the simple farmer choosing this vear and this particular time to nay his first visit to the nation's capital city, and show “Maria," his buxom wife, the sights. He wears a homespun suit purchased for four dollars and a half at the “village stoi'e," and as he shyly doffs his sombrero hat at the ballroom entrance his wife, in her brown cashmere, made with “basque and skirt," and trimmed with scalloped braid, feels a thrill of pride and satisfaction both in her husband and her country. The new President, or the re-elected President, as happens this year, marches, with the first lady of the land on liis arm, down the long ballroom, smiling and bowing to everybody. Afterwards, in the room that has been specially prepared and decorated for them, they hold an impromptu reception. Long before midnight the President and his wife leave the building and go home to the White House, and after their departure dancing begins in earnest, for very little dancing goes on while the President is there. Though the cost of the ball is enormous, it is no expense to th e Government, the proceeds of the sale of tickets being made to cover all the outlay.