Life — March 5, 1885 — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

(By Lire’s Special Ball Prophet.) bY OLE prophet, after casting his horoscope into the middle of next week, has prepared the fol- lowing first and only truthful account of the Inauguration Ball. The festivities were opened by the President-elect. Miss Columbia expressed herself as delighted with her new- found partner, and seemed in the joy of the hour to forget the gentleman who now dwells on the cold side of the official fence. . . > HE Sinister President, Mr. Tilden, as he is now called in honor of the Leave of '76, was present holding sweet converse with Georgius Curtius, Rex Mugwumprorum. It was evident that his mind was fixed upon what might have been. When he thought of his personal what-might-have- upon the effect three R's might not have had upon the situ- ation, he became almost jolly and danced around in his own hilarious way. . . . ONSIDERABLE excitement was caused at midnight by the arrival of David Davis. He had the supreme effrontery to seek admittance on one ticket, but was finally induced to purchase another, He was then allowed to enter the room, the owners of the building having had time during the controversy to brace the flooring. The prophet has been requested by our artist to state that it had originally been his intention to include Mr. Davis's agile form in his sketch, but lack of space and a rise in the price of paper has prevented. Mr. Davis will, however, be given in installments in future numbers. HE music was furnished by Professor Kelli, of New York, who with his celebrated Tammany Brass Band gave forth most beauteous strains. During the intermission he was aided by the celebrated String Orchestra furnished by the Sun office in the person of the cat. * . . R. CLEVELAND being the undoubted candidate of the British Crown, it was not at all surprising that Mrs. Victoria Regina Guelph of London, with her friend and counsellor Mr. Gladstone, were present. They came over for the occasion per Bennett-Mackay Cable, upon which many other sensations of the day are hourly arriving. The Queen was placed in the hands of Mr. Rossa, the President's bosom friend, while Mr. Gladstone had the supreme bliss of spending the evening with the Mahdi. It is said that the Mahdi gave | Mr. Gladstone several bits of advice on the Soudan question, | upon all of which the Premier will act in framing his policy, inasmuch as the Mahdi, living on the spot, knows somewhat more about the situation than Mr. Gladstone himself. . . . HE Cabinet Pudding prepared for the occasion by Mr. Cleveland for a favored few was the object of much admiration. Mr. Bayard seemed the only one who knew any- thing about its recipe, and he spent most of his time in expa- tiating upon its merits to little Johnnie Mahone, who was al- lowed to sit up if he would be a good boy. * . . HE crowd around the building was something enor- mous and only a very few who came early, expecting no doubt to get in, but who, much to their discomfiture, were refused admittance, managed at least to gaze through the windows. The dancing was kept up to a late hour, and the first gray | streaks of dawn illumined the horizon as the President took beenness he seemed to droop; but when his thoughts rested | his leave and Queen Victoria and Mr. Gladstone called for their pneumatic cable. The remaining guests shortly after betook themselves to their several homes. . * . ete costumes of the evening were brilliant in the ex- treme. The Queen’ wore her new spring crown covered with a profusion of gems. The Koh-i-noor, owing to the presence of Mr. Rossa at the ball, was left at home, although Mr. Gladstone is said to have besought the Queen | to let him wear it in his shirt front to counteract the impres- sion made by the American Hotel Clerk's pin, in case the latter should be present. Mr. Rossa’s garments were cut on the gore and his green vest, with its large inviting pockets, gave him an appearance a little more than picturesque and a little less than sublime. . . * HE Mahdi, of course, wore acamel's hair shawl and a smile, the latter indicative of triumph. The Su cat appeared more in sorrow than in anger, which costume was rendered more than usually attractive by a troubled look worn on the face. Mr. Kelli was very thinly dressed, and evidently felt the coolth of his situation, while the President himself, clad in contentment, was a perfect picture of happi- ness. The ball-room was trimmed with passamenterie, with here and there some traces of pelisse. Columbia herself, with the ever-present Uncle Sam, wore her usual costume, while | Samuel was evidently much confused by a beaver hat that closed like a telescope, and seemed more occupied with the mystery thereof than with his surroundings.” Taken altogether, it is not likely that such another inau- guration ball will occur again for several years. comicbooks.com