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possessed mankind would be to have a grand ball. This suggestion met
with immediate and universal approval.

But for so gigantic an affair it was, of course, necessary to make special
preparations. A convenient place was selected on the Virginia side of the
Potomac; a space of ten acres was carefully levelled and covered with a
polished floor, rows of columns one hundred feet apart were run across
it in every direction, and these were decorated with electric lights,
displaying every color of the spectrum.

Unsurpassed Fireworks.

Above this immense space, rising in the centre to a height of more than
a thousand feet, was anchored a vast number of balloons, all aglow
with lights, and forming a tremendous dome, in which brilliant lamps
were arranged in such a manner as to exhibit, in an endless succession
of combinations, all the national colors, ensigns and insignia of the
various countries represented at the Congress. Blazing eagles, lions,
unicorns, dragons and other imaginary creatures that the different nations
had chosen for their symbols appeared to hover high above the dancers,
shedding a brilliant light upon the scene.

Circles of magnificent thrones were placed upon the floor in convenient
locations for seeing. A thousand bands of music played, and tens of
thousands of couples, gayly dressed and flashing with gems, whirled
together upon the polished floor.

Queen Victoria Dances.

The Queen of England led the dance, on the arm of the President of the
United States.

The Prince of Wales led forth the fair daughter of the President,
universally admired as the most beautiful woman upon the great ballroom
floor.

The Emperor William, in his military dress, danced with the beauteous
Princess Masaco, the daughter of the Mikado, who wore for the occasion
the ancient costume of the women of her country, sparkling with jewels,
and glowing with quaint combinations of color like a gorgeous butterfly.

The Chinese Emperor, with his pigtail flying high as he spun, danced
with the Empress of Russia.

The King of Siam essayed a waltz with the Queen Ranavalona, of Madagascar,
while the Sultan of Turkey basked in the smiles of a Chicago heiress to
a hundred millions.

The Czar choose for his partner a dark-eyed beauty from Peru, but
King Malietoa, of Samoa, was suspicious of civilized charmers and,
avoiding all of their allurements, expressed his joy and gave vent to
his enthusiasm in a pas seul. In this he