At 8 p.m. the grand ball was given at Kiel. Four thousand people were present, representing all nations. The Emperor and royal party were there, and officers not having already met him were there presented.
The following day the ships were full dressed at 8 a.m. At 1 p.m. were the inaugural ceremonies at the mouth of the canal. Uniform full dress. Rails were manned, and ships passing by the Emperor gave three cheers. During the afternoon the Hohenzollern steamed through the fleet, and was saluted and cheered as before.
This was the night of the grand illumination. The commanders of the visiting countries had their ships outlined by electric lights, taking in funnels, masts, rails, etc. Those of the United States had besides this their name in three-foot letters, and a large shield showing stars and stripes. In the midst of this display lights were suddenly cut off, and for an hour the flag-ship New York sent forth a display of fireworks not equalled in any other fleet. The most notable features were fire-likenesses of President Cleveland and Emperor William II. and the American and German coats of arms, all in immense frames, 16 by 20 feet.
As the festivities approach an end, so do I near the point where I shall leave you to fill in the omissions in your imaginations.
THE AMERICAN SQUADRON AT THE KIEL NAVAL REVIEW.
On the 22d the ships did not again hoist the rainbow, but instead floated a flag from each mast-head. A German manœuvring fleet went out in the early morning for fleet manœuvres, sham-battle, and review by Empress. At noon they returned, and the festival-time of Kiel was over.
The officers were still entertained, courtesies extended as before. Boat-racing received an impetus as the time approached. Visitors were received aboard ship, but the difference could be felt; the throng on the water diminished; the town, hitherto so gayly decorated, became more sober. Everything pointed that the festival was over, the canal was open, the entire celebration was a grand success.
America's fleet of snow-white cruisers, her display, her representation, when so far distant, have won unanimous praise and applause, and may be reckoned by all Americans as the grandest success of all.