The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-27 00:00:00

(Stamped id. Additional.) [TWOPENCE.

the ground by laming diagonally against the in-
truder, se we see beams put up against old houses
and expostulating with the invaders with more or
less of civility, as the pressure became more or less
incoarenient. The Duo de Bassein showed great tact
and management in this delicate duty, and even
managed to keep the ladies within a reasonable
degree of order and subjection. It was remarked
that never was there seen a more numerous assem-
blage of the fair sex at a publie ball, and that never
at a French one were diamonds so profusely exhi-
bited. Every head-dress glittered with them, and it
was only with the very young ladies that flowers
seemed at all in request. Feathers seem to have en-
tirely disappeared from the ball-room, as not a plume
were to been amongst the entire company. On the
dais were two rows of state chairs, the lower one for
the two Royal families, the other for their respective
courts. Her Majesty the Queen sat next to the
Emperor, and Prince Albert to the Empress. The
Prince of Wales, clad in tartan, stood, and seemed to
gas. with admiration on the lights and the *siting.,
and the immense masses of gorgeously dressed officers
and ladies by whom he was principally surrounded.
The Princess Royal, simply clad in white, with a
wreath of roses for her only head ornament, sat next
Prince Adelbert of Bavaria, who, if he take
plenty of exercise, and do not grow too
fat, will make a very respectable crowned head
one of these days. The Queen appeared to be in the
best health and spirit", was magnificently dressed,
and seemed literally to blaze with diamonds. Her
Majesty chatted frequently to the Emperor, often
called him over to ask a question, or make an obser-
widen, and when she danced seemed quite to enjoy
the exercise. The Empress never looked to greater
advantage, although a , I regret to add, more
delicate. She had on also • priceless parure ot dia-
monds, and looked as beautiful and fragile as a naiad.
If the state of her Majesty's health be such as her
more sanguine subjects believe, it is hardly judicious
to expose her to so continued a succession of excite-
ments. I stopped to see two or three quadrilles in
which the Queen, Emperor, Prince Albert, Princess
Royal, and Princess Mathide took part, and then
moved on to make room for other sight seekers. At
about half-past 12 o'clock, the royal party proceeded
to the supper-room, and here another scene of daz-
zling splendour awaited them. The supper was spread
in the far-famed theatre of Louis XIV., and in it, as
in the Salle de Glace', lights, gilding, and flowers
divided the attention of the company with the more
substantial ornaments of the table. Their majesties
and court supped in one of the boxes, and the general
company were assembled below in relays, the stage
and pit together being insufficient to accommodate
I all at once. The scene was very magnificent, looking
like the banquet hall of Sardanspalas, so brilliant
were the lights, so abundant the flowers, so gay the
company, so luxurious the refreshments. The Coun-
tess de Montejo had a table immediately below the
imperial box, but the rest of the company arranged
themselves as best they could. The royal party retired
shortly after one, the dancers ascended again to the
ball room, and the more prudent amongst the visitors
returned to town.