The Express.
London, England, 1849-09-01 00:00:00

PRINCE ALBERT'S BIRTH-DAY.

BALLATER, TUESDAY.
There was more animation about Balmoral yester-
day than has bean discernible lilacs the arrival of the royal
party. Everything presented an unusual appearance of
gaiety and stir. The very labourers had a busy and elated
air, and moved about with more than ordinary briskness
and alacrity. Any one might have discovered that some-
thing far out of the 1111141 course was on the tapir.
To-day was to be observed as the anniversary of Prince
Albert's birth. It had been arresged to celebrate the occa-
sion by a variety of fetes ; and a pretty numerous company,
comprising all the aue resident in the locality, were invited
to wittier thrna

Unfortunately, shortly before the entertainments were to
commence, the day underwent a disagreeable change. TLe
sky became suddenly overeast—a dense dark covering gra-
dually seethe' down on the summits of the surrounding hills
—and a damp drizzly mist began to descend, which was by-
and bye succeeded by copious falls of rain.
First in the order of proceedings was the performance of
various Highland games by the gillies who attend his Royal
Highness to the moors. Collectively, the individuals so
employed amount to a considerable number ; and they were
on the ground, "sill plaided and plumed in their tartan
array," by three c.'clock, eager to make exhibition of their
prowess and agility. Dressed out as they were, they formed
a fine-looking body of men. To any one of them, Evan
tthu M'Combieh's praise of being "clean-made and deliver,
and no like one first to cry barley in a bruilzie," would have
been perfectly applicable.
As the more sanguine had all along predicted, the after-
noon cleared up beautifully; the dark clouds were dispersed;
the beams of the eteeliaing sun, which hung low on the
ah older of the hill that looks d 'ern on the castle, pene-
trated the diffused vapour that filled the atmosphere, im-
portinz a strange tint to the lichened eminences opposite,
Ott which they fell, slanting cheerfully along the cultivated
and fresh coloured fields below, and altogether adding addi-
tional charms to the magnificent conthination of wildness
and beauty which the scenery presi.nta.
By four o'clock the visitors had all arrived at the man
sloe ; and shortly after the royal party appeared on the
ground marked off for the games—a portion of an enclosed
lawn, to the north of the house. As each party hail brought
with them u many juveniles as they could turn out, the
muster of youths was very great. Most of them were at-
' tired in the Highland costume, and all seemed greatly to
enjoy themselves.
file competitors in the games iii their heat to plaase—
did it well and effectually. In the various feats of throwing
the hammer, tossing the esker, putting the stone, &c., their
athletic and agile powers were well displayed, and their ex..r.
Cons conduced greatly to the amusement of thews who
beheld them. A handeorne titillation was made to each
of the persons successful in the various exercises. When
the games were concluded, the inimitable " Wizard
of the North" was ordered to perform sew ral of
his " fantastic tricks" and necromantic impostures, in
presence of the Royal party and their guests. It is needless
to say that he well sustained the (awe for " sleight of hand"
which he has acquired, and drew forth the special wonder-
ment of all who saw him. We litre used the term " impos-
ture"—imposition in the case there must be ; but Mr. An-
derson is an impostor of no vulgar sort. Ile is clearly pos-
sessed of ROM curious secrete, and endowed with great
talents. In the evening a ball was to take place, in a pavi-
lion erected in the lawn. It was expected that her Majesty
an l the Prince wouli visit the ball in the course of the pro-
ceedings. This, we learn, they,ii.l, greatly delighting all
present (who were those only connected with Bal•uoral) by
their condescension and affability.—Daisy Mail.