The Express.
London, England, 1851-07-15 00:00:00

roe court.

Her Majesty gave a state ball yesterday evening
at Buckingham Palace, which was the last of a series of
state receptions this season, unparalleled for their number
and extent since her Majesty's reign. Not only has the
royal holoitality been largely extended throughout the
whole circle of the nobility and gentry, and the more dis-
tinguished members of the literature, science, and art of
the kingdom, but all the more celebrated foreigners who
have been drawn to this country to view the great indus-
trial effort of the civilised world, have been honoured from
time to time with the Sovereign's gracious invitation to
meet the notables of the empire assembled in the salons of
the palace.
Protracted as is the season, and numerous as have been
the royal entertainments, there were yet many distinguished
feign visitors thronging the British metropolis, who, but
for the ball of last night, would have had to leave the
country without an opportunity of paying their respects to
the Sovereign, and of meeting all that is illustrious, noble,
and distinguished in the kingdom; while so numerous
and brilliant a state race:Aiwa had the effect of detaining
many families in town who would otherwise have quitted
London long ere this for the country, end so far have de-
prived the trading portion of the metropolis of the benefit
of their presence.
The invitations exceeded one thousand seven hundred in
number, and the whole of the beautiful suite of state
apartments were thrown open for the reception of the guests,
illuminated in a most brilliant and effective manner. la
addition to their own architectural and decorative erne-
!limn, the walls of the apartments were adorned with the
portraits of George 111., his Queen, and the members of
their family, the portraits of her Majestyand Prince Albert
bAng placed in the ball-room. The picture gallery dis-
played some of the choicest treasures of art, being particu-
larly rich in specimens of the Flemish school, includiag the
works of Rembrandt, Vandyck, Robbima, Cuyp, and
Ruhens, as well as some of the very finest works of
Teniers. The gallery also contained hoe pictures by Wou-
Tenant, Miens, Ostade, Jan Steen, and our own Reynolds,
whose Death of Bide" and Cymon and Iphigenia"
occupy conspicuous places. Sonic beautiful statues by
Canova at one end of the gallery add very considerably to
its many other attractions.
While the mind could thus dwell with so much pleasure
on these fine productions of artistic genius, the eye could
not fail being delighted with the brilliant hues of a never-
ending variety of the meet beautiful flowers, which were
displayed in lavish profusion throughout the whole scene,
from the foot of the grand staircase t the throne of the
Queen. Every vacancy and every opportunity which
the architectural ornaments of the apartments gave for the
introduction, was used fur the display of these most beau-
tiful productions of nature, and it is difficult to imagine
anything more charming is its effect.
Chairs of state were placed on a haat pas in the ball room
for her Majesty and Prince Albert. The canopy and
drapery was of amber coloured satin with gold lace and
bullion fringe, and lined with white ornamented with
silver. The choicest exotics and most beautiful flowers
were behind and around the chain of the Queen and
Prince.

_
Her Majesty's body guard of the Yeomen of the Guard,
under the command of Captain Phibbs, the Exon-in-
Waiting, was on duty in the palace. Sir George Lee, the
lieutenant, and Colonel Fitzmauricc, the adjutant of the
corps, were present.
The Duchess of Kent arrived at twenty minutes before
10 o'clock, attended by Lady Augusta Bruce, Sir George
Coupe?, and Lord James Murray. Her Royal Highness
was received by the Maids of Honour, and also by the
Grooms and Equerries in Waiting.
The Duke of Cambridge was attended by the Hon. James
Macdonald and Lord William Paulet.
The general company began to arrive at the Palace soon
after nine o'clock, and assembled in the Picture Gallery.
The Queen and Prince Albert were conducted by the
Lord Chamberlain, at a quarter &lore 10 o'clock, front the
White Drawing-room, through the Saloon, into the Ball-
room.

Her Majesty and Prince Albert were accompanied by the
Duchess of Kent, the Duke of Cambridge. and Prince
Gustavus of V. and Prince Edward of Saic Weimar;
and were attended by the Countess of Gainsborough and
the Marchioneu of Douro, Ladies of the Bedchamber ;
the lion. Amelia Murray and the Hon. Lucy Kerr, Maids
of Honour in Waiting ; the Lord Steward, the Groom of
the Stole to the Prince, the Vice-Chamberlain, the Trai-
-1 curer of the Household, Lord Elphinstone, Lord in Wait-
; Viscount Clifden, Lord in Waiting to the Prince;
8 r Edward Bowater, Groom in Waiting ; Lord A. Charles
Fitzroy, Equerry in Waiting; Lieut.-Colonel Francis
Hugh Seymour, Equerry in Waiting to the Prince; and
Mr. George Grant Gordon and the Hon. W. F. Forbes,
Pages of Honour in Waiting.
The Queen wore a dress of pink glace, covered with pink
er4e liase, trimmed with pink roses and wreaths of silver
I.nves, ornamented with diamonds.

Her Majesty's headdn m was formed of a wreath of pink
roses and silver leaves, intermixed with diamonds to cor-
respond•